HF Board Notes 3/19/2024

This is a summary of the happenings at the Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School District 233 Board of Education meeting. It is not the official meeting minutes, but rather a summary to assist the H-F community in understanding the workings of the Board of Education. The official minutes can be found on the HF website in the School Board section once approved by the Board.

Meeting Date: March 19, 2024

The Board of Education honored the HF Speech Team that completed the IHSA State Speech Tournament with Third Place finish and three Individual State Champions!

• Stella Hoyt in Dramatic Interpretation
• Jazmin Rhodes in Oratorical Declamation
• Emma Steiner in Impromptu Speaking

Additionally, the following events placed at the State Tournament:

• Amy Ward and Stella Hoyt - 4th place in Dramatic Duet Acting
• Emma Steiner - 12th place in Extemporaneous Speaking
• Chris Albert and Robert Wakefield, Jr. - 6th place in Humorous Duet Acting
• Amy Ward - 6th place in Prose Reading

Overall, HF Speech finishes with a 3rd place finish in the State of Illinois, to go along with its Regional Championship and Sectional Championship from earlier this state playoff run.

School Board President Gerald Pauling congratulated the HF staff on making it to the fourth quarter and said he looks forward to finishing strong.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Wakeley shared that over the next few Board meetings we will be honoring student groups for State Championships including Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Boys Basketball. HF continues to raise the bar and break records. We are proud of them all!

Principal Dr. Clinton Alexander said he is proud of our kids and all that they are achieving. Momentum has been created by our staff and students as we push through the last quarter of the year.

Director of Human Resources Jodi Bryant shared that on March 9 we held Educator Job Fair with 150 potential candidates, many that match with our open positions. There were some exciting matches with our openings. She thanked Gail Smith for all she does for activities, too.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Jen Hester shout out to our teachers for their hard work. Tomorrow teachers will be trained in the digital SAT proctoring.

Director of Communication and Community Engagement Carla Erdey reported that HF has teamed up with our partner elementary districts for a joint school communications survey. The survey is live now for students, staff, families and community members to share their thoughts on how we are doing with communication. The results will be disaggregated by school district. As part of our strategic communication planning last school year, we established benchmark data for satisfaction and perception ratings. This will allow us to see what impact our communication efforts are having. The link to the survey is on the HF website, social media channels and the HF FYI.

• Staff, Family and Community Survey Link
• Student Survey Link

Personnel Committee Meeting – Board member Pam Jackson shared the committee reviewed the creation of a new role to be considered later in the agenda.

Planning Committee Meeting – Board VP Nate Legardy shared that we discussed the Integrated Math 1 that will be implemented next school year. Also looked at ways to further support the implementation of standards-based learning across the curriculum including the Curriculum and Instruction Specialist position that is on the agenda tonight for approval.

• Department Leads: The Board of Education approved Department Lead positions starting in the 2024-2025 school year. These positions take the place of the current Department Chair positions. Key functions of the role include: Supervise the development, implementation, and evaluation of equity-centered and culturally responsive curriculum and instructional programs, Provide instructional leadership that promotes the district’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities, Supervise all personnel activities within the department, and Coordinate the development of day-to-day operational tasks and departmental resources. The new positions prioritize leadership for curriculum and instruction and provide additional time to get the work done.
• Curriculum and Instruction Specialist: The Board also approved the creation of a Curriculum and Instruction Specialist Position.The Curriculum & Instruction Specialist provides support to the Department Leads, Subject Area Curriculum Chairs, and Subject Area committees to design and implement the elements of standards-based learning infrastructure to ensure that all students learn at high levels. This position manages the project schedule and evaluation process for the major initiatives led by the Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development. The Curriculum & Instruction Specialist will teach one class.
  
• Resignation: Approved the resignation of teacher Amanda Fieramosca at the end of this school year.
• Administrator Contracts and Administrative employment: tabled until a future Board meeting for further discussion by the Board.

• Approved Special Board Meeting Minutes, February 29, 2024, Regular Board Meeting Minutes, February 20, 2024, Special Board Meeting Minutes, February 19, 2024.
• Approved Annual Dismissal of Part-Time Teachers 2023-2024
• Voted to have Closed Meeting Minutes Remain Closed and Not Available for Public Inspection
• Approved amending Policy 3:50 4.7 IHSA Membership 2023-2024
• Approved Extended Field Trip – Science Department/Astro-Geo Class – Maquoketa Caves State Park
• Approval of Expenditures, $4,075,285.06 4.10, Imprest Fund, $56,011.45 4.11and ratification of February, 2024, Payroll, $3,099,676.53.
  
• Approved 2023-2024 Extra Responsibility Contracts, Athletics, $8,675.50
  

The District 233 School Board meets at 7:30 p.m. in the school's Viking Room - unless otherwise indicated. Upcoming meeting dates:

• April 16, 2024
• May 21, 2024
• June 18, 2024