Did you know? A look back at District 205’s year as a new one begins

District 205 students return to class Wednesday, Aug. 12, for the 2026-27 school year. Before the buses start rolling again, here’s a look back at the year that was, drawn from the district’s Year in Review report.

It’s also the final school year for Superintendent John Asplund, who announced last school year that 2026-27 will be his last with the district. Asplund joins WGIL live at 8:10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, on Galesburg’s Morning News, ahead of the new school year.

Academics and Honors

238 scholars became graduates on May 24 during the 163rd Annual Commencement at Galesburg Junior Senior High School.
Galesburg High School inducted 52 juniors and seniors into the National Honor Society on April 26, each maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA.
Senior Liam Dilley was named a Finalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.
District students earned selection to the Illinois Music Education Association All-State Festival across band, orchestra, jazz band, and chorus.
Jameson Allen (Silas Willard) and Lina Ben Youness (Lombard) won the district’s 2nd-4th and 5th-8th grade spelling bees, respectively.
A group of Steele Elementary fourth graders completed kindergarten through fourth grade without a single office or bus referral, earning commemorative medals.

Athletics and Activities

The Special Olympics Basketball Team brought home the state championship this year.
The girls basketball team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.
State qualifiers this year included 4 individual boys wrestling qualifiers, 2 individual girls wrestling qualifiers, 4 boys and 4 girls swimming qualifiers, 10 boys and 6 girls track and field qualifiers, and a Scholastic Bowl state qualifier.
Junior high qualifiers included 5 state track and field qualifiers, 1 individual wrestling qualifier, 1 track and field qualifier, and an IESA Chess Team state tournament qualifier.
The spring musical, “Mamma Mia!” at the Hegg Performing Arts Center, drew the highest ticket sales since the district began tracking attendance.

Career and Technical Education

The Galesburg Area Vocational Center served 424 students across 25 career and technical education courses this year.
67 GAVC seniors were honored during the annual CTE Senior Signing Day on May 12 for committing to career paths.

Staff and Community

Five employees were recognized for 30 years of service: Dawn Brown, Gloria Clayton, Craig Hillier, Julie Jordan, and Kristine Malek.
Eleven employees reached 20 years of service.
Fourteen staff members were recognized for retirement this year.
This year marked the fifth consecutive year of Choose to Thrive, the district’s annual employee wellness event.

Facility Updates

Recent completed projects include a new district warehouse, the Wicall Addition, and turf baseball and softball fields.
Current projects include baseball bleachers and a press box, along with a new baseball and softball concession and restroom building, both targeted for November 2026.
The Chuck Bednar Complex is among the facility projects highlighted in the report.

Budget Snapshot

District 205 served 3,735 students during the 2025-26 school year.
Total revenue for the year was $70.7 million, with a total operating budget of $62.1 million.
Funding sources broke down as 50% local, 41% state, and 9% federal.
For every $100 spent, $54 went to salaries and benefits, $14 to purchased services, $11 to capital projects, $6 to supplies and materials, and $15 to other costs.
The district spends an average of $15,429 per student annually.

Looking ahead: 2026-27

Classes begin Wednesday, Aug. 12, for K-12 students, with Bright Futures preschool students starting Friday, Aug. 14.

Galesburg Junior Senior High: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday — doors open 7:20 a.m., first bell 7:35 a.m. Wednesday — doors open 9:20 a.m., first bell 9:35 a.m., dismissal 2:55 p.m.
Lombard Middle School: Drop-off 7:45 a.m., first bell 7:55 a.m., dismissal 2:40 p.m.
King, Silas Willard, and Steele Elementary: Drop-off begins 8:30 a.m., doors open/first bell 8:50 a.m., second bell 9 a.m., dismissal 3:45 p.m.
Bright Futures: AM session drop-off 8:50 a.m., dismissal 11:30 a.m. Full day drop-off 8:50 a.m., dismissal 3:45 p.m. PM session drop-off 1:05 p.m., dismissal 3:45 p.m.

The district’s full 2026-27 calendar and building bell schedules are available at galesburg205.org.