Kendall County Times

Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education met Jan. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Community Unit School District 308, Kendall, Kane and Will Counties, Illinois, met in a regular session in the Community Room at Oswego East High School. 

Note for file: All roll call votes are shown in alphabetical order in these minutes; however, during the Board Meeting votes are called out in accordance with Board Policy 2:220 

1. Call to Order – Executive Session (6:00 p.m.) 

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by President LaTonya Simelton

1.1 Roll Call:

Upon Roll Call the following members answered present: 

Dominick Cirone, Eugene Gatewood, Dr. Amy Murillo, Jared Ploger, LaTonya Simelton, Mary Jo Wenmouth

Members Absent (at roll call):  

Jennifer Johnson

2. Closed Session 

2.1 Enter Closed Session under statute(s) 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1): The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of certain employees and individuals; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8) Security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting

A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to enter Closed Session under statute(s) 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1): The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of certain employees and individuals; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8) Security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting 

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 6-0 

Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Dr. Amy Murillo,

Mr. Jared Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth The Board of Education entered closed session 6:04 p.m. 

 2.2 Return to Open Session

A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to return to Open session 

 Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0 

Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth

The Board of Education returned to open session at 6:59 p.m. 

3. Call to Order – Public Session (7:00 pm) 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by President LaTonya Simelton

3.1 Roll Call:

Upon Roll Call the following members answered present: 

Dominick Cirone, Eugene Gatewood, Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Jared Ploger, LaTonya Simelton, Mary Jo Wenmouth

Student Board Members:

Hope Rie

Khali Parnell

Members Absent (at roll call):  

None

Administration Present: 

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Andalib Khelghati

Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Heather Kincaid

CFO/CSBO, Raphael Obafemi

Assistant Superintendent for Diverse Learners, Dr. Ivette Dubiel

Assistant Superintendent for Learning & Innovation, Dr. Kristen Paul

Assistant Superintendent of HR, Dr. Bryan Zwemke

Executive Director of Communications, Theresa Komitas

Director of Operations, William Queen

Others Present: 

Employees of the District and members of the community

Recording Secretary:  

Ursula Studer

 3.2 Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board President LaTonya Simelton 

4. Public Comment 

 4.1 Opportunity for the Public to address the Board of Education

Katie Heiden – commented on attending the College Information Night. They discussed cumulative GPA scores, having that 3.) average, and an SAT score of 430 and higher. If a student does not meet those guidelines, placement testing comes into place. It is discouraging for a parent that has a student with an IEP or a 504 to feel that there are already barriers when it comes to numbers.

We could have done better highlighting vocational schools, licensing exams or certification courses. Different industries don’t always require placement testing. We need to have those resources ready for students so they know how to bridge.

5. Presentations 

5.1 Strategic Plan Update 

Dr. Kincaid and Ann Cummins-Bogan presented updates on the district's strategic plan development, highlighting extensive community involvement and feedback collection. The board discussed various data points, including student engagement metrics and staff feedback. Notably, 2,850 quick responses were collected, with 917 from students, and 426 community conversations were conducted. The strategic plan will focus on five priorities: future-ready systems of support, academic wellness, and systems management. The board emphasized the importance of integrating all four pillars of the plan: academic success, supportive environment, partnership, and resource allocation.

Toya Prior presented updates on the development of the Portrait of a Well-Rounded Learner, discussing the task force's work and the five attributes being developed to ensure all students can see themselves in the framework.

The complete presentation, including audio, can be found at the following link:

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/oswego308/Board.nsf/Public 

6. Comments/Reports 

 6.1 Superintendent Report

I am delighted that our SD 308 community heard some exciting progress updates regarding our strategic planning engagement process this evening. This effort has brought out many differing and closely aligned voices to share their hopes, aspirations, and concerns. The data reflections you will hear tonight affirm our goal of deeper collaboration to improve how we work together in our schools while ensuring everyone is welcome. Your voice matters whether you are new to the community or come from several generations of residents. We want all students to have access to highly engaging learning experiences. Our strategic plan will be a dynamic, responsive plan with built-in mechanisms to evaluate and adapt the approach as our system-data reflects changing needs. We want to thank all who participated in sharing their voice/ The result will be a plan for the community, written with the community- we are all part of the next chapter!

On a serious note, I want to reaffirm our district’s unwavering commitment to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students. In times of uncertainty, when news headlines can spark fear, we hold firm to our shared values and recognize the importance of every student in our community. Our role remains steadfast—we are here to support and uplift our students, ensuring they know they are valued and protected.

