The meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m.

The agenda was approved.

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).

The meeting reconvened to open session at 7:00 p.m.

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

• A plug for the 109 Gives Back Food Drive, which is just wrapping up
• The 109 Gives Back Holiday Drive: the sign-up has just opened and gift collection begins on November 27th and runs through December 8th
• Our Early Learners participating in colorful activities to learn about the holiday of Diwali
• 5th graders at Wilmot using their math skills to experiment with different ratios of lemon and sugar to create the perfect lemonade
• Walden's growing Veterans Day tribute to all of the family members of our students and staff who have served our country
• Kipling's Special Someone Day, where students got to have a special person in their life join them for a half-hour at school for various activities
• Caruso & Shepard basketball seasons are off and rolling
• Shepard 8th graders learning about finance from a number of parents & community members who work or have experience in that industry
  
  

Our featured guests were librarian Kelly Jahng and students from South Park, talking about new virtual reality technology that they are using in the library this year to explore different environments, learn history, and create engaging experiences at school!

With Veterans Day top of mind, Mr. Simeck thanked all of those who have served our country. He had the honor of speaking with Mr. Kuo to students at Shepard about their service.

DPS 109 continues to put our strategic plan into action. Looking at goal 3 of Equitable Outcomes for all, staff have been participating in ongoing work with the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education.

The district is being proactive in setting expectations for winter weather and potential impacts on school. It is our intent to do e-learning when possible to avoid having to make up days later in the year. Families and staff should receive a text, email and robocall hopefully no later than 6:30 a.m. on any impacted day if school is not happening in person. We encourage everyone to log in to Skyward and ensure that their contact information is correct.

Shortly, we will hear a fall assessment & school report card update from Dr. Arnold. We note that the impacts of the pandemic are still being felt by our students. It's critical that we acknowledge that there is still work to do and that we collaborate to identify how we can best support them.

Diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) work continues in earnest. Subcommittees have been meeting and will do so several times throughout the year. As a reminder, these are: Community Relations, Workforce Diversity, Policy, School Culture, and Curriculum & Instruction. There will be an update for the board in the spring.

Master facility planning continues in earnest. We just had student & staff focus groups at our middle schools this month to look at current challenges & possible solutions. We are continuing to assess the timeline & impacts of Strategy C, which calls for elementary school replacements and potential middle school renovations. You can go to dps109.org and click on Master Facility Planning to read more.

There's an upcoming opportunity for us to all learn together. Author Julie Lythcott-Haims is coming to Deerfield High School on November 30th to talk about her book, "How To Raise an Adult." All are welcome, but they are encouraging RSVP's in advance.

The board held a public hearing starting at 7:28 p.m. and asked for public comment three times. There was no public comment, and the hearing closed at 7:29 p.m.

There were no speakers present.

Dr. Filippi presented three items to the board that are detailed in the posted packet.

Dr. Arnold & Mr. Jezuit from the Teaching & Learning Department presented an update to the board about fall assessment and school report card data. You can click below to watch this portion of the meeting.

Dr. Filippi presented the proposed below change that will be voted upon at a future meeting.

Article 12.1 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Deerfield Education Association (DEA) and the Board of Education provides for severance pay as a retirement incentive. The CBA stipulates that if a teacher elects to take the severance option, it shall be “payable over a five (5) year period.” This payment time frame is onerous to manage for the district’s payroll clerk, and the DEA membership is also interested in receiving this contractual benefit in a condensed timeframe.

Dr. Fisher presented the proposed 2024-2025 calendar for DPS 109. Our district always tries to align as closely as possible with District 113, knowing that families have students in both districts. You can see the draft schedule below. Important to note that this is a draft and still can be subject to change. The board will vote on this calendar at the December 2023 meeting.

The meeting minutes, personnel items, bills for payment, and destruction of closed session audio as part of this item were all approved.

The report was approved.

The resolution was approved.

The resolution was approved.

The resolution was approved.

The minutes were approved.

Mrs. Jakymiw said that True North had a board meeting last night.

There were no speakers present.

President Montgomery thanked Mr. Simeck & Mr. Kuo for their service and for sharing their experiences with students.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.