Community High School District 99 Board Members | Community High School District 99
Community High School District 99 Board Members | Community High School District 99
Community High School District 99 Board of Education met June 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education, Community High School District 99, met for its Monthly Business Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025 at the Administrative Service Center.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, the following Board members answered present: Don Renner, President; Kara Casten, Vice President; and Members Katie Courtney, Ken Dawson, Christopher Espinoza, April Finan and Michael Riske.
Also present were Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Travis McGuire, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Resources; Jeree Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; Jeff Bergholtz, Director of Human Resources; Jill Browning, Chief Communications Officer; Tammy Maksa, Director of Business Services; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.
There were four visitors. A copy of the Visitor Roster is attached.
1. RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS - NORTH HIGH, SOUTH HIGH AND T99
Andrew Adelmann, North High Boys Track & Field Coach, recognized the State Champion 4 X 800 Relay team of Will Surratt, Grant Schroder, Philip Cupial and John Courtney, who set an all-time State meet record. He also recognized State podium finishers Emanuel Murphy, 7th Place 400 Meter and 7th Place 4 X 400 Relay; Will Surratt 5th Place 1600 Meter and 7th Place 4 X 400 Relay; Grant Schroder, 5th Place 800 Meter and 7th Place 4 X 400 Relay; and Philip Cupial, 7th Place 4 X 400 Relay.
Dr. Thiele presented Mr. Adelmann with proclamations from the Village of Woodridge declaring Monday, June 16, 2025 Downers Grove North High School Boys Track & Field Team Day and from the Village of Downers Grove declaring June 19, 2025 Downers Grove North High School 4 X 800 Meter Relay Team Day.
Matt Maletich, North High Girls Track and Field Coach, introduced State podium finishers Macy Ermitage, 3rd Place 3200 Meter; Ava Gilley, 6th Place 800 Meter; Alayna Todnem, 8th Place 1600 Meter; and the school record holding and 8th Place 4 X 200 Relay team of Victoria Ingram, Charlotte Stanton, Allison Leach and Blake Welter.
Jon Gargiulo, Girls Lacrosse Coach, recognized Ashley Poquette and Erika Kellam, who made 1st Team All State. Aiden Akkawi and Zak Baker, 1st Team All State Boys Volleyball, were recognized by their coach Mark Wasik.
Dr. DeMent recognized the students who placed at State in DECA: Principles of Business Management, 2nd Place, Joey Goodwin; Buying and Merchandising Operations Research, 2nd Place, Megan Hill; Financial Management, Team Decision Making, 2nd Place, and Start Up Business Plan, 4th Place, Nolan Hurter and Russell Oroso; Community Giving Project, 2nd Place, Helen Justice and Kayla Solem; Buying and Merchandising Operations Research, 2nd Place, Katie Milos; Project Management Sales, 3rd Place, Shubree Kaur and Nicole Liu; Start Up Business Plan, 4th Place, Kate Peterson; Entrepreneurship Individual, 5th Place, Ryan Gustis; Marketing Communications Systems, 9th Place, Georgia Marzo; and Retail Management Series, 13th Place, Vivian Mitropoulos
Courtney DeMent recognized the students who placed at State in FCCLA: Charcuterie Board, Gold Medal, Olivia Burge; Preschool Lesson, Gold Medal, Cecelia Folise; Cookie Decorating, Silver Medal, Jennifer Carlson; Preschool Lesson, Silver Medal, Ashley Mascote; and Apparel Construction, Bronze Medal, Priya Fisher.
Dr. Thiele presented Dr. DeMent with proclamations from the Village of Woodridge declaring June 16, 2025 Downers Grove North High School FCCLA Day and the Village of Downers Grove declaring June 17, 2025 Olivia Burge Day and June 18, 2025 Cecelia Folise Day.
Doug Plunkett, South High Girls Track and Field Coach, recognized State podium finishers Kailee Rodeck, 4th Place Pole Vault; Karen Boyle, 4th Place Triple Jump; and Nia Ortega, 6th Place 3200 Meter. He noted Kailee Rodeck is both the indoor and outdoor school record holder and South High won their conference for the 20th year in a row.
