North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Feb. 27.

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. on Monday, February 27, 2023 at the Administrative Service Center.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, the following Board members answered present: Mike Davenport, Vice President/President Pro-tempore; and Members Christopher Espinoza, Terry Pavesich and Joanna Vazquez Drexler. Member Jennie Hagstrom arrived at 6:36 p.m. and Member Sherell Fuller arrived at 7:05 p.m. Nancy Kupka, President, was absent.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Mark Staehlin, District Controller; Jill Browning, Director of Communications; Jim Kolodziej, Director of Physical Plant and Operations; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

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

1. SOUTH HIGH STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

Members of the South High Royalty Step Team Jadesola Sholebo, Moyosore Ashaolu, Briyana Brown and Lenya Huddleston each spoke about their role on the Team and how they got involved in stepping. They shared they practice year round; use their bodies as an instrument; participate in competitions; perform at school assemblies; will be performing at the orchesis show on March 17 and 18; and recently performed and ran a clinic at Lakeview Junior High. The students then provided a short demonstration of stepping.

The Board thanked the students for coming to the Board meeting and for the brief show.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Member Vazquez Drexler moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of the January 23, 2023 Business Meeting and the February 6, 2023 Special Workshop Meeting with Action Item at Board Workshop Meeting.

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

3. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

4. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 2023-2024 - SUMMER PROJECTS

Jim Kolodziej stated this group of Summer Projects consists of three projects at North High - replacing two roofs and making upgrades to the girls' softball field. He noted in a couple months the District will receive bids for paving the student lot and replacing the music wing flooring at South High. Mr. Kolodziej informed the Board there were 14 bids on the North High projects, the recommend bids came in within budget and the low bidders are familiar to the District.

Jim Kolodziej stated the Administration is asking the Board to approve the bids in the aggregate amount of $307,414.00.

5. LIFE SAFETY WORK-REPLACEMENT OF GALVANIZED PIPE - NORTH HIGH

Mr. Kolodziej stated the Life Safety Work is replacing the exposed galvanized pipe with copper at North High and next year the pipes behind the walls will be replaced. He noted there were nine bidders and the bids came in lower than expected.

Jim Kolodziej stated the Administration is asking the Board to approve the bids in the aggregate amount of $215,900.00.

Dr. Thiele stated both of the items are Action Items later in the meeting.

6. TRANSPORTATION CONTRACTS

Mark Staehlin noted District 99 coordinates transportation services with other districts which results in lower costs and more efficiency. He stated First Student is requesting a 62% increase, which is what the District projected, and Sunrise, which provides special education transportation services, is requesting a 6% increase for next year. Both companies are having difficulty getting drivers, according to Mr. Staehlin.

Mr. Staehlin stated the Administration is recommending the Board approve both of these increases at the March Board meeting.

7. BOARD REPRESENTATION ON THE PARENT TEACHER ADVISORY COMMITTEE - APRIL 19, 2023

Mr. Wuggazer shared the Parent Teacher Advisory Committee meets every year and this year the group will return to meeting in person. He asked the Board for two volunteers to serve on the Committee, which has looked at special education and disciple data in the past. Dr. Thiele stated President Kupka will send out an email to Board members asking for volunteers.

8. 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.

9. CONSENT AGENDA

Vice President/President Pro-tempore Davenport thanked the Foundation for their donation.

Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda as presented which includes: A. Personnel Report - Appointment- Administration; Appointment-Certified; Appointment-Classified; Leave of Absence-Certified; B. Personnel Report - Retirements-Certified; Resignations-Certified; Retirements-Classified; Resignations-Classified; C., Financial Pages; D. Student Trips; and E. Acceptance of Donation - District 99 Education Foundation.

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

10. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 2023-2024-AWARD OF BIDS-SUMMER PROJECTS

Member Vazquez Drexler moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve contracts for the Summer Capital projects to the vendors noted for the aggregate amount of $307,414.00.

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

11. LIFE SAFETY 2023-2024 - AWARD OF BIDS - SUMMER PROJECT

Member Pavesich moved and Member Vazquez Drexler seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve contracts for the Summer Life Safety work to the vendors noted for the aggregate amount of $215,900.00.

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

12. OLD BUSINESS

None.

13. NEW BUSINESS - POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT - FIRST READING

Dr. Thiele stated the majority of the changes to the policies are a result of changes in federal or state laws and clean up. He asked that anyone with questions or suggestions reach out to himself, Member Fuller or Member Davenport. Member Davenport stated the Board would see the policies again next month.

2.100, Board Member Conflict of Interest

2.210, Organizational School Board Meeting

2.265, Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure

4.10, Fiscal and Business Management

4.140, Waiver of Student Fees

4.165, Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors

5.20, Workplace Harassment Prohibited

5.30, Hiring Process and Criteria

5.120, Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest

5.220, Guest Teachers

5.250, Leaves of Absence

5.280, Duties and Qualifications 5.320, Evaluation

6.15, School Accountability

6.240, Student Trips

6.250, Community Resource Persons and Volunteers

6.255, Assemblies and Ceremonies

6.260, Complaints About Curriculum Instructional Materials and Programs

6.310, High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students

7.50, School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools

7.70, Attendance and Truancy

7.100, Health Eye and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students

7.180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying Intimidation and Harassment

7.190, Student Behavior

7.250, Student Support Services

7.285, Anaphylaxis Prevention Response and Management Program

7.290, Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention

7.340, Student Records

14. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

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

Member Hagstrom reported Tony Sanders was chosen as the new State Superintendent and that retired teachers may work as substitute teachers for 120 days thru 2026 to help with the teacher shortage. Dr. Thiele reported Senator Curran is sponsoring the bill to allow for flexibility for bus drivers during the school day and Representative Terra Costa Howard is sponsoring the bill for recalculating graduation rates so the District is not penalized for students continuing on at T99.

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

Member Vazquez Drexler reported revisions for the 2023-2024 school year and an updated referral process will be shared with member districts in a video meeting the first week in March.

17. REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Member Pavesich reported the Foundation completed a successful audit and is looking to raise funds for a scholarship in Dr. Mark McDonald's honor. She also reminded teachers to apply for the Foundation grants. Dr. Thiele shared donations can be made on the Foundation's website, d99ef.org. Member Pavesich added the Foundation takes credit cards.

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

Member Espinoza reported the IASB's new Constitution and Position Statements were distributed to Board members.

19. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

Vice President/President Pro-tempore Davenport announced the following meeting dates:

March 6, 2023 - Workshop Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - ASC

March 20, 2023 - Regular Business Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - ASC

20. CLOSED SESSION

Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing 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 Pavesich, Espinoza, Hagstrom, Fuller, Vazquez Drexler and Davenport voted AYE. The Vice President/President Pro-tempore declared the motion carried.

Vice President/President Pro-temporc Davenport announced the Board would not be taking any Action when it came out of Closed Session.

The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 7:11 p.m.

21. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION

The meeting was reconvened in Open Session with the following members of the Board of Education in attendance: Mike Davenport, Vice President/President Pro-tempore; and Members Christopher Espinoza, Sherell Fuller, Jennie Hagstrom, Terry Pavesich and Joanna Vazquez Drexler. Nancy Kupka, President, was absent.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

22. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business or discussion, Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Upon the unanimous voice vote of the six members in attendance, the Vice President/President Pro-tempore declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:03, p.m.

 https://www.csd99.org/boe/past-meeting-minutes