Community High School District 99 Board of Education met March 20.
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, March 20, 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, Sherell Fuller, Jennie Hagstrom, Terry Pavesich and Joanna Vazquez Drexler.
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 Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; Jill Browning, Director of Communications; Jeff Bergholtz, Director of Human Resources; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; Student Board Members Luka Paulauskas and Kaitlyn Vincent; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.
There were two visitors. A copy of the Visitor Roster is attached.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of the February 27, 2023 Business Meeting; the February 27, 2023 Closed Meeting; the March 6, 2023 Workshop Meeting; and the March 6, 2023 Closed Meeting.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Pavesich, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Vazquez Drexler, Davenport and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
2. RECEPTION OF VISITORS-PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
3. 2023-2024 STAFFING AND CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Dr. Lang provided a recap of staffing needs, noting overall staffing will be down 2.0 FTE for 2023- 2024. Ms. Ziccardi reported there is an increase in the number of classes that will be cancelled due to low enrollment and 22 courses will be run with less than 20 students. She noted AP Music Theory will be taught as a blended class with both North and South High students and a single teacher.
Georgia Hash, South High Associate Principal, and Keith Palz, North High Associate Principal, provided an overview of enrollment in specific classes at their respective buildings. Both indicated an increase in the number of special education and EL sections and that the new course, Earth and Space Science, is very popular.
Scott Wuggazer shared the Administration is recommending increases in Special Education and Student Services staffing, which are due to increased enrollment; the addition of a Special Services Coordinator at North and South High (1.0 FTE) and a Special Services Outplacement Coordinator (1.0) FTE); and increasing the PATH Coordinator position to full time at both buildings (1.0 FTE).
Jeff Bergholtz explained seven teachers will be Honorably Dismissed because the District doesn't have equivalent FTE for them for the coming year and two teachers, who are filling leave positions which expired, will also be dismissed. He noted in the Board Meeting information is the list of teachers who will be retained next year in District 99.
4. TEXTBOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2023-2024
Rob Lang stated Biology, Earth and Space Science, and Personal Trainer Certification textbooks are being recommended for Board approval. If Board members, or the public, would like to review the textbooks, Dr. Thiele recommended they contact Dr. Lang.
5. TRANSPORTATION CONTRACTS
Dr. Thiele stated the contracts were brought to the Board last month and there have been no changes. He noted the First Student contract calls for a 6.5% increase and the Sunrise contract contains a 6% increase. Hank Thiele stated the contracts are an Action Item this evening.
6. BOND NOTIFICATION
Dr. Thiele stated the bonds are for the galvanized pipe project at North High and we are required to publicly notify the Board of the sale of the bonds.
7. JUUL LITIGATION PARTIAL SETTLEMENT
Information on the settlement was previously provided to the Board in Closed Session, according to Dr. Thiele. He stated this is the first of four settlements in the Class Action law suit and the District will receive a net amount of approximately $78,754, paid over three years. Dr. Thiele stated the Board's attorneys recommend the Board accepts the settlement offer this evening.
8. ESTABLISHMENT OF BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING – MAY 15, 2023
Dr. Thiele shared the Board needs to establish an Organizational Meeting date and the Administration recommends May 15 as that date, which is the date of a regularly scheduled Board Meeting and the last day the meeting can be scheduled, under the new law.
9. AMENDMENTS TO SASED AGREEMENT
Dr. Thiele stated the Amendments have been previously shared with the Board. He explained the Amendments establish a Board of Control, to concentrate on the day to day operations of SASED, with the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent from each of the member districts serving; and a Governing Board, which will focus on SASED's mission, vision and strategic planning. Member Vazquez Drexler, District 99's current Board of Control and Governing Board appointee, stated this is a good idea. Dr. Thiele stated the Amendments are an Action Item this evening.
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. PUBLIC HEARING-HONORABLE DISMISSAL OF TEACHERS
President Kupka announced the next agenda item is a Public Hearing on the proposed reduction in force of teachers and the Hearing is held in line with Section 24-12 of the Illinois School Code, which provides for the Hearing when the number of teachers to be reduced due to economic necessity is greater than 5 or 150% of the average number of teachers honorably dismissed in the preceding 3 years, whichever is more. She stated that while the reductions contemplated are not based on economic necessity, the Hearing is being held with the intent of giving both the teaching staff and the public notice of layoffs and the opportunity to express their views. President Kupka stated the reductions in force contemplated will not impact educational programming and are not based on economic necessity and the reductions are based on course selections for the upcoming school year.
No one addressed the Board.
Member Davenport moved and Member Fuller seconded the motion for the Board of Education to close the hearing.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Davenport, Fuller, Hagstrom, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler, Espinoza and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
12. CONSENT AGENDA
President Kupka thanked the Kersting's for the donation of musical instruments. acknowledged and thanked the Downers Grove Roadrunners Inc. and G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics for their donations and expressed appreciation for the community support to all the donors.
