Hawthorn Board Highlights

Present: Michael Engle, Karl Borchers, George Fivet, Joel Finfer, Julie Clifford, Robin Cleek, Wes Polen.

One of the goals of the Board of Education is to recognize the accomplishments of those who play a significant role in advancing Hawthorn’s tradition of excellence. This includes teachers, staff, students and community members.

Detelina Andonova's nomination comes from Middle North Interim Principal Jenna Stern, who shared, “Didi is an incredible asset to Hawthorn Middle North. She goes above and beyond the call of duty to support our students and families, especially our Russian and Ukrainian families as she is able to communicate in their native language and make them feel welcomed and comfortable. Didi approaches every student and family with a smile, caring heart and empathy. Her calm and caring nature makes her a valuable paraprofessional, bowling coach, garden club sponsor, D73 employee, and so much more. Thank you, Didi for all you do! You rock!!”

Jennah Hirsch was nominated for recognition by Erin Brickman. Erin shares, "Jennah has been with our district for two years now, making significant contributions. She has skillfully run the Hawthorn Eagles Nest newspaper and has recently taken on coaching girls volleyball. Her involvement doesn't stop there; Jennah has also been a Snowflake facilitator for two years, volunteered at numerous Hawthorn events, covered classes amidst substitute teacher shortage, and dedicated her time to a local pet rescue shelter outside of school. As an ELA/ALA teacher, Jennah's passion for reading, writing, vocabulary, and creativity shines through, alongside her strong devotion to her students. Continuously seeking ways to enhance her teaching and coaching, Jennah has formed incredible bonds with her students. This year, she's also excelling in co-teacher training with her counterpart. Jennah's ability to give 110% to everything she does makes her an invaluable member of our team. It's truly a pleasure to have her with us."

The Hawthorn Recognition Committee is eager to celebrate the outstanding efforts of our staff and students. Whether it's a teacher going the extra mile or a student showing remarkable leadership, every effort counts. Let's come together to shine a light on these Eagles! Visit our Recognition Page and nominate a deserving individual today. Celebrate the greatness within our district!

In her president's report, Board President Robin Cleek addressed several key points:

• She reminded board members about the necessity to file their Statement of Economic Interest promptly and directed anyone who hadn't received the email to speak with Jessica Flores.
• Cleek discussed the upcoming graduation ceremonies for Middle North and Middle South, scheduled for May 30 at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., respectively.
• The president brought up a proposal for future board meetings or newsletters to include educational segments about board governance for the community. This idea aims to increase transparency and understanding of board operations, even though it was tried in the past with limited scope. Cleek expressed willingness to undertake the effort if there's interest, suggesting the possibility of providing answers to commonly asked questions on the board's website.
• Finally, Cleek indicated she would work with Dr. Hannigan and Samantha Cook to determine the feasibility and format of this initiative, acknowledging concerns about bandwidth and the actual benefit of such an effort compared to direct community interactions.

Board Member Joel Finfer provided an ED-RED Report with a focus on several key topics, including tax increment financing (TIF), legislative initiatives affecting school districts, and policies related to school safety and resources.

1. Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Finfer explained TIF as a financial mechanism that freezes the value of a commercial property at a base rate, meaning any increase in value won't be taxed until the TIF district expires after 23 years. He highlighted the broad and loose definition of "blighted" conditions in Illinois, which can shift the tax burden from commercial property owners to individual taxpayers.

2. Legislation on New Arrivals: Finfer discussed House Bill 2822 and House Bill 3991, which address the topic of new arrivals to school districts. One bill acknowledges the presence of new arrivals, while the other proposes appropriating $35 million to assist districts impacted by these new arrivals, emphasizing the financial strain on districts accommodating them.

3. School District Impact Note for Mandates (House Bill 4622): This bill proposes a requirement for assessing the financial and infrastructural impact of new mandates on school districts, such as the introduction of a new curriculum or the implementation of full-day kindergarten. The goal is to ensure that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) evaluates the feasibility and cost implications for districts.

4. School District Polling Places (House Bill 479): Addressing safety concerns, this bill suggests that schools be used as polling places only with the approval of the school board or local school council. The intention is to control access to buildings and maintain a safe environment for students and staff.

   
   

Finfer's report underscored the importance of understanding and navigating these legislative and financial challenges to support educational goals and maintain the safety and wellbeing of students and staff within the district.

Board Member Michael Engle provided an update on recent activities and decisions from the Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL). Key points from his report include:

1. Student Information System: PowerSchool has been chosen as the new student information system for SEDOL, already in use by 18 of SEDOL's member districts, or 58% of them. The target for implementing this system is set for the fall of 2025.

2. Real Estate Sale: The board ratified a real estate sale agreement between the SEDOL Governing Board and the Board of Education of Mundelein High School District 75 for the sale of South School for $630,000. The vocational program currently at this location will relocate to Gages Lake School for the 2024-2025 school year.

3. Strategic Planning: Updates were given on strategic planning efforts, with the SES (Special Education Services) teams meeting their six-month goals. These updates also covered SEDOL's financial planning for the future.

4. Superintendent Retirement: The board acknowledged Superintendent Donnan's intention to retire on June 30, 2024. To fill the impending vacancy, the board approved one-year contracts for interim superintendents Dr. Judy Hackett and Dr. Tim Thomas, starting July 1, 2024, both of whom have cooperative and superintendent experience.

5. Upcoming Meetings: Engle noted the dates for the next executive board meeting on March 21 and the governing board meeting on June 5, indicating ongoing governance and operational planning within SEDOL.

There was nothing new to report this evening.

