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Itasca School District 10
Itasca, IL 60143-1722
Meeting of December 8, 1999 regular Board of Education meeting
I.  The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by board president, Ms. Susan Lynch with the following roll call:
PRESENT
Mr. Hervas (arrived after roll call)
Ms. Lynch
Mr. McCann
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Powers (arrived after roll call)
Mr. Schawel
Mr. Torii
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ABSENT
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Also present:
Dr. Glenn Acksel, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Reinhard Nickisch, Principal, F.E. Peacock Middle School
Dr. Joanna Medwick, Principal, Elmer H. Franzen Intermediate School
Ms. Dawn Esposito, Principal, Raymond Benson Primary School
Dr. Marcia Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary
II. Motion made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mr. McCann that a closed
session be held to consider information concerning the employment
and/or dismissal of personnel. Following an opportunity for further
discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
III.Levy Hearing –
At this time, the levy hearing was conducted by the Board of Education. Dr. Acksel made opening comments on the levy presentation including an explanation as to how the levy was developed. He reviewed the 1998 levy and the April, 1998 adjusted levy, the budget for the current year, and the amount of increases the district has been receiving. Two point four percent was received last year. In prior years, 5% or under has been received. The tax cap limits the levy to 5% or the cost of living. Based on this information, he proposed an increase of 6.84%. An opportunity was given for comments or questions from members of the audience. There being none, the levy hearing was concluded.
At this time, Ms. Lynch declared a short break of 3 or 4 minutes.
IV.President Lynch led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
V.Ms. Lynch welcomed visitors to the meeting.
VI.Mr. Schawel, Board secretary, read correspondence received during
the previous month which included a note from Mr. Ray Benson.
Mr. Benson indicated his pride of District #10 as a whole in his thank-you note.
VII. No agenda addendum items.
VIII. Superintendent’s Report –
Dr. Acksel reviewed his report, a copy of which is made a part of these official minutes. He discussed recently held parent/teacher conferences and teacher evaluation schedule. Dates have been set for the board to visit the pto’s with Peacock PFSO scheduled for Tuesday, January 4 and the IEPTO scheduled for later in the month. The IEPTO meeting will be held in the Benson Building. Two special meetings have been scheduled to interview four superintendent search consulting firms.
Dr. Acksel presented each school principal with the Bright Red Apple Award for their building. He asked that the principals convey congratulations to their staff. Out of 900+ schools in Illinois, only 86 are chosen for this award.
X. Board Requested Reports
A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C. representative, reported on the N.D.S.E.C. dinner meeting recently held. Mrs. McDonald, Ms. Lynch, Mr. Hervas, Dr. Acksel and himself had attended the meeting which included a presentation of the alternative schools. Mr. Torii’s report is attached to these official minutes.
B. Assistant Superintendent - Dr. Tornatore reviewed the Assistant Superintendent’s Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. The Illinois Assessment Program of student testing will begin the last day of January and go into the first two week of February. Dr. Tornatore defined rubrics – methods of applying standards to the students’ work. These rubrics are occasionally up-dated by the State Board of Education.
Social Studies and Science begins ISAT testing this year. The ISAT tests define whether or not schools are "exceed" schools. All District 10 schools are "exceeds." Internal review is done in District #10. Principals set up a team of teachers and conduct their own internal review.
In addition, Dr. Tornatore discussed the manner in which students enter the Talented and Gifted Program. Once a student is admitted in 3rd grade, they remain in the program. Parent meeting will be held in January. This will give parents an opportunity to ask questions and find out more information about the program.
The Math adoption committee continues to meet.
Dr. Tornatore received a booklet from Mr. Dan Peel which was created using the Middle technology. She distributed this booklet to the Board of Education.
B. Middle School Report - Dr. Nickisch reviewed the Middle School Report, a copy of which is attached. He included a review of the abuse report. He also indicated that Peacock is a
nominee as a national blue ribbon school. Decision of the winners is in the hands of the U.S. Department of Education. Discussion ensued.
Mr. Torii asked about the traffic pattern change at Peacock. It seems to be going well.
Mrs. McDonald had questions regarding the abuse report, specifically, how the children were instructed to do in the event of abuse. More discussion ensued.
Mr. Schawel expressed his belief that both the District and the Village are taking lead roles for the Character Counts! Program. The park district has recently begun sending representatives to the meetings. He also discussed the library programs and indicated that there were 5 people at the first informational meeting. There is definitely a need for more parental involvement and support. Discussion ensued about the need for funding – money that will be used for materials, guest speakers, and anything else that will draw attention to the program.
Lake Park High School is going to follow-up with the Character Counts! Program.
D. Technology Report - Dr. Acksel gave the technology report. He had asked Mr. Kapachinski about y2k and was assured that the District is compliant. Candidates will be brought back next week for second interviews for the technology assistant position. Mr. Kapachinski will be at the January meeting. Dr. Acksel will ask Mr. Kapachinski to check the buildings on New Year’s week-end to be sure everything is okay with y2K.
F. U.S. Shelter Property Report – Mr. Torii gave the U.S. Shelter report. He discussed the parcels that were approved by the Village. Sixty-three homes were approved for the area. There has been some opposition. A provision has been made to propose a 4-way stop at Catalpa/Bryn Mawr. Building should begin in June. The homes are going to be high priced – at least $300,000. There is not expected to be much of an impact on the student population. The student population has been stable.
