Hononegah board takes care of business

Hononegah Community High School made plans and heard reports at their January 18 Board of Education meeting. One of their goals is that, through the Workplace Readiness program, students will have the academic support necessary to be prepared for success in post-secondary institutions without the need for remedial coursework. Student Experience assures that 100 percent of students will meet the ISBE's Career Ready Indicators to be college and career ready.

In addition to other student and staff accomplishments, the Workplace Readiness (WR) Committee reported they had hosted three Lunch & Learn career exploration events during the first semester. Lunch & Learn events, thus far, have featured first responders, manufacturing & engineering, and education career pathways. Student attendance at these events  has increased fourfold compared to last year. On January 19, they hosted the Health Sciences Lunch & Learn with eight outside agencies in attendance. The remaining WR events include Lunch & Learns for construction & trades and applied math & science, as well as the Spring Career Fair.

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Finance Director Justin Kruger reported on the HCHS financial portfolio as of December 31, 2022, noting revenues and budgeted expenditures, preparations of tax forms, tax levy filing, and annual bond payments totaling $1,824,825.

He gave the board a breakdown of the principal and interest payments for each bond. Quarterly reports from October to December were completed in early January for specific grants and plans.

Director of Human Resources Kendra Asbury outlined significant open positions for the 2023-24 school year: teachers, substitutes and a guidance counselor.

The Cultural Competency Committee hosted Mundelein High School's Equity Committee on Jan. 23. Mundelein representatives included district leadership and teacher leaders.

The board took action on the following agenda items; some of which were part of Superintendent Mike Dugans' Comprehensive Plan report:

• A donation from Scott Brady for a 2003 GMC Sierra valued at $4,000.
• A Frontline Education training contract for $1,050.
• Designation of the superintendent and finance director to prepare the annual budget.
• An award of the School Maintenance Project Grant (SMPG) flooring project bid to Benchmark Flooring for $121,355.
• Approval of the Onsite Initial Asset Collection in conjunction with the Master Library Asset Management software for $23,000.
• Purchase of 10 touch panel displays from AVI Systems Inc. for $19,179.70, funded from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Purchase of 65 touch panel displays from AVI Systems Inc. for $146,958.50.

The board moved ahead with permission to go out to bid for the staff/PAC parking lot project.

They approved a resolution authorizing disposal of surplus property.

The meeting also covered training in several areas, along with adding additional Teacher Institute days and parent-teacher conference nights.