Good News
Principal Arwen Pokorny Lyp was not in attendance at the meeting, so Principal Bill Walsh from Hinsdale Central provided the board with the good news report for Hinsdale South. This report included the following:
- The names of the students from the mock trial team who were recognized at the state tournament.
- Details about the math team winning its regional tournament and taking first or second place in each individual event.
- The names of the students who qualified for the Business Professionals of America’s (BPA) national competition, which will take place in Dallas, Texas May 4-8.
- Information about the state champion speech team being honored by Darien Mayor Joe Marchese during the city council meeting on March 7.
- Details about the two boys basketball players who qualified for the IHSA Three-Point Showdown Finals.
- Details about the Deaf Academic Bowl team's performance in recent competitions.
Principal Walsh also provided the board with the good news report for Central. This report included the following:
- An announcement that the 2020-21 edition of Solstice, which is the school's art and literary magazine, earned a Gold Crown and several additional awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). A Crown Award is the highest recognition CSPA gives to a student print or digital medium for overall excellence.
- The names of the students who finished in the top three in their individual events at the regional competition for the Illinois Design Educators Association.
- A shoutout to the Scholastic Bowl team for winning its conference, regional and sectional championships and finishing in fourth place at state.
- Recent accomplishments by student-athletes, including Vincent Galassi being named to the Illinois High School Association's 2021-22 Honorable Mention Team for academics, and Eleanor Monyek being recognized by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association in conjunction with the selections for its 2022 All-State Teams.
- Details about the math team winning its regional tournament and taking first or second place in each individual event.
- The names of the students who qualified for the BPA's national competition, which will take place in Dallas, Texas May 4-8.
- The list of seniors who have been named finalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
- The names of the students from the speech team who earned top five finishes in their individual events at state.
- Information about Millan Whittier going undefeated (7-0) and taking first place at the state finals for chess.
- Details about the $250 prize that senior Mara Severts won in conjunction with the Alliance of Fine Art Student Scholarship Competition.
Following his report, which can be accessed by visiting
https://bit.ly/3NhDY8X, Principal Walsh introduced Sally Phillip, the school's activities director, and Dan Jones, the school's athletic director. Ms. Phillip and and Mr. Jones recognized the accomplishments of several of the teams and individual students featured in Principal Walsh's report, including the Scholastic Bowl team, members of Central's BPA organization, the speech team, Millan Whittier, Vincent Galassi and Eleanor Monyek.
Board - New Business
The board resumed the conversation that it started on March 10 about the process for determining future agenda items. At the end of its discussion, the board decided the following:
- Any agenda item proposed by a board member will be placed on the "parking lot."
- When agenda items are proposed, board members will share their initial thoughts or suggestions about the timing for discussing them.
- The board president and superintendent will review the items on the "parking lot" and determine when they will be brought back to the board for discussion.
Committee Reports
Members of the Finance Committee provided the board with a report from their
meeting on March 16. During this meeting, the committee:
- Received a presentation from First Student about a proposed revision to the district's regular and special education transportation contracts for fiscal year 2023. The revision, which was necessitated by the dynamic labor market and contract changes implemented by area schools, calls for a 7.83% cost increase for regular transportation and 5.8% cost increase for special education. These are on top of the already agreed upon 3% annual increase. After reviewing and discussing the proposed revision, the Finance Committee decided to recommend that the board approve it since inaction would threaten to disrupt transportation service for the 2022-23 school year.
- Reviewed an estimate from Quest Food Services about the potential financial impact of increasing the number of early release days from six to 30 next school year. The estimated net impact would be a reduction in revenue of $121,440 next year and in the years that followed.
- Discussed a recommendation to increase the athletic participation fee in order to offset the costs associated with the use of Honest Game and Hudl. The athletic directors from Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South provided the board with a memo about this recommendation, which was included in the materials for this meeting.
Members of the Policy Committee provided the board with a report from
their meeting on March 21. During this meeting, the committee:
- Reviewed proposed revisions to policies from Sections 5 (Personnel) and 6 (Instruction). These revisions were featured in the latest update from PRESS. Fourteen of the policies were presented to the board for a first reading during this meeting, while four of them were presented for approval as part of the consent agenda.
- Identified five policies that require additional review by the administration and/or legal counsel.
In addition to receiving the reports mentioned above, the board voted to release the draft minutes from these meetings as part of the consent agenda.
First Reading of Policies
The board conducted a first reading of the following policies:
The board will conduct a second reading and vote to approve these policies during its meeting on April 14.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda as amended. The consent agenda includes personnel, stipends, board bills and meeting minutes. Please visit
https://bit.ly/37UXszP to access the consent agenda items beginning under number nine.
Approve Staffing Recommendation for the 2022-23 School Year
The board approved the staffing recommendation for the 2022-23 school year, which will result in a districtwide increase of 1.8 FTE. The total FTE for next year will be 342.1.
Below is a breakdown of the FTE for next year by building/department. It includes whether the number is increasing, decreasing or remaining unchanged from the previous year.
- Central - 200.6 FTE (-1.7)
- South - 117.5 FTE (+2.9)
- Transition Center - 16.4 FTE (+1.2)
- HAVEN - 7.2 FTE (-0.6)
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing - 0.4 FTE (no change)
Dismissal of Probationary Teachers
The board approved resolution 22.08, which called for four probationary teachers not to be reemployed for the 2022-23 school year.
Dismissal of Part-Time Teachers
The board approved resolution 22.09, which called for five part-time teachers not to be reemployed for the 2022-23 school year
Award Bid 22-026 (Native Landscape Maintenance Services)
The board awarded Bid 22-026 (Native Landscape Maintenance Services) to Tallgrass Restoration, LLC for a total cost of $37,240 for three years. The company will be helping the district maintain the native ecological rain gardens at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South.
