North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Nov. 7.

Here is 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 the Administrative Service Center.

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

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; Jeree Ehtridge, Chief School Business Official; Jill Browning, Director of Communications; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; Student Board Member Kaitlyn Vincent; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

There were no visitors.

1. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT 

There were no public comments.

2. SCHOOL REPORT CARD 

Gina Ziccardi stated ISBE released the School Report Card and both North and South High Schools received the designation of Commendable, the same designation they have had the last several years. Ms. Ziccardi focused on four data points - Graduation Rates, which accounts for 50% of a school's rating; 9th Grade on Track; SAT Scores; and Chronic Absenteeism. She reported 4-year graduation rates are up from last year; and 9th graders who are on track are at their highest rate in the last 5-years, exclusive of the “do no harm" pandemic year. SAT average Evidence Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math scores are down in both District 99 and the State according to Ms. Ziccardi. She did note the percent of students in District 99 who meet/exceed the SAT performance levels in both EBRW and Math are higher than the percent in the State and higher than the average percent of students of the DuPage County high schools. Gina Ziccardi stated the definition of chronic absenteeism is when a student misses 10% or more of school days with or without an excuse. She reported District 99's number of chronically absent students is up and this is something the District is focusing on. Dr. Thiele stated the nationwide trend is that absences are up and District 99 has a lower rate than the average of the high school districts in DuPage County.

3. IASB RESOLUTIONS 

No Board member expressed any concerns over the proposed IASB Resolutions. The consensus of the Board was to agree with the positions of the Resolutions Committee.

4. SCHOOL MAINTENANCE PROJECT GRANT 

Dr. Thiele stated the funds will be used to offset the costs of capital improvements and the Board is being asked for approval to pursue these funds.

5. PUBLIC HEARING-TRUTH IN TAXATION 

Dr. Kupka stated Mark Staehlin will explain the reasons for the levy and any proposed increase, then anyone desiring to be heard will have an opportunity to present testimony.

Dr. Thiele stated whenever the District asks for more than a 5% increase in taxes there must be a Truth in Taxation Public Hearing.

Mr. Staehlin reported the District's property tax increase is capped at the lower of CPI and 5%. He noted, though the District is asking for an 8% increase in taxes, the average property will incur a 5% increase. Mark Staehlin stated any amount over 5% will come from new construction, and since the new construction percent won't be available until April, the District went with a higher number to ensure all of the new construction revenue is captured.

No one addressed the Board.

Member Davenport moved and Member Fuller seconded the motion to close the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing.

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

6. APPROVAL OF SCHOOL MAINTENANCE PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION 

Member Vazquez Drexler moved and Member Fuller seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve submission of a grant application for a School Maintenance Project Grant.

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

7. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT 

There were no public comments.

8. CLOSED SESSION 

President Kupka announced the Board will be taking Action, as noted in the Agenda, when it comes out of Closed Session.

Member Davenport moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned to Closed Session for the purpose of the placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.

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

The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 7:16 p.m.

9. 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 Sherell Fuller, Jennie Hagstrom, Terry Pavesich and Joanna Vazquez Drexler.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

10. APPROVAL OF NON-RESIDENT TUITION COSTS AND DISENROLLMENT OF STUDENT 2023-R01 

Member Davenport moved and Member Hagstrom seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve non-resident tuition costs and disenrollment of Student 2023-R01.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Davenport, Hagstrom, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler and Kupka voted AYE. Member Fuller voted NAY, stating she did not feel tuition should be charged. The President declared the motion carried.

11. ADJOURNMENT 

There being no further business or discussion, Member Pavesich moved and Member Hagstrom 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 7:37 p.m.

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