MINUTES OF THE JUNE 14, 2000 REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
I. 
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Susan Lynch with the following ROLL CALL:
PRESENT
Mr. Chuck Hervas
Ms. Susan Lynch
Mr. James McCann
Mrs. Maureen McDonald
Mr. Patrick Powers
Mr. Dennis Torii
|
ABSENT
Mr. Neal Schawel |
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 Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Torii that a closed session be
held to consider information concerning the employment and/or dismissal of personnel.
The board entered a closed session on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
III. Pledge of Allegiance - President Lynch led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. Welcome to Visitors -
Ms. Lynch welcomed visitors to the meeting. A parent, Ms. Tenley Smith, 434 S. Prospect Ave., Itasca, 60143, asked if she could address the board. She thanked the board for being permitted to speak this evening. Ms. Smith had sent an e-mail message to each of the board members. She stated that 8% of the 8th grade class did not graduate from Peacock this year and 22% were called to the office because they were on the border line prior to the end of the year for not being eligible for graduation participation. She expressed concern because Peacock has just received a Blue Ribbon Award. Dr. Nickisch explained that the students were not allowed to participate in graduation exercises as they had not met the criteria necessary for this privilege. Discussion ensued.
Ms. Lynch will meet with Dr. Nickisch and then meet with Ms. Smith and discuss the results of her meeting with Dr. Nickisch.
Another parent, Mrs. McDonnell, 401 North Elm Street, Itasca, expressed some concerns of events occurring during the past year at Peacock. She stated that she has lived in Itasca for 18 years and has never had problems such as during the past school year. Since Mrs. McDonnell is deaf, she distributed a letter to members of the Board of Education and President Lynch stated that they would communicate with her via e-mail.
V. Communications –
In the absence of Board Secretary, Mr. Schawel, Dr. Acksel said there will be no communications this month. If there were any communications, they will be read next month.
VI. Agenda Addendum Items - 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 minutes. He discussed graduation and the up-coming IASB annual conference scheduled for November 17th through the 19th. The Kindergarten Prep classes are full at this time. There were no questions or comments regarding his report.
VIII. Board Requested Reports
A. N.D.S.E.C. - Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C. representative, reported on the previously held N.D.S.E.C. meetings. A copy of the board briefs is attached to these minutes. Topics discussed were a letter received from a N.D.S.E.C. parent mentioned at the last meeting and N.D.S.E.C. is offering training and educational courses in identification of autism students.
B. Goals – President Lynch reported that on May 19th, 2000, the board met with administrators and had a very productive session. A lot of time was devoted to discussing technology and all administrators gave presentations on all aspects of the district's programs.
C. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch reviewed the Middle School Report, a copy of which is attached. Peacock has been signified as a National Blue Ribbon School. On Sept. 21st and 22nd, three staff members will go to Washington D.C. and receive recognition from the President. One-hundred percent of the students were promoted to Lake Park. The eight students referred to in the report did not meet requirements to participate in the graduation ceremony. However, they did graduate. In the past, 2 or 3 students have not been allowed to participate in graduation exercises. Surveys to parents and students have been distributed. They are in the process of tabulation and the results will be reported to the board in September. Dr. Nickisch reviewed the 5–year discipline report with members of the Board of Education and the audience.
D. Assistant Superintendent - Dr. Tornatore reviewed the State Assessment Test Data. (ISAT) The District is doing very well. She emphasized that the Science and Social Studies scores will be received in August. Discussion ensued.
She also discussed early entrance into kindergarten. At this time, no one has requested to have their child tested. The district will provide assessment for those parents whose children are born within 30 days of the September 1st cut-off date.
Discussion ensued as to the rationale for a drop in "exceeds" from 3rd through 8th grade.
E. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski reported on technology spending during the month of May. It was mostly devoted to the new fund accounting management program. A number of questions and concerns have arisen, particularly with the resignation of the bookkeeper. The President of DPC has been to the District to train and answer questions. Mr. Kapachinski is hoping to convert the entire system by mid-July from DOS to Windows.
