001I call to order the November 13, 2025 special meeting of the board of education of Hinsdale Township High School, District 86. We're meeting in the District Administrative Center. The time is 4:33 p.m. Deb, will you please call roll? >> Member Greenspun, >> here. >> Member Fischer >> here. >> Member Mitha >> here. Member Aris here calling in to remote to work. >> Member Le >> here. >> Member Waters >> here. >> Member San Member Satcha. >> Please stand if you are able to 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. >> Is there anybody? Yes, can you read that sheet? >> Y would like
002to speak. >> Thanks, Alex. >> The board will now hear audience comments up to a total of 45 minutes. Speakers will have three minutes to address the board. board meetings or meetings with the board held in public not open forum town hall meetings. Board members will not engage the public during public comment. The board will keep this in mind as we conduct our meetings, allowing the public to provide input at the time allotted on the agenda to ensure that the multiple voices of the community inform board deliberations. When the board deliberates, it will be a time for the board to listen and learn from each other, taking the public input into consideration, not a time to re-engage with the public. The board will consistently abide by our formal processes relating to this issue so that
003all persons are treated fairly and equally. Our first speaker is our first and only speaker is Linda Burke. Linda, I just didn't want to miss this meeting because I wanted to say thank you in person for the wonderful vote that you're about to vote on helping our families in need through this very difficult time. And you know the domino effect that they're under cuts in Medicaid. God only knows what will happen to lie heap with his heating assistance and SNAP is still um up in the air. So, thank you very very much for doing this. And I just Oh, I have some other good news. My favorite thing, district 86, one district, they had an extra one and um they allowed me to perloin it. Next other good news that I just found out that
004Alex Mer has just entered an article into patch and on Facebook about the achievements of kids in our su program which has long been crying out for publicity and it features both central and south kids. related to that. Let's have a winner of the Regeneron, formerly the Intel, before that the Westinghouse at South. The talent is there, poised and ready. And the circus uh um often times leads to a Regeneron project. Thank you so much for everything. I'm so happy right now. Sad for the sad for the situation of the families, but happy that we're stepping up to help. Thank you. Moving on to discussion and possible action 3.1, meal package purchase. The finance and facilities committee discuss the purchase of meal packages to support families impacted by the SNAP benefits pause at their meeting
005Monday. The committee requested that the board convene to consider action to approve a purchase of meal kits. Uh the board received information outlining the components that will be included in the meal kits and meal package pricing from the Brook Haven market. In addition, Brook Haven will provide at no charge to the district loaves of bread, bags for kit assembly delivery and if needed volunteers to assist with assist with kit assembly. Is there are there any questions or any discussion? Uh we have roughly 600 students across the district. um that take part in our lunch program. So that is how the number of kits were determined. >> Hey C, could I could I cover a few topics that we discussed at finance >> uh with regards to this meal package purchase? >> For sure. For sure.
006We confirmed that these are wholesale prices. Brook Haven is not looking to make money off this. they're doing a good thing for the community. We confirmed that we are not going to check for SNAP cards or eligibility um on this and um we just we talked through the mechanics of this and it seems like there's a thoughtful program. It's also being supported at South by some additional fundraising um for families at need. So it it it um it seems like there's a lot in place here. So that so um so our lunch program recipients or participants um it is not based upon SNAP. Our district actually funds um our lunch program at I think thousands at least like extraordinary multiple of what the federal government defines as a lunch program. And uh with regards to
007the south participation that is a completely separate group doing a separate uh food drive and distribution. So this is this is only um the district that is doing the 600 uh meal kit um if the board approves. >> No, no, but the the family Yeah. There's there's additional fundraising and action going on in the community, >> right? For additional uh food insecurity. Yep. Yeah. Thank you, Bob. Osma. Uh, does anybody else have anything? >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Cat. I just couldn't find the mute button. I really do appreciate the hard work on this and am excited to be able to support uh such an initiative um for our families. >> Thank you, Mary. Um just that I think this is awesome and I'm glad we're working with this community partner. Do we know if
