RECOGNITION, AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, PUBLIC HEARINGS
National Merit Scholars - GHS Principal Tom Rogers presented the Tradition of Excellence award to 7 students who were recognized as National Merit Scholar Commended students: Ernesto Bebe, Jack Danosky, Torin Holda, Anna Keller, James Lusk, Annaliese Rothaar and Benjamin Watson. These students have been identified as being among the top 50,000 highest scorers on the 2023 PSAT/NMSQT test. More than 1.5 million students took the 2023 PSAT. (Pictured at left from left to right: Ernesto Bebe, Anna Keller, James Lusk, Annaliese Rothaar and Benjamin Watson. Not pictured: Jack Danosky and Torin Holda.)
Skaldic Literary Magazine - He also awarded the Tradition of Excellence award to the 2024 Skaldic Literary Magazine students for their publication, The 2024 Skaldic: Odyssey. The magazine earned an All-American Award from the National Scholastic Press Association and 4 of 5 marks of distinction. The students listed are the current GHS students on the Skaldic staff. The other 10 staff members graduated in 2024.
Skaldic Literary Magazine, Left to right: Sponsor
Heather Peters, Claire Totman, Danielle Nasra,
and Cameron Winsininski.
Viking Pals Geneva Middle School South - Principal Terry Bleau, Assistant Principal Dan Jones, and a group of students (7th graders Mark Savenok, Hudson Weiss, Liam Edington, Patrick Flaherty, Declan Oxler and 8th graders Mable Jackson and Dahlia Brady) shared about the Viking Pals program at GMSS as part of their presentation on “What’ makes our school special?” 
Red Ribbon Week - The GHS Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) shared plans for Red Ribbon Week: Students Luke Gaston, Dominic Ross and their sponsor, Teacher Lisa Meister.
SAT to ACT – Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching Shonette Sims presented the change from “SAT to ACT” testing.
FY2025 Budget Fund Balance Transfers Hearing (Policy 4:10) - Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Todd Latham offered to take questions during the hearing.
Board Member Jackie Forbes gave an update on the resolutions proposed by IASB that are available for viewing online on the iasb.com website. She explained the resolutions are in regards to proposed bills. The resolutions document explains whether or not the IASB supports the proposed bills and why. The school board may provide an opinion to IASB on these resolutions. IASB advocates for or against the bills on behalf of the school boards in Illinois. She also demonstrated how to look up elected officials based on address, which is available on the isbe website.
Superintendent Dr. Andy Barrett shared an update on the five-year Strategic Plan. He said the first early steps are underway, which include the development of facilitation groups for goals in year one. For the Enrollment and Staffing Goal, the group will work on the Demographics Study Review and explore the Facilities Capacity Assessment. In the area of College and Career Pathways, the group is collaborating with VALEES on Pathway Projects and working on an analysis and review of dual credit options. In the Cultural Competencies goal, staff is working on professional development opportunities for staff. In the area of Community Engagement, the staff has shared information with parents about the GPS Parent Series and is working to review current tools and practices, starting with the release of a Communications Satisfaction Survey for parents.
He added that Homecoming week was a success; there were a lot of great events and some things to reflect on for the future. He said that Parent Teacher Conferences are now complete, and he thanked everyone for their work. He reminded everyone that the upcoming Election Day on Tuesday, November 5 is a non-attendance day for students and all staff.
BOARD DIALOGUE TOPICS & PENDING ACTION CONSIDERATIONS
The Board took action to adopt the Red Ribbon Week Resolution. The Board took action to approve the following: FY2024-25 Resolution to Transfer $104,684 from the Education Fund to the Debt Service Fund (Policy 4:10), FY2024-25 Resolution to Transfer $5,000,000 from the Education Fund to the O&M Fund for Capital Projects (Policy 4:10), FY2024-25 Resolution to Transfer $11,618,000 from the O&M Fund to the Capital Projects Fund (Policy 4:10), and the FY2024-25 Resolution to Transfer $965,000 from the Transportation Fund to the O&M Fund for Capital Projects (Policy 4:10).
WORK-STUDY TOPICS & FUTURE ACTION CONSIDERATIONS
The Board considered the 2024-25 Textbook and Resource Review (Policy 6:40) on which the Board will take action at the November meeting. The textbooks and resources will be on display for public review at the Central Office for 30 days.
One member said they attended the PTO meeting at Williamsburg Elementary School and thanked the parents who are active in that school. They also attended the Theater Boosters meeting, which is working on a production of “A Christmas Carol” running the same weekend as the Geneva Christmas Walk. They added the Music Boosters have started their Holiday Greenery Sale. Another member said they attended a Technology Task Force meeting and learned that staff are reviewing student information system software because the District may switch in the future. They attended some football games and congratulated the Boys Golf Team.
Another member mentioned attending the Facilities Task Force meeting where a review of the buildings was discussed; the review found the buildings in good condition. Several board members thanked the GMSS students and teachers who presented about their Viking Pals program at GMSS. Another also talked about the Facilities Task Force meeting and shared that a facility assessment plan is in place for the next 5+ years. One member thanked Director of Technology Mike Wilkes and his staff for their work.
One member said they appreciated the GMSS Viking Pals program and how it encourages students to give to others and to receive joy by giving to others. They gave kudos to the GHS students from the SADD Club and their teachers, saying they are role models for their classmates. Another member asked about the change in the Homecoming Parade process for parents who picked up their students early. Dr. Barrett said there is more to reflect on for next year’s Homecoming Parade.