North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met Oct. 7.

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, October 7, 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, Christopher Espinoza and Jennie Hagstrom. Members Ken Dawson and Sherell Fuller were 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; Phil Howard, Chief Technology Officer; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; Student Board Members Rehan Hashim and Jason Trejo; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

There was one visitor. A copy of the Visitor Roster is attached.

1. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES-SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

PE Leaders Gavenson Bayer, Becca Snouffer, Estella Rizzo, Jonny Klaeren and Ariella Urias presented information on the PE Leader Program at South High. Mr. Bayer talked about being a role model for students and making the world a better place. Making PE teachers' jobs easier and getting out of your comfort zone are aspects of the program Mr. Klaeren focused on. Ms. Snouffer explained the training, which starts in freshman year when your PE teacher recommends you and Ms. Urias shared classes have a mix of junior and senior leaders, with senior leaders mentoring junior leaders. Ms. Rizzo reported during sophomore year leaders learn how to deal with difficult students and how to build relationships with the people you lead.

Nate Terry, South High PE teacher, who leads the PE Leaders Program, thanked the Board for inviting the students to present and noted Student Board Member Jason Trejo is also a PE Leader.

The Board thanked the students for attending the Board meeting and sharing information on the PE Leader Program.

2. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

North High Student Board Member Rehan Hashim spoke about the buzz for Homecoming, offered congratulations to the National Merit recognized students and mentioned the upcoming fall choral concert and jazz band concert. He shared 200 North High students attended the DECA fall leadership conference and that DECA is the largest club at North High.

Jason Trejo, South High Student Board Member, shared there was a lot of school spirit around Homecoming and of particular interest was the assembly and the Notable Alumni Ceremony. He also spoke about the National Merit award recipients being recognized.

3. STRATEGIC INDICATORS AND MEASURES REPORT - ATTENDANCE

Dr. Kelly Zuerner and Dr. Karen Taylor, Associate Principals at North and South High, provided attendance data for each of their respective schools. Dr. Zuerner stated a chronically absent student is defined as any student that misses 10% or more of the student attendance days, regardless of the reason. Both Associate Principals noted chronic absenteeism at both schools is down 6-7% from school year 2023 to school year 2024, and overall attendance is up 1-2% for the same period. Dr. Taylor explained staff are refocusing students' mindset since the pandemic to: it matters if you are present - you belong here. Students are being encouraged to take ownership of their learning, teach other and promote attendance, according to Dr. Zuerner.

4. STRATEGIC INDICATORS AND MEASURES REPORT - DISCIPLINE

Dr. Zuerner stated, in the past, a B Code discipline violation would result in a student receiving an out of school suspension. Now, according to Dr. Zuerner, most students who commit a B Code violation are placed in the PATH Program instead of receiving an out of school suspension. She noted PATH is a three-day in-school program where students also receive 4-6 weeks of aftercare and support. Dr. Taylor explained, in the PATH Program, students and staff talk about why what the student did was a mistake and students are provided coping skills.

Dr. Zuerner and Dr. Taylor presented data on B Code violations. Both noted the number of students who commit two or more violations is trending down and less than 20% of students who go through the PATH Program at the schools repeat the B Code violation. Both Dr. Taylor and Dr. Zuerner emphasized and commended the large number of teachers and support staff who work with the PATH students and noted it truly is a team effort.

5. DISTRICT 99 FACILITY RENTALS

Dr. McGuire provided a timeline of the discussions that occurred with the Policy Committee and District administrators since the Administrative Regulations that cover facility rentals were brought to the Board in June for approval. He reported, based on those discussions, the following changes are proposed: creation of a new Category B rental group for feeder groups where 60% or more of their participants live in District 99 boundaries; establishment of guidelines for when a District 99 supervisor would not be required at outside contracts; setting B group rental rates at 50%; and expansion of application and rental windows.

Travis McGuire stated the Board would be asked to take Action on the changes at the next Board meeting. Dr. Thiele stated if anyone had questions or concerns regarding the changes they should contact President Renner, Member Espinoza, Dr. McGuire or himself.

President Renner commented the community will now have more access to the great facilities the District has as a result of the $136 million referendum in 2018.

6. REVISIONS TO BOARD POLICIES RELATED TO DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT AND COMPLAINTS

Dr. Thiele stated the District has been working with the Board's attorney to update the policies that pertain to the filing of complaints of bullying, discrimination, harassment, Title IX and all other complaints. He shared, as the policies currently exist, an individual can file a complaint under several avenues simultaneously. He noted in some cases this leaves the Board or himself, who are a part of the appeal process, at a disadvantage because they may not be privy to all the facts of a situation. The consensus of the Board was that the attorneys should continue their work in revising the policies. Dr. Thiele stated, he hopes the Board will consider adopting the revised policies at the October 21 Board meeting and, if the policies have not been finalized, an intermediate review will take place at the October meeting and the approval would occur in November.

7. NEW BOARD POLICIES 6.290, HOMEWORK; AND 6.330, ACHIEVEMENT AND AWARDS

Dr. Thiele stated it is a goal to align District 99's policies to IASB PRESS and in a recent review, two PRESS policies, 6.290, Homework and 6.330, Achievement and Awards, were found not to be part of District 99's policies. He noted both policies match the District's current practices.

Hank Thiele asked that anyone with concerns about adding these policies reach out to President Renner, Member Espinoza or himself. He stated the policies would come back at the next meeting for approval.

8. ISAL VIII PROGRAM

Dr. Thiele explained the Program is a cohort of 25-30 superintendents. He stated the Board must support the cost and time commitment for him to participate in the Program and President Renner must supply a letter of recommendation. The consensus of the Board was that Dr. Thiele should apply for the Program.

9. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

10. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENT

Dr. Thiele stated the Board received three communications over the weekend related to the distribution of political materials during the South High Homecoming Parade and at a football game. Dr. Thiele explained it has been a long-standing tradition to invite the Mayors of Downers Grove and Woodridge and the seated Senator and Representative for the majority of the District's attendance area to participate in the Homecoming Parades, with the District providing the candy and the guests providing their time.

Hank Thiele stated, according to policy, political materials cannot be distributed at District events and the District's logos cannot be used without permission. The consensus of the Board was to continue to invite elected officials to participate in the Homecoming parades, to follow up with the individuals who violated the policy, and to reinforce the rules with those who are participating in the future.

11. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business or discussion, Member Hagstrom moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Upon the unanimous voice vote of the five members in attendance, the President declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.

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