MENDOTA – Fund transfers and an intergovernmental agreement were among the items discussed at the Mendota High School District 280 Board of Education meeting on March 16.

The board approved a transfer of $130,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Capital Projects Fund for upcoming projects planned at the high school. They also approved $25,000 to the Operation and Maintenance Fund for the cost of a truck and plow that was purchased for in-house snow removal and $20,000 to the Transportation Fund for the purchase of a new mini van to transport students who need out-of-district services.

Superintendent Jeff Prusator said Mendota High School will again work with the Mendota Elementary District by providing a choir teacher two days per week for one period each day next year. As part of the intergovernmental agreement, which was approved by the board, the elementary district will pay for its share of the instructor’s time.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

• Principal Denise Aughenbaugh congratulated the IMEA Solo and Ensemble participants and award winners and expressed her appreciation to Lori Schrock and Kyle Amati for providing students with this opportunity. (See page A2 for list of winners.)
• Early graduation requests were approved for 14 students, upon recommendation from Aughenbaugh. She noted that five of those students must pass all of their registered courses to qualify for early graduation, so it is yet to be determined if they will do so.
• Approximately 65 students have been attending the evening SAT Prep class held weekly at MHS. Aughenbaugh thanked Mr. Artman, Mrs. Campbell, Mr. Straughn and Mr. Wohrley for teaching the classes.
• The SAT (11), PSAT 10, and PSAT 9 tests will be given on April 14. This is an early dismissal day due to testing. Students will test until 12:45 p.m. and buses will depart at 12:50 p.m.
• On April 4, students enrolled in science and CTE classes will have the opportunity to attend an in-house field trip. Northern Illinois University will bring a 40-station STEM lab to the auxiliary gym for students to tour in an open house format. There will also be a live physics demonstration in the gym during period 5, in which students will be exposed to active, hands-on lessons involving the concepts of sound, light, forces, heat, electricity, waves and more.

Aughenbaugh said they also look forward to offering informational booths on colleges and local businesses, noting that representatives from HCC have committed to join students that day to explore their business career opportunities and STEM needs. 

• Approval was given to having a part-time instructional coach for the 2020-21 school year. Aughenbaugh explained that Evidence Based Funding Research shows that having professional development with classroom instructional coaches has a very positive effect on student performance.
• Volunteer coaches were approved by the board. They include Steve Gibertini, softball; Chad Hochstatter, baseball; and Tim Staffeldt and Mike Reppin, track volunteer assistants. Aughenbaugh noted that Hochstatter, who is also the School Resource Officer, will not leave school early for out-of-town games.

PERSONNEL

The board approved Brock Sondgeroth as Fine Arts Department Chair due to the retirement of Lori Schrock and Janet DeLong as concession supervisor.

They accepted the resignation of Kyle Amati, music instructor and band director, effective at the end of summer band in June, and that of science teacher Susan House, who has taught for 19 years. “We appreciate her years of dedication to the students of MHS,” Aughenbaugh said.

Renewal of non-tenured teachers was approved including Keegan Hill (Special Education/PE), Robert Nunn (PE/Health/DE), Kaitlyn Rippentrop (PE), Melissa Sallee (FACS), and Alisa Stewart (Science).

The next regular board of education meeting will be held at the high school on Monday, April 20 at 6 p.m.