MENDOTA – Mendota Elementary School District 289 Board of Education held a re-organization and board meeting on April 30. Newly elected board member Angel Eisenberg was sworn in. Eisenberg will fill the seat of Mandy Ossman, who did not run for re-election. She will join Larry Sheaves and Theresa Komitas, who were re-elected, to serve a four-year term. The board appointed Krysten Kain for a two-year term, as well.

Sean Pappas and Tim Pohl will continue their appointments as board president and vice president, respectively. Larry Sheaves was nominated as board secretary.

Board member Joel Johnson volunteered as the IASB (Illinois Association of School Boards) delegate and a new Exit Interview Committee was established. Johnson and fellow board member Theresa Komitas, along with a couple of teachers, will sit on that committee.

A first meeting of the Track Committee was recently held. The committee will continue to meet to discuss funding options for the Stroble Avenue facility.

Paula Daley, Northbrook principal presented results of the parent and student surveys regarding adding soccer to the list of sports offered at NMS. Of those completing the survey, many favored the addition of a soccer program. The board unanimously approved offering the co-ed soccer program for grades 7-8 for 2019-2020.

The board also recognized Northbrook's Scholastic Bowl team on earning a 2nd place trophy at the Starved Rock Conference Scholastic Bowl Tournament.

The district's insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield was renewed with a 1.35 percent drop in premiums.

Other action items:

The board approved IASB policy updates as presented.

The board approved the resignations of Lauren Sommers as 8^th grade math teacher effective at the conclusion of the 2018-2019 school year, and Ashley Konczak as Blackstone interventionist effective April 23, 2019.

The board hired Tari Jansen as District Director of Student Services at a salary of $78,000 with benefits, and Hannah Halberg as elementary social worker at a salary of $40,000 plus benefits. Other new employments approved included: Greg Locasio as 8^th grade language arts teacher at Northbrook, Nicole Cromwell as 6^th grade science teacher at Northbrook, Rebecca Guinea as 5^th grade teacher at Northbrook, Kerry Preston as 5^th grade resource teacher at Northbrook, Tara Huffaker as 1st grade resource teacher at Blackstone, Natalie Crocker as cross categorical teacher at Blackstone, and Michelle Spatafora as developmental delay preschool teacher at Northbrook.

Also approved was the employment of Allen Fitch as part-time lawn care, Courtney Nave as 5^th grade intramural boys' basketball coach, and summer school teachers Hanna Gallagher, Katie Videgar, and Melissa Blum.

The board approved the intergovernmental agreements with MHS for choir, two days a week, and 8^th grade algebra for the 2019-2020 school year. Kristen School, district superintendent, added she is not sure what will happen with the choir program next year when MHS Choir Director, Lori Schrock retires.

The board approved the renewal of Arbor Management as the food service provider for 2019-2020 school year with a 2.8 percent increase.

The end of the school year is just around the corner. Northbrook 8th grade graduation will be held on Tuesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. at the Mendota High School. Last day of attendance for all other students is Thursday, June 6 with a 1:35 p.m. dismissal.

District 289 Board of Education meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the District 289 Education Center Board Room with the exception of the November board meeting which will be held on Monday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.