001here. 7 p.m. Call to order um Riverside Brookfield District 208 Board of Education. Can we do a pledge of allegiance, please? >> 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. >> Miss Mo, roll call, please. present. >> Mr. Derk >> here, >> Miss >> here, Miss Ruska >> here, >> Mr. Novak >> here, >> Mr. William >> here. We do have uh information item for your request. We've got a handful of them. Dr. Skinkis, >> uh for your request, n uh September 8th, Owen Wing. Uh September 10th, Bob Skolnick. September 26, Jane Jordan, Data Research. in uh October 1st, Owen Wang, West Cook News. Um >> there were no questions submitted. >> No
002questions were submitted. Responses are included from the board members and a summary of what they were requesting. Uh the Owen Wang on 98 was copies of contacts for all school principles in the district. 910 was from Bob Sknneck requesting all information uh personnel records for Gary Pros uh copies of emails. Uh Janie Jordan data research request access to and copy of listing of all Riverside employees and on Wang news report for West Cook News as newly inducted national honor society members national merit scholarships national merit corporation corporation winners semi finalist >> over to Foy for this month. >> Thank you very much. Uh let's move on to the principal report. Dr. Fritos. >> Good evening honorable board members. Coming up in a week, we have our parent teacher conferences virtually. Information has been sent to
003all parents on how to sign up and it has been posted on our website. Registration is open um starting on the 16th at 8:00 a.m. and it runs to Tuesday the 21st and it closes at midnight. On the next day, the 24th is institute date non-attendance day. So students both days will be off. On the 29th of October, we have the preacct 89 for freshman students. Testing is from 8 to 10:30 and then students return to the regular schedule. In November, we have a a class of 2030 placement and registration letter. >> Just want you to pause right there for a second. Does everyone hear that? >> Class of Wow. >> Wow. Okay. >> Here we here we go. Madam President, our division heads will be going to the feeder schools and facilitating the policeman
004exam. On the 4th of November, we'll be at Gross. On the 5th, we'll be at Hower and on the 6th will be at Kamaric. Uh within that letter and communication on Wednesday, January 14th is future bulldog night for our incoming ninth graders. And on Saturday, January 24th, we have registration where students uh incoming students select their electives and have an opportunity to talk to division heads about classes and placement. Under school culture and operations, uh quick update on school safety. So on multiple occasions, you know, student have been ensured that they're safe and well cared for here at RB. We believe it's important for our stakeholders, especially students and families to understand uh the rights that protect them in educational settings and beyond. Thus, we added our immigration enforcement procedures our open enrollment policy and
005linked the resources from Isby to different to three different locations on our website. We added under safety, under enrollment of new student, and under the parent tab, enrollment of new student. These materials are intended to be informative and educational. Just today we had the Young Community Changemakers Information Night. Uh Young Community Changemakers, also known as YC2, is a leadership development program designed to educate, empower local youth on how to become the next philanthropist. And we've always participated there. Students get to be philanthropist. They get to manage grant. It's great service. And we're proud to partner with YC2. Um today we also had our faster completion workshop and it was nice. I know in previous years, right, there was the debacle. It didn't open in December. You know, the festival opened in October. We had a
006nice group of parents here today, our counselors, Miss August, our assistant principal, student services, helping out the parents. You know, I looked at the the form myself has been reduced from over 100 questions to 30. So, seems very manageable, very doable. You know, uh the feds have done a nice job in in fixing and updating the FASA form. Uh on November the 11th, we have our annual Veterans Day celebration. 8:00 a.m. Um everyone's welcome. It's a it's a great day to be a Bulldog. We have over 100 veterans. We do the breakfast, the assembly, the class visits. I mean, just a fantastic day has been going on for years. And I know I've seen many of you board members as well, so you're always welcome to join us. Under activities and athletics, uh winter sports
007registration is open this evening. Right now, we actually have a girls volleyball senior night. very competitive game against Fenway. Outstanding. Uh this Thursday, the 16th, we have girls swimming and diving senior night, 5:00 p.m. in the aquatic center. On the 22nd, we have the fall band and orchestra concert, 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. And all winter sports officially start the first week of November. There are a few sports that start end of October, but everything for the winter pretty much opens in November. Madame President, that concludes my principal's report. >> Thank you, Dr. Freras, and thank you for sharing the school safety information. Any questions or comments from anyone on the board or our student board members? >> Dr. Freredis gave his report tonight just so the board's aware he's not going to be at