Another activity is being planning for the next school year. An effort is being made to find out what the principals and staff wants – what their needs are – and make these fit into the budget. Software packages are being reviewed.
The technology purchases for this coming year include 147 computers, 15 lap tops for 30 sub notebooks to Franzen. This is expected to take some of the burden off of the lab. Also included in purchases are digital cameras, 59 printers, 15 scanners, 20 switches, and some furniture.
Mr. Kapachinski made a presentation in support of the hiring of two additional technology personnel. District #10 has 119 full time faculty/staff members of whom 20 have left and new people will be entering the district that will be in need of training. This will create a large demand for training at the beginning of the school year. Benson School also has two new secretaries. Training will have to be provided for the new secretaries as well as the teachers. Mr. Kapachinski also expressed a need for more documentation in the area of technology. He will try to accomplish this during the next year. Discussion continued about the need for more technology support staff. Following further discussion, Mrs. McDonald made a motion that two technical support personnel be approved for hiring. Mr. McCann seconded the motion. Following an opportunity for further discussion and questions, the motion failed on the following ROLL CALL VOTE.
AYES
Mr. Torii
Mr. McCann
|
NAYS
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. McDonald
Ms. Lynch
Mr. Powers
|
Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Torii that one technical support personnel be approved for hiring. Following additional opportunities for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYESNAYS
Mr. Hervas
Ms. Lynch
Mr. Powers
Mr. Torii
Mr. McCann
Mrs. McDonald
F. Character Counts! – In the absence of Mr. Schawel, board representative to the Character Counts! coalition committee, Dr. Acksel reported on the meeting held earlier this evening. The coalition is planning to have a booth at the Itasca Fest in July in an effort to further inform the community of the Character Counts! coalition in this community.
G. Freedom of Information – No requests at this time.
H. Opportunity for community input
IX. Consent Items
A motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the minutes of the May 10th,2000 closed session and regular meeting, the May 19th,2000 special meeting, the May 30th, 2000 committee meeting, the expenditures for the month of May, 2000, the resignations of Mary Ann Fortuna, Sharon Ehmke, Marie Zavoli, and Judy Krejci and the employment of Nichole Vorgias, Jenifer Schultz, Sue Ricciardi, and Joanne Kleinedler be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYESNAYS
Mr. Torii
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. McDonald
Ms. Lynch
Mr. Powers
Mr. McCann
X. Action Items
A. Mission Statement & Goals for 2001-2002
Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Mission Statement & Goals for 2001-2002 be approved. Following an opportunity for community input, questions, and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYESNAYS
Mr. Torii
Ms. Lynch
Mr. McCann
Mr. Powers
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Hervas
B. Interest Transfer (Approximately $3,500)
Motion made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Torii that the interest accumulat4ed in the O & M Fund be transferred to the Education Fund. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
C. Hazardous Bus Routes
Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the routes previously determined to be Hazardous Routes continue to be approved as hazardous.
Following an opportunity for discussion, questions and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
D. Prevailing Wage Resolution
Motion made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the attached Joint Prevailing Wage Resolution be approved for filing. The motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE after an opportunity was given for questions, discussion, and community input. All AYES: NAYS none.
E. ESP/Administrative Salaries
Motion made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Powers that $42,800 for Educational Support Personnel and $22,716 for Administrative salaries be approved for the 2000-2001 fiscal year. The motion passed on the following ROLL CALL VOTE following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input.
AYESNAYS
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Powers
Mr. Hervas
Mr. Torii
Mr. McCann
Ms. Lynch
F. Training as a Condition of Using the Gym
Motion made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mr. Powers that a coach from each team of the WoodDale/Itasca Basketball Association attend the Itasca Park District Training Program as a condition of using school district facilities. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYESNAYS
Ms. Lynch
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Torii
Mr. Powers
Mr. McCann
Mr. Hervas
XI. Board Requested Reports – None at this time.
XI. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Lynch adjourned the meeting at 9:12 p.m.
