For Immediate Release: Saturday, October 25, 2025 – 5:30 p.m.
After receiving official notification late this afternoon that members of AFT Local #817 have approved the Tentative Agreement of the Contract between the teachers and the school district, Frankfort CUSD #168 is announcing a Special Meeting of its Board of Education to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in the Library at Central Junior High School, located at 1600 East Ninth Street in West Frankfort, Illinois.
The purpose of the Special Meeting is to consider approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Board of Education of Frankfort Community Unit School District #168 and the American Federation of Teachers Local #817.
The official posting of the Agenda for the Special Meeting will take place at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time, and if any additional items will be up for consideration, they will be announced at that time.
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After receiving official notification late this afternoon that members of AFT Local #817 have approved the Tentative Agreement of the Contract between the teachers and the school district, Frankfort CUSD #168 is announcing a Special Meeting of its Board of Education to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in the Library at Central Junior High School, located at 1600 East Ninth Street in West Frankfort, Illinois.
The purpose of the Special Meeting is to consider approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Board of Education of Frankfort Community Unit School District #168 and the American Federation of Teachers Local #817.
The official posting of the Agenda for the Special Meeting will take place at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time, and if any additional items will be up for consideration, they will be announced at that time.
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Frankfort CUSD #168 and AFT Local #817 Reach Tentative Agreement
This is a joint statement on behalf of Frankfort CUSD #168 and AFT Local #817.
After meeting in their 17th Bargaining Session, the negotiating teams for the District and for the Teachers’ Union have reached a Tentative Agreement on their contract. Both sides will go back to their members to review the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and schedule votes for approval in the coming days.
# # #
This is a joint statement on behalf of Frankfort CUSD #168 and AFT Local #817.
After meeting in their 17th Bargaining Session, the negotiating teams for the District and for the Teachers’ Union have reached a Tentative Agreement on their contract. Both sides will go back to their members to review the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and schedule votes for approval in the coming days.
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A reminder that we all continue to encourage community members to read and review the IELRB Public Posting Documents from the District and AFT Local #817 that are located on the District’s webpage at https://wfschools.org/ on the “Posting Negotiation Docs” Button. In addition, the District has posted an FAQ page for its Posting and a copy of its Oct. 1 Proposal.
From FCUSD 168: There was an apparent domestic incident and stabbing at an address a block from FCHS at approximately 1:15 p.m. The suspect was apprehended. There was no threat to the high school and classes remain in session at all schools.
Just after 8 p.m. as rain was coming down, two FCHS students were hit by a vehicle on Main St. as they were crossing to the Homecoming Dance at Max Morris Gym. They were taken to an area hospital to be checked out, and will be able to go home tonight. We thank the WFPD and WFFD for their help.
As posted in the regular schedule for the year, the monthly Regular Meeting of the Frankfort CUSD #168 Board of Education will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, in the Library at Central Junior High School, located at 1600 East Ninth Street in West Frankfort. After several days of deliberations regarding building schedule and logistical issues, the scheduled start time at 6:00 p.m. will be delayed one hour. That means that the scheduled Regular Meeting will be called to order at 7:00 p.m.
The agenda will be posted within the next 24 hours in a separate release to meet all legal requirements.
The agenda will be posted within the next 24 hours in a separate release to meet all legal requirements.
TIME CHANGE
State Cross Country in DuQuoin has been moved up 1 hour to try and avoid bad weather. The new schedule will be as follows:
Girls race - 12:30
Boys race - upon completion of judging girls race (Approx 1:15). 1st call will be at the conclusion of the girls race.
THERE IS AN ADMISSION FEE. ADULTS $5 STUDENTS $2
NO ANIMALS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED AT THIS EVENT. FANS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE EVENT IF THEY HAVE AN ANIMAL AT ANY LOCATION OF THE EVENT!
NO DRONE USAGE IS ALLOWED AT THE EVENT.
State Cross Country in DuQuoin has been moved up 1 hour to try and avoid bad weather. The new schedule will be as follows:
Girls race - 12:30
Boys race - upon completion of judging girls race (Approx 1:15). 1st call will be at the conclusion of the girls race.
THERE IS AN ADMISSION FEE. ADULTS $5 STUDENTS $2
NO ANIMALS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED AT THIS EVENT. FANS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE EVENT IF THEY HAVE AN ANIMAL AT ANY LOCATION OF THE EVENT!
NO DRONE USAGE IS ALLOWED AT THE EVENT.
Join us at our CJHS Basketball Pink Out game and show your support in the fight against cancer! Shirt orders will close this Sunday, October 12.
On Friday, October 10, CJHS students who qualified for the PBIS (Positive Behavior) reward trip will be walking to the park for a day of fun and games. Students will be escorted by their advisory period teacher to make sure everyone arrives safely.
If your student is eligible to attend, please make sure they have on weather appropriate attire and proper footwear for walking to the park. Students are also encouraged to bring a water bottle. Sack lunches will be provided by the school; however, students are welcome to bring their own lunchbox if they prefer.
We will return to the school before regular dismissal time, so students will follow their normal end of day routines.
Students who are ineligible to attend for any of the following reasons will remain in the building under teacher supervision and will be encouraged to make up work to improve grades for Quarter 1, which ends on Friday. Report cards will be sent home Thursday, October 16.
Ineligibility criteria: (September 12-October 9)
* No more than 2 detentions
* No In School or Out of School Suspensions
* No more than 2 absences without a Doctor's note
* No failing grades
If your student is eligible to attend, please make sure they have on weather appropriate attire and proper footwear for walking to the park. Students are also encouraged to bring a water bottle. Sack lunches will be provided by the school; however, students are welcome to bring their own lunchbox if they prefer.
We will return to the school before regular dismissal time, so students will follow their normal end of day routines.
Students who are ineligible to attend for any of the following reasons will remain in the building under teacher supervision and will be encouraged to make up work to improve grades for Quarter 1, which ends on Friday. Report cards will be sent home Thursday, October 16.
Ineligibility criteria: (September 12-October 9)
* No more than 2 detentions
* No In School or Out of School Suspensions
* No more than 2 absences without a Doctor's note
* No failing grades
CJHS is thankful to the SIJHSAA for the time adjustment and making it possible for our fans to see both the baseball and softball semi-finals, and giving our Cross Country athletes time to participate in both State events!
Information for State Semi-finals:
Baseball
10/07/2025 5:30 PM The Oasis Sports Complex Field B3 Central Junior High School vs. Waterloo Junior High
Softball
10/07/2025 4:00 PM The Oasis Sports Complex Field A1
Central Junior High School vs. Flora Floyd Henson Junior High
Reminders:
*No dogs or cats allowed
*No coolers brought on property
*No noisemakers such as cow bells, whistles, etc…
*No signs larger that a legal sized piece of paper.
(8½ X 14) Don’t block the view of other fans. Don’t
leave the signs at the ball park – take them home!
*Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on site.
Information for State Semi-finals:
Baseball
10/07/2025 5:30 PM The Oasis Sports Complex Field B3 Central Junior High School vs. Waterloo Junior High
Softball
10/07/2025 4:00 PM The Oasis Sports Complex Field A1
Central Junior High School vs. Flora Floyd Henson Junior High
Reminders:
*No dogs or cats allowed
*No coolers brought on property
*No noisemakers such as cow bells, whistles, etc…
*No signs larger that a legal sized piece of paper.
(8½ X 14) Don’t block the view of other fans. Don’t
leave the signs at the ball park – take them home!
*Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on site.
Reminder!
Statement regarding the Scheduling Conflict of Jr High State Baseball and Regional Cross Country meets:
Requests have been made to the appropriate State and Regional Contest Coordinators in order to try and accommodate our students who have conflicts in participation in two state events at the same time on Tuesday, 10/7.
While we understand parents want to assist in making it possible for both teams to be successful, when the proper chain of command is not being followed, it creates more barriers than help, which has resulted in the SIJHSAA declaring that both events will continue as currently scheduled.
We hate that students are made to choose between two events that are equally important, but we ask that everyone respect this personal decision by the students and their families.
Mrs. Jacobs's Art of Math elective created a large Sierpinski Triangle out of small Sierpinski triangles! Check out the close ups of some of the triangles!
CJHS Dress up days for homecoming week (Oct. 13-17)
Statement Regarding Incident Near Denning Elementary School
The following is an update on the situation earlier this morning that caused Denning Elementary School to observe "Secure" protocol.
From 168-Denning was in Secure mode for 20 min. due to a report of gun in neighborhood. All are safe.
From FCUSD 168: Water service is restored to CJHS/ASC. We will continue our regular school day with a Boil Order.
The WF Water Dept is currently repairing a line that feeds CJHS/ASC. FIS is not affected. CJHS students have clean drinking water & we will utilize FIS & escort student there for restroom facilities.. A Boil order will follow.
Hey Dad, it’s time to peck away at that tough conversation about underage drinking. It’s not easy, but now’s the time to ruffle some feathers and talk to your kids about the risks. For more info, visit: theelephantisintheroom.com
