Prior to the meeting, members of the EAI sponsored a reception for members of the Board of Education and community. Refreshments were served beginning at 7:00 p.m. Following the reception, Rosemary Rawleigh thanked everyone for their attendance.

I. Call to order and Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Mr. Dennis Torii, Vice-President, with the following ROLL CALL:

PRESENT Mr. Hervas Mr. McCann Mrs. McDonald Mr. Powers Mr. Torii

ABSENT Mrs. Nolte Mr. Schawel

Also in attendance:

Dr. Kenneth Cull, 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 for Curriculum and Instruction
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary
Interested staff and community members

II. Pledge of Allegiance: Vice-President Torii led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Welcome to Visitors: Mr. Torii welcomed visitors to the meeting.

IV. Communications: None

V. Agenda Addemdum Items:

Dr. Cull announced to the board that Dr. Tornatore would be doing the testing report as part of her Curriculum Report.

VI. Superintendent’s Report:

Dr. Cull referred to his written report which was included in the board packet and distributed to members of the audience. A copy of his report is attached to these minutes. Several items were highlighted including air quality testing done at Franzen with an indication of good air quality. Benson and Peacock are also having air quality testing.

School Search has awarded Itasca School District #10 it’s Bright Red Apple Award once again. Less than 10% of Illinois School Districts are awarded.

Preliminary notification of the National School Board Association 62nd annual conference has been received and is included in the packet. Dr. Cull would like to make reservations for everyone at this time if approved by the board.

Superintendent Cull reviewed the two additional financial reports included in the packet (pages 61 and 62). He would like feedback from board members regarding these two reports.

Mr. Torii urged all board members, if possible, to go to the conventions. They should let the district office know as soon as possible.

Mr. Hervas suggested that rooms be blocked out as soon as possible as in the past, board members have not been able to stay in the same place. He asked that the board direct Dr. Cull to reserve an entire block of rooms and if board members are unable to attend, there will be time to cancel their reservation. There are several months before a final decision needs to be made.

VII. Board Requested Reports –

A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii reported on N.DS.E.C. His report is attached to these minutes. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 15. The main focus of this meeting is that some of the school districts may pull away from the cooperative. This may affect District #10. He will have more to report at the next Board meeting.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, principal of Peacock Middle School, gave his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. There have been many responses to the request for relief aid to the victims of the tragedy. District #10 has generated a compact disk that is comprised of student songs, music from the Middle School, and various other recordings. Dr. Nickisch introduced staff members Cary Behrendt, Pam Mitchell, and Christina Rice. Mr. Behrendt explained that his advisory group had discussed what could be done and the other two schools were also involved. They explained how they developed the plans and would like to have the cd ready to go by November 1 with expected return by December 1. In the meantime, orders can be taken so that it will be available for distribution before winter break.

The teachers explained that they are looking for seed money and are requesting the board for anything they can do. Discussion ensued regarding making a contribution on behalf of the school board. Dr. Cull said it could be considered an expenditure for a music project. He didn’t feel it would be a problem for the board to make any contribution.

C. A motion was made by Mr. McCann that the Itasca School District Board of Education make a contribution in the amount of $2,000.00 to the District #10 New York City Disaster Relief project. Mr. Hervas seconded the motion. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

Mrs. McDonald
Mr. McCann
Mr. Powers
Mr. Torii
Mr. Hervas

D. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, gave her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. She reported that the Teacher Certificate Renewal process is continuing very positively.

She also mentioned that the Drug Education Awareness is outstanding and that two grants were being used via Alexian Brothers and the YWCA. The YWCA teaches drug awareness to parents and students.

The Testing Report was distributed and Dr. Tornatore reviewed the assessment tests from last year. She did a slide presentation and furnished a detailed explanation of the slides and scoring.

Discussion continued. Questions and discussion ensued regarding the reading curriculum. Dr. Tornatore will continue to meet with the teachers throughout the year.

Discussion ensued. Mr. McCann asked how District #10 students are doing as they progress through Lake Park. Dr. Cull responded that he has discussed this with the interim superintendents at Lake Park. They will release the Itasca student scores to District #10.

Discussion ensued regarding the state standards testing and how it corresponds to the curriculum.

Dr. Tornatore was thanked for a well-done report.

E. Technology Report – In the absence of Mr. Kapachinski, Dr. Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Mr. McCann questioned Dr. Cull about the approval of up to $50,000 as to how the money had been spent. An additional 5 computers for Benson’s Media Center were being purchased and the District is moving forward on the purchase of Windows 2000 licensing.

F. Character Counts! – Dr. Cull reported that the coalition had met this evening. Dr. Cull related that the Character Counts! coordinator, Alva Kreutzer, had been hired and was in attendance this evening. One of the items accomplished at this evening’s meeting was to meet with Mrs. Kreutzer and discuss the work she will be doing with Character Counts! In addition, the coalition had also passed the by-laws and voted in officers. Dr. Cull reported that Mr. Schawel was voted as chairperson of the coalition; vice chair is Mrs. McDonald and the secretary is Susan West. Dr. Cull introduced Mrs. Kreutzer to the meeting and she was welcomed by members of the Board of Education.


