Meeting of October 13, 1999 regular Board of Education meeting
I. 
In the absence of President Susan Lynch, Vice-President Torii called
the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following ROLL CALL:
PRESENT
Mr. Hervas
Mr. McCann
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Powers
Mr. Torii
|
ABSENT
Ms. Lynch
Mr. Schawel
|
Also present:
Dr. Glenn Acksel, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Reinhard Nickisch, Principal, F.E. Peacock Jr. High 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
Interested staff and community members as well as members of the press
II.Closed Session – Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by
Mr. McCann that a closed session be held to consider information
concerning the employment and/or dismissal of personnel. The
motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
III. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
IV. Vice-President Torii welcomed all visitors. In addition, he
acknowledged Mr. Ted Peacock, previous board member and
president as well as the person to whom Peacock Middle
has been dedicated. Mr. Torii asked if any member of the audience
wanted to address the board. There were no comments or questions.
V. No communications received during the previous month.
VI. No additional items added to the agenda.
VII. Superintendent’s Report –
Dr. Acksel reviewed the Superintendent’s Report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He reminded everyone that the District #10 auditor would be making a report in November. Also as a reminder, the November meeting is scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month, November 3, 1999. This is for the purpose of giving the Oath of Office to members elected in April in compliance with election laws.
The Levy Hearing is scheduled to be held prior to the December Board meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Dr. Acksel reminded everyone that the National School Board Association will be hosting their annual Conference in Orlando from April 1 – 4, 2000. Members of the Board of Education will be requesting approval to attend at up-coming meetings.
District 10 has once again received the Bright Red Apple Award. Dr. Acksel briefly explained the prestigious award. The District has excelled in all categories. Superintendent Acksel attributed this to the staff and their work with District #10 students.
VIII. Board Requested Reports
A. N.D.S.E.C. - Mr. Torii, board representative to N.D.S.E.C. reported on the meeting held September 13, 1999. He discussed some of the services N.D.S.E.C. provides for special needs of students including autism. N.D.S.E.C. is connected with the special cooperative, S.A.S.E.D. The S.A.S.E.D. organization is currently having labor problems but this will not affect District #10 as no services for District #10 students are currently being provided by S.A.S.E.D.
B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch reviewed the Middle School report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He related additional information regarding the Washington D.C. trip. After doing a survey, out of 168 surveys distributed, 103 were returned to Peacock. Fifty students would participate and 19 parents agreed to attend as chaperones. Discussion ensued. Dr. Acksel stated that supervision didn’t seem to be a great risk knowing those 19 parents are interested in attending as chaperones. If this continues, he would not need to bring the trip to the board for a vote. If the number of chaperones changes, then it will be necessary to come before the board for a vote.
Eighty percent of the 8th grade students attended the Springfield trip in early October.
Dr. Nickisch also reviewed the support system for At-Risk students, which is to be expanded, as well as a report on the Peer Mediators Program.
C. Assistant Superintendent - Dr. Tornatore reviewed plans for the October 25th Institute Day. She also commented on the work of the DAC Committee and the importance of communicating student test data to parents. A testing report will be delivered later in the meeting. A copy of Dr. Tornatore’s report is attached and made a part of these official minutes.
D. Character Counts! Report – In the absence of Mr. Schawel, the Character Counts! representative to the Board of Education, Dr. Acksel reviewed what had occurred at the most recent Character Counts! meeting held earlier in October. Last week, a Parent Information Meeting was held at Peacock. Forty parents and approximately 18 staff members attended. The meeting lasted about 1_ hours. Dr. Acksel reported that a Speakers’ Bureau had been established. The purpose of this Speakers’ Bureau is to have a ready available list of speakers who can address other agencies about Character Counts! In November, a Character Counts! presentation is being planned for the Itasca Business Council.
Board member Maureen McDonald gave Dr. Acksel proclamations made by the Village Board. She reported that next week, the Itasca Village Board has declared it to be Character Counts! week in Itasca. Also, a proclamation that Itasca is a Character Counts! community has been adopted by the Village Board. Discussion ensued.