Phil Pakowksi, Boys Lacrosse Assistant Coach, recognized Shon Zawlocki, WSC Lacrosse Coach of the Year; and Nathan Peake, member of the IBLCA Boys Lacrosse All State 1st Team.
The T99 students were unable to attend the meeting.
Those in attendance congratulated the students on their accomplishments.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Espinoza moved and Member Casten seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of the May 19, 2025 Business Meeting; the May 19, 2025 Closed Meeting; and the June 9, 2025 Closed Meeting.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Espinoza, Casten, Courtney, Dawson, Finan, Riske and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
3. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
4. STRATEGIC PLAN REPORT
Dr. Thiele stated attendance will be at the center of the District's work for the 2025-2026 school year and demonstrated how the focus on attendance fits into each of the District's four Strategic Directions in the Strategic Plan.
5. REVIEW OF THE STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK (INCLUDING DISCIPLINE CODE) AND THE ATHLETIC/ACTIVITIES HANDBOOK
Dr. Thiele stated no changes are recommended to the Athletic/Activities Handbook this year. He then reviewed the recommended changes to the Student/Patent Handbook, which include changing the name to Student/Family Handbook; removal of redundant and/or irrelevant text; changes to the consequences for tardies and academic dishonesty; and revisions to the section on Personal Electronic Devices. Hank Thiele stated each classroom will have a storage unit for cellphones and the default will be that cellphones are stored during class, however, teachers will have the option to manage cellphones as they see fit in their classrooms.
The Board discussed the proposed changes to the cellphone policy and whether it would be better to require cellphones always be stored during class or to allow teachers latitude in how the cellphone policy is administered in their individual classrooms.
President Renner stated this is an Action Item.
6. COMMERCIAL INSURANCE RENEWALS
Jeree Ethridge stated the District's insurance broker sought quotes for commercial insurance from ten carriers and none came in lower than the current providers. She noted District 99 combines with District 58 for several insurance types to keep premium costs down. Ms. Ethridge stated the District's auditors review the insurance coverage. Dr. Thiele stated this is an Action Item.
7. TYLER TECHNOLOGIES' SCHOOL ERP PRO (HUMAN RESOURCES & FINANCIAL SOFTWARE
Ms. Ethridge explained the business office and human resources have been looking at new software the last few months. She noted the tech team is recommending a change since the current software will no longer be supported. After the cost the first year of setting up the Tyler Technologies software, there will be substantial savings and noted an additional benefit will be the integration of the business and financial software, according to Jeree Ethridge. Dr. Thiele stated this is an Action Item.
8. RECEIPT OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY (DCEO) GRANT
Dr. McGuire shared Illinois State Senator Rachel Ventura secured $300,000 in funding through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCOE) for energy conservation work in District 99. He stated the funds will be used for EV charging stations and LED stadium lighting. Travis McGuire noted he is working with State Representative Anne Stava-Murray on a $500,000 energy conservation grant, that, if secured, will be used for the ASC and T99 to go solar.
The Board recognized Dr. McGuire for securing this funding.
9. COPY PAPER BID - 2025-2026
Travis McGuire stated the low bidder for copy paper was Garvey's Office Products, at less than $.01/sheet.
10. BULK PURCHASING - CUSTODIAL SUPPLIES - 2025-2026
Dr. McGuire stated a different purchasing process was used this year; only standard items such as soap, toilet paper and trash bags were sent out to bid. He shared cooperative purchasing agreements will be used for some of the other supplies. According to Travis McGuire, as noted in his revised were the low bidders. Dr. memo, there were six bidders and two - North American and Unipak Thiele stated this is an Action Item.