008the committee of the whole meeting for has a conflict with his schedule. So I asked him to just give his monthly report today. Okay. >> And but the the student adviserss will have some additional items. Okay. Wonderful. Yep. >> Thank you. Um so no questions or comments with moving on. Visitor statements. Anyone here to speak this evening, please come up to the microphone. You state your name. I'm going to read a small introductory paragraph while you get situated. The board of education welcomes and encourages the participation of its citizens and the business of the school district. There are two points in the meeting where visitor statements are scheduled. Citizens are welcome to raise questions or make comments at either one. Comments will be limited to three minutes per individual and cannot be combined. Please note,
009the board of education will not answer questions or engage in dialogue during visitor comments. If a person would like additional time to address the board, such a request should be submitted in writing 48 hours before the meeting to the superintendent. >> I'll raise my hand at 30 seconds. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Melissa Biscubic and I have a child who graduated from RV two years ago and a current senior. I'm in front of you today because it is disheartening to say the least the number of sexual predators the students have been exposed to in the past several years. As a former school board member, I can only imagine what how your feelings were when these came to light. I've given a lot of thought to how I would feel and
010how I would react. I understand the not being um able to comment publicly uh the need to discuss certain aspects in close session as well as um needing to protect the school legally. However, that being said, as board members, you have a real opportunity right now Sorry, I have my notes. You um you have a real opportunity right now to leave a legacy of positive change for our school by being transparent about um being transparent about your efforts to mitigate the risk to our students from sexual predator exposure. During the pandemic, I've myself learned that transparency goes a long way. It makes one think if these are the situations that we know about, how many are we unaware of? When thinking about it from that angle, the question the board should be entertaining is, how
011do we take this opportunity to affect change in regards to promoting a culture that allows students to feel safe by reporting grooming and other inappropriate conduct? What do we do to ensure a culture at RB that minimizes retaliation and bullying when students are at their most vulnerable? I cannot stress enough the importance of transparency to the community while the school board acts to root out weaknesses in our current practice and policy. Do not believe for one second the community will be complacent if the board chooses not to take action. The multiple incidents in the past years have been a huge black cloud hanging over an otherwise excellent high school with so many wonderful qualities. I personally realize that many of the board members did not sit on the board when these situations occurred. Although it
012is probably not what each of you envisioned dealing with when you made the decision to serve your community, you were chosen by the voters to ensure our school to ensure our school's policy and practice are reviewed and updated with when gaping deficiencies are identified pertaining to the safety of our students. It's apparent at this time that this our school and community can do better by our children. >> Thank you. [Music] Hi, Chelsea in Riverside. Um, my son came out of transition program, I don't know, it's been a year or two years now. Um, accountability starts at the top in our schools, right? The Chicago Tribune's editorial, Illinois Superintendent Cash in While Students Fall Behind, published October 3rd of this year, uh, rightly exposes a painful truth. Far too often, the leadership at the top of
013our schools is rewarded even as our students and communities pay the price for their failures. In district 208, the disconnect between leadership and responsibility has been painfully clear. Over the past few years, we've seen three separate sexual misconduct cases. Till probes, and most recently, Anthony Roberts Roberts, a pair professional working directly with some of our most vulnerable students in special education, was the third such case. After his termination, I attended the coffee with the principal meeting. I asked our principal how someone like this was hired in the first place. I was told our district does a thorough job of background checks. But if that's true, how did these repeated failures occur? It's time for our school board members to ask themselves whether they truly know what's happening at RB or whether they're relying on a
014small circle of administrators assuring them everything is fine. The pattern of misconduct coupled with recent safety incidents suggests otherwise. The Tribune called for greater scrutiny of superintendent pay. I would add that we need a greater scrutiny of superintendent performance. Leadership isn't just about managing budgets or making public appearances. As Dan Strereer recently wrote in choosing excellence, the six responsibilities of a superintendent include setting a vision, aligning people, mobilizing the system, developing leaders, building culture, and delivering results. When leadership fails to uphold these basic responsibilities, when students are unsafe, staff misconduct recurs and communication breaks down, there must be accountability. Taxpayers, parents, and community members deserve more than assurances. We deserve transparency, integrity, and leadership that places student well-being above administrative comfort. The cost of complacency is far higher than any superintendent salary. >> Thank you.
