Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Board of Education met Sept. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Call to order
Vice President Donna Wandke called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board members present: Kristine Gericke, Donna Wandke, Paul Leong, Joe Kozminski, Janet Yang Rohr, Charles Cush and Kristin Fitzgerald (joined at 6:05 pm).
Administrators present were:
Dan Bridges, Superintendent
Bob Ross, Chief Human Resources Officer (exited at 6:38 pm) Michael Frances, Chief Financial Officer/CSBO (exited at 6:38 pm)
Closed Session
Janet Yang Rohr moved, seconded by Joe Kozminski to go into Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. for consideration of:
1. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the District or legal counsel for the District.
2. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular District has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal.
3. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives.
Meeting Opening
Charles Cush made a motion, seconded by Kristine Gericke to return to Open Session at 7:03pm. A roll call vote was taken. Those voting yes: Leong, Yang Rohr, Gericke, Wandke, Cush and Kozminski. No: None. Absent: Fitzgerald. The motion carried
Welcome and Mission
Donna Wandke welcomed all and read Naperville Community Unit School District 203’s Mission Statement.
Janet Yang Rohr made a motion, seconded by Joe Kozminski to allow Kristin Fitzgerald to attend the meeting via phone. Those voting yes: Cush, Leong, Yang Rohr, Wandke, Kozminski and Gericke. Those voting no: None. Absent: Kristin Fitzgerald.
Roll Call
Board members present: Donna Wandke, Paul Leong, Joe Kozminski, Kristine Gericke Janet Yang Rohr, Charles Cush and Kristin Fitzgerald via phone.
Student Ambassadors present: None.
Administrators present: Dan Bridges, Superintendent, Roger Brunelle, Chief Information Officer, Michael Frances, Chief Financial Officer/CSBO, Chuck Freundt, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, Christine Igoe, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, Rakeda Leaks, Executive Director of Inclusion and Diversity, Sinikka Mondini, Executive Director for Communications, Patrick Nolten, Assistant Superintendent for Assessment and Accountability, Stephanie Posey, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, Bob Ross, Chief Human Resources Officer, , and Jayne Willard, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.
Pledge of Allegiance
Led by the Board of Education
Good News
Superintendent Bridges recognized Board members who have received awards from the Illinois Association of School Boards. Charles Cush, Kristine Gericke and Paul Leong each received a Level II award and Kristin Fitzgerald and Donna Wandke both maintained the Master Board Member award. Congratulations to all.
Public Comment:
Ameilia Polheber- New to the district. Moved due to the hybrid model. Disappointing to arrive and find that the plan changed. How can we get back to in person learning as soon as possible? Children are anxious about all the technology they need to use. It is important for the young ones to get back to in person learning.
Action by Consent:
Janet Yang Rohr made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Kristine Gericke. Those voting yes: Leong, Kozminski, Wandke, Cush, Gericke, Yang Rohr and Fitzgerald. No: None.
Superintendent/Staff/School Report
Return to Learn Update
Superintendent Bridges gave an update on the Return to Learn plan. He noted there are many celebrations including:
The building of a sense of community with and among students.
Our IEP teams have begun meeting with families and getting some students in specialized classrooms back into buildings some starting last Wednesday.
NCHS hosted a successful SAT test on Saturday August 29 using all the health and safety guidelines involving about 400 students.
Partnership expansion with COD including a number of new courses.
Mr. Bridges noted that there have also been some challenges to families and staff, including:
The length of the day for our younger students.
Navigating some tech issues.
Coming to grips with our new reality.
Mr. Bridges reminded the Board of the goals for the Return to Learn plan:
Implementing a flexible plan that allows us to ultimately return to full person instruction
Ensure safe and secure learning/work spaces for all students and staff
Mr. Bridges noted the guiding principles as:
Aligning to the District Mission
EC-12 planning and decision making lens
Academic and social emotional needs of students
Equity and access for all students
At least 5 hours of instruction/engagement
The leadership team has planned a staged approach, currently in stage 1 looking at six-week intervals for moving from stage to stage.
There have been several Professional Learning opportunities for Staff around best practices in eLearning, health and safety protocols and collaboration.
Family Support:
Website Canvas Info for Parents
Student Tech Help Page
USDA Extension of food service thru December 31, 2020 we will continue to provide universal free meas to all in our community 18 years of age and younger.
Childcare is being offered at eight elementary-158 enrolled in elementary buildings now that school has started; we are seeing an uptick in enrollment. Both the Alive Center and Naperville Park District are partnering with us to provide support for Middle School Students.
Health and Safety practices are very detailed for each level and for each activity at schools. The walk thru protocol will ensure that all buildings are following all procedure to maintain the health and safety of staff and students.
Leadership is working in earnest to move to stage 2. We are on track to move to stage 2 in 6 weeks. Looking at metrics that the DuPage County Health Dept has publicized.
Overall, first week has gone well and thank you to all the work that administrators, staff, families and most importantly our students for their perseverance and resilience.
Board Questions/Comments:
In regards to childcare, are there any learnings you can speak to around having students in the building?
