The District 99 Board of Education held a business meeting on February 27, 2017.
Highlights include:
Community Engagement – Members discussed the benefit of adding a Board member to the Community Engagement committee. Member Don Renner volunteered to serve on the committee, which is charged with informing the community about the Master Facility Plan and gauging support over the next several months.
Student Representation on BOE – Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele suggested adding a student representative from each school to serve on the Board, a practice that some other schools follow. The students would attend all meetings and contribute to the discussions; the students would not be voting members. “What we’re doing here is for kids,” said Dr. Thiele. “Having their voice at the table is the voice that’s missing.”
The Board members supported the idea. District administration will outline responsibilities and criteria for student selection and begin to recruit students for the 2017-18 school year.
New Textbooks – District 99 adopts new textbooks on an as-needed basis. The Board approved four textbooks to be on public display at the Administrative Service Center through April 11 for the following courses: Spanish III, German II, Math AP Calculus AB, and AP Physics C: Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism. Whether to purchase hard copies, digital copies or both is decided on a case-by-case basis, and depends on the course, costs and publisher. The Board will vote on adopting the textbooks at its April 17 meeting.
Bonfield Express Donation – The Board voted to accept a donation from the Bonfield Express Foundation of $10,000 to the Special Services Department. The Board members expressed their appreciation. D99 Board President Dr. Nancy Kupka thanked the Bonfield Express Foundation, saying what a wonderful memorial it is to Jim Bonfield, who was teacher, coach and dean at DGS for over 30 years. Member Mike Davenport praised the foundation’s annual run as a community event that brings people together.
Board Actions – The Board approved the following items:
- The amended 2017-18 school calendar, which includes Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 18;
- 2017-18 Student Fees, which will increase by $5;
- Facility projects for re-plastering the pool lap tank at DGN for $148,000; new air handlers in the library and auditorium at DGN for $733,500, which will be smaller and more energy efficient; and replacing pool dive platforms at DGN and DGS for $115,000;
- Summer School 2017 recommendations; and,
- Holding the March 8, 2017 Board meeting entirely in closed session.
The Board’s next public meeting will take place on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.