MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 13, 2000 REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

I. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Lynch with the following ROLL CALL:

PRESENT Ms. Susan Lynch Mr. Chuck Hervas 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
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary
Interested members of the staff, community and the press

II. President Lynch led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

III. Welcome to visitors – President Lynch welcomed all visitors to the meeting and asked for questions or comments from the audience. No questions were asked nor comments made.

IV. Communications – In the absence of Mr. Schawel, correspondence will be read at next month’s meeting.

V. Agenda Addendum Items – Dr. Acksel requested that an item be added to the agenda. An Application for a Maintenance Grant had arrived late and is due soon. He apologized for bringing it to the meeting but he asked that the board approve it so that the District can make an application for it.

VI. Superintendent’s Report – Superintendent Acksel reviewed the Superintendent’s Report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He included mention of the IASB fall conference in November to be held in Chicago as well as announed that Wendy Greguras and Danielle Fye, two teachers at Franzen School, have now completed their Master’s Degree. While it’s been a hectic start to the new school year, everything was running fairly smooth with what could’ve been construction problems. He acknowledged appreciation to the Village of Itasca and the Police Department for providing their assistance and he also thanked Ross Hitchcock, Director of Public Works and Michael McDonald, Chief of Police, for their continued efforts to help the District in whatever way possible.

He reminded everyone that there is a community forum scheduled for September 27, 2000 to meet with the Superintendent Search consulting team. Mrs. McDonald questioned how residents had been notified.

Mrs. McDonald stated that she had copied Dr. Acksel’s e-mail expressing his appreciation for the assistance of the Village and had sent copies to members of the Village Board.

VIII. Board Requested Reports:

A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C. represented reported on the last Operational Board meeting. A copy of the minutes from that meeting is attached. A topic discussed at the meeting was spacing for classrooms for students with special needs. There are still some staff shortages. He also discussed the ISBE audit and the training of N.D.S.E.C. staff on computers.

B. Summer Maintenance Up-Date – Dr. Medwick, Director of Buildings and Grounds, reported on the summer maintenance work which had been done in the district. A copy of her report is attached to these minutes.

C. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch reviewed the Middle School Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He reviewed Parents’ Opinions Results Survey as well as the results from the Student Survey. He also discussed the ways to enhance and increase the Foreign Language Program. The mechanism is in place for additional foreign language to be taught in the future and not just for students voluntarily entering into the program but for all the students.

Dr. Nickisch invited everyone to the Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony as well as the Blue Ribbon Award Ceremony both scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2000 at 1:00 p.m.

He also discussed Chris Larson, a Peacock Science teacher. Mr. Larson was approached to teach a class at the Museum of Science and Industry. He has developed a way to research the level of coal in Illinois (he is also a geologist) and the Museum has asked him to use his model to teach other teachers/students.

Mr. McCann asked about providing the foreign language program to the Intermediate and Primary Students. One of the objections to serving the other schools was the amount of time it took. Dr. Acksel said this could be reviewed further if desired. Mr. McCann said that he would like to see the foreign language program moved to the intermediate if it is at all possible. President Lynch suggested that it be brought up at the Goals’ Setting session in the spring of 2001.

D. Assistant Superintendent - Dr. Tornatore reviewed her report and discussed the new teacher induction program. She also discussed the phonics presentation done during the last two days of the program as well as the first aide presentation.

She discussed plans for this year which include technology, computer software purchasing, math software to accompany the math curriculum and science.

Dr. Tornatore stated that the summer school survey is being developed and should be tabulated for the board in the near future.

Mr. Hervas asked if there had been any developments with the ISAT tabulations. Discussion ensued. Tabulations should be forthcoming. He suggested that when Dr. Tornatore receives the results and if she believes there is something that is worth mentioning earlier to the board, please do so via e-mail rather than waiting until it comes out in the board packet.

A copy of Dr. Tornatore’s report is attached and made a part of these minutes.

E. Technology up-date –Mr. Kapachinski, Director of Technology, reviewed his report. A lot of up-grades have taken place during the summer. He reported that students have been given their identifications with bar codes. These will be used when accessing computers. He reported that he is hoping that, within the next several weeks, all new computers will be up and running.

Mr. Kapachinski discussed various problems that had occurred during the summer.

F. Character Counts! – In the absence of Mr. Schawel, Character Counts! representative, Dr. Acksel reported on the Character Counts! meeting held earlier this evening. He said the meeting was used to outline what would be done this year. Another meeting is scheduled for the second Wednesday in October. He said that a county agency is organizing a County-wide coalition and two of Itasca’s members are planning to attend this organizational meeting. It is the hoped that this coalition will be help to provide funds.

G. Freedom of Information – No requests during the previous month.

H. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports – No input.

VIII. Consent Items –

Motion made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the minutes of the July 12, 2000 closed session and regular meeting, the expenditures for the month of August, the resignations of Sharon Hurry, Lillian Elgar, and Patrick Coate, and the employment of Lisa Paladino, Sherrie Klint, Debbie Sitkiewitz, Tony Yarbrough, Angela Boehne, Maureen Boezio, Sandra Lionello and Christine Stocco be approved.

Following the introductions of Sherri Klint, Ryan Lewis, Debbie Sitkiewitz and Lisa Paladino by Ms. Esposito and Dr. Medwick, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

Mr. Hervas
Ms. Lynch
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Tori
Mr. McCann
Mr. Powers


IX. Action Items


A. Application for Recognition –

Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Application for Recognition for the 2000-2001 school year be approved. Discussion ensued. Dr. Acksel explained that the Application for Recognition certifies that District #10 is in compliance with the law. An opportunity was given for further questions, discussion and community input. The motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

B. School Maintenance Grant –

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Board of Education approve the application for a School Maintenance Grant. Following further discussion as well as an opportunity for community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.


X. Board Requests for Reports – None at this time.

XI. Adjournment –

There being no further business, President Lynch adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.



___________________________________ Neal Schawel, Secretary Board of Education

________________________________ Susan Lynch, President Board of Education