008we can help with um getting people to help pack meals? So um um Dr. Piranto and Dr. Burrett in Hinsdale South Campus are actually spearheading all the administrative stuff. And what happened is Dr. Burret sent an email around 1:00 today >> and I'm happy to forward it to all of you that we will um if the board approves Josh of course very supportively has everything in place okay >> to make the purchase uh tomorrow and we will receive South will take delivery of the palace of food um on Tuesday by the early afternoon and the kits will start to be assembled So, uh, by roughly 2:00. So, we should be done by 5:00 p.m. assembling 600 kits. >> There's already folks lined up. >> Yes. And the board is welcome to join. >> Cool. >>
009Yep. >> Okay. >> That was my Are there any more questions? Okay, so moving on 3.2. Um I just do want to add that um I know that it uh according to the news there is some restoration of benefits that have been cut may include SNAP. I'm not sure but we have to understand that our lunch program has been in place for many many years. There is food insecurity in our district regardless of whether or not staff benefits are going out full. Um, more than that, um, if we were to focus on the SNAP benefits, the reality of it is is the SNAP benefits are wfully in a rears right now. So, we don't know when they're when they're going to be restored, if they're going to be restored at 100%. So, they just we
010our families uh need help right now. And more than that, our students are um best served when they're wellnourished and families aren't worried about food. >> Okay. So, on to 3.2 action. Approve meal package purchase. May I have a motion to approve a meal package purchase from Brook Haven Market in the amount of $12,546 including package components, bread and bags for assembly as presented and directed by the board? >> So move. >> Motion waters. Is there a second? >> Second. Satchwell. Is there any discussion? Please call roll. Deb. >> Member Greenspun. >> I. >> Member Fiser. >> I. >> Member Mitha. >> I. >> Member Aris. I >> member Leot. >> I, >> member Satchwell. >> I, >> member Waters. >> I, >> Motion carries 70. >> Uh, moving on to 3.3 operational calendar planning.
011In the next few months, the district will hire three critical district administrators for the 2627 school year. Most significantly perhaps, the board will seek to hire a new superintendent who, per policy 2,130 will serve as our delegate in the operation of the district. Notably, the district is operating without an assistant superintendent for academics or now assistant superintendent for curriculum instruction and assessment this school year and uh for this school year and our chief information office is officer is set to retire at the end of the school year to prepare the for this change in district leadership. The board will review our operational calendar for any updates for the remainder of the 2526 school year. Has everybody had a chance to look at it? >> So, I have some suggestions for the 2728 curriculum recommendations. In
012November, the board will consider the adoption of the 2627 program of studies reflecting work of the board, its committees, the current superintendent, district, and building administration and our teachers. Looking ahead to the 2728 program of studies per policy 640 AP new curriculum recommendation. Curriculum pilots and pilot programs are slated to be presented to the academic committee in April. I propose that these recommendations be deferred to allow for the new superintendent and assistant superintendent for curriculum instruction and assessment. um allow an opportunity for those district leaders to engage in these curriculum discussions. >> So your proposal is to move it to a particular time or to just put it take it off for now? >> Take it off for now and then when we have a new superintendent and assistant superintendent seated, >> ask academic committee
013chair. I can't wait. >> Yeah, you can talk. You can talk and see where they are. Okay. >> Right. >> Yeah. And I assume likely what we would be talking about here is we're just going to not propose any new curriculum this year and we'll come back to this next spring. Not like revisit in the fall. >> No. Right. >> No. No. >> We'll stay on the regular. Thank you. >> Regular case. >> Sounds good. Yep. Yes. Liz Jeff Baron. >> Bobby. >> Yeah. My only concern, Pat, is for earned honors, which has been in pilot status for, you know, three and a half years. And it's like Peter Pan. It's the pilot program that never grows up. That That's the only worry that I >> We're talking about new proposals though, right now, Bob.
014>> Okay. This isn't going to be about existing pilots. >> No. >> Okay. >> Asma? >> Yeah, I'm good. Thank you. So the direction from this board on new proposals coming up through the academic committee is not this year and we'll wait for the superintendent and assistant superintendent for curriculum instruction and assessment to be able to um partake in the discussions and they they in fact will be the district leaders that will make the proposals at the academic committee level >> or >> are we able to keep it on the calendar as is and then in parentheses say um put on hold until the following academic year. My concern is that if we remove it um we're not going to be in sync in that following year. I'm just worried that's going to get forgotten.
