North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met July 17.

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, July 17, 2023 at the Administrative Service Center.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, the following Board members answered present: Don Renner, President; Terry Pavesich, Vice President; and Members Ken Dawson, Christopher Espinoza, Sherell Fuller and Jennie Hagstrom. Member Kara Casten was absent.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Travis McGuire, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Resources; Jeree Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; Jeff Bergholtz, Director of Human Resources; Ryan Doherty, Director of Student Experiences; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

There were three 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 June 12, 2023 Business Meeting and the June 12, 2023 Closed Meeting.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Pavesich, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Dawson and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.

2. RECEPTION OF VISITORS-PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

3. UPDATE ON SUMMER PLANNING

Ryan Doherty shared the summer progress of the four Hybrid Block Committees - ACCESS Schedule; Resource Intervention; Resource Programming and Structures; and Procedure Review and Alignment. He noted the Committees are all comprised of staff, students and building administrators and that the staff members will report out to the whole staff on their summer work on an opening institute day. Mr. Doherty stated the work of the Committees will continue after the school year starts. Dr. Thiele shared the administrative timeline for the development of the District Goals for the year and the planning of the opening institute days.

4. DRAFT D99 STRATEGIC ROADMAP - 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

Dr. Thiele reviewed each of the themes found in the Strategic Plan, which was approved by the Board last year, as well as the District's Core Values. He then shared the goals and tasks, under each of the key themes, that the District plans to address in the coming year. Dr. Thiele stated, at the August Board Workshop, which is prior to the staff returning, the Board will be asked to approve the goals and tasks for the coming school year. He requested anyone with concerns or questions about the Strategic Roadmap contact President Renner or himself. The Strategic Roadmap has been shared with the Administration, Department Chairs and the SSA and DGEA Union leadership, according to Hank Thiele.

5. HIRING PRACTICES

Jeff Bergholtz provided an overview of the hiring practices in District 99 from the initial job posting, through the application screening and interview process, and finally the making of an offer. He shared all candidates must complete a brief video interview as part of the application and all videos are viewed during the initial candidate screening. Dr. Thiele explained the last step in the process is placement on the Personnel Report for approval at a Board meeting. He stated the Board has a limited role in hiring and there must be a glaring reason why the Board would not approve the Appointment of a candidate recommended by the Administration; the Board only hires one employee, the Superintendent, and the Superintendent hires all other employees.

Dr. Thiele noted, in the case of some high profile hires such as head coaches or administration, an announcement about the hire may go out to staff and the community prior to Board approval. He stated in these cases, the prior Board requested the press release lead with "subject to Board approval.” The consensus of the current Board was to continue the practice of the previous Board.

Mr. Bergholtz shared the District held a Job Fair in June that was very successful and another Fair is planned for August. He stated all employees go through an onboarding process. Jeff Bergholtz noted District 99 has a very good reputation and its compensation is competitive; there is always a good pool of candidates for teaching positions.

6. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK (INCLUDING DISCIPLINE CODE)

Dr. Thiele stated the only proposed changes to the Student/Parent Handbook are related to personal electronic devices, with the default being that the devices will be silenced and not in use unless students are given specific permission to use them. Notification of the changes will be communicated by administration to students, according to Dr. Thiele, and principals will reinforce the rules with parents.

7. REVIEW OF THE ATHLETIC/ACTIVITIES HANDBOOK

Hank Thiele shared there are no proposed changes to the Athletic/Activities Handbook.

He stated the Board is being asked to approve both Handbooks, as they will have more authority if the Board approves them.

8. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS

Dr. Thiele reported the District received and responded to Freedom of Information Act requests this month and they are posted on the District's website.

9. CONSENT AGENDA

Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion for the Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda as presented, which includes: A. Personnel Report - Appointment- Certified; Appointment-Administration; Transfer of Position-Classified; Appointment-Classified; B. Personnel Report - Retirement- Administration; Resignation-Certified; Retirement-Classified; Non- Renewal-Classified; C. May Treasurer's Report and June and July Expenditures; D. Closed Session Minutes and Verbatim Recordings; E. Settlement Agreement and General Release in Re: IELRB Case No. 2023-CA-0042-C; F. Athletic Trainer Contract; G. Authorized Signers for Wintrust Master Lease Agreement; H. SASED Board of Directors Alternate Representative Appointment Resolution; and I. Acceptance of Donation-EMD Paint and Design.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Pavesich, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Dawson and Renner voted AYE, The President declared the motion carried.

Member Pavesich thanked EMD Paint and Design for their generous donation.

10. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK (INCLUDING DISCIPLINE CODE) AND RE-APPROVAL OF THE ATHLETIC/ACTIVITIES HANDBOOK

Member Espinoza moved and Member Hagstrom seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the proposed changes to the Student/Parent Handbook and re-approve the Athletic/Activities Handbook.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Espinoza, Hagstrom, Pavesich, Dawson, Fuller and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.

11. OLD BUSINESS

None.

12. NEW BUSINESS

None.

13. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

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

No report.

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

Dr. Thiele reported SASED hired two interim directors and North High is hosting SASED's opening day this year. He noted SASED is transitioning to its new structure; he will attend monthly meetings and Member Fuller will attend three meetings per year.

16. REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Member Pavesich reported the Foundation joined the National Association of Education Foundations and the Foundation is always looking for new members. She shared Member Casten will also be representing the Board at Foundation meetings.

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

Member Dawson reminded the Board about the Joint Annual Conference November 17-19. All Board members are planning to attend.

18. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

President Renner announced the following meeting dates:

August 7, 2023 - Workshop Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - ASC

August 21, 2023 - Regular Business Meeting - 6:30 p.m. – ASC

19. CLOSED SESSION

Member Fuller moved and Member Dawson 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).

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Fuller, Dawson, Espinoza, Hagstrom, Pavesich and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.

President Renner stated after coming out of Closed Session the Board will not be taking any Action, other than to Adjourn.

The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 8:44 p.m.

20. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION

The meeting was reconvened in Open Session with the following members of the Board of Education in attendance: Don Renner, President; Terry Pavesich, Vice President; and Members Ken Dawson, Christopher Espinoza, Sherell Fuller and Jennie Hagstrom. Member Kara Casten was absent.

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

21. 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 President declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.

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