The BOE Recap is a newsletter-style summary of the highlights of the Board of Education's discussion and action. You can find the meeting agenda online here and look for minutes to be posted after they are approved at the next regular BOE meeting (July 24, 2025).

The Board agenda and documents presented at the meeting are included in the Board Packet, and the meeting was streamed live and recorded on the District YouTube channel.

The Board and administration honored Dr. Eileen Brett, who retires on June 30, 2025, after 23 years in District 109, and 21 years as Wilmot's principal. Board President Ryan Kuo and Superintendent Mike Simeck thanked and lauded Dr. Brett for her years of service, her commitment to all students and the passion for her work. Dr. Brett thanked the Board and said:

"Wilmot has been more than a school to me. It is a second home and a second family. Over the years I have worked with incredible educators, committed families and, most importantly, thousands and thousands of bright, curious, funny and lovable children."

Each meeting, Superintendent Mike Simeck provides information and updates on initiatives, events, notable achievements and other timely information.

Mr. Simeck thanked the members of the Referendum Task Force, a group of community members, parents and staff who met three times this spring to review the District’s facility needs and funding options. The group was tasked with making a recommendation to the superintendent on addressing those facility needs.

After touring Walden and Wilmot Elementary Schools and examining various scenarios—including doing nothing, renovating only, or combining renovation with new construction—the Task Force held in-depth discussions to weigh the educational, operational and financial impacts of each approach.

The Task Force ultimately recommended moving forward with sharing and gathering input on a “2 + 2” solution, a proposal that ensures all four elementary schools have equitable amenities, whether through renovation or new construction. This recommendation will be used as the foundation for continued community engagement and polling starting this fall.

The Board will further discuss this recommendation at its July 14 Committee of the Whole meeting and will receive a comprehensive presentation at the July 24 regular meeting. That presentation will include more detail about facility challenges, the proposed solution, potential tax impacts, a construction timeline and plans to inform and engage the community in the months ahead.

Community members are encouraged to attend Board of Education meetings and contribute during the community participation periods. In all regular Board of Education meetings, the Board follows a set agenda that include two opportunities for community participation, one to address matters related to the agenda, and one open participation period later in the meeting. The BOE Recap provides a summary of the topics addressed by those who speak; the meeting recording, above, provides a full recording of comments from the community.

The following people, who are not members of the Deerfield community, spoke in the second opportunity for public comment:

• Rusty Rea encouraged the District to pursue trauma informed practices
• Kelsi Rea spoke against the District's actions regarding locker rooms
• John Amanchukwu spoke against books available in the school library and the District's actions regarding locker rooms

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Danielle Arnold explained the thorough process of reviewing the math curriculum throughout the past school year.

In the review of the elementary math curriculum, 48 classrooms piloted curricula, and 410 students responded to surveys about their experience. The recommended curriculum is Amplify Desmos, an inquiry-based curriculum that teachers report aligns with a productive struggle mindset. Math Curriculum Specialist Sarah Hogan gave Board members and administrators a challenge that exemplifies what students experience in math class with Amplify.

Wilmot fourth grade teacher Katherine Rogers and two students explained their positive experience with piloting Amplify; the students shared their excitement for learning math.

The recommendation for middle school math curriculum is to pause the review process for one year and engage in professional development in Building Thinking Classrooms. Then, the team will restart the review process to find a curriculum that mirrors the District's vision for math.

Dr. Filippi presented four Freedom of Information Act requests.

Superintendent Simeck presented a resolution recommending that District 109 formally withdraw from the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative as of July 1, 2026. He pointed out that District 109 has emerged as a national leader in inclusive education, successfully supporting nearly all students within their home schools, learning alongside general education peers and within their neighborhood communities. As more member districts propose their withdrawals, remaining in a significantly reduced cooperative poses growing financial and operational risks.

Board Member Kelly Jakymiw, who is District 109's representative to the TrueNorth leadership council, gave an update on two proposals at a recent leadership council meeting:

• A resolution to amend TrueNorth's articles of agreement to allow withdrawal based on a district's ability to serve students in district; that amendment will be voted on at a meeting later in June.
• A resolution to contemplate what an orderly dissolution of the cooperative would look like passed at the meeting.

Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations John Filippi said that this MOU adjusts the salaries of staff members who are moving from library intervention assistants to teaching assistants.

Dr. Filippi explained that this one-year extension of the existing IGA will allow D109 and the Deerfield Park District to have more time to come together to review a longer-term agreement.

Dr. Filippi shared that the new agreement for crossing guard services, provided by Andy Frain, will save the District money through a lower hourly rate.

Dr. Filippi presented several routine annual items:

• Resolution to Appoint Treasurer & Assistant Treasurer
• Annual Bank Depository Information
• Resolution to Designate Interest
• Annual Resolution to Approve Serious Safety Hazards
• Resolution to Set a Public Hearing for Interfund Transfer)

These items also were approved under "Action."

The Board approved the consent agenda meeting minutes, personnel items and bills for payment.

The Board also approved:

• Treasurer's Report
• Bi-annual review of closed session minutes
• Resolution to withdraw from TrueNorth Educational Cooperative
• Instructional technology purchase
• Fleet vehicle purchase
• Memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Deerfield Educational Support Staff Association
• Crossing guard agreement

Board Member Rosie Bonar gave an update from the Finance Committee meeting. She shared that the District's audit firm commended the District for our commitment to internal controls. The committee discussed the 2025-2026 tentative budget.

Mrs. Bonar and Board Member Kate Joyce discussed their learning at the recent ED-RED Summit.

Best Question of the Night

Board President Ryan Kuo gave the "Best Question of the Night" award to Board Member Kelly Jakymiw for asking if there will still be math homework.