015No, I I I just I I I I personally do not agree with that because we at the soonest we will have approved an assistant or a superintendent in maybe January and they're not scheduled to start until um the end of June typically and the assistant superintendent will be the same. So I do I I do not think that we should keep it on the calendar for April. If we if they are seated sooner then the academic chair can work with them if if if we decide to you guys decide to bring something forward. I would suggest that this year we put a break on the new proposals and just say no thank you. >> Maybe there's another option here. I'm just presenting. >> No, I'm agreeing I'm not that's I'm agreeing with what you
016said, K. All I'm just saying is keep it on the calendar and then note that as a date. Um because my concern is that if we decide to bring it back on the calendar, are we going to have to do a whole another special meeting to add it as an operational part of the calendar and or we could forget about it. That's those are my two main concerns. I'm agreeing with you to not do it this upcoming because I think superintendent, but I think moving after that. >> What if we kept the review item in April but took off adopt new curriculum materials in May? Is that accomplished the same thing? But it still allows them to if they have something that they do want to review and propose, we could still take a look
017at it maybe with new staff included. But just say that we're not going to make any changes this year. >> I just I'm worried about I it's the board's disposition. I'm I'm worried that >> I'm going to cut you off really quick because I think it's very simple based on the past history I've seen. >> When they make proposals that don't get accepted, they're very um perturbed at times. So we may not want to make one until we're in a good position to >> agree to take both items off them. >> Yeah. >> April and May. >> Yeah. So my suggestion is just >> our building administration >> and the academic leadership team >> Yeah. >> shouldn't have to worry about putting a proposal together possibly and we need to just take it off their
018plate because there's so many moving targets. >> Is does May refer to like textbooks though too because maybe then we need to be able to do that. >> May is textbooks. >> All right. So that can stay because we're talking about anything related to curriculum materials, not like >> like new proposals proposals. >> New proposals. >> All right. >> Does that make sense? >> Hey, I I agree with no new proposals this year. Deb, is there a way for you to start building out 2627 and put it that back in in April of 27? >> Absolutely. And you guys will remember that you discussed some additional changes with um IASB and your self-evaluation and so I can start building that out with those on there so everybody gets a view of what it's going to
019look like with those additional items and you may have even more changes you know as you move towards uh uh approval of that like in May or June. So why don't I go ahead and get a draft built out and bring it to either the November or December board meeting for you guys to look at. >> Right. And then with regards to um academic type work, unless the board is directed, we do not want new proposals or we don't want more proposals. So the board may, for example, we're currently in the process of talking about grading. So whatever the board is asking for, we need to continue to move forward. We're just asking for administration to not prepare new proposals. Okay. Uh >> I think the thought about being mindful that we don't want people
020to do work that also might be reversed next year when we have a new superintendent. I think it's just with the idea of being also really respectful of staff time that it would be really unfortunate to start doing something that next year a superintendent comes in and says I don't like this for whatever reason you know and yeah I think it's a time protector and that's hugely important for educators. Yeah, >> it's the whiplash, right? >> We have had a lot of new recently in transition and we will continue for a few more years. So, let's keep some things the same for a little. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, you have that direction, correct? >> Yep. So, in the on the operational calendar in March, we will just strike the uh reference to
021review of new curriculum proposals. >> Yeah. And then May is adapt new curriculum proposals. And I'll strike that as well. Okay. >> Yes. >> For this year only. >> Yes. >> And I'll and I'll build out the uh next. >> Right. So the direction is also that we will remain on the same calendar for next school year. >> But taking that item off in May, does does that make it clear though that if people want to update textbooks or things? >> There's a separate item for textbooks. >> Um in it's on a slightly different timeline. So, it's uh April review new curriculum materials and then in May. >> All right. Thank you. >> Uh there's always English books that come out. >> I don't want to keep >> like what novels are the kids reading,
022>> right? >> Yeah. >> I think that's on a slightly different calendar because our policy says that the books are up for review for 30 days >> publicly. Yeah. >> Interesting. >> Okay. So with regards to the 2627 school year calendar in November, the calendar committee will present a recommendation to the academic committee for the 2627 school year. In the event that there are changes to the calendar recommended in alignment with a changed in academics assessment strategy or new curriculum, I propose that these considerations be paused to allow for the new superintendent and district leaders to engage in these discussions. There would be the so the calendar the regular cadence for calendar approval is just about setting the dates and the number of school days and the holidays and the vac, you know, >> but
