North Egypt News

Community High School District 99 Board of Education met July 28.

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, July 28, 2025 at the Administrative Service Center.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, the following Board members answered present: Kara Casten, Vice President/President Pro Tempore; and Members Ken Dawson, Christopher Espinoza, April Finan and Michael Riske. President Don Renner and Member Katie Courtney 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; Jeff Bergholtz, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources; Jeree Ethridge, Chief School Business Official; Tammy Maksa, Director of Business Services; Jill Browning, Chief Communications Officer; Phil Howard, Chief Technology Officer; Courtney DeMent, North High Principal; and Juli Gniadek, Secretary.

There were no visitors.

1. RECOGNITION OF NORTH HIGH STUDENTS

Eric Landschoot, North High Yearbook Sponsor, introduced Kate Peterson, who received 4th Place in IHSA Yearbook Caption Writing and 3rd Place in IHSA Yearbook Page Design.

Ruby Konopacki and Tess Lerette were introduced by North High Theater Sponsor Ariel Mozes. Mr. Mozes stated both students were selected to be part of the crew for the All-State Theatre Production of "The Prom.”

Drew Himes, North High Baseball Coach, introduced Brady Schallmoser, who was selected for the 1st Team All State. Mr. Himes noted Mr. Schallmoser was the all-time winningest player at North High.

Mr. Landschoot, who also serves as the North High Softball Coach, introduced Viktoria Czech and recognized Ashlynn Durkin, who was unable to attend the Board meeting, both of whom made the 2nd Team All State. He also introduced Sam Lehnherr, who made 3rd Team All State.

Those in attendance congratulated the students on their accomplishments.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Member Espinoza moved and Member Riske seconded the motion that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of the June 16, 2025 Monthly Business Meeting and the June 16, 2025 Closed Meeting.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Espinoza, Riske, Dawson, Finan and Casten voted AYE. The Vice President/President Pro Tempore declared the motion carried.

3. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

4. 2024-2025 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND PROGRESS REPORTS

Dr. Thiele reported the District's Strategic Directions and a progress update on each can be found on the District's website. Additionally, under each Strategic Direction, there is a link to the applicable Board presentation from the past year, and any State data that is available, according to Dr. Thiele.

5. FIRST READING AND DISCUSSION OF BOARD PROTOCOLS

Dr. Thiele stated in June the Board met in Closed Session with a representative from the IASB and at that meeting he and Member Casten were tasked with providing language for the Board Protocols regarding individual Board member communication with the Superintendent; topics discussed by the Superintendent with one or more Board members; and notifying the Superintendent about communication between a Board member and members of the community. Dr. Thiele displayed the recommended additions to the Board Protocols. He noted the draft Protocols would be brought to the August meeting for approval and asked that any Board member contact Vice President/President Pro Tempore Casten or himself with any questions or to request additional changes.

6. WELLNESS POLICY IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW (REQUIRED EVERY THREE YEARS PER BOARD POLICY, 6.50.)

Mr. Wuggazer shared the review focused on nutrition and PE and highlighted the work of Chartwells, the District's food service provider, and the PE and Health programs in the schools. He stated ISBE now provides guidance and a questionnaire to help District's with their Wellness Review. For the next review, Mr. Wuggazer noted, a larger team will be assembled to use the ISBE guidance and data trends related to low-income students and P.E. exemptions will be analyzed.

7. YEAR END FINANCIAL REPORT

Ms. Ethridge shared Revenues were, overall, slightly higher than projected, with State and federal aid slightly higher than expected. She noted Expenditures were on budget; transportation costs were $1M less than projected due to using First Student for special transportation needs; and tuition for outplaced students was over budget. According to Ms. Ethridge, Fund Balances were projected to be $7M at the end of the year and were actually $9M. She stated this places the District in a stronger position than anticipated last year.

