001Yeah, right. >> I would like to call the January 28, regular board meeting of the Fenton Community High School District 100 board to order. >> May I have a roll call? >> Good. >> Yes. >> Mullo. >> Miller >> here. >> Lewis >> here. >> Rosinski >> here. >> Figuroa >> here. We have a court. Please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Sam, please read our Fenton mission, beliefs, and bison way statements. Absolutely. Penton mission statement cultivate successful, passionate, empowered learners through rigor, relevance and relationships. Penton belief statement. Successful, passionate, empowered learners thrive when we provide a safe, caring, and welcoming
002environment. Diversity, equity, and inclusion unify our community. School and home collaborate as one. We champion innovative teaching and engage learning with state-of-the-art facilities. We infuse social emotional learning into academics and culture. We prepare students to fulfill their civic responsibility. We immerse students in authentic life experiences. The Bison Way students and adults at Fenton High School create a safe, caring, empathetic environment where we believe in each other, respect diversity, communicate openly, grow together, and hold each other to high expectations to become the leaders and innovators of the future. Our next item is the approval of Dr. Nikita Johnson to fulfill VA the vacant board seat. May I have a motion that the board of education approves the appointment of Dr. Nikita Johnson as a new school board member for Fenton Community High School District 100 to
003fulfill the vacant board seat. I'll make that motion. I'll second. Roll call. >> Rzinski, >> yes. >> Figarov, >> yes. >> Miller, >> yes. >> Good. >> Yes. >> Lewis, >> yes. Motion passed. I'd like to say congratulations, Dr. Johnson. Please come to your come come to take your seat and the oath of oath of office. We will now have our new board member, Dr. Nikita Johnson, take the oath of office and seat her in her new position. I think I think you need to stand. So >> stand. >> Okay. Will it pick up? >> Yeah. Can it pick up? >> Um, good evening everyone. I, Dr. Nikita Johnson, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of member of the board of education of Fenton Community High School, District
004100, in accordance with the Constitution of the United States. the Constitution of the State of Illinois and the laws of the state of Illinois to the best of my ability. I further swear that I shall respect taxpayer interest by serving as a faithful protector of the school district's assets. I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek a hearing before the board while respecting the privacy of students and employees. I shall recognize that a board member has no legal authority as an individual and that decisions can be made only by a majority vote at a public board meeting. I shall abide by majority decisions of the board while retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions through ethical and constructive channels. As part of
005the board of education, I shall accept the responsibility for my role in the equitable and quality education of every student in the school district. I shall foster with the board extensive participation of the community, formulate goals, define outcomes, and set the course for Fenton Community High School District 100. I shall assist in establishing a structure and an environment designed to ensure all students have the opportunity to attain their maximum potential through a sound organizational framework. I shall strive to ensure continuous assessment of student achievement and all conditions affecting the education of our children and compliance with state law. I shall serve as education's key advocate on behalf of students in our community school to advance the vision for Fenton Community High School District 100. And I shall strive to work together with the district superintendent
006to lead the school forward towards fulfilling the vision the board has created, fostering excellence for every student in the area of academic skills, knowledge, citizenship, and personal development. Congratulations, Dr. Johnson, and welcome to Finn Board of Education. >> Welcome. >> Our next item is recognitions, Kate. >> All right. Student recognitions are always music to your ears, but tonight it is literally that. So, we're excited about this. >> I'd like to call up Ezrael Lukeman, John, and Faith Where's Yiona to start. All of tonight's recognitions come from the Illinois Music Education Association, more commonly known as ILMEA. First, let's start with the musicians who will be leaving here moments after we are done to go to Peoria for the All State Festival. So, we'll start with Ezra. Ezra was selected as a chist for ILMA Allstate
