I. Call to order and Roll call:

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

PRESENT Mrs. Dale Mr. Hervas Mrs. McDonald Mrs. Nolte Mr. Powers Mr. Torii

ABSENT Mr. McCann

Also present:

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
Various members of the staff, community, and press

II. Pledge of Allegiance –

President Nolte led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Welcome to Visitors - Mrs. Nolte welcomed all visitors to the meeting.

IV. Communications – Mrs. McDonald, Board Secretary, read various thank you cards from received from staff members for the holiday gifts given by the Board of Education.

V. Agenda Addendum Items – None

VI. Superintendent’s Report –

Superintendent Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He asked board members who might be interested in attending the workshop being presented by Franczek-Sullivan on January 26th as well as the EDRED Dinner on the evening of January 28. Mr. Torii may be able to attend both the workshop and the dinner. Mr. Hervas may attend the EDRED dinner.

Dr. Cull highlighted the NSBA Conference in April. As of this date, Mrs. McDonald, Mr. Hervas, Mr. Torii and Mrs. Nolte are planning to attend.

The superintendent reported on the pending After School Program. Letters have been sent to parents together with the schedule. Mrs. Dale questioned the timing of the program. The superintendent will look into the matter and respond.

Dr. Cull reviewed an chronological order outline he had distributed regarding HVAC Issues. A copy of this sequence is attached to these minutes. Discussion ensued.

The superintendent presented a detailed description of how the process would work with Johnson Controls. Following his general overview, he requested board discussion and reminded everyone that three Johnson Controls’ representatives were in attendance at the meeting and would be available to answer any questions.

A discussion ensued regarding the current contract with Johnson Controls and whether or not it was part of the contract for them to perform an energy audit.

Additionally, concerns were expressed regarding the project cost and the urgency of the work.

Following a lengthy discussion, the consensus of the board was that considering the cost of the project, it was prudent to proceed cautiously. There was no community input regarding this issue.

Community member and parent, Mr.Edward Izzi, 477 Oak Street, had a question regarding the number of students/groups in the After School Program and how that would be determined. The superintendent replied that the letters had just been sent out so there would be no way of knowing at this time the number of students who would be involved.

President Nolte thanked administrators and teachers for implementing the After School Program.

VII. Board Requested Reports:

A. N.D.S.E.C.

Mr. Torii reported on the N.D.S.E.C. meeting held on December 10, 2002. A copy of the minutes is attached. A discussion ensued regarding the DuPage West Cook issue and their request for the renovation program for Hinsdale. The oversight committee will need to decide whether or not this program will be funded by all member districts. There needs to be a unanimous approval of the committee plus one of the members. If approval for the renovation of the six classrooms is not granted, space will be moved to some other place. There is some concern that there will be parent protest and other disagreements. Other districts may follow suit with similar requests for more assistance. Mr. Torii said there may be a request for a vote by February and asked for discussion from board members. Discussion ensued. Mr. Torii will keep everyone posted.

B. Middle School

Dr. Nickisch delivered the Middle School Report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. To reinforce the special education space problem reported by Mr. Torii, Dr. Nickisch said classroom space availability is decreasing while enrollments increase.

He reviewed the detention chart included with his report with board members and the audience explaining that the increase in the 30 minute detentions consists of numerous tardies.

C. Curriculum

Dr. Tornatore reviewed her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. She up-dated committee work and reviewed the up-coming March workshops.

Mrs. Dale questioned Dr. Tornatore about the Talenged and Gifted seminars and how it will be conducted within the district. Is one held for all teachers to attend or is one done in each building? Dr. Tornatore replied that while all teachers would like to have some Talented and Gifted training, it has different meanings in the different grade levels. The one scheduled in March will serve Franzen for .5 of the day and Benson for .5 day. It will later be opened to Peacock but for now, Peacock has many other issues to contend with. She is currently searching for a course to offer all teachers in this area and is working on this issue with the superintendent.


D. Technology Up-Date

In the absence of Mr. Kapachinski, Dr. Cull delivered the report, a copy of which is attached. He stated there is progress made on the Broadcast Studio and he is comfortable with the direction in which it is going. He also reported that some of the concerns regarding the financial software package appear to be fixed. If the latest action doesn’t work, the district may have to look for a new financial package.

Mrs. Dale asked about students being able to use disks between school and home because currently, children are not allowed to do this. It seems that students and parents would like to know if there is a possibility this could be done.

Dr. Cull answered that the reason this is not allowed is that the district is attempting to eliminate the possibility of a virus. He is in the process of discussing this issue with Mr. Kapachinski and possibly reaching a solution. He agrees that this is something students should be allowed to do.

E. Character Counts!

Mrs. McDonald was not in attendance at the meeting held this evening. Therefore, Dr. Cull gave a report. He stated that the committee discussed building and sustaining the coalition and did some preliminary planning for a goals’ session scheduled for January 31, 6:00 p.m. at the Administrative Center.

F. Freedom of Information

Superintendent Cull reported that no requests had been received during the past month.

G. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports

None at this time.

VIII. Consent Items:

Motion made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the minutes of the December 12, 2001 Levy Hearing and regular meeting and expenditures for the month of December, 2001 be approved. Following an opportunity for further questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

IX. Action Item

A. Motion made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Torii that the Board of Education adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Itasca School District #10 Board of Education desires to reduce the District’s energy and operating costs through an energy conservation project; and

WHEREAS, a feasibility study has been conducted by the District #10 administration, including a comprehensive process for implementing energy conservation measures as outlined in Article 5/19B of the Illinois School code; and,

WHEREAS, the preliminary study concludes that the cost of the proposed improvements would not exceed the operational savings likely to be realized over the next ten years; and,

WHEREAS, the energy conservation program is based upon criteria as set forth in Article 5/19B of the Illinois School Code, be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of Itasca School District #10, authorizes the Superintendent to participate in the process set forth in Article 19B of the Illinois School Code, and approves the following:


1. The Itasca School District #10 Board of Education shall issue the successful Qualified Provider (Johnson Controls, Inc.) a Letter of Intent on January 10, 2002.

2. Upon issuance of a letter of intent, the administration shall post a public notice identifying the successful provider and the board meeting where the final contract is to be endorsed.

And be it further

RESOLVED, that the Itasca School District #10 Administration is authorized to investigate any an all documents required to fund the program and otherwise necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution.

It remains the discretion of the board to choose what it believes is in the best interest of the students/schools of Itasca School District #10.

Following an opportunity for further questions, discussion and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

X. Board Requests for reports –

None at this time

XI. Adjournment –

There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m.

___________________________________ Mrs. Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

________________________________ Mrs. Susan Nolte, President Board of Education