
The BOE Recap
August 17th, 2023

December 14th, 2023 - Regular Board Meeting
Watch The Meeting Recording Below:
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. Recess Meeting
The meeting went into a recess so that the Board and administration could travel to Kipling for the What's Good in 109 segment.
4. Return to Open Session
The meeting returned to open session in the Kipling gym.
5. What's Good in 109
Mr. Steckling presented the monthly What's Good in 109 report:
Our featured guests were Mr. Greenberg, Ms. Walker and 3rd graders from Mrs. Sepper's class demonstrating the Lu, a new interactive system used during P.E. class at all four of our elementary schools.
6. Recess Meeting
The meeting recessed at Kipling and the Board and administration returned to the District Office.
7. Return To Open Session
The board returned to open session following their field trip to Kipling.
6. Superintendent's Report
Mr. Simeck attended the Kipling/Walden/Shepard joint band concert last night, and played three clips to show the progression between 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. It is remarkable how much the kids learn over just three years.
Mr. Simeck, Principals Lombardo & Strenger, and Mr. Steckling had the honor of judging the Shepard holiday door decorating contest this week. We were impressed by all of the hard work and creativity put into the displays!
The 109 Way magazine has been printed and is in the process of being mailed out. Expect to see it in your mailboxes in the coming days. This is sent to every household and business within our attendance boundaries.
Each month, we have been showcasing one of our four strategic plan goals. An example of Goal 4 (Reciprocal & Respectful Communication) is coming up shortly. DPS 109 will be holding a Community Well-Being & Safety Info Night on Tuesday, January 9th. It's at 7 p.m. at Shepard Middle School. An interest form and more details will be emailed out to families shortly.
We continue to look at master facility planning. Did you know that our monthly electric bills are down 10-15% due to LED lighting being installed in every facility. Kudos to our B&G department for their responsible approach. It's with this same mindset that we are weighing how our facilities move forward in the next 10-20 years. Does it make sense to maintain buildings at status quo? Is it more prudent to make modest improvements? Is the best course new construction? Go to dps109.org and click on Master Facility Planning to read more.
Congratulations are in order for Dr. Fisher, who recently earned his Executive Human Capital Leader in Education (eHCLE) Certification.
Congratulations are also in order for President Montgomery, who just completed the Illinois Association of School Boards Board Leader Recognition Program.
Lastly, we have seen a great example of the giving spirit in this community through the hundreds of gifts we have collected the 109 Gives Back Holiday Gift Drive. Thanks to all who have donated!
9. Community Participation Relative to Matters on the Meeting Agenda (Policy 2:230)
There were no speakers present.
Informational Items
10.1. Freedom of Information Requests (Policy 2:250)
Dr. Filippi presented four items to the board that are detailed in the posted packet.
10.2. Annual Audit for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
Dr. Filippi presented the annual audit, which came back showing the district in good standing.
10.3. Tentative Budget Calendar for 2024-25
Dr. Filippi presented the tentative budget calendar that details the processes and timeline of how the budget is created.
10.4. Strategic Plan Update: Goal 1
Dr. Arnold and a team presented an update on Goal 1 of the Strategic Plan, which is Dynamic & Responsive Instructional Practices. Representatives from the four elementary schools joined the meeting to give updates on how this is being carried out in their building. The group also put the board members and administrators through two Kagan learning structures to simulate what is going on in our classrooms, which is the picture below. You can also watch the segment below.
Action Items
11.1. Consent Agenda*
11.2. Treasurer's Report
The report was approved.
11.3. Approval of MOU Article 12.1 DEA Contract
The article was approved.
11.4. Administrative Contract Approvals
The contracts were approved.
11.5. Recommendation to Accept the Annual Audit for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
The audit was approved.
11.6. Approval of IASB Joint Annual Conference Board Member Expenses
The expenses were approved.
11.7. Semi-Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes
The minutes were reviewed and approved.
11.8. Approval of 2024-2025 Budget Calendar
The calendar was approved.
11.9. Approval of the 2024/25 Public School Calendar
The calendar was approved. Click below to see it!
12. Committee Reports
Policy Committee will meet next month.
The Executive Development Committee met tonight and will meet again in January.
12. Open Community Participation
There were several speakers that addressed the board regarding after school programming.
13. Board/Superintendent Other
Mr. Simeck thanked Dr. Arnold for her work that went into the Lu and implementing it as part of our strategic plan. He thanked Dr. Bialk for his work on the implementation as well.
President Montgomery thanked those responsible for the Lu demonstration this evening, and thanked the communications team for their work on The 109 Way magazine.
14. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.