Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Nov. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. at North 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, Jennie Hagstrom, Terry Pavesich and Joanna Vazquez Drexler. Member Sherell Fuller arrived at 6:33 p.m.
Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning; Rob Lang, Assistant Superintendent for Staff Services; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Mark Staehlin, District Controller; Jill Browning, Director of Communications; Jim Kolodziej, Director of Physical Plant & Operations; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Ed Schwartz, South High Principal; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.
There were 188 visitors. A copy of the Visitor Roster is attached.
1. RECOGNITION
Dr. Thiele shared that today is School Board Appreciation Day in Illinois and thanked the Board for their work and volunteering their time to serve on the Board. Board members received a token of the District's appreciation. Dr. Thiele also shared the Board received the IASB Governance Award, noting each Board member will receive a pin, and that Member Vazquez Drexler received recognition as a Master Board Member.
Amy Tiberi and Mark Wight, both of Wight & Company, presented the Board and Dr. Thiele a framed picture of photos of the new and updated facilities. They expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the Board and Administration for the honor of being part of the District's Master Facility Plan. President Kupka acknowledge the work of Wight & Company, Dr. Thiele and District leadership on the Master Facility Plan.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Vazquez Drexler moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motio Education approve the Minutes of the October 18, 2021 Business Meeting, the November 1, 2021 Workshop Meeting and the November 1, 2021 Closed Meeting.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Vazquez Drexler, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Pavesich, Davenport and Kupka yoted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
3. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT
Carol Davis addressed the Board, speaking in favor of the modified block schedule.
Cherie Spinosa submitted comments to be included in the Minutes. The comments are attached.
4. RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING
Dr. Thiele reported there have been no changes in the guidelines and the number of student cases and close contacts, which are reported on the website weekly, have remained consistent.
5. BELL SCHEDULE FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
Dr. Thiele stated this is an Action Item later in the meeting for the Board to approve the Administration to invest time working on the new schedule. He shared staff, students and families received information on the hybrid schedule and provided feedback.
Ms. Ziccardi addressed some of the misconceptions about the hybrid schedule, including that the 2-day hybrid could lead to a 4-day hybrid; the lack of adequate supervision in the morning; adverse effects on IEP meetings, and the lack of time for staff professional development and course teamwork. Ms. Ziccardi shared committees of teachers and administrators are being formed to focus on the Access and Resource periods, accommodating part time and traveling teachers, professional development and the impact on activities and athletics.
Hank Thiele shared the Access and Resource periods, though not instructional, will be structured, especially at the beginning of the year, to assist students with skill building. He stated the Board will be kept up to date on the development of the schedule over the course of this year.
The Board expressed some concerns about the change in schedule, the use of the Access and Resource period time and the timing of the schedule change. Dr. Thiele stated the Board will have the opportunity in May to direct administration to continue with the current schedule or proceed with the modified hybrid schedule for next year.
6. CALENDAR YEAR 2022 INSURANCE PLANS AND PREMIUMS
Dr. Thiele shared information on the plans and premiums was provided to the Board previously. He stated the PPO plans are self-insured, with all having increases, and the District will be offering, pending Board approval, a new high deductible PPO plan that will come with an HSA.
7. POST-ISSUANCE TAX COMPLIANCE REPORT
Mark Staehlin shared the District must monitor and report any arbitrage to the IRS and any changes in the District's finances to the bondholders. He stated the District had no arbitrage and has met all the compliance requirements.
8. 2022-2023 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Mr. Kolodziej stated some of the 2021-2022 capital projects were paid for out of ESSER funds, which allowed additional capital projects to be added this ycar, such as finishing the North High roof. He then reviewed the list of $1,000,000 worth of capital projects that are proposed for 2022-2023.
9. UPDATE TO RESOLUTION TO PROHIBIT SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Dr. Thiele stated there were changes in laws and policies since the Board first approved the Resolution and the Board was now being asked to approve the updated Resolution.
10. 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.
