MENDOTA – District 289 superintendent, Kristen School presented an overview of the end of the year financial picture at the June 21 Board of Education meeting.

With revenue at $11,665,754 and expenditures at $11,569,090, the district currently is in the black with $96,664. However, there are still many outstanding bills to be paid before July 1 that will change that bottom line, School warned.

An additional reason for a positive balance is that the district budgeted for a couple larger projects in the O & M fund that never happened or were not as expensive as anticipated.

The education fund had a deficit of approximately $400,000. "This is the fund that we continue to have a deficit in and something we have to continue to work on," stated School.

Board member Joel Johnson questioned whether negotiations with the high school on transportation costs were an option. Currently, the state owes the district $58,934 for transportation. It is another fund that the district struggles with and must transfer funds to cover the costs.

In total, the State still owes the district $291,310.

In action items:

The board approved the transfer $18,310 from the leasing levy fund to the debt services fund. The transfer was to cover the remainder loan costs of copy machines within the district.

The board approved the Title 1 plan as presented by Stacy Kelly, Blackstone principal. Changes in the grant now require the board to approve the plan before applications can begin.

The board approved the purchase of a 71-gallon water heater replacement for Northbrook at a cost of $6,358 from John’s Service and Sales. The current water heater that services Northbrook's kitchen is rusting and leaking, noted School.

The board approved the retirement of Debbie Clayton as fourth grade teacher at the conclusion of the 2017-2018 school year.

Resignations were also accepted from Corrine Brauweiller as middle school ESL, Maverick Nave as Northbrook life skills teacher and Northbrook assistant boys track coach, Carlee Bieritz as elementary social worker, and Kristine Wujek as first grade teacher at Blackstone.

The board then approved the employment of Kaitlyn Sondgeroth as Lincoln academic interventionist, Tanya Smith as Blackstone academic interventionist, Chris Volk as Northbrook life skills teacher, Lynette Cleary as head cook, Tim Staffeldt as 5^th grade resource teacher at Northbrook, Kimberly Sheppard as elementary social worker, Samantha Cirino as 5^th grade teacher at Northbrook, Lauren Mehrkens as Middle School ESL teacher, and Rebecca Mecca as 1^st grade teacher at Blackstone.

This month's Pause for Applause recognition went to James Younger, Northbrook music director and student council advisor. He was acknowledged for his commitment to the students, families and programs of District 289.

The July board meeting is set for July 19 at 6:30 p.m. If there is not a need to have a meeting, it will be cancelled.