MENDOTA – Calling it the biggest one-year tax rate decrease he has seen, Superintendent Jeff Prusator said the Mendota High School levy is dropping 11-1/2 cents this year. Approval was given to the 2017 tax levy during the Dec. 18 District 280 board of education meeting.

“The levy went from $2.90 last year to $2.78 for 2017,” Prusator said after the meeting. “We will collect $70,000 less in property tax next year.”

Part of the reason for the decrease is that bonds for the new high school are beginning to be paid off. “I’ve never seen that kind of a decrease since I’ve been here and we expect another drop next year as well,” Prusator noted.

As recommended by the high school’s audit, the board approved moving $80,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund and $25,000 from Working Cash to the Transportation Fund. Prusator said the high school has not received any categorical payments for transportation from the state and is currently owed $100,000.

Approval was also given to moving $228,000 from the Operation and Maintenance Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the Alternate Revenue Bond, which pays for the stadium.

To help offset another health insurance deductible increase, the board approved using a Health Reimbursement Arrangement. The deductible, which went from $500 in 2015 to $1,500 last year, will now go to $2,500. Prusator explained that the savings the district receives from having a higher deductible will be set aside and then used to reimburse the staff for the higher deductible payments.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Principal Denise Aughenbaugh congratulated the high school’s 2018-2019 Illinois State Scholars. They include Samuel Becker, Benjamin Bokus, Jessie Dooley, Madeline Hoelzer, Natalie Landgraf, Morgan Marquis, Gabrielle Peasley and Ana Reyes.

Illinois State Scholar honorees rank in the top 10 percent of the state’s high school seniors. Selection is based on SAT scores and cumulative grade point average at the end of junior year.

Aughenbaugh recognized MHS senior Natalie Landgraf, who received the LaSalle County Board Schools Committee’s “Student Excellence Award” for December. To be selected, a student must demonstrate community service in their school district; portray an image of social and civic responsibility within their school community; and possess an attitude conducive to a good work ethic and representative of an image the school district finds commendable. Regional Office of Education Assistant Superintendent Matt Winchester presented the award to Landgraf during a recent county board meeting at the LaSalle County Government Complex in Ottawa.

Recognition was also given to 12 MHS students who will be honored at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State conference in Peoria, Jan. 24-27. They include Band: Mia Artman, flute/IVCC Wind Ensemble; Madeline Hoelzer, clarinet; and Bianca Rodriguez, bass clarinet; Orchestra: Jessie Dooley, bassoon; All-State Chorus: Rachel Brandner, soprano 1; Kole Buckley, tenor 1; Payton Klatt, soprano 1; and Cole Pursell, bass 1; and Honors Chorus: Blaire Collins, soprano 2; Natalie Landgraf, alto 1; Jenna Stanford, alto 2; and Jacob Stohr, bass 1.

Lori Schrock, chorus director, and Chris Dortwegt, band director, are both members of ILMEA, a voluntary membership group for music teachers in Illinois, and have chosen to compete in individual events. Band students are asked to prepare with Dortwegt during their free time, either before or after school. Choir students are asked to prepare music during the choir class curriculum and rehearse daily with Schrock. Local high schools may choose various levels of involvement.

Aughenbaugh said to cover the expense of attending the conference, funds are budgeted annually by the Music Department and donations are received from the parent organization. This combined funding covers the cost of three nights in a hotel, food, registration, purchase of ILMEA music selections to rehearse, transportation and substitute teacher fees.

PERSONNEL

Following closed session, the board hired Keegan Hill as a special education teacher and head football coach, and Jenna Edington as a paraprofessional. Peyton Gehm was approved as a volunteer in the fine arts program and the retirement of Janice Nowlin, bus driver, was accepted.

The next regular board of education meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15 at Mendota High School.