Central SD 13J honors staff for life-saving actions and proclaims Classified Employee Appreciation Week

The Central School District 13J board recognized multiple staff members for life-saving actions and adopted a proclamation designating March 2–6, 2026, as Classified Employee Appreciation Week.

Superintendent Kubista cited three separate incidents: Jessica Stall at Ash Creek Elementary performed the Heimlich maneuver to save a choking student; Alma Monzo, Maline (Meline) Jordan and Stephanie Thomas at Ash Creek responded to a severe allergic reaction and administered an EpiPen; and Jordan Clark at Talmage Middle School removed a burning trash can, preventing a potential fire. Each group received the district's staff leadership and continuous improvement awards.

As part of the recognition remarks the superintendent reported district service statistics: 250,524 school meals prepared to date and approximately 250 transportation trips so far this year; the presentation also noted the district maintains roughly 650,000 square feet of usable building space. (Figures quoted from the presentation; some daily-average figures were transcribed imprecisely in the record.)

During Communications from the Floor, the OEA chapter president for the district thanked classified employees and described them as the "backbone of our public education system," noting their roles from custodial work to bus driving and cafeteria service.

The board adopted the proclamation during the meeting. No formal roll-call tally for the proclamation was recorded in the public transcript beyond the adoption announcement and applause.