North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Feb. 5.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met for a Special Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February 5, 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, 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; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Jeree Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; Jill Browning, Chief Communications Officer; Tammy Maksa, Director of Business Services; Lisa Bollow, Director of Special Services; 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-TRANSITION 99

Lisa Bollow, Director of Special Education, shared the purpose of T99 is to provide post-secondary preparation for 18-22 year olds and provide connections to adult services. She thanked the Board for being supportive of the programs at T99 and the recent addition and renovations to T99 that make the space more functional for students and staff. Carolina Schoenbeck, T99 Coordinator, explained all T99 students learn skills for life after high school, which include independent living skills, money skills and self-advocacy. The T99 Microbusinesses (custom mugs, stickers, dog treats and shredding) and an entrepreneurship research grant from University of Chicago were presented by Jeri Smolek. Tricia Browley, T99 Vocational Coordinator, spoke about the supportive environment at T99 and expressed gratitude for the community partnerships that provide employment and training for T99 students.

T99 students Mary Ruiz, Ray Dean, Jacky Gomez and TJ Postmus all shared some of the things they do at T99 and their favorite activities. Ms. Ruiz spoke about her job training at the Downers Grove Public Library, how much she liked community trips, and presented Board members with bracelets she made. Mr. Dean talked about being a food runner at The Patio, D99 Hoops, and wanting to start his own clothing business. Ms. Gomez shared she does housekeeping and laundry at the Hampton Inn and her favorite trip was to a Chicago Wolves Game. Mr. Postmus shared things he does at T99 and that his favorite part of T99 is the safety class. Each of the students had a slide depicting some of their activities.

The Board commended Ms. Bollow and the staff at T99 for the work they do and thanked the students for coming to speak to the Board.

2. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

North High Student Board Member Gianna Hunsche reported on the success of the Winter Sports teams, that Spirit Week is coming and course registrations for next year are occurring.

South High Student Board Member Nahla Mokkath shared events occurring in February, which include: Crush cans for Valentine's Day, Spirit Week, the Winter Dance and something fun planned Leap Day.

3. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

4. 2024-2025 STUDENT FEES-NO INCREASE

Dr. Thiele stated the Administration is recommending there be no student fee increase for 2024-2025 and, if the Board agrees with this recommendation, no further Board Action is needed. The Board had no objections to student fees remaining the same.

5. BOARD RECOGNITION

Dr. Thiele shared the Administration is looking for ways to better and consistently recognize students and staff in District 99 and, to that end, the Administration drafted a document entitled "District 99 Student and Staff Recognition Program," which was previously shared with the Board. The Board discussed whether it wanted to recognize students and staff quarterly or in real time, the possible format and location for the recognition, and noted that some groups are recognized in the buildings with a breakfast that Board members are invited to attend. Dr. Thiele stated he would work with the principals on a time and location to recognize the achievements of students and staff from earlier this year.

6. CARES GRANT

Scott Wuggazer explained the CARES Grant is a $249,000 Grant from the IDPH for students to access mental health services outside the school day. He stated the District will use strategic marketing to students in need and information about the services provided to students and families will not be shared with the District. Dr. Thiele stated Mr. Wuggazer is working with the Board attorney on the contracts associated with providing these services.

7. BOND ISSUANCE

Dr. Thiele stated there were no changes to the terms of the $5.2 M bond issuance since presented at the last Board meeting.

8. PUBLIC HEARING CONDUCT OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THE INTENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO SELL $5,200,000 WORKING CASH FUND BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING THE DISTRICT'S WORKING CASH FUND

President Renner stated the next agenda item for the Board of Education is a public hearing to receive public comments on the proposal to sell bonds in the amount of $5,200,000 for the purpose of increasing the working cash fund of the District, the "Working Cash Fund Bonds," and explained that all persons desiring to be heard would have an opportunity to present written or oral testimony with respect thereto. He opened the discussion and explained that the reason for the proposed issuance of the Working Cash Fund Bonds is to enable the District to have in its treasury at all times sufficient money to meet demands for expenditures. President Renner asked for additional comments from the members of the Board of Education. There were none. There was no written testimony concerning the proposed issuance of the Working Cash Bonds. President Renner asked for oral testimony or any public comments concerning the proposed issuance of the Working Cash Fund Bonds. There was no oral testimony or public comments. President Renner announced that all persons desiring to be heard had been given an opportunity to present oral and written testimony with respect to the proposed issuance of the Working Cash Fund Bonds.

Member Pavesich moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to adjourn the Hearing.

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

9. CONSENT AGENDA

Member Fuller moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, which includes: A. Authorization for the Administration to sign the contracts associated with the CARES Grant, pending attorney review of the contracts; B. Amended Summer 2024 Calendar; and C. Extended School Year (ESY) Compensation.

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

10. RECEPTION OF VISITORS – PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

11. 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); 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, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Casten, Dawson 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 7:25 p.m.

12. 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.

13. 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 seven members in attendance, the President declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:07 p.m.

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