Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Jan. 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met for its Monthly Business Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026 at the Administrative Service Center.
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, the following Board members answered present: Don Renner, President; Kara Casten, Vice President; and Members Katie Courtney, Ken Dawson, April Finan and Michael Riske. Member Christopher Espinoza was absent.
Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Travis McGuire, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Resources; Jeff Bergholtz, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources; Jeree Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.
There were eight visitors. A copy of the Visitors Roster is attached.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Finan moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of the December 15, 2025 Monthly Business Meeting; the December 15, 2025 Closed Meeting; the January 12, 2026 Workshop Meeting; and the January 12, 2026 Closed Meeting.
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, Members Finan, Dawson, Riske, Casten, Courtney and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
2. RECEPTION OF VISITORS-PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
3. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT
Jeree Ethridge reported Revenues are 90% collected and most items are on target, with the exception of State Aid, which was prorated more than expected and will likely come in $400,000 less than budgeted. She advised, on the Expenditure side, Capital Outlay includes the purchase of the six minibuses, and the shortfall in Revenues may be offset by reduced expenditures. Fund Balances are on target, according to Ms. Ethridge, with an expected shortfall this year. President Renner explained the shortfall was anticipated with the new DGEA contract, which will have back-end savings.
4. FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PROJECTION
Ms. Ethridge reported 85% of the District’s revenues come from property taxes and most of the District’s expenditures are tied to CPI. She noted, in the short term, the Fund Balance will fall as a result of the DGEA contract, but in 2029-2030 there will be a definite increase in the Fund Balance. Per Board policy, the District’s Fund Balance to revenue ratio is to be no less than 3%; Ms. Ethridge shared a 10% balance would be beneficial for emergencies, and she would recommend a 5-6% balance. President Renner suggested the Policy Committee review the Board policy and possibly increase the 3% threshold.
5. POST ISSUANCE COMPLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
Ms. Ethridge stated this is the annual notification to the Board that the District is in compliance with all EMMA requirements.
6. 2026-2027 STUDENT FEES – NO CHANGE
Jeree Ethridge stated there will be no change to the registration, Chromebook and driver education fees for next year.
7. PROPOSED 2026 SUMMER ATHLETIC CAMP FEES
Ms. Ethridge reported the Administration and the Athletic Department reviewed the camp fee structure and determined the fees should be increased by $10 beginning this summer. She noted the District’s fees are in line with the Park District’s fees. Dr. Thiele stated this is an Action Item.
8. 2026 SUMMER SCHOOL AND ESY COMPENSATION RECOMMENDATION
Dr. Thiele stated the compensation recommendation is in line with CPI of 2.9%. He noted this is an Action Item.
9. PROPOSED 2026 SUMMER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CALENDAR
The proposed Summer calendar has the same structure as has been used for the last ten years in the District, according to Dr. Thiele. He stated this is an Action Item.
10. SECURITY CAMERA SOFTWARE
Dr. McGuire stated there were no changes to the proposal since it was previously presented to the Board. He noted the contract is for software to run the District’s over 400 cameras; the cost can be accommodated in the current budget; and if approved, the software will be installed in February. Ms. Ethridge explained Developers Contributions, which cannot be used for general operating costs, and capital project funds, will cover most of the cost, with some grant funds also being used. Dr. Thiele stated this is an Action Item.
11. HONEYWELL LEASE
Dr. McGuire reviewed the components of the Investment Grade Audit Agreement, pointing out the evaluation of the savings is done by an independent evaluator. He stated, if the audit confirms the anticipated savings and the District elects not to proceed with the project, the cost will be $169,572; if the evaluation does not demonstrate the savings, the District has no liability. Dr. McGuire stated the final audit results will be brought to the Board in March and at the time the Board will vote on whether to go forward with Honeywell. Dr. Thiele stated this is an Action Item.
12. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS
Dr. Thiele reported the District received and responded to Freedom of Information Act requests and they are posted on the District’s website.
13. CONSENT AGENDA
Member Casten requested the Student Trip be pulled out of the Consent Agenda for further discussion.
Member Riske moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda as presented which includes: A. Personnel Report – Appointment- Administration; Appointment-Classified; Transfer of Position-Classified; B. Personnel Report Resignation-Administration; Resignation-Certified; Retirement-Certified; Resignation-Classified; C. December Treasurer’s Report and Financial Pages; D. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR): E. Review of Closed Session Minutes and Verbatim Recordings; and F. IGA with Westmont CUSD 201.
