Special Meeting Minutes Board of Education  Niles Township High Schools  District 219  Cook County, Illinois March 10, 2016

I. Call to Order and Roll Call Board President Sproat called the meeting to order at 7:02 a.m. Board Members Present at Roll Call: Ruth Klint, David Ko (7:07 a.m.), Linda Lampert, Brian Novak, Joseph Nowik, Mark Sproat. Board Members Absent: Carlton Evans II. Open Session It was moved by LAMPERT and seconded by KLINT to go into Open Session at 7:02 a.m. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Klint , Ko, Lampert, Novak, Nowik, Sproat. The motion carried. III. The pledge was recited. IV. President Sproat welcomed everyone to the Special Board meeting and described the order of this meeting. V. Audience to Visitors There was no audience to visitors requesting to speak. VI. Superintendent Search Update Representatives from BWP & Associates gave an update to the Board on the superintendent search. The panel consisted of three people (Dr. Anne Noland, Dr. Bruce Brown and Dr. Ronald Barnes). Dr. Nolan discussed challenges; Dr. Brown discussed strengths and Dr. Barnes discussed characteristics of a new superintendent. Dr. Barnes thanked District 219 for the great hospitality that has been shown to the panel. He then discussed how the meetings were set up. Dr. Brown discussed the feedback from the sender school superintendents who openly shared their relationship with District 219 and are looking forward to a new relationship. They appreciate the opportunity to have input and being recognized by the Board of Education in District 219 and believe this is a great start to a good relationship. The District’s strengths are listed in the order mentioned: 

Diversity – This was the number one strength because this is what makes District 219 different from the other north suburban schools.

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Pride – Everyone has pride in the facilities, physical plant and the fact that everything is so well maintained.

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Strong Reputation - Everyone feels that District 219 has a strong reputation that draws individuals into the community and is a magnet for people to be involved in the Township.

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Excellent Resources to Support the District Programs - District 219 has the physical ability and the support of the community which allows the District to bring wonderful programs to the table and support those programs.

Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of March 10, 2016

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Supportive parent groups and community organizations - Great network of support with the high school being the flagship.

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Dedicated staff - Teachers are committed and will not let students fail. Regardless of what happens in the District, the students are protected.

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Equity – This is a strong focus within the District. Dr. Brown said “… diversity is here, but the fact that there is equity within that diversity is a whole other aspect and that is something that people feel very good about.” All backgrounds are honored and everything brought to the table is of value and the Board and District recognizes and supports this. It is hoped that the new administrator will understand and will support this because it is an important piece for preparing our kids for the future.

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Genuine Caring for Students- It is not a facade, but genuine caring for the students.

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Extracurricular activities in the District are excellent. The District’s own extracurricular activities are fantastic and clubs have evolved from students’ interest.

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The schools and the students have remained above the fray, while other things have occurred that may have been negative at different levels. Again, overall very strong infrastructure, soft skills of relationships and bringing people together is very strong.

Dr. Noland discussed the challenges the District faces. Most of Dr. Noland’s day was spent at Niles North. She had 17 students that showed up on a late start day. The rest of the day she talked to superintendents from the feeder schools. The following challenges were discussed: 

Outsourcing - Help in library and social work. The question that arose was, “Has the budget trumped providing good service for students.” Teachers felt there are very nice structures for them to be involved in decision-making. However, they questioned if their voices are heard and if decisions made top down or through the process.

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Communication – Improving communication at all levels.

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Trust and integrity. The constituents would like to have more faith in the school district and the way decisions are made. People feel their voices are not heard and they would like to see professionalism and individual integrity in the new superintendent.

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Transparency – Students talked about budget cuts that affected field trips and extra-curricular activities. Students feel they can’t learn everything in the classroom.

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Recognition – Both staff and students said they want more recognition. They want the personal touch and talked about how the last superintendent knew their names. The staff feels they are well compensated, but ignored and not recognized for their service. An example of noncompassion was given. It was stated that it is great to be data driven, but there is a whole child out there who has needs beyond the data and not every child will go to college.

