DATE:

Wednesday, February 12, 2003

LOCATION:

ITASCA VILLAGE HALL 100 North Walnut Street Itasca, Illinois 60143

I. Call to order and Roll Call

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Welcome to Visitors

IV. Communications

V. Agenda Addendum Items

VI. Superintendent’s Report -

Dr. Cull briefly reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. In addition, he acknowledged and thanked Mr. Torii for affording the District the opportunity to have a United States flag flown over the U.S. Capital on November 20, 2002. The flag was flown for the children of Itasca. This flag has been encased in a plaque and will be maintained by the District. Dr. Cull thanked Mr. Torii for this honorable donation.

Dr. Cull discussed an issue concerning the 2003-04 school calendar which typically is presented at the February board meeting. Dr. Cull explained that he has been working on developing the calendar with administrators and teaching staff and will be making some changes connected with the parent-teacher conference week in November. Dr. Cull stated that one of the things he’s been reviewing is the possibility of the staff working full days on the 2 half-day conference days - a full day of teaching plus conferences in the evening. This would mean two _ days of instruction could be traded for a full day of instruction. Another non-attendance day could be placed on the calendar to compensate for the extra time. He wanted the board to be aware of what he is attempting to do. The calendar will be presented at the March meeting.

Superintendent Cull then focused on the budget planning section of his report He reviewed a handout from the evening’s meeting and discussion ensued. Following the discussion, the board directed the Superintendent to bring another draft of the budget worksheet showing a deficit no greater than $265,000. Dr. Cull will have more specific information at the March meeting.

VII. Board Requested Reports:

A. N.D.SE.C. – Representative to N.D.S.E.C., Mr. Torii, reported that two meetings had occurred in January and February. Some issues raised included a problem with a lack of a quorum for the Governor’s Board and N.D.S.E.C. has asked member boards to possibly pick an alternative member or switch to evening meetings. He asked members of the board to consider this matter and if someone is interested in being an alternative member, to please let him know. Another continuing issue is lack of space for N.D.S.E.C. They are attempting to have one area where all special needs’ students are located and can continue rather than having students move from place to place.

DuPage/West Cook Co-op has about 180 members and is in need of a director. They have also extended the school year for some of the students for a small amount of money but it will be of value. They moved from a 4-hour day to a 5- hour day.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, principal of F.E. Peacock Middle School, reported on the Middle School. A copy of his report is attached to these minutes. Dr. Nickisch reported that the Science Fair held recently exceeded 120 projects. He named the student winners: Kindergarten and 1st grades – Daniel Kennedy; 2nd and 3rd grades - Marie Partyka; 4th and 5th grades - Sandra Maier; and Julia Nelson and Emily Wesley won in the 6th thru 8th grade division.

In addition, he shared the 2003-04 Master Schedule. He also discussed the school newspaper noting that the Charger is beginning to expand. Organizations and businesses may want to advertise in the paper and students are beginning to elevate the types of articles written. He also discussed an article that had been pulled from the paper regarding a survey distributed at Peacock. The survey had asked questions pertaining to mental health but the problem was that it had not been a random sampling and therefore, may not be valid.

C. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, reported that she had applied for a grant in DuPage for $70,000 and District #10 had received the grant. These are items, not money. It is the full use of technology in reading at the kindergarten program and will coincide with our curriculum

She reviewed her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. The reading committee has completed their research and will be making a presentation at the March meeting.

The Media Center committee has emphasized that they discuss TAG extensions.

With regards to TAG, Dr. Tornatore has reviewed the progress of the program assessment part as well as follow up to reporting the results of the assessments to parents. Discussion ensued.

D. Technology Up-Date – In the absence of Mr. Kapachinski, Dr. Cull stated that the Technology Report was straightforward and he would answer any questions. No discussion.

E. Character Counts! – Mrs. McDonald, Board of Education coalition representative, had attended the meeting held earlier this evening. A poster contest is being set prior to the Memorial Day parade. The Recognition Committee is working on bookmarks that will be distributed in the community. The Library is participating in Character Counts! Book Bingo. Letters are being sent to about 40 businesses in town asking them to sponsor banners. The committee is working on developing a better link with Itasca Village Web-Site.

The coalition also heard a report from Christina Johnson, Franzen School’s representative. She reported on all of the District #10 schools. Activities in the schools include a collection of pennies for patients, sending valentines overseas and Heinz Hospital as well as community valentines and making a caring quilt.

F. Honoring Former Board of Education Member – Dr. Cull reviewed the history of how the district had honored a former board member. Mr. Benson, a former board member and president, made a request that the district honor another former board member by planting a tree. The board had a discussion about this situation and decided that the school board may want to recommend this board member to be nominated for a “Show Your Good Character Award.” Mr. Benson continues to question the process of honoring former board members and this continues to be an issue. Discussion ensued.

Mrs. McDonald requested that administration research what other districts are doing in these situation.

G. Freedom of Information – Superintendent Cull reported that one request had been received and was answered in a timely manner.

H. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports – No comments or questions.

VIII. Consent Items:

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the minutes of the January 8, 2003 regular meeting, the expenditures for the month of January, 2003, and the request for leave of absence from Beth Mueller be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

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

IX. Action Items

A. Policy Revisions - A motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Powers that Policy #2:200 – Types of Board Meetings; Policy #2:210 – Organizational Board Meeting; Policy #5:100 – Staff Development Program; Policy #5:180 – Temporary Illness or Incapacity; Policy #7:190 – Student Discipline 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. Architect Proposal – A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Board of Education approve the proposal dated January 29, 2003, for Peacock School’s structural issues received from Wight & Company. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

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

X. Board Requested Reports -

Mrs. Dale requested a nursing report including costs, N.D.S.E.C. involvement, etc. She also asked where the district stands with defibrillators?

A question arose concerning the work being done with the Industrial Technology room. Dr. Cull explained that the district is trying to make the room into a classroom as much as possible but this is not part of the original Johnson Controls project. If it is possible to finance this out of the contingency allocated, he will need to talk with Johnson Controls and then will have an answer.

XI. Adjournment – There being no further business, Vice-President Torii adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m.

__________________________ Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

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