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Kankakee District 111 is weighing a major reconfiguration of its elementary schools that would move most students into neighborhood K-5 buildings — a change officials say is intended to address empty seats, simplify transitions for children and reshape how early childhood services are delivered. The board plans more discussion this month and a final vote in November, leaving families and staff a narrow window to offer input before a decision that would take effect for the 2027–28 school year.
What the district is considering
Consultants from MGT delivered an enrollment and boundary analysis earlier this year that underpins the proposal now before the district. That study sets out a model shifting away from the current split of primary (K–3) and upper elementary (4–6) campuses toward neighborhood schools that serve kindergarten through fifth grade.
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Under the plan presented to the board, students would attend the elementary building closest to their home, while sixth grade would move to Kankakee Junior High to join seventh and eighth graders. One school under consideration for a different role is Steuben, which would be repurposed to focus on preschool only.
- Kennedy, Taft, Mark Twain: proposed to become K–5 neighborhood elementary schools
- Steuben: proposed to be converted to a preschool/early childhood center (currently PreK–3)
- Lincoln Cultural Center: would remain a K–8 facility
- Kankakee Junior High & Kankakee High School: configuration for grades 6–8 and 9–12 respectively, with high school unchanged
- Decision timeline: detailed board discussion on Oct. 13; vote scheduled for Nov. 9 for implementation in 2027–28
Why the change matters now
District leaders say the proposal responds to three pressing concerns: substantial underuse of building capacity, a multi-year decline in enrollment and frequent school moves for students that can disrupt learning and community ties.
Superintendent Teresa Lance told the board the K–5 model could significantly reduce underutilization across buildings. According to district estimates shared at the meeting, the percentage of empty seats could fall from roughly 30–40% to about 20% if the plan is adopted and implemented.
That shift would affect staffing, transportation patterns and classroom assignments, and could require physical adjustments at some campuses. Officials emphasize the proposal remains provisional until the board casts its vote.
How the proposal was developed
MGT provided data and scenario modeling to a steering committee made up of administrators, current and former board members, transportation staff and central office personnel. The consulting firm did not instruct the committee on which path to choose; rather, it supplied analyses that the group used to form recommendations.
The steering committee’s role—and the consultant’s—was confined to analysis and planning input; the school board retains final authority.
Public input: where and how to comment
District leaders are actively soliciting feedback. Staff, families and community members can submit questions and opinions through a district-hosted survey and a separate MGT online poll. Responses will be compiled into a public FAQ document to inform the board’s deliberations.
Officials say all supporting materials — including the consultant’s presentation and links to the online feedback tools — are posted on the District 111 website.
Voices at the board meeting
Board President Chris Bohlen said the proposed boundary changes rank among the most consequential decisions during his tenure, noting unpredictable effects on neighborhoods and long-term consequences for the district.
He framed the issue around practical pressures: empty classrooms, declining enrollment and the instability some children face moving through multiple schools before high school. Bohlen urged careful review of public and staff input ahead of the November vote.
Other board members repeated that appeal. Trustee Tracy Verrett asked residents not to dismiss their own perspectives, calling candid feedback “imperative.” Trustee Suzy Berrones encouraged submission of both concerns and positive observations so the board can weigh all angles.
Several speakers addressed the plan during public comment. One long-time teacher, who has worked at Steuben and Mark Twain, suggested using Mark Twain as overflow space for preschool if needed, arguing that Mark Twain’s layout and facilities are better suited to very young children than some other buildings.
What happens next
The district will continue collecting questions and comments while board members review the MGT analysis in advance of the Oct. 13 discussion. A final vote is scheduled for Nov. 9; until that vote is taken, no changes are official.
For families and staff, the coming weeks present the main opportunity to shape the outcome. Beyond answers to logistical questions, the debate will determine how neighborhood schools, early childhood programming, and middle-grade transitions are structured for years to come.