8. 2025-2026 TENTATIVE BUDGET

Ms. Ethridge shared work on the budget began in March. On the Revenue side, Ms. Ethridge projects property taxes will go up 4%, replacement taxes will decrease, other local revenues will show some growth, and, based on current information, State and federal aid will decrease. Dr. Thiele stated the projections assume all State and federal aid will be released at the lower amount. Expenditures project at a 6.4% increase overall, with the largest contributors to the increase being salary and benefits and the increased cost of commercial insurance, according to Ms. Ethridge. Ms. Ethridge explained there is a planned decrease in the Fund Balance at the end of next year, going from $9M to $7.8M. Dr. Thiele advised the Board it is paying more the first year for the CBA with the teachers, and years 2-5 of the contract will be either neutral or favorable to the Board.

Dr. Thiele stated the Board will vote tonight to display the Tentative Budget and to schedule the Public Hearing in September. He noted the numbers could change if there are changes in State or federal aid.

9. ELECTRICITY AND GAS BID PROCESS

Travis McGuire explained the District is trying to bring down energy costs through decreased consumption, such as the use of LED lighting, installation of solar panels at the ASC and T99, and contracting for a reduced rate. Seth Crackel from Nania Energy Advisors, the District's energy consultant, presented information on the District's historical energy use and the cost of electricity and natural gas and provided recommendations for when the current contracts expire in June 2026. Dr. McGuire shared, at the next Board meeting, he will be asking the Board to provide pre-approval for him to lock in pricing for these commodities, with contract length not to exceed 48 months, as pricing is volatile. He stated he would bring information back to the Board once the contracts were executed.

10. E-LEARNING PLAN FOR EMERGENCY DAYS (I.E. SNOW DAYS)

Jeff Bergholtz stated the District's e-Learning Plan, which is up for renewal, requires students to check in synchronously. He shared, as part of the renewal process, a Public Hearing is scheduled for the next Board meeting; notification to the public will appear in the Daily Herald; and all staff and families will receive an email. Once approved, the Plan will be submitted to the ROE, according to Mr. Bergholtz. Dr. Thiele advised this is the same Plan the District has been using and families have not expressed any concerns.

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 Riske seconded the motion for the Board of Education to approve the Consent Agenda as presented which includes: A. Personnel Report - Appointment- Certified; Contract Adjustment-Certified; Appointment-Classified; B. Personnel Report - Resignation- Certified; Resignation-Classified; C. Personnel Report - Termination-Classified; D. June Financial Pages; E. Review of Closed Session Minutes and Verbatim Recordings; F. Commercial Insurance Policies; G. Acceptance of Donation - Chicago Bears Football Club; H. Acceptance of Donation - DGN Booster Club.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Espinoza, Riske, Dawson, Finan and Casten voted AYE. The Vice President/President Pro Tempore declared the motion carried.

Dr. Thiele thanked the two donors.

13. APPROVAL OF 2025-2026 TENTATIVE BUDGET

Member Riske moved and Member Espinoza seconded the motion for the Board of Education to accept the Tentative Budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and establish 6:30 p.m. September 22, 2025 for the Public Hearing to be held at the Administrative Service Center, 6301 Springside Ave., Downers Grove, Illinois.

Upon the Secretary's roll call, Members Riske, Espinoza, Finan, Dawson and Casten voted AYE. The Vice President/President Pro Tempore declared the motion carried.

14. OLD BUSINESS

None.

15. NEW BUSINESS

None.

16. RECEPTION OF VISITORS - PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

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

Vice President/President Pro Tempore Casten reported Illinois will receive $240M in federal funding for education and there is $370M in the State budget for education. Dr. Thiele reported he and Ms. Ziccardi met with the LEND mandates committee.

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

Member Espinoza reported the budget will be the focus of the SASED meeting next week

19. REPORT ON DISTRICT 99 EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Member Finan reported the Foundation would like to ramp up fund raising, noting most donations are received during the student registration process. She also shared work is being done to make the website more user friendly and the Angel Fund needs to be replenished.

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

Member Dawson reported the Annual Conference is in November and in September there is a one day event for new Board members.

21. UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

Vice President/President Pro Tempore Casten announced the following meeting date: .

22. 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 7:52 p.m.

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1755612373/csd99org/bj6cds1lqxqw79zccxvn/072825BusinessMeetingMinutes-Signed.pdf