Mr. Freundt remarked that as we look at Health and Safety, having some students in the buildings has let us implement the protocols we have put in place and make any needed adjustments.
Thank you for the new plan. We have heard a lot of good feedback.
Can you give us clarifications as to what the guidelines mean and what are the consequences if we went above the guidelines?
Superintendent Bridges remarked that the school day is set up so students can follow their schedules at the Junior High and High School levels. At the elementary level, we would not feel comfortable lengthening the day. Legally, a longer day could increase our liability for loss of tort immunity.
It is good to see students coming in for specialized instruction; do you see that number growing as we move through stage 1?
Superintendent Bridges noted that the intent is to bring more and more in until we are fully in person. Dr. Igoe added that the IEP-teams assessed students in specialized classrooms and created schedules to make this successful for those students. Bringing students in one on one or small groups in order to get what they need. What are accommodations or technology do we need to make the student be successful.
Do you have an initial feel about attendance rates or issues with access to internet?
Mr. Freundt noted he does not have attendance numbers in front of him but that most students are accessing their classes. We have had some tech issues but those are being worked thru.
Mrs. Posey added that at secondary the attendance has been high, as has engagement.
Are we still okay on numbers who may need childcare?
Mr. Freundt stated, yes, we have actually had fewer children enroll. Some families are waiting to make a decision after the first couple of weeks.
We are making sure no one is feeling stress about enrolling or that they will be missing a deadline.
How will families be notified when we move into stage 2?
Superintendent Bridges remarked that as early as we can. There are students who will be brought in groups, labs, performance based.
For Elementary School-what are looking for regarding in person learning?
Mrs. Willard noted that in Stage 1- the focus is on students with specialized needs. We are now looking at how we will get elementary students back into the buildings in a phased in approach. We are taking into consideration all needs, as some may not want to go in person. We hope to bring a plan well before the six weeks.
Children and families are all saying how great the educators are. What are educators saying about how this is going for them? Do they have the support, training and resources they need? Superintendent Bridges noted that overall we are hearing positive comments. We continue to support thru professional development and embedded job training. We are continuing to work thru rapid innovation.
How are athletics going, how are the screenings going?
Dr. Igoe remarked that we are working closely with AD’s at NCHS and NNHS. They are closely monitoring the reporting of symptoms. We are working now to merge that reporting with the reporting of students who are not athletes but may test positive so that this information is in one place.
Can you talk about the number of incidents of COVID 19 that we are seeing in students and staff and what kind of transparency we plan to provide?
Dr. Igoe remarked that parents are not required to report unless they are unable to participate in eLearning, as we are online so we don’t really know how many students may have tested positive. We have 15 known cases across the district. We are following the IDPH guidelines as to contacting anyone who has come in close contact with anyone who tests positive. Students who are positive have not been in close contact with exception of one or two. Students seem to be following our processes.
We contact all who are in close contact as well as those who had limited contact.
Can you talk about compliance with contact tracing and self-certification?
Dr. Igoe state that we have had good compliance. We do know that not everyone is reporting to us, right now; we are hearing mainly from athletes.
Will there be a Dashboard for indicating global metrics?
Dr. Igoe noted that we have had a couple of questions about and will discuss. A dashboard is not going to offer reliable information as not everyone is reporting at this point in time.
Where do families go if they need individualized help?
Superintendent Bridges stated that it depends on the need. First place is to start with the teacher then the building principal.
Will we do another survey?
Mr. Bridges noted a survey would be something we will look at doing as we move from stage to stage. We have heard that it is getting better every day. What about students with IEP’s not in specialized classrooms, when will they be brought back in?
Dr. Igoe noted that case managers are looking at all IEP students. They are looking at what do we know now and how did they do last spring. Some have been very successful, some better than in the classroom. Teachers are making decisions on an individual basis.
What was seen in the spring may have been because parents were heavily involved.
Dr. Igoe stated that the case managers are working to leverage technology and wanting to find out how much support parents gave.
President’s Report
President Fitzgerald encouraged other Board members to attend the Ottosen Britz school law webinars being held on September 9th and 10th.
She also added that the DuPage Divisional Dinner will be held on November 4 and if interested, please let Mrs. Patton know.
Board of Education reports:
None
Discussion with Action
None
Old Business
None
New Business
None
Upcoming Events
Superintendent Bridges noted the next Board of Education meeting would be held on Monday September 21 at 7:00pm.
Adjournment
Charles Cush moved seconded by Joe Kozminski to return to Closed Session at 7:47p.m. for the purpose of:
1. Pursuant to 5 ILCS120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the District or legal counsel for the District.
2. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular District has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal.
A roll call vote was taken. Those voting yes: Leong, Fitzgerald, Wandke, Yang Rohr, Gericke, Cush and Kozminski. Those voting no: None. The motion carried.
Donna Wandke moved seconded by Kristine Gericke to end the Closed Session at 8:56 pm. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.
Kristine Gericke moved seconded by Donna Wandke to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 pm. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.
https://www.naperville203.org/cms/lib/IL01904881/Centricity/Domain/732/BOE%20Open%20Session%20Minutes%20September%208%202020.pdf
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