11. CONSENT AGENDA
Member Pavesich moved and Member Davenport seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda as presented which includes: A. Personnel Report - Transfer of Position Classified; Appointments-Classified; Leave of Absence-Classified; B. Personnel Report - Retirements Certified; Retirements-Classified; Resignations-Classified; and C. Financial Pages.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Pavesich, Davenport, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Vazquez Drexler and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
12. APPROVAL OF THE BELL SCHEDULE FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
Member Davenport moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the bell schedule for the 2022-2023 school year as presented.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Davenport, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler, Espinoza and Kupka voted AYE. Members Fuller and Hagstrom voted NAY. The President declared the motion carried.
13. APPROVAL OF THE CALENDAR YEAR 2022 INSURANCE PLANS AND PREMIUMS
Member Pavesich moved and Member Davenport seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the calendar year 2022 insurance plans and premiums as presented.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Pavesich, Davenport, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Vazquez Drexler and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
14. APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION TO PROHIBIT SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Member Davenport moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion for the Board of Education to Adopt the Resolution to Prohibit Sexual Harassment as presented.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Davenport, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
15. OLD BUSINESS - SECOND READING AND APPROVAL OF POLICIES
Member Davenport moved and Member Vazquez Drexler seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the policies as presented.
School District Philosophy
School District Governance
Board-Superintendent Relationship
Board Policy Development
Chain of Command
Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment
Migrant Students
English Learners
Access to Electronic Networks
Assemblies and Ceremonies
Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs
Restrictions on Publications: High Schools
Visitors to and Conduct on School Property or Involving School Personnel
Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Davenport, Vazquez Drexler, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Pavesich and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
16. NEW BUSINESS
None.
17. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT
Dr. Thiele read a statement about instructional resources, noting several visitors were likely at the meeting to comment on the school library book Gender Queer. He shared two objection forms for the book have been received and the review process was underway.
Josiah Pointer, Carl Miller, Mary Lemanski, Julia Hanson, Bruce Beckman, Hilary Denk, Tabitha Irvin, Margaret Brownlie, Jim Devitt, Linda Schranz, Lauren Pierret, Jill Bartelmey, Kylie Spahn, Marcella Cheaure, Maryann Vazquez, Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt, Sean Piazza, Terry Newsome, Emily
Robin Cederblad and Joe Amado addressed the Board on one or more of the following topics: the inclusion of Gender Queer in the school libraries, mandated mask wearing, what the focus of school should be, diversity, the Board's leadership and service and censorship.
18. REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION NETWORK OF DUPAGE (LEND)
Member Hagstrom reported on LEND's position on several bills, the flexibility this year for teacher evaluation and the bus driver shortage. Dr. Thiele shared Senator Curran has introduced legislation, with input from District 99, which will help with the driver shortage and Rep. Stava-Murray may also support the legislation.
19. REPORT ON SCHOOL ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN DUPAGE COUNTY (SASED)
Member Vazquez Drexler reported SASED continues to have staff issues with the inability to staff classes.
20. REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Member Pavesich reported the Fall donation letter has been sent and encouraged Board members to support the Foundation. She shared the Foundation is planning an event for spring.
21. REPORT ON ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS (IASB)
Member Espinoza asked if anyone had additional input regarding IASB Resolution #2 and #15 since the last meeting; no additional concerns were offered. Member Davenport shared the app for the Conference is very helpful.
22. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS
Dr. Thiele stated he recommends cancelling the December 6, 2021 Workshop meeting. The Board had no objections. Dr. Thiele noted the location of the December 13, 2021 Business meeting had not yet been determined.
23. ANNOUNCEMENT
Dr. Thiele thanked Downers Grove Police, the District security staff and the District Administrative Team for ensuring there was a safe and orderly Board meeting.
24. CLOSED SESSION
Member Davenport 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 Davenport, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
President Kupka stated the Board would not be taking any Action after coming out of Closed Session; Dr. Thiele stated the Board would come out of Closed Session to Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 8:45 p.m.
25. 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; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.
26. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business or discussion, Member Davenport moved and Member Pavesich 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 9:37 p.m.
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