001Who is it? >> All right. Good evening everybody. like to welcome everybody to the regular board of education meeting tonight, January 22nd, 2026. We're also streaming on the DPS 109 YouTube channel. >> Like to call the meeting to order at 700 p.m. Have approval to meet uh Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? >> So move. >> All in favor? >> I >> All right. First on the agenda, stronger together with 109. to um our musical staff to talk about what ILMEA is and then we'll honor the students who um received this award. >> Thank you. I'm Emily Dykum. I'm the band director at Shepard. Um so ILMEA stands for Illinois Music Educators Association and that um association divides up the state of Illinois into um nine districts and then within those districts
002um students from different schools prepare auditions and are then selected to participate in these district honors festivals for band choir and orchestra. >> I'm Amy Visello. I teach at Sheper, teach orchestra. I just wanted to add that if you think about uh this uh experience kind of like a sports team which you maybe have been a part of. I have not but I hear they're really cool. I know these students are part of them. Um there's like a certain amount of positions on a team. Same thing like a certain amount of saxopones in an ensemble, basses in an ensemble. So they only accept a certain amount of students. Um, and if there's uh um students who are especially um you know gifted, they're going to be accepted. Just like our our our track team might
003go to someone might go to sectionals, that kind of a thing. This is the equivalent um in music. >> Uh the audition process consists of some very difficult scales, etudes and song selections that the students will be performing both at regionals and then also on their own. Um the audition music is almost at a high school level, but our middle schoolers are working on this over the summer. We normally pass it out around May. They have the summer to work on it generally with their private instructors. Some of them do it without private instructors, but uh they work on that music and then in September they submit an audition video and then based on that audition video, they're selected for regionals and then also now this is a new thing this year where certain students
004were selected for state and we have one state um member this year. >> Okay. Anything else? I think that's about it from us. So that's a little bit about Alamier. >> So before we introduce our students, um we have a couple of clips, an orchestra clip and a band clip that occurred during the festival. And then just make sure we're in the right spot here. Well, while we're waiting for that, how long does it take to go from hot cross buns to that? >> Not not that long. >> Like really a couple years. And uh it's mostly up to the students put their minds to it and get it done. >> Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. Great piece of music, And can I ask sorry this is either for the teachers or eventually the students for those
005particular ensembles. How much time do they get to practice as a um group before that performance? >> So the students part of the audition process is learning some of the music that they're preparing for that. But it's only small chunks of music cuz they're at that time not sure if they're going to be accepted. So they're preparing small chunks of the music obviously maybe listening to the whole song and then during that day once they're accepted they're starting to practice a little bit more a little bit more vigorously in that certain song or uh selected songs that day I think they have about a 3hour rehearsal in the morning from like 8 to 11 a lunch break and then they have a concert so yeah they only have about 3 hours together most of the
006students don't know each other's names it's it's yeah >> that's why we say like music is the like a universal language so if if you've never met somebody you speak a different language language, you can play music and do this. We'll start with our two band students. Um, Colin Chorov, come on up. And Colin is our allstate band member. And if you hang out here, I want to get a picture of everyone when we're all done. And >> Tommy HEATH and our orchestra musicians, Olivia Jiangulations and Leo Rubenstein. And now our choir students. Millie Zoo, Molly Shriftman. Congratulations, Amelia Resnik. Jordan Reed, Jemma Gutter, and Ani Das Gupta. Congratulations. Um, I'm going to take a picture and then I'm sure the board may have a few questions for all of you. that way. >> You
007guys are so much taller than the kindergarteners. >> Kathy, do you want the staff? >> Staff in it. >> I remember when this were You don't need >> one, two, three. >> CONGRATULATIONS. Board members, do you have questions for musicians? >> Um, I do have one question for uh all of choir, orchestra, band. It sounds like based on what I heard that you have to almost decide in the spring that you're going to be preparing for this and then doing something in the next school year. So, what motivates you to take on a task like that so early? Anyone want to jump in and answer? There's a microphone at the podium for the bravest of those that want to answer. Oh, come on. >> I know. Leor will answer. Yeah, Leor. >> Um, it's like