As a district, we are legally prohibited from collecting or maintaining any student’s immigration records. Additionally, all student records are safeguarded under federal and state laws, requiring a court order for disclosure. While the likelihood of an immigration officer visiting our schools is low, our district and building leaders have received guidance from ISBE and our legal counsel on the proper procedures to follow. Only a criminal warrant, signed by a judge, would permit ICE agents to enter a school. Even in such cases, our building leaders have been directed to immediately contact district administration to involve legal counsel to verify the warrant and ensure proper handling.

To further support our students and families, we have provided staff with strategies to reinforce the welcoming and safe culture we have in our schools—especially for those experiencing fear or uncertainty. Above all, we want to reassure our students that our schools are places where they are safe, supported, and able to focus on learning.

Mrs. Johnson: After a rigorous audition process, three of our junior high students were selected to the All Illinois Junior Band Festival. This is a competitive event, as students were chosen from all over the state! Congratulations to Natalie DesVeaux (flute, Traughber JHS), Ellis Young (bassoon, Traughber JHS), and Owen DeCamp (percussion, Murphy JHS)!

Mr. Cirone: Congratulations to Anna Marie, director of Planning and Development, who was recently acknowledged as a Leader of Distinction Award in December with the District Administration Leadership Institute.

Dr. Murillo: OHS English teacher and Reflector yearbook adviser Ewa Tulak and her student publication staff earned a First Place Award from the American Scholastic Press Association for the 2023/2024 yearbook, “Shine Bright!” Their hard work and dedication to journalistic excellence is represented by this award. Congratulations to Ms. Tulak and her student journalists for achieving this honor!

Ms. Wenmouth: Congratulations to Mia Nevarez and Quinn Janssens of OEHS for winning the SPC Championship in their respective weight classes! Congratulations also Jessica Stover for her 2nd place finish and Ella Cooper for her 3rd place finish. Additionally, congratulations to the OEHS chess team for their SPC Championship win!

President Simelton: The Prairie Point Elementary School Helping Hands Club recently made dog toys to be donated to local animal shelters. We are inspired by their efforts to make a positive impact on our community.

Mr. Ploger: The SD 308 Special Olympics Wildcats, Silver Team, won Regionals in basketball! They will advance to the State Championship in March. Congratulations and good luck, Wildcats! Another basketball success story comes from OEHS alumnus RayJ Dennis. Earlier this month, RayJ signed a two way contract with the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Mad Ants of the NBA G League. Congratulations!

Mr. Gatewood: The OEHS boys bowling team won their Regional Championship. This is the first Regional Championship victory in OEHS boys bowling history! Mitchell Rodenbostel won the individual title as Regional Champion. At Sectionals, Derek Zahorak punched his ticket to the State Championship! Another OE celebration as the OEHS dance team took second place at IHSA Sectionals, qualifying them for their state competition! Congratulations and good luck at State!

6.2 Student Board Member Reports

Hope Rie and Khali Parnell 

During our January 21st we focused on teacher wellness, with a particular emphasis on mindfulness's role in supporting educators and students. We reviewed key points from various research articles and engaged in discussions about strategies to enhance emotional well-being in the classroom.

One article explored how mindfulness can improve teacher wellness and positively impact student outcomes. Mindfulness was described as a state of mind and a practice enhancing emotional intelligence. When teachers practice mindfulness, they can better understand and manage their emotions, which allows them to model positive behaviors for students. By doing so, teachers demonstrate to students that they care, creating stronger and more trusting relationships. The article also emphasized the importance of meditation, as a valuable tool for developing mindfulness and maintaining emotional balance.

A key point discussed was how practicing mindfulness during moments of conflict can serve as an example for others, especially students. When teachers remain calm and mindful in challenging situations, they show students how to regulate emotions and handle conflicts constructively. This approach fosters a more supportive and respectful classroom environment. The meeting also addressed teachers' overwhelming demands daily, with up to 150 interactions in a single school day. This constant activity can lead to stress and burnout if not managed effectively. We discussed the need to recalibrate perceptions of student behavior, particularly what is considered disrespectful, and shift the focus to understanding students’ needs. By identifying what both teachers and students require to be in a good mental and emotional place, educators can create a more positive learning environment.

Another key theme was embedding mindfulness into daily routines for both teachers and students. This includes understanding one’s own emotions, recognizing the emotions of others, and acting on them in thoughtful and constructive ways. We considered questions such as:

• How can teachers develop emotional awareness and self-regulation?

• How can schools create spaces and opportunities for mindfulness practices?

• How can mindfulness become a shared practice in classrooms to improve relationships and learning outcomes?

