DATE:

Wednesday, October 9, 2002

LOCATION:

ITASCA VILLAGE HALL 100 North Walnut Street Itasca, Illinois 60143

PRESENTABSENT

Mrs. DaleMrs. McDonald
Mr. Hervas
Mr. McCann
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. Nolte
Mr. Powers (arrived after roll call)
Mr. Torii

Additional 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
Mrs. Dawn Turner, Principal, Raymond Benson Primary School
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Dr. Marcia Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary
Various members of the staff and community

II. Pledge of Allegiance - Mrs. Nolte led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III.Welcome to visitors – President Nolte welcomed all visitors to the meeting. At this time, on behalf of the Board of Education, she thanked the members of the teachers’ union for the reception provided earlier in the evening..

IV. Communications – In the absence of Mrs. McDonald, any correspondence will be read next month.

V. Additional agenda items - None

VI. Superintendent’s Report –

Superintendent Cull reviewed his report which had been distributed to members of the audience. A copy of his report is attached to these minutes. He asked board members to give some thought to attendance at the NSBA conference in April as room reservations open this Friday, October 11. Mrs. Nolte, Mr. Torii, Mr. Powers, Mrs. Dale, Mr. Hervas, and Mrs. McDonald will potentially attend.

Superintendent Cull reported that the next Dupage Division of IASB will be hosting the fall dinner meeting next Wednesday, October 16. If board members are interested in attending, please contact Catherine and she will make reservations.

Itasca Schools have again received the Bright Red Apple award. They have won this award for the past several consecutive years. Dr. Cull announced that the District web site has won an award of excellence from the NSPRA. The web site is being maintained by Bryen Travis. Bryen and Mike Cousineau began the web site some years ago but Bryen is now managing it alone.

Dr. Cull has received 3 requests for board member e-mails. He asked that he be notified if anyone is interested in having him release their e-mail addresses.

VII. Board Requested Reports –

A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C. representative, discussed the N.D.S.E.C. items included in the packet. The Hinsdale contract issue had been raised at the last meeting. The negotiated agreement will impact the users but does not include District 10 though the District will have to continue to monitor in the event that middle schools begin to initiate similar contracts. There will be another meeting later this month.

Mr. McCann asked if the Hinsdale capital acquisition and building renovation is a “done” deal. It will be done but the contract for co-ops to pay is still under negotiation. If DuPage West Cook doesn’t agree to participate, then Hinsdale will serve notice that they will move the facility. Fee will be determined by the user. Discussion ensued.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, principal of F.E. Peacock Middle School, introduced Mr. Ken Ortega, who is doing an internship for his doctoral requirement at Peacock.

Dr. Nickisch stated that Peacock is planning for the 2003-2004 school year. Room 006 has been used for Spanish and World Culture. There is a need for additional space. A proposal will be made that the room be converted to a regular classroom. Room 002 (the Industrial Tech room) is still being used as a classroom and it contains a number of non-used or sparingly used machines. There is no projection for the use of this equipment in the future. It is proposed that the District eliminate the machines and fixed islands in that area and have that room tiled and used as a multi-purpose room. Discussion ensued.

Plays are no longer being performed. Parents have asked if there is still an option of maintaining the program. He had been in contact with a District #10 parent that has done drama and she has given Dr. Nickisch an outline of what it would cost to resurrect this program. That program is going to be under investigation for next year. More discussion ensued.

There was a different format for the curriculum night this year. Teams presented information. A survey has gone out and the responses have been mostly positive.

Lake Park reported that over half of the peer mediation program at Lake Park consists of Itasca students.

Peacock students had some bad press this year but Dr. Nickisch reported that student leadership has been phenomenal in addressing the governing of leadership within the leadership council. One of the changes is the allowance of gum chewing at school and also allowing students to bring drinks into the classroom. The council also addressed the issue of tardies – the more tardies the longer the detention. If the child has gotten only one or two tardies before the end of the first semester, they are erased for the second semester.

Mrs. Dale discussed the modification of Home Economics and Industrial Technology. Discussion ensued. It was suggested that Dr. Nickisch investigate what is going on in other middle schools. He will also be attending the Middle School Conference later this month and that will be indicative of the trends. Further discussion ensued.

Discussion ensued regarding the choral program.

Discussion ensued as to how to apply the information gleaned from Dr. Nickisch’s research and from the Middle School Conference. Dr. Cull stated that there would be a very specific report as to what middle school is going to look like. He suggested that the District needs a clean starting point that indicates what the administration is recommending based on research – what will or won’t be in. This has been a missing key and causing some confusion.

