ROCHELLE — Rochelle Township High School board members approved a recommendation Monday night to update the school’s aging PA system.

According to superintendent Jason Harper, the current PA system has had continuous malfunctions and breakdowns.

“Our PA system continues to experience malfunctions and breakdowns. The technology used in this system is at least 15 years old and the needed repair parts are obsolete,” Harper explained to board members. “Our vendors have no more parts to sell us. We need to upgrade our system as it allows us communication for day-to-day needs and in emergency situations.”

Harper recommended a bid from Audio Engineering in the amount of $54,000 to replace the system.

“We are working on this as a Health/Life Safety amendment,” Harper said. He added he is checking with the district’s attorney to see how much money can be used from the school’s health/life safety account to purchase the needed equipment.

The board also approved the school’s renewal membership with the IHSA. Membership allows students to participate in IHSA tournaments. The membership renewal for the 2019-20 school year is approximately $6,000.

Employment

Board members approved staff hires Monday including teachers with one to four years of employment with the district.

Re-employment of first year teachers includes Dale Bergeson, technology; Val Pena-Hernandez, Spanish/TBE/Special Education; and Alphonso Vruno, social studies. 

Second-year teachers include Hannah Busching, foreign language; Andrew Evangelista, music; Ida Maciel, Special Education; and Scott Swartz, English.

Third-year teachers include Susan Naylor, Special Education; and Molly Sly, physical education.

Ryne Vrana, a fourth-year math teacher, will become tenure following re-hire. Vrana was also hired as the assistant girls’ track coach following the resignation of Matt Gilliam from that position.

Board members also approved employment of Riley Lodico as a volunteer assistant baseball coach; Zachary Miller as volunteer assistant girls’ track coach; Ben Eyster as volunteer assistant bass fishing coach; Charles Wilmot as a substitute bus driver; and Bobby Gardner as assistant baseball coach.