Dr. Barnes said the word he heard over and over again is family and family helps and trusts each other. He encourages the new superintendent to be the person to change the contentious relationship that exists between the union and administration. The relationship with the new superintendent will set the tone. There has to be mutual support. This will go a long way to the success of this District. As this District moves forward, the mutual support of the Board members as a unified team will go a long way toward success. Dr. Barnes said high school districts are very complex. Complexity is added to this District because there are 9 sender districts and the superintendents of these districts do not feel their schedules were considered. When it comes to a common calendar, vertical articulation, etc., there should to be an open dialogue between those districts. The new superintendent should see the underlying districts as partners in education and this help to develop good relationships. The other thing that makes District 219 unique is the embracing of diversity and the efforts toward equity. It is going to take someone that understands cultural differences and can look through and sense the anguish that is sometimes felt. Visibility will also be key, and getting to know the sender district boards of education. Union leadership would like to look at a win-win relationship in the future instead of being complacent as it has been in the past. Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of March 10, 2016

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Dr. Barnes disseminated a sheet stating the qualifications for the new superintendent. President Sproat will email this to the Board members. The Board should come to a consensus by Monday night. He stated that this is a starting document and we can add to it or delete from it. Characteristics for the new superintendent: 

An open, caring, authentic person with personal characteristics of honesty, fairness and personal integrity.

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Collaborative.

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Strong leader that can make difficult decisions.

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Respected educator with exceptional human relation skills.

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Someone with an understanding of school finance in Illinois and how the tax base and per pupil spending costs relate to a quality education.

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A person who will communicate effectively and is a good listener.

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A person that is visible in the schools and community.

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A visionary who sees the big picture and has a track record of successful leadership.

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A leader who will inspire everyone to a higher level and hold people accountable.

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A superintendent that will help the Board be the best they can be. This is a mutual relationship that helps the Board and the Superintendent succeed.

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Problem solving, consensus building, team building, bridge building, etc.

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An experienced leader with a strong understanding of equity at all levels.

The final draft will be sent back to President Sproat this afternoon and the District will have until Monday to review it. The online survey closes March 20. The information will be incorporated into one document. At the end of the survey, there is an open area where people can comment. This information will be forwarded as soon as it is put together. A written report that capsulizes all of these issues will be submitted. Dr. Noland said the qualitative information is what is being provided today and the survey will provide the quantitative piece. The advantages of having a Focus Group were discussed. Dr. Barnes said the District will be provided with a hard copy of this report, as well as a pdf which can be put on the District website. The Board asked questions regarding the survey. A special invitation will be sent to the Booster Clubs leaders, Fine Arts, etc. at both schools, as their schedules did not permit them to attend the Focus Group meeting. If anyone feels they did not have the opportunity to give their opinion, they can write to the panel or get in touch with the district and that will be included. An update will be given to President Sproat every Friday and that will be shared with the Board members. If the Board has questions, please inform President Sproat and he will pass on that information. Dr. Barnes said that ion order to maintain the confidentiality of this search, the panel is recommending that you do have Focus Groups that will help you through the interview process and that you develop some key people that could be invited in and they would sign confidentially agreements. If necessary, the panel can train them. There would be two different interviews for candidates, one for the Board and one for key people that signed the confidentiality agreement. This will show the transparency that we are hearing over and over and will allow key input from key people, but yet maintain the confidentiality of the search that will enhance the pool. That is their recommendation to the Board. The panel thinks we need key teacher leaders, parent leaders, community leaders and student leaders from North and West. This would be for the final two or three people and we would like to get their impressions. We remind them from the start Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of March 10, 2016

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that the top choice is selected by the Board of Education, but we want data from them and their impressions. Mr. Nowik would like to reach out to the feeder schools that were not able to attend the Focus Group meetings and Dr. Barnes suggested changing the word “consolidate” to “partnership.” President Sproat thanked the panel for providing the overview. Dr. Barnes will follow up in the Word formant following the guidelines of the Open Meetings Act. VII. Adjournment It was moved by KO and seconded by LAMPERT to adjourn the meeting. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Klint , Ko, Lampert, Novak, Nowik, Sproat. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 a.m.

_______________________________________ President

Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of March 10, 2016

___________________________________ Secretary

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