001I would like to call to order Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education meeting for May 6, 2025. May I have a roll call vote, please? Mr. Burns here. Miss Davis here. Mr. Wein Burner here. Miss Helms here. Miss Zenzer here. Dr. Vincent here. Mr. Noble here. We have an a quorum. Thank you. Um and if we could all Good evening or early evening. If we all stand and uh do the pledge, please to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Great. Thank you everyone. Um, so very briefly, uh, my president's report is just a, um, we're going to do a bunch of resolutions and things, but, uh, a very large thank you to the board as it is currently and to
002the folks coming on in a few minutes. Um, and it's been my pleasure to be with all of you. Uh it's been a lot of fun and I've enjoyed um in a in a very masochisticious way uh serving on the board and spending uh countless hours with all of you through many of the trials and tribulations of the last I'd say four to six years however it adds up to be with all of you. So, u there'll be more to say in a moment, but uh I'd like to move into any public participation at this moment. And this is limited only to uh items D and E in regards to the action items and resolutions that are upcoming in this portion of the board meeting. So, anything else needs to wait. So, if there is
003some, I'll be more than happy we'll the board will be more than happy to listen. Okay, without that, I'd like to move on to the action items. Um, and action item number one, I'd like to have a motion. May I have a motion to approve the recommendation to restore the East Campus historic windows? So, move second. Any uh any discussion? Uh, to call this out a little bit. Um, Jen, if you don't mind, just a really quick uh overview. I know we've talked about it numerous times on the windows, but I think the the the separation and pulling this out and then also just a little bit about the the project and kind of the time frame and what we're actually staring at for everybody. Thanks. Absolutely. And you're right, this has been a long
004time coming, but I'm super excited to actually bring this to an actual vote tonight. These are the remaining 88 historical windows, most of which face the front of the high school. Some do wrap a bit around to the back and in the courtyard. Um, this is restoring them to their original beauty. Um, this work is done through Joseph's Woodworking, which is a company that specializes specifically in this type of restoration. Um, this does include and will it will include over the course of probably up to four years. Um, this is not work that is done quickly. Um, but it does include popping windows out um, slowly over time. So we will take a few out up to 20 at a time at different pieces and and over the course of that time and slowly start
005transitioning them back in. So you'll see some come out more um at the beginning of the summer and then as they're finished they will start to come back in over the course of the next year. What that also means though is we spent a lot of time this summer working on that logistically and also what would the high school look like during that time that the windows were out. Um, we had some pretty clear parameters that it would look amazing every single time we had graduation. That was a hard um that was a very hard parameter that the beginning of uh the graduation weekend to the end of that weekend, all the beautiful pictures, all the windows will be in every single year. That was the number one parameter. So that is in place right
006now. The second part was temporary windows look like. So, we did spend some time doing actual physical mockups so that it wouldn't look like we were a boarded up um school that was being shut down. So, they will be a plexiglass, but they also from the road will not look like we're um going out of business, so to speak. So, they will at least look respectable and we're proud of that as well. So, um this will start like I said as soon as school is out and we'll go through the next four uh the next four years. Thank you so much. And then I think also a little bit of a shout out to the advisory board for the construction and those folks. Uh I think Joe uh Upstet Obstetnik um his pass Jim Jim
007and his passion on the and the historical society. So a lot of uh great input and really appreciate all the work. So thank you. Um may I have a roll call vote, please? Mr. Miner I Mr. Noble I Miss Helms I Dr. Vincent I Miss Davis I Miss Zer I Mr. Burns I motion carries. Thank you. Um item number two. May I have a motion to approve the referendum phase one furniture purchase. So move second. Uh any discussion? Um also to you Jen uh one more time. And so this again from the surveys. I don't know if there's someone else you want to bring in, but again, I think a lot of time from the students and the surveys and the other types of stuff that have gone on to get this first round of
008furniture in. This is so this is using the input that we had from students and staff and information we uh gleaned from our test classrooms and um also the additional classrooms that we opened up this past school year um from that which we developed a menu um of sorts and then we brought that out to the departments uh in the order in which we will be reopening their classrooms this fall. So, as you can see from the recommendation that we made, world language is the first classrooms that we expect to open. So, therefore, we started with those teachers and allowing them to select from the menu what they would like to see specifically in their classrooms. Um, that will be the first round of ordering. We did have some cleanup orders from art. Um, we