There was nothing new to report this evening.

In his report, Superintendent Dr. Pete Hannigan highlighted the district's response to the tornado in Mundelein, which significantly impacted the community, including the displacement of eleven Hawthorn families. Dr. Hannigan gave special recognition to Gaby Cervantes, D73 family liaison, for her exceptional efforts during this crisis. Cervantes was on-site immediately following the disaster, assisting first responders, translating for families, and coordinating essential services such as shelter and food. Her actions were praised by Hank from the Red Cross, who noted that in his 20 years of experience, he had never witnessed such outstanding support from a school district for affected families. This incident showcased the remarkable solidarity and generosity within the Hawthorn community, with local vendors and community members stepping up to provide meals and other resources to those affected. The superintendent expressed his deep gratitude towards Gaby Cervantes and the community for their tremendous support during this challenging time.

Additionally, Dr. Hannigan announced that returning student registration for the next academic year would commence after spring break on April 4. He emphasized the importance of early registration, scheduled to conclude by May 1, highlighting that it facilitates academic planning and preparation, ensuring a seamless transition for students and staff into the new year. The district also offers an incentive to encourage families to complete the registration process by the specified deadline.

Superintendent Dr. Pete Hannigan concluded his report by presenting the "Building Superpowers" video from Lincoln Early Learning Center.

There were no presentations this evening.

In the discussion about community requests for separate notifications on specific agenda topics, the concern was raised regarding the feasibility and desirability of highlighting certain topics from the regularly posted board agendas. The agendas are made available at least 48 hours in advance, and the public can access the documents to review upcoming discussions.

The request came from two community members who were interested in a particular topic being separately notified to the community. However, the board recognized the challenge in determining which topics should be highlighted, as interests and priorities vary widely among community members. The concern was that selecting specific topics for separate notification could be subjective and not reflect the broader community's interests.

The consensus reached was to improve access to information by adding a link to the board documents in the district calendar for board meetings, ensuring that all community members have the opportunity to review agenda items in advance without the need for separate notifications on specific topics. This approach aims to maintain transparency and accessibility while respecting the diverse interests of the community.

Dr. Hannigan addressed the board regarding the Resolution on the Impact of Tax Increment Financing (TIF), emphasizing the district's support for economic development within the community, including initiatives like the Hawthorn Mall Agreement. This stance underscores Hawthorn District 73's commitment to collaborative growth with local authorities, aiming to benefit the district and community at large. While highlighting the importance of tax incentives in attracting businesses and fostering economic growth, Dr. Hannigan also stressed the necessity to balance these initiatives to protect the school district and taxpayers from potential negative impacts. The conversation about TIF reform, driven by advocacy from school boards as relayed by ED-RED, illustrates a proactive approach to ensuring that economic development does not compromise educational quality or financial stability within the district.

Dr. LeeAnn Taylor discussed the upcoming replacement of the Middle North domestic water heater, highlighting it as a key item on the summer project list. This initiative has been a topic of conversation in Site and Facilities Committee meetings over recent years, emphasizing its importance as part of ongoing infrastructure improvements. The bidding process resulted in two proposals, with Abitua Sewer, Water, and Plumbing submitting the winning bid at $119,000, identified as the lowest bidder.

The bid from Abitua Sewer, Water, and Plumbing is presented for discussion, with plans to seek formal approval at the board meeting in April. This step forward in the project underscores the district's commitment to maintaining and improving its facilities to ensure a safe and functional learning environment for students and staff.

APPROVED

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Adam Palmer outlined the 2024-2025 Staffing Plan, emphasizing additions including three learning behavior specialists, speech language pathologists, a social worker, and others to support special education and maintain lower class sizes in early grades. This plan aims to enhance the district's special education offerings and reduce reliance on external cooperatives, highlighting a commitment to focused educational support and improved student services.

APPROVED

With Dr. Taylor transitioning to Frankfort, Illinois, the search for a new Chief School Business Official (CSBO) commenced, leading to the posting of the position across various platforms on January 26. Out of 13 applicants, a pool of candidates was selected for interviews conducted on March 8 by two teams comprising business, human resources team members, and district administrators. Following thorough evaluations, Jennifer Akin emerged as the recommended candidate for the CSBO position, with her appointment up for board consideration.

APPROVED

Dr. Taylor announced that the Food Service Evaluation Committee recommends continuing the partnership with Quest as the district's food service management company for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond. This recommendation comes with the understanding that the contract will be reviewed and brought back to the board annually for approval.

APPROVED

Dr. Taylor presented the action item regarding student meal prices for the 2024-2025 school year, requesting board approval for a school lunch price of $3.50 and a breakfast price of $1.50. This proposal was initially introduced in February and is now up for official approval.

APPROVED

Dr. Taylor discussed the Annual District Consolidated Plan, emphasizing its importance in streamlining the process for federal grant applications. This plan, required annually by ISBE, is crucial for organizing grant spending across the district. Dr. Taylor expressed gratitude towards colleagues and grant specialists for their collaborative effort in completing this plan each year. The consolidation aids in planning, questioning, and meeting the requirements of federal grants effectively. The board's approval of this plan was sought to continue this organized approach to grant management.

APPROVED

The request was made for the board to take action on disposing of technology items that have reached the end of their useful life. Details of the items proposed for disposal were included in the board packet, with the recommendation for the board to approve their disposal during the evening's meeting.

APPROVED

President Cleek indicated that the last action item had been discussed during a closed session and proceeded to initiate the voting process on the agenda items.

The next Board of Education meeting will be held on April 18, 2024 at Middle South.