MINUTES OF THE MAY 19, 2000 SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

PURPOSE: The purpose of the special meeting was to review the District Mission Statement and Goals.

The meeting was held at the Administrative Center, 200 North Maple, Itasca.

I. President Lynch called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following roll call:

PRESENT Ms. Susan Lynch Mr. Jim McCann Mrs. Maureen McDonald Mr. Patrick Powers Mr. Neal Schawel (arrived after roll was called) Mr. Dennis Torii

ABSENT Mr. Chuck Hervas

Also present:

Dr. Glenn Acksel, Superintendent
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
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary
Staff members

Ms. Lynch led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

President Lynch welcomed everyone to the meeting.

III. Ms. Lynch reviewed the procedure for the meeting.

Several reports would be made by members of the administration with an opportunity for questions and discussion. Following the reports, the District Mission Statement would be reviewed and revised if necessary. If time permitted, the goals would also be reviewed and updated. If all were completed, the Saturday meeting would be cancelled.

President Lynch turned the meeting over to the Superintendent.

Superintendent Acksel announced that Peacock Middle School had been awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award. Discussion ensued. Peacock representatives will be going to Washington D.C. in the fall to meet the President and Secretary of Education.

Superintendent Acksel reviewed the previous year insofar as it related to the goals and objectives that were discussed last spring. Achievements include the hiring of the Superintendent Search firm, completion of negotiations, and the institution of the new traffic safety pattern at Peacock and Benson Schools.

He then discussed the Administrative presentations being made at this meeting. Staff development would be discussed by Dawn Esposito; Joanna Medwick would review the work of the Character Counts! Program and Reinhard Nickisch would discuss the decision making process as well as technology. Technology would also be discussed by Charles Kapachinski.

Ms. Esposito reviewed staff development with members of the board and the audience. An opportunity was given for discussion.

Dr. Medwick reviewed different ways the Character Counts! Program had been implemented in the schools as well as in the community since the training last August, 1999.

Dr. Nickisch presented a video montage created by a Peacock student on the decision making process.

After each presentation, there was an opportunity for discussion.

Dr. Nickisch distributed a technical needs’ assessment completed by the staff. This included a "wish list." Discussion ensued.

A lengthy discussion continued with a suggestion that a Technology Committee be formed to oversee the implementation of the Technology Plan. It was determined that this committee is currently in place – that is, the DAC (District Advisory Committee).

Further discussion continued when Mr. Kapachinski discussed future purchasing plans and how the technology department would be impacted with so many additional pieces of hardware suggesting a need for more technical assistance. Discussion continued.

IV. The Board of Education reviewed the Mission Statement.

The Mission Statement for the 2001-2002 school year reads: In a cooperative effort, the Board of Education, faculty, staff, students, and community of Itasca School District #10 are dedicated to academic excellence and the cultivation of individual strengths and talents in a safe, supportive, democratic environment where individual differences and respect for the rights of others guide school and community behavior.

V. The board goals were reviewed and up-dated for the 2001-2002 school year.

VI. As the purpose of the meeting was completed, the Saturday, May 20th, 2000 meeting
was cancelled and there being no further business, President Lynch adjourned the meeting at 9:34 P.M.