009finished those things because they wanted to live in some of their spaces before they selected all of their furniture. And then our intention is to keep moving. We're going to be on pause for the summer when the teachers are gone, but starting right back in the fall, we're going to look at the classes that we're opening up next and we're going to do phase after phase after phase because there's no reason to wait on the furniture until the construction is done. Um, let's get those in. Um, try to avoid some escalation and also let the current students um, see some benefit of the referendum even if the rooms aren't finished. So, this is the I think the second uh, phase of furniture that the board has approved, but still going to be the second of
010many. Thank you again. May I have a roll call vote, please? Miss Davis, I. Miss Enzer, I. Miss Helms, I. Mr. Noble, I. Mr. Burns, I. Mr. Wein Burner, I. Dr. Vincent, I. Motion carries. Thank you. May I have item number three? I may have a motion to approve the referendum theater lighting upgrades. So moved. A second. Second. Any discussion? Um lastly, one more time. So this is the um this is a part of the little theater and RMA refresh um which is actually scheduled for next summer. We're looking to get the lighting in prior to next summer um in order to head off significant cost escalation we are already seeing um in the market. Honestly, between our first uh quote and being able to move forward and execute on this, um there was already
01114% of escalation in there. Um and it is going up from there. So, we can get this equipment in house. We can get it in the hands of our students and start using it this year while also um avoiding risk going into next summer. Thank you, Jordan. Appreciate it. Let me have a roll call vote, please. Can I just ask one question? I mean, Jordan, I was thinking about that when um we were talking about the furniture. Is there concern? I know this is the second round of furniture, but there's more to come. I know we don't have a crystal ball, but are there other things that you're thinking about kind of moving up in terms of cycle for those reasons? So, we have that discussion every single Wednesday morning at OAC about what we
012can accelerate, what makes sense to accelerate. We also of course are still dealing with where do we store things and how do we implement things. Um some things have held stable. Um some things have gone up but now have come back down. So it's still somewhat of a guessing game. But we will continue I know to talk about it every single week. And if there's something that's advantageous to us just exactly like the AV the AV equipment we'll bring it forward. Anyone else? Right. I may have a roll call vote please. Mr. Noble I. Miss Helms. Hi. Miss Davis. Hi. Miss Zenzer. I. Dr. Vincent. I. Mr. Burns. Hi. Mr. Wein Burner. I. Motion carries. All right. Thank you. Welcome, Simon and Cat. Good to see you both. Thank you for getting over here early.
013Appreciate it. Um, so we're going to take the next item, which is uh a little adoption of a resolution for you two. So, I'm gonna I'm gonna read this and then I'll I won't say ditto, but it's basically written for both of you, but I have two copies here. Okay? So, bear with me. Um, this is I'd like a we're going to do I say ask for the motion yet or no, I have to read it first. Right. You can read them first and ask. I I will read it first. All right. So, bear with me. Uh whereas Katherine Cat Yakes and Simon Bach have faithfully served as the 2024 2025 student body president and vice president of Lake Forest High School respectively and as the first formal student representatives to the Lake Forest Community
014High School District 115 board of education. Whereas Cat Yaks, Yakes, sorry, and Simon Bach have elect elevated the role of student voice within the district through monthly updates to the board of education, active involvement in student council leadership, and thoughtful collaboration with administrators, staff, and their peers. Whereas Cat and fourth generation a fourth generation scout has brought creativity and heart to her leadership, launching special guest Fridays to morning announcements, expanding the student council executive board, mentoring younger students through link crew, actively participating in multiple clubs and sports, including scout buddies, and connecting families across communities through her annual holiday drive. Whereas Simon, an accomplished student athlete, multilingual enthusiast, and TED X LFHS speaker, has led with purpose, excelling in cross-country volleyball and is a two-time state qualifier diver, while also mentoring English learners and modeling
015a spirit of teamwork through his wide-ranging involvement in clubs, including Scholastic Bowl and FCA. Whereas Cat and Simon have each balanced rigorous academic schedules, extracurricular commitments, and service roles with integrity, courage, and deep rooted belief in their importance of community, kindness, and student advocacy. Whereas the contributions of Cat and Simon to student life at Lake Forest High School are recognized and deeply appreciated by the District 115 Board of Education and the school community they have so faithfully served. Therefore, be it resolved that the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education expresses for itself as well as for the parents, guardians, students, staff, faculty, and citizens of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Nwood its gratitude to Cat and Simon for their steadfast work as Lake Forest High School student leaders. Be it further
016resolved that the District 115 board of education wishes Cat and Simon only the best as they begin their college careers next fall to University of Mississippi and Washington and Lee universities respectively. Sign this day, sixth day of May, 2025. Thank you so much. So before I do that, may I have a motion to adopt the resolution for student body president K and Simon? Vice President Simon move. Second. Uh any discussion? May I have a roll call vote, please? Miss Miss Zenzer, I. Dr. Vincent, I. Mr. Noble, I. Mr. Wein Burner, I. Miss Helms, I. Miss Davis, I. Mr. Burns. Hi. Motion carries. Thank you. Let's get in the center. Perfect. Thank you. [Applause] All right. Um, so the next one is going to be an adoption of some resolutions for some uh retiring board members.
