The Urbana Board of Education met Wednesday evening and approved several measures to improve district facilities, maintain student safety, and address rising operational costs ahead of the upcoming school year.
One of the major items approved by the board was a resolution authorizing the negotiation and execution of an agreement with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC for a stadium lighting retrofit project at the Urbana High School football stadium.
The project will replace the current stadium lighting system, which district officials say has become outdated due to age and years of wear and tear. The upgraded lighting is expected to improve visibility during athletic events while also providing a more reliable and energy-efficient system for the district moving forward.
Board members also approved the issuance of a letter of intent to purchase a new school bus from Rush Trucking during fiscal year 2027 under the extended EPC Consortium Pricing agreement.
District officials said keeping the bus fleet modernized is important to ensuring students continue to have safe and dependable transportation to and from school activities each day. The purchase will also help the district maintain proper fleet numbers and replace older buses as needed.
In addition to the facilities and transportation improvements, the board approved several budget increases to help the district manage rising expenses and operational costs.
Superintendent Charles Thiel said the increases were necessary as districts across the state continue dealing with higher costs for equipment, maintenance, transportation, and daily operations. Thiel also discussed the importance of investing in infrastructure projects like the stadium lighting upgrade to help maintain district facilities for students and the community.
Thiel additionally spoke about the district’s excitement surrounding the hiring of superintendent-to-be Carla Shaw and said district leadership is looking forward to working with her as she prepares to step into the role.
Shaw also addressed the board and community, sharing her excitement about joining Urbana City Schools and beginning her leadership role within the district.
Personnel Changes
In other business, the board approved the retirement resignation of longtime teacher Katie deNijs, effective June 30, 2026.
Mrs. deNijs has been a member of the district for decades as an English teacher and has also long served as chair of the teachers union. District officials described her as a role model and an exemplary figure who represented the very best qualities of an educator throughout her career.
The board also approved the following resignations:
- Jason Boardman, Assistant Maintenance, effective May 31, 2026
- Finnick Vest, Teacher, effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year
- Ashley Broussard, C/O Administrative Assistant, effective July 17, 2026
- Ashley Sullivan, Teacher, effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year
- John Wall, Teacher, effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year
- Katie deNijs, High School Department Chair, effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year
Administrative Contracts Approved
The board approved the following administrative contracts effective for the 2026-27 school year:
- Ashley Sullivan, Director of Technology Integration
- Sean Stormes, High School Assistant Principal
Teacher Contracts Approved
The board approved the following teacher contracts for the 2026-27 school year:
Continuing Contracts
- Jaimie Anderson
- Jennifer Butler
- Jennifer Chapman
- Megan Dean
- Jesse Edwards
- Valerie Leonard
- Christopher Lightle
- Holly McKellop
- Kristin Wasson
Five-Year Contracts
- Theresa Knox
- Jasson Mattern
- Sarah Nannarone
- Traci Pine
- Nicole Sizemore
- Matthew Tobias
Three-Year Contracts
- Skyler Apthorpe
- Kelsie McBride
- Lynne Petkevicius
- Ashton Robeson
- Lindsay Taylor
- Angie Evans
Two-Year Contracts
- Audrey Lightle
- Jodi Montgomery
- Emma Perks
One-Year Contracts
- Todd Charles
- Robyn Torres
Trip Approvals
The board also approved several upcoming student trips, pending final approval of all travel arrangements, including:
- The Urbana Junior High eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., is scheduled for May 17-21, 2027.
- The Urbana FFA trip to FFA Camp Muskingum in Carrollton, Ohio, is scheduled for June 22-26, 2026.
Donations Approved
During the meeting, the board approved several donations supporting programs across the district, including:
- $1,000 from Frederick Seeberg to the Robert K. Martin Scholarship Fund
- $800 from First Presbyterian Church to support the Urbana Junior High Kirkmont Trip
- $19.56 from Ohio Pyle Prints to Urbana High School
- $300 combined from Thomas & Betty Shockey and Women of the Moose Urbana Chapter 698 for Urbana High School Academic Awards
- $3,000 from Joseph & Ninotchka Timm to Urbana High School DECA
- $6,579 from the Urbana Athletic Boosters to Urbana High School Baseball
- $1,000 from Peoples Bank to the Urbana High School Athletic Department
- $512.25 from Lifetouch/Shutterfly to Urbana Elementary
- $23.30 from BoxTops to Urbana Elementary and Junior High
- $350 combined from the Champaign County Historical Society and Urbana Chapter DAR 2369 for the Urbana Junior High Washington, D.C. Trip
- An in-kind donation valued at $2,718 from ORBIS for the Urbana Junior High Washington, D.C. Trip
- An in-kind donation valued at $1,000 from First Presbyterian Church to Urbana Elementary
