Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Feb. 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met in a Special Workshop Meeting with Action Item at Board Workshop Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February 6, 2023 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 Christopher Espinoza, Jennie Hagstrom, Terry Pavesich and Joanna Vazquez Drexler. Member Sherell Fuller arrived at 6:39 p.m.
Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Mark Staehlin, District Controller; Jeree Ehtridge, Chief School Business Official; Jill Browning, Director of Communications; Ryan Doherty, Director of Student Experiences; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; Student Board Member Kaitlin Vincent; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.
There were seven visitors. A copy of the Visitor Roster is attached.
1. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
2. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES - NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
North High students Robby Boucher, Zoe Petro, Sydney Miller and Matt Sirota shared their experience at the Illinois High School Theater Fest (IHSTF). They spoke about how Bomb-itty of Errors was selected to be presented at the IHSTF; rebuilding the set for a stage that is 64' at U of I, when the stage in the North High Studio Theater is much smaller; having only 1.5 hours to set the stage for the performance; and refilling roles and understudies. Natasha Fugate, who was selected for the props and special effects crew for the IHSTF All State Production of Shrek the Musical, spoke about meeting new people with the same passion and the challenge of building a show in 18 days. All the students agreed the experience was a highlight of their high school career.
3. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
South High Student Board Member Kaitlin Vincent shared Spirit Week activities, which will culminate in an assembly at the end of the week where the sports teams will be recognized and there will be additional class competitions. She noted the Girls Basketball Team won Conference, and their next opponent is North High.
4. REVIEW OF STATE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES
Hank Thiele reviewed the State indicators, 75% Academic and 25% Student Success, which are used to establish North and South High's State designation as Commendable. He noted graduation rate and 9th Grade on Track are back to pre-pandemic levels and chronic absenteeism, though increasing, is still below the DuPage County high school average. Dr. Thiele reviewed historical SAT scores, and shared, though there has been some fluctuation, District 99's percent of students meeting/exceeding State standards in both reading and math is higher than average of the DuPage County high school districts. Dr. Thiele reported AP enrollment, capstone course enrollment, co-curricular enrollment and TCD enrollment are up.
Dr. Thiele encouraged students, families and staff to complete the 5 Essentials Survey, noting the completion rate for the survey is one of the Student Success Indicators for the State designation.
5. PROPOSED 2023-2024 STUDENT FEES - NO INCREASE
Dr. Thiele stated the Administration was not recommending an increase in Student Fees for 2023- 2024. The consensus of the Board was there is no need for further discussion on the 2023-2024 Student Fees and the Board is comfortable with the Administration's recommendation.
6. HYBRID BLOCK SCHEDULE
Ryan Doherty shared, in addition to receiving the responses provided in the October survey, he met with several hundred students, both formally and informally, to receive feedback on the current schedule as well as the proposed changes. Mr. Doherty stated three areas for consideration came out of the feedback: when student announcements occur, the timing of 'C' lunch, and students having too much time in the middle of the day. He proposed moving announcements to ACCESS and changing the order of the blocks on Thursday to 4, AC, 2, 8, 6. Ryan Doherty noted changing the block order on Thursdays will allow 'C' lunch to occur earlier and reduce the amount of student down time in the middle of the day.
Mr. Doherty introduced Student-Choice during ACCESS being piloted with juniors and seniors this month. He explained about a week before the Student-Choice during ACCESS class students will choose what they would like to do during the next week's ACCESS period. Mr. Doherty shared there are many choices including participating in open gym, getting specific subject area help, quiet study, or meeting with their counselor.
Dr. Thiele noted this process was part of the District's goal of valuing students' voices and setting up students to be successful.
7. ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $2,880,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION LIMITED BONDS TO BE ISSUED BY THE DISTRICT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17 2.11 OF THE SCHOOL CODE FOR LIFE SAFETY PROJECTS RELATED TO THE DOWNERS GROVE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING AND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WOULD CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUE OF SAID BONDS AND THE LEVY OF A DIRECT:ANNUAL TAX TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST THEREON.
President Kupka announced that the next item for consideration was the issuance of not to exceed $2,880,000 general obligation limited bonds to be issued by the District pursuant to Section 17-2.11 of the School Code for life safety projects related to the Downers Grove North High School Building and that the Board of Education would consider the adoption of a resolution providing for the issue of said bonds and the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest thereon. The President then explained that the resolution sets forth the parameters for the issuance of said bonds and sale thereof by designated officials of the District
Mark Staehlin, District Controller, summarized the pertinent terms of said parameters, including the specific parameters governing the manner of sale, length of maturity, rates of interest, purchase price and tax levy for said bonds.
8. CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUE OF NOT TO EXCEED $2,880,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION LIMITED TAX SCHOOL BONDS, OF COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER 99, DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALTERING AND RECONSTRUCTING A SCHOOL BUILDING AND PURCHASING AND INSTALLING EQUIPMENT THEREIN FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY, ENERGY CONSERVATION AND SCHOOL SECURITY PURPOSES, PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF A DIRECT ANNUAL TAX TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON SAID BONDS AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAID BONDS TO THE PURCHASER THEREOF.
President Kupka asked for a motion for the Board of Education to approve the Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $2,880,000 General Obligation Limited Tax School Bonds, of Community High School District Number 99, DuPage County, Illinois, for the purpose of altering and reconstructing a school building and purchasing and installing equipment therein for fire prevention and safety, energy conservation and school security purposes, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof.
Member Davenport moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion that said resolution as presented and read by title be adopted.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Davenport, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted and directed Secretary Gniadek to record the same in the records of the Board of Education of Community High School District Number 99, DuPage County, Illinois
9. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT
Greg Bakker expressed concern over the downward trend in student scores and recommended getting feedback on the Hybrid Block schedule through a different source than Mr. Doherty's discussions with students.
10. 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 8:17 p.m.
https://www.csd99.org/boe/past-meeting-minutes
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