DATE:

Wednesday, December 10, 2003

LOCATION:

ITASCA VILLAGE HALL 100 North Walnut Street Itasca, Illinois 60143

PRESENT Mr. Powers Mrs. Dale Mr. Torii Mrs. Nolte Mr. Hervas (arrived after roll call) Mrs. Zelenka (arrived after roll call)

ABSENT Mrs. McDonald

II. 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 litigation. The motion was approved on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

Mr. Torii
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. Dale
Mrs. Zelenka (arrived after the beginning of the closed session)
Mr. Hervas (arrived after the beginning of the closed session)

The Board of Education entered a closed session at 6:35 p.m.

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

AYESNAYS

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

The board returned to open session at 7:01 p.m. President Nolte stated that while in closed session, the board had discussed pending litigation and no action was taken.
Since the levy hearing was posted to begin at 7:15 p.m., Mrs. Nolte declared a recess at this time until 7:15 p.m.

III. Levy Hearing - President Nolte asked the Superintendent to review the levy process and discuss the 2003 Levy.

A. Presentation of 2003 Levy - Superintendent Cull presented the 2003 Levy and explained the levy process indicating that the most important point to remember is that the levy is a request on behalf of the school district for access to the taxes. Local property taxes are the main source of revenue for the school district. The money requested is limited by the tax cap. The levy figures that are reflected were processed by a 10% increase in each of the funds with the exception of the transportation and IMR Funds. These have been in trouble for the last couple of years so they were increased by 50%. There was an opportunity for discussion.

B. Opportunity for Community Input – There was no community input.

The Levy Hearing concluded at 7:20 p.m. and President Nolte called for another recess until 7:30 p.m.

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

In the absence of the board secretary, Mrs. McDonald, Mr. Torii made a motion to appoint Mrs. Diann Dale Secretary Pro Tempore. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hervas. Following an opportunity for discussion, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

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

VI. Communications – Mrs. Dale read correspondence received during the previous month.

VII. Agenda Addendum Items – Nothing added to the agenda.

VIII. Superintendent’s Report –

Dr. Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He stated that the State Report cards are not only late but also appear to have some inaccuracies in the way districts report to the state and what the state does with the information. Discussion ensued. The information is still incomplete. Based on the school report card, all three schools have met their adequate yearly requirements.

Superintendent Cull also highlighted the EDRED Dinner meeting that is scheduled to be held on January 26. In addition, he discussed the proposed Typing During Tutorial. The District would need to put software on several computers at Peacock. The administration would like this to be as self-directed as possible.

IX. Board Requested Reports:

A. Quarterly Financial Report – Superintendent Cull reviewed this report as included in the packet. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Hervas made a general comment regarding the State Report Card. He feels strongly that the District is concerned by the report card but there is also a need to have self-assessment. The District knows what’s best for the students and also knows how to teach the students. Discussion ensued regarding the position the state has taken on saying what needs to be taught in the schools.

Mr. Powers asked if spending could be monitored so that purchasing can be put off until after May.

Mrs. Dale stated that she has received numerous phone calls regarding the talent and gifted survey. She suggested using caution regarding the type of questions contained in the survey. Discussion ensued. Mr. Powers suggested that Mrs. Dale refer parents to Superintendent Cull.

B. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii did not attend the last N.D.S.E.C. meeting. He discussed the article included in the packet regarding changes that are necessary in education reform law out of fairness to schools.

C. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, principal of F.E. Peacock Middle School, reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached. In January, he will share the results of the number of Peacock students who will be in the Lake Park Honors’ classes. He also delivered an update on the musical as he has narrowed the list down to two candidates. Dr. Nickisch believed it was fair to say that the District will be able to go forward on this. He also reported on the success of the Invention Convention Mrs. Dale asked if the candidates for the musical would be bringing in their own staff.

D. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore reviewed her report, a copy of which is attached. She included a review of the assessment report and the TAG Program.

E. Technology – In the absence of Mr. Kapachinski, Director of Technology, Dr. Cull reviewed the process of the needs analysis of the student management system. Included in Mr. Kapachinski’s report is a 10-year projection of the life-cycle of the computers.

F. Character Counts! – Dr. Cull reported on the evening’s meeting as Mrs. McDonald had not attended the meeting. There is a Character Counts! link to the Village Web site and the coalition with the help of the coordinator, is attempting to make the website more interactive including links to other resources. There are training opportunities for members of the community and the school district. The coalition is attempting to find ways to offer training opportunities to coaches and families by working with WIBA and the baseball association so that it can become a reality. Two years ago, the coalition held the first strategic planning process. Once again, the coalition is looking at holding another planning session with Mr. Dave Williams from the Village of Itasca to help facilitate this.

G. Nature Center Foundation – Dr. Cull Introduced Mr. Fred Maier, Director of the Springbrook Nature Center. Mr. Maier extended an invitation to the School District board to join their foundation – the Friends of Springbrook. In reviewing his report, Mr. Maier said that they are asking for a school board member to be on this board. He asked if it were possible for the board to come to a consensus by next month. If anyone on the board would like to volunteer to do this, they should let President Nolte know. This item will be on the January agenda.

