North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Nov. 6.

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, November 6, 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 Kara Casten, Ken Dawson, Christopher Espinoza, Sherell Fuller and Jennie Hagstrom.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning; Rob Lang, Assistant Superintendent for Staff Services; Travis McGuire, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Resources; Jeree Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; Jill Browning, Chief Communications Officer; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; Student Board Members Gianna Hunsche and Nahla Mokkath; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

There were no visitors.

1. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES – SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

South High Student Council President Lily Kelliher; Vice-Presidents Grace Rerucha and Juliana Conyer; and Communications Officer Isabel Lopez spoke about activities Student Council has organized for staff, students and the community so far this year, including a Halloween Fun Fair; school-wide bingo; raising money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, using a pink South Side Strong logo; and participation in "Blessings in a Backpack" with Key Club. Ms. Kelliher shared the South High motto of "You Belong Here" is the focus for activities Student Council organizes.

Board members were impressed that all these activities occurred in just the first couple of months of the school year. The Board expressed their appreciation to the students for attending the Board meeting and sharing their information.

2. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

Student Board Member Mokkath shared Homecoming was a success and she especially enjoyed seeing the community come out for the Homecoming parade. She noted students and staff will have an opportunity to express their gratitude to others by purchasing Gobble Grams, that will be delivered the week before Thanksgiving, for a $1.00.

Student Board Member Hunsche shared the first Student Choice Access period went well and students appreciated being able to make their choice earlier. She advocated for having more than one Access lesson during an Access period to allow for more Student Choice days. Ms. Hunsche stated the Boys' Cross Country Team finished 1st in the State and the Girls' Cross Country Team finished 2nd. President Renner complimented Principal DeMent on the celebration for the teams held at North High and shared the teams were very grateful.

3. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

4. SCHOOL REPORT CARD

Gina Ziccardi stated the School Report Card was released on October 30 and both North and South High's Summative Designation is Commendable, which denotes the schools had no underperforming subgroups; a graduation rate of at least 67%; and were not in the top 10% (Exemplary Designation) of schools. Ms. Ziccardi explained the components that go into the calculation of a school's overall index score and advised that North High scored 87.28 and South High scored 84.09 out of 100 points. Dr. Thiele stated, in all areas related to standardized assessments, both schools received all possible points.

The Board discussed the varied components that go into the point system and whether this scoring system is an accurate reflection of North and South High's status among other high schools in Illinois. Dr. Thiele stated this information only reflects part of a school's reputation; the whole school must be looked at including student involvement, post-secondary success, and the breadth of course offerings.

5. SCHOOL MAINTENANCE PROJECT GRANT

Jeree Ethridge explained this is a matching grant from the State and school boards must approve the matching funds of $50,000 for a district to apply for the grant. She stated the funds, if awarded, would likely be used for HVAC work.

6. IASB RESOLUTIONS

Member Dawson stated none of the proposed Resolutions have a strong impact on District 99 and recommended the Board accept the recommendations of the IASB Resolutions Committee. The Board had no objections.

7. SCHOOL MAINTENANCE PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION

Member Pavesich moved and Member Fuller seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve submission of a grant application for a FY24 School Maintenance Project Grant.

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

8. RECEPTION OF VISITORS-PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

9. CLOSED SESSION

Member Pavesich 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); 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 Pavesich, Dawson, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Casten 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 7:43 p.m.

10. 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 Kara Casten, Ken Dawson, Christopher Espinoza, Sherell Fuller and Jennie Hagstrom.

Also present was Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

11. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business or discussion, Member Pavesich 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 9:08 p.m.

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