North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Jan. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met in Workshop Session with Action Item at 6:31 p.m. at the Administrative Service Center.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, the following Board members answered present: Nancy Kupka, President; Mike Davenport, Vice President/President pro tempore; and Members Christopher Espinoza, Sherell Fuller, Jennie Hagstrom, Terry Pavesich and Joanna Vazquez Drexler. Nancy Kupka participated via audio means.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent; Rob Lang, Assistant Superintendent for Staff Services; Jeree Ehtridge, Assistant Controller; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Ed Schwartz, South High Principal; Student Board Members Scarlet O'Hara and Jade Toledano; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

There were no visitors.

1. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

Andrew Himes, teacher of the North High INCubator class, shared the class is a real learning experience where students engage in authentic entrepreneurship, and the class culminates with a big pitch night, similar to Shark Tank. He noted they are looking for investors.

Students Hamza Ahmed, Josh David, Kyle Peters and Mihir Sheth presented their “Look Back” app, describing it as a virtual time capsule. They shared they are currently talking with app developers to determine a price and a timeline. Jocelyn Agustin, Ava Gallwas, Bansri Patel and Jaina Rattary presented their product, a kitchen appliance that ripens and preserves fruit. They spoke about the research they have done and that they are currently working with an Intellectual Property attorney.

The Board commended the students on their presentations and ideas.

Dr. Thiele noted this is one of the courses leveraging community resources and next year a second level of the course will be offered.

2. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

North High Student Board Member Jade Toledano shared information on upcoming and recent events including Winter Sports, the Orchesis Showcase, Jazz Café, Class of 2026 Open House, ILMEA All State, the Choral Festival, and a student organized blood drive. She made special note of the Northwind Literary and Arts Calendar, which was created by students with North High students' art and literature, and that North High is hosting the 99th annual Scholastic Art Show.

Scarlett O'Hara, South High Student Board Member, highlighted World Language Week, Winter Sports, a Girls' Basketball fundraiser, the Special Olympics Pack the Place, course selection and the Class of 2026 Open House.

3. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

4. RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING

Dr. Thiele stated the number of COVID cases in the schools mirrors the community, with more cases last week than all of this year's weeks combined. He thanked students, staff, parents and administrators for helping to ensure in-person learning can continue.

The District is waiting for new guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health, according to Dr. Thiele, which will hopefully mirror the latest CDC guidance, and likely reduce the number of days of isolation for unvaccinated close contacts and those that test positive. He shared the definition of fully vaccinated for staff now includes having received the booster.

5. HYBRID BOCK SCHEDULE UPDATE

Ms. Ziccardi stated the following committees met during December: Part-time and Traveling Teachers; Professional Development; Department/Course Team Time; and Access and Resource Period; with the Opposite Lunch Class Committee and Activities and Athletics Committee meeting soon. She shared the schedule is set to be implemented in August, and as of now there are no solve fors that can't be solved.

6. 2021 SUMMER SCHOOL REPORT AND 2022 SUMMER SCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS

Dr. Lang stated Kristee Toth was the Summer School Director for 2020-2021, it was the largest Summer School the District ever had, with 500 students participating; there were no COVID cases; and for some students this was their first in-person experience since the beginning of the pandemic.

Ms. Toth provided enrollment and other information on the Academic, Enrichment, Credit Recovery and Driver Education programs offered during Summer School. She stated District 99 students did not pay tuition and free breakfast and lunch was provided every day. Kristee Toth shared a few stories of how Summer School in 2021 supported students both academically and emotionally.

Rob Lang shared the recommendations for the 2022 Summer School Program, which include the hiring of a new year round administrator, Director of Student Experiences, who will have Summer School as one of their responsibilities; how Summer School will be led until the new position is filled; increasing teacher and Director stipends by 1.4%, which is the CPI-U; and not raising tuition costs.

7. PROPOSED 2022 SUMMER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CALENDAR

Dr. Lang stated the recommendation is that the summer 2022 calendar go from Monday thru Thursday with Semester I Summer School from June 7-June 23 and Semester 2 from June 27-July 14, with July 4 off.

8. PERSONNEL REPORT - LEAVE OF ABSENCE-CLASSIFIED; APPOINTMENT-ADMINISTRATION

Member Pavesich moved and Member Vazquez Drexler seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Personnel Report - Leave of Absence-Classified; Appointment Administration.

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

Dr. Thiele shared Ms. Lyp, the new principal of South High, is student-centered, has experience as a principal, is serving as North High Principal Courtney DeMent's mentor and is a resident of District 99.

Ms. Lyp addressed the Board, stating she was honored and humbled to be chosen as South High's new principal and plans to continue Ed Schwartz's work with students to empower their voices and ensure South High is inclusive. Ms. Lyp introduced her three children and her husband, who is a North High graduate, to the Board.

The Board welcomed Ms. Lyp.

9. RECEPTION OF VISITORS – PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

10. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business or discussion, Member Pavesich moved and Member Vazquez Drexler seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Upon the unanimous voice vote of the seven members in attendance, the Vice President/President pro tempore declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

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