Argo honors alum on being named student of the year

The Argo High School Board of education honored alumnus Joe Alber who recently received the Student of the Year award at the 2015 Illinois Statewide Transition Conference.

Brandon Cotter, district director of educational support services, called Alber, ÒAn outstanding, caring kind of guy. Any educator that worked with him loved him. He excels in academics and overcomes fear of trying new things. He is filled with love for others. He is always challenging himself.”

Alber is currently enrolled in the AERO program at Reavis High School in Burbank and works in Little Company of Mary Hospital’s food service department.{{more}}

ÒIt is good to be honored,” said Alber. “Argo has always been in my life and my heart. I want to thank my parents for love and joy over the years. I could not have done it without you by my side. (Principal Tim) Clark has always believed in me. I want to thank Supt. (Kevin) O’Mara and the board for the honor.”

The board also voted unanimously for honorable dismissal or nonrenewal of several part-time teachers.

O’Mara asked the board to accept the resolution without giving away any names.

The consent agenda passed after discussion related to the hiring of Kelly Forrest for Human Resources.

Business manager Joe Murphy said, Ò(Forrest) has been with us quite some time. She has spent many summers in the book store. She knows accounts payable. We considered going back to the well. We thought Forrest was the perfect fit. She knows the staff. We recommend the position to get her trained.”

Board member Helen Mallis added, ÒIt’s not like we are getting somebody new we have to train.”

O’Mara noted Forrest was a graduate of Argo.

The Performing Arts Center is Ògetting to the point, close to final product,” according to Lou Noto, director of Project Management at DLA Architects Ltd.

DLA’s Tracy Biederstadt added, “It is on schedule. We are on target to go out to bid on May 11.”