DATE:

Wednesday, April 8, 2003

LOCATION:

ITASCA VILLAGE HALL 100 North Walnut Street Itasca, Illinois 60143

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Canvass of the April 1, 2003 Election and Certify the Election Results

IV. Administration of the Oath of Office

V. Board Election of Officers –

A. President – A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mrs. Dale that Mrs. Susan Nolte be nominated to serve as President of the Board of Education for a two-year term. Following an opportunity for further nominations and there being none, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS NONE.

B. Vice-President – A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mrs. Dale that Mr. Dennis Torii be nominated to serve as Vice-President of the Board of Education for a two-year term. Following an opportunity for further nominations and there being none, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES: NAYS NONE.

C. Secretary – A motion was made by Mrs. Dale and seconded by Mr. Powers that Mrs. Maureen McDonald be nominated to serve as Secretary of the Board of Education for a two-year term. Following an opportunity for further nominations and there being none, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: ALL AYES: NAYS NONE.

VI. Time, Date, and Location for Regular Board of Education Meetings - A motion was made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mrs. Dale that the fixed time and date for the Itasca School District #10 Board of Education regular meetings be the 2nd Wednesday of every month excluding August, except otherwise noted at the beginning of the calendar year, and that the meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. A closed session will begin earlier when one is necessary. All meetings are held at the Itasca Village Hall, 100 North Walnut Street, Itasca, IL unless otherwise posted. The motion passed on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

VII. Welcome to Visitors – Mrs. Nolte welcomed all visitors to the meeting.

VIII. Communications – No communications.

IX. Agenda Addendum Items – No items added to the agenda.

X. Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Cull’s report had been distributed to members of the audience. A copy of the report is attached to these minutes. He discussed the Industrial Tech Room and the permanent transfer of funds. The tentative budget has been delivered to members of the Board of Education and is on the agenda for this evening. It reflects the projected staff cuts. With the preliminary tax extension known, it was noted that there is a 3.5% increase ($50,000) in revenue. Superintendent Cull distributed information on new board members’ workshops being given in the area. Board members should let Catherine Seger know if they would like to attend..

Mr. Powers asked questions regarding the transfer of funds. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Torii asked about the bidding process on the JCI project. Discussion ensued. The district is not subject to the bid process

XI. Board Requested Reports –

A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii discussed the items included in the Board briefs that are in the packet. A copy of the minutes is attached to these minutes. The next meeting is set for next week. The District continues to look for an alternative person to be on the N.D.S.E.C. Committee . Discussion ensued. Mrs. Nolte appointment Mrs. Dale as the alternative.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached. Parent and student surveys will be distributed in May and the results will be reviewed at the September meeting. Dr. Nickisch reminded all that April 24 is the fine arts festival at Peacock and the chorus will perform at 7:00 p.m.

C. Discipline and Medication Committee – The Discipline Medication Committee met on March 19 and a copy of their report is attached to these minutes.

At the meeting, procedures were reviewed and the committee will have a recommendation for Peacock. A rewording of the dress and grooming code is needed. The change, if agreed to, will parallel Lake Park’s dress code.

At the meeting, Mrs. Barchfeld, District #10 nurse, provided an overview of medication procedures in which a new state form will take effect. District 10 has one more year to use the old form but then must begin using the new form.

An Emergency Procedure flip chart has been constructed by a special committee. Dr. Nickisch distributed the chart to board members for their review.

Discussion ensued. It was determined that the dress code should be changed for the entire district. The superintendent will review this item with administrators.
D. Curriculum - Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reported that testing is proceeding. In the fall, parents get a full report on the Stanford. The Itasca Village Tour is approaching. The Literature committee is working on reviewing literature. A copy of Dr. Tornatore’s report is attached.

E. Technology – Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology, reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached. He stated that the zip drives have been replaced but it looks as if some other machines may be affected. He is starting to see some wear on the computers and they require more support/maintenance. There have been setbacks on the payroll program at the District Office and Mr. Kapachinski hopes that this will be resolved soon. The Health Record System has been upgraded. Mr. Torii asked about the possibility of using palm pilots vs. laptops. Charles said he would do research on this and report back to Mr. Torii.

Mrs. Dale asked about needing more tech support for next year. Some discussion ensued.

Mrs. Nolte discussed the possibility of having staff push rotation back a year (laptops). Mr. Kapachinski answered that this is conceivable. Further discussion ensued.

