North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Dec. 18.

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, December 18, 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 and Sherell Fuller. Member Jennie Hagstrom 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; Travis McGuire, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Resources; Jeree Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; Jill Browning, Chief Communications Officer; Tammy Maksa, Director of Business Services; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; Student Board Member Gianna Hunsche; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

There were two visitors. A copy of the Visitor Roster is attached.

1. RECOGNITION

Dr. Thiele read proclamations from both the Village of Woodridge and the Village of Downers Grove honoring the North High Boys Cross Country Team for winning the IHSA Boys 3A State Championship. Coach John Sipple introduced the team, which consisted of Ryan Eddington, Grant Schroder, Philip Cupial, Caden Weber, Will Surratt, Zach Bender and Isaac Moss. He thanked the team for their hard work and perseverance and the coaching staff, parents, North High and the District. Each of the students shared how much they enjoyed being together and the friendship of their teammates.

Dr. Thiele commended the young men for being great representatives of the school and larger community. President Renner echoed Dr. Thiele's sentiments.

Hank Thiele announced that Coach Sipple was named the Illinois Track & Cross Country Coaches Association (ITCCCA) Coach of the Year.

Those in attendance congratulated the team and Coach Sipple on their accomplishments.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of the November 20, 2023 Business Meeting, the December 4, 2023 Workshop Meeting with Action Item and the December 4, 2023 Closed Meeting.

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

3. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

4. CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

Gina Ziccardi explained that ISBE defines a chronically absent student as one who misses 10% or more of school days, with partial days counting, with or without an excuse. She noted Chronic Absenteeism counts as 10% of the school's Summative Designation. Scott Wuggazer explained 5Labs is being used, especially by the Deans, to identify students who have excessive absences so interventions can be put in place and showed how District 99's data compares to the State of Illinois and DuPage County average. Kelly Zuerner, North High Associate Principal, spoke about how students are identified and the tiered system of supports for improving student attendance. Karen Taylor, South High Associate Principal, provided information on the Tier 1, 2 and 3 Interventions, which range from teachers contacting a student's family to the investigation of alternative learning environments. Dr. Taylor and Dr. Zuerner emphasized chronic absenteeism is a worldwide problem; the importance of early interventions; students who are chronically absent miss the socialization and life skills learned by interacting in the school environment; and fostering a sense of belonging with students has a positive affect on attendance.

Dr. Thiele stated chronic absenteeism is not a predictor of failure, as was true in the past; but rather, if a student is failing, they are likely also chronically absent.

President Renner asked if the Board could do anything to reinforce the value of attendance. Some Board members suggested clearer communication home, as families may not understand that when a student is out for an excused reason, such as a college visit, a doctor's appointment, or a mental health day, it still counts towards chronic absenteeism data.

5. 2024-2025 COURSE PROPOSALS

Dr. Thiele stated this was an Action Item later in the meeting and the Board's last opportunity to ask questions prior to voting. Board members had no questions.

6. 2023 TAX LEVY REQUEST

Jeree Ethridge shared last month the District established the Tentative Tax Levy and since then the District has received additional information. She stated the District has revised its estimate to 8.80% to protect the District and ensure it captures all possible tax revenue. Ms. Ethridge explained, once the County receives all the information in the spring, the actual tax extension will be established. Dr. Thiele stated, unless a property has been reassessed, there is a cap of 5%. He noted there is a Public Hearing and an Action Item on the Levy at this Board meeting.

7. 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.

8. PUBLIC HEARING: TRUTH IN TAXATION

President Renner opened the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing.

No one addressed the Board.

Member Pavesich moved and Member Fuller seconded the motion that the Board of Education close the Public Hearing on the 2023 Tax Levy.

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

9. CONSENT AGENDA

Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda as presented which includes: A. Personnel Report - Appointments- Classified; Transfer of Position-Classified; B. Personnel Report - Resignations-Certified; Resignations- Classified; C. November Financial Pages; D. Student Tour; E. Revised Administrative Regulations 5.271 AR2, AR3 and AR4; F. Acceptance of Donation - McNaughton Development LLC; and G. Acceptance of Donation - Knights of Columbus Council #16062.

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

Dr. Thiele highlighted the donation made by McNaughton Builders, which was given to offset some of the unexpected costs of sending the North High Football Team to the State Championship, and the donation from the Knights of Columbus, which will be used at T99.

10. 2024-2025 COURSE PROPOSALS

Member Espinoza moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the 2024-2025 Course Proposals as presented.

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

11. 2023 TAX LEVY

Member Pavesich moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the 2023 Tax Levy for $111,890,519, Certificate of Tax Levy, the Certification of Certificate of Tax Levy, and the Certificate of Compliance with the Truth in Taxation Law as presented.

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

12. OLD BUSINESS

None.

13. NEW BUSINESS

None.

14. RECEPTION OF VISITORS – PUBLIC COMMENT

Amanda Konder, parent of a former North High student, addressed the Board on the IHSA's ruling regarding her son's ineligibility to participate in wrestling at his new school.

Dr. Thiele stated the IHSA governs eligibility through its own process and the District respects the IHSA's decision.

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

No report.

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

Dr. Thiele reported Member Fuller, as part of the SASED Governing Board, will be asked to approve the SASED Board of Directors recommendation for Executive Director.

17. REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION

No report.

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

No report.

19. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

President Renner announced the following meeting date:

January 22, 2024

Regular Business Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - ASC

20. CLOSED SESSION

Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza 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 Pavesich, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Casten, Dawson and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.

President Renner stated the Board would be coming out of Closed Session with an Action Item.

The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 8:09 p.m.

21. 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 were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Rob Lang, Assistant Superintendent for Staff Services; Jeff Bergholtz, Director of Human Resources; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

22. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NOTICE TO REMEDY

Member Espinoza moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Resolution Authorizing Notice to Remedy to Margaret Koch-Murphy.

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

23. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business or discussion, Member Pavesich moved and Member Hagstrom 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 8:59 p.m.

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