015>> Are you speaking this evening now? Okay, that concludes public comment. Moving on to consent agenda. Excuse me. Consent agenda. We have approval of minutes this evening. Please go ahead, Miss Gasco. >> The board of education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, takes the following action on the listed consent agenda items. Approves open and close session minutes from the meetings held on September 9th, 2025, September 16, 2025, and September 23, 2025 as presented in the October 4th, 2025 board agenda packet. >> Um, quick correction on that face. October 14th. I think you just said October 4th. That's >> Oh, October. As presented in the October 14th, 2025 boarded in the packet. >> Thank you. We need a second. >> Second from Mr. Durkin. All in favor? >> I. >> So moved. Moving on
016to new business this evening. Um, we don't have anything under old business, life, safety, capital improvement, sustainability. Correct, Dr. Skankis. >> Under new business, we have payment of bills. Were there any questions submitted? >> Okay. Um, the board of education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, approves the payment of bills as presented and discussed in the October 14, 2025 board for agenda packet. >> So moved. We need a second. >> Second from Mr. Durkin. And we do need a roll call. >> Mr. Durkin, >> yes. >> Miss Gaz, >> yes. >> Miss Rosco, >> yes. >> Mr. Novak, >> yes. >> Mr. Williams, >> yes. >> Miss, >> yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> The cost share agreement. Is this a first read this evening, Dr. Stamp? >> No, I need this for approval.
017But the board has um heard this on multiple occasions. We finally have a written agreement that's been approved by Brookfield formalizing all the terms. We had budget for it last year. We had budget for it this year. Uh this is for the safety and uh upgrade updates to the field for player safety and playability at Elert. So this is just a a cost sharing agreement. It was already approved by the board of education. I just need to be approved by the board so the president can sign it. >> Please have a little uh is this an annual cost or is this our one time fee and then it's modest each year to maintain it? >> Onetime fee. Modest each year. >> Okay. And has u forgive me. Has Brookfield approved it yet or are we
018the first approver? >> Uh the Brookfield's already the village board has already approved it. >> Okay. I feel like I saw a signature line and I couldn't recall if it was done or not. So, any questions or any discussion on that this evening? No, I think it seems like a reasonable agreement between the parties. Um, Miss Gaskan, >> the board of education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, hereby approves the cost sharing agreement between the village of Brookfield District 208 and the Brookfield Bay Ruth Western Conference for the Ellard Park Field One improvements project as presented in the October 14, 2025 board agenda packet. >> We have a second. >> Second. A >> second from Mr. uh Novak. And we need a roll call, please. Miss Rico, >> yes. >> Mr. Novak, >>
019yes. >> Mr. Williams, >> yes. >> Miss, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Derkin, >> yes. >> Uh, item 9 C Noatne Engineering Agreement for Senate Bill 637. >> I wanted the board to uh get a little background. This is a preliminary draft. Matter of fact, at 6:07 tonight, I think I got the updated with our legal comments, but um Noatne, I just wanted to go through the history. You'll get the second read and the changes uh at the next meeting, but Noatne helped us build the bike path. So, they've worked with the zoo, the forest preserve, uh the school district and local municipalities before. And then you saw in 27 2018 I asked them to help us um with some design concepts um for the field project and working with the zoo
020and being in meetings with the zoo officials and myself and so they've continued to assist us now that talks have repicked up in the passage of 7 bill 637. So I've had had them um continue to attend the meetings and come up with design plans and uh now it's we're approaching where we're going to start looking at lease agreement and formalizing it. So, I'd like them to be the engineer of record. Uh, so it's only it makes sense to have a formal agreement in place. Right now, I'm looking at a time and material agreement. The board in the past has seen some agreements where usually it's a set percentage. Um, but I think, you know, with the way this case is moving, I mean, it's a parking lot, some modifications to a parking lot in
021a in a in a field improvement project. Um, so I think time and material I'm going to work to get a not to exceed level put on there. Um, but I just wanted to have the board see the initial agreement and that I'm working through it with legal counsel and with the engineers legal counsel. Nicholas and construct will be the construction manager. So they'll oversee the day-to-day. So Nati will be designing the plan and be serving as the consultant on water detention, uh, drainage, all those types of things as well as site design and surveying, topography. Okay. >> Can you remind us what what's our our agreement with Nicholas is um I don't want to say evergreen but they come in for certain projects and then cost it out. >> Yes. The board recently approved