F. Character Counts! - No meeting has been held. There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow evening.

G. NSBA Conference – All attendees reported that it has been a good conference. Mr. Hervas thought it was profitable and had gleaned some ideas that he’d like to bring to the district. He attended legal related sessions and enjoyed the general sessions. He feels that District #10 is a privileged district and that it is in the top 1% of the districts.

Mr. Torii attended the No Child Left Behind Session – He gave an e-mail address of www.ed.gov/offices/oese/ref.html to obtain a free copy of the No Child Left Behind Bill from the government.

Mrs. Nolte attended sessions on after school programs, municipal area projects, how to address staffing needs, as well as a session on how to take standardized test scores and develop your curriculum to meet the test scores. She had also attended a session given by Harry Bellefonte who had some radical ideas about race and education that she found very interesting.
Superintendent Cull attended sessions on board/supt relationships and the re-authorization on IDEA He also learned of charitable organizations/foundations associated with the NSBA.

He noted that before the session began, a 5K run was held and Mr. Torii, Mrs. Nolte, Dr. Tornatore and himself participated. Mrs. Nolte won (again!) in her division, but Dr. Cull beat her in by 14 seconds.

Dr. Tornatore expressed her gratitude for being fortunate to be allowed to go to the conference and enjoyed the conference very much.

H. Appointment of a Salary Committee – Mrs. Nolte ask Mr. Powers, Mr. Torii and Mrs. Hervas to be on the committee. Other board members should express any of their thoughts or comments to members of the committee

I. Freedom of Information – None received during the previous month.

J. Opportunity for community input - No comments made nor questions asked.

XI. Consent Items:

A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Torii that the minutes of the March 12, 2003 closed session and regular Board of Education meeting, the expenditures for the month of March, 2003, and the leave of absence requests received from Amy Hourigan and Gail Sage for the 2003-2004 school year be approved. Following an opportunity for further discussion and questions, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

XII. Action Items

A. National Teacher Day Proclomation

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

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 6, 2003 AS
NATIONAL TEACHERS’ DAY

We urge everyone to observe this day by taking time to recognize and acknowledge the impact of teachers on our lives.

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


B. Amended School Calendar – A motion was made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mr. Powers that the 2002-2003 school calendar be amended to show 06/10/03 as the last day of school. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

C. FY 2004 Tentative Budget – Discussion ensued. The consensus of the board was to have a special budget work session to further discuss the budget and table the Tentative Budget approval to the May Board meeting. April 23, 2003, 6:00 p.m. was set for this work session to be held in the Administrative Center. The meeting will be open to the public. Dr. Cull asked that if board members have questions that they know in advance, please provide them to him and he will have some answers for them at the meeting

D. Resolution authorizing notices of dismissal to certain educational support personnel due to a decrease in the number of educational support personnel employed and a decrease in certain types of educational support services as presented in the board agenda packet on pages 56 through 59.

Following a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Powers authorizing the resolution as presented in the packet to produce these dismissal letters but no letters will be distributed until after the April 23, 2003 special meeting. Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

E. Section I.A. of Article II of the N.D.S.E.C. Articles of Agreement –

A motion was made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education ratify section I.A. of Article II of the N.D.S.E.C. Articles of Agreement. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

F. Laidlaw Contract –

A motion was made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Board of Education approve the extension of the School District’s contract with Laidlaw Transit, Inc., for the 2003-2004 school year. Following some discussion and an opportunity for community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

G. Permanent Transfer of Funds –

A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Board of Education approve the permanent transfer of $500,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund.
A lengthy discussion ensued about the dollar amount of the permanent transfer of funds . Following this discussion and an opportunity for community input, the motion was amended that the Board of Education approve the permanent transfer of $300,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

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

A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Hervas that an inter-fund loan of $200,000 be made from the Working Cash Fund to the Educational Fund to be repaid by 6/30/03. Following an further opportunity for questions and discussion plus community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

X. Board Requested Reports – Mr.Torri would like to have a report on the Stock Market Game at Peacock. Dr. Nickisch will provide this report.

XI. Closed Session –

A motion was made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mrs. Dale that the Board of Education enter a closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE

AYESNAYS


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

The board entered a closed session at 9:40 p.m.

A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mrs. Dale that the Board of Education return to open session. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

The board returned to open session at 10:29 p.m.

President Nolte stated that while in closed session, the board had discussed personnel and that no action was taken.

XII. Adjournment

There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m.

__________________________ Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

__________________________ Susan Nolte, President Board of Education