Today’s meeting focused on Student Rights and Responsibilities. The Coalition Board was invited to provide additional student perspectives. We reviewed the draft of the ‘25-’26 school year student rights and responsibilities document. We focused on two specific areas which were attendance/enrollment & cell phone electronic device access. Some themes that rose from the conversation were:

In what ways do you think attendance is affected by relationships between teachers and students? 

Relationship impact: Answers that were brought up 

• Students sometimes don't come to class when there is no relationship with their teacher o Perception

▪ Teacher: How do I build a relationship when you are absent

▪ Student: I don’t show up because we don’t have a relationship

▪ How can the communication gap be filled?

o Are teachers encouraging student to come when parents don’t emphasize attendance

▪ Are classes engaging enough where students want to come regardless of outside factors.

What are some strategies do you think could help encourage better attendance among students?

Communication: When teachers/administrators see chronic absences and tardies from students, find out what is going on with the student to find out if there is support needed. The school can possibly provide resources and gain insight as to why the student is missing school.

o Share with students effective ways to communicate absences

o After resources are provided

o Students are expected to know by looking online at missed absences (WAG) but sometimes they need more

o Are there multiple ways to communicate absences to accommodate all families?

o Have an alternative plan of communication

o Teachers can set communication expectations with students

o Attendance can be incentivized

o Potential change in schedule if it could increase attendance

• Class Engagement

o Is being absent going to impact my grade:

Cell Phone Policy 

How could a technology policy that restricts device use during class enhance your learning experience? In what ways might it negatively impact you? 

Not having phones could improve in class engagement. In some classes expectations are set for no phones and it is respected when it is clear.

What strategies do you think could help you balance your device usage while still being engaged in class? 

Warm-ups

Brain breaks

Team building time

Time to get organized so they are present

Overall, the January 21st meeting highlighted the importance of mindfulness as a tool to enhance teacher wellness, improve emotional intelligence, and create a balanced classroom atmosphere. By incorporating mindfulness practices, educators can better manage the demands of their roles and contribute to the well-being and success of their students. Does anyone have any questions?

6.3 Board Member Comments

Mary Jo Wenmouth - highlighted the Multi-Cultural night at Boulder Hill Elementary School. The food smell was amazing and there was dancing, singing, laughing, food, with emphasis on community.

Jared Ploger – shared that Naperville 203 made the change of elementary students starting earlier and high school students having a later start time. This option has been discussed in this District as well, but it poses a huge transportation challenge for us. Mr. Ploger also shared the message that we are here as a Board and we are focused right now on making sure our students have access to a quality education as always, and that they feel safe and secure.

Jennifer Johnson – shared that earlier this month was World Religion Day and it’s an opportunity for people to talk about and at least recognize and understand other religions. Today is also International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

7. Consent Agenda 

7.1 Approval of Minutes from previous Meetings

7.2 Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information (FOIA) Requests 7.3 Approval of Field Trips Overnight and/or over 200 Miles

A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to approve all items under consent, including 7.1 Minutes from the Board of Education meeting on January 13, 2025, open and closed session; 7.2 to acknowledge the FOIA requests received by the District and 7.3 to approve the Field Trips for overnight and / or over 200 miles 

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0 

Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth

8. Information 

 8.1 Financial Information

Mr. Obafemi provided a comprehensive report on the district's financial status, highlighting a total fund balance of $124.5 million as of December 31st, with $108.4 million in investments. The board discussed activity fees collection rates and reviewed the capital projects budget.

The board discussed the importance of maintaining historical context in financial decision-making, particularly regarding past budget cuts.

Going forward the financial information will also be posted on the District website.

8.2 Resolution Abating a Portion of the Working Cash Fund to Capital Projects

9. Action Items 

9.1 Approval of 2025-26 and 2026-27 School Year Calendar

A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to approve the 2025- 26 and the 2026-27 School Year Calendar as presented 

 Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0 

Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth

9.2 Approval of Personnel Report

A motion was made by Mr. Jared Ploger, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to approve the Personnel report as discussed and presented 

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0 

Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth

10. Adjournment 

10.1 Adjourn

A motion was made by President Simelton, second by Mr. Dominick Cirone, to adjourn. All were in favor unanimously to adjourn. 

Final Resolution: Motion Carried 7-0 

Aye: Mr. Dominick Cirone, Mr. Eugene Gatewood, Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Dr. Amy Murillo, Mr. Jared Ploger, Ms. LaTonya Simelton, Ms. Mary Jo Wenmouth

Meeting Adjourned at 9:20 p.m.  

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/oswego308/Board.nsf/files/DDMKFT51B34C/$file/01.27.25%20Draft%20Board%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf