District 111 board plans to close Mark Twain Elementary after this year

Kankakee School District 111 is likely going to look much different going forward.The Kankakee school board resumed talks this week about restructuring the district to create neighborhood K-5 schools, among other changes, in response to declining enrollment and building underutilization.Part of that plan was set in motion Monday.The board unanimously approved a resolution to begin proceedings for the closure of Mark Twain Elementary School at the end of this school year.The full scope of changes, including new school boundaries for K-5, has not received final approval.A board decision is expected Jan. 11.A town hall meeting is slated for next week, and a series of school closure hearings are scheduled through January.Proposed plansIf approved, the closure of Twain, built in 1969, would be effective July 1, 2027.Located at 2250 E Court St., Twain had an enrollment of 259 pre-K through third grade students and 15 teachers last school year, according to the Illinois Report Card.With Ediso