008the honor of like completing the challenge and like going for like going for it and like you know going farther and going out of your comfort zone. I just think it's it's really impressive to commit to something so early on and stay with that commitment, especially at a younger age. It's just really impressive and speaks to your character. So, congratulations to all of you. >> Yeah, >> this this is more of a com this Oh, go ahead. I'll make a comment and then uh Ray's got a question. More of a comment than than a question for me. kids. I'm always incredibly impressed every time I go to a concert of any kind to watch the progression. It's one of my favorite moments of every year. These guys hear about it all the time. And uh
009my appreciation for the all of our teachers and this astonishing work that all of you do. Just really really proud and thank you for what you do. I I had a quick question. Did anybody pick up their in instrument um recently in middle school or have you all been playing since elementary? >> Oh, that's awesome. >> Major commitment. and some say and you're you're welcome to stay but you are not at all required to stay for the >> business of the board meeting. It gets very exciting from here. >> Oh, yeah. >> He just wants to spend more time with his mom. Let's be clear. >> Oh my god. >> You know, >> we have baking. >> Baking club is my favorite. >> I like when the kids from their ancestry class. >> I like
010that, too. We got to walk around. >> That was really good. And they were really >> I like they're like so confident. Like ridiculously confident. >> Different languages. >> You know, I remember the wax music. >> Is that that one? >> Thank you. Yeah, really. >> All right. So, next on our agenda is the superintendence report. >> Well, I'd like to thank uh uh Kathy Kajigen and Ryan Quo for underelling the superintendence report on me here. Like, man, feel free to leave. Nothing is happening after this and I got to follow that. So, the exciting moment of the day is, okay, we're we're going to have an e-learning day tomorrow. I've already been thanked for uh by some students, hey, I'm so happy to have a sleep in tomorrow. Others are, I just want to
011spend more time with my parents at home. And so, it's a great gift. Uh but the decision-m process behind a decision uh we coordinate with other local districts with the village uh o Olsson transportation that can factor into it as well. Can the buses run uh schools uh we also question our school's ability to maintain appropriate temperatures during the school day. It's worth noting that on Tuesday of this week, uh Monday over the weekend, we had a cold snap. Four of 26 of our uh heating VRF is a heating cooling unit uh failed uh when it got down to 5° and we had a whole section of one of our buildings where classrooms were at 58°. It's worth noting that those 58 degree classrooms were for the youngest kids that we have in that building
012and so little tiny fingers and hats and gloves and other things. Uh we had a failed water heater in one of our buildings. Um, one of the things that we try to do is where we can, we notify parents and staff ahead of time to bring their devices. Uh, kids should bring their devices home so that they can prepare. And it's also worth noting that uh 109, yes, it is a total buzzkill to not have a snow day, but what it means is that we don't have to make up a day in June. So, the trade-off there, not everybody loves having an e-learning day. But uh coming for an extra day, especially if it spills over into the following Monday of a successive week, is really not a desirable thing for any of our parents,
013staff, or our students. Those are probably the toughest days of the entire year. So, it uh obiates the need for that. It's worth noting that on these calls is a group of superintendents uh often called the uh the cowards club I think uh which is uh everybody gets together what are you doing and what are you doing and what are you doing because everybody wants to make a collective decision and uh we we are the only uh district represented on that call that says we don't think we can keep our buildings warm enough and this happened last year and and the current circumstance, that's where I thought we might be in making a call for tomorrow. As it turns out, the whole region essentially wound up making the same decision. But that's what goes into
014at least some of the factors that go into an e-learning day uh decision to not have school and have a e-learning experience for our kids. So, with that, I hope everybody enjoys their time with their kids. Uh for some it's a wonderful thing and for others it's like I work from home and this is really really tough on me. So I think one of our parents is a baker and uh anything but having kids all over the house is what she needs to run her business. So tough thing. Thank you. >> All right. Next on the agenda is the first opportunity. Community participation. District 109 has two opportunities for public comment where many organizations offer one opportunity. Our policy stems from the community's long-standing commitment to public discourse and representation. We take all public comment
015very seriously. And while public comment isn't a back and forth, but instead an opportunity for the board to listen, please know that we listen carefully. Our first period of community participation is solely for items related to the meeting's agenda. And the second period of community participation near the end of the meeting is open for all matters. If you wish to comment, please fill out a community participation form located on the podium and hand it to Rebecca Rudd. Um, we will call you up one at a time to this podium to speak. Please limit the length of all comments to no more than 3 minutes. There any comments on this first section? Okay. Is it on the agenda topics or >> Okay, you can fill it out after if you want to make your comments. Yeah.