022after the kitchen like where they're are officially our construction manager and then they usually do like a a memorandum of agreement for the project. >> That's what it was. Okay. >> On a set percentage point or fee structure >> which then is negotiated and brought in front of the board. >> Correct. And you said the amount not to exceed will be based on what they estimate. >> Uh no I mean we I have a a sliding scale that I got from the previous engineers on pack on projects. So I would anticipate >> how long ago >> um last year you know a year or two. >> Okay. >> So it will it will I mean what architects are usually anywhere from 7 to 10 on a per contract. >> So engineers are usually like half
023of that. So I'm thinking three and a half to five. >> Mhm. Um, so if we do a time and material, instead of saying three and a half or 4%, it might just easier be easier to say not to exceed 150,000 or >> something of that nature. >> We haven't gotten to that level of >> Yeah. >> specificity. Yeah. Yeah. >> I assumed I was just wondering how that was determined. >> How's it going to How's it going to come through? >> Like to be completely honest with six of one half a dozen or the other. Like they're going to sit there and say, "Okay, if this is a $4 million project, we usually go between four and 5%." So, right. Got it. >> So, this is for information purposes at this point, but we'll
024have to correct execute and move forward pretty quickly when the time is right. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Does the board have a Is it okay? Are you okay with time and material or would you prefer a set percentage? >> I I look at actually Novak who probably has done quite a few of these. I I'm I'm somewhat ambivalent, but >> I I have no problem with it. >> Okay. Do do you have a in your experience a preference over a percentage or time and material? >> Uh we normally go time and material at the park district. >> Okay. Cuz you find that the usage probably is >> some places are used more than others and just >> here's here's one example would be after the design phase. >> Yeah. >> If it's a pretty
025clean design and Nicholas can implement it, >> right, we might not use as many hours, >> right? Right. >> So there's that's that's my logic on maybe this when we use time and material we're like when you when we were doing a kitchen or you're doing a roof project or an HVAC now you got to stick around for um you know like where they do the the commissioning and you got to wait till the project's installed and then the HVAC passes certain test >> right >> well there'll be some of that with this I would think >> no commissioning commissioning is usually um related to like mechanicals. There shouldn't really be any mechanicals except for maybe lights in the parking lot, >> right? >> So, a lot of this is just grady ashvalt turf, dirt
026movement, >> some of that stuff. So, that's why I thought maybe time and material might be better >> for this project. >> Yeah, I I don't ob think of it as a a more simple project than the kitchen, right? I'm not trying to underestimate parking lots and fields, but >> I think the not to exceed language is a great idea, though. That's a good way to >> Yes. >> Keep it >> protect us, right? >> I think anything exterior, you know, parking lot in a field, it's going to be less regulatory as far as the, >> you know, like you were saying, the interior would be different. >> Okay. So, any follow-up questions should be directed. >> I'm hoping to have a final at the for you. Okay. [Music] Sounds good. Any more questions on
027this matter in particular? Okay. Um, our visitors uh are no longer present. So, no additional visitor statements. Board discussion items. Um, we have a couple of things. I don't know what order you want to take them in. If I could just quickly comment on B, which is the the resolutions committee report. This is for first read. There isn't a lot of substance. I think in years past Laura >> they intro they introduced that at the meeting. I have not had a chance to go through it and pull it out. So maybe the next meeting I'll pull out some highlights. >> Yeah, I would say there's only one resolution and there's some some language about um the membership. Right. So I think if we can what will happen on that for our new members is kind
028of just do a thumbs up thumbs down on the various changes. um ISBE IASB excuse me makes a recommendation we don't have to go along with their recommendation they write it up very nicely and then Laura as our uh design to the conference will take our vote when appropriate but there is only one um substantive resolution so it should be a pretty quick discussion I think pretty quick review and discussion >> yeah at the dinner the the president of the organization uh commented on the difference because normally there's several resolutions but he said that this year there is a focus on some constitutional changes that they'll be focusing on. >> Yeah. >> And so >> Okay. So we can everyone should make sure we read that before the next meeting and that should be a