E. Technology – Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Itasca School District Technology, presented a report which is attached to these official minutes. He discussed the need of a full time technician. Franzen has been migrated to the IBM platform. A standard and media center lab has been put in place. The teachers both at Franzen and Peacock all now have e-mail. Mr. Kapachinski reviewed the amount of computers and technology that has been initiated into the district during the last year and one-half. He discussed the need for a technology assistant to be hired immediately and the possibly of hiring another assistant sometime at a later date. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of increasing the implementation of the District Technology Plan if more than one assistant was hired.
The current school year budget allows for the salary of a technician. If approved, only about _ of the money allotted for this year will be used for this position.
Approximately 175 new software packages have been added this year that need to be monitored. Mr. Kapachinski’s goal for this year is to spend most of his time training staff.
Following a considerable amount of discussion, Dr. Acksel suggested that a motion be placed on the agenda.
A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. McCann to hire a technician. Discussion ensued.
Mr. Ted Peacock, a member of the audience and former Board of Education member, questioned what the Board of Education is doing with the interfacing of software with the learning process. Discussion ensued. Dr. Tornatore stated that when teachers request software, they must stipulate how it will enhance teaching.
Parent and member of the audience, Mrs. Diane Dale, stated that she supported the need for more than one technician.
Following further discussion and an opportunity for more community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYESNAYS
Mr. Hervas
Mr. Powers
Mr. Torii
Mr. McCann
Mrs. McDonald
F. U.S. Shelter Report – Mr. Torii reported on the current status of the U.S. Shelter property located north and west of Franzen School. He reviewed changes in the plan including moving one retention pond away from the school and placing it on the west side of the street. This proposal has not been approved by the Village Planning Commission and is still in need of some revision. There is some question as to the number of units in the plan. The question of the students’ safety was discussed and the committee recognizes the concern of the board. As a result, a 4-way stop is proposed for the intersection of Catalpa and Bryn Mawr.
Another concern of the Village is water for the area. The water problem on Catalpa is part of the plan – residents of Catalpa are concerned about the drainage. Another meeting is scheduled in a couple of weeks.
Discussion ensued.
G. Traffic Safety – Superintendent Acksel reported on the Traffic Safety Study report. The Village has approved the recommendations of the Traffic Safety Report and is in the process of implementing it. Dr. Acksel has met with the Village regarding signage, striping, etc. The district has been notifying parents that the new traffic patterns may begin as soon as November 1st. Discussion ensued.
H. Transportation – This report was made as a matter of information. Periodically transportation information is brought to the board so that members can be kept informed as to route times, bus student numbers, etc. Dr. Acksel and Mrs. Seger, Director of Transportation, made some comments regarding the current school year bussing. An opportunity was given for questions and comments.
I. Testing – Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent, reviewed the testing report for members of the Board of Education and the audience. This is the second year that the District is using the Stanford Achievement Test. This is given to grade levels 1-8. The norming date is the copyright date and District 10 uses 1996. She reviewed test results and analyzed scoring procedures.
Discussion ensued. Mr. Hervas expressed a concern for the state dictating what the standards should be. The state is dictating to a point of bringing a level of mediocrity of expectations.
Further discussion ensued. Reading scores were discussed. An attempt will be made to raise these scores.
A copy of district standards will be distributed to all members of the board.
J. Superintendent Search committee – Members of this committee include Mr. Jim McCann, Mr. Dennis Torii and Mr. Chuck Hervas with Mr. McCann serving as chairperson. The committee will be meeting on Friday, Oct. 15. Mr. Hervas reiterated that no decision will be or has been made as to how the selection will take place. The committee will be responsible for only pursuing a procedure to seek a superintendent and then come to the full board with a recommendation.
K. Opportunity for community input – No questions asked nor comments made.
IX. Action Items
X. Board Requested Reports –
Mr. Hervas requested a report about 1) a cost breakdown of the transportation program; 2) a history of busing involving private schools in Itasca; and 3) legal issues involved in transporting private school students.
Mr. Torii acknowledged the staff and administration for their work in preparing the handbooks and distributing them to the board.
XII. Adjournment - There being no further business, Mr. Torii adjourned the meeting at 9:48 p.m.
