Farmington Central CUSD 265 board approves 2026–27 student handbook, district AI plan and $360,200 chiller contract; hires assistant superintendent

The Farmington Central CUSD 265 Board approved a series of routine and substantive items at its February meeting, including the district's 2026 627 student handbook, a district artificial intelligence plan and a $360,200 contract to replace a campus chiller. The board also confirmed several staff hires and accepted resignations and retirement notifications.

The board approved the 2026 627 student handbook on a motion by Ashoni, seconded by Smith, with a 7 60 roll-call vote. During later discussion staff recommended adding a new parent-and-family-engagement policy to the handbook to ensure the district remains eligible for federal grant funding; a staff member said, "I'm recommending that we put this one in the student handbook because that gets revisited every year," noting federal guidance about required content had not yet been finalized.

The board unanimously adopted a district artificial intelligence plan prepared by the curriculum subcommittee. "There are no changes from last month," the presenter said when submitting the plan; the board approved it on a motion by Roshone, seconded by Cunningham, by a 7 60 vote.

On facilities, the board voted to award the chiller contract to Helm in the amount of $360,200 after the maintenance department reported four competitive bids. A board member noted the winning bid was notably lower than the others: "That was significantly lower 6 like, 30 some thousand lower than the next bid," the chair observed. The motion to approve the Helm bid (motion by Maher, second by Smith) passed 7 60.

Personnel actions approved during the meeting included transportation hires (Patricia Haines as a bus monitor; Michael Evans and Margaret Wisely as bus driver trainees pending CDL acquisition), the employment of Taylor Everly as a part-time elementary 1-to-1 student facilitator beginning 02/12/2026, the hiring of Tyler Coleslow as a PE/driver-education teacher for 2026 627 contingent on accreditation and licensure, and the hiring of Tory Adelson as JV volleyball coach for Farmington Central High School. Notably, the board approved the employment of Toby Vallis as assistant superintendent as presented (motion by Stanley, second by Maher); the vote was unanimous.

The board also approved FMLA leave requests for Anna Mason and Michelle Reed, acknowledged the resignations of Marty Logier (high school boys basketball head coach) and Lou Hecox (vo-tech teacher), and noted retirement notifications from Rhonda Unkrich and Shelby Naylor, listed in the meeting record as effective at the end of the 02/2030 school year.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (items 1 6): Motion by Cunningham, second by Depperman; roll call 7 60, motion passed.
- Approve 2026 627 student handbook: Motion by Ashoni, second by Smith; roll call 7 60, approved.
- District AI plan: Motion by Roshone, second by Cunningham; roll call 7 60, approved.
- IHSA membership for 2026 627: Motion by Stanley, second by Maher; roll call 7 60, approved.
- Chiller bid award to Helm ($360,200): Motion by Maher, second by Smith; roll call 7 60, approved.
- Transportation hires (Patricia Haines; Michael Evans; Margaret Wisely): Motion by Maher, second by Stanley; roll call 7 60, approved.
- Employ Taylor Everly (1-to-1 facilitator): Motion by Stanley, second by Maher; roll call 7 60, approved.
- Employ Tyler Coleslow (PE/driver ed, contingent): Motion by Cunningham, second by De Pereman; roll call 7 60, approved.
- Employ Tory Adelson (JV volleyball coach): Motion by Roshone, second by Maher; roll call 7 60, approved.
- Employ Toby Vallis (assistant superintendent): Motion by Stanley, second by Maher; roll call 7 60, approved.
- Approve FMLA requests (Anna Mason; Michelle Reed): Motion by Cunningham, second by Roshone; roll call 7 60, approved.

Why it matters
The student handbook governs school rules and procedures affecting students and families; placing a federal parent-and-family-engagement policy in the handbook will allow the district to update that content annually as federal grant requirements evolve. The AI plan adoption signals the district's formal approach to classroom technologies and materials. The chiller contract is a capital maintenance decision with a $360,200 price tag that completes the district's air-conditioning upgrade. The appointment of an assistant superintendent changes district leadership and reporting structure.

The meeting adjourned after the board acknowledged personnel changes and retirements. The board announced the next regular meeting for 04/13/2026 at 6:30 p.m. in the Elementary Research Center.