029relatively short discussion but you'll be ready then before the >> before the conference. Um and I'll go back over to you Dr. Skinkis. What order you want to take these in? The revised district goals. >> The district goals. So all I did is I put a one pager in from the feedback from our retreat. The current goals are highlight are on top and then the first draft for the board to consider and discuss uh are written below so that you can easily compare. We went from five to four. Um the diversity, equity and inclusion training and professional development was then incorporated into the guiding statement above the four goals consistent with the district's mission statement and through an equity lens. the district 2A board of education is committed to and then those are the four
030goals that were somewhat laid out during the retreat combined it a little bit. Um so I did do a little word smithing based on my notes that I took that evening when the board did their retreat with the IASB. Um number one instead of explore it's maximize the curricular day. Um we had the rigor the new opportunities that's all consistent. Uh we also added to the end our college and career ready at graduation. That's an option for the board to either keep or remove. But the key word from explore to maximize. Number two was researched uh in the originals. Now it's increase opportunities for methods for two-way engagement. Um number three was the one that we moved into the more of the guiding statement. Number four was um prepare. Number four was advocate to increase.
031that was in my work with the zoos and the local municipalities or not the zoos like there's plural with the zoo and the local municipalities. Um so now number three has been adjusted to prepare and implement a 5-year facility plan that expands the district's physical footprint and addresses all essential repair and replacement needs. While this expanding of the district footprint under Senate Bill 637 is is good, um, as we've talked about on occasion with the board, even when we were reviewing previous bond meetings, we know starting in 29, we'll begin replacing roofs that were installed in 2009 under the first under the the large referendum that the district had approved in 2009. We also have identified uh we've had some HVAC units that have failed and had costly repairs. So I've asked um Aramark and
032our facilities manager to start making a list. We have like 12 or 14 air handling units that were installed since 2009. Large air handling units on the roofs. So as we replace those sections of roofs, we need to see the conditions of those air handling units. So there's going to be a lot of repairs. um you know 20 starting in 29 hopefully starting at 29 through 34 35 >> were the two was it two air conditioning units that failed right at the beginning of school this year >> so we got the heat exchanger over the little theater that's about 30 something thousand repair but we're going to be able to repair that and then we had the special ed wing uh HVAC unit the uh the VFD or the side failed and we were able
033to take one out of an older unit and replace it. Um, so we updated one of the other units and used the old one to get this one working. So we had two just at the start of this, >> right? I remember that the first week of school, but was were both of those units installed in 2009? >> Yes. They're older units. >> Yep. And then we did the board should remember in 2000 uh right after CO or right be right right before CO we did the $2 million unit just about $2 million unit over the cafeteria >> the library the kids weren't fully back at school >> right we were able to start that sooner >> so I mean our these are costly so I think it's important that we start laying out a
034plan at that point the turf in the stadium was installed in 2015. We have a 10-year warranty on that turf. So that's this is the last year of the warranty. And so within the next 5 years, you're going to have to replace that turf, right? Every 15 years roughly. So I mean there's some projects >> just normal age and obsolescence that it probably makes sense to have a board goal. we should be talking about it >> so that you know um in 2030 or we're not sitting there saying hey we need 3 million for this or you know air handling units you know million for we should be starting to space this out if we can >> do >> when's our next don't we have a safety plan due in >> safety pan plan was
035just recently approved in 23 uh the 10ear life safety but a lot of these I shouldn't say a lot some of these won't apply and some will. You most likely can get roofs under life safety. HVAC can try to go with the air quality and um you know efficiency, sustainability. So some of that could be covered under life safety bonds. Turf replacement will most likely not be. Um so those are just some things we have to prepare for. So that's why I added the five-year facility plan. We can make it a 10-year. Um we could just say have a facility plan. I don't know again first draft but you can word smith this but I think it's important we do more than just the field project out here cuz >> Oh yeah. >> And then
