Update on The Valbrun Consulting Group
Board President Terri Walker announced at the start of the meeting that The Valbrun Consulting Group would not be giving its scheduled presentation because the firm had decided to withdraw the proposal it submitted in response to the district's RFP for a diversity, inclusion and equity consultant.
After President Walker's announcement, Superintendent Tammy Prentiss read the following statement that Valda Valbrun, the chief executive officer for The Valbrun Consulting Group, had given her permission to share during the meeting.
"This serves as a formal withdrawal of our proposal to serve as a consultant with Hinsdale Township.
Respectfully, the events of today (1/12), coupled with the manner in which I was treated upon visiting your district, lead me to conclude that The Valbrun Consulting Group is not the right partner. The vitriol and lack of professionalism in the direct messages I received from members of your school community, demonstrates a clear lack of goodwill to address issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in your district. I got several messages yesterday and really think Hinsdale is a dangerous place and would not be physically comfortable there.
It is unfortunate that your community would prefer to expend energy attempting to discredit my character and professional standing, rather than examine the practices, policies and behaviors that have created the disparities in your district. This underscores both the sense of urgency to address these issues, yet demonstrates why these inequities are pervasive and unresolved. It’s shameful and I feel sorry for the students that have to experience this and don’t have the privilege of walking away.
The Valbrun Consulting Group prefers to enter into mutual partnership with clients who are genuinely committed to advancing the equity imperative. We appreciate your initial consideration, and wish you well in finding a consultant."
Superintendent Prentiss informed the board that, given the decision by The Valbrun Consulting Group, the administration would be discussing next steps with the members of the Culture and Equity Leadership Team (CELT) during the group's meeting in February.
Good News
Patrick Maag, who is the chair of the district's fine arts department, recognized the students from Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South who earned All State selections for band, chorus and orchestra from the Illinois Music Education Association
After the recognitions, Principal Bill Walsh from Hinsdale Central introduced student liaison Christine Leung, who provided information from her board report. This report included:
- Details about several recent events and activities, including the annual Winter Concert, You Matter Walking Challenge and Hot Chocolate Fridays.
- Information about the Variety Show, which will be held March 9-10.
- Recent accomplishments by several sports teams, including:
- Girls basketball - beat Schaumburg 48-45.
- Boys swimming - won its meet on Dec. 18 by more than 300 points; set a sophomore school record in the 200-yard medley relay.
- Girls gymnastics - beat York at the varsity and JV1 levels during the meet between the schools on Dec. 5.
- Boys basketball - took third in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.
- Details about recent activities and accomplishments by student groups/organizations, including:
- Devils' Advocate - published its latest issue prior to winter break.
- Operation Snowball - organized events and activities in December to raise awareness about mental health issues that impact students.
- Microfinance Club - held a fundraiser on Jan. 5 to raise money that will be used to provide micro-loans to under-resourced entrepreneurs.
- Forensics - took second and had multiple top three placements in individual events during the Tournament of Roses on Dec. 11.
- German Club - experienced the food and culture of Germany during a visit to Christkindlmarket in Chicago.
- Student Council - organized a variety of activities in December that included handing out bags full of fortune cookies with fun slogans like “we are fortunate to have you” for Teacher Appreciation Week, setting up a cookie decorating station during lunch, and holding an “anything but a backpack” day.
Leung also shared feedback about final exams and a new cell phone policy. You can access her report by visiting
https://bit.ly/3too1X0.
Principal Arwen Pokorny Lyp from Hinsdale South introduced student liaison Jennifer Pantoni, who provided information from her board report. This report included:
- A shoutout to the cast members from South’s production of RENT who were recognized by the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards on its Facebook page.
- Details about the speech team's performance at the Willowbrook Winter Tournament in December, which included a first place finish overall and several top five placements in individual events.
- Feedback she received from some of her classmates about final exams.
- The names of the students who earned the Breakfast Club awards for second quarter, as well as those who were recognized as the World Language Students of the Month for December.
- Details about the school spirit week that was held prior to winter break.
- Acknowledgement of the students from the Peer Leadership Network, Student Council and Key Club who raised money to help families from the South community during the holiday season.
Board Member Complaint
Dana Crumley, who is an attorney with the firm Franczek P.C., provided the board with a report that detailed the findings of her investigation into a complaint filed by a board member in accordance with policy 2:260 (Uniform Grievance Procedure), as well as recommendations about how to proceed. After receiving the report, the board agreed to proceed with the recommendations that were presented.
