Oak Park and River Forest High School - District 200
201 North Scoville Avenue  Oak Park, IL 60302-2296
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
Board of Education
Tod Altenburg, Chief School Business Official
Phil Prale, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
May 26, 2016
Approval of MENTA Agreements for Alternative Educational Services
BACKGROUND:
This report was presented to the Finance Committee at the May 17th meeting at which time the vote was 3-0 to
recommend to the Board of Education for approval as presented at its May 26, 2016 meeting.
This year we contracted with the MENTA group to provide alternative educational services for students for whom
the large school setting is not an effective learning environment. Administration is seeking to renew the contract
for the 2016-2017 school year.
Approval of the MENTA Agreements for Alternative Educational Services program aligns with the Board of
Education goal to continue building relationships to develop a high quality continuum of education and seamless
transitions for our students.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS:
Administrative staff at OPRFHS D200 proposes entering into the attached agreements with the MENTA group. A
report summarizing the 2015-2016 school year first semester outcomes was presented at the Instruction
Committee of the Board of Education on March 18, 2016 and on April 19, 2016. The April report is placed as an
appendix to this memo. Additional student perspectives collected by MENTA staff as part of exit interviews have
been included with the April report. Our decision to continue working with MENTA is based on our goal to
improve outcomes for OPRFHS students who attend alternative education sites. Our goal was to work within our
budget and increase attendance and graduation outcomes for students.
FY16 costs for alternative education services were budgeted at $185,496 for tuition and an additional $37,170 for
transporting students for a total of $222,666. Actual Year to Date expenses for tuition are $75,688; transportation
costs are $23,622.65 for a total year to date of $99,310.65 expended to date in FY16.
Tuition rates for FY17 and related costs that are specified in the appendices of the agreements fall within FY17
budget parameters, and have been reviewed by the Business Office staff and district counsel. The agreements are
attached for review.
Contract Amount for Guaranteed Tuition: $199,346.25
Contract Amount for Guaranteed Transportation: $38,232
Contract Amount Guaranteed Total: 237,578.25
RECOMMENDATION:
MOTION: To approve the MENTA Agreements for Alternative Educational Services as presented.