017So we're going to start with uh Dr. Venson. Whereas Dr. John Venson has faithfully served the students, staff, and families of Lake Forest Community High School District 115 as a board member from 2021 to 2025. Whereas Dr. Dr. Venson has served as secretary of the board of education since 2023 and as a member of the education committee from 2021 to 2024. Whereas Dr. Venson represented district 115 board of education on the true north educational cooperative 804 leadership council working to support inclusive education and services for students with disabilities. Whereas Dr. Dr. Venson has used his decades of leadership experience in education to guide the the board's decision-making, always keeping the focus on student centered policies and outcomes. Whereas Dr. Venson advocated for preparing students for a rapidly changing postcoid world where digital and virtual learning
018will continue to play a significant role in shaping educational experiences. Whereas Dr. Venson's dedication to supporting student outcomes, acade academic achievement, and the overall well-being of students has greatly contributed to the strength of District 115's educational programs. Whereas, Dr. Venson has committed himself to giving back to the community that has shaped his family's life and ensuring that Lake Forest High School remains a top tier institution for his grandchildren and future generations. Whereas, Dr. Dr. Venson's dedication to the work of the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education is sincerely appreciated. Therefore, be it resolved that the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education expresses for itself as well as for the parents, guardians, students, staff, and faculty and residents of Lake Forest Lake and Nwood its deepest appreciation and
019gratitude to Dr. John Venson for his steadfast work to advance the quality of education, engagement, and inclusion for all students in our community. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be entered permanently into the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education minutes. [Applause] ones. So, so the next one uh for Mr. Burns. So, whereas Mr. David Burns has faithfully served the students, staff, and families of Lake Forest Community High School District 115 as a board member from 2021 to 2025. Whereas Mr. Burns has served as chair of the finance committee since 2023. Whereas Mr. Burns has been a member of the policy committee since 2023. Whereas Mr. Burns joined the board with a deep commitment to supporting all students and cont contributing meaningful to the continued excellence of Lake
020Forest High School. Whereas Mr. Burns has strengthened board engagement with the broader community through his role as liaison to parent organizations, fostering open communications and collaborative problem solving. Whereas Mr. Burns has been a passion advocate for student well-being has championed data-driven decision-making and long-term planning in support of student centered policies and continuous improvement. Whereas Mr. Burns has served his community as an assistant scoutmaster, nonprofit board member, member of Lake Bluff Joint Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, reflecting a lifelong commitment to thoughtful leadership and civic involvement. Whereas Mr. Burns dedicated to the dedication to the work of the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education is sincerely appreciated. Therefore, be it resolved that the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education expresses for itself as well as for
021the parents, guardians, students, staff, faculty, and residents of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Nwood, its deepest appreciation and gratitude to Mr. David Burns for his steadfast work to advance the quality of education, engagement, and inclusion for all students in our community. be at further resolved that a copy of this resolution be entered permanently into the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education minutes signed 6th day of May [Applause] 2025 whereas Miss Sally Davis has faithfully served the students staff and families of Lake Forest Community High School District 115 as a board member from 2015 to 2025. Whereas Miss Davis has served as board vice president from 2019 to 2023. Whereas Miss Davis has served as chair of the finance and operations committee from 2019 to 2021 and as a member of the
022policy committee since 2021. Whereas Miss Davis has served as the board's liaison to ed advocating on behalf of suburban school districts at the legislative level and champion the needs of public education in Springfield. Worse, Miss Davis was recognized as a master board member by the Illinois Association of School Boards, a testament to her excellence in governance and her deep investment in board development and continuous improvement. Where's Miss Davis served as a member of the 2021 joint superintendent selection committee and has supported the district by lending her professional legal expertise to board policy development and played a key role in multiple contract negotiations where she consistently balanced fiscal responsibility with fairness. Whereas Miss Davis has ex extended her commitment to student growth and school engagement by supporting LFHS applause, mentoring young entrepreneurs through the LFHS business