Presentation by Potential Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Consultant
During the portion of the meeting that was dedicated to the presentation from The Valbrun Consulting Group, Board President Walker reiterated that there would be no presentation given the firm's decision to withdraw its proposal. However, she gave board members the opportunity to use the time to discuss and/or ask questions about the situation.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda as presented. The consent agenda includes personnel, stipends, board bills and meeting minutes. Please visit
https://bit.ly/3qnTUgj to access the consent agenda items beginning under number six.
Ratify Contract Extension with the HHSTA
The board ratified a one-year extension of its current contract with the Hinsdale High School Teachers Association (HHSTA), which will now run through June 30, 2023.
Approve Job Site Agreement with Cintas Corporation
The board approved an agreement with the Cintas Corporation that will enable students from the district's Transition program to be placed into roles at the company and receive on-site job coaching.
Board President's Report
Board President Terri Walker thanked the teachers, staff and administrators for their hard work during this challenging time.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Tammy Prentiss provided a return to school update that included the following information:
- Data dashboard for the 2021-22 school year
- DuPage County is currently in a high level of community transmission.
- The positivity rate in DuPage County is currently 20%.
- The district is partnering with Jewel-Osco to host a vaccine and booster shot clinic at Hinsdale Central on Jan. 24.
- Remain committed to the health and safety of students and employees.
- Maximize consistent in-person instruction based on the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) and the governor's office.
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Revised frequently asked questions document for schools issued by IDPH and ISBE on Jan. 13.
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Revised guidance regarding the Test-to-Stay protocol that was issued by IDPH on Jan. 13.
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Revised public health guidance for schools issued by IDPH and ISBE on Jan. 11.
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Executive order issued by Governor Pritzker on Jan. 11.
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Updated sport safety guidance issued by IDPH on Dec. 7.
- Mitigation Efforts - Northshore Clinical Labs
- Students registered for testing services - 741 prior to Dec. 15; 1511 since Dec. 15.
- PCR tests administered to students - 1022 prior to Dec. 15; 878 since Dec. 15.
- State guidance that has not changed
- Expectation that school personnel must be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing.
- Expectation that everyone wear a mask indoors at all times regardless of their vaccination status.
- Ability to use Test-to-Stay for close contacts in school settings.
- Change to the guidance for masks
- Asymptomatic people (regardless of vaccination status) who are returning from quarantine, isolation or exclusion must wear masks during outdoor extracurricular activities for days 6-10.
- Changes to the guidance for quarantine and isolation
- School personnel who test positive for COVID-19 should immediately isolate at home. Schools must exclude school personnel who are a confirmed or probable case for five days after the first day of symptoms or the date of a positive viral test for people who are asymptomatic.
- Individuals may return to school after five days if they are asymptomatic or if their symptoms are resolving; must wear a mask at all times around others for five more days.
- Students and parents/guardians must sign a District 86 Quarantined and Release Form when returning on day 6.
- Students may resume all activities as long as they remain asymptomatic and wear a mask at all times around others for 10 days from exposure. This includes dining periods, extracurricular activities and riding the bus. They should avoid all activities where masks cannot be worn when around others, including competitions and performances, until the 10 days from exposure has passed. Physical distancing (6 feet) should be used when masks are removed for eating.
- Schools should ensure that there is a plan for students or staff who are returning after five days to stay masked at all times until day 10. For the times during the school day when students or staff may typically remove their masks while indoors (e.g., during lunch, band practice, etc.), schools should have a plan that enables them to maintain an adequate distance from others and ensures that they wear their masks when not actively participating in these activities.
- Changes to the guidance related to vaccination status
- If a fully vaccinated or boosted person develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should be tested, isolated and excluded from school.
- If a fully vaccinated or boosted student or staff member has close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, they should be tested at least five days after the exposure. However, they are not required to be excluded as long as they remain asymptomatic, are negative if tested, and have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters (if people are 18 or older).
- Changes to the guidance for people experiencing COVID-like symptoms
- All students and staff (regardless of vaccination status) who are excluded due to having COVID-like symptoms should be diagnostically tested using a PCR test or a rapid antigen or molecular test that has been given emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration. Rapid antigen tests are acceptable for individuals who are symptomatic.
