Board Briefs
July 29, 2021
Deerfield Public Schools District 109
Board Meeting Details
This meeting was held in person at Caruso Middle School with no pandemic-related capacity limit. In-person public comment was available for attendees. The district also created a dedicated voicemail line for public comment. With the return to in-person meetings, starting with the August 26th meeting, public comment via voicemail will no longer be necessary.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m.
2. Approval of Meeting Agenda
The motion was approved.
3. Adjourn to Closed Session
The Board of Education adjourned to closed session to discuss: 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).
Reconvene To Open Session
The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:04 p.m.
4. Public Hearing: 2021-22 Budget
President Montgomery called for public comment on the 2021-2022 budget the required three times. There were no speakers that wished to comment.
5. Recognition: Walgreens Vaccination Clinic
Mr. Steckling recognized Mr. Stuart Koch & Walgreens Co. for their efforts in helping organize the vaccination clinic for DPS 109 staff this past winter. President Montgomery read resolutions of thanks and presented them to both of the honorees.
6. Superintendent's Report / School Reopening Update
Mr. Simeck presented the district's school reopening plan to the board. You can read a copy of his plan attached below or visit
www.dps109.org/fall2021 to find all of the included information.
7. Community Participation Relative to Matters on the Meeting Agenda (Policy 2:230)
There were approximately a dozen live speakers and several voicemails played, all concerning the topic of school reopening.
8.1. Freedom of Information Requests (Policy 2:250)
Mr. Himebaugh discussed one request that has been fulfilled.
8.2. Appointment of Kelly Mitchell as IMRF Authorized Agent
Dr. Filippi discussed the item that needs to be completed with Mr. Himebaugh's pending retirement.
8.3. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Traffic Duty
Dr. Filippi discussed the plan which would create a stipend for a staff member to oversee traffic duty at each building. It is intended to be split amongst two staff members to cover in case of an absence.
8.4. Contract for Assistant Principal at Walden
Dr. Fisher presented Mrs. Erin Berwick to the board for their approval as Assistant Principal at Walden.
8.5. Contract for Principal at Caruso Middle School
Dr. Fisher presented Mr. Tim Brodeur to the board for their approval as Principal at Caruso.
8.6. Consultant Contract for Contact Tracing
Dr. Fisher presented a contract to retain the services of Ms. Heidy LaFleur to oversee the contact tracing process for the district.
9.1. Consent Agenda*
Personnel items were approved.
Bills for payment were approved.
May Treasurer's report was approved.
Destruction of Closed Session Audio was approved.
9.2. Approval of Meeting Minutes (Policy 2:220)
The minutes were approved.
9.3. Approval of Final Budget for 2021-22
The budget was approved.
9.4. Approval of Quarterly Treasurer's Report and Year End June
The report was approved.
9.5. Approval of Contract for Assistant Principal at Walden
The contract was approved.
9.6. Approval of Contract for Principal at Caruso Middle School
The contract was approved.
9.7. Approval of Consultant Contract for Contact Tracing
The contract was approved.
10. Committee Reports (Policy 2:150)
Mrs. Jakymiw reported back on the last NSSED/True North meeting. They have officially changed their name.
Mr. Kuo says there will be a Finance Committee meeting on August 10th.
Mr. Morrison says there will be a Policy Committee meeting in August.
Mrs. Jakymiw says there will be an August meeting for the Facilities Development Committee.
11. Open Community Participation (Policy 2:230)
There were five live speakers and one voicemail played on the topic of the school reopening/mitigation protocol plan.
12. Board/Superintendent Other
President Montgomery thanked Dr. Filippi and Mr. Himebaugh for their work on the budget.
Mr. Simeck thanked Mr. Bialk and the tech team along with his superintendent's office team for the countless hours of work in the tech setup and execution of the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Thursday, August 26, 2021 @ 7 p.m. -- Regular Board Meeting
Thursday, September 23, 2021 @ 7 p.m. - Regular Board Meeting
