The BOE Recap

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m.

The agenda was approved.

Security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property. (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8)) (Policy 2:220)

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

Mr. Steckling presented the monthly What's Good in 109 report. One of his favorite things is walking around the buildings and looking at the various artwork and hallway displays that students create. One recently caught his eye labeled "8th Grade Wishes." There were lots of reasonable requests like making new friends and doing well in school. However, there was also one that won't come true... the Chicago Bears making the playoffs.

Mr. Simeck, Mrs. Bonar, and Mr. Steckling went to the Deerfield Winter Market last week at the Patty Turner Center and it was great to connect with dozens, if not hundreds of people from the community.

The Holiday Gift Drive has been very successful again this year. The deadline has been extended until Monday morning to bring in any last gifts they want to buy or bring in.

Next, the Kipling Student Council presented about all of the various initiatives they are spearheading or contributing to throughout the year, including:

• Sock Drive
• Birthday Celebrations
• Special Someone Day
• Food & Supply Drive
• Researching lunch providers

Click below to watch their presentation.

Mr. Simeck presented the December Superintendent's Report.

He recently visited the Shepard Baking Club to show them how to make a loaf of bread. He was interviewed by one of the SMS students and you can watch the piece on the DPS 109 Facebook page.

The 109 Way Magazine will be arriving in magazines in the coming weeks. It's a very intentional way to ensure that we connect with the community that no longer has a child in our schools.

As far as winter weather planning goes, we will aim to use e-learning whenever possible to avoid making up days later in the year. We will try our best to notify families the day before if weather conditions are forecast to have a chance of e-learning.

We continue to work on a common cause centered around themes from "The Anxious Generation." South Park is launching the Let Grow Project. It's an initiative that encourages families to discuss allowing their children to try something new of their choosing.

He was interviewed by 5th graders who peppered him with questions about the master facility planning project. When it comes to the MFP, we have an important collaboration meeting with the Deerfield Park District next week. We are continuing to assess the timeline and impacts of Strategy C, which includes middle school renovations and either renovations or replacements of our elementary schools. If you would like more information, you can visit dps109.org and click on Master Facility Planning.

We want to thank Dr. Eileen Brett for all of her service to the district. The search for her replacement is underway. Dr. Brett was only the 5th principal ever at Wilmot. Dr. Fisher and his team will begin the interview process in the coming months.

The holiday gift drive is underway and gifts can still be dropped off through Monday at Wilmot.

We wish all of our families and staff a relaxing winter break.

There were no speakers present.

Dr. Filippi says there is one request in the packet for student directory information.

The Finance Committee met on October 1st. This is the 3rd of 3 years of audits done by Lauterbach & Amen. The Finance Committee recommends a new 3 year deal with that firm.

Dr. Filippi presented the item. This is an annual requirement that the board must direct him to do a budget for the 2025-2026 school year.

Dr. Filippi presented the item. This is the last year of the district's agreement with Andy Frain Services for crossing guard services. Tonight, we present an agreement for continuing with them as we have been happy with the service they have provided. The agreement in the packet has been amended and is still undergoing some final legal review.

Dr. Filippi presented the item. We just finished the 3rd year of landscaping services with our current provider. Landscaping work is done in partnership with the park district; they do fall cleanup and mowing of fields; we do the pruning and mulching and other various tasks. We issued a request for bids. Our incumbent provider Yellowstone won the bid. We are recommending approval of a new 3-year agreement at the January meeting.

Dr. Filippi presented the item. This is a new requirement from the state legislature. The Board of Education is required to receive, review, and approve the report. It looks at our expenditure to revenue ratio and our fund balance in each of our operating funds. In summary, we are in good shape. There is no further action to take other than to approve the report.

The meeting minutes, personnel items, and bills for payment, included as part of this item were all approved.

The report was approved.

The MOU was approved.

The expenses were approved.

The minutes were approved.

The resolution was approved.

The tentative calendar was approved.

The agreement was approved.

The plan was approved.

The contracts were approved.

There were no one that wished to speak.

Dr. Dornfeld reports that the Policy Committee just met before this meeting to ensure they are ready for a compliance audit in March. He thanked Dr. Fisher for his countless hours of preparation for that meeting.

President Montgomery brought up that there is an FDC meeting is on the calendar in January. She also reported that she attended the Triple I Delegate Assembly and all of the votes went as expected.

Mr. Simeck thanked President Montgomery for baking bread for dozens of people in the district along with giving them thoughtful and meaningful notes. It's something that people really look forward to and we recognize how much of an effort that takes.

Dr. Dornfeld went to the 4th & 5th grade band concert for Wilmot and South Park. It's amazing to see the growth from day one where she knew nothing to now. He wants to give a big thanks to Ms. Zmuda for her leadership. It was great to see both the parents and kids so excited.

President Montgomery wanted to provide an update on TrueNorth. Their board has not met since our last meeting. District 34 votes next week to pass a resolution requesting consensual withdrawal. Once they pass it, all other member districts have 60 days to either allow or deny them to withdraw. If just one district says no, they cannot withdraw and then must take the matter up with the Regional Office of Education. Those will be discussions we will be having in upcoming meetings.

She thanked Dr. Fisher for his policy work and prep for the ROE audit. She thanked all staff involved in working with Ms. Jurmu on the security update.

Finally, she and the board hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and break.

The board adjourned at 7:43 p.m.