007Honors Orchestra. Two facts. First, we do not have an orchestra at Fenton. Ezra participates in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and chose to audition when he found out that students are still eligible even if their school does not offer that program. So, he did all of that on his own. Secondly, he was selected to the Honors Orchestra, which is the highest and most prestigious ensemble in Illinois. So, let's give HIM A HAND. NEXT, JOHN. HE WAS selected as uh bass one for the ILMA Allstate Honors Choir. So, yes, another Fenton musician selected for the highest, most prestigious ensemble. But this isn't new for him. It's his second consecutive year of being an all-state honors musician. John is fully invested in learning music. He participates in swing choir, concert choir, and he's performed in the solo
008and ensemble contest. and he's been featured in Spaghetti with a song fundraiser. Outside of Fenton, he also participates in the Merritt School of Music, which is a nationally accredited music school and nonprofit organization located in Chicago. Both Ezra and John recorded their auditions earlier this year and were selected for the ILMEA District 1 Festival in November. District 1 covers most of the Chicagoland area, so it's pretty great a huge accomplishment in and of itself. So, let's give them another hand. AND THEN LET'S TALK a little bit about Faith. Faith was selected to represent Fenton in the future music educator seminar and she will participate in educational sessions at the all state convention. Similarly, she was also selected based on a video application. Faith participates in swing choir, concert choir, the spring musical, and spaghetti with
009a song. In addition to her musical talents, Faith also shows incredible kindness and empathy while working with our students with special needs in the high high- five choir. So, we're extremely pr proud of all three of these. I'm going to turn it over to Miss Sarah Williams um to tell us a little bit more. Come on. We all get to be up close and personal. Okay. You've heard a lot about the work that these students put in and all of the things that they've done. Did I lose all three? There they are. Um to get these accomplishments. When I was thinking about what else I could say, um I focused on the mission statement that we start these meetings with. These students 100% exemplify the mission of Fenton High School by demonstrating rigor, relevance, and
010relationships in action. Their commitment to musical excellence shows academic and artistic rigor, while their selections to the statewide honor and professional learning experiences make their education deeply relevant beyond the classroom. Through collaboration with peers, educators from across the state, they build meaningful relationships that strengthen both their musicianship and personal growth. John, Faith, and Ezra are successful, passionate, and empowered musicians who embody enthusiasm for learning, respect for others, and the confidence to challenge themselves at the highest level. We are incredibly proud of how hard they have worked to get here and how they represent Fenton High School and inspire our community throughout their hard work and dedication. Thank you. Well done. Congratulations. Would any of you like to say anything? No pressure, buddy. >> Yep. One second, please. Okay. Good evening everyone. Um, I would just
011like to thank all of you for being here. Um, first of all, I'd like to say it's an honor to be able to represent Fenton High School at Alamia for the second year in a row. Um, I want to thank my parents and all for supporting me. Um, to Mrs. Williams for making this possible for our school and my choir mates for motivating me the whole way. I want to give a huge shout out to the teachers and students at the Mayor School of Music for their enormous support and helping me grow musically. I'm very excited to go back to Peoria and have this experience once again. Thank you. >> Hi, I'm unprepared here, but I would love to thank Miss Williams. Um, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be doing. So, a round
012of applause for her. I would like to thank my father over there recording with the phone. Um my parents have been a big part of my uh of my music journey ever since I was 4 years old. So um you know all that support has uh ended me up here. So thank you to my parents. Um I'm also honored to be in front of the uh the board of education today. So I want to thank you guys for the opportunity to be here. and um you know thank you for the evening. Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Great. Um so now we're going to move on to the Tri Music Honor Society. So we have >> pictures as a group. >> Uh yeah. How do we want to do that? >> Okay. So sorry.
013We'll do a picture first. Well, sorry. We'll do a picture first. They come in here. >> Or did you really? Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Not many people say they're excited to go to Poria. Very happy. >> I say it there. >> I have said that right up front. Absolutely. No, you can't come down. >> There we go. >> Hold your certificates. Yep. >> Zoom in. Come on. Have a couple. Okay. >> Congratulations. >> Great job. Thank you. >> Great job. >> Thank you. Stay with it. >> Okay, great. And now we'll bring up the Triump Music Honor Society. So, we have a big group here. So come on up guys. >> Okay. As they're coming up, I'll tell you a little bit about them. In late December, Fenton's Tri Music Honor Society, chapter 6807,
014and faculty adviser, Miss Sar Williams, were selected as recipients of the 2026 ILMEA outstanding service award. The Outstanding Service Award is given to the Illinois Music Honor Society chapters in recognition of outstanding and outgoing service to their school community. The award is not given every year, but instead only when exemplary nominations are received. The Fenton High School Tri Music Honor Society, chapter 6807, was established in the fall of 2013. A Fenton High School Tri Music Honor Society student is dedicated and accomplished musician recognized for excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Triumph members actively participate in the curricular music ensembles throughout their high school years and maintain strong academic performance earning a minimum of 3.0 GPA in both music courses and their overall academics. Service is also a key part of Trium membership. Members give
015back to their school and community through leadership, tutoring other students, organizing music resources, assisting with concerts, participating in service, and completing independent community service tied to music. Above all, Triumph students model outstanding character. They maintain perfect attendance at performances and consistently demonstrate responsibility, honesty, respect, reliability, punctuality, and strong citizenship. A Triumph music student is not only a skilled performer, but also a role model and an advocate for music education who positively impacts their music program, school, and community. Miss Sarity Williams uh serves as a faculty adviser for the Triumph Music Honor Society and has been our choir teacher since 2007. She is passionate about music education. She values the rigor created within the music programs at Fenton and she's an exceptional an exceptional building at building strong relationships with her students as they progress towards
016their goals. So once again, we'll turn it over to Miss Williams. I am a proud alum of the Tri Music Honor Society when I was in high school, a lifetime member. Um, and I saw firsthand as a student how it could bring um awareness and advocacy. And so I was so excited when we were able to start a chapter here at Fenton. Being part of TRIM andor the Illinois Music Honor Society empowers these students to grow as musicians, leaders, and individuals. Through being in Triumph here at Fenton, these students are challenged to pursue excellence with rigor in both their academics, as you heard, and their music ensembles. They apply their learning to relevant real world ways through service and advocacy. These are the leaders of the music department. These are the leaders of the building.
017Just as importantly, Triumph fosters strong relationships. These students collaborate with their peers, teachers, and communities through these this purpose and collaboration. As you've heard, Triumph students take ownership of their learning by leading projects, serving others, and advocating for music education. They develop the confidence and responsibility through problemsolving skills while demonstrating respect, integrity, and commitment. These experiences help these students become passionate, independent thinkers who understand the impact they can make beyond the classroom. This award celebrates not only students but our past members who excel m not only musically but also embody the mission of Fenton High School using their talents to lead learn serve and positively influence their school and community. I'm so proud of these students and proud to be their adviser. Um hello my name is Esena Artega and I am the vice president
018of Triumph. Uh Triumph has given us the opportunity to grow and develop skills like leadership and organization through the love we have for music. So we wanted to thank Miss Williams for making this all happen and guiding us through our journey. >> This one I think we'll ask you guys. >> No, we'll come there. Absolutely. >> We're going to have to squeeze in a little bit. >> Yeah. Where you want? >> Here we go. All right. >> The parents back there. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Thanks everybody. I took the wrong Cameron, do we Cameron, do we have any public comments tonight? >> No, we do not. Our next item isformational, Sam. >> All right. >> Okay. So, we do have some exciting updates
019here tonight, and we're going to kick it off with an outstanding future freshman night recap. So, Kate's going to walk us through that. >> All right. On uh uh Thursday, January 15th, we welcome the class of 2030, which is hard to believe, 2030, right? Um so, we had our future freshman night. Uh it was a great night. We had approximately 160 families. That's our best guess. So that's about 2/3 of the incoming freshman class that participated. Um the place was hopping. We've really been working hard on these events to make them welcoming and very familyfriendly. Um so we kicked off the night in the front gym with a principal welcome. We also showcased um our dance course, cheer, swing choir, and drum line so that the students could get excited about um different clubs and
020activities that they could join. We had an electives fair so that students could talk to the different teachers that of the freshman electives that they can take. They could also take a tour of the building. So our link crew leaders led families around the building and told them a little bit about what it was like to be at Fenton. But then they could also see the spaces um like the autos lab or the STEM wing and get to know the building a little bit more. And then we ended the night with an uh activities and athletics fair with all of our coaches and sponsors. Kids can sign up for things they were interested in to get more information and just get excited. Uh we added additions where parents could buy spiritware which was exciting. They
021loved that. Uh Padre's Unitos uh they did a fundraiser where they were making chicken and waffles so people were getting snacks. Um and it was really just a lovely evening. So um we continue to get better and better each year. I included in your packet our booklet. Um a lot of thanks goes out to Julia Bray, our assistant principal. This is something that she's worked hard on. So, uh, we keep updating this every year, but we really want something that parents can look at quickly and get all the information that they need, um, or at least know to where to go. A couple things we're really proud of, um, that we added in is the frequently asked questions. So, those were things that our counselors um, often get or that the kids, the link crew
022leaders have reported in past years that the kids are asking them. Um, and then you'll also notice we put in bison lingo. So, just some things that parents were like, "What is ho, right? What's at homecoming?" Um, or what's minga? like the pass system. So, we have some of those things in there. So, again, we're just thinking of little things every year to add in. So, um it was a great night. Uh we're really excited about it. Um our counselors have been over working at both Wooddale and um Blackhawk getting kids all registered and picking out their classes. So, it was a great night. Our next update is about statewide testing. And again, this is something for those of you that were here last year, we're really excited. Um last year we really went out
023on a limb and we have had to look for creative solutions for access testing. So just as a reminder, access testing is a test required by the state of all of our multilingual students. So anyone who's rel receiving English language services are required by the state to take this test and it's a really rigorous tough test. Um the thing is that the state requires it but unlike things like ACT testing, they don't give you like here's one day that you can do it. You kind of have to figure it out on your own. And as our number of multilingual students has continued to grow, we have grappled with how do we give them the best testing environment. So last year, if you remember, um we we ventured out and did something called future ready fentin
024day. And it was such a success, we're going to replicate it again this year. So what that's going to look like is it's going to be next Thursday, February 5th. All of our EL students will be here taking the access test. And what that allows us to do is to put them in smaller testing environments with teachers who can give them more support. not on the test, but as far as um when they do the speaking test, they can help them make sure that they have a good environment for that. Um and it's a day that they can just focus on that. They're not getting pulled out of classes or, you know, anything like that. It's a day for them to focus. So, what do we do with the other students? We take great advantage
025of that. So, students who are juniors not taking the access test, we have enough room that they'll take the pre-ACT. So, practicing for the ACT that they will take in April, they will get the scores back ahead of time. And so that's a really good prep for them. Our sophomores who are taking the access test, they will go on career visits. So based on what they've put into school links, what their career interests are, they will be going to various secondary um uh places of education and they will be learning about careers of interest. And then our freshmen, they will be going on college visits. So every freshman who's not taking uh the the access test will be going to a college visit, which is great. in small groups of about 20 to 30. So
026different colleges in the area, colleges and universities. So the question is then what about the kids taking the access test? We make sure that the students taking the access test also get access to all of these different things. So if they are juniors, they will be able to take the preac. We will make sure that happens for them. Our freshmen um have already gone on the college visit the our multilingual students. So that's already taken care of. And then after this day, our sophomores who take the access test will still get to go to a career visit. So that's a way that we make sure that we bring equity, that the kids are getting the best testing environment, and then they also get to take care uh part in all of these different things. So
027this was something it is pretty groundbreaking. We've shared this with other schools and schools are trying to emulate what I did. It's what we've done here. It's really hard to pull off. It takes a lot of planning, our division leaders, our assistant principles, our teachers, all hands on deck for this, but we know that this is what's best for our kids. So, we're excited to try it again. >> That's cool. >> Um, and then just the update on statewide testing for you. Um, this is the regular every year statewide testing. We have transitioned, the whole state has transitioned to the ACT. So, at Fenton, we will give uh the ACT to our juniors on April 14th and then on April 15th, our freshman will come in. They'll take the preac and the sophomores will take
028the pre-ACT secure. So, that's what that'll look like. And on both of those days, uh, the future Fenton Ready Day and this day, seniors have the day off, um, that they're able to finish up requirements. A lot of them do community service if they still need things like that, constitution test, anything that they need to finish up. >> Great. Thank you. All right, it's that time of year where we take a look at the school calendar for next school year. Now, I know you can't read the one there. However, you can read the one in your packet if you'd like to to take a look. So, it's pretty similar to past years with a few uh highlights that I I'm going to take a look at here. First, you could see the start date for
029students is August 19th. We were in uh collaboration with our sender districts 2 and seven, of course, and that is consistent with their first day with students. So I can say it's been a few years since we've been able to coordinate that together, but we're able to do that and I think that helps families out immensely where it's predictable their kids are going at the same time. Uh that leaves our institute days then on August the 17th and August the 18th uh involving our faculty and staff. One change from uh the past is we're actually looking at having the whole week of Thanksgiving as no student attendance. So that week will be off. That is consistent again with the sender districts and we've noticed over the last few years especially attendance on those Mondays and
030Tuesdays is not particularly good and uh question of you know when you don't have that many kids there it kind of hurts the instructional uh feel for everything. So we uh think that it's in our best interest is to take that all that whole week off and we'll try that out next year. We've had real good collaboration with FEA uh as far as the school calendar. Had a couple meetings with them. They brought forth good ideas and were able to help us put the calendar together. So, that's been good. Also, next year, you'll uh may or may not remember, but it is election day, which is November the 3rd, the first Tuesday in November. And we are also taking the day uh off before that cuz that was another poor attendance day when you just
031have a random Tuesday off. Uh sometimes it turns into Monday Tuesday off. So rather than to fight that, we're just going to include that day also. And then finally, what does that all mean? Well, since there's more days off during the school year, it means you're going to go past Memorial Day. We're doing that this year because of the uh late later start of the year due to construction. So, we're I think we're kind of getting used to that and that Memorial Day isn't like a hard date anymore like you have to be done by then. So, our last uh day with exams, the last day of student attendance would be June 3rd. So, this is just a draft. I wanted to show it to the board. You can think about it, digest it, and
032next month is when we would have the calendar up for approval. Any questions? Okay, next we all been waiting for is the FOYA update. Jose, long awaited. Thank you, Dr. Benson. Um, so all these have been resolved. Um, the Lake County Gazette uh requested copies of all active full-time aid contracts and collective bargaining agreements. They also asked for copies of all vendor contracts over $1,000 for their current fiscal year. Uh, CT Mills requested uh dollar thresholds requiring approval by the school administration central office staff department leadership, superintendent, and board of education. And then lastly, uh, Illinois retired teachers association requested the list of uh, certified teachers retiring in the 2526 school year. And there is no other tonight. >> What about the uh the face? What about the face? The red wall. Just do that
033separate. >> The next item is consent agenda. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented? >> I'll take the motion. >> Second. Roll call. >> Johnson. >> Abstain. >> Rosinski. >> Yes. >> Figureroa. >> Yes. >> Miller. >> Yes. >> Makulla. >> Goodri >> abstain. >> Lewis. >> Yes. Motion pass. Our next item is resolution of the John Kino and Company Incorporated litigation. May I have a motion that the board of education approve the resolution of John Kino and Company Incorporated litigation as presented? >> I'll make the motion. >> I'll second. >> Any discussion? >> I do have a question. Um in the earlier meeting the I wanted to get clarity on the amount where it said fencing no cost. Is that no additional cost or was the cost already baked
034into um the two vendors that we already paid them? >> Am I making sense? >> Great. Yeah, you are. Great question. So since this was litigation, a resolution agreement was drawn up as far as what was going to be the cost for the replacement of the rocks. So in that sort of settlement agreement, we didn't have to pay anything extra for that. So we didn't there was no cost to us when we sign off on this agreement here in in a in a little bit. There was cost for the project prior, but this is just the cost to sort of settle the litigation. >> Thank you. >> Y >> roll call. >> Miller, >> yes. >> Figuro, >> yes. >> Redinski, >> yes. >> Good. >> Yes. >> Johnson, >> abs. >> Lewis, >> yes.
