BOE Recap

March 16, 2023

Deerfield Public Schools District 109

Deerfield Public Schools District 109

Deerfield Public Schools District 109

517 Deerfield Road, Deerfield, IL, USA communications@dps109.org (847) 945-1844 dps109.org

Board Meeting Details

This regular Board of Education meeting was held in person starting at Caruso Middle School, then recessed and reconvened at the District Center as noted below.

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at Caruso Middle School at 5:04 p.m.

2. Approval of Meeting Agenda

The agenda was approved.

3. Recognition at Caruso Middle School: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the New Auditorium

The ribbon cutting ceremony took place, followed by self-guided tours for those in attendance of the new space.

4. Recess Meeting to Reconvene at the District Center

The meeting recessed at 5:47 p.m.

5. Reconvene Meeting at the District Center, 517 Deerfield Road

The meeting reconvened at 6:04 p.m. at the District Center.

6. Adjourn 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).

7. Reconvene to Open Session

The meeting reconvened to open session at 7:03 p.m.
8. What's Good in 109

8. What's Good in 109

Mr. Steckling presented the monthly What's Good in 109 report, highlighting:


-Staff from Wilmot, South Park, and Caruso teaming up to put on a volleyball match for charity late last week. The project was spearheaded by students at Wilmot. They raised over $2,000!


-Shepard students creating a March Madness podcast in the CMA lab


-2nd graders at Walden facing the challenge of making homemade instruments out of common supplies


Kipling is our featured school of the month, as we showcase the 3 C's in one building:


Our special guests were 2nd graders from Ms. DiJohn's class. They presented their non-fiction research projects to the board, along with asking them some questions at the end.


Click below to watch the What's Good segment!

8. What's Good in 109
Big picture
9. Legislative Update

9. Legislative Update

State Senator Julie Morrison joined the meeting to update the board on developments in Springfield. You can click below to watch her update.
9. Legislative Update
10. Superintendent's Report

10. Superintendent's Report

Mr. Simeck thanked everyone involved in the Caruso auditorium ribbon cutting. He gave a special shoutout to Kat Schroeder from the Communications department who took a lead role in organizing the event. He expressed how great it was to have student musicians from Caruso be able to participate in the event.


He shared more sights & sounds from around the district, where he caught Dr. Faust participating in a PE dance unit at South Park. He also showed short video clips of the Kagan training that staff participated in during the recent Institute Day.


The steering committee for our master facility planning toured a peer school last month and plans to meet next week as they continue their process. People can follow along on the journey at www.dps109.org/ourfuture.


Click below to watch his report.

10. Superintendent's Report

11. Community Participation Relative to Matters on the Meeting Agenda (Policy 2:230)

There were no speakers present.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

12.1. Freedom of Information Requests (Policy 2:250)

Dr. Filippi presented three requests. More information on these are available in the meeting packet in BoardBook.

12.2. 2023-24 Fees Recommendation

Dr. Filippi presented the recommendation for fees for the upcoming school year. There are proposed increases for the Instructional Technology materials fee, transportation fee, and Early Learners tuition. You can read more about the fees in the board packet linked above.

ACTION ITEMS

13.1. Consent Agenda*

Meeting minutes were approved.

Personnel items were approved.

Bills for payment were approved.

Destruction of closed session audio was approved.

13.2. Treasurer's Report

The report was approved.

13.3. Approval of the 2023/24 Regular Board Meeting Schedule

The schedule was approved.

13.4. Non-Renewal of Probationary Staff - Year 4

The measure was approved.

13.5. Approval of Summer 2023 Building Envelope Work - Illinois Contract Glazing

The work was approved.

13.6. Approval of Summer 2023 Building Envelope Work - Mertes Contracting Corp.

The work was approved.

14. Committee Reports (Policy 2:150)

Mrs. Jakymiw gave an update on TrueNorth.

Mr. Morrison gave an update on the most recent Policy Committee meeting.

15. Open Community Participation (Policy 2:230)

There were no speakers present.

16. Board/Superintendent Other

President Montgomery thanked the Communications department for their work on the Caruso theater ribbon cutting ceremony. She thanked Dr. Filippi, Tim Ryan and all others involved in the remodel project. She also thanked the Deerfield Park District for their partnership and financial contribution to the project. She also thanked board members of the past who helped to lay the groundwork for the project to happen. She thanked Dr. Arnold & Ms. Ford for their work on the recent staff professional development day.


Mr. Begley echoed his thanks for the work that went into the auditorium renovation. He also expressed his appreciation for the 2nd graders from Kipling that presented to the board.


Mr. Simeck said he is incredibly happy for the opportunities our children will have with this new performance space at Caruso.

17. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

The next school board meeting is...

Thursday, April 20, 2023 @ 7 p.m. - Regular Board Meeting