036the last one was uh maintain responsible buding responsible budgeting while investing in staff and programs directly affecting student outcomes. We just changed that to maintain responsible budgeting while investing in staff and programs directly affecting student outcomes. and the district facility, a physical plant. I don't know how else you would want to word Smith it, but I think it's important. Again, this is um something we should be fiscally planning, you know, laying out a fiscal plan like we know we're going to do this much each year or we're going to bond each this much or as bond comes as debt comes off, we put debt back on so the taxpayers don't see an increase, but we can still finance these projects. So, that was my first crack at it. I'm open to feedback and there was
037no comments submitted this meeting so maybe the board needs to chew on these a little bit. >> Well, I think we have the um I mean to me these reflected the general uh sense of what the the Lori Grant session was. I think you captured a lot of it here but I'm sure people have some level of word smithing they want to contribute. So is is the goal here to adopt these as the goals at the cow or do you want to wait till the beginning of >> we kind of gave ourselves first semester to put these in place. So you have we have >> one more meeting in October, one in November, one in December. >> So I think it's important for everyone to think about these let's assume these some version of these
038four goals. What would the next step would be? what were the action steps that we would expect the administration and team to be working on to support the four goals. So I think that's these goals need to be written in such a way that they can support action steps. >> Right. Right. So like the if the board finalizes these in October or November, um probably when we get back from winter break, the next phase would be what would be the 25 or excuse me 26 27 goal for each one of these for you know my administrative team. >> Mhm. >> Right. Like probably for number four we develop five-year facility plan do a roof assess you know update our roof assessment, update our HVAC, right? So that would be an example of then Chris and
039I would generate the action step for next year would be writing the five-year plan. Um so if as long as you guys can adopt your your general goals so that I have time second semester to work with my team on writing the next year's action steps that would be great. >> Is everybody comfortable with that as a as a approach? >> Okay. And then if you have any changes to the words, I think it's important to get them in before the next meeting. Just I'd like to get these put away so that we that the team can start working on them appropriately. Um and then the final item which was the board of education operating procedures. Again, this is not a matter for voting, but this came out of our uh retreat with the um
040state association. I think everyone has now seen those standard operating procedures updated. I know that um both Miss Gaskan and myself have contributed to some of the some of the editing on those. If you have comments, we didn't see any additional comments. So, I think if we're good with them, we can put them and and adopt them to move forward. But again, it's not a formal adoption. >> So, next next meeting, right? >> Yeah. There's no formal vote, >> right? This is just our internal operating procedures. Um, I think we addressed uh Lori Grant had a number of um documents. They're kind of merged into one document. We had an existing that was got a little bit um little janky over time. And I think it's it's a nice streamlined approach. >> So if anyone
041has any comments, speak now. Otherwise, I think we'll move with that. And again, it's a fluid document. If something comes up and says we want to handle this in this manner, that's a discussion we could obviously have. >> Yeah. If you don't mind, I would just like an extra couple weeks because we had those four meetings in a row and then I also went to the dinner and so I didn't have a chance to really look at them. >> Yeah, I think they were in um the board the Friday packet a few weeks ago, but I think if you could maybe resend them or actually they're in the board packet in the board. >> They're in the So, if we can talk them out in two weeks if you don't mind. Yeah. >> Okay. Any
042additional questions? We'll >> So, these will remain under a discussion item. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> Not a problem. Um >> actually so will the go three of these items will remain correct none of these are formal voters >> these are all just >> we had a busy September we had homecoming and some committees and >> um any any board of education items for future meetings from any member of the board? >> I just have uh some comments from the dinner that the Illinois Association schoolboard dinner. >> Sure. >> Do you want me to do the >> Go ahead. Yeah. The floor is yours. So, I did go to the dinner with uh the Illinois Association School Boards, the um our association was at the Elmrest. Uh it was a very nice dinner. The nice