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, Members Riske, Dawson, Finan, Casten, Courtney and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
Gina Ziccardi stated the Student Trip was to Minneapolis, MN for a national high school journalism conference and the students would miss one day of school. She explained that with any Student Trip the Administration has the option to adjust, postpone, or cancel the trip if the safety of staff or students is an issue. Member Casten expressed reservations about students going to Minneapolis in light of the violence occurring there. The Board discussed the Student Trip. Dr. Thiele shared the Trip is a couple of months away, and if it does not appear safe, the District will cancel it. He stated the Administration recommends the Board approves the trip and assured the Board that the Administration will monitor the situation.
Member Finan moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Student Trip as presented.
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, Members Finan, Dawson, Riske, Casten, Courtney and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried
14. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED 2026 SUMMER ATHLETIC CAMP FEES
Member Casten moved and Member Riske seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the 2026 Summer Athletic Camp Fees as presented.
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, Members Casten, Riske, Courtney, Dawson, Finan and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
15. APPROVAL OF 2026 SUMMER SCHOOL AND ESY COMPENSATION RECOMMENDATION
Member Finan moved and Member Courtney seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the 2026 Summer School and ESY Compensation as presented.
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, Members Finan, Courtney, Dawson, Riske, Casten and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
16. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED 2026 SUMMER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CALENDAR
Member Dawson moved and Member Courtney seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the 2026 Summer School and Summer Calendar as presented.
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, Members Dawson, Courtney, Finan, Riske, Casten and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
17. APPROVAL OF SECURITY CAMERA SOFTWARE
Member Riske moved and Member Casten seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve entering into a 5-year, 30 day cloud contract, pending final District 99 Attorney and Superintendent approval, in the amount not to exceed $281,477.76, with Seconds Matter Safety Solutions.
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, Members Riske, Casten, Courtney, Dawson, Finan and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
18. APPROVAL OF HONEYWELL INVESTMENT GRADE AUDIT AGREEMENT
Member Casten moved and Member Riske seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve entering into an Investment Grade Audit Agreement, as presented, with Honeywell.
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, Members Casten, Riske, Courtney, Dawson, Finan and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
19. DETERMINATION OF APPEAL OF SUPERINTENDENT’S DECISION REGARDING UNIFORM GRIEVANCE COMPLAINT ABOUT INDIVIDUAL STUDENT MATTER
Member Courtney moved and Member Casten seconded the motion for the Board of Education to affirm the Superintendent’s decision regarding the Uniform Grievance Complaint about an individual student matter discussed in Closed Session on January 12, 2026, and to direct the Superintendent to send the written appeal decision to the parties consistent with the Closed Session discussion and Policy 2.260.
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, Members Courtney, Casten, Dawson, Finan, Riske and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
20. INTRODUCTION
Dr. Thiele introduced Dr. Kate Morris, whose appointment as the new Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning was approved by the Board as part of the Consent Agenda. Dr. Morris introduced her family members in the audience. Those in attendance welcomed Dr. Morris.
21. OLD BUSINESS
None.
22. NEW BUSINESS
None.
23. RECEPTION OF VISITORS – PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
24. REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION NETWORK OF DUPAGE (LEND)
Member Casten reported key priorities include unfunded mandates and mandatory categoricals. She also shared the Federal Relations Committee, which she co-leads, discussed SNAP, IDEA and Medicare.
25. REPORT ON SCHOOL ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN DUPAGE COUNTY (SASED)
Dr. Thiele reported the focus is on long term facilities.
26. REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Member Finan reported the Foundation’s focus is on fundraising and there is something big planned for this spring.
27. REPORT ON ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS (IASB)
Member Dawson reported next Tuesday is the IASB meeting and State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders will be speaking. He also noted District 99 will receive its Governance Recognition at this meeting. Dr. Thiele asked that Board members advise Secretary Gniadek if they can attend.
28. VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISONS
President Renner stated he will be serving in this new role for the District 99 Board and will be meeting periodically with Village Council member and former District 99 Board member Mike Davenport. He shared from time to time will report out to the Board.
29. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS
President Renner announced the following meeting dates:
February 9, 2026 Workshop Meeting – 6:30 p.m. – ASC
February 23, 2026 Monthly Business Meeting – 6:30 p.m. – ASC
30. CLOSED SESSION
Member Dawson moved and Member Finan seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing:
A. OMA Exception (1) Personnel: The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).
B. OMA Exception (2) Collective negotiating matters: Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, Members Dawson, Finan, Riske, Casten, Courtney and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
President Renner stated the only Action the Board will be taking when it comes out of Closed Session is to Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 7:20 p.m.
31. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION
Upon the Secretary’s roll call, the following Board members answered present: Don Renner, President; Kara Casten, Vice President; and Members Katie Courtney, Ken Dawson, April Finan and Michael Riske. Member Christopher Espinoza was absent.
Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent, and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.
32. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business or discussion, Member Riske moved and Member Finan seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Upon the unanimous voice vote of the six members in attendance, the President declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
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