MENDOTA - The Mendota School District 289 Board of Education discussed several items at the April 19 monthly meeting.

First on the list was the failing bell/speaker system at Northbrook School that led to talk about building security. “School security is on everyone’s mind,” commented Kristen School, superintendent.

Along with receiving quotes on replacing the bell/speaker system, upgrades to building entrance security cameras and entry door systems were offered. However, there are many options to consider if the district decides to make these changes, too. Currently the security system does work, but a newer system would provide better quality video, for example.

“What is our end goal,” questioned Krysten Kain, board member.

Board member Mandy Ossman agreed that they needed to discuss a plan before making initial purchases.

The Northbrook Middle School Annual Honors Banquet will be held on Tuesday, May 1 at 6 p.m. at the Mendota Civic Center. But School informed the board that the drastic increases in fees for the Civic Center rental and the dinner will have to be discussed before planning next year’s event.

Initial talk included seeking corporate sponsorship, serving cake and punch instead of a dinner, and holding the event at the school versus the Civic Center. “It’s not just about what is tradition, it is about what is necessary,” stated School.

The board will solicit feedback from staff before continuing the discussion.

School also told the board that the district has been consistently receiving around $4,000 from the one-cent sales tax in Lee County.

In action items

NMS gym floor cleaning and resealing at Northbrook was approved for a total cost of $1,125.

SKI was approved to sealcoat and restripe all blacktop areas in the district for a total cost of $14,633.

Installation of a Trane three-ton condenser and associated labor, wiring, and materials by John’s Service and Sales for a total cost of $6,190 was approved. This will fix the overheating issues in the computer lab.

Emily Dunn, seventh grade resource teacher, and Anthony Santillo, fifth grade resource teacher, resigned effective at the conclusion of the 2017-2018 school year.

Kelly Poremba, seventh grade reading teacher, will retire effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.

Lydia Jones was approved as a special education director at a salary of $70,000. Tyler Pearce was approved as the Northbrook assistant principal at a salary of $52,000.

Additional positions filled included: Megan Larem as a bilingual preschool teacher, Samantha Carlson as a 0-3 parent educator, Denise Villa as a third grade teacher at Lincoln, Lauren Akre as a first grade teacher at Blackstone, and Aubrey Smith as a kindergarten teacher at Blackstone.

Several summer positions were approved, as well.

Additional positions approved to be filled include an ESL interventionist position to be shared between Lincoln and Blackstone and two instructional interventionist positions for Lincoln and Blackstone. Beth Wackerlin, curriculum director, told the board that grants should cover the cost of at least two of those positions. These positions will fill the gap in instruction for students requiring some intervention. “Early intervention is key,” Wackerlin added.

The last day of school is set for May 31 with a 1:35 p.m. dismissal. Graduation will be held at Mendota High School at 7 p.m.

The next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the District 289 Education Center. Meetings are open to the public.