Mendota CCSD 289 board approves track resurfacing, IT refresh and budget moves; hears curriculum and AI policy updates

The Mendota CCSD 289 Board of Education approved a set of facility, technology and budget actions and heard a broad curricular update at its regular meeting.

Mr. Pierce, who led the instructional presentation, told the board the district secured a four-year extension of its free school meals program, extending the current arrangement through 2030: “So now instead of this being the last year of that, that's going to extend to 2030.” He outlined curriculum work including adoption of a foundational, open-platform science program tied to NGSS and a move to daily fifth-grade science; staff have purchased materials to support hands-on instruction and will track ISA/assessment data as the cohort advances.

Pierce also reviewed literacy and math work: the district continued implementation of a K–2 ELA/reading program and a writing committee is standardizing expectations and ‘‘common language’’ across grades to improve consistency, while math saw an expanded adaptive-supplemental program and coaching through HMH.

On English learners, staff reported stronger ACCESS outcomes this year: 10% of identified students ‘‘exited’’ the program and 52% improved by 0.5 or more; the district noted Title III tracking requirements and that exited students are monitored for three years. The bilingual team and interventionists were singled out for the district’s recently received bilingual education award.

The meeting also addressed technology and AI policy. District technology leaders said teacher training on appropriate AI use is planned for August and September; the administration has proposed Gemini (via the district’s Google suite) as the approved, teacher-facing AI tool because it allows district controls. ‘‘We’ll present expectations for teacher use and continue to develop student-use policy,’’ staff said.

Facility and budget actions The board approved resurfacing the high-school track. Staff said the track, about seven years old, requires resurfacing now at an estimated six-figure cost; deferring the work could damage the base and raise the eventual repair bill to roughly a quarter-million dollars. Trustees directed staff to pursue community partners and user-group contributions and asked for a report in June on possible offsets from organizations that regularly use the facility.

The board also approved a standard Chromebook refresh (scheduled for second and fifth grades) and purchases following a smartboard pilot in nine classrooms; eight of the nine teachers who piloted the technology reported strong classroom benefits. Administration said the plan is to purchase smartboards for teachers who will use them daily and keep a small number of portable units for broader use.

Budget and governance votes at a glance - FY26 audit contract: approved by roll call (approved as presented). - Press Policy 121 (first reading/substantial changes): approved by roll call. - Adult-lunch price increase ($1 for 2026–27): approved by roll call to align with program reimbursement rules. - Authorization to process FY27 state and federal grants: approved by roll call. - Tentative FY26 budget revisions and interfund transfers (move from Fund 20 to Funds 10/40 to avoid negative balances): approved by roll call. - Final 2026 school-year calendar and calendar waiver for full-day professional development (October 9): both approved by roll call. - Track resurfacing and IT hardware purchases (Chromebook refresh and selected smartboards): approved by roll call.

(Transcript records the motions and roll-call approvals; the transcript does not provide exact numeric vote tallies for every motion but shows the motions carried by the board members present.)

What comes next Staff said the wellness committee will meet monthly to analyze health-insurance trends and that the district will report back about potential community contributions for the track resurfacing. The board also heard an update on a countywide 1% sales-tax option being explored by area school districts; boards will consider a formal resolution next month if they decide to seek a spot on the November ballot.

The meeting adjourned at about 8:11 p.m.