North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met April 21.

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, April 21, 2025 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, Sherell Fuller and Jennie Hagstrom. Member Christopher Espinoza arrived at 7:03 p.m.

Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Scott Wuggazer, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services; Travis McGuire, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Resources; Jeree Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; Jeff Bergholtz, Director of Human Resources; 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 Rehan Hashim and Jason Trejo; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

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

1. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES - T99

Carolina Schoenbeck, T99 Department Chair, explained T99 students have already finished four years of high school, are between the ages of 18 and 22, and are now focusing on life after high school. Danny Balderas, T99 teacher, shared the students who are presenting to the Board are part of the Life Group; students who are not ready for the real world, but are able to participate in volunteer opportunities in the community. T99 teacher Meghan Keller noted through volunteering the students give back to the community and connect with places they can volunteer with after leaving T99. She shared the students have a lot of pride in the work they do. T99 student Ibet Hipolito shared her experience volunteering with Meals on Wheels and Sharing Connections. Teagan Schuh, another T99 student, spoke about volunteering with Project Cure.

The Board thanked the students for presenting.

2. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

South High Student Board Member Jason Trejo spoke about Culture Week, looming AP tests and finals, and what a positive time of year it is with all the awards ceremonies. Rehan Hashim, North High Student Board Member, mentioned upcoming events, including the Spring Art Show, musical performances, Senior Awards and cap and gown pick up. Mr. Hashim shared many students found the ACT test not efficient when it came to reading paragraphs of data, due to the time it takes to scroll through many paragraphs to find the answers to questions.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Member Pavesich moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of the March 17, 2025 Business Meeting and the March 17, 2025 Closed Meeting.

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

4. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

5. THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT

Jeree Ethridge reported Revenues are on target. Expenditures in the area of tuition, according to Ms. Ethridge, are almost depleted due to the increased number of outplaced and hospitalized students. She noted reduced costs of transportation should offset the tuition overage. Jeree Ethridge stated Fund Balances may end better than anticipated.

6. SUNRISE SOUTHWEST TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT EXTENSION

Ms. Ethridge explained Sunrise is used for the daily transportation of special education students and SASED holds the contract with Sunrise. She stated Sunrise is meeting the District's needs and the District would like to extend its Agreement with Sunrise for three years, at a guaranteed rate of 4% per year. Dr. Thiele stated this is an Action Item.

7. PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR THE REXNORD FACILITY FOR THE 2024 TAX YEAR

Jeree Ethridge stated the amount of the abatement this year is $32,000. Dr. Thiele stated the Board has approved the abatement since 2017, there are two years left on the agreement to abate Rexnord's property taxes, and it is recommended the Board approve the abatement.

8. 2024 TAX RATE RE-ALLOCATION

Jeree Ethridge stated the re-allocation must be submitted to the County before the date of the Board meeting and the District has submitted the information to the County.

9. STAFF RECEIVING TENURE

A list of staff receiving tenure was displayed. Mr. Bergholtz stated once the listed teachers start next year, they will become tenured staff members, as granted by the State of Illinois.

President Renner congratulated the teachers receiving tenure.

10. REFLECTIONS ON SUPERINTENDENT LEADERSHIP EVENTS 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

Dr. Thiele shared the overarching themes of the leadership events he attended this year were AI and long-range planning. He noted the events provided him the opportunity to network with superintendents from across the country as well as those of our partner districts.

President Renner stated he is an advocate for investing in these type of opportunities for District leaders.

11. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS

Dr. Thiele reported the District received and responded to Freedom of Information Act requests and they are posted on the District's website.

12. CONSENT AGENDA

Dr. Thiele thanked DuPage County for their Agreement to reimburse District 99 for the purchase of a wheelchair accessible van. Dr. Thiele stated the initial Agreement was for $50,000 and the County just increased the reimbursement to $75,000.

Member Pavesich recognized the donations from the Downers Grove Roadrunners, Inc. and the Anonymous Donor.

Member Pavesich moved and Member Hagstrom seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda which includes: A. Personnel Report - Appointment-Administration; Appointment-Certified; Transfer of Position-Certified; Leave of Absence-Certified; Appointment- Classified; B. Personnel Report - Resignation-Certified; Retirement-Classified; Resignation-Classified; C. March Financial Pages; D. Agreement between County of DuPage, Illinois and D99 for Vehicle Purchase; E. Student Trips; F. Resolution of Appointment to DAOES Board of Directors; G. Acceptance of Donation Downers Grove Roadrunners, Inc.; and H. Acceptance of Donation- Anonymous Donor.

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

13. APPROVAL OF SUNRISE SOUTHWEST LLC TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT EXTENSION

Member Hagstrom moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Sunrise Southwest LLC Transportation Contract Extension, as presented.

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

14. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR THE REXNORD FACILITY FOR THE 2024 TAX YEAR

Member Hagstrom moved and Member Pavesich seconded the motion for the Board of Education to adopt the Resolution Authorizing Property Tax Abatement for the Rexnord Facility for the 2024 Tax Year.

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

15. APPROVAL OF FINAL 2024 TAX RATES

Member Casten moved and Member Hagstrom seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the 2024 tax rates as presented.

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

16. OLD BUSINESS

None.

17. NEW BUSINESS

None.

18. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

Bobbie Dzado asked the Board why students don't receive textbooks any longer and expressed concern about curricular materials she felt were inappropriate for students.

President Renner thanked her for her comments.

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

Member Hagstrom reported the bills involving schools as polling places, cell phones in schools and 403B plans for Tier 2 employees are moving along. She stated the bill to allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees is on hold.

Dr. Thiele reported cell phones in schools is a priority of the Governor and at this time no legislation has been approved.

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

No report.

21. REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Member Pavesich reported the next meeting is May 21 and the Foundation will be welcoming new Board members.

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

No report.

23. REPORT ON DOWNERS GROVE PLAN COMMISSION

No report.

24. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

President Renner announced the following meeting dates:

May 1, 2025 Workshop Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - ASC

May 5, 2025 Workshop Meeting 6:30 p.m. - ASC (This meeting will be with the existing Board.)

May 5, 2025 Board Organizational Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - ASC (This meeting will be with the new Board.)

May 19, 2025 Business Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - ASC

25. CLOSED SESSION

Member Pavesich moved and Member Espinoza 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 Pavesich, Espinoza, Fuller, Hagstrom, Casten, Dawson and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.

President Renner stated the only Action the Board will be taking when it comes out of Closed Session is to Adjourn.

The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 7:16 p.m.

26. 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.

27. 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 seven members in attendance, the President declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1746564787/csd99org/lemfgaxh2defnybul82i/042125BusinessMeetingMinutesSigned.pdf