Despite Pay-for-Play, No Sports Until Spring at Mokena Junior High

Scheduling and few sign-ups have put MJHS sports on hold until spring.

Although the Mokena 159 School Board reinstated cut extracurriculars in September, late scheduling and student athletes who made other plans mean there won't be any Mokena Junior High School sports until spring. In a special meeting in late September, the board voted unanimously to revive extracurricular activities on a "pay-for-play" basis. Extracurriculars have been cut for the past two school years in the face of a then-$2.7-million deficit, but were brought back last year after parents and boosters promised to raise the required $250,000 on their own. The fees parents would have paid this year for activities ranged from $28 for debate club to $308 for both boys and girls basketball. But not enough students signed up. Some academic …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Paul Dailing

11:59 am on Monday, November 7, 2011

Not sure about all the bands, but under the current fee chart, jazz band would cost $73 and percussion ensemble $45.   more ›

VIDEO: Mokena 159 Superintendent Talks Extracurriculars

In a video interview with Patch, Mokena 159 interim Superintendent Steve Stein talks about what it would take to bring back extracurricular activities.

Mokena School District 159 interim Superintendent Steve Stein sat down with Patch on Tuesday, Sept. 20 to talk about any possible returns of extracurriculars for the district. Sports, clubs and other activities were cut earlier this year due to budget concerns. We asked Stein the following questions: Read more about Stein's hopes for the district Read about alternative ways the district has considered to bring back sports Read more about Mokena 159 in our Patch Places directory

•  1 Comment
• Videos (1)

Back to School

Interim D159 Supt. Looking Forward to Trial by Fire

Steve Stein is facing an impressive deficit, the revival of extracurricular programs and a possible school closure in Mokena District 159.

With only four days before the start of school but 10 years of experience at Mokena District 159 behind him, Steve Stein sounded more relaxed Thursday than perhaps he should. He took the job of interim superintendent only one week prior and faces an impressive deficit, the task of reviving extracurricular programs and a possible school closure. Classes start today. How’s that for trial by fire? “I know the teaching staff and many of the constituents in the community, from people who have children in school to those who don’t, so … my comfort level in terms of getting myself settling in is pretty good,” Stein said. “I feel I’m getting my feet underneath me and ready to venture forth professionally with this challenge.” Stein, the former …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

It's me...

10:47 pm on Wednesday, September 14, 2011

I think the salaries mentioned are a bit hefty, considering what's been taken away from our children. People in the corporate world, over the last few years have taken pay cuts. Why should these top paying positions be any different? Also, a business manager making over 80 grand a year? Seems a bit much. And now parents have to pay 300$ per child for bus service? Doesn't sit well with me......   more ›

Outsourcing Sports? Mokena 159 Looks at Alternative Extracurricular Plans

Setting up a booster group to run sports was one option considered by the board, which voted to pull extracurricular activities in February.

At a special board meeting Thursday night, the Mokena District 159 School Board looked at a few options of having outside groups take over extracurriculars, hopefully bringing back sports and other activities back to Mokena schools. The board voted in February to cut extracurricular programs as part of cost-cutting measures to combat a $2.7 million budget deficit. Then-Business Manager Barb Germany estimated in an email in February that cutting the programs could save $200,000, but said in the email it is "a difficult number to target when it is unknown which programs will be offered and bus fees, referee fees, etc." The board approved Germany's resignation at Thursday's meeting. Read "Mokena 159 Will Cut Teachers, Staff, Extracurriculars …

•  33 Comments
• Photos (3)

Extra Effort Needed to Find Dollars for Extracurriculars in SD159

With the next school year in District 159 around the corner, parents, administrators and members of the school board are thinking about how to keep programs running.

Talent show. A fishing club. Outdoor programs. As it stands today, all of these extracurricular activities — and many more — won't be financially supported by District 159 when the next school year opens this fall. The situation has some parents and other stakeholders in the district worried about the loss of funding for such activities, and thinking about ways to rectify the situation in tight budget times and during a difficult economic moment. "The only extracurriculars for the 2011-2012 school are student support services," said Mokena District 159 Superintendent Karen Perry, referring to academic assistance efforts. Perry said she wants to keep the programs and clubs running, perhaps through partnerships with the park district or …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)