016Yeah. No worries. >> Those weren't the directions. >> Yeah, I know. Yeah, when it's just one of you. It's like that's easier. Yeah, >> understood. >> Good evening, members of the board, and thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Ryan Keysbury, and I'm a proud parent of two Walden Elementary students. I'm here to express my interest in volunteering for the referendum task force responsible for facilities improvements. Professionally, I work as a facility manager for a structural engineering and architecture firm headquartered in Northbrook. I hold certifications as a certified facility manager, certified energy manager, and sustainability facility professional through international facility manage association and association of energy engineers. Additionally, I volunteer on the US technical advisory group that collaborates with 52 other countries to develop global facility management standards. With this background, I
017believe I can help D109 establish a leading community- centered approach to facility management within education. Across the country, most schools keep facility management embedded within educational administration, but the profession has evolved far beyond the custodial oversight of our childhood experiences. But the prof today's facility management professionals are responsible for a complex portfolio of safety critical and technical functions including emergency preparedness, security and physical access, energy management, sustainability initiatives, health and safety compliance. I also brought an article written by another facility professional that outlines additional responsibilities and I'd be happy to share it with you. All this work must be done while minimizing disruptions to teaching and learning. So students, educators can focus on instruction and not the infrastructure. Currently these responsibilities fall under finance and operations with Dr. Phil Phillippy. His educational exper expertise is
018invaluable for aligning operations with D 109's mission. However, modern facilities management requires specialized technical and operational expertise that extends beyond traditional administrative experience. To better serve our students and taxpayers, I propose that D109 consider funding the facilities management directly from the taxpayer dollars and establish leadership that is independent of current administration. The Department of Energy adopted a similar model with Fermy Lab a few years ago by shifting funding directly to the facility department. Direct funding improves accountability and long-term planning. It also allows educators and administrators to focus fully on student learning. Earlier this year, I submitted a foyer request for the district's energy benchmarking information and was informed that no responsive records exist. Benchmarking is fundamental to sustainability and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. I have experience with implementing these practices and would be happy
019to support the district in building this capability. I would be honored to volunteer my skills and experience on the referendum task force with a significant re resources invested in our children's learning environment. We have an opportunity to elevate D109's facilities to a professional standard that truly benefits our students, staff, and community. Thank you for your time. I welcome any questions. >> Perfect timing. That's right there. Hit it on the dot. Thanks, Ryan. Appreciate it. >> Thank you for your comment. >> All right. Next on the agenda,formational items. Uh so 6.1 redefine 109. So, um we have started our tour of information sessions um with a couple of small groupoup sessions and earlier this week our first communitywide session at Walden um where we gave a tour and presented information and answered all questions. Um, we
020heard feedback that people felt that it was valuable information. Um, and we are encouraging um, all of our community members to find one of these sessions. Our upcoming sessions are we have one Saturday that's designed for early learners and other preschool families at South Park, though anyone is welcome to attend. Um, and Tuesday at South Park. Thursday, we have a virtual session. People can find the registration link on our website. Um, and Thursday at Wilmont, we are we want voters and we want informed voters. So, we are going to do our job to make that happen. >> Any comments? I just really compliment and thank Kathy and John for all your work at these sessions. I attended um the I think was it Tuesday? What day is it? The the day I was like what's
021it the PTO Tuesday and the Walden and just you know it's just really impressive to see you guys just know your stuff and so thanks for your time. >> How well was that attended? Was was there a crowd or >> um we had about 25 people at Walden? >> I want to say Kelly and I were at the PTO the PTO meeting. They had really good questions like really good questions just not about um you know student learning but teacher um input. So it was really nice like they're really looking at it um through a very wide lens. So I really appreciate their their input. I would just add one thing from the Walden. It was from before um the the December vote to now having Stephanie there, the principal, I thought was fantastic. It
022really shed a light on the impact on learning, not just the impact on the infrastructure. So, I think that's going to be really helpful for folks to see as that continues. Okay. All right. Next, the agenda is freedom of information requests. >> Yeah, there's seven in your packet this month. Happy to answer any questions. Any questions on the quiz? All right. Uh, policy first reading. Dale, do I need to read all these? >> Do I need I need to read the numbers? >> I'm going to default to Becky on that. >> Yeah. Here we go. Buckle in. Um policy first reading 2 col 120 250 270 3 col 10 350 360 4 col 10 430 4 4 col 80 4 110 41 140 41 150 4 160 41 170 41 190 5 10 5 20
02359 5 100 51 120 5 Actually it says semicolon here but it's a colon 185 51 90 520 52 220 5280 and 5 col 300. Dale, >> first the semicolons on me. Sorry about that, Becky. >> It could have been me. >> Um policy committee met um in December and obviously reviewed a significantly high number of press recommendations for policy changes. We pondered over the suggestions press offered and what you're seeing is the suggestions of those implications from press in comparison to our DPS 109 policies. I'll entertain any questions you have. >> I just actually have a that's really odd. I have a process question. When press gives you the recommendations and then you go to the policy committee, do you ever not bring forward to the full board for a read a press recommendation?
