North Egypt News

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

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met in Workshop Session at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 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 and Christopher Espinoza. Member Jennie Hagstrom arrived at 6:36 p.m. 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; 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 three visitors.

1. STUDENT RECOGNITIONS – SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

Ms. Lyp introduced Mark Molinari, South High teacher and Skills USA Club Sponsor. Mr. Molinari introduced Zach Mucha, 1st Place winner, and Alex Burak, 2nd Place winner, in 3D Architectural Drawing at the Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) State Competition. Mr. Molinari explained there are 19 Regional Competitions leading up to the State competition.

Alex Burak shared he will be pursuing Aerospace and Zach Mucha stated he is pursing Civil Engineering after high school. Both students thanked Mr. Molinari and commented on the amazing opportunity participation in the Club provided.

Dr. Thiele read excerpts from two Proclamations from the Village of Woodridge; one declared Monday, May 6, 2024, Zach Mucha Day, and, the other declared Monday, May 6, 2024, Alex Burak Day. He stated the Village of Downers Grove would also be providing Proclamations.

Ms. Lyp introduced South High student Will Elliot, who was representing the team of students that took 6th Place in the State in the IHSA Short Film Contest.

Will Elliot introduced the members of the team. He noted not a lot of other schools offer this outlet to students. Mr. Elliot thanked the Board for their support and Staff Director Chris Blum.

Arwen Lyp stated Mary Long, Kari Alore and Mark Indrieka are the Blueprint Advisors and two major accomplishments are being celebrated: IHSA State Journalism Competition Champions Sebastian Blanco, Will Elliot, Grace Stapleton and Micah Olson; and the Golden Eagle Award from the Northern Illinois Student Press Association.

Ms. Alore thanked the Board and expressed her pride in the students' commitment and gratitude for the support of the District. She stated, in addition to the awards already mentioned, Anthony Addante received 3rd Place at State, in Headline Writing; Sabrina Crowley received 5th Place at State in Newspaper Design; and Maya Homberg received 5th Place at State in Copy Editing.

Mr. Elliot shared the IHSA Journalism event was the "real deal" and wasn't just about the journalism, but was also about the people and the experience. He thanked the Blueprint Advisors; Ms. Martinez, Student Activities Director; and the Board.

Ms. Alore provided a brief overview of the Northern Illinois Press Association Golden Eagle Award, stating it is the best of the best. She informed the Board Ms. Long's Journalism class, which is in charge of the Blueprint, received the Golden Eagle Award because it provides the most ethical, interesting and entertaining journalism. Ms. Alore expressed her pride in the students.

Dr. Thiele read excerpts from two Proclamations from the Village of Woodridge; one declared Monday, May 6, 2024, Will Elliot, Grace Stapleton, Micah Olson Day, and the other declared Monday, May 6, 2024, Sebastian Blanco Day. He stated the Village of Downers Grove would also be providing Proclamations.

The Board and those in attendance applauded all those who were recognized.

2. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES-SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

South High Students Taylor Mitchell, Mara Haiduc and Nahla Mokkath spoke about the Reconstructed Prairie Project undertaken by the Research Club. Ms. Mitchell shared the location of Norfolk and Dunham was chosen because it is a detention basin and there was difficulty mowing and maintaining the area. Ms. Haiduc noted benefits of the project, which include, increasing bio diversity, beautifying the campus, and providing a connection to nature. Ms. Mokkath reported the original idea was Ms. Mitchell's; the planning took four years; planting day was April 6; and the Ribbon Cutting was one week later, on Earth Day.

The Board commended the students on their undertaking.

3. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

South High Student Board Member Nahla Mokkath shared the following events occurred over the last few weeks: Culture Week, Earth Day Celebration, Prom, Focus days in Access and Seniors vs. Staff in softball.

Gianna Hunsche, North High Student Board Member, reported Senior Decision Day was May 2, Senior Awards allowed seniors to celebrate achievements together, there were helpful Access sessions, great communication occurred around Prom and AP testing is going on.

4. VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM AT T99

Carolina Schoenbeck, T99 Program Coordinator, provided the goals of the T99 Vocational Program, which include, skill development, on the job support and training, and creating community partnerships. She explained there are four vocational transition supports offered at T99: the microbusiness, which includes making dog treats and stickers, and shredding; volunteering in the community; job training in the community; and competitive employment.

Tricia Brawley, T99 Vocational Coordinator, displayed a list of the business partners that support T99 students and expressed her gratitude for them. Stories of three students who are employed in the community were shared by Ms. Brawley. T99 student Xavery Briggs, who is job training at Midwest Strength and Performance, spoke about his duties there and employment goals for the future.

5. COMMUNICATIONS SURVEY 2024

Jill Browning provided highlights from the 2024 Communication Survey completed by families, which included: 90% of respondents believe the District communicates in a timely and effective manner, emails are seen as the most valuable form of communication and navigating the District's website poses challenges. 88% of the respondents believe the Board and District leaders provide sufficient opportunities to meet and engage, according to Ms. Browning. Based on the survey results, Jill Browning offered recommendations for 2024-2025, which include a return to "Lunchtime Live" sessions, expanding the Realtor Breakfast to other community/government partners on a rotating basis, and continuing with the Student Recognition program.

6. RECOGNITION OF CURRENT STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Dr. Thiele thanked Student Board members Gianna Hunsche and Nahla Mokkath for their service to the Board and the District with a token of appreciation. Ms. Mokkath stated she will be attending Loyola University - Chicago, majoring in Public Health on the pre-med track and Ms. Hunsche shared she will be pursuing Politics and Computer Science at the University of Virginia.

The Board thanked the students for providing their perspective on the student experience and the valuable input they provided throughout the year.

7. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

8. 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 7:57 p.m.

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