Mr. McCann suggested including in the report what the students would be learning in once in high school. A larger issue is where District #10 should be with respect to curriculum. A copy of Dr. Nickisch’s report is made part of these minutes.

C. Curriculum - Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, gave her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. She discussed the up-coming Institute Day that will include good presenters in the area of reading. Student test data will be distributed soon. Kindergarten through 5th grades will be delivered to the parents at conferences and sixth through eighth grades will be sent through the mail.

Dr. Tornatore also discussed the TAG program. A recommendation form has been developed with instructions as to how and when to complete it.

The Reading Committee is reviewing research and identifying what the District is trying to do in the area of reading.

With regards to drug education, the Drug free grant money is being used to hire representatives from Alexian Brothers and the YMCA to work with teachers on curriculum.

D. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski, Director of Technology reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached. Sixteen laptops have been moved into the 5th grade wing at Franzen and are now wireless. Teachers are able to move them around the classroom as well as from room to room.

The automated graded system at Peacock is going smoothly. Progress reports have gone well. The District Office will have an upgraded payroll version. The new program is Windows based which will also be integrated into the entire business office.

Life cycles – Plans were discussed to dispose of 35 laptops. Mr. Kapachinski will research leasing rather than buying in an effort to not have the problem of disposing.

Dr. Cull stated that it is an action item on the agenda for disposal of equipment as it is written in the policy.

E. Character Counts! – Dr. Cull reported on the meeting held earlier this evening. The coalition is moving in a positive direction. It has been subdivided into committees. Lots of good feedback regarding the September 11 memorial event sponsored by the coalition. He believes that the coalition is headed in a positive direction. They will be reviewing the by-laws. The new brochures have been distributed.

F. HVAC Project – Two representatives from Johnson Controls were in attendance and presented a report on the Phase 1 of the project. A packet of information was distributed relative to the Franzen portion of the project. Discussion ensued regarding the next phase of the project and whether or not there had been sufficient testing performed to see if Phase 1 was successful. Further discussion ensued. President Nolte thanked the representatives for their input.

G. Recognition of Former Board Member – The board had some discussion about Mrs. Rose Traeger, a former board member, who was seriously ill. Because of her contributions to the District, the board wanted to do some type of memorial/recognition in her honor. Discussion ensued. Dr. Cull stated that he had discussed this issue with the administration. One suggestion was to possibly plant a tree at one of the schools honoring Mrs. Traeger. It was decided that this is what would be done. (A motion will be made following Board Requested Reports to this regard.)

H. Freedom of Information – No requests made during the previous month.

I. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports - No comments or questions.

VIII. Minutes and expenditures -

Motion made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Torii that the minutes of the September 11, 2002 regular meeting and the expenditures for the month of August, 2002 be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

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

IX. Action Items –

A. Board of Education Policies #2:50 School Board Terms; #2:125 Board Member Reimbursements; #2:210 Organizational Meeting; #2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure; #4:110 Transportation; #5:190 Certification; #5:280 Duties and Qualifications; #5:280 Duties and Qualifications; #6:40 Curriculum Development; #6:140 Education of Homeless Children; #6:160 Limited English Proficient Students; #6:170 Title I Programs; #7:10 Equal Educational Opportunities; and #7:15 Student and Family Privacy Rights; #7:50 School Admission; #7:60 Residence; #7:100 Health Examinations, etc. and #7:340 Student Records

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. McCann that That Board of Education Policies #2:50 School Board Terms; #2:125 Board Member Reimbursements; #2:210 Organizational Meeting; #2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure; #4:110 Transportation; #5:190 Certification; #5:280 Duties and Qualifications; #5:280 Duties and Qualifications; #6:40 Curriculum Development; #6:140 Education of Homeless Children; #6:160 Limited English Proficient Students; #6:170 Title I Programs; #7:10 Equal Educational Opportunities; and #7:15 Student and Family Privacy Rights; #7:50 School Admission; #7:60 Residence; #7:100 Health Examinations, etc. and #7:340 Student Records 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.

B. Character Counts Resolution for National Character Counts! Week of October 20 – 26, 2002.

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mrs. Dale 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 20-26, 2002 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 20-26, 2002 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 discussion and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

C. Laptop Computers

A motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education approve the selling of out-of-date, unlicensed laptops to a computer recycler. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

D. Copy Machines

A motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Board of Education enter into a five-year lease agreement with Imagetec for the acquisition of five Konica Model 7155 Digital Copiers. Some discussion ensued. Following an opportunity for more questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Torii that a tree be planted honoring former board member, Mrs. Rose Traeger. Following an opportunity for further questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

X. Board Requests for Reports – No board requests for reports.

X1. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m.

__________________________ Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

__________________________ Susan Nolte, President Board of Education