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Regional superintendent presents annual report; student mentor program expanded to 13 districts
Summary
LaSalle County’s regional superintendent reported on the office annual report, school‑district collaboration and a student mentor pilot expanded to 13 districts and 20 mentors; the board placed the report on file by motion.
LaSalle County’s regional superintendent asked the county board to place the office’s annual report on file and highlighted a student mentor program pilot the office expanded during the prior year.
The presenter (Regional Superintendent, name not specified on the record) said the student mentor pilot began in Mendota Elementary and Serena, expanded this year to cover 13 school districts and now includes 20 mentors working in schools to help students with academic, behavioral and social‑emotional goals. Principal Paula Daly, who was invited to speak, described the program as successful and said mentors partner with administrators, guidance counselors and social workers; mentors conduct home visits, attend events and work on attendance and behavior goals.
Nut graf: Officials said the county used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for start‑up assistance in education programs, provided vans to support transportation, funded HVAC upgrades at a county shared academy building, and reported that scholarships and training funds have been awarded to address staffing needs. The board placed the superintendent’s annual report on file by motion.
Presenters noted the ROE academy now serves students who previously were multiply suspended or otherwise needed alternative placement and said start‑up dollars allowed the program to tap state funding streams later for ongoing operating costs. The superintendent described other items in the report, including a childcare impact study and upcoming STEM programming in partnership with OSF.
Following questions from board members about ongoing costs and whether districts would bear future expense, the presenter clarified that the start‑up dollars were intended to allow programs to become eligible for state reimbursement (the EBF mechanism was discussed) and that, moving forward, there would be no ongoing cost to local districts once state reimbursement began for the described programs. The board then voted to place the regional superintendent’s annual report on file; Miss Stockley moved, Mister Emmett seconded, and the motion carried on voice vote.
Ending: The board thanked staff and the principal for the report and for work on the mentor program; board members were told a copy of the full annual report and follow‑up materials would be distributed to members.