G. Technology Plan Approach/Revisions – Dr. Cull made the following proposal to the board: that the Board take action and approve the plan with some modifications. He related the modifications as such: 1) In the initial plan presented in June, 40 laptops were to be replaced. He suggested that that number be changed to 20. 2) He suggested to cut the initial plan and use 15 to 18 of the 20 laptops replaced and place them directly into the classrooms. These will be placed via the teachers’ interest in having them in their classrooms. 3) Abandon the idea of a wireless lab at Franzen but focus on classroom computers. 4) Palm pilots removed from the plan. 5) Dial up internet access for staff members would be dropped from the plan. A modification of the expenditures in the current phase of $88,000 could be made and Dr. Cull would recommend that the $88,000 be allocated to other classroom computers and significant staff development. The expenditures in the plan would be reallocated and the focus will be on classroom computers and staff development.

The plan would be a 4 year plan. The planned expenditures for the next school year could be reduced by $70,000 with pushing some of those expenses into future years. The plan would include the purchase of 10-12 additional classroom computers and an increase in staff development to $7,000.

Something absent in the current plan is an obsolescence replacement plan for computers in the lab. There needs to be a plan that when computers are five years old, they should be replaced.

Dr. Cull stated that there will be specific changes in expenditures for this current year but in the future, the plan will be maintained. However, each year administrators will bring forth a more specific list of items that are needed. He doesn’t think it’s prudent to leave out the obsolescence plan and also doesn’t think it’s prudent to list items needed in 2004. He recommended that the plan be viewed as a general plan – not specific.

Discussion ensued. Mrs. McDonald asked if it was necessary for this plan to be extended over a 4-year period. Dr. Cull answered that he believed the bulk of the plan should be over a period of 4 years but it isn’t necessary to approve specific expenditures. These should be reviewed annually.

Mr. Torii asked if the teachers are ready for having computer clusters. Dr. Cull replied that he was aware that teachers are interested in this concept.

Mr. McCann reviewed the old plan versus the revised plan. A lengthy discussion ensued.

Discussion ensued. Mrs. McDonald asked if a survey from the teachers could be conducted to see how many computers need to be purchased. Dr. Cull replied that this could be done but the money is already in the budget for this year.

Mr. McCann asked if it was possible for us to approve the plan for the first year only. Dr. Cull replied that we could not as the bulk of the plan is in the narrative part of it. The expenditures can be revisited on an annual cycle.

Dr. Tornatore stated that for filing the grants that could add up to a substantial amount of money, she must have at least a 3-year plan.

Dr. Cull said that he was trying to address this in his general comments.

The plan needs to be approved and submitted to the Regional Office of Education within the next month. Something would have to be approved either this evening or at the November meeting. If the plan is approved, administration could return next month with a more specific listing of items that will be purchased.

The consensus of the board was that if the board is kept aware as to what the expenditures are for this year, it could approve the plan.

H. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported that no Freedom of Information requests have been received during the past month.

I. Opportunity for Community Input - None at this time.

VIII. Consent Items –

Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that the minutes of the September 12, 2001 regular meeting, the expenditures for the month of August, 2001; and the employment of Tom Leakakos and Alve Kreutzer be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Hervas
Mr. McCann
Mr. Powers
Mr. Torii

IX. Action Items –

A. Technology Plan –

Motion made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education approve the District #10 Technology Plan as presented. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

Mr. Powers
Mr. Torii
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. McCann

B. Board of Education Policy #6:235 – Access to Electronic Network; Policy #7:10 - Equal Educational Opportunities; and Policy #8:20 – Community Use of Facilities

Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that Board of Education Policies #6:235 Access to Electronic Network; 7:10 – Equal Educational Opportunities; and #8:20 – Community Use of Facilities be approved for first reading. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

C. Board of Education Policy #6:120 – Education of Children with Disabilities and Policy #7:230 – Misconduct by Students with Disabilities

Motion made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that Board of Education Policy #6:120 – Education of Children with Disabilities and Policy #7:230 – Misconduct by Students with Disabilities be approved for second reading. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

D. Character Counts! Resolution for National Character Counts! Week of October 21-26, 2001

Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that
the Board of Education adopt the following resolution: WHEREAS, Character Counts! is a nationwide nonpartisan and nonsectarian initiative to strengthen the character of our next generation; and WHEREAS, Good character is based on six positive values: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. By displaying these “Six Pillars of Character” in their daily lives, Itasca School District 10 students will contribute significantly to the future of our community; and WHEREAS, The week of October 21-26, 2001 has been designated as National Character Counts! Week;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT on the 10th day of October, 2001 on behalf of the residents, parents and students, and especially members of the Board of Education, the week of October 21-26, 2001 is hereby proclaimed as National Character Counts! Week within Itasca School District 10 as a time to re-emphasize the importance of our shared values and to help make Itasca School District 10 “A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN.”

Following an opportunity for community input, questions, and discussion the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

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

Dr. Cull announced that the State report cards will be released by the Board of Education by 10/31 as required but since the camera ready copies have not yet been received, they will be mailed to the board before the end of October.

XI. Adjournment - There being no further business, Mr. Torii adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.

___________________________________ Secretary Board of Education

________________________________ Dennis Torii, Vice-President Board of Education