I. Call to order and Roll Call – Vice-President Torii called the meeting to
order at 7:30 p.m. with the following ROLL CALL:

PRESENT Mrs. Dale Mr. Hervas Mr. McCann (arrived following roll call) Mrs. McDonald Mr. Powers Mr. Torii

ABSENT Mrs. Nolte

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
Interested staff
Mr. Eric Anderson, Representative, Harris Bank

II. Pledge of Allegiance: Mr. Torii led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Welcome to Visitors: Mr. Torii welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked for questions or comments. None were made.

IV. Communications: Mrs. McDonald, board secretary, read correspondence received during the previous month.

V. Agenda Addendum Items: Item “C’” under Action Items was moved and placed under consent items. Item “C” pertained to personnel.

VI. Superintendent’s Report:

Superintendent Cull reviewed his repor, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He noted that Henry Hyde is coming to Peacock later in the month to collect the proceeds of the fund-raising CD created by Itasca School District. This money will go to the disaster relief fund.

Dr. Cull also discussed the tentative budget and announced that he had received results of the levy which reflected an increase in the district’s tax dollars of 4.65%. He had used a 5% figure to project revenues. He distributed up-dated budget summary sheets to indicate the tax extension.

The county allows districts to re-organize levy to move money from fund to fund. Also, in the fiscal years of ‘99, ‘00, and ’01, there was nearly $1,000,000 budgeted in permanent transfers to the education fund. In reality, these transfers never occurred as there were enough funds available to allow the expenditures to occur so that the district did not have to use the money.

Dr. Cull reported that he had not received any questions from board members but will entertain questions about what was presented last month and new summary sheets received.

Mr. Hervas suggested that Dr. Cull check with the district’s attorney, Barry Moss, to be sure he asks the assessor if we are getting new growth money.

Discussion ensued. Mr. Powers challenged the board and administration to check to see if there is anything the district can cut back on.

VII. Board Requested Reports:

A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C. reported that the N.D.S.E.C. meeting had been postponed to the next week.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, middle school principal, gave his report. A copy is attached to these minutes. He reported that in May, he will distribute the annual perception surveys to parents/students and will share results with the board in August.

He expressed his hope that all will have a chance to visit Peacock to see Henry Hyde receive a check for $6,000. All board members are invited to attend.

On April 25, Peacock will host its Fine Arts Festival and will present a production of the “Music Man.”

Mrs. McDonald complimented Peacock staff and students on their newspaper, the “Charger” and Mrs. Dale complimented Mr. Peel on his web site.

C. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, gave her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. She reported that testing continues and also on the upcoming 5th Grade Village Tour of Itasca.

The DAC committee is doing in-depth planning for next year’s staff development as well as the October 28 Institute.
She discussed the college course on teaching the gifted that is being offered to a number of teachers . The course is designed in one-hour segments. All teachers starting the first hour are going to be involved in all 3 hours.

D. Technology – Dr. Cull gave the report, a copy of which is attached. He stated that we are preparing to place some computers into the classroom this year.

E. Character Counts! Dr. Cull reported on the meeting held earlier this evening as Mrs. McDonald was unable to attend. Mrs. Kreutzer, Character Counts! coordinator, worked with the coalition on more specific activities and goals. An example was to have coaches receive Character Counts! training and what the coalition can do to support that objective. Another suggestion was to have an award program that would highlight people that exhibited exemplary behavior.

The Park District had come to the coalition to ask for some assistance for some grant money to fund their new teen room. Dr. Cull assisted them by providing at least two groups that could help them if the coalition is unable (501-TC). Mrs. Kreutzer submitted the Illinois Violence Prevention Act grant application.

F. Salary Committee – Mr. Torii, Mrs. Nolte and Mrs. Dale were assigned to the salary committee with Mr. Powers as an alternate. Dr. Cull will contact committee members to set a date for a meeting.

G. HVAC Financing – Dr. Cull briefly discussed the history of the HVAC issues. Among the questions that needed answers including funding. Dr. Cull had invited a representative from Harris Bank, Mr. Eric Anderson, to the meeting. He would discuss the district’s ability to issue bonds, what it would look like and entertain questions related to the financing of this project. Mr. Anderson reviewed the issue with members of the board and the audience. Discussion ensued.

Dr. Cull stated that he wanted to do a couple of things either now or later in the meeting. He reminded the board that they need to make a decision or have some kind of consensus as to whether or not they are going to follow this time line now and move forward.

Another issue had to do with the amended school calendar that is on the agenda for this meeting. School was intended to end on Friday June 7, but because a snow day was used, school would end on June 10. If the board decides to move forward with this project, it may be an advantage to have the last day be Friday, June 7, as it would give Johnson Controls 3 more days to work.
At a special meeting, the district could enter into a contract with Johnson Controls. If the project is to be done this summer, this is the time frame needed to be followed. The consensus of the board was that they were not prepared to make a decision this evening.

Mr. Hervas stated that the bonds could be approved without approving the entire project to Johnson Controls.

Representatives from Johnson Controls stated that if they don’t order their equipment by April 20, they lose their spot for the summer.

Discussion ensued. A special meeting was set for Monday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting will be to digest the funding part and prepare a notice of intent to issue bonds.

The second action that the board has to take is to agree to a letter of commitment, a contract, or something to give to Johnson Controls as to how much will be done, when, etc.

The meeting will be held at the administrative building at 7:30 p.m.