Member Vazquez Drexler moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda as presented which includes: A. Personnel Report - 2023- 2024 Full Time Renewals; 2023-2024 Non-Tenure Part Time Renewals; Appointment-Certified; Appointment-Classified; B. Personnel Report - Resignations-Classified; C. Financial Pages; D. Student Trips; E. Waiving of First Reading and Adoption of Board Policy 3.58; F. 2024-2025 Proposed Calendar; G. Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Membership - July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024; H. Acceptance of Donation - Gary, Nick and Bret Kersting; I. Acceptance of Donation - Downers Grove Roadrunners Inc.; and J. Acceptance of Donation - G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Vazquez Drexler, Pavesich, Davenport, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
13. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NOTICE OF HONORABLE DISMISSAL OF NON-TENURED TEACHERS OTHER THAN FINAL-YEAR PROBATIONARY TEACHERS
Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion for the Board of Education to adopt the Resolution Authorizing Notice of Honorable Dismissal of Non-Tenured Teachers Other than Final Year Probationary Teachers and that the President and Secretary be authorized to sign same.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Pavesich, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Vazquez Drexler and Kupka voted AYE. Member Davenport voted NAY. The President declared the motion carried.
14. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NOTICE OF NON-RENEWAL TO NON-TENURED TEACHERS OTHER THAN FINAL-YEAR PROBATIONARY TEACHERS
Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion for the Board of Education to adopt the Resolution Authorizing Notice of Non-Renewal to Non-Tenured Teachers Other than Final- Year Probationary Teachers and that the President and Secretary be authorized to sign same.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Pavesich, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Vazquez Drexler, Davenport and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
15. TEXTBOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2023-2024
Member Fuller moved and Member Vazquez Drexler seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the recommended textbooks for 2023-2024 as presented.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Fuller, Vazquez Drexler, Davenport, Espinoza, Hagstrom, Pavesich and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
16. SUNRISE TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR THE 2023-2024 FISCAL YEAR
Member Davenport moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Amendment to Special Education Student Transportation Services and Transportation Contract with Sunrise, Southwest, LLC for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and authorize the Administration to execute all necessary documents to continue this contract.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Davenport, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
17. FIRST STUDENT TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR THE 2023-2024 FISCAL YEAR
Member Pavesich moved and Member Vazquez Drexler seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Amendment to Extension of Pupil Services Agreement with First Student Inc. for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and authorize the Administration to execute all necessary documents to continue this contract.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler, Davenport, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
18. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTIAL SETTLEMENT OF VAPING LITIGATION
Member Espinoza moved and Member Davenport seconded the motion for the Board of Education to adopt the Resolution Authorizing Partial Settlement of Vaping Litigation.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Espinoza, Davenport, Fuller, Hagstrom, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
19. RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION OF COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 99 RATIFYING PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN DUPAGE ARTICLES OF JOINT AGREEMENT
Member Vazquez Drexler moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion for the Board of Education to adopt the Resolution of Board of Education of Community High School District No. 99 Ratifying Proposed Amendments to the School Association for Special Education in DuPage Articles of Joint Agreement.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Vazquez Drexler, Pavesich, Davenport, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
20. OLD BUSINESS-SECOND READING AND APPROVAL OF POLICIES
Dr. Thiele stated he received no questions from the Board and most of the policy changes were either clean up or related to changes in State or Federal laws.
Member Davenport moved and Member Fuller seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the policies as presented.
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
0 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
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Davenport, Fuller, Hagstrom, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler, Espinoza and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
21. NEW BUSINESS
None.
22. RECEPTION OF VISITORS – PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
23. REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION NETWORK OF DUPAGE (LEND)
Member Hagstrom reported there are several bills under consideration, including those pertaining to a minimum salary for Support Staff, Kosher food, literacy and dyslexia, discipline, cyber bullying, tenure, graduation rate recalculation and cash on hand.
Dr. Thiele reported the bus bill is moving forward.
24. REPORT ON SCHOOL ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN DUPAGE COUNTY (SASED)
No report.
25. REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Member Pavesich reported the Foundation is working on their Mission Statement and Goals.
26. REPORT ON ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS (IASB)
No report.
27. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS
President Kupka announced the following meeting dates:
April 10, 2023
April 17, 2023
28. CLOSED SESSION
Workshop Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - ASC
Regular Business Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - ASC
Member Hagstrom moved and Member Davenport 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 collective negotiating matters between the District and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Hagstrom, Davenport, Espinoza, Fuller, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
President Kupka stated after coming out of Closed Session the Board would not be voting on any item, and would only be voting to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 7:30 p.m.
29. 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, and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.
30. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business or discussion, Member Davenport moved and Member Fuller 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 9:18 p.m.
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