Board Briefs

Board Briefs is a newsletter-style summary of the highlights of the Board of Education's discussion and action. You can find the meeting agenda online here and look for minutes to be posted after they are approved at the next regular BOE meeting (September 18, 2025).

The Board agenda and documents presented at the meeting are included in the Board Packet, and the meeting was streamed live and recorded on the District YouTube channel.

The Board held a public hearing on the final budget for the 2025-2026 year. There were no community comments on the budget.

The Board held a public hearing on the resolution to transfer moneys from the education fund to the operations and maintenance fund. There were no community comments on the resolution.

Chief Communications Officer Cathy Kedjidjian shared that the school year kicked off with a focus on Stronger Together Deerfield, and the community will continue to see the initiative's impact throughout the year.

Each meeting, Superintendent Mike Simeck provides information and updates on initiatives, events, notable achievements and other timely information.

Superintendent Simeck highlighted the welcome-back event for staff on August 14 and thanked those who helped plan and implement the event. He said that keynote speaker Molly Kennedy also gave a parent presentation that evening.

Mr. Simeck said that the school year is off with a great start, with a lot of energy for the Stronger Together Deerfield initiative.

Mr. Simeck encouraged the community to visit dps109.org/redefine to learn about and provide feedback on the referendum proposal. Upcoming informations sessions will be held:

• September 10, Wilmot, 6:30pm

• September 16, Patty Turner Center

• September 17, Walden, 6:30pm

Community members are encouraged to attend Board of Education meetings and contribute during the community participation periods. In all regular Board of Education meetings, the Board follows a set agenda that include two opportunities for community participation, one to address matters related to the agenda, and one open participation period later in the meeting. The BOE Recap provides a summary of the topics addressed by those who speak; the meeting recording, above, provides a full recording of comments from the community.

The following people spoke during the second public comment period:

• Joseph Kopsick, who is not a member of the Deerfield community, spoke about genocides.
• Erica Hornthal, parent and dance movement therapist, shared concern about the lack of unstructured movement and play at middle schools.
• Kimberly Loughlin, parent, asked about the District's contract with Olson Transportation. She shared the history of advocacy for lap-and-shoulder seat belts on District 109 school buses and her concern that the District's buses do not have seat belts.
• A Shepard student asked the Board not to weaken safety on school buses.

Dr. Filippi presented four Freedom of Information Act requests.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Dale Fisher presented the following policies, reviewed by the Policy Committee last month, for the Board's first reading: 2:260, 2:265, 4:15, 4:80, 5:10, 5:20, 5:60, 5:100, 6:150, 6:235, 7:10, 7:20, 7:50, 7:60, 7:70, 7:180, 7:185, 7:190, 7:200, 7:210, 7:250, 7:255, 7:270, 7:310, 7:340, and 8:30.

Mr. Simeck presented the District's resolution in support of Stronger Together Deerfield. He explained that the Village would be reviewing and taking action on a similar resolution, and other public entities are expected to follow. Each entity will commit to action items that support the initiative. District 109's action items are:

1. Launch the Let Grow program in elementary schools to foster independence and resilience in students.

2. Provide targeted professional development for staff to strengthen practices that build student resilience, social-emotional skills and digital balance.

3. Offer a series of family programming to equip parents and caregivers with strategies to support children’s academic, social and emotional well-being.

4. Coordinate work and communication with community partners to align initiatives that promote student growth, success and well-being.

5. Investigate opportunities to expand access to and utilization of wraparound services for children and families in the community.

Later in the meeting, the Board approved the resolution and Board Secretary Kate Joyce signed it.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dale Fisher explained that, due to the resignation of the District's adaptive PE teacher, the District proposes that one PE teacher in each building take on the additional responsibilities to support students in need of adaptive PE services.

Three districts submitted their intent to withdraw from the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804: Northbrook District 27, Northbrook/Glenview District 30, and Bannockburn District 106. Superintendent Simeck recommended the Board approve the requests.

The Board approved the consent agenda, including meeting minutes and personnel items. They also approved the Treasurer's Report, the Stronger Together Deerfield resolution, MOU and petitions for withdrawal from TrueNorth, the final budget and fund transfers.

Board Vice President Kelly Jakymiw reported on the August 20 TrueNorth board meeting, where they approved interim superintendents. District superintendents from across the region presented options on dissolution and reorganization.

Superintendent Simeck thanked the executive leadership team for the work they put in to prepare for and execute the start of the year. He thanked Kelly Jakymiw for her service on the TrueNorth board.

Kelly Jakymiw thanked the administration for the successful start of the school year.