I. Call to order and Roll Call – President Lynch called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Nolte with the following ROLL CALL:

PRESENT Mr. Chuck Hervas Mr. James McCann Mrs. Maureen McDonald Mrs. Susan Nolte Mr. Patrick Powers Mr. Neal Schawel Mr. Dennis Torii

ABSENT

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
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary

II. Pledge of Allegiance – Mrs. Nolte led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mrs. Nolte requested that a moment of silence be held to honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on September 11.

III. Welcome to Visitors – Mrs. Nolte welcomed all in attendance.

IV. Communications –

Secretary Neal Schawel read a communication received during the previous month. The specific note was written by Dr. and Mrs. Acksel thanking the Board of Education and the district for the reception given in Dr. Acksel’s honor.

V. Agenda Addendum Items –

Dr. Cull stated that he was removing three of the proposed policies for first reading due to some errors and would be placed on the agenda for the October meeting. The two remaining policy revisions, 7:230 and 6:120 will remain on this agenda for first reading.

VI. Superintendent’s report –

Dr. Cull reported that he had felt welcome and was excited about all of the potential that is present in the district. He presented his report which had been distributed to members of the Board of Education and was available to the audience. This report is attached to these minutes.

He wanted to talk about the attack yesterday and how he had wanted to be in all three buildings at the beginning of the school day to talk with staff and make sure they knew they had his support. He discussed how Franzen had started their school day –ringing the school bell and then the music teacher came out and asked that everyone sing “America the Beautiful.” He said it was a very emotional and beautiful gesture. He had asked the staff to handle the emotional needs of the students today rather than their academic needs.

Dr. Cull acknowledged the staff for the nice way the events of the day were managed.

VII. Board Requested Reports –

A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii reported on the N.D.S.E.C. meetings held during the previous month. Numerous documentation had been included in the packet including case studies and N.D.S.E.C.’s goals. Discussion ensued.

B. Middle School– Dr. Nickisch presented the result of the parent perception survey conducted this past spring. A copy of his report is attached to these minutes.

C. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore reviewed her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. She reviewed the August workshops which seemed to revolve on first aide and CPR training in order to care for the students. Teachers, principals and Teaching Assistants participated in these workshops. She also discussed the October workshop which the DAC is planning. The focus will be technology and how to connect it to the curriculum. Another focus will be analyzing the test scores.

The committees have begun their work although all are not listed here. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Hervas asked if there has ever been any consideration to getting portable defibillators in the schools. He will support it if the district wants to purchase them as they are being placed in lots of buildings. He believes it would seem wise to join with others having positive experiences with this equipment. Dr. Tornatore said they would be investigating this possibility.

Mrs. Nolte asked if the topic of Cultural Diversity had been considered for an in-service and reminded everyone Waubonsee College has offered their services in trade for a donation made to their scholarship fund. She stated that if their program is worthwhile, the District should make use of it.

Mr. McCann asked if the district receives an overall report on Stanford Achievement Tests. He had some suggested forms of reporting and will discuss them with Dr. Tornatore later. He discussed his report as to how Itasca stands in relationship to other feeder districts and distributed his breakdown to members of the board. He would like to see this information compiled and would also like to see a breakdown of the grades tracked by class.

Dr. Cull stated that more information would be provided after October 31 when the State Report Cards are released. He will also be meeting with the feeder district superintendents and has asked to have this topic placed on the feeder district superintendents’ meeting agenda.

Further discussion continued.

E. Technology - Mr. Kapachinski gave his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He believed that the start of the year went smoothly.

F. Character Counts! - Mr. Schawel, Character Counts! chairperson, reported that the coalition would be replacing the community coordinator position who had resigned during the summer. The coalition has asked Dr. Cull to do the interviewing, make a recommendation, and hire someone. Also, the coalition is in the process of approving by-laws and formalizing plans. Each member of the coalition has a vote in terms of what Character Counts! will be doing. Officers will be elected next month. He believes that tremendous steps have been made as a group as well as for the community. DuPage County is the strongest area in the entire Nation for Character Counts!

G. Technology Plan Approach/Revisions – Dr. Cull expressed a desire to re-open discussion of the Technology Plan. His assessment is that the plan presented in June is a well-thought out plan and he addressed issues reflected by members of the board.

A lengthy discussion ensued. Questions arose regarding budgeting for technology, how to in-service teachers on technology, how old the computers are and the prospect of buying new ones versus up-grading old ones.

Board members believe, that as a board, they are driven to demand that teachers become more involved in technology.

Mr. Powers recommended that if board members have an opportunity to visit the schools, they should do so.

Mrs. Nolte did not believe it was time to take a vote on the plan. She indicated that everyone’s viewpoint should be taken into consideration and then reach a compromise so that no one would be getting everything they wanted.

Mr. McCann believed that it was important to have a 3-year plan. Mrs. Nolte believed that might be a way to see that everyone would get needs met.

Mr. Powers said that the board needs to provide direction to the DAC committee and Dr. Cull. There have been no purchases made but there is a provision in the budget for expenditures. What do we want to see, when do we want to see it, and where do we want to go for right now?

Dr. Cull suggested that the district not proceed with the purchase of any up-graded laptops but if there are other portions of the plan, perhaps these can be addressed. Administrators need to review the plan with the expenditure part lined out more clearly.

One direction might be to come back in October after administrators have discussed board concerns/issues with the DAC Committee.

Mrs. McDonald asked that a hold be placed on palm pilots until there has been further discussion.

Mr. Hervas reiterated that his position was not to delay any upgrades that will enhance the instructional facets of the curriculum.
No motion was made at this time.

H. Curriculum/Student Support Program – Dr. Cull summarized his report and recommended that if the board wants to continue with this endeavor, staff needs to be involved to ensure compensation is appropriate.

Following some discussion, Dr. Cull will proceed with plans to continue to review and implement this program and will report progress to the Board of Education.

I. Freedom of Information – None during the previous month

J. Opportunity for Community Input – Mrs. Diann Dale, 325 South Princeton had some questions regarding the Tech Plan. Discussion ensued. She also asked about the Character Counts! program and matching funds.

VIII. Consent Items –

Motion made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Torii that the minutes of the July 11, 2001 regular meeting; the expenditures for the month of August, 2001; the resignations of Margie Martel, Veronica Aranda, Sandi Lionello, Cindy Karttunen, Cindy Nickisch, Angela Boehne, and Tony Yarborough; and the employment of Catherine McNulty and Therese Gimbel be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

Following adoption of the motion, Ms. McNulty and Ms. Gimble were introduced by the principals.

IX. Action Items –

Mr. Powers made a motion which was seconded by Mr. Schawel that, at Superintendent Cull’s discretion, up to $50,000 could be spent for technology during the next 30 days.

Following some discussion, and an opportunity for community input, Mr. Powers amended his motion to read that, at Superintendent Cull’s discretion, up to but not exceeding $50,000 could be spent for technology during the next 30 days. The amended motion was seconded by Mr. Schawel.

A. Application for Recognition

Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Application for Recognition for the 2001-2001 school year be approved. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOITE: All AYES: NAYS none.

B. 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 Policies #6:120 – Education of Children with Disabilities and #7:230 – Misconduct by Students with Disabilities by 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.

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

XI. Adjournment - There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 10:17 p.m.

___________________________________ Neal Schawel, Secretary Board of Education

________________________________ Susan Lynch, President Board of Education