North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Oct. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met in regular session at 6:31 p.m., at South High School.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, the following Board members answered present: Mike Davenport, Vice President/President pro tempore; and Members Christopher Espinoza, Sherell Fuller, Jennie Hagstrom,

Terry Pavesich and Joanna Vazquez Drexler. President Nancy Kupka arrived at 6:32 p.m.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning; Mark Staehlin, District Controller; Jeree Ethridge, Assistant Controller; Jill Browning, Director of Communications; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

There were 33 visitors. A copy of the Visitor Roster is attached.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Member Vazquez Drexler moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of the September 20, 2021 Business Meeting and the October 4, 2021 Workshop Meeting with Action Item.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Vazquez Drexler, Pavesich, Davenport, Espinoza and Hagstrom voted AYE. Member Fuller abstained. The Vice President/President pro tempore declared the motion carried.

2. RECEPTION OF VISITORS – PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

3. RECOGNITION

Dr. Thiele recognized the Principals and Associate Principals at North and South High in celebration of National Principals month and expressed appreciation for all they do.

4. RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING

Dr. Thiele reported the number of new cases for the last two weeks and that the District received new guidance regarding outbreaks from the IDPH.

5. PROPOSED BELL SCHEDULE FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR UPDATE

Dr. Thiele shared this week students, families and staff will be receiving a video, which Student Board members O'Hara and Toledano assisted with, on the proposed new bell schedule and a form to provide feedback. He provided key attributes of the schedule, which include: three traditional 8 period days, two block days where students will meet with half of their teachers each day, providing students additional time to access services and academic supports, reducing stress, protecting instructional time, students seeing their teachers four times a week, and every day having the same start and end time.

Board members provided feedback and asked questions about the proposed schedule. Student Board members O'Hara and Toledano expressed their support of the schedule, specifically noting that on two days students only need to prepare for half of their classes, which is a good thing. Member Espinoza, a recent South High graduate, shared he felt the schedule would help reduce stress.

Gina Ziccardi reviewed key benefits of the proposed schedule and addressed why a 4 day block is not being proposed. She shared administration would be seeking approval of the schedule from the Board in November and implementation, subject to Board approval, is planned for August.

6. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS

Dr. Thiele reported the District had Freedom of Information Act requests this month and they are posted on the District's website.

7. CONSENT AGENDA

Member Davenport moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, which includes: A. Personnel Report: Appointments Exempt; Appointments-Classified; B. Personnel Report: Retirement-Administration; Retirements Classified; Resignations-Classified; C. Financial Pages and D. Educational Tour - DGN Bands and Choirs - 12/27/22-1/3/23 - Europe: United Kingdom,

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

8. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION

None.

9. OLD BUSINESS

None.

10. NEW BUSINESS - FIRST READING OF POLICIES AND RESOLUTION

Dr. Thiele shared the Policy Committee met and reviewed the policies recommended by PRESS and the Board's attorneys.

1.30 School District Philosophy

2.10 School District Governance

2.130 Board-Superintendent Relationship

2.240 Board Policy Development

3.30 Chain of Command

5.10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority

6.145 Migrant Students

6.160 English Learners

6.235 Access to Electronic Networks

6.255 Assemblies and Ceremonies

6.260 Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs

7.315 Restrictions on Publications: High Schools

8.30 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property

8.90 Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs Resolution to Prohibit Sexual Harassment

Hank Thiele noted questions about the policies should be directed to Members Fuller, Davenport or him. He shared Action would be taken on the policies and Resolution next month, with the Resolution being a separate Action Item.

Dr. Thiele reported the Policy Committee requested the Administration provide a list of policies that PRESS has and District 99 does not; the list was provided. He noted the Policy Committee already has a schedule in place to review those policies District 99 has and PRESS does not.

11. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

Rich Brennan, Marcella Cheaure, Linda Schranz, Janet Winingham, Margaret Brownlie, DC, Laura Hois, Paul Drabik, Noel Manley, Lynn Balkam, Mary Lemanski, Cynthia Hopkins and Gemma Johnson addressed the Board on one or more of the following topics: CRT; sex education; equity; masking; SEED training; Panorama; vaccines; curriculum concerns; government control; COVID statistics, and expressing support and/or appreciation for the Board and its decisions regarding safety and following the science.

12. REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION NETWORK OF DUPAGE (LEND)

Member Hagstrom reported LEND met on September 24 with several State legislators, where the focus was on staff shortages, noting that conflicting bus driver laws were also discussed.

13. REPORT ON SCHOOL ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN DUPAGE COUNTY (SASED)

Member Vazquez Drexler reported SASED is having a difficult time due to the lack of staff, which has resulted in the inability to fulfill services on IEPs, the need to halt enrollment, and the inability to offer the alternative to suspension program. She reported 87% of staff are vaccinated.

14. REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION

No report.

15. REPORT ON ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS (IASB)

Member Espinoza shared there were two IASB Resolutions he would like the Board to review. Dr. Thiele noted time will be allocated at the next meeting to discuss the Resolutions.

Dr. Thiele reported the IASB DuPage Division meeting is Thursday.

16. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

President Kupka announced the following meeting dates.

November 1, 2021

Workshop Meeting – 6:30 p.m. - South High - Auditorium

November 15, 2021 Regular Business Meeting - 6:30 p.m. – North High - Auditorium

17. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business or discussion, Member Vazquez Drexler 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 8:01 p.m.

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