024The does the policy committee ever look at recommendations from press and say we don't need that or we declined or has everything come through? >> No, because even if we declined it, we would say this is not something that the board should be interested in pursuing as a committee. It's still the board's decision if they want to or not. >> Understood. >> That has happened years ago. >> I think most of the edits on the on the >> are um regarding references. >> Totally got it. Some of it's just >> so most of the red lines are oh adding this new reference and this new >> Yeah. No, I was just curious like overall process do you guys ever just go oh yeah we don't need that one but everything comes through even if the
025recommendation is to not adopt >> they bring it to us but right we see we see all the press and all it redlined with anything that's new anything that press is eliminated and then we make a decision to include it which we usually do or not which is very rare. >> Totally. Um the only thing that we tend to not include is if they put something that's just related to high school you referenced that we don't bring that that does not end up in our even >> like driver's ed. >> Yeah. Or graduation requirements or something like that. That doesn't make it in our uh the stuff that you guys are seeing. >> Thank you. >> Other questions? >> It'll come back next month for approval. Thank you. >> All right. Next on the agenda
026is proposed 2026 27 regular board of education meeting dates. Stale or is this Mike? I guess. >> Yes, we have a recommended set of regular board of education meeting dates. Happy to take any feedback that the board has on those dates. >> Any feedback on the dates? No, just appreciate you moving up um the spring break one by a week uh to accommodate the families that might be gone. >> All right, next action items. Consent agenda 7.1.1 Approval of meeting minutes. Policy 2220 7.1.2 personnel 7.1.2.1 2.1 Resignations and Retirements Policy 5210 7.1.2.2 Leaves of Absence Policy 5:250 7.1.2.3 Employment of Certified Staff Policy 2 520 7.1.2.4 Employment of Educational Support Staff Policy 5280 7.1.2.5 2.5 employment at will staff policy 5 col2 270 7.1.3 bills for payment policy 480 and 7.1.4 for destruction of closed
027session audio policy 2 col 220. State law requires closed session meetings to be recorded and audio to be kept for 18 months after which with board approval it can be destroyed. Recommended for destruction are close session audio recordings from May 18th 2023 May 25th 2023 June 15th 2023 September 21st 2023 October 26 2023 January 18th 2024 and June 13 2024 policy 2220. You may have a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Bonner. >> Hi. >> Dr. Dornfeld. >> Hi. >> Miss Jakamu. >> Hi. >> Miss Joyce. >> Hi. >> Mr. Mirab. >> Hi. >> Mr. Abraham. >> Hi. >> And President Qu. >> Hi. >> Motion carries. >> All right. 7.2 treasures report. May I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >>
028Sorry. Right. Got it. >> I think we have a second. >> Second. >> This is what happens. Second. Don't multitask. >> Roll call, please. >> Dr. Dornfeld. >> Hi, >> Miss Jakamu. >> Hi, >> Miss Joyce. Hi, >> Mr. Mera. >> Hi, >> Mr. Abraham. >> I >> Miss Bonner. >> I >> and President Qu. >> I. >> Motion carries. >> All right. 7.3. Approval of school board school boundary designation Benpoint Development. We have a motion to approve. >> So, move. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Jackmu. >> I. >> Miss Joyce. >> Hi. >> Mr. Mura. >> Hi. >> Mr. Abraham. >> Hi. >> Miss Bonner. >> Hi. >> Dr. Dornfeld. Hi. >> And President. >> Hi. >> Motion carries. >> All right. 7.4. Board of Education triple eye expense approvals. May
029I have a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Joyce. >> I. >> Mr. Murv. >> Hi. >> Mr. Abraham. >> Hi. >> Miss Bonner. >> I. >> Dr. Dornfeld. Hi. >> Miss Jakamu. >> Hi. >> And President Quell. >> Hi. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Committee reports. >> Um yeah, we just had a policy meeting right before this meeting. um Dale did an amazing job at um changing the format of the meeting in terms of we got to look at what press um had for us and incorporate that into our current DPS policy and then see any differences which made it run super smoothly um and we'll bring that to the board soon in terms of the first reading for that one in a little bit.
