North Egypt News

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

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met in a Workshop Meeting with Action Item at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 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; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Jill Browning, Director of Communications; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; Student Board Members Luka Paulauskas and Kaitlyn Vincent; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary. 

There was one visitor. A copy of the Visitor Roster is attached. 

1. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES - NORTH & SOUTH HIGH SCHOOLS 

North High students Luka Paulauskas and Madeline Topic and South High students Mia Cassin and Jonny Klaeren spoke about Snowball. Ms. Cassin provided some history of Snowball and shared District 99 has a North event, a South event and a District-wide event. Ms. Topic explained Snowball's focus is on wellness, mental health, social emotional learning and preparing students for life after high school. Information about the student led workshops and closing activities was shared by Mr. Klaearen. Ms. Paulauskas spoke about the large group topics and the workshop facilitators. All of the students shared that Snowball helped them to learn to be themselves and provided a very welcoming environment. The students thanked the Board for supporting Snowball and presented Board members with warm fuzzies. 

The Board thanked the students for sharing their experiences at Snowball and their enthusiasm. 

2. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS 

Ms. Vincent shared upcoming South High events including the Mustang Trot, the production of Mama Mia and Prom. She noted there are several students interested in being the next South High Student Board member. Ms. Paulauskas shared this is a stressful time for sophomores and juniors due to state testing. Upcoming activities, including the Ritter Invite, National Honor Society Awards Night, Prom and the trip to Six Flags, are just some of the things students are looking forward to, according to Ms. Paulauskas. 

3. RECOGNITION 

Dr. Thiele recognized Courtney DeMent on receiving the Illinois Principals Association Herman Graves Award. Those in attendance congratulated Dr. DeMent. Hank Thiele also recognized Rod Russeau, Director of Technology and Information Services, who is retiring this year, on receiving two awards from the Consortium for School Networking - the "Impact 30" award and the "Volunteer of the Year" award - for his work with cybersecurity. 

4. RECEPTION OF VISITORS-PUBLIC COMMENT 

There were no public comments. 

5. STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COORDINATORS 

Antonia Stamatoukos, South High Student Assistance Coordinator, presented an overview of the Student Assistance Program and its focus on substance use and prevention. She noted marijuana, nicotine and fentanyl use were targeted this year for both awareness and prevention through the “99 Reasons" campaign, ACCESS lessons and Red Ribbon Week. Keith Bullock, North High Student Assistance Coordinator, presented information on the Illinois Youth Survey (IYS). He reported, based on the survey results, alcohol, nicotine and marijuana use are decreasing and the number of students experiencing the symptoms of depression are increasing. Mr. Bullock shared how the Student Assistance Coordinators are using the data from the survey and some of the supports provided to students and families. 

6. STAFF RECEIVING TENURE 

Hank Thiele stated the District does not grant teachers tenure, the State does. The list of District 99 teachers receiving tenure was displayed. 

7. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT 

There were no public comments. One comment was submitted on line. A copy is attached. 

8. PUBLIC HEARING 

President Kupka stated the purpose of said hearing will be to receive public comment on a proposed application to waive a portion of Section 27-6 of the School Code to allow Driver Education to substitute for one semester of Physical Education and that Public Comment will be taken during the Public Hearing. She stated all noticing requirements have been met for the Public Hearing, per the waiver requirements. President Kupka explained that following the Public Hearing the Board will take Action on the School Code Waiver Application to allow Driver Education to substitute for one semester of Physical Education. 

No oral testimony was given and no written testimony was received. 

Member Davenport moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion to close the Public Hearing. 

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

9. APPROVAL OF SCHOOL CODE WAIVER APPLICATION TO ALLOW DRIVER EDUCATION TO SUBSTITUTE FOR ONE SEMESTER OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION 

Member Davenport moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the School Code Waiver Application to allow Driver Education to substitute for one semester of Physical Education. 

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

10. CLOSED SESSION 

Member Davenport moved and Member Pavesich 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); 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); 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 Davenport, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom and Kupka voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried. 

President Kupka stated, after the Closed Session, the Board would reconvene in Open Session to adjourn and no Action would be taken. 

The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 7:26 p.m. 

11. 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; Rob Lang, Assistant Superintendent for Staff Services; Jeree Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary. 

12. 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 8:15 p.m. 

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/csd99/Board.nsf/Public