D230 Board Notes

This document is provided as an overview of happenings at the Consolidated High School District 230 School Board meeting. It is not the official minutes of the meeting. Those are approved at the following Board meeting and then posted to the district's website under the School Board tab.

The Board asked for a moment of silence for Andrew High School Assistant Wrestling Coach Dru Worker, who was tragically killed earlier this week.

Sandburg: Jillian Cosier, Patrick Curry, Nikolas Delis, Rosella lrfran, Kethan Polavarapu, Neil Shastri and Sameena Vasi

Sandburg: Nefeli Abutahoun, Maeve Begley, Amelia Gebala, Hala Kanaan, Isabelle Lepkowski, Gabriela Makuch

Andrew: Carter Bailitz, Kathleen Hester, Charlianne Johnson, Serena Naji, Tyler Roney and Anthony Stella

Please take a look at the 2023.24 Departmental Award winners at each of the District 230 schools.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Katie McMillian focused the Student Services Departments, highlighting practices that promote resilience and persistence within students. Tools such as Panorama, school-wide surveys, problem-solving teams, and the increase in skill-building interventions and enrichments have guided the development of opportunities for students. Additionally, getting counselors, social workers, deans and other specialists into classes and Advisory, and training teachers on how to better support all students in the classroom, has allowed D230 Student Services Teams to serve more proactively.

The Board approved the hiring of three D230 staff, Dr. James Robinette as the Director of Personnel and Recruitment, Amanda Kelly as the EL Coordinator at Stagg and Kate Hendrix Foster as the CTE Coordinator

• The Board approved travel for Sandburg’s girls basketball team to the Grand Valley State Women’s Basketball Camp, Grand Rapids, MI June 21, 2023

• The Board awarded the 2023-34 PE and Aquatic bid to several vendors totaling $55,687.

• Monetary donations were made from an individual/group to support student learning and activities.

• Minutes from Open/Executive Board and Committee Meetings were approved.

• Teachers Association President Michelle Michelle Etchason and Educational Support Professionals’ Association Deb Sandavol were in attendance. Sandavol said the ESPs value their work and support the success of all three schools. ESP negotiations have begun and they are determined to reach a successful agreement for the entire association.

Student Board Representative Reports

• Stagg's Representative Masa Haj Ali noted Stagg honored Arab American Heritage Month with flags from different Arab countries and Dabke dance team lunchtime performances. Ability Awareness Month recognition included students signing a pledge to accept, respect, and include Chargers with disabilities. The Chargers cheered on Mathletes, SkillsUSA, and Esports as they headed off to compete at state. Winter Guard came in first at the Midwest Color Guard Conference, and students were inducted into Spanish, French, and German Honors Societies. Drama performed their spring musical, The Spongebob Musical, Stagg hosted their Spring Art Show, the Muslim Student Association held their 3rd Annual Dinner, and seniors are getting ready for an “Enchanted Forest” prom at the Bridgeport Art Center.

• Sandburg Board Representative Matt Gaspardo noted seniors are looking forward to tomorrow’s prom at the Field Museum. The musical Gypsy left audiences speechless, and Sandburg ambassadors welcomed District 135 junior highs and gave the future Eagles a taste of what Sandburg is like. Art classes were busy preparing for the art show, and all Sandburg sports are getting ready for next year as summer camp sign-ups have officially started. The Aquila newspaper is putting the finishing touches on their last edition, Superfanz are passing the torch to the next group of kids to lead the crowd at sporting events, and the Student Council is welcoming a new executive board. The Esports team is heading to state with two individual qualifiers. The yearbook club completed this year's edition and are waiting for the yearbooks to arrive. There were several field trips to the Art Institute, Brookfield Zoo, and Soldier Field, and senior advisories continue to prepare for college life with help from the Guidance Department

• Andrew Board Representative Carter Bailitz noted celebrations of Ramadan, Easter, Orthodox Easter, Arab American Heritage, Autism awareness and Earth Day. AP students have been reviewing course materials in preparation for AP Exams, and seniors are busy with post-secondary planning and preparing to graduate from VJA. 8th Grade Activities Open House was a great event to meet future T-Bolts. Cultural Connections did an amazing job hosting a dinner with a diverse array of foods to partake in the Ramadan spirit. One student competed for ACES at State and another advanced to state in E-sports. The Robotics Team placed 1st and 3rd at Sumo Survivor, while Percussion Band placed 5th at WGI World Championships. Student Council hosted Kennedy Prom, where they danced with special needs students and a great time was had by all. Finally, the Student Council is busy planning Andrewfest.

• Based on analysis of student fees in comparison to surrounding schools and considering the challenges families are facing with high inflation, the Board voted to maintain the current fee schedule for the 223-24 school year.