H. Peacock Ventilation - Representatives from Johnson Controls were in attendance at the meeting. Mr. Chris Kroon from Johnson Controls distributed a project up-date and introduced the project development leader and the project manager to members of the Board of Education and the audience. Mr. Tom Burke, project manager, explained the phases that have been completed. Discussion ensued. The staff was asked for input on the temperature/humidity levels at Peacock. More discussion ensued. The consensus was that while there are still some problems that exist with the system, Johnson Controls is attempting to eliminate these problems as they arise. President Nolte thanked the representatives for attending the meeting.

I. IASA/IASB/IASBO Conference – Conference attendees highlighted sessions that they had attended. Mr. Powers discussed sessions on how a board works and what it does. He also had attended an up-date session on NCLB and thought that it was worthwhile. Mrs. Zelenka stated that she thought she had learned a lot from the sessions she attended for new board members. Mr. Torii suggested that he thought it was better to stay at the conference overnight and attend the general sessions. He too had attended a session on NCLB as well as meeting with a lot of contractors. They had discussed performance contracts and the fact that many of these companies will not bid on a job if they don’t get the service contract with the district. Dr. Cull also reviewed sessions he had attended.
J. Skate Park Plans – Mrs. Dale stated that a topic of a Skate Board Park had arisen as a result of interviews with people who may be part of an intergovernmental committee for the re-development of downtown Itasca. The park district has agreed to put in a skate board park (behind Peacock) and Mrs. Dale expressed her concerns about the location of the park. Discussion ensued regarding users of the park. The park district is looking for the school district’s opinion on this.

The consensus of the board was that it is necessary to voice concerns to the park district about the location of this park. Mrs. Dale will attend a regularly scheduled Park District meeting and voice the school district’s concerns. Dr. Cull will draft a letter to the park district in this regard

K. Freedom of Information – No requests received during the previous month.

L. Opportunity for Community Input regarding Board Requested Reports. No questions or comments made.

X. Consent Items

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Torii that the minutes of the November 12, 2003 regular meeting and the expenditures for the month of December, 2003 be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

XI. Action Items

A. 2003 Levy

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Torii that the following resolution be approved: BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of Itasca School District #10, DuPage County, Illinois, approve the levy on the equalized assessed value of the taxable property of the School District #10, DuPage County, Illinois for the 2003 year as follows:


EDUCATIONAL $6,421,794
OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE $1,028,582
TRANSPORTATION $ 353,320
ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT $ 110,662
SOCIAL SECURITY $ 135,906
TORT LIABILITY $ 27,377
SPECIAL EDUCATION $ 83,597

TOTAL $8,161,237

BOND $ 701,406

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the amounts of the levy as set forth herein above shall be certified and submitted to the County Clerk of DuPage County, Illinois, and that the President and Secretary of the Board shall certify the tax levy as required by law.

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

AYESNAYS

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


B. Board Meeting Schedule

A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the 2004 regular Board of Education meetings be held at 7:30 p.m. and preceded by a closed session meeting, when necessary, in the Itasca Village Hall, 100 North Walnut Street, Itasca, Illinois, on:

January 14 May 12 October 13
February 11 June 9 November 10
March 10 July 14 December 8
April 14 September 8

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

C. Planning and Budget Calendar

Motion made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mr. Powers that the FY 2004 Planning and Budget Calendar be approved as presented. A considerable discussion ensued following the motion about the calendar. The consensus was to leave it as is. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

D. Board of Education Policies #2:240 Board Member Qualifications; #2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure; #5:10 Equal Employment; #5:190 Teacher Qualifications; #5:280 Educational Support Personnel; #6:60 Curriculum Content; #7:100 Health Examinations; and #7:300 Extra Curricular Athletics.

A motion was made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Board of Education Policies #2:240 Board Member Qualifications; #2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure; #5:10 Equal Employment; #5:190 Teacher Qualifications; #5:280 Educational Support Personnel; #6:60 Curriculum Content; #7:100 Health Examinations; and #7:300 Extra Curricular Athletics be approved for second reading.

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

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

NAYS Mrs. Dale

E. Closed Session Minutes

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education make available for public record closed session minutes as listed within the board packet. Following some discussion, opportunity for community input and further questions, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES Mr. Powers Mr. Hervas Mr. Torii Mrs. Nolte

NAYS Mrs. Zelenka

ABSTAIN Mrs. Dale*

*Mrs. Dale asked that the records indicate the reason for her vote of abstention. She did not feel comfortable voting for the release of these minutes for public record as she was not on the Board of Education for most of the time during which these minutes were approved.

X. Board Requested Report – No requests made at this time.

XII. Adjournment

There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 10:32 p.m.

__________________________ Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

__________________________ Susan Nolte, President Board of Education