PERSONNEL ITEMS FOR BOARD APPROVAL MAY 12, 2025
BOARD ACKNOWLEDGES THE FOLLOWING
TERMINATIONS/RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Madeline Fellhauer, Freshman Volleyball Coach at Galesburg Senior High School, resigned,
effective May 1, 2025.
Eric Meling, School Psychologist at Steele Elementary School, resigned, effective at the end of
the 2024-2025 school year.
Teresa Hainds, ED Paraprofessional at Galesburg Junior High School, resigned, effective April
17, 2025.
Mary Fowler, 1st Grade Teacher at Silas Willard Elementary School, resigned, effective May 28,
2025.
Megan Pittman Wurth, Assistant Principal at Galesburg Junior Senior High School, resigned,
effective June 30, 2025.
DeAnn Spring, Cross Categorical Teacher at Steele Elementary School, retiring, effective at the
end of the 2028-2029 school year. Per GEA Contract, eligible for 6% for 4 years starting with the
2025-2026 school year.
Bailey Watts, Health and Physical Education Teacher at Galesburg Senior High School,
resigned, effective May 28, 2025.
Ralph “Brad” Bennewitz, English Teacher at Galesburg Senior High School, retiring, effective at
the end of the 2028-2029 school year. Per GEA Contract, eligible for 6% for 4 years starting with
the 2025-2026 school year.
Ellen Howard, 4 hour per day Satellite Kitchen Assistant at Steele Elementary School, resigned,
effective May 1, 2025.
Sara Gray, Athletic Secretary at Galesburg Junior Senior High School, resigned, effective May
23, 2025.
Jennifer J. Robinson, Key Club Sponsor at Galesburg Senior High School, resigned, effective
May 27, 2025.
Kaydynce Lydic, 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach at Galesburg Junior High School, resigned,
effective April 25, 2025.
Madison Patch, Secretary at Steele Elementary School, resigned, effective at the end of the
2024-2025 school year.
Karen Webster, Central Kitchen Manager at Galesburg Junior Senior High School, retiring,
effective May 28, 2025. Per SEIU contract, eligible for $300.00 per year for 26 years =
$7,800.00.
Heike Varnold, 5.5 hour per day Central Kitchen Assistant at Galesburg Junior Senior High
School, retiring, effective May 28, 2025. Per SEIU contract eligible for $300.00 per year for 17
years = $5,100.00.
Vanessa Purl, 5.5 hour per day Satellite Kitchen Assistant at Lombard Middle School,
adjustment to retirement date, effective May 28, 2025. Per SEIU contract, eligible for $300.00
per year for 26 years = $7,800.00.
Carly Smith, 7th Grade Volleyball Coach at Galesburg Junior High School, resigned, effective
May 9, 2025.
Sarah McDermott, Department Chair Counselor at Galesburg Junior Senior High School,
resigned, effective May 28, 2025.
Evan Wignall, Math Teacher at Galesburg Senior High School, resigned, effective May 28, 2025.
CERTIFIED STAFF APPOINTMENTS:
Please note: The following new appointments are pending completion of all certification requirements,
citizenship, and clearance on the state & FBI required background investigation. Final salaries are
pending verification of transcripts and employment verification.
Leia Hall, Physical Education Teacher at Steele Elementary School, effective August 7, 2025.
(Replacing Chad Kirkhove)
Salary: $53,032.00, BA+0, Step 12.
James Melvin, 6th Grade Social Studies at Lombard Middle School, effective August 7, 2025.
(Replacing Jennifer Young)
Salary: $55,499.00, MA+0, Step 10.
Kyle Horn, 5th Grade ELA/Social Studies Teacher at Lombard Middle School, effective August
7, 2025. (Replacing Michelle Hinkle)
Salary: $42,448.00, BA+0, Step 1.
Lorene Larson, Part Time Health Occupations Clinical Instructor at Galesburg Area Vocational
Center, effective August 11, 2025. (New Position)
Salary: $10,791.00.(Prorated for 44 days)
Andrea Leibach, English Teacher at Galesburg Senior High School, effective August 7, 2025.
(Replacing Tamara Qualls)
Salary: $69,580.00. MA+29, Step 17.
TRANSFERS/CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Alejandro Varela, ELL Teacher 0.5 FTE at Steele Elementary School and 0.5 FTE at King
Elementary School, transferring to ELL Teacher 1.0 FTE at Silas Willard Elementary School,
effective August 7, 2025. (New Position)
Taryn Henry, 3rd Grade Teacher at Steele Elementary School, transferring to 4th Grade Teacher
at Steele Elementary School, effective August 7, 2025. (Replacing Hannah Orellana)
Hannah Orellana, 4th Grade Teacher at Steele Elementary School, transferring to 3rd Grade
Teacher at Steele Elementary School, effective August 7, 2025. (Replacing Taryn Henry)
Hannah Hyzy, 4th Grade Teacher at Steele Elementary School, transferring to 3rd Grade
Teacher at Steele Elementary School, effective August 7, 2025. (Replacing Amelia St. Clair)
Amelia St. Clair, 3rd Grade Teacher at Steele Elementary School, transferring to 4th Grade
Teacher at Steele Elementary School, effective August 7, 2025. (Replacing Hannah Hyzy)
Angela Noonan, Instructional Interventionist at Steele Elementary School, involuntary transfer to
1st Grade Teacher at Steele Elementary School, effective August 7, 2025. (Open Section)
Lee Genandt, ED Teacher at Silas Willard Elementary School, transferring to Cross Categorical
Teacher at Galesburg Junior High School, effective August 7, 2025. (Replacing Kelli Joyslin)
Megan Varela, Instructional Interventionist at Steele Elementary School, transferring to 4th
Grade Teacher at Steele Elementary School, effective August 7, 2025. (Replacing Manuel
Orellana)
Manuel Orellana, 4th Grade Teacher at Steele Elementary School, transferring to Dean of
Students at Steele Elementary School, effective August 7, 2025. (New Position)
Jennifer Cummings, 2nd Grade Teacher at Silas Willard Elementary School, transferring to 3rd
Grade Teacher at Silas Willard Elementary School, effective August 7, 2025. (Replacing Laurin
Hopping)
Kristin Nelson, Instructional Interventionist at King Elementary School, involuntary transfer to
3rd Grade Teacher at King Elementary School, effective August 7, 2025. (Replacing Elizabeth
Gernant)
OVERLOAD, EXTRA DUTY, ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT OR DIFFERENTIAL
TRANSFERS/APPOINTMENTS:
Taylor Thiel, Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Galesburg Senior High School, effective August
7, 2025. (Replacing Chad Thompson)
Salary: $11,326.00.
Carmen Colford, 0.5 FTE 7th and 8th Grade Boys Cross Country Coach at Galesburg Junior
High School, effective August 7, 2025. (Replacing Kevin Vysoky)
Salary: $1,560.50.
Barb Baker, 9th-12th Grade Summer School Teacher at Galesburg Senior High School, effective
May 29, 2025.
$30.00 per hour.
Carrie Blaser, 9-12th Grade Summer School Teacher at Galesburg Senior High School, effective
May 29, 2025.
$30.00 per hour.
Heather Patterson, 9th-12th Grade Summer School Teacher at Galesburg Senior High School,
effective May 29, 2025.
$30.00 per hour,
Meghan Myers, 8th Grade Summer School Teacher at Galesburg Senior High School, effective
May 29, 2025.
$30.00 per hour.
Sherry Morrison, 9th-12th Grade Summer School Biology Teacher at Galesburg Junior High
School, effective May 29, 2025.
$30.00 per hour.
Julianne LeFevre, 8th Grade Summer School Algebra Teacher at Galesburg Junior High
School, effective May 29, 2025.
$30.00. Per hour.
Anthony Plue, 8th Grade Assistant Football Coach at Galesburg Junior High School, effective
August 7, 2025. (Replacing Andrew Petty)
Salary: $2,746.70
Kyle Horn, 0.5 FTE 7th and 8th Grade Boys Cross Country Coach at Galesburg Junior High
School, effective August 7, 2025. (Replacing Kevin Vysoky)
Salary: $1,560.50
Stephanie Woodard, Junior High Summer School Teacher at Galesburg Junior High School,
effective May 29, 2025.
$30.00 per hour.
SUPPORT STAFF:
APPOINTMENTS:
Steven Schwab, Seasonal General Summer Maintenance for the District, effective June 2,
2025. (Replacing Self)
$24.32 per hour.
TRANSFERS/CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
Susan Hite, Custodian for the District, transferring to Night 2 (Yellow Zone) Custodian at
Lombard Middle School, effective April 18, 2025. (Replacing Jarrod Chandler)
Jarrod Chandler, Night 2 (Yellow Zone) Custodian at Lombard Middle School, transferring to
Night 1 (Blue Zone) Custodian at Lombard Middle School, effective April 18, 2025. (Replacing
Kenneth “Mike” Howard)
Nicole Raska, Personal Attendant at Galesburg Senior High School, transferring to Personal
Attendant at Silas Willard Elementary School, effective April 15, 2025. (New Position)
THE BOARD ACKNOWLEDGES THE FOLLOWING LEAVES OF ABSENCE:
Jordan Ball, 7th Grade English Teacher at Galesburg Junior High School, two days of unpaid
leave, April 15 and 16, 2025.
Mothe Smith, 5.5 hour per day Central Kitchen Assistant at Galesburg Junior Senior High
School, one unpaid day on May 13, 2025 per SEIU contract.