- Schools must exclude any student or staff member who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 until they test negative for the virus (home testing is not acceptable). If they choose not to get tested, they should be excluded for a minimum of five days. In order to return, they must be fever free for 24 hours with improving symptoms, including no diarrhea or vomiting for at least 24 hours, and able to wear a mask through day 10 at all times.
- Changes to the guidance for people with confirmed cases of COVID-19
- Students and staff who are confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 must be excluded from school and may not return until they are asymptomatic or their symptoms have improved (i.e., fever free without fever reducing medication, diarrhea/vomiting ceased for 24 hours, etc.), and at least five calendar days have passed from the date of specimen collection of the positive test (Day 0) if asymptomatic, following the onset of symptoms if symptomatic (Day 0) or as otherwise directed by the local health department. Masks must consistently be worn through day 10.
- Individuals who meet the above criteria may return to school even if other household members are in isolation or quarantine as long as they mask consistently through day 10.
- Changes to the guidance involving members of the same household
- If a household member tests positive for COVID-19, then any household members who are not vaccinated or have not received the booster (if eligible) should be removed from school immediately.
- If testing does not occur within 24 hours, unvaccinated household members must be excluded in accordance with the Public Health Interim Guidance for Local Health Departments and Pre-K-12 Schools – COVID-19 Exclusion Protocols (“COVID-19 Exclusion Protocols”).
- Changes to the guidance regarding adaptive pauses
- Adaptive pauses featuring remote learning may not be employed due to staffing shortages in schools.
- Schools taking an adaptive pause should pause from all activities, including extracurricular activities.
- Continue to monitor guidance (e.g., vaccination, face coverings, lunch, social distancing, quarantining, etc.) from DCHD, IDPH and ISBE.
- Continue to provide the community and board with updates.
Superintendent Prentiss also introduced the two steering committees (Profile of a Graduate and Secondary Instructional Schedules) that she is forming to help advance the work of the district's strategic plan.
One committee will be charged with developing the profile of a District 86 graduate. This profile will feature the qualities and characteristics we want our students to possess when they leave our district. It will also guide the efforts we undertake to ensure that our students have the knowledge and skills they need to successfully pursue their ideal future.
The other committee will explore different secondary instructional models and frameworks. Through the work of this committee, we will seek to determine if changes to our schedules, practices, etc. can improve or enhance the way we deliver instruction, foster the professional growth and development of our faculty and staff, and support student learning.
For the first committee (Profile of a Graduate), we are looking to fill:
- Eight student positions: three current Hinsdale Central students, three current Hinsdale South students and one student from each school community who attends the Technology Center of DuPage.
- Six parent/guardian positions: three current or future Hinsdale Central parents/guardians and three current or future Hinsdale South parents/guardians.
For the second committee (Secondary Instructional Schedules), we are looking to fill:
- Six student positions: three current Hinsdale Central students and three current Hinsdale South students.
- Six parent/guardian positions: three current or future Hinsdale Central parents/guardians and three current or future Hinsdale South parents/guardians.
Both committees will also have staff and board member representation.
As is the case with other committees whose membership includes students (i.e., PTAC, CELT, etc.), the meetings for Portrait of a Graduate and Secondary Instructional Schedules will take place during the school day.
The district will be emailing a form on Jan. 14 that students and parents/guardians can use to apply for the committees. The deadline to submit it is Jan. 27 at 4 p.m.
Employee Benefits Open Enrollment Report
Cheryl Moore, the district's assistant superintendent of human resources, provided the board with the employee benefits open enrollment report for 2022. The annual open enrollment process for employee benefits took place Nov. 12 to Dec. 3. The report, which can be accessed by visiting
https://bit.ly/3KkTjEj, shows that enrollment is stable across all categories.
PTELL Update
Josh Stephenson, the district's chief financial officer, provided the board with an update on the final Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) percent for 2021. This percent, which is calculated by the change in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) between December 2020 and December 2021, will be used for the 2022 levy and will fund fiscal year 2023-24.
Future Agenda Items
The board confirmed that the next update on grading will take place during its meeting on Feb. 24. The board also identified the topics that will be presented to the group during the Future Agenda Items portion of an upcoming meeting to determine if a majority supports discussing/exploring them further. Those topics include:
- Clarifying the process for determining future agenda items.
- Review of policies 4:60 (Purchases and Contracts) and 6:40 (Curriculum Development).
- Understanding the process for removing items from an agenda.
- Forming a task force to address student scheduling issues/options.
In addition, board member Debbie Levinthal requested that the AP data from last year be included in an upcoming academic report.
