MENDOTA – A new, equitable formula for school funding was passed last year by the Illinois legislature. Touted as a “historic” accomplishment, this law was hoped to ease much of the financial uncertainty Illinois schools face but so far, none of the new funding has been received.

Reporting at the Jan. 15 board of education meeting, Mendota High School Superintendent Jeff Prusator said due to Governor Bruce Rauner’s recent amendatory veto of the funding bill, it is again at a standstill. “As far as the new funding that we were all excited about, that has not been worked out yet - it is January and nobody has any new dollars that were promised,” he told the board.

In addition, the high school has still not received their payments for transportation. Prusator said if that money is not received, that will total just over $183,000 owed to the high school for transportation.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Principal Denise Aughenbaugh said a trip to the Big Northern Conference Music Festival in Rock Falls scheduled for that day was called off due to poor driving conditions. MHS music students, Addison Arjes, Madison Bean, Katie Beetz, Gabrielle Brown, Jose Bustos, Kevin Cuevas, Noah Delong, Becca Hadley, Patrick Foley, Hunter Gonzales, Matthew Grenter, Cortnee Jones, Brooke Lee, Amy Lewis, Payton Klatt, Dasie Newkirk, Allison Olczak, Amaya Olivas, Madison Pappas, Emilio Raya, Leslie Rivera, Bianca Rodriguez, Jenna Stanford, Aiden Stewart, Dekin Walter and Katherine Wohrley were chosen to attend the event accompanied by choir director Lori Schrock.

“We decided after looking at the forecast and the wind that’s picking up that it wasn’t the best idea,” Aughenbaugh said.

Even though the students were not able to attend, Aughenbaugh said it is an honor for them to have been chosen for the event. She explained that the directors nominate up to 10 percent of the total band and up to 20 percent of the total choir to participate.

The BNC includes 11 high schools, Genoa-Kingston, North Boone, Rockford Christian, Byron, Dixon, Oregon, Rock Falls, Rockford Lutheran, Stillman Valley, Winnebago and Mendota.

Honor Band

MHS band students, Mia Artman, Jessie Dooley, Adrian Espinoza, Fabian Gomez, Madeline Hoelzer, Cole Pursell, Dylan Saylor, Jacob Stohr, Pam Taylor and Cheyenne West were accompanied by band director Chris Dortwegt for the Augustana College Honor Band, which they attended on Jan. 14-15.

Practice SAT & ln Service

Aughenbaugh said the entire junior class participated in a practice SAT test on Friday morning, Jan. 12. This was a paper and pencil version, which is the format the juniors will use when they take the SAT on April 10. She said students will now be able to review the test during their classes and work on any problem areas.

A professional development day was held that afternoon, during which staff members were able to learn about a software package called Newsela Pro. Aughenbaugh said the software includes current events that are updated every day. “There are newspaper articles so the kids are reading factual-based information on any topic - science, math, social studies,” she explained, noting that it will adjust for students within the same classroom who have different reading levels.

Teachers meet

Prusator reported on a new program for teachers that took place on Jan. 5 at MHS. All Mendota public school teachers gathered that day for breakfast and a presentation given by a motivational speaker. “That was the first time since I’ve been here that we had every public school teacher K-12 together,” he noted.

All teachers from the two districts were able to introduce themselves and the grade level they teach. Prusator said it was well received with good feedback from the teachers, so they plan to schedule another such meeting next January on the first day back after break. “It was a good way to kick off second semester,” he added.

Informational Items

* National Honor Society inductions are Monday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.

* Tuesday, Feb. 13 is the class of 2022 welcome event from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at MHS. Parents and students will confirm the registration process and receive informational items on activities and events.

* School Improvement dismissal at 11:31 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

* Spanish National Honor Society induction will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15 in the cafeteria.

* Sadies Dance is Saturday, Feb. 17.

* Symphony Band concert is Sunday, Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

OTHER BUSINESS

* Board approval was given to the 2018-19 school calendar: Teacher institute Aug. 15-16; students return on Friday, Aug. 17; Christmas break Dec. 24-Jan. 7; Teacher institute Jan. 4; Spring break the week before Easter, April 15-22; Graduation for the Class of 2019 on Saturday, May 18 at 6 p.m.

* The board approved the spring athletic budget of $6,242. 81.

PERSONNEL

Following closed session, the board hired Tyler DeBrock as head boys track coach and Ryan Reeder as assistant boys track coach. They also approved a family leave for Marisela Cervantes.

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