At the most recent Keota School Board meeting, Business Manager Cheri Westendorf announced her resignation from the district. According to Superintendent Dennis Phelps, Westendorf has decided to move on from Keota, and has accepted the same position for the Pekin School District. According to Phelps, Westendorf’s reasons for leaving were related to her family, and had little to do with either the Keota or Pekin School Districts. Phelps indicated there were no hard feelings regarding Westendorf’s departure, and the district will certainly miss her.

The school will now begin the process of finding a new business manager. Phelps said before they start accepting applications from prospective candidates, the school board will discuss how they want the position to be filled. He’s unsure if the district will want a full-time, part-time, or even shared business manager, but the board will likely decide during their March meeting. Westendorf will continue serving as Keota’s business manager until July 1st, at which time she will officially start at Pekin.