ROCHELLE — At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Rochelle Township High School Board of Education recognized two departing board members for their years of service at their last meeting. 

Departing will be Board President Tom Huddleston and Board Member Bill Ravnaas. Ravnaas has served on the board for 32 years and Huddleston has served for 28 years. Rochelle Schools Superintendent Jason Harper thanked them for their time on the board on Tuesday. 

“We thank the two of them for their decades of insight, leadership and guidance through all of the things that have come our way over the last 30+ years including the process of establishing a new building and facility,” Harper said. “There have been lots of challenging and great times during their years and we thank them both. On behalf of the administration past and present, the RTHS Education Association, transportation, maintenance and students, thank you for your leadership and service. We appreciate you.”

Huddleston shared some parting words Tuesday.

“The honor is mine,” Huddleston said. “I've enjoyed serving the district, the kids and the parents. I never wanted to leave the board until I thought we were in a position I was completely satisfied with. Coming up, we have the best sitting board, best finances and the best structural building system and administration that I've ever been associated with. I think we have a lot of challenges in the future and we have a great future ahead of us. I wish you all the best of luck. If there's anything we can ever do, Bill and I will be glad to serve in some manner.”

The board will host a reorganization meeting on Monday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the RTHS Boardroom and welcome and swear in its new members, Trisha Vaughn and Janet Kacvinsky. The board will also elect a new board president.

ACT

During his monthly report at the meeting, Principal Chris Lewis said juniors at the school took the ACT test on April 17 and freshmen and sophomores took the pre-ACT test that same day. 

The ACT testing was originally planned for April 8, but the ACT system experienced a malfunction in the state that day. The ACT and school will offer students the opportunity to retake the ACT again this summer free of charge due to the date change. 

RTHS recently returned to taking the ACT test this year after a number of years of using the SAT test. The testing is required by the state.

End of year

Lewis detailed landmark dates for RTHS as the school year begins to draw to a close. Prom will take place April 26. The senior class will have a graduation meeting April 28. May 2 will be a school improvement half day with a focus on final exams. May 5 is RTHS Honors Night. Final exams will take place May 22, 23 and 27. Graduation practice will be May 23 and graduation will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24 outside on the football field if weather permits. Summer school will start June 2.

Personnel

The board unanimously approved personnel changes including the resignation of Cody Denneau (Spanish teacher, end of 2024-2025 school year) and the employment of Finley Callahan (English teacher, 2025-2026 school year), Katherine Middleton (substitute bus driver starting this month), Kimberly Waters (Spanish teacher, 2025-2026 school year) and Heather Winterland (health teacher, summer school).