MENDOTA – Kristen School, District 289 superintendent, addressed the Board of Education at the Aug. 21 meeting. "We are at the point that I think we have all been dreading in regard to the track," she said.
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MENDOTA – Kristen School, District 289 superintendent, addressed the Board of Education at the Aug. 21 meeting. "We are at the point that I think we have all been dreading in regard to the track," she said.
After numerous repairs, the surface is now too thin to just repair, School noted. She brought the issue to the board at the July meeting and reiterated the concern this month, asking for direction.
District 280 donated the track to the elementary district several years ago. "There is a certain amount of responsibility for us to take care of it," School stated.
School commented that it was an incredible gift the high school gave to the elementary district, but it comes with expenses, too. School anticipates resurfacing the track to cost around $150,000. "That expense is not built in to the budget," she said.
She reminded the board that not only does the district use the track, but the community uses it, also.
Discussion from board members included Mandy Ossman asking what would happen if they did nothing, Teresa Komitas suggesting a community-led committee and researching grant options, Joel Johnson stating that years ago the board declined the track from the high school due to upkeep costs, Larry Sheaves asking what funds could be used, and Kristen Kain asking for a breakdown of how much the track is used and by whom.
Board members seemed to agree that reaching out to the community for financial support was going to be necessary.
School was directed to obtain more concrete information on who uses the track, resurfacing costs, time frame, and grant options.
School presented the preliminary budget summary for FY 2018-2019. She anticipated an approximate $190,000 deficit. The largest deficit comes from the Education Fund with a projected $9,070,205 in revenue compared to $9,559,950 in expenses. School noted that the Transportation Fund continually operates without enough funds, as well.
A budget hearing is set for Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. The budget is on display at the District 289 offices.
The board recognized Renee Kofoid as their monthly Pause for Applause recipient. Kofoid has been volunteering at Blackstone School since 2012. Stacy Kelly, Blackstone principal told board members Kofoid volunteered 450 hours last year alone. In addition to volunteering, Kofoid works in the kitchen at Blackstone.
The board accepted the resignations of Alissa Wyffels, K-1 PE teacher at Blackstone and Tawnya Blue as 2nd grade teacher at Lincoln.
The board also approved the retirements of Joan DeVault, lead cook at Blackstone effective immediately; Dion Christman as physical education teacher at Northbrook and Lincoln effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year with incentives per contract; and Laurie Joeger, resource teacher at Northbrook effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year with incentives per contract.
Finally, the board set the 2018-2019 regular board meetings schedule as follows: Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 19 (Monday), Dec. 20, Jan. 17, Feb. 21, March 21, April 18, May 16, and June 20. All meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month, except where noted. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. in the District 289 Education Center.
