North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met March 3.

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, March 3, 2025 at the Administrative Service Center.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, the following Board members answered present: Terry Pavesich, Vice President/President Pro-tempore; and Members Kara Casten, Ken Dawson and Christopher Espinoza. Member Sherell Fuller arrived at 6:31 p.m. Don Renner, President, and Member Jennie Hagstrom were absent.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Travis McGuire, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Resources; Jeree Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; Phil Howard, Chief Technology Officer; Jeff Bergholtz, Director of Human Resources; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; Student Board Members Rehan Hashim and Jason Trejo; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

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

1. STUDENT AND STAFF RECOGNITION

Arwen Lyp stated the Trostangs are the State Champions in Gymnastics; Courtney DeMent introduced the team's Head Coach Kristyn Campos. Ms. Campos noted the team was undefeated this year and had the largest winning margin in over 25 years. She introduced the members of the winning team - Isabel Barrera, Edith Condon, Lauren Deacy, Genevieve Herion, Emilie Kuchta, Kaelyn Landry, Allison Palansky and Caroline Phillip and acknowledged Assistant Coaches Kylie Bosco and Bill Norris. Kaelyn Landry, 5th Place in State on Uneven Bars; and Genevieve Herion, State Champion on Balance Beam and All-Around State Champion, and 2nd Place in State on Vault; thanked their coaches and stressed how the team is a family.

Dr. Thiele congratulated the Team on behalf of District 99. He presented Coach Campos with Proclamations from the Village of Downers Grove declaring March 4, 2025 Downers Grove Gymnastics Team Day, and March 5, 2025 Genevieve Herion Day; and Proclamations from the Village of Woodridge declaring March 3, 2025 The Community High School District 99's Co-op Gymnastics Team Day and March 3, 2025 Genevieve Herion Day.

Ms. Lyp introduced Justin Matkovich, South High Head Coach of the State Runner Up Speech Team. Mr. Matkovich introduced the Speech Team members - Madison Beecham, Sebastian Blanco, Carly Bleau, Charlotte Clinnin, Joe Conyer, Juliana Conyer, Abby Heavrin, Jack Melie, Jillian Myers and Zoya Siddiqui. Juliana Conyer, 2nd Place in State in Original Oratory; and Sebastian Blanco, 1st Place in State in Radio Speaking, and 1st Place in State with Carly Bleau in Dramatic Duet Acting; spoke about the relationships they have developed and how influential their coaches have been.

Dr. Thiele noted of the past 40 years, South High School has placed 1st or 2nd in Speech 29 times. He presented Coach Matkovich with Proclamations from the Village of Downers Grove declaring March 6, 2025 Sebastian Blanco Day and March 7, 2025 Sebastian Blanco and Carly Bleau Day; and Proclamations from the Village of Woodridge declaring March 3, 2025 Sebastian Blanco Day, March 3, 2025 Carly Bleau Day, March 3, 2025 Juliana Conyer Day and March 3, 2025 Downers Grove South Speech Team Day.

Arwen Lyp introduced South High Girls Tennis Head Coach Josh Forst and congratulated him on being selected IHSTCA Coach of the Year. Mr. Forst introduced Gabby David, who received All State Girls Tennis honors. Ms. David expressed her love for the sport and shared the team meant a lot to her.

South High Head Cheerleading Coach Shannon Lahey introduced Ivy Bloomfield and Jada Mixon, who took two of the twenty spots on the IHSCCO All-State Team.

Chris Hernandez, South High Head Boys Soccer Coach, introduced IHSSCA All-State honoree Daniel Smazil. Mr. Smazil shared playing soccer was the most special time of the last four years and acknowledged the amazing coaches.

Madisen Babich, South High Girls Volleyball Head Coach, shared criteria used to be chosen for IVCA All-State include GPA, kills, digs and aces. She introduced Alex Barcenas and Sylvia Masiulionis, who received IVCA All-State honors. The students expressed their pride in their coaches and their team.

The Board and those in attendance congratulated the students and staff on their accomplishments.

2. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES-NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

North High students Russell Oros, Kate Peterson, Nolan Hurter, Yash Garg and Joey Siebert, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) members, shared information on the competitions they participate in, the five areas of study or focus in the Club, their guest speakers and the 143% increase in Club membership.

The Board thanked the students for providing information on DECA.

3. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

South High Student Board Member Jason Trejo recognized the Speech Team and Trostangs and commented on how celebratory the send offs are for individuals and teams going to State competitions. North High Student Board Member Rehan Hashim spoke about the Scholastic Art Show, Jazz Festival and Spring Play.

4. 2025-2026 STAFFING PROCESS

Jeff Bergholtz explained at the next Board meeting a detailed staffing report will be presented which will include overall FTE; staffing effects on Student Learning; Special Education staffing; and non- tenured teachers that will not be renewed and part time staff that will be released. Dr. Thiele shared enrollment is up at South High and down at North High; an MN class will be added at North High; and more 9th graders at South High taking an academic class instead of a study hall are all factors affecting staffing.

5. ADMINISTRATIVE RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED BOARD POLICIES

Dr. Thiele stated in light of a recent resignation and Gina Ziccardi's upcoming retirement some Board policies need to be changed. He shared the position of Associate Superintendent is being separated from Student Learning on July 1, 2026 which necessitates changing Board policy 3.70 Succession of Authority. He noted, due to a resignation, the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources position will be brought back, similar to how the position was structured previously, and Board policy 3.68, which will now define the duties and responsibilities of the Director of Staff Experiences will be revised.

Dr. Thiele asked that any Board members with questions about these changes contact him. He noted the policy changes will be part of the Consent Agenda at the next meeting.

6. DUPAGE/WEST COOK INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT

Hank Thiele explained District 99 is a member of the SASED cooperative, which provides special education services across the county, and in turn, SASED is a member of the DuPage/West Cook cooperative, which consists of 92 school districts. He advised the Board that the DuPage/West Cook cooperative is changing its leadership structure and all 92 member districts must approve the Resolution to allow the change. Dr. Thiele stated this will be an Action Item on March 17 and if Board members had any questions to please contact him.

7. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

8. CLOSED SESSION

Member Fuller moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing 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); and 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 Fuller, Dawson, Espinoza, Casten and Pavesich voted AYE. The Vice President/President Pro-tempore declared the motion carried.

Vice President/President Pro-tempore Pavesich 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 7:32 p.m.

9. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION

The meeting was reconvened in Open Session with the following members of the Board of Education in attendance: Terry Pavesich, Vice President/President Pro-tempore; and Members Kara Casten, Ken Dawson, Christopher Espinoza and Sherell Fuller. Don Renner, President, and Member Jennie Hagstrom were absent.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Gina Ziccardi, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

10. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business or discussion, Member Espinoza moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Upon the unanimous voice vote of the five members in attendance, the Vice President/President Pro-tempore declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

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