043thing is that you're at a table with other board members and you hear uh some of the comments on what they're doing at their schools and what's important. Uh a lot of schools are very encouraged and excited about getting like unions and trades. One of the schools now has a certificate in cos cos uhmology, right? >> Cosmetology. Yes. And so they're very excited about that because some of their uh students come out with vocations and you know may pursue even more careers in that area. Uh you hear different, you know, where people are pulling. Leiden is doing a lot of work like we are with the dual credit and you know they're doing a lot of pretty cool things there. And then the speaker was just uh really amazing. I wish they would have filmed
044it. Uh he was a Latino young young man. I expected, you know, because this is the teacher of the year. >> And I expected somebody who had been teaching for a while. If anybody has ever read Escalante, this is a, you know, calculus teacher uh in California, also Latino. He gave this beautiful story. Uh you know, they born in Mexico. His mom was first generation, wanted to go to college and the you know the father's like why we have a business why would you want to do that but she did and she went to college and you know met her the love of her life there and when they came to United States uh they the h the the dad wanted to go into engineering and not finding other teachers that looked like them or
045with a Latino background just kind of just explaining that journey you And so the teacher used his parents how that his parents' journey and shortly after he was born the mom passed away. And so out of you know he wanted to do this for his mom and you know you know do something to leave a legacy for the mom who believes so much in education. and he has been able to build into his curriculum this authentic learning and start to get communities of Latino engineers and in the math and science area to encourage other Latino students to learn and you know he had different examples of authentic learning uh things that they're already doing and don't even realize that this is part of uh engineering and so They had something over the summer and they
046worked with their local university and and the kids said, "You you tricked us, professor." You know, they called my stroke. You tricked us. You we thought we were only coming for a few weeks of fun, but uh we worked really hard on our projects even though it was fun, you know, and many of the students ended up getting some uh college money and pursuing different careers in math and science. you know, the teacher of the year gets a sbatical. He will be going around sharing his story. Uh, I'm kind of anxious. I assume this may result in the book or something, you know, this authentic opportunities and learning and building community. He has the website. So, it was it was really a a great presentation here. Something new and novel from the ground up. you
047know, somebody's doing something just out of their passion. And one of the best stories is he had gone back to Mexico to visit with his niece and nephews. And in the school where his niece and nephews are in Mexico, the teacher was so excited because they had filmed this American teacher who had Latino roots and was doing these novel things. And the kids are like, "Oh, that's my toio." and like what? No way. You know, so how the circle, you know, content, you know, so far away and yet so close and you just don't know who you're going to influence and he just does it so seamlessly, you know. So, it was really a great presentation. It went by too quickly, you know. I think everybody wanted to hear part two. Hopefully, we'll see him
048at uh the conference and hear more about that. So, that was a great opportunity to get to hear what the teacher of the year. It's a great great pick this year. Definitely a great pick. >> Thanks for sharing. Anyone else? >> Good. >> Okay. Um, we do have matters for close session. uh appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, student discipline, individual student matters, purchase, sale or lease of real property, probable imminent or pending litigation, collective negotiations, and school safety. The Board of Education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, enters close session for the purpose of considering the close session matters as presented in the October 14, 2025 board agenda packet. >> Second, please. >> Second from Mr. Durkens. So moved. And can we get a
049roll call to go to closed? >> Mr. Roach? >> Yes. >> Mr. Williams? >> Yes. >> Miss? >> Yes. >> Mr. Caputo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Der? >> Yes. >> Miss Gasta? >> Yes. this house. Yes. >> Okay. Uh 7:39 want to reconvene.