035Motion pass. May I have a motion that the board of education approve the advertising agreement with power ad company as presented? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any discussion. >> Roll call. >> Good. >> Yes. >> Miller. >> Yes. Rodinsky, >> yes. >> Figuroa, >> yes. >> Johnson, >> Lewis, >> yes. Motion passed. May I have a motion that the board of education approves the financial agreement with Dr. Robert Gy of Illuminate Incorporated as presented? >> So move. Any discussion? Roll call. >> Miller, >> yes. >> Ridzinski, >> yes. >> Figureroa, >> yes. >> Johnson, >> absanging. >> Good. >> Yes. >> Lewis, >> yes. Motion passed. May I have a motion that the board of education approve the school maintenance project grant application for fiscal year 2026 as presented. >> I'll make the motion. >>
036Second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Redinski. >> Yes. >> Johnson. Figuroa. >> Yes. >> Miller. >> Yes. >> Good. Yes. >> Lewis. >> Yes. Motion pass. Does anyone have any committee reports? >> Uh the Bensonfall Foundation did not meet on that fing due to uh flu and temperature. I didn't hear the rescheduled date for the meeting. I have a feeling it'll just be our regularly scheduled next meeting, which I don't have in front of me. Course. >> I was ready to go. Mike had to call me and tell me don't go. I didn't go. I got that as for soccer on my forehead. I admit it. You sat me on a committee. I'll attend. Um we had a finance facilities committee meeting earlier where quite a few topics. Um the water mitigation close
037out. Um Kino litigation resolution. We just wrote it on. Um design the design build uh presentation by Midwest mechanical um life and safety bond update discussion on potentially u looking at solar paneling school maintenance grant the financial consulting agreement didn't quite get through everything but it was a long schedule >> and I can give an update uh on that second In fact, um I was going to bring uh this recommendation here is uh uh Rachel Matuk who obviously uh resigned from the board. Uh I would like to have uh Leo Figureroa back in his committee position for Nedsek uh since he had done it in the past. And I'd also like to recommend that Reed Goodrich uh join as an alternate so that way we have those two positions filled which is the positions that
038we had uh prior to Ms. Matuk joining the board and then she became the representative. The next meeting is in March of the operational board. So I wanted to basically say that would be the plan in case anyone unless anyone has any further discussion. >> Yeah. >> How would that uh comes up? >> What kind of appointment to the board would Dr. Johnson? >> Well um there is one opening Dr. Johnson just I know we haven't discussed this but I do believe the lend I'm waving to Karen. I think the lend position is open. Uh lend is basically the legislative uh group in DuPage County that uh keeps us updated on current legislation and they meet periodically. Would you like to be on that? The representative for the board on that. You may have heard
039of Len before. Maybe maybe not. >> Yes, >> you have. Okay. in in majority meets on Zoom if that's helpful. >> Right. >> Okay. Is that two yeses? >> Don't feel Don't feel any pressure. >> No, don't worry. It's It's not a huge commitment. >> Yeah. None of these. >> But but it would be nice to have you there just with your insight and to hear what's going on in Springfield. So, if you're willing, we'd love to have you. >> Sure. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. And there is no land update other than we have a new representative. Nothing else. Um, next board meeting, new business. We have a tenative policy meeting is at 6:00 p.m. prior to the regular board meeting. The next scheduled board of education meeting is Wednesday, February 25th,
0402026 at 7 p.m. Moving along. May I have a motion and a second to go into close session for the following five Illinois CS1 120/2C1 the appointment employment compos comp excuse me compensation discipline performance or dismissal of specific employees of Fenton school district 100 to 5 Illinois CS120 C2 Two, collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. >> Motion second. >> I'm sorry, who seconded? >> Reed. Thank you. >> Roll call. >> Rozinski. >> Yes. >> Miller. >> Yes. >> Johnson. >> Yes. >> Figureroa. Yes, >> good. >> Yes, >> Lewis. >> Yes, we're in close session. I'd like to note that after close session, there's nothing else happening. May I have a motion and a second to
041adjourn? >> No. Open session. >> Oh gosh, I'm way too fast. May I have a motion and a second to go back into open session? >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. Roll call. >> Johnson, >> yes. >> Rosinski, >> yes. >> Figuroa, >> yes. >> Miller, >> yes. >> Good. >> Yes. Lewis. >> Yes, we're back in open session now. May I have a motion and a second to adjurnn? All in favor say a. I. All not in fa.