I. The tax levy hearing was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by President Lynch with the following ROLL CALL:

PRESENT Mrs. McDonald Mr. Hervas Mr. Torii Ms. Lynch Mr. Powers (arrived following roll call)

ABSENT Mr. Schawel Mr. McCann

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 for Curriculum and Instruction
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary
Interested Staff and Community

II. Levy Hearing

A. Presentation of 2000 Levy – Superintendent Acksel reviewed the levy. He noted that there was an error in the paper when the levy was posted but since it was the paper’s fault, it had been posted according to law with respect to the school district so this is a legal hearing.

Dr. Acksel explained that the numbers that are submitted can be adjusted in April when the final figures are received in terms of taxes to be received. Those numbers are then reflected in the budget. These numbers will be in the final budget adopted in May.

B. Opportunity for Community Input - Dr. Acksel asked for questions or comments concerning the levy from members of the Board of Education and the audience. No questions asked nor comments made.

President Lynch announced that a seven-minute recess would be taken prior to the beginning of the regular meeting.


III. Pledge of Allegiance - President Lynch led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. Welcome to Visitors - Ms. Lynch welcomed all visitors to the meeting and asked for comments or questions. None at this time.

V. Communications – No communications were read as Mr. Schawel, board secretary, was not in attendance. Any communications received will be read at the next regular meeting.

VI. Agenda Addendum Items - No additional items added to the agenda.

VII. Superintendent’s Report – Superintendent Acksel reviewed the Superintendent’s Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He highlighted topics in his report including a reminder of the board visits to the parent/teacher groups in January, the up-coming April election, and a report on the parent/teacher conferences held in November.

Mr. Torii questioned why there had been a drop-off in parent teacher conferences at the middle school level. Dr. Acksel explained that it was a conflict of the students’ age and with parents not wanting to keep hearing the same reports year after year.

VIII. Board Requests for Reports

A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C. representative, reviewed the N.D.S.E.C. meeting. The minutes of that meeting was included in the packet. He stated that computerizing N.D.S.E.C. is more difficult because every district included in the cooperative has different technology. The hardest part is coordinating technology with the different school boards and their systems. While it is difficult, it appears to be successful.

Board members Chuck Hervas, Maureen McDonald, Susan Lynch, as well as Superintendent Acksel had attended the N.D.S.E.C. annual dinner meeting along with Mr. Torii earlier in December. Mr. Torii stated that there was a history of N.D.S.E.C. included in the packet that was distributed at the dinner meeting and if anyone wanted to see it, he would have it available.

An opportunity was given for questions and discussion.

B. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction - Dr. Tornatore gave the report. She stated that teachers are getting ready for the State Assessment in April. New teachers were trained on the State Assessment Program. She also discussed the Internal Review Process. A copy of her report can be found attached to these minutes.

Some discussion ensued.

C. Technology Up-date – Mr. Kapachinski, Director of Technology, gave the Technology up-date. The Fine Arts lab is completed at Peacock. De-humidifiers are also in place. He also noted that the migration has officially been made to the new accounting program. An opportunity was given for questions and discussion.

D. Middle School Report – Dr. Nickisch, middle school principal, reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He stated that in January, there will be a review of the discipline report and in February, the Spanish teachers will make a report on the foreign language program.

He explained Peacock’s partnership with the Target Program which had contributed $200.00 to the PTO. This contribution was used to purchase gift certificates and toys which have been distributed to needy people in the community. He also reported that more than 500 non-perishable food items had been donated by students to the Itasca Food Pantry. He would like to make a proposal to include community service as a part of the focus for students to serve via the Board of Education and will be more specific about this proposal in March/April..

Mr. Powers asked about the foreign language program and whether or not any thought had been given to expand the program or offer other languages. This is a topic that should be discussed at the goals’ session in the spring.

E. Character Counts! – Nothing to report since there was no meeting in December.

F. Reading – Dr. Acksel explained that this presentation had been the result of a PTO meeting held about a year ago. Ms. Esposito had been directed by Dr. Acksel to prepare a report explaining the District’s reading curriculum including Project Prevent. Ms. Esposito presented an excellent report to members of the Board of Education and the audience. Questions and discussion followed her report.

Mr. Powers challenged Ms. Esposito to see if there was more the District could do with respect to reading. Mr. Hervas suggested that parents receive suggestions from the teachers about what they can do to help their students. On behalf of the Board of Education, President Lynch thanked Ms. Esposito for her presentation.

Dr. Acksel stated that Dr. Tornatore will be presenting facts regarding full-day kindergarten in January.

G. Freedom of Information – Dr. Acksel reported that no requests for Freedom of Information had been received in the previous month.

H. Opportunity for community input regarding Board Requested Reports – Mrs. Diane Dale asked how this reading information is going to be communicated to the parents. Dr. Acksel said it hadn’t been discussed administratively but it would definitely be communicated to the parents.

She then discussed some concerns she has with the current TAG program. Dr. Tornatore discussed the previous program and the manner in which the children were taken out of class separately.

Ms. Lynch suggested to Mrs. Dale that perhaps other districts be researched to determine what they are doing for their gifted students - particularly districts that are doing better than Itasca. More discussion ensued.

IX. Consent Items

Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Torii that the minutes of the November 8, 2000 regular meeting, expenditures for the month of November, 2000 and the employment of Debora Mitsui and Marlene Rein be approved. Following an opportunity for further questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CAL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

Mr. Hervas
Ms. Lynch
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Powers
Mr. Torii

X. Action Items – 2000 Levy

Motion made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Torii that: 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 2000 year as follows:



EDUCATIONAL	$5,493,167.23
OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE	830,398.70
TRANSPORTATION	253,830.27
ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT	111,342.73
SOCIAL SECURITY	109,006.85
TORT LIABILITY	22,969.30
SPECIAL EDUCATION	71,243.77


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 carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

Mr. Torii
Ms. Lynch
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Hervas
Mr. Powers

B. Board Meeting Schedule

Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Torii that the 2001 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 10	May 9	October 1
February 14	June 13	November 7
March 14	July 11	December 12
April 11	September 12


It was noted that the October date was incorrect and should read October 10. The motion was amended by both Mrs. McDonald and Mr. Torii. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

C. Safety Surveys

Motion made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Ten- Year Safety Surveys for Raymond Benson Primary School and Elmer H. Franzen Intermediate School conducted by Green Associates Architects, Inc. determining full compliance be approved and direct the superintendent to file such with the Regional Office of Education. Dr. Acksel stated that he was pleased to bring the reports of complete compliance. He thanked both the current board and previous boards who had helped to keep the buildings "up to speed." He explained that full compliance after 10 years was very rare and he expects the same from Peacock. Following an opportunity for further discussion, questions, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.



D. Planning and Budget Calendar

Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Torii that the FY2001 Planning and Budget Calendar be approved. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

Mrs. McDonald
Ms. Lynch
Mr. Powers
Mr. Hervas
Mr. Torii

E. Student Teacher

Motion made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that Heather Hedmark be approved as a student teacher. Following an opportunity for discussion, questions, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none

XI. Board Requests for Reports - No requests for board reports at this time.

XII. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Lynch adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

___________________________________ Neal Schawel, Secretary Board of Education

________________________________ Susan Lynch, President Board of Education