MENDOTA – The Mendota High School District 280 Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Feb. 22.

ACTION ITEMS

The Board approved a Federal Surplus Property Program, which allows District 280 to qualify to receive free government property/equipment.

The Board authorized a voluntary TRS supplemental savings plan that allows employees to participate in something similar to a 403(b) plan. It is 100 percent the responsibility of the employee.

Also, the Board approved a memorandum of understanding with Mendota Elementary District 289 to offer an agriculture class to eighth graders.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

State Testing

Principal Denise Aughenbaugh reported that the school is currently working on multiple state tests. Janice Campbell has taken the lead on Bilingual testing. She has been testing English Learner students for three weeks and will test incoming freshmen on the ACCESS test later this spring. Due to Spring Break dates, the high school is testing juniors on the SAT on Wednesday, March 23, a month earlier than it would usually test them.

Principal Aughenbaugh said Adrianne Espinoza-Zamora will be testing juniors and seniors who are interested in earning the State Seal or Commendation of Biliteracy on the AAPPL test the first week of March.

The state is requiring all juniors are also tested on the Illinois Science Assessment. The testing window opens March 1 through April 29 to plan this ISA test for juniors.

The freshmen and sophomores will test on the PSAT 9 and PSAT 10 on April 26. Rachel Tarr and Joe Masini will be organizing the PSAT testing. Aughenbaugh said the only juniors who would also need to be in attendance on April 26 are those who need to take a make-up SAT test. More information will be provided to parents as the dates are closer.

The Advanced Placement Exams will be given in AP Biology, AP Calculus and AP Biology in May. The AP exams are optional tests that can earn college credit for students.

Academic Honor Banquet

The Board of Education and National Honor Society will host the Annual Academic Honors Assembly on Wednesday, March 16. Honored students and parents will be treated to a breakfast and assembly. Students who have earned honor roll status for 1, 3, 5, or 7 semesters will be recognized. This year’s honorees include 57 seniors, 47 juniors, 41 sophomores, and 48 freshmen.

Professional Development day

Principal Aughenbaugh noted that Wednesday, March 16 is an 11:25 a.m. dismissal, and in the afternoon, MHS will have shared professional development with the teachers of Mendota Elementary District 289.

Sadies Dance Update

Principal Aughenbaugh reported that during the COVID surge in January, she was not hopeful that MHS could plan and supervise a safe Sadie Hawkins Dance. However, the omicron surge waned and the Student Council sponsored the dance on Saturday, Feb. 26. The theme was “70’s Retro Disco.”

The next regular meeting of the MHS District 280 Board of Education will be at 6 p.m. Monday, March 21.