• As a precursor to applying for federal grants, Illinois schools must submit a Consolidated District Plan. The Board approved the submissions of District 230’s Consolidated District Plan and Stagg High School’s Schoolwide Plan. The plans support goals of improving student learning, providing strong learning conditions, and elevating/supporting educators.

• Superintendent Nolting reviewed the Board goals. HR is optimistic that difficult-to-fill positions will be complete by the start of the school year. Under the Safety Audit, District 230 is scheduled to receive monies as a result of the Juul litigation and will invest in signage and deterrents in the bathrooms to help decrease and/or eliminate vaping. Dr. Nolting also noted that there will be an upcoming opportunity for an exchange between the Board and local community mental health agencies to interact.

• The Board awarded the 2023 Andrew Tennis Court Resurfacing Project to Evans & Sons Blacktop in the amount of $252,204.

• Several policies were reviewed by the Board as a first reading.

• Public Comment: Kyle Hastings and alum and parent of a future D230 student noted that the recent VJA Co-Curricular Night for current 8th graders made a great first impression. The depth and breadth of activities is impressive.

The School Board extended its thanks to outgoing member Dave O’Connor for his time, attention and dedication to the students and staff of all three high schools since he was elected to the School Board in 2019.

Tony Serratore said, “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the communities of District 230 alongside Dave O’Connor. He is a man of character, matched only by his intellect and love for District 230. On behalf of the Board, we thank him for his service, knowing he has left an indelible mark on our schools and communities.”

O’Connor said, “As a D230 alum, I’m always proud to help our D230 students in any way that I can. I want our students to excel and realize their full potential. I’m a firm believer that if we give our teachers the tools, we collectively have the ability to change the trajectory of our students' lives.”

Superintendent Dr. Robert Nolting added, “I feel fortunate to have worked with Dave O’Connor and appreciate his insight and student-centered focus. District 230 has a long history of hard-working and dedicated board members who are careful stewards of and for our communities, and Dave O’Connor is no exception.”

“It was a pleasure to work with so many dedicated people. If the public only knew how many hours that our administrators, teachers, employees, and Board members were giving in the pursuit of educational excellence, they would be amazed. I’m pretty active in our community and I was fairly well-versed as to what was going on within our schools, and yet, once I got on the Board, even I was surprised at the number of meetings, committees, events, projects, and general responsibilities that occur within our District on a daily basis, and it continues literally, from morning to night,” O’Connor added.

Following the local elections on April 4th, the Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education officially welcomed newly elected member Mohammed Jaber and incumbents Dr Lynn Zeder and Pat O’Sullivan. All three ran unopposed.

Mohammed Jaber currently serves as a Special Education teacher with Chicago Public Schools and is a part-time adjunct instructor of Intensive English Language at Moraine Valley Community College. He holds a Masters of Education degree from Saint Xavier University. He has extensive experience working with students who require social and emotional support on an individual level to ensure their ability and success to participate in extracurricular activities and other courses. As a faculty member of the Moraine Valley Community College for over a decade teaching Intensive English Language, he serves beyond the role of an educator and advises students regarding lifelong decisions, such as choosing a subject major, pursuing a higher degree, as well as collaborating with colleagues.

Dr. Lynn Zeder was appointed to the District 230 School Board in 2022. A Carl Sandburg High School graduate, Dr. Zeder spent a career serving the District 230 associate schools and communities. She began teaching in District 135, then served as an Assistant Principal at Prairie View Middle School District 140 and also as Assistant Principal at Palos South Middle School District 118. She returned to District 135 as Principal of Centennial School for four years. She continued in District 135 as Assistant Director of Curriculum, Director of Curriculum, and finally as the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for eight years. Currently, she helps train and teach teachers with various types of writing as a Writing Consultant at the South Cook Intermediate Service Center.

Patrick O'Sullivan was elected to the School Board in 2007. He has served as President of the Board, Vice President of the Board (twice) and Chairperson of the Building and Finance Committee. Currently, he is Chair of the Education Committee. In addition to serving on the School Board, he is active as a coach in Orland community youth athletics. He and his three daughters are graduates of Carl Sandburg High School. He holds a degree from Bradley University and is the President of PRO Insurance Services, Inc.

Following the official oath of office taken by Pat O'Sullivan, Dr. Lynn Zeder and Mohammed Jaber, the District 230 Board of Education reorganized with an election of officers. The results are as follows:

President: Melissa Gracias

Vice President: Dr. Lynn Zeder

Secretary: Sue Dalton

Committee Assignments:

Building & Finance: Chair Serratore, Vice Chair Jaber
Education: Chair O'Sullivan, Vice Chair Murphy-Peterson
Student Services: Chair Dalton, Vice Chair Zeder

Lisa Pindelski was approved as the Board Recording Secretary and John Lavelle was approved as Treasurer.