030>> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Do you want to do EDC R? >> No, you can go ahead. >> Okay. Um EDC met this evening. Do you have anything to glean on that? >> No, I mean other than we're going to have a close session meeting in February as a board to discuss it was a close session um topic. So, I'll leave it at that. >> Yep. Um and then uh Mike, I I believe I get to bestow the honor on you to give the True North update because I am I am retired adjacent retired. Uh, we had how what was your shortest meeting that you ever? >> Um, the last one I think might have been 28 minutes. >> Oh, you're just rubbing it in now. >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah. What's What was a
031typical one? >> Uh, we've had Well, typical I would say hour and a half to two hours would be typical. >> That's not not as much as I thought. >> We've had others that got a little longer, but average about hour and a half, two hours. >> So, we had a 47 minute through north meeting >> uh held during the school day. a large majority of the superintendents who now make up the executive committee. Uh they um met appointed a president uh vice president number of other uh officers. uh ongoing questions and decisions to be made in upcoming meetings by the governing body, which is elected school board members uh passing twice yearly certain things that only a governing body uh can can pass. Uh questions about uh how many of the staff are going
032to be rifted. That's those are layoffs in uh school terminology. There's a large number, a very large number between 40 and 50% of the current True North staff will be rifted in the coming year. Those decisions are uh forthcoming. That's certainly the the most significant lift ahead for the co-op and we are going to have a monthly meeting of the superintendent for the foreseeable future. It's a lot of work being done in the background uh for in preparation. Uh the the uh the the two interim superintendent, Jim and Jimmy, have agreed to stay on for another year, which is a very very good thing. They're level-headed, uh bright, uh very experienced, and are steady hands at the uh at the helm, which is a a is a great help. and um I'll let you know
033more next month. >> Yeah. And I think the other thing aside from the staffing pattern was um I know that they're working on the financial model >> that will be forthcoming or or edits to the financial model they proposed to date. So that's the other thing to stay tuned on. >> Any others? All right. Next on our agenda is their second opportunity for open community participation. And the second period of community participation is open for all matters. Again, if you wish to comment, please fill out a form and hand it to Rebecca Rudd. And if you want to talk, then you can fill out afterwards. All right. Seeing none, next on the agenda is board superintendent other. >> Anybody got anything? >> Just 10 seconds for um all the parents and for the staff. I
034Oh, don't you dare tie me. Um I know tomorrow is not ideal for many people. Um, so I just appreciate, you know, I one of my best friends is a teacher at Kipling and I just appreciate everyone's patience and time. I know particularly she's a mom of four, so she's going to have four kids e-learning plus she's teaching from home. So just massive credit to everyone who's going to be super flexible and patient and gracious tomorrow. So thank you. >> Anybody else? >> Mike, I have a question. What happens if somebody's having um network issues at home and they're online? I mean, are there some exceptions with students if they have connection issues? >> Yeah, those things happen. Uh if it comes up, uh there's uh there are some things that uh they might be
035able to do through whether through net 56 or restarting a a unit or what have you. But uh the fact of the matter is is you do the best you can. Everybody does the best they can. and if it doesn't work, it doesn't work and then we'll work on it next time. >> Thank you for including two contacts in the case or event that does happen going out to families, one with net 56 and one in the district. I think, >> you know, because it will probably happen to us and that's okay. But we have a name and we have a number and that's really valuable. So for families that uh made it through CO, this is a familiar sometimes uh >> traumatic experience. Yeah. >> PTSD. >> Uh for parents that never had that
036uh if you have a kindergartener, for example, or first grader, it's a whole new world going through that for the first time. So nobody expects it to be perfect. Keep expectations reasonable and you'll be okay. All right. So, I got a couple. Um, first, I'd like to thank Mitch and Dale for the new process on the policy. That was phenomenal. 45 minutes on a policy committee might be a record, right? So, >> nice job on that. Um, I do have a question of the day. It's Kelly asking what the process of policy reviews are, even though she had the opportunity to stay here and actually sit through a policy committee and understand. >> I would like to clarify that. That is accurate. I could have stayed. >> So, >> and I went home and fed
037the dogs. >> So, I'll give her the question of the day there. >> All right. And then last, thanks to to Kathy and John for continuing the information sessions. I know that's extra time out of your guys' nights to take care of in weekends. So, thank you guys for the extra time and work. All right. Next on the agenda is our close session um to discuss the po the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired 5 LCS120/2c5 in litigation when an action against affecting or on behalf of the particular bo public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal or when the public body finds that an action is
038probable or imminent in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded. recorded and entered into the minutes of closed meeting by ILCS120/2C11. May I have a motion to adjourn to close session? So moved. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Mir, >> I. >> Mr. Abraham, >> I. >> Miss Bonner, >> I. >> Dr. Dornfeld. >> Hi. >> Mr. Jakamu. >> Hi. >> Miss Joyce. >> Hi. >> And President Quo. >> I. >> Motion carries at 7:35 and the board will um reconvene to open session for the sole purpose of adjournment. >> Thank you.