North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Jan. 22.

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, January 22, 2024 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 Jennie Hagstrom. Member Sherell Fuller was absent.

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; Tammy Maksa, Director of Business Services; Courtney Dement, North High Principal; Student Board Members Gianna Hunsche and Nahla Mokkath; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

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

1. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

Student Board Member Mokkath reported all of the classes are anxious and excited as they start second semester: Freshmen and Sophomores are anxious about course selections; Juniors are concerned about the SAT; and Seniors are anxious about the next step in their lives. She shared the extra Student Choice days in Access have been good for getting help from teachers and classmates.

Student Board Member Hunsche shared Juniors are freaking out about the SAT and Sophomores are excited about the SAT prep program. She noted students are pleased with the Student Choice days in Access and the e-learning days went well.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of the December 18, 2023 Business Meeting and the December 18, 2023 Closed Meeting.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Pavesich, Espinoza, 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. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT

Jeree Ethridge reported on the Operating Funds as of December 31, noting they were all on target. She stated Revenues are 90% collected and State and Federal Aid are as expected. Expenditures, according to Ms. Ethridge, are 50% expended, with Special Education and utility costs higher than anticipated.

5. FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS

Jeree Ethridge presented the five year projections and the assumptions on the variables that went into making the projections. She stated the projected fund balance at the end of each year will be 5% or greater. Dr. Thiele stated the goal is to keep the fund balance steady, and, if it drops below 3%, per Board policy, the District must put in austerity measures.

6. POST ISSUANCE COMPLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT

Dr. Thiele stated the District is legally required to inform the Board the report was filed. He stated Ms. Ethridge filed the report on EMMA on December 21, 2023.

7. BOND ISSUANCE

Dr. Thiele reminded the Board that, in the fall, Capital Improvement Projects were presented that were out of the normal capital planning. He displayed a list of those projects, which included stadium turf fields and outdoor track replacement; stadium scoreboards and sound; fieldhouse floor and track replacement; and main gym scoreboard replacement at both schools. He stated the Administration was proposing a bond issuance of $5.2M to pay for these projects, and the bond issuance would have no discernable impact on the taxpayer. Ms. Ethridge stated, if the $5M was taken out of the Operating Fund, the fund balance ratio would drop below 3%, which violates Board policy. Dr. Thiele stated the bond issuance is an Action Item.

8. PROPOSED 2024 ATHLETIC SUMMER CAMP FEES

Jeree Ethridge stated the new fee structure better reflects what the actual camp costs are and includes the cost of athletic trainers, which were not previously factored in. Ms. Ethridge shared the camps are open to community members and students and are priced comparably to other local camps. President Renner pointed out the camps are self-sustaining. Dr. Thiele stated this is an Action Item.

9. 2024 SUMMER SCHOOL COMPENSATION RECOMMENDATION

Dr. Thiele stated the recommendation is to increase the Summer School compensation from $3324 per semester to $3490 per semester, which is a 5% increase, based on CPIU. He noted this is an Action Item.

10. PROPOSED 2024 SUMMER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CALENDAR

The calendar is similar to past summer calendars, according to Dr. Thiele, includes the June 19 and July 4 holidays, and is an Action Item later in the meeting. Dr. Lang reported Summer School will be at South High this year. Jeree Ethridge stated ESY will be at T99.

11. SCOREBOARD REPLACEMENTS

Dr. Thiele stated the contracts, in the amount of $1,368,760, are up for approval pending attorney review. He shared it is anticipated the scoreboards being a revenue stream, and once the purchase and the bonds are approved, an advertising plan will be developed and brought to the Board for approval. Dr. McGuire noted the District is receiving a $77,000 discount for purchasing the inside and outside scoreboards at the same time and these scoreboards have the best warranty on the market.

12. DISCIPLINE IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Dr. Thiele stated, since District 99 is in the top 20% for exclusionary discipline, the District is required to submit to ISBE a Discipline Improvement Plan, approved by the Board, by February 1, 2024. He stated this is an Action Item.

13. 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.

14. CONSENT AGENDA

Member Pavesich moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda as presented which includes: A. Personnel Report - Leave of Absence- Certified; Appointment-Classified; B. Personnel Report - Retirement-Certified; Resignation-Classified; Retirement-Classified; C. Personnel Report - Termination-Classified; D. November and December Treasurer's Report and December Financial Pages; E. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); and F. Review of Closed Session Minutes and Verbatim Recordings.

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

15. RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INTENTION TO ISSUE $5,200,000 WORKING CASH FUND BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING the DISTRICT'S WORKING CASH FUND, AND DIRECTING THAT NOTICE OF SUCH INTENTION BE PUBLISHED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW

President Renner stated, in view of the current financial condition of the District, the Board of Education will consider the adoption of a resolution declaring its intention to issue $5,200,000 working cash fund bonds pursuant to Article 20 of the School Code and directed that notice of such intention be published. He then presented and read by title the Resolution declaring the intention to issue $5,200,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds of Community High School District Number 99, DuPage County, Illinois, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of said School District, and directing that notice of such intention be published in the manner provided by law.

Member Hagstrom moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to adopt the Resolution declaring the intention to issue $5,200,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds of Community High School District Number 99, DuPage County, Illinois, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of said School District, and directing that notice of such intention be published in the manner provided by law.

President Renner asked if there was any discussion and then directed Secretary Gniadek to call the roll on the motion to adopt said Resolution.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Hagstrom, Dawson, Espinoza, Pavesich, Casten and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried and the Resolution adopted and directed Secretary Gniadek to record this in the records of the Board.

16. 2024 SUMMER SPORTS CAMP FEES

Member Pavesich moved and Member Hagstrom seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the 2024 Summer Sports Camp Fees as presented.

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

17. 2024 SUMMER SCHOOL COMPENSATION

Member Espinoza moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the 2024 Summer School Compensation as presented.

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

18. 2024 SUMMER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CALENDAR

Member Dawson moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the 2024 Summer School and Summer Calendar as presented.

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

19. SCOREBOARD CONTRACTS

Member Pavesich moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to enter into indoor and outdoor scoreboard contracts, subject to attorney review, with Digital Scoreboards with a total cost of $1,368,760.00 and authorize the Administration to sign all documents related to the contracts.

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

20. DISCIPLINE IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Member Hagstrom moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Discipline Improvement Plan as presented.

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

21. OLD BUSINESS

None.

22. NEW BUSINESS

None.

23. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

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

No report.

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

Dr. Thiele reported there is a joint meeting of the SASED Boards on Wednesday.

26. REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Member Pavesich reported the Mark McDonald scholarship is ready for distribution; Dr. Thiele shared he would be sending out communication this week regarding the scholarship. Member Pavesich encouraged teachers to apply for Learning Grants. Member Casten reported grant recipients will again be attending Board meetings to receive their awards.

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

Dr. Thiele reported the DuPage Division Dinner Meeting is in March.

28. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

President Renner announced the following meeting dates:

February 5, 2024

6:30 p.m. - ASC

February 26, 2024

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

29. CLOSED SESSION

Member Espinoza 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 Espinoza, Dawson, Hagstrom, Pavesich, 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 7:17 p.m.

30. 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 and Jennie Hagstrom. Member Sherell Fuller was absent.

Also present was Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

31. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business or discussion, Member Pavesich moved and Member Dawson 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 8:57 p.m.

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