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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
Member Espinoza moved and Member Casten seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, which includes: A. Personnel Report - Appointment- Administration; Appointment- Certified; Contract Adjustment- Certified; One-Time Stipend-Exempt; B. Personnel Report Retirement-Administration; Retirement-Classified; Resignation-Classified; Honorable Dismissal-Classified; C. Resolution Providing for the Reduction of Educational Support Staff; D. May Financial Pages; E. Commercial Insurance Renewals; F. Treasurer's Surety Bonds for 2025-2026; G. PMA Resolution Authorizing or Reauthorizing Participation in "The Fund"; H. Resolution of Nomination for Membership on the Downers Grove Plan Commission; I. Student Trip; J. Acceptance of Donation District 99 Education Foundation; and K. Acceptance of Donation - In Memory of Bob Bryar.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Espinoza, Casten, Courtney, Dawson, Finan, Riske and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
13. APPROVAL OF CHANGES TO THE STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK (INCLUDING DISCIPLINE CODE) AND RE-APPROVAL OF THE ATHLETIC/ACTIVITIES HANDBOOK
Member Casten moved and Member Riske seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the changes to the Student/Parent Handbook (including Discipline Code) and re-approve the Athletic/Activities Handbook.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Casten, Riske, Courtney, Dawson, Espinoza, Finan and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
14. APPROVAL OF CONTRACT - TYLER TECHNOLOGIES' SCHOOL ERP PRO (HUMAN RESOURCES & FINANCIAL SOFTWARE)
Member Riske moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve migrating to School ERP as the District's new financial and human resources system beginning in the 2025-2026 school year with full conversion to be completed in the 2026-2027 school year.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Riske, Espinoza, Finan, Casten, Courtney, Dawson and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
15. AWARD OF BID - COPY PAPER-2025-2026
Member Espinoza moved and Member Casten seconded the motion for the Board of Education to award the bid for copy paper to Garvey's Office Products, Niles, Illinois, in the amount of $50,958.89. Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Espinoza, Casten, Courtney, Dawson, Finan, Riske and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
16. AWARD OF BIDS - BULK PURCHASING - CUSTODIAL SUPPLIES - 2025-2026
Member Finan moved and Member Casten seconded the motion for the Board of Education to award bids for custodial supplies to the noted vendors in the aggregate amount of $69,033.50.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Finan, Casten, Courtney, Dawson, Espinoza, Riske and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
17. OLD BUSINESS
None.
18. NEW BUSINESS
None.
19. RECEPTION OF VISITORS – PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
20. REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION NETWORK OF DUPAGE (LEND)
Member Casten reported the budget passed with $75M allotted for the Tier 2 Safe Harbor pension fix, dual credit legislation passed and cellphone legislation did not pass.
21. REPORT ON SCHOOL ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN DUPAGE COUNTY (SASED
Member Espinoza reported the budget was presented and Dr. Dryier presented the goals.
22.
REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION
No report.
23. REPORT ON ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS (IASB)
No report.
24. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS President Renner announced the following meeting date: July 28, 2025
25. CLOSED SESSION
Monthly Business Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - ASC
Member Espinoza moved and Member Dawson 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 public body or legal counsel for the public body, 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 public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Espinoza, Dawson, Finan, Riske, Casten, Courtney and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
President Renner stated the Board may be taking Action on a personnel matter, as noted in the Agenda, when it comes out of Closed Session.
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 8:53 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; Kara Casten, Vice President; and Members Katie Courtney, Ken Dawson, Christopher Espinoza, April Finan and Michael Riske.
Also present were: Hank Thiele, Superintendent; Jeff Bergholtz, Director of Human Resources; Jeree Ethridge, CSBO; Arwen Lyp, South High Principal; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.
27. ACTION ITEM - NOTICE TO REMEDY
Member Finan moved and Member Dawson seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Resolution Authorizing Notice to Remedy to Scott Howard.
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Finan, Dawson, Espinoza, Riske, Casten, Courtney and Renner voted AYE. The President declared the motion carried.
28. CLOSED SESSION
Member Espinoza moved and Member Dawson 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 public body or legal counsel for the public body, 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 public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).
Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Espinoza, Dawson, Finan, Riske, Casten, Courtney 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 9:38 p.m.
29. 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; Kara Casten, Vice President; and Members Katie Courtney, Ken Dawson, Christopher Espinoza, April Finan and Michael Riske.
Also present was: Juli Gniadek, Secretary.
30. 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 seven members in attendance, the President declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:59 p.m.
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