The BOE Recap

The meeting was called to order at 7:09 p.m.

The agenda was approved.

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

He was recently the guest reader during Campfire Day in Ms. Kaufman's 1st grade class at Kipling and was amazed by the awesome questions the students asked! We would like to remind everyone that there is just one more day for the 109 Gives Back Food & Supply Drive. A group of Caruso students has already been over to the West Deerfield Township Food Pantry this week to drop off some donations. Our holiday gift drive is also kicking off soon and families can expect an email about that next week. As a reminder, you can check out frequent content and stories we post from our schools on the DPS 109 Facebook and Instagram pages.

Our featured presenters were four students representing the South Park Philanthropy Club, which put on a recent philanthropy election. You can watch their presentation by clicking below.

Mr. Simeck talked about the inspiring opportunity to be able to honor Mr. Tony Kambich, a longtime Shepard PE teacher who turned 90 years old this year. A group of his former students wanted to throw a surprise party for him and invited Mr. Simeck to say a few words of appreciation.

Last time, he mentioned that the Surgeon General put out an advisory about parental stress. It talked about schools being able to help by fostering open dialogue about parental stress, mental health and well-being. DPS 109 is taking steps to do that. The October 29 Community Advisory Council focused on tackling questions like: "What can different groups in our community do to help kids be more independent?" We also had a screening of Chasing Childhood on October 29 at Caruso. It was really great to see all six of our principals and many of our assistant principals in attendance. On October 30, we proposed a joint venture among the governing bodies of Deerfield to:

1. Read The Anxious Generation
2. Discuss takeaways as individual organizations and consider possible changes for collective improvement
3. Hold a public meeting in early 2025 to discuss community action (details still to be determined)

Over the coming months, you may hear us talk about or explore the Let Grow project as a community initiative. We have also featured a Digital Safety in 109 section of our website. Mrs. Galanis and SRO Maldonado also compile weekly tech tips that go in school newsletters.

There's an upcoming opportunity for community discussion on the book "Parenting The New Teen in the Age of Anxiety" by Dr. John Duffy. This event takes place on November 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Highland Park High School.

When it comes to winter weather, it is our intent to use e-learning when possible to avoid having to make up days later in the school year. This information just went out in 109 News this week. When possible, we will send a notification the day before alerting of possible weather impacts. A day of decision will be made ideally no later than 6:30 a.m.

Our Buildings & Grounds facility is progressing very nicely and there will be an opportunity for the full board to get a tour at an upcoming meeting.

Our Master Facility Planning thought process is continuing. We have a really important meeting with the park district coming up because so much of what we do will overlap with their plans and impact their programming.

Tomorrow is School Board Member Day in Illinois. We would like to thank each of you for your service. We are really fortunate to have great and giving board members.

We would also like to wish all of our families a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving break in a couple of weeks!

The purpose of the hearing is to seek input on the district's plan regarding the 2024 tax levy. The hearing opened at 7:31 p.m. There's a requirement that we ask for public comment to be made three times. There was no comment. The hearing closed at 7:31

No one in the audience asked to speak.

Dr. Filippi presented three items. Information about them is in the packet.

Mr. Simeck read a proclamation honoring the members of the Board of Education for their service to the students and the community of Deerfield Public Schools District 109.

President Montgomery explained that every year, the board attends the Triple I conference. As part of the meeting, there is an assembly that votes on resolutions brought forth by member districts. It's to help determine what legislative priorities the IASB should have with the General Assembly. The board discussed the different resolutions put before the assembly.

Dr. Filippi presented the findings of the annual audit. It was another clean audit. Earlier tonight, the Finance Committee of the Board met with Don Shaw from Lauterbach & Amen to review the

District’s annual audit. Mr. Shaw reported that Lauterbach & Amen issued an unqualified opinion—the highest rating an independent audit firm can provide. This opinion affirms that our financial statements are fairly and accurately presented. You can find all of the audit paperwork linked to the board packet by clicking on the button above.

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

The report was approved.

The minutes were approved.

The minutes were approved.

The agreement was approved.

The calendar was approved.

The grant was approved.

The recommendation was approved.

The resolution was approved.

The resolution was approved.

The resolution was approved.

The recommendation approved the appointment of President Montgomery as the district's delegate.

The Finance Committee met tonight to discuss the audit, as well as transportation claims.

TrueNorth had a leadership council meeting last night.

There were four speakers that expressed concerns about kindergarten at Walden.

Mr. Simeck detailed the district’s process for determining class sizes, particularly in Kindergarten. He explained that we surveyed other districts in our area, and found that District 109 class sizes are representative of the region’s norms. He explained that the administration closely monitors the needs of each section to assess whether additional support or staffing is required. Mr. Simeck also expressed his appreciation for the willingness of the staff and the engagement that Dr. Arnold has shown relative to the CIC process.

President Montgomery thanked Dr. Filippi & Mr. Kostecki for their outstanding work on the audit. She thanked Mr. Simeck & Mr. Kuo for their service to our country. She thanked her fellow board members for their service to the community. President Montgomery thanked Mr. Simeck & Dr. Arnold for their work on the CIC. She thanked Dr. Fisher for his work on the upcoming school year calendar. Finally, she wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

The board adjourned to closed session at 8:39 p.m.

The board reconvened to open session for the sole purpose of adjournment.