G. Traffic Safety – Superintendent Acksel reported on the traffic safety plan indicating that the new traffic patters are going well at Benson and Peacock. The district is pleased with how the parents have adjusted. He has had some discussion about minor issues with the Police Chief and Village attorneys. Dr. Acksel believes that because of the delay in initiating this new plan, there was a good opportunity to inform parents as to
what should be done with the new traffic patterns.
H. Transportation Report – Superintendent Acksel stated that the report had been distributed to members of the audience. He summarized report indicating that the private schools provided the district office with the numbers of students eligible. Dr. Acksel also reviewed the school starting times as they apply to the bus routes. He developed two proposals. The first proposal is to ask the private schools to adjust their starting and ending times so that they could be enmeshed with the public schools using the current contracted five buses. The second proposal is for the private schools to keep times intact and contract for two additional buses at an additional expense. Two or three buses would have to be added. His recommendation to the board is to consider asking private schools to alter their starting and closing times.
Considerable discussion ensued regarding whether or not the private schools could be incorporated into the regular routes.
Mrs. Dawn Tresch, a St. Peter’s school parent suggested the possibility of asking the high school to use their buses. Discussion ensued.
Mr. Raymond Yanz, a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran School Board, questioned the count of the number of students eligible.
Mrs. Mindy Golden, a District #10 parent, discussed the dismissal times.
Further discussion ensued.
Mr. Al Schrautemeyer, who has students both at St. Peter’s and Franzen Schools, asked if we could take some of the students on the buses with the public schools. This would not be a good solution.
Mrs. Diane Dale suggested that more students not be added since Benson School already has two buses that are consistently late. Adding more students will stretch the routes.
Mr. Torii questioned whether or not any board members of the private schools had been contacted. None from St. Peter’s but from there had been some contact to St. Luke’s School. Mr. Raymond Yanz is on the St. Luke’s Board.
Mr. Hervas expressed his desire to work out a solution without spending an additional $100,000. He suggested that there be a meeting with principals/school boards and research what
can be done. There will have to be some input from the private school boards. Mr. McCann does not think it should be done mid-year since it is difficult to make changes. Representatives including principals from the private schools, the transportation director, and Dr. Acksel can meet to review possible options. A "summit" needs to be developed. Then the contacts from the private schools could take the information to their boards. Dr. Acksel will contact both principals and schedule a meeting.
Mrs. Tresch thanked the board for their help.
H. Freedom of Information – Dr. Acksel reported one request was received and complied with in a timely manner.
I. Opportunity for Community – None at this time.
XI. Consent Items
XII. Action Items
A. 1999 Levy –
Motion made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Board of Education adoption the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of Itasca School District #10, DuPage County, Illinois, approve the levy on the equalized assessed value of the taxable property of the School District #10, DuPage County, Illinois for the 1999 year as follows:
| EDUCATIONAL |
$5,258,675.92 |
| OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE |
$764,459.93 |
| TRANSPORTATION |
$279,049.15
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| ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT |
$125,518.92 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY |
$123,036.92 |
| TORT LIABILITY |
$22,338.11 |
| SPECIAL EDUCATION |
$68,787.21 |
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the amounts of the levy as set forth herein above shall be certified and submitted to the County Clerk of DuPage County, Illinois, and that the President and Secretary of the Board shall certify the tax levy as required by law.
Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion passed on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. Hervas
Ms. Lynch
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Torii
Mr. Schawel
Mr. McCann
Mr. Powers
B. Board Meeting Schedule –
Motion made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mr. McCann that the 2000 regular Board of Education meetings be held at 7:30 p.m. and preceded by a closed session meeting at 6:30 p.m., when necessary, in the Itasca Village Hall, 100 North Walnut Street, Itasca, Illinois, on:
| January 12 |
May 10 |
October 11 |
| February 9 |
June 14 |
November 8 |
| March 8 |
July 12 |
December 13 |
| April 12 |
September 13 |
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Following an opportunity for discussion, questions, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
C. National School Board Conference –
Motion made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Schawel that the requests made by Susan Lynch, Neal Schawel, Dennis Torii, Maureen McDonald, and Chuck Hervas for reimbursement for attending a National Conference as per Board of Education Policy #2:125 Board Member Expenses be approved.
Following an opportunity for discussion, questions, and community input, the motion was passed on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Hervas
Mr. Powers
Ms. Lynch
Mr. Schawel
Mr. McCann
Mr. Torii
D. Planning and Budget Calendar –
Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Torii that the FY2001 Planning and Budget Calendar be approved as presented. Following an opportunity for community input, questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
E. Special Meetings –
Motion made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that special Board of Education meetings for the purpose of interviewing Superintendent Search Consulting firms be set for Wednesday, January 26th, 2000 and Wednesday, February 2nd, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. in the Itasca School District Administrative Center, 200 North Maple Street, Itasca, IL 60143-1722 be approved. Following an opportunity for discussion, questions, and community input, the motion carried on the following
VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
XIII. Board Requests for Reports – None at this time.
XIV. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Lynch adjourned
the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
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Neal Schawel, Secretary
Board of Education |
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Susan Lynch, President
Board of Education |
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