Board Briefs

Email: esteckling@dps109.org
Website: www.dps109.org
Location: 517 Deerfield Road, Deerfield, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 945-1844
Twitter: @DPS109

The November 16 regular board meeting was held both on site at the District Office and remotely via Zoom. Due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, only 10 people were permitted inside the boardroom at any given time, observing proper physical distancing and wearing face coverings. Members of the public could listen/observe the meeting by logging in to a designated Zoom webinar. For open/community participation, a laptop was set up in the District Office to accommodate live public comment. The district also created a dedicated voicemail line for public comment.

There was one recorded voicemail played. There were no live speakers to provide comment.

Ms. Amy Leone, STEAM instructor at South Park, showcased some of the work her students have been doing during the pandemic. You can see a copy of her presentation here.

Dr. Daniel Johnson from the University of Chicago joined the meeting to discuss: various testing options and their possible effectiveness, the different types of face coverings people wear and the effectiveness of them, and the impact of mitigation protocols as it relates to having school in-person.

There were 3 live speakers that spoke about the decision making process when it comes to school re-entry. There were several voicemails played from the public comment line. Most referenced the decision to revert to remote learning and their agreement or disagreement with the school re-entry process.

Mr. Rafferty congratulated the district on receiving the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).

Mr. Steckling talked briefly about the 109 Gives Back initiative that has been launched. The Fill The Bin Challenge is ongoing this week and there will be more information about a holiday gift giving drive coming out later this week.

Mr. Himebaugh discussed two requests.

Dr. Schwartz presented the latest MAP data for the district. There was discussion about how the pandemic has impacted the data from year to year.

The superintendents recommended that District 109 continue in a full remote setting with an earliest possible date of return to in-person hybrid instruction of Tuesday, January 19. This is to account for the rising COVID metrics and the upcoming holiday season that may pose a greater risk.

Ms. Arnold discussed the attention that is being focused on social emotional needs for students and staff.

Ms. Ford said that limited return of Early Learners and special education students has gone well. They don't anticipate bringing back any additional students right now.

Ms. Arnold discussed the road ahead for the learning model for all students. She said that there have been pros and cons between holding the hybrid schedule and reverting to the 109 Online schedule. The administration is recommending that elementary students pivot to a reformed 109 Online curriculum until in-person instruction resumes, keeping their current teachers. They recommend that next Monday, November 23 be used as a planning day for elementary staff, with a new schedule being implemented on November 30.

Mr. Filippi discussed facility risk mitigation and COVID-19 related expenditures.

Dr. Fisher presented the 1st draft of the calendar.

Dr. Fisher presented MOU's concerning COVID-19 Evaluation, COVID-19 Additional Instruction Stipend, COVID-19 Related Quarantine Days, and COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave.

Dr. Faust & Ms. Arnold, along with others, updated the Board on the work of the DEI Committee. You can find a copy of their presentation here.

Special Meeting Minutes from September 29, 2020 were approved.

Personnel items were approved.

Destruction of Closed Session Recordings from April 29, 2019 was approved.

Bills for payment were approved.

Treasurer's Report from October 2020 was approved.

Mid Year Bonus and Gift Card Expenditure was approved.

Resolution Approving the Aggregate Levy for 2020 was approved.

Resolution Authorizing Levy for Special Education Purposes was approved.

Resolution Providing for the Payment of Debt Service and Abating Taxes was approved.

3 Memorandums of Understanding were approved.

No official committee reports.

There was one live speaker who asked the Board of Education to reopen schools to children immediately.

There was nothing discussed.

Monday, December 14, 2020 -- Regular Board Meeting
Monday, January 11, 2021 -- Regular Board Meeting