023incubator and fostering leadership as advanced chair for Boy Scout Troop 46. Whereas Miss Davis's dedication to the work of the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education is sincerely appreciated. Therefore, be it resolved that the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education expresses for itself as well as for the parents, guardians, students, staff, faculty, and residents of Lake Force, Lake Bluff, and Nullwood its deepest appreciation and gratitude to Miss Sally Davis for her steadfast work to advance the quality of education, engagement, and inclusion for all students in our community. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be entered permanently into the Lake Force Community High School District 115 Board of Education minutes. [Applause] All right. So, may I have a motion to adopt the resolutions for
024retiring board members David Burns, Sally Davis, and Dr. John Venson? So moved. Second. May I have a roll call vote, please? Yeah, we can have a discussion. It says so. Any discussion? And there's a question mark, so we can do that. Go ahead. Well, you guys have had to listen to me uh speak up and extend meetings before, so this should be uh no surprise. and I've listened to Matt and his uh you know superintendent reports, you know, that are not always very concise. So, too bad you're going to have to listen to uh to mine now, too. So, um all right. Well, it's been an honor and a privilege uh to be on the school board for these past four years. Uh I'm very grateful for the community who elected me and gave me
025the opportunity to act on their behalf to focus on our student outcomes while spending resources responsibly. Over the past four years, I feel like we've made great progress in listening to the community's vision, creating a strategic and action plan to make significant impacts to the students experience, as well as metrics to measure our effectiveness of achieving our goals. That being said, there is still much work to be done to achieve these goals, especially during these uncertain times. I've been very lucky to be on this board with these six wonderful people. Although we've each had different perspectives on issues that came up and decisions to be made, we've always truly listened, considered, and learned from each other, as we have had civil discussions and debates to critically analyze the topics in front of us. Although we
026may not have agreed all the time, no matter where we landed, we together would support the board's majority decision. In addition to the board members, I've had great experiences working with the administration. Matt has has always been available and more than willing to talk through any questions, concerns, or just hearing me vent about something I think we need to do better. He has been calm, patient, a great listener, and appreciates feedback to make even the smallest improvements. Given our partnership with the administration along with receiving feedback from staff, students, and the community, I'm very proud of the work and improvements over the past four years that are improving our students educational experiences. Here are just a few of the accomplishments. The one Lake Forest High School statement, the portrait of a learner vision work, the
027strategic plan, the metrics and goals for our effectiveness, creating a level of trust from the community to approve the referendum, and our ability to maintain a diverse and expansive scope of programming for our students along with substantial student services for a variety of needs, all with very little funding at a federal or state level. I can honestly leave the board today without any worry, knowing that the district is positioned for a great future and our students are in an environment that is one of the best, if not the best, school in the state for a variety of reasons that will only get better with years to come. Thank you again, community, fellow board members, and District 115 for allowing me to serve in this role. Thank you, Dave. You certainly may. Dr. Ben, I thought
028a lot about this. Uh, I have three things. The first is that um it has been an honor and a privilege to serve this board um and to serve our community and our students. The second is that um I have learned something from every single one of you. Um and I would be happy after this to tell you the lessons I have taken away from you. Many of which were no nice but private personal or and this is really important particularly for the faculty who we sat across the table from. I saw um particularly also during co I saw moments of great integrity. I saw moments of great ethical um a sense of where their ethical true north is. And um the way I measure a successful u appointment like this is that I came
029away having learned something and being humbled by what I saw and what I experienced. And the last thing is every time I got mad at you guys and every time I got mad at the people that came to these meetings, all I had to do is think about my interactions that I had had with the students and it was entirely worth it. Our students are phenomenal. They are ready to launch into the world. They are so smart. They are so self- assured and I learned more from them when I got to sit with them than all of the rest of you combined. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity. [Applause] I thought about it as well and maybe an advantage of going third is that I can say like they
