North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met May 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met in Workshop Session at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 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 and Terry Pavesich. Member Joanna Vazquez Drexler arrived at 6:31 p.m.

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; Ryan Doherty, Director of Student Experiences; 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-SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

Arwen Lyp explained this evening's presentation would be by three groups of South High students who achieved success in the area of communications.

TeKavin Russell and Ava Lafin spoke about the Blueprint, South High's newspaper. They shared the Blueprint comes out of the Advanced Journalism class, is student led, five or six issues a year are created, and there is also an online presence. Short Film was represented by Bradley Padavic, Mason Townsend and Joshua Traugott. The students explained the film must be made entirely by students and must be under five minutes in length. They also expressed their gratitude to students, teachers and the Blueprint staff for their support of the project. Mia Cassin and Hanna Rodeck, editors of the yearbook, shared there is both a yearbook class and club and anyone is welcome to join either. They provided the anatomy of a yearbook and how they go about creating a page, including interviewing many students for different perspectives and, in some instances, using stories from the Blueprint.

The Blueprint, Short Film and yearbook students all shared information on awards and recognitions their projects have received.

The Board thanked the students for their presentation and congratulated them on their awards.

2. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

Luka Paulauskas, North High Student Board Member, spoke about end of year activities including the Graduation Concert; Senior Awards Ceremony; Decision Day, where students were encouraged to wear something indicating their post high school plans; Prom; and the emotions associated with sports seasons ending. South High Student Board Member Kaitlyn Vincent shared last week the PE Department hosted Wellness Week, Prom took place and North High celebrated Commitment Day. She noted upcoming events include AP testing and the Senior Awards Ceremony.

The Board expressed their appreciation to both Student Board Members for their participation this year.

3. SURVEY RESULTS

Ryan Doherty presented the results of the student, staff and family surveys, administered this spring, which focused on the Hybrid Block Schedule. He provided comparison data to the results from the fall. Mr. Doherty tied the questions and responses to the primary goals of the schedule, which include students having greater ability to get help during the day, having the opportunity for extended learning on the block days, reducing stress, increasing time for teachers for professional development and providing supports for students' social emotional needs. He noted areas where the District can make adjustments to better meet the needs of students and staff as well as areas that have shown improvement since the survey was administered in the fall.

4. FEEDBACK FROM THE PARENT TEACHER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

Scott Wuggazer shared the PATH Program, Special Services data, and the Consolidated District Plan were presented at the Parent Teacher Advisory Committee meeting. Proposed changes to the Student Handbook around cell phone usage were discussed in small groups, according to Mr. Wuggazer, and comments offered by meeting attendees on cell phone use were shared with the Board. Members Davenport and Hagstrom, who also attended the meeting, shared their insights.

5. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

6. CLOSED SESSION

Member Davenport moved and Member Fuller seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the District, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5); student disciplinary cases. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9); and 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).

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Davenport, Fuller, Hagstrom, Pavesich, Vazquez Drexler, Espinoza 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 8:59 p.m.

7. 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.

8. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business or discussion, Member Davenport moved and Member Espinoza 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 10:03 p.m.

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