DATE:

Wednesday, January 8, 2003

LOCATION:

ITASCA VILLAGE HALL 100 North Walnut Street Itasca, Illinois 60143

MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 8, 2003 REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

I. Call to order and Roll Call - The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Susan Nolte with the following ROLL CALL:

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
Mrs. Dawn Turner, Principal, Raymond Benson Primary School
Dr. Marcia Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recorder
Members of the staff and community

II. Pledge of Allegiance – President Nolte led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Communications – Mrs. McDonald, Board secretary, reviewed various correspondence received from staff members during the previous month.

IV. Agenda Addendum Items - None

V. Superintendent’s Report –

Superintendent Cull reported on two up-coming events: 1) A legal workshop scheduled for January 25. He would like to know of any board members planning to attend by the end of this evening’s meeting. 2) An EDRED Dinner scheduled for January 27. District #10 is a member of EDRED which is a lobbying organization.

Dr. Cull included in his report an up-date on the ceiling in the industrial technology classroom. He has been working with the architectural firm of Wight and Company. This used to be a locker room and a wall was removed. A steel beam and columns were put in place of the wall. There are some gaps in the beams where they meet. This does not appear to be an emergency situation as the cement structure above appears to be solid.
A copy of Superintendent Cull’s report is attached to these official minutes.

VI. Board Requested Reports:

A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C. representative, reported that no meeting had been held. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2003.

Quarterly Financial Report – This report was reviewed by Dr. Cull. It had been included in the packet but was not listed on the agenda.

Mr. Torii asked if it would be necessary to start cutting some programs.

Dr. Cull stated that the challenge is to review each line item to determine what would be nice to have and what is necessary. Further discussion ensued.

Mr. Powers asked if the figures included new construction. He suggested taking a conservative approach when determining how much revenue will be received and then monitor expenditures.

Following the superintendent’s review with members of the board and the audience, a short discussion ensued. A copy of the report is attached to these minutes.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch gave the Middle School Report that included a mid-term profile of student discipline interventions. A short discussion ensued. Dr. Nickisch’s report is attached to these minutes.

C. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reported on the work of the DAC Committee. They are currently identifying the items needed for next year and also looking at the District calendar. Staff development is being planned for next year. In addition, she reviewed workshops scheduled for the 2003 workshop days. A copy of Dr. Tornatore’s report is attached to these minutes.

Mrs. Dale questioned why the reading series is only for K-6. At the higher level, students study literature and grammar.

Dr. Tornatore’s report is attached to these official minutes.

D. Technology Up-Date – Dr. Cull reviewed Mr. Kapachinski’s report, a copy of which is attached. He highlighted the new payroll system that was anticipated to go live on January 1. Mr. Kapachinski wanted to ensure that a prior payroll could be duplicated. Therefore, a decision was made that the cut-over be made at the end of the first quarter.

E. Character Counts! - Mrs. McDonald, board representative, had attended the meeting held earlier this evening. The coordinator, Alva Kreutzer, reported that she had made a report to the Itasca Business Council detailing the “Show Your Character Award.” This is a program being developed in which an employee or someone in the neighborhood that has exhibited good character could be nominated to receive this award. Healthy DuPage Character Counts! is distributing a survey that will be distributed to 5th and 8th grade students on March 3. Some of the surveys will be distributed to board members. College of DuPage will be a resource center for character information. Plans are being made for the Memorial Day Parade. The Event Committee will sponsor a poster contest with prizes for the posters. Also, a discussion occurred about the purchase of Character Counts! flags, clingers, and street banners .

There had also been a report from Johanna Heppeler, a teacher at Peacock Middle School, who reported on the public schools and how Character Counts! is being integrating into the curriculum. She is also working on a skit with 10 students who attended character college.

F. Request by Mr. Raymond Benson – Discussion ensued regarding issues surrounding this request to honor a former board president. These issues include setting a precedence. Further discussion ensued. Dr. Cull asked for some direction on this matter. It was suggested that perhaps an award should be given through the Character Counts! Program.

G. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported that one Freedom of Information request had been received. It was a routine request for meeting notifications and will be complied with in a timely manner.

H. Opportunity for Community Input – No questions or comments.

*It was noted that Mr. Hervas was not in attendance at this meeting as he is involved in a trial in another County and is preparing for court.

Mr. McCann is absent due to work related issues as well.

VII. Consent Items

A motion was made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the minutes of the December 11, 2002 Closed Session and Regular Meeting, and the expenditures for the month of December, 2002, be approved.

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

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

VIII. Board Requested Reports – None made at this time.

IX. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.

__________________________ Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

__________________________ Susan Nolte, President Board of Education