023not um not allowing room for academic or curricular changes to be included in that discussion. >> Do we agree? >> Yep. Liz, >> yes. >> Jeff, >> yes. >> Baron, >> yes. Mary. Yes. Bob, >> yes. >> Osma, >> yes. >> Okay. So, there are no aside from traditional calendar setting, there are no changes to the calendar, no curricular or academic changes. Okay. So with regards to staffing framework and process, we have engaged the academic ANO and HR committees in review and update of the staffing framework. As we look ahead to the staffing process for 2627, these board committees will direct the changes in process to support the 2627 staffing process. >> HR chair, >> yes. >> Waters, >> yes. >> Baron, >> yes. >> Mayor, are you >> I like how that went from
024chair Water% see where we all stand here. >> Asma. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, the staffing framework and process will be led by the board committees. Uh policy administrative procedures. The board has reviewed updates to policy that will be presented for approval on second read at the November 25th regular meeting. The board expressed interest in an audit of our administrative procedures manual. I propose that the policy committee considered engaging ISB to complete an administrative procedures project. The committee can consider timing of this initiative with the hiring of new district leadership. So working in collaboration with our new superintendent. Does the board agree? >> Liz, >> yes. Jeff Baron. >> Yeah, >> Bob >> for sure. >> Uh, >> yes. >> I know. He's so excited. >> Okay, great. Um, there are a couple of other
025items at the academic committee. discussion of the PACE framework was deferred until we our new leadership is in place or has an opportunity to engage in the discussions and academic chair Satchwell will make sure right you >> yeah we'll make sure we put that on the calendar later >> um because it sounds like there's also some updating of info that needs to be done before we talk about >> yeah and the the 2027 or 2728 curriculum materials um and we will be appointing a new DEOS representative, board representative because right now it is superintendent lock. Uh we may want to appoint does anybody volunteer to be the DEOS rep? >> Can you remind me what that acronym is? >> Page >> area occupational educational services. >> Yeah. >> Or school. >> I think they meet
026uh quarterly maybe. It's not all the time. >> It's it's I feel like it's every other month. Yeah. >> Yeah. And it depends on the representative's position on their board because that would then be additional meetings as well. >> Oh, right. If they're on any committee had >> Yeah. And the assistant superintendent of academics office has been a part of that board and that has required additional meetings. >> So, um, >> don't everyone jump at once. Everybody's >> Everybody's like, >> "So, so how about if So, I think No pressure on purpose." >> She's doing the teacher thing. She's like, "If you can't look at me, then you're not going to pick me. You're not going to pick me." >> Look back at when we talked about this in May, so I can remember exactly
027why we're talking. >> I'm asking for the direction. >> Can Can Mary and I see who can do it? It's it's I have to be honest the meetings are during the day >> so it's gonna be Mary >> Lizar is an administrator or a board member. It needs to be a board member. >> It's both well the board appoints >> so yeah Chad I'm I I want to learn more about this but I'm I'm game for some stuff during the day. Okay. Um, so let's let's let's so the board will figure out which board member can take it up until we have >> um >> our new leadership in place and see if their schedule is clear enough >> to partake >> between between us with daytime availability. We can figure out who is the
028right person. >> Yes. Okay. >> Remember what is Yeah. No, I'm interested though, Cat. I I just want to learn a little more. No, I just want to tell academic committee chair Satchwell that the meetings are are twice a week. No, I'm just twice. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Um >> Lord have mercy. >> And so another um Okay, that's it. >> They usually have a resolution that details the role and all of that that gets approved in May. So, I'll I'll just pull that back and share that as you share that out with the board and >> and the direction will be we'll figure out who can who can do it. >> Yeah. I'm I'm I'm just worried that we're leaning a little hard on the um three names that you gave. I
029I think um I think I can be available once. >> Thank you. It's to the point that Mary won't make eye contact with you. Afterwards, she's fine. >> I know what I'm saying. >> Okay. glasses, hide eyes, too. I'm just >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Right. So, 3.4 action approve operational calendar updates. Uh Deb, do you have them all? >> I believe so. Yes. >> Okay. So, may I have a motion to approve the operational calendar updates for the remainder of the 2526 school year as discussed by the board tonight? >> So moved. Leak. >> Motion. Lecock. Second. >> Second. Mytha. >> Second. Mtha. Is there any discussion? >> Just one. So um for like the discussion of this I didn't see where like the your notes were in your script listed if if for future
030this is a procedural thing for future can we have the like what's in the script also be available to the rest of us >> just so I can catch up what she's saying and read it at the same time. Do you understand what I mean? >> Yep. >> Like on this one where she's referring to multiple things in this calendar and I'm trying to figure out what she's referring to. Can those just be also added somehow? >> Yeah, for board review. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> I Well, I just got to get my schedule a little earlier of getting it done. >> That's okay. Even if it's in the meeting, just so we can all see what we're reading. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um, please call roll. >> Member Fischer. >> I.
031>> Member. >> I. >> Member Aris. >> I. >> Member Leak. >> I. >> Member Satchwell. >> Hi. Member Waters. >> Hi. >> Member Greenspun. >> I motion carries 70. With no further discussion, the November 13, 2025 special meeting is adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Thank you so much for your time.