Approve Contract Extension with Alliant
The board approved a three-year contract extension with Alliant to continue assisting with the implementation and enhancement of the district's employee benefits programs. The extension will run from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025, and features an annual fee of $67,000.
Approve Amendments to the Contracts with First Student
The board approved amendments to the contracts that the district has with First Student to provide regular and special education transportation services. Per the information shared above, these amendments were reviewed by the Finance Committee prior to being presented to the board.
Approve Athletic Fee Increase
The board approved a $10 increase in the district's athletic fee for the 2022-23 school year. This increase, which will raise the fee to $125 next year, will help offset the costs associated with the use of Honest Game and Hudl. Honest Game is an on-demand academic compliance solution that helps educators ensure that districts and student-athletes comply with the requirements for college athletics. As for Hudl, it provides student-athletes with access to game film for viewing, scouting, and producing their own highlight tapes during and after their seasons.
Action Regarding a Complaint Against an Employee per Policy 2:260 (Uniform Grievance Procedure)
The board voted to direct the board president to issue a written decision stating that there was no violation of the law or board policy in conjunction with a complaint that was issued against a district employee in accordance with policy 2:260 (Uniform Grievance Procedure).
Board President's Report
Board President Terri Walker thanked Principal Walsh for sharing the good news reports for both high schools, and Sally Phillip for bringing students and staff to the meeting so that the board and community could celebrate their accomplishments.
Board President Walker addressed two issues involving her that have been raised by community members. She stated that her participation in the Finance Committee meeting on Nov. 29, 2021, was done in accordance with board policy and past practice. She also confirmed that while she was invited to attend a Zoom meeting organized by local faith leaders, she did not take part in it because she was at a work function that was scheduled for the same day and time.
Board President Walker concluded her report by calling upon the board members to work toward increasing trust and collaboration among the group.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Tammy Prentiss shared that the district recently held its 100th construction meeting, and thanked the people who have been leading the Future Ready Facilities work at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South.
Superintendent Prentiss also provided an update on the work of the following committees:
- Culture and Equity Leadership Team (CELT)
- Portrait of a Graduate
- Secondary Instructional Schedules
Culture and Equity Leadership Team (CELT)
- CELT is made up of students, teachers, parents/guardians and community members who are charged with providing direction, feedback, and accountability in order for the district to most authentically live its equity statement.
- State has launched the Equity Journey Continuum, which is an informational tool to help districts view their data through the lens of equity. Starting in the fall of 2022, the state report card will display the district’s step level in each of the three broad categories (student learning, learning conditions and elevating educators) on the continuum.
- Dr. Patrice Payne, the district's director of instructional equity, has been helping lead the work that is being done in the following areas:
- Flexible Learning Days
- Bite-sized PD
- Equity Self Assessment for Teachers
- Multi-tiered Systems of Support
- Building Equity Action Teams (BEAT) Reports
- Student Voice: Youth Equity Summit
- CELT Table Teams: D86 Equity Data; Individual Feedback on CELT; Progress of Current and Future Work
- Next CELT meeting is scheduled for May 17. Board presentation about CELT is scheduled to take place in June.
Portrait of a Graduate
- Charged with developing the profile of a District 86 graduate. This profile will feature the qualities and characteristics we want our students to possess when they leave our district. It will also guide the efforts we undertake to ensure that our students have the knowledge and skills they need to successfully pursue their ideal future.
- During its meeting on March 23, the committee:
- Reviewed the purpose of high school and value analysis notes from its meeting on Feb. 28.
- Reviewed the current strategic plan focus that is featured on the mission/vision/values page.
- Reviewed and discussed examples of what the group would like to see incorporated into the district's Portrait of a Graduate.
- Discussed the focus group meetings that are scheduled to take place in April.
- Focus group meetings in April.
- Committee meeting on May 18.
- Board presentation in June.
Secondary Instructional Schedules
- Charged with exploring different secondary instructional models and frameworks. Through its work, the committee is seeking to determine whether changes to schedules, practices, etc. can improve or enhance the way we deliver instruction, foster the professional growth and development of our faculty and staff, and support student learning.
- Next two meetings are March 25 and April 27.
- Presentation to the board scheduled to take place in June.
New Curriculum Materials for the 2022-23 School Year
The board discussed the four new texts that the district's instructional teams are recommending for use starting next school year. They include materials for algebra, biology and Latin.
Members of the general public will be able to view the proposed texts at the district's administration building during a 30-day review period that will begin on March 25. After this review period is over, the texts will be presented to the board for approval. That action is scheduled to take place on April 28.
Treasury and Financial Reports
Per its regular cadence of reporting, the administration provided the board with the financial and treasury reports for February 2022. You can access the financial reports by visiting
https://bit.ly/3tAADd1 and the treasury report by visiting
https://bit.ly/3NkcrDK.
FOIA Requests
The board received information about the FOIA requests that have been processed since its last regular action meeting. This information included the names or titles of the individuals and departments who helped respond to the requests, a summary of the records that were requested and who asked for them, and trend data about the number of requests that have been processed and the legal fees the district has incurred in responding to them.
Future Agenda Items
Below are the future agenda items that were requested by members of the board.
- A discussion about nutritional equity, particularly as it relates to the meals that are provided to students who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.
- Alternatives for student scheduling options. There was a request made to expedite the conversation in the hope that any solutions that are identified could potentially effect change for the next school year. The tentative plan is to discuss the topic during the board meeting on April 14. Member Waters will connect with Dr. Chris Covino prior to this meeting to talk about/determine the focus of conversation.
- Formation of a board academic committee that would also help lead the district's work on diversity, equity and inclusion. A discussion about this topic is scheduled to take place during the board meeting on April 28.
