8 stories impacting Belleville high school education

Belleville schools are facing changes and challenges that shape education for students and staff. Federal funding remains vital, with districts using Title I and IDEA funds for staffing, technology, and resources to support students with disabilities and those from low-income families. Safety upgrades, like the Centegix Safety Platform and wearable panic buttons for teachers, are being introduced to help respond quickly to emergencies.

Leadership changes are also underway in Districts 201 and 118. Meanwhile, rising property values are enabling districts to lower tax rates while planning facility improvements and maintaining essential services.

NO. 1: BELLEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL WEAR PANIC BUTTONS TO HELP HEAD OFF EMERGENCIES

The same system was used at Apalachee High School in Georgia, which law enforcement officials said likely saved lives. | Published October 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kelly Smits

NO. 2: HOME VALUES SURGED IN BELLEVILLE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE SCHOOLS’ PROPERTY TAX RATE?

“I think in the 18 years I’ve been up here, that is the largest projected increase in our equalized assessed valuation,” one superintendent said. | Published November 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kelly Smits

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, speaking at center, hosted a round table discussion of a proposed plan to disband the U.S. Department of Education and its potential consequences. From left to rightare East St. Louis District 189 teacher Kendrick Evans, Illinois Center for Autism Executive Director Troy Metheney, Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea, Budzinski, Illinois Federation of Teachers Secretary-Treasurer and Belleville District 201 teacher Cyndi Oberle-Dahm, District 201 special education teacher Chelsea Kilzer, and District 201 teacher Thomas Gallaher.

NO. 3: METRO-EAST TEACHERS FEAR CLOSING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL HARM STUDENTS. HERE’S HOW

“I have nightmares about what’s going to happen to my children,” an East St. Louis District 189 teacher said. | Published February 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Madison Lammert

Joe Rujawitz with his family after he was unanimously voted to be Belleville East High School’s next principal at Monday evening’s school board meeting. From left to right are Beth, Joe, Kaden and Connor Rujawitz. By Madison Lammert

NO. 4: BELLEVILLE EAST’S NEW PRINCIPAL IS FORMER HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLER WHO USED TO ‘BLEED MAROON’

The move comes less than a month after hiring a new superintendent in place of departing Brian Mentzer. | Published March 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Madison Lammert

Fedrick Ingram, secretary treasurer for the American Federation of Teachers, watches on as children perform math exercises at James Avant Elementary in Washington Park, Ill. on Oct. 8, 2024. By Joshua Carter

NO. 5: HOW MUCH FEDERAL FUNDING DOES YOUR METRO-EAST SCHOOL GET AND HOW IS IT SPENT?

And is that money and the programs it supports at risk with the Trump administration’s plan to disband the U.S. Department of Education? | Published April 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Madison Lammert

NO. 6: FIFTH GRADE TEACHER, BELLEVILLE WEST COACH JOINS DISTRICT 118 ADMINISTRATION

“She’s always just had an amazing heart for kids,” Principal Monet Webster said of the new assistant principal. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Madison Lammert

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.