The Galesburg CUSD 205 Board of Education on Jan. 12 began discussions on possible school attendance boundary and start-time changes prompted by enrollment growth at the elementary level.
The board also accepted the district’s annual financial audit and approved several facility-related items during its first open meeting of 2026.
Superintendent John Asplund said significant growth at Steele Elementary has triggered the district’s required annual review of attendance boundaries, which are evaluated to ensure students are distributed equitably as neighborhood populations change.
“Our enrollments for Steele were just getting a lot bigger,” Asplund said. “As populations move around the district, we have to look at how we change those neighborhoods to make sure the buildings are all equitably housed.”
Asplund reported current enrollments of 470 students at King Elementary, 456 at Silas Willard Elementary and 532 at Steele Elementary. He said the district is exploring adjustments that would result in enrollments of 479 at King, 480 at Silas and 499 at Steele.
The administration plans to present a proposed boundary map and specific recommendations at the board’s Feb. 9 meeting, when members could vote on whether to implement changes. Asplund noted the board could also decide to leave boundaries unchanged.
The meeting opened with auditors presenting a positive financial report, issuing a clean opinion for the district’s most recent fiscal year. The audit found the district’s financial practices to be effective and in compliance, with no major concerns identified.
According to the audit, the district’s general fund balance stands at approximately $52.3 million, representing about 83% of its $63 million in total funds. The general fund increased by $9.7 million over the year, largely due to property tax revenue and continued grant funding.
“You have to do an audit every year, and this one was clean,” Asplund said after the meeting. “There were some recommendations because accounting standards change every year, but there were no concerns.”
Board members also approved submission of the district’s fiscal year 2026 school maintenance grant application, which would allow the district to seek up to $50,000 in state funding for potential improvements at the varsity baseball field, including bleacher replacement.
Administrators emphasized that approval of the application does not commit the district to spending money but preserves eligibility if the project moves forward.
“If we want to tap into those funds, we needed board approval tonight,” Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Jennifer Hamm said, noting the district would not incur costs if the project does not proceed.
The board also approved specifications for planned improvements at the Bednar Complex and Silas Willard Elementary School. Proposed work includes roof replacement, parking lot improvements, and construction of a new concession and restroom facility serving the baseball and softball fields.
Board members raised concerns over the loss of a parent educator position at the Bright Futures preschool, previously funded through the Regional Office of Education No. 33.
Board member Maury Lyon questioned why services funded through ROE grants were not reaching District 205 families, citing more than $1 million in prevention funding and $134,636 allocated for community services.
“I guess my question I have to ask them, as well as our administration, is how come they’re not spending money on the students and families in District 205?” Lyon said.
Academic and student achievements
The board also celebrated several academic milestones:
- Silas Willard Elementary: Principal Jodi Keever reported that 94% of students had zero behavior referrals in December. The school met its winter benchmark goals in multiple categories, including kindergarten and first-grade reading.
- GJSHS honor roll: More than 51% of students at Galesburg Junior/Senior High School earned a spot on the honor roll or high honor roll for the second quarter.
- Vocational growth: The Galesburg Area Vocational Center continues to grow, with projected second-semester enrollment reaching 435 students, a 2.6% increase over the previous year.
- Special education: Data showed that Steele Elementary and Galesburg Senior High School currently house the highest numbers of students receiving special education services, with 99 and 159 students, respectively.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 9.