Board Briefs
June 16, 2022
Deerfield Public Schools District 109
Board Meeting Details
This regular Board of Education meeting was held in person at the District Office with no pandemic-related capacity limit. In-person public comment was available for attendees.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Approval of Meeting Agenda
The agenda was approved.
3. Closed Session** (Policy 2:220)
The board 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).
4. What's Good in 109
The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:01 p.m.
Superintendent Simeck introduced Mr. Jonathan Wolfe and the Shepard Middle School News team, who presented about their first ever live broadcast they executed in the final weeks of the 2021-2022 school year.
You can watch their presentation below.
5. Presentation: Community The Anti-Drug
Barbara de Nekker, Executive Director of Community: The Anti-Drug, along with Kent Street, treasurer of CTAD, presented the group's annual report and shared some of the work CTAD does in the community and in conjunction with 109. DPS 109 is one of dozens of local organizations that partners with CTAD. You can watch their presentation below.
6. Public Hearing: 2021-2022 Amended Budget
President Montgomery began the hearing at 7:30 p.m. By law, she is required to ask for public comment three times. There was no one present that wished to comment. The hearing was closed at 7:30 p.m.
7. Superintendent's Report
Mr. Simeck highlighted end of year events such as both middle school graduations, field days, and handing out golden apple statues to our retiring DPS 109 employees.
He said the elephant in the room is what happening during the 2022-2023 school year with various COVID mitigations, like testing, lunch setup, classroom distancing, afterschool rapid testing and being able to Zoom into class. He says he has some answers to some questions.
Our top priority will be classroom instruction and trying to return to pre-COVID norms. Home tests are now widely available and affordable, so Test To Stay and the on-site testing at the district office appear to be behind us. He thanked our parents again for flexibility when it came to getting tested.
The state has notified us that funding will continue for SHIELD testing for schools that choose to continue its use. Our participation is an open question still at this point.
Our plan is observe the guidance we get from county and/or state officials as we get closer to the school year. We remain in ongoing consultation with other school districts in the region about planning.
Dr. Filippi gave an update on summer construction. The big project is the auditorium renovation at Caruso, which is on time. Now that school is out, there is a lot of work being down both on the exterior and interior. Wilmot is getting new corridor and ceiling tiles. All of our elementary schools are having work done in gyms. There is extensive LED lighting upgrades going on across the district. All of the required Life Safety work that needs to be completed is on schedule as well.
Mr. Simeck discussed the admin retreat that took place over the previous two days laying groundwork for the upcoming strategic plan. We are in a good place and on time to present to the Board about this in the August meeting.
8. Community Participation Relative to Matters on the Meeting Agenda (Policy 2:230)
There was no one wishing to make public comment.
9.1. Freedom of Information Requests (Policy 2:250)
Dr. Filippi said there are four requests in the packet that have been addressed.
9.2. Tentative 2022-23 Budget
Dr. Filippi presented the tentative 2022-2023 budget. There will be a final budget & public hearing at the July 28 board meeting. The business office will continue to monitor revenue & expenditure assumptions along with staffing updates. You can watch his presentation below.
9.3. Annual Bank Depository Approval
Dr. Filippi presented this agreement that is required to be presented to the board concerning the banks the district works with.
9.4. Annual Resolution for Serious Safety Hazards
Dr. Filippi says this is a regular item brought to the Board that would allow the district to recapture some money spent and would also allow some students access to transportation that may be deemed to live in a hazardous area.
9.5. Designation of Interest
Dr. Filippi says this is an annual item brought to the board that allows the board to make interfund transfers in the future.
10.1. Consent Agenda*
The approval of Regular Meeting Minutes from May 26, 2022 was removed from the agenda and will be voted upon at the July 28, 2022 Board meeting.
Personnel items were approved.
Bills for payment were approved.
Destruction of closed session audio was approved.
10.2. May Treasurer's Report
The report was approved.
10.3. Open Closed Session Minutes (bi-annual requirement)
The request was approved.
10.4. Fiscal Year 2022 Amended Budget
The budget was approved.
10.5. Architect of Record - Arcon
The recommendation was approved.
10.6. Resolution to Set a Public Hearing - Education Fund to Operations & Maintenance Fund
The resolution was approved.
10.7. Approval of Joint 440 BOE Meeting Minutes from 4/27/22
The minutes were approved.
10.8. Annual Bank Depository Approval
The resolution was approved.
10.9. Annual Resolution for Serious Safety Hazards
The resolution was approved.
10.10. Designation of Interest
The designation of interest was approved.
10.11. Administrative Contract Approval for Assistant Principal at South Park
The contract was approved.
10.12. Resolution Authorizing Suspension of Educational Support Personnel (Policy 5:240)
The resolution was approved.
11. Committee Reports (Policy 2:150)
Mrs. Jakymiw reported on the latest happenings with True North.
The Finance committee recently met and everything they discussed was presented tonight as part of the budget.
12. Open Community Participation (Policy 2:230)
There were no speakers present.
13. Board/Superintendent Other
Mr. Simeck thanked Mrs. Arnold for being a great thought partner in preparing for the recent admin retreat. He thanked the entire administrative team for their hard work and passion towards advancing the district forward.
President Montgomery thanked Ron from Net56 for helping run the technical side of things this evening. She wanted to thank the nurses again for all of their help in staffing the after-school testing on site. She gave congratulations to all of the retirees for their hard work. She thanked Dr. Filippi and Ms. Mitchell for all of their hard work in preparing the budget.
Mrs. Wener thanked Mrs. Rudd for her tireless work in preparation for the meeting.
14. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Thursday, July 28, 2022 @ 7 p.m. - Regular Board Meeting
Thursday, August 25, 2022 @ 7 p.m. - Regular Board Meeting
