North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Nov. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met in Workshop Session at 6:30 p.m. at South High School.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, the following Board members answered present: Nancy Kupka, President; Mike Davenport, Vice President; and Members Christopher Espinoza, Sherell Fuller and Terry Pavesich. Member Joanna Vazquez Drexler arrived at 6:37 p.m. and Member Jennie Hagstrom arrived at 6:52 p.m.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning; Rob Lang, Assistant Superintendent for Staff Services; Mark Staehlin, District Controller; Jeree Ethridge, Assistant Controller; Jill Browning, Director of Communications; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Ed Schwartz, South High Principal; Student Board Member Jade Toledano and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

There were twenty nine visitors.

1. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES – SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

South High students Faith Nelson, NB Bandera and Marquis Thompson spoke about what they are learning and the equipment available to them in the TV class at South High; previously South High students traveled to North High for the class. They also shared two projects they worked on, one highlighting a student and the other about the Go Green Club.

The Board thanked the students and congratulated them on their work.

2. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

Dr. Thiele announced South High Student Board member Scarlet O'Hara is at Snowball. Jade Toledano, North High Student Board Member, reported for Ms. O'Hara on the South High children's play, Schoolhouse Rock, the fall play, Laughing Stock, and athletics. On behalf of Ms. O'Hara, Ms.

Toledano congratulated the National Merit recognized students.

Jade Toledano shared North High's Homecoming was outside, with a record number of students attending, and more than 50 clubs/groups/teams walked to raise awareness for the American Cancer Society. Ms. Toldano congratulated the 38 North High students who earned All District Honors from the ILMEA and the students receiving National Merit honors. She also provided an update on fall sports.

3. INFORMATIONAL ITEM

Dr. Thiele announced the District is in the process of strategic planning and provided information on sessions available to families and community members to provide feedback.

4. STUDENT RECOGNITION – NATIONAL MERIT RECOGNIZED STUDENTS

Ed Schwartz welcomed the guests to South High and stated this was an opportunity for the Board of Education to honor the District's National Merit recognized students. Mr. Schwartz provided background on the National Merit competition process, noting that of the 1.6 million students who participate, only 50,000 students are recognized. Ed Schwartz introduced the South High Commended students; Courtney DeMent introduced the North High Commended Students. The principals then introduced the Semi Finalist students from their respective buildings. Dr. DeMent congratulated the students who were honored. The Board congratulated each of the students as they were introduced.

5. RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING

Dr. Thiele displayed the D99 COVID student dashboard, which he shared is updated every Monday, and noted in October there were a total of four positive staff cases. He stated there has been no new guidance,

6. PROPOSED BELL SCHEDULE FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR

Dr. Thiele shared the survey on the new bell schedule closed last week, with nothing in the feedback that indicated work on the schedule should stop. He stated in November administration would seek approval from the Board for the structure of the schedule.

7. ISBE COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAY ENDORSEMENT

Gina Ziccardi announced the District was approved to offer three more Pathway Endorsements (Information Technology; Manufacturing, Engineering Technology and Trades; and Finance and Business) this year, in addition to the Human and Public Services (Education) Endorsement, which 19 students received last year. Ms. Ziccardi shared students must complete activities, take a series of courses and have experiences involving adult mentorship to receive an endorsement.

Hank Thiele stated this aligns with the Board goal of providing more post-secondary endorsements while in high school. Gina Ziccardi shared the endorsement appears on the student's high school transcript, with AP and dual credit courses being a part of the sequence of courses students need to take to qualify for the endorsement.

8. IASB RESOLUTIONS

Member Espinoza led a discussion of IASB Resolutions #2, Student Safety and Protection Plan, and #15, Child Safe Gun Storage. The consensus of the Board was to oppose both Resolutions. The Board offered comments on some of the other Resolutions up for adoption,

9. RECEPTION OF VISITORS – PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

10. CLOSED SESSION

Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned to Closed Session for the purpose of 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 District or legal counsel for the District, 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 District or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1); and litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the District has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the District finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Pavesich, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Vazquez Drexler, Davenport and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.

Dr. Thiele noted the Board would not take any Action after the Closed Session except to Adjourn.

The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 7:23 p.m.

11. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION

The meeting was reconvened in Open Session with the following members of the Board of Education in attendance: Nancy Kupka, President; Mike Davenport, Vice President; and Members Christopher Espinoza, Sherell Fuller, Jennie Hagstrom, Terry Pavesich and Joanna Vazquez Drexler.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Rob Lang, Assistant Superintendent for Staff Services; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

12. TRIPLE I CONFERENCE

Dr. Thiele shared information about an opportunity for Board members at the Triple I Conference in November.

13. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business or discussion, Member Pavesich moved and Member Fuller seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Upon the unanimous voice vote of the seven members in attendance, the President declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

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