030said I won't try to repeat it all but I do remember um Annie Annie just said can you believe it's four years no I can't believe it's been four years it's been a very fast time um I remember speaking in the auditorium about why I wanted to be a school board member and part of it was because how well my children did here. And um I wanted to give back to the community through the high school because I was very proud of how they did and I'm very proud of where I'm leaving it. Um and I'm hoping that students who come uh in our footsteps will continue to do as well as they have and will continue to shine and make this community the best community to live in. [Applause] Well, thank you to all
031three of you. Um, may I have a roll call vote, please? Dr. Vincent, I. Miss Davis, I. Miss Helms, I. Mr. Burns, I. Mr. Wein Burner, I. Mr. Noble, I. Miss Zenzer, I. Motion carries. Thank you, Tiana. Um, may I have a motion to approve the consent agenda, including items one through five, please? So moved. Second. May I have a roll call vote, please? Miss Helms. I. Mr. Wein Burner. I. Mr. Noble. Hi. Dr. Vincent. I. Miss Ser. I. Miss. Davis. I. Mr. Burns. I. Motion carries. All right. Thank you. And then I we are to uh step and do the re reorgan reorganization retiring board member education. So reorganization of the board. So So before I kick you out, um, acknowledgement of receipt of the Lake County election results regarding school board election. The
032Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the certified election results from the county clerk of Lake County Clerk of Lake County, Illinois for the board of education elections. Based on these results, four candidates shall be seated with four-year terms. Amy Connell Donahghue, Gail Gamth, Annie Gity Helms, and Robert Sylvve. All right. So, if I could have you three stand up and Annie as well. Yes. So, we'll let you walk around or however you want to do it. Or you stand right there if you like. Yeah. So, we're going to let you all start and so um I don't have So, you'll read together kind of in unison as at a nice little pace. So, all right. Let what Let Annie want Yes, sir. Jen, you can do it. So,
033go ahead. school district's assets. I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek the 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. and 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 the 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
034the Lake Forest Community High School District 15. 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 organiz. I shall strive to ensure a contentious assess continuous assessment of student achievement and all conditions affecting the education of our student of our children in compliance with state law. I shall serve as education's key advocate on behalf of students and our community schools to I advance the vision for Lake Forest Community High School District 115. And I shall strive to work together with the district superintendent to lead the school district toward fulfilling the vision of the board has created fostering excellence for every student in the areas of academic skills, knowledge, citizenship, and personal development. Thank you. Congratulations. [Applause] finish. Yes,
035ma'am. probably have more probably have some of the vice president. All right. All right. So, now we jump into election and appointment of the officers. And so may I have a a nomination for the office of president for district 115 a board of education? I nominate John Noble for district 115 board president. Second. Any discussion? May I have a roll call vote please? Mr. Wine Burner I. Mr. Noble I. Mr. Sve. Miss Gam I Miss Connell Donahghue Miss Enzer I Miss Helms I motion carries. Uh may I have a nomination for the office of vice president of the district 115 board of education. I nominate uh Annie Helms Gity Helms. Second. Any discussion? May I have a roll call vote please? Miss Helms. Hi. Mr. SV I Miss Enzer I Miss Connell Donahghue I Mr.
036Wine Burner I Mr. Noble I Miss Gam I motion carries and then may I have a nomination for the office of secretary for district 115 board of education and I nominate Amy Connley Don Hughes is that right saying it right? Okay. Sorry. Second. Any discussion? May I have a roll call vote, please? Miss Zenzer, I. Mr. Wein Burner, I. Miss Gam, I. Mr. Noble, I. Mr. Sve, I. Miss Helms, I. Miss Connell Donahghue. I. Motion carries. Thank you. Um, and then, uh, footnote for E. The following members have been appointed to the following positions. So the policy committee um Annie Gity Helms, Robert Sylvve and Gail Gamrath, True North Cooperative, Amy Connell Donahue, uh Ed Reddd, John Noble and and parent organizations will be as we've been doing as needed uh based on when they
037come to us in terms of supporting the organizations. Um footnote though, I would say that um on the education side, even though we're doing committee as a whole, Gail has been kind enough to lead lead that with Jenny being her assistant on that. And then on finance, um, Dewey Wein Brener leading that charge on our committee as a whole with, uh, Rob Silva kind of being the second on that. So, I think that's it. So, we will, uh, take some photos, have some cake, and then we're going to we'll jump into the education committee in about uh, 10 to 15 minutes at 5:30. All right. So, Tom has instructions for you guys for your head shot also. So the