Meeting of January 12, 2000 regular Board of Education meeting
I. 
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by board President Susan Lynch with the following roll call:
PRESENT
Mr. Hervas
Ms. Lynch
Mr. McCann (arrived after roll call)
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Powers
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
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Dr. Marcia Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary
II. Closed Session - Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by
Mr. Torii that a closed session be held to consider information concerning
the employment and/or dismissal of personnel and negotiations.
III.Ms. Lynch led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
IV.Welcome to Visitors – President Lynch welcomed all visitors to the meeting.
There were no comments or questions from members of the audience.
V. Agenda Addendum Items - None
VI. Communications –
Board Secretary Neal Schawel read some correspondence received during the previous month. He reported that there were many thank you notes received from staff for the gifts given to them from the Board of Education.
VII. Superintendent’s Report –
Superintendent Acksel reviewed the superintendent’s report, a copy of which is attached and made a part of these official minutes. He reminded everyone of the District Annual Science Fair scheduled for Saturday, February 12th. He also discussed plans for the school calendar, specifically the celebration of Lincoln’s Birthday. It was suggested that there be school that day and no school on President’s Day which is the third Monday of February. This would be consistent with the feeder districts and Lake Park. There will be a resolution amending the calendar at the February Board Meeting.
VIII. Board Requested Reports:
A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Dennis Torii, Board N.D.S.E.C. representative, reviewed meetings held during the previous months. He discussed some of the contents of the meeting minutes of December 15, 1999, and January 10, 2000. In particular, he reported on the classroom space for special needs. He indicated that while space is adequate for this year and next year, perhaps by the following year, there is a question as to whether or not there will be enough classroom space available. There was also a review of life safety projects required by state. N.D.S.E.C. is up-dating their schools and have completed the project under budget.
B. Assistant Superintendent - Dr. Tornatore reviewed the Assistant Superintendent’s Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. She reviewed plans for the March Institute Day; some of which will be videotaped so new teachers will have an opportunity to view it. In addition, a motivational presentation and as a drug awareness presentation is scheduled.
Review of software is taking place at the intermediate building. It is their year for moving from Macintosh to Windows. Discussion ensued.
Mr. Hervas expressed his concern for some new approaches in curriculum review that may compromise basic skills in reading and mathematics. He is not in favor of these approaches and favors a more conservative approach to reviewing new curriculum. Mr. McCann agreed with Mr. Hervas’s comments.
C. Middle School - Dr. Nickisch, Peacock principal, gave the Middle School Report, a copy of which is attached. He reported that at Lake Park High School, District 10 students have placed highest in the math testing.
He also reviewed the discipline interventions and reported on the athletic achievements. Peacock is doing quite well.
Dr. Nickisch added that a new program at Peacock – studying the history of Peacock - is being initiated. He has invited former students as far back as 1940 to participate. The Program is called – PASS - Peacock Alumni Success Stories. These people will be featured on Peacock’s Wall of Fame with their success stories for all students to see.
D. Technology Up-Date – Mr. Charles Kapachinski, district technology director, reported that all computers were operating without any y2k problems. He also announced the hiring of a full-time technician, Brian Sawyer. Brian was introduced and formerly welcomed to the district.
Mr. Kapachinski announced that he has done quite a bit of up grading during the Christmas break, as this was a good time for him to bring the server down. He also up-graded the firewall and virus program.
The new financial management system is in and will be run side by side with the current DOS system through the end of this fiscal year. The staff will be moved into the new system gradually.
E. Character Counts! – Mr. Schawel reported on the Character Counts! Progress. The committee continues to meet on a monthly basis. At this time, subcommittees and funding are being discussed. The library continues to hold monthly meetings giving the community an opportunity to learn more about Character Counts!. The library has developed a "club" with a big event planned. The park district is going to attempt to train the coaches in town to integrate the Character Counts! program. Mrs. McDonald suggested that people, if they have the opportunity, go to the library and see what is being done with respect to the Character Counts! Program.
F. ARITHMETECH CLUB – Teachers Mrs. Amy Reuter and Ms. Pam Mitchell explained the program extensively with a slide presentation as well as other visual aids. Many thanks were extended to Mrs. Reuter and Ms. Mitchell for their efforts and contributions.
G. Board Financial Report - Board member Mr. Patrick Powers reviewed the proposed financial report. He distributed a report that he had devised with the District #10 bookkeeper, Mrs. Marie Zavoli. He asked that board members review the proposed report, make any changes they feel they would like to see, and then call him with any ideas or changes they might have. Necessary changes will be made.
H. Transportation – Superintendent Acksel reviewed the meeting held with the principal of St. Peter’s (St. Luke’s principal was not in attendance at this meeting). He learned that St. Peter’s School knew very little about what had been happening with the transportation issue. The parents in attendance at the board meeting were not representing St. Peter’s School Board. The principal of St. Peter’s School is taking the information back to their school board and will let us know if they would like to pursue the issue. Dr. Acksel will contact St. Luke’s again to review this same information with their principal. He will bring additional information back to the board when it is available. Discussion ensued.
I. Freedom of Information – Dr. Acksel reported that one request had been received from the Daily Herald and had been complied with in a timely manner.
J. Opportunity for Community Input – Ms. Esposito and Dr.Medwick displayed signs that will be placed into the time capsules at their buildings. They are in the process of determining what will be placed in the capsule. No other questions or comments were made at this time.
IX. Consent Items
X. Action Items:
XI. Board Requests for Reports – None at this meeting.
XII. Adjournment - There being no further business, Ms. Lynch adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
