Monday, November 19, 2012
Mokena Junior High Principal Mike Rolinitis talks about pay-to-play efforts in Mokena School District 159 and the future of the program in the coming years.
Last fall, the Mokena School District 159 Board of Education approved a move to pay-to-play for most athletics—including basketball, volleyball, cross country and other sports. In the spring, the board also moved musical activities—all bands and choir—to schedule B as pay-to-play activities as well. The moves were seen as a watershed moment for the district, which had been without sports for the fall semester of the 2011 school year and was without any music teachers just a few weeks before the current school year. Nearly four months into the 2012–13 school year, pay-to-play sports and activities are underway and the district is running a nearly complete schedule B—the lone exception being boys volleyball, which was cut due to lack of …
Sunday, July 29, 2012
John Troy, Mokena District 159 board member since 2009 and current board president, resigned effective Monday, July 23. Troy plans to apply for the district's open business manager role. Vice President Patrick Markham has stepped up as president.
John Troy, President of the Mokena School District 159 Board of Education, resigned Monday, July 23. The resignation comes just two weeks after Troy voiced his interest in the district's vacant business manager position. “I am resigning my position on the Mokena Elementary School District Board of Education effective today [July 23]. Concurrent with my resignation I am submitting my application for the school district business manager position,” Troy's letter read. Meanwhile, vice president Patrick Markham assumed Troy's duties. Markham, who has served on the board since 2011, told Patch he assumed the president role on July 23. Later that day, he was also sworn in as Frankfort Township Collector. The Township reached out to Markham about …
Administration for Mokena School District 159 leads the district's students, staff and faculty throughout the year. Take a look at what those leaders earned during FY2012—and what they could potentially earn in FY2013.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Administration for Mokena School District 159 leads the district's students, staff and faculty throughout the year. Take a look at what those leaders earned during FY2012—and what they could potentially earn in FY2013.
As the budget deficit for District 159 dwindles, salaries for district administrators could see a bump in the next fiscal year, according to the district's proposed budget for FY2013. Although the board has yet to approve the new budget, board members got a glimpse during its July 18 meeting. Included in the preliminary budget, were the proposed salaries for district administrators, including Superintendent Steve Stein, Assistant Superindent of Instruction Dr. Charles Vitton, the open Business Manager position and more. Below are the FY2012 unaudited salaries for all administrators and the proposed salaries for the FY2013 year. Note that the salary of the Director of Student services reflects only 120 days of work, and not the entire year …
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Mokena District 159 has made progress on inching closer to the black—but still has a ways to go.
Mokena School District 159 is inching closer to being in the black, after frugal spending within the District in 2012. The district posted a $110,000 deficit—a significant improvement on the $1 million deficit in the previous fiscal year. District Superintendent Steve Stein said several factors contributed to the shrinking deficit, including: “We did solve our issues with the teacher's contract and the teachers did agree to a freeze, that certainly was a big part of helping to put us on that path,” Stein said, adding, “I think there was still a ratcheting down by staff, at all levels, to not spend money. I think there are a number of things that go into [the lower deficit.]” He also added that unlike in previous years, there was no …
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Patrick Markham became president of the D159 Board of Education July 23, following the resignation of John Troy. Markham also accepted the role of Frankfort Township Collector on the same day.
Following the resignation of District 159 board president John Troy, vice president Patrick Markham has stepped into the role. Markham, who has served on the board since 2011, told Patch he assumed the president role on July 23. Later that day, he was also sworn in as Frankfort Township Collector. The Township reached out to Markham about the position, he said. Markham hopes to instill the same sense of fiscal responsibility within the Township that he has brought to District 159. Markham said that he would like instill a sense of community involvement within the township as soon as possible, while also being able to continue to serve the District 159 community. “My efforts on the school board, to date, have simply been to be the best …
Thursday, July 19, 2012
The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education heard from MJHS Principal Mike Rolinitis and parent Heidi Yergler Herrmann on the district's bullying policy, but held off on any changes.
After months of urging the Mokena School District 159 Board of Education to confront the issue of bullying within its schools, Heidi Yergler Herrmann got her wish. At the Wednesday, July 18, board meeting the Herrmann, Mokena Junior High School Principal Mike Rolinitis and the board reviewed the district's bullying policies. Although there was no action taken on the subject—yet—all of the board members, Rolinitis and Herrmann agreed that the discussion was a fruitful one. Rolinitas kicked off the discussion by defining several terms on bullying and outlining what procedures the district currently has in place in its student handbook to deal with bullying. He added that the key component in the district for dealing with bullying is first, …
41.53508
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Mokena Intermediate School
11331 195th St, Mokena, IL
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Hired July 1, new MIS principal Eric Melnyczenko has spent his time learning the ins and outs of his new building and is eagerly awaiting the first day of school.
There's another new face in Mokena School District 159 and he's just around the corner from fellow newcomer, Anna Kirchner. New Mokena Intermediate School principal Eric Melnyczenko started the same day as Kirchner—July 1—and is currently getting his feet wet at MIS while waiting for the school year to begin. “It's been great [starting at MIS] … I've just been kind of going through things back here, learning handbooks, procedures and policies,” Melnyczenko said. “I'm looking forward to the first day of school.” Melnyczenko was formerly an assistant principal in Lansing, and before that a math teacher in Steager. He earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and master's degree from Governor's State University. He is also currently …
41.53508
-87.8933
Mokena Intermediate School
11331 195th St, Mokena, IL
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Friday, July 13, 2012
Kirt Hendrick, Director of Business Operations in Mokena School District 159, tendered his resignation, effective at the end of July.
District 159 Director of Businress Operations Kirt Hendrick has resigned, after just more than a year on the job. Hendrick's resignation takes effect at the end of July. "Due to personal and professional reasons I have submitted my resignation as the Director of Business Operations," Hendrick wrote in a press release. "It was a privilege to serve the Mokena 159 students and community as a member of staff and administrators." Hendrick announced his resignation during a special board meeting July 11. Board members Scott Peters and Mike Ford were dismayed at the news, but wished Hendrick the best in his future. District Superintendent Steve Stein said that Hendrick did not resign to take another position. The board later went into closed …
Friday, June 22, 2012
District 159 preapproved payment of bills for the final two weeks of the current fiscal year, although there was some discussion about what is being preapproved for payment. Board members stressed "nothing out of the ordinary," be approved.
As the fiscal year comes to a close in Mokena School District 159, bills will still need to be paid. With that in mind, the Board of Education preapproved the payment of bills for the remainder of the year—but with a few caveats. During discussion on preapproving payment of the upcoming bills, acting Board President Patrick Markham made it a point to stress that the board was approving only normal bills, and nothing “out of the ordinary.” The decision covers typical district expenditures, including employee payroll and utilities. The board's meeting schedule prevents discussion of any pending bills at a later date prior to the end of the fiscal year. While the board discussed the matter, board member Mike Ford said that there was no need…
41.531945
-87.890205
Mokena Public School District 159
11244 Willow Crest Ln, Mokena, IL
/articles/d159-board-oks-end-of-the-year-bills-with-more-oversight-than-previous-years
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Johnny on the spot
11:13 am on Monday, November 19, 2012
Still see the clowns are still in the circus this guy is the biggest Joke the district has ever had .Hows those facebook pages going for you Mikey more ›