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About the Board of Education
About the Board of Education
The Kankakee School District Board of Education is composed of seven elected members deeply committed to ensuring a quality of educational excellence that will enhance the opportunities and challenges facing today's student. Board members are elected to four-year terms and receive no salary for their services. They may seek reelection to any number of terms.
Among the Board's many responsibilities include selection of the District superintendent, developing general policies according to the wishes of the community and requirements of law, and hiring school personnel based upon recommendation of the Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent of Personnel. The Board adopts salary schedules, approves funds to finance school operations, and must adopt and review the annual operating budget for the District. Setting the property tax levy to produce adequate funds to meet the District's financial needs ranks among the responsibilities of the Board of Education.
Elected by the citizens of Kankakee, the Board of Education meets regularly. A copy of the meeting agenda is posted in each school on the Friday preceding the Board meeting and is also available from the Superintendent's Office. All Board meetings are open to the public and provide time during each regular meeting for citizens to publicly comment on issues relating to the District's schools. The Board is always anxious to hear the perspective of the public and welcomes the contributions and suggestions it receives from this input.
The Board of Education uses Diligent to publish Board Agendas, Minutes, and Documents.
Board Members
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Christopher Bohlen graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.A. degree in the Teaching of High School Social Studies. He received his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University School of Law. He has practiced trial law from his office in Kankakee for more than fifty years. Bohlen was appointed to the District 111 board to fill a vacancy in October, 2018. He has been elected to two terms since his appointment and has served as President of the Board for the past two years. Chris lives in Kankakee with his wife, Rosemary Pistorius. Their three children, Harper, Elizabeth and Andrew all graduated from Kankakee High School and are now successfully working and raising their families.
Chris requested to be appointed to the Board to work for improvement in student achievement. He has a history or working in the community and believes that a community is only as strong as the success of its schools. In the future he hopes to see continued success for the administration and staff and substantial increases in achievement for our students.
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Jess Gathing was first elected to the Kankakee School Board in April 2013 and began his fourth term in April 2025. Trusted by residents for over a decade, he remains committed to ensuring every child receives a fair and equitable education.
In recognition of his service, the track behind Kankakee High School now bears his name—a tribute to his lasting impact on students and the community.
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My name is Suzy Berrones, and I work for Birth to Five Illinois. In 2023, I was elected to serve on the Kankakee District 111 School Board. I chose to run because I wanted to help ensure that every student in our district has access to a supportive and equitable education. I am deeply committed to creating safe and nurturing spaces where all students can learn, grow, and thrive.
My hope for the future is that when our students leave the hallways of Kankakee District 111, they are fully prepared, academically, socially, and emotionally, for the opportunities and challenges ahead. I believe this is only possible when parents, community stakeholders, and leaders work together to provide the support our students need. After all, it truly takes a community to prepare and empower the next generation.
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I was elected to the Board of Education in 2017.
I chose to run because I wanted to better understand the responsibilities of a school board member, the role we play in district decision-making, and the challenges facing our schools—and to be part of finding solutions.
My goal moving forward is to work alongside the superintendent and my fellow board members to ensure our district provides the strongest curriculum possible, while continuing to improve student achievement and graduation rates.
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