H. NSBA Conference - Attendees to the conference reported on individual sessions they had attended. Mrs. McDonald attended several general sessions including one on mentoring. Mr. Hervas attended some of the legal sessions and found them to be extremely informative and attended the general sessions as well. Mr. Torii discussed his seminars and commented on the value of the good speakers and the conference in general.

I. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported that no Freedom of Information requests received.

J. Opportunity for input – None at this time.

VIII. Consent Items

Motion made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Powers that the minutes of the March 13, 2002 special meeting, closed session and regular Board of Education meeting, the expenditures for the month of March, 2002, the resignations of Denise Reilly, Lisa Quinlivan, Colleen Hitzler and George Gouriotis, and leave of absence requests received from Beth Mueller, Keli Georgas and Amy Hourigan for the 2002-2003 school year be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:



AYESNAYS

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

A motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Hervas that a resolution authorizing notices of dismissal to certain educational support personnel employed and a decrease in certain types of educational support services be adopted as follows:

WHEREAS, the Board of Education of Itasca School District No. 10 (the “Board”) is committed to operating the school system within the parameters of available fiscal resources; and WHEREAS, projection of available fiscal resources in the form of revenue from the State of Illinois is uncertain; and WHEREAS, the Board is projecting budget deficit and cash flow operational difficulties as evidenced by local and State trends; and WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the overall fiscal outlook for Itasca School District No. 10 necessitates a budgetary cutback related to uncertain student enrollment; and WHEREAS, the Board has received reports and recommendations from the Administration regarding the necessity of decreasing the number of educational support personnel employed and discontinuing of some particular types of educational support services due to uncertain student enrollment, and the Board has fully researched and investigated the subject matter of said reports and recommendations: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Education of Itasca School District No. 10, DuPage County, Illinois, as follows: Section 1. That the preamble hereof is restated hereat and made a part hereof. Section 2. That the number of educational support personnel employed by the Board be decreased by four positions. Section 3. That the Board hereby determines that the individuals listed on Exhibit 1 attached hereto and made a part hereof shall not be reemployed as educational support personnel in Itasca School District No. 10 for the 2002-2003 school term, and that the individuals listed on Exhibit 1 shall be dismissed as of the end of the 2001-2002 school term or as of the end of the final day of their present employed contract with the Board, if same is earlier. Section 4. That the President and Secretary of the Board are hereby authorized and direct the superintendent to give to each individual identified in Section 3 hereof, notice of the Board’s decision to dismiss and not reemploy said individual. Said notice shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2 attached hereto and made a part hereof. Section 5. That the individuals listed on Exhibit 1 hereof, shall be given by certified mail, return receipt requested, notice of this action by the Board, together with a copy of this Resolution, which shall be a part of such written notice.
Section 6. That the educational support personnel dismissed pursuant to this Resolution are honorably dismissed. Section 7. That the reason for dismissing the individuals listed on Exhibit 1 is economic necessity, a uncertain student enrollment in the district, and a budgetary concern by the Board. Section 8. That the Board’s determination of the economic necessity for a budgetary concern constitutes sufficient cause for the reduction in the number of educational support personnel employed by the Board and the discontinuance of some particular types of educational support services.
Section 9. That the Administration is directed to consult with each educational support personnel to be dismissed prior to sending that person written notice of his or her dismissal. Section 10. That all resolutions and parts of resolutions in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed, and that the Resolution be in effect forthwith upon its passage. Section 11. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect forthwith upon its adoption.

The motion was amended to include the re-hiring of these staff members if able. Mr. McCann amended the motion and Mr. Hervas seconded the amendment. The motion passed on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

IX. Action Items

A. National Teacher Day Proclamation:

A motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Powers that the following proclamation be adopted by the Board of Education:

NATIONAL TEACHER DAY PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, teachers open children’s minds to the magic of ideas, knowledge and dreams; and WHEREAS, teachers keep American democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship; and WHEREAS, teachers fill many roles, as listeners, explorers, role models, motivators and mentors; and WHEREAS, teachers continue to influence us long after our school days are only memories; NOW THEREFORE WE, serving as members of the Board of Education of Itasca School District #10, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2002 AS NATIONAL TEACHER DAY We urge everyone to observe this day by taking time to recognize and acknowledge the impact of teachers on our lives. Following an opportunity for further discussion, questions, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

B. Calendar –

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mrs. Dale that the 2001-2002 school calendar be amended to show 06.10.02 as the last day of school. Following an opportunity for further questions, discussion and community input, the motion was defeated on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES Mr. McCann Mr. Hervas

NAYS Mr. Powers Mrs. Dale Mrs. McDonald Mr. Torii

The last day of school will remain June 7, 2002.

C. FY2003 Tentative Budget:

A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the FY2003 Tentative Budget be approved as presented and placed on display during regular business hurs at the Administrative Center, 200 North Maple Street, Itasca, Illinois for thirty days prior to the budget hearing to be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2002, at 7:15 p.m. in the Itasca Village Hall, 100 North Walnut Street, Itasca, Illinois. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES Mr. Hervas Mr. Powers Mrs. Dale Mrs. McDonald Mr. Torii

NAYS Mr. McCann

X. Board Requested Reports - No requests.



X. Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. Torii adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m.

___________________________________ Mrs. Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

________________________________ Mr. Dennis Torii, Vice-President Board of Education