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Itasca, IL 60143-1722 MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 14, 2001 REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING I.
Also present: Dr. Glenn Acksel, Superintendent of Schools II.
 N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C. representative, reviewed the January 8 meeting. Minutes from that meeting are included in the packet. Director Cheryl Conley is negotiating with the insurance company for a contract. N.D.S.E.C. conferences took place concerning disabled students with some special projects.He also reported that Bensenville is going to sell all but one of their buildings and stated that this sale will impact the cooperative. If Bensenville is going to reduce their space, there will be less available space for the remainder of the districts involved in the coop. Since that meeting, there has been some discussion that District #10 will possibly be making one or two classes available. Many of the students entering school are District #10 students. Laidlaw has requested that rather than having a separate contract with each district, they would request that the N.D.S.E.C. Governing Board have each individual district approve the transportation contract. Bids have been made on the roof replacement. Mr. Torii asked Superintendent Acksel to discuss the N.D.S.E.C. shortage of classroom space. Dr. Acksel stated that Bensenville has never wanted to provide any classroom space. The remaining districts have been able to supplement the classrooms. Last summer, Bensenville was directed to provide space for this year. They have refused and now are closing all but one of their schools. Dr. Acksel reported that he has talked with N.D.S.E.C. Director Cheryl Conley and Ms. Espositio, principal of Benson School and they have concurred that District #10 may be able to house one or two classrooms for the 2001-2002 school term. One of the classrooms, ECEC (Early Childhood) has mostly District #10 students. The other class being considered is a pre-school autistic class. The superintendent believes that there may be room for that class. It wouldn’t significantly impact anyone. The autistic class would be a N.D.S.E.C. class and the supervisor from N.D.S.E.C. would be responsible for that class. The Early Childhood class would be for 3-5 year old students with some learning problems. Discussion ensued. B. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reported on the Drug Education Program. She commended both the YWCA and Alexian Brothers Hospital for their expertise in providing resources and staff developed to the schools and the community. She reviewed her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.As Dr. Tornatore reviewed her report, she stated that the technology plan will be on-going as it’s undergoing a massive change by the District Advisory Committee. The principals and building leaders have been working on it with the goal of having it completed by spring. Discussion ensued. The prior state testing was criticized. It was supposed to be revised. Discussion ensued. Mr. Schawel commented that he was pleased with the work being done on the technology plan and asked that perhaps next month, Dr. Tornatore bring the vision statement being developed by the committee. C. Summer School – Dr. Tornatore reviewed the Summer School Report which is reflective of parent input. If summer school is to be held, there will need to be at least six classes of 12 children. A status report will be given in April. Discussion ensued.D. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch presented the middle school report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He discussed the Foreign Language Report that will be presented later in the meeting. Dr. Nickisch also reported that Mrs. Sharon Knudsen, Family and Consumer Science teacher, received recognition at the National Conference in San Diego, CA with a regional award given to individuals at each state level. District #10 is proud of Mrs. Knudsen and her work with the students.Mrs. McDonald asked about the students’ behavior at the last middle school dance and Dr. Nickisch reported that it was much improved. Discussion ensued regarding the WIBA incidences. Dr. Nickisch and Dr. Acksel will be meeting with a WIBA representative on February 28 and will keep the board posted. E. Character Counts! - Mr. Schawl, Character Counts! representative, reported on the meeting held earlier this evening. The importance of hiring someone to facilitate fund raising had been discussed. Also, there is a poster contest that Officer Barry Kauther is initiating for the total student community population. He’s received donations for paper and other prizes and has contacted all the organizations involved. At least 1500 students are expected to participate. Participants will receive a prize for entering.G. Foreign Language – An excellent presentation was made by Mrs. Jackie Crown and Mrs. Marisol Portincaso, foreign language teachers at Peacock Middle School. The department is asking for another full time foreign language teacher as they would like to offer a world culture class and possibly offer other languages in the future. Discussion ensued. The board has decided to move slowly with this process.Dr. Acksel said that a proposal for a vote will be coming to the board in March. F. Technology Up-Date – In the absence of Technology Director, Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Superintendent Acksel reported on technology. A number of things have taken place during the past month including a keyboarding program at Franzen School. Approximately seventy-five percent of the expenditures for the Technology Plan (hardware) have been completed. There will be additional charges but the district is "over the hump" in big dollars. A very important focus is continuous training.H. Public Hearing – Dr. Acksel reminded the board of the Lincoln’s birthday holiday which was replaced by President’s Day. The district is going to request the state to be allowed to use Pulaski Day as a workday for the staff - a teacher institute day. This item is on the agenda as an action item. It would begin next year.I. Irving Park Road Expansion – Dr. Acksel requested that some board discussion occur with respect to the proposed Irving Park Road Expansion. Mr. Hervas said that he would like the board to pass a resolution taking a stand on the issue. Board members agreed that this should be done. The Itasca mayor is accumulating resolutions. Mr. Hervas suggested it would be good to have a resolution prepared. Dr. Acksel will prepare a resolution for the next meeting.J. Superintendent Search Up-Date – Mr. Torii reported that there are three candidates scheduled for second interviews on February 20, February 21, and February 22. The search is continuing on schedule.K. Freedom of Information – Dr. Acksel reported that none had been received in the past month.L. Opportunity for Community Input – Mrs. Anne Boehne, Itasca resident, living at 217 South Oak Street, stated that she is a member of the ICARE committee and had been asked to attend the board meeting. This committee is opposing the Irving Park Road expansion. Mrs. Boehne was asking for permission to talk with the principals about the distribution of flyers, buttons and other information regarding the proposed expansion. Dr. Acksel asked the board for permission to address this issue. He stated that from his viewpoint, it’s been the position of school districts not to become involved in political causes regarding any type of issue. Mr. Hervas agreed that students should be allowed to participate on a voluntary basis. Dr. Nickisch said that the Peacock Charger has been addressing this issue in the opinion session of the paper. Discussion ensued.Superintendent Acksel directed Mrs. Boehne to meet with the principals and the PTO representatives. He believes that the principals will make the right decision. If handled properly, it should not be a problem. Mr. Ed Izzi, 477 South Oak, questioned the superintendent about his letter requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act. Dr. Acksel responded that he had sent Mr. Izzi a reply asking for more specific information regarding his request and no answer had been received. Mr. Izzi was asked to be more specific in his request. Mrs. Diann Dale, 325 South Princeton, discussed the Spanish Program as well as the Spanish Club offered at the lower grades. She also spoke to the issue of adding onto the foreign language program. In addition, she discussed the N.D.S.E.C. classes being considered for housing at Benson School. They are primarily District #10 students. Mr. McCann discussed the budgeting process and a request for more information in this regard. From a financial standpoint, he believes that the board needs to be more involved. In light of the problems Bensenville is having and with more talk about funding, he believes that in the future, the board needs to be more familiar with revenue and expenses. Next year, he would like the board to have more input before the budget is presented. Mr. Hervas agreed with Mr. McCann although he believes that District finances are in good condition. In the past, Mr. Powers has assisted with financial reports that are included in the board packet. Discussion ensued. Mr. Torii said this should be something discussed at the goals’ session. Also, perhaps it should be made a part of the new superintendent’s contract. VIII. Motion made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the minutes of the January 10, 2001 regular meeting, February 5, 2001 closed special meeting, February 5, 2001 closed session, February 8, 2001 special closed meeting, February 8, 2001 closed session, the expenditures for the month of January 2001, and the requests by Lisa Quinlivan and Denise Reilly for an additional year leave of absence be approved. Following an opportunity for questions, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE: IX. Action Items A. X. Board Requests for Reports – None
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