HF Board Notes 9/16/2025

Anaya Mootry represents the HF student body at Board of Education meetings. She shared student comments about the number of students between C and D lunch in the South Cafeteria. She also mentioned that the restroom near the music classrooms are often locked when a dean's assistant is not working that desk. The administration will look into both of these.

Board of Education members shared the following comments.

Dr. Ariana Leonard wished everyone a Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

Dr. Camille O'Quin invited everyone to attend the upcoming Diary of a Wimpy Kid performances.

Chris Riedel shared that student volunteers were working in the garden with the Flossmor Green Commission tonight. He applauded the fact that there is never a shortage of students willing to volunteer.

Dr. Jennifer Norrell shared that we are looking forward to Homecoming this weekend. With feedback from students and conversations with local law enforcement and partner schools a plan is in place aimed at encouraging school spirit and maintaining safety.

She announced that the Food for Thought Family Fall Fest will feature parent learning sessions, food truck vendors and family fun October 9 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Dr. Norrell and Dr. Dallacqua presented on the IB Career-related Programme.

Homewood-Flossmoor High School is charting an exciting new course with the launch of the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IB CP), aligning with Illinois’ College & Career Pathway Endorsement system. This program will complement the already existing IB Diploma programme at HF. The initiative connects rigorous academics with real-world career experiences, preparing students to graduate college-, career-, and life-ready.

State Requirements and Student Interests

Illinois requires students to complete individualized postsecondary plans, two years of sequenced coursework (including at least six early college credits), career exploration activities, and a 60-hour capstone career experience. At HF, student data shows the highest interest in Health Sciences, followed by Arts/Communications and Business Management.

Pathway Options

HF is designing robust pathways across multiple career clusters, examples include:

• Health Sciences: Sports medicine, nursing assistant, pharmacy technician, and more.
• STEM and Technology: Engineering, cybersecurity, computer programming, and digital design.
• Arts & Communications: Theatre, film, broadcasting, and graphic communications.
• Business & Public Service: Business management, finance, government, education, and law.

IB CP Core and Course Expansion

The IB CP model combines two IB Diploma Programme courses of choice with a Career-related Core, including personal and professional skills, community service, reflective projects, and cultural studies. Proposed new IB courses include Sports, Exercise & Health Science, Design Technology, Global Politics, Theatre, Film, Digital Society, and Dance.

Timeline for Implementation

• Aug–Dec 2025: Course design, scheduling, and teacher training.
• Oct 2025: IB consultant visit.
• Dec 2025: IB CP and ISBE applications submitted.
• March 2026: IB verification visit.
• June 2026: IB authorization notification.
• Fall 2026: Official launch of IB CP and new pathways at HF.

Strategic Focus and Next Steps

HF leaders are prioritizing stakeholder engagement through Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Norrell’s forums, which aim to “de-myth” the idea that IB is only for select students. Teachers will help lead program design, while families, alumni, and community partners will play a critical role in creating career-related experiences. Upcoming steps include securing partnerships, expanding professional learning, and staffing key roles such as a CP Coordinator and Community Engagement Coordinator.

Chief School Business Official Dr. Lawrence Cook shared a school finance update for the proposed budget. The presentation highlighted the district’s continued commitment to student achievement, responsible financial management, and long-term stability.

Key priorities include:

• Supporting Teaching & Learning: Resources dedicated to classroom instruction, student support services, and college- and career-readiness initiatives.
• Maintaining Fiscal Health: Balanced budget planning with careful monitoring of revenues, expenditures, and reserves.
• Investing in Facilities & Technology: Upgrades to ensure safe, modern learning environments and enhanced access to technology.
• Future Planning: Aligning financial decisions with the district’s strategic goals and projected enrollment trends.

The budget also outlines several fund transfers to ensure proper allocation of resources. Required transfers include $750,000 from the Education Fund to the IMRF Fund and $150,000 to the Social Security Fund. The district may also transfer approximately $1.3 million from the Education Fund to the Debt Services Fund. In addition, the Board is considering transferring into the Capital Projects Fund: $7 million from the Education Fund, $1 million from the Transportation Fund, and $2 million from Working Cash.

Board members emphasized the importance of transparency and stewardship in managing taxpayer funds while ensuring students and staff have the tools they need to succeed. the Board passed the budget.

Finance Committee Report

Next Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday, October, 7, 2025 at 7:45 am at HF High School Viking Room

Planning Committee Meeting

Next Planning Committee Meeting – Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 10:30 am HF High School Viking Room

Nathan Legardy shared the report including the Year 2 focus of the Strategic Plan. Algebra 1/ Integrated math 1 proficiency exam. HF summative designation as Commendable by ISBE with the goal being to get to Exemplary. Endorsed several proposals that are up for action tonight. U.S. News and World Report ranking improved substantially year over year but there is work to do which is a focus of the Year 2 Strategic Plan.

Personnel Committee Meeting

Next Personnel Committee Meeting – Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 9:00 am at HF High School Superintendent’s Conference Room

Pam Jackson shared that the committee heard a thorough staffing update, pre-service educators' agreement with local universities, cleaning up processes and procedures, service contracts for activities, PRESS Policy updates ( she pointed out 3 minutes for public comment with signup procedure and Board member oath).

• Regular Board Meeting Minutes, August 19, 2025
• 2025-2026 Annual Tuition Rate, non-resident students at $25,323.11 per year, or $143.07 per day
• Compensation Reports, Public Acts 97-0256 & 96-0434 Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefit Report/Public Act 97-0609 IMRF Compensation Report
• Approval of Expenditures, $1,788,091.43, Approval of Imprest Fund, $14,697.36 9.6 Ratification of August, 2025, Payroll, $2,066,495.75
• Approve the contract with Catalyst for Educational Change in the amount of $32,650.00.
• Approved contract with New Leaders in the amount of $34,300.00.
• Approve contract with You Matter 2 for the Discover U Program in the amount of $11,500.00.
• Approved university partnerships to support Pre-Service Educator programming, current and future, that support a pipeline of highly qualified future employees and recruitment efforts.
• Approved the Informed K-12 Service Agreement in the amount of $37,666.67.
• Approve the Board policy updates as recommended by the Personnel Committee.
• Approved the Request for 1.0 FTE School Security Liaison for the Science Building.
• Approved the Request for 1.0 FTE Dean’s Assistant for the Science Building.
• Approved the Request for one Hourly Student Textbook Center Assistant
• Approved Sixth Assignments (0.1 FTE for Accounting Honors/CP, 0.1 FTE IB Visual Arts)
• Approved the donation of a 1971 Yamaha G3 grand piano to Michael Rugen.

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  The District 233 School Board meets at 7:00 p.m. in the school's Viking Room - unless otherwise indicated. Upcoming meeting dates:

• • October 21, 2205
  • November 18, 2025
  • December 16, 2025
  • January 20, 2026
  • February 17, 2026
  • March 17, 2026
  • April 21, 2026
  • May 19, 2026
  • June 16, 2026