DATE:

Wednesday, October 8, 2003

LOCATION:

ITASCA VILLAGE HALL 100 North Walnut Street Itasca, Illinois 60143

OCTOBER 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 Nolte with the following ROLL CALL:

Also in attendance:

Dr. Kenneth Cull, Superintendent of School
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 & Instruction
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recorder
Members of the staff and community

II. Pledge of Allegiance: President Nolte led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Welcome to visitors: Mrs. Nolte welcomed all visitors to the meeting. On behalf of the Board of Education, President Nolte thanked staff for their efforts in providing staff and board members an opportunity to meet and talk socially. The staff had arranged this gathering and provided refreshments prior to the meeting.

IV. Communications: Mrs. McDonald, secretary, read correspondence received during the previous month. These included a thank you note from teacher, Laura Lindsay, and a thank you note from former Board President Tom Wright’s daughter for the recent tree planting ceremony held honoring her father.

V. Agenda Addendum Items: No additional agenda items.

VI. Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Cull discussed the air quality report done at Peacock as a result of the completion of the work in that building. The air quality was good and all readings were in the appropriate range. The National School Board Association has registered 5 people for the November conference. Housing registration begins this Friday. Superintendent Cull would like some direction from the Board of Education as to room reservations. Mrs. Nolte requested Dr. Cull make reservations such that board members will all be staying in the same location. Board members need to respond to Superintendent Cull. Mrs. Dale and Mr. Torii stated that they will make their own reservations. If board members want the superintendent to do it, they need to let him know by Thursday afternoon. Mrs. Nolte and Mrs. McDonald will have the superintendent make their reservations.

With regards to the Illinois Conference, Superintendent Cull reported that he is registered along with board members Patrick Powers and Dennis Torii. Rose Zelenka is also going on Friday of the conference week-end. The superintendent needs to know if anyone wants to attend a pre-conference session.

For the board’s information, Itasca is going to run another United Way campaign probably next week.

Superintendent Cull asked Mrs. Turner to give a one-minute report on the mentoring program at Benson School. Benson is involved in AIMS – Adults Involved in Mentoring Students. This program involves mentors from each of the feeder schools who can be anyone over 18 years of age. They ask that volunteers give an hour of their time for a training session and then they could become a mentor for a child. A lot of these children could benefit with another adult in their lives. Nine children have been recommended by the teachers and so far, Benson has two volunteers.

Impact of budget cuts – Superintendent Cull wanted to have a brief and general conversation about this item. He reported that last year, the district had to cut a couple of teaching positions along with one part-time custodian, one full time technician and some nursing services. Because of these cuts, there are some things causing difficulties in these areas. Dr. Cull asked if the board would be willing to consider providing additional resources in these areas. Discussion ensued. A projected figure is about $12,000.00. Discussion ensued as to whether or not this is available in the budget. All board members agreed that this was a viable thing to do. Mrs. Dale asked if the board could be provided with a nursing report similar to the report done in 2000.

Mrs. Dale raised the issue of the air quality report specific to Peacock’s humidity levels. She asked if Johnson Controls had seen the report. At Franzen, it was clear that the humidity was dramatically lower. At Peacock, the humidity has either doubled or had the opposite effect. Mrs. Dale would like to know what Johnson Controls has to say about this.

VII. Board Requested Reports:

A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C., representative said that the next N.D.S.E.C. meeting is scheduled for October 20. He also mentioned that the Marklund School is a joint project being financed by the White Sox and the Village of Roselle and it is near the N.D.S.E.C. School.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, principal of the F.E. Peacock Middle School, reported on the survey given to students on their perspective on teasing. Seventy-five percent of the students responded. The Parent Advisory Committee is meeting in a couple of weeks. Dr. Nickisch also mentioned that Peacock had done very well in Conference Cross Country Championship yesterday for the 2nd year in a row. Sixth and seventh graders took second and the 8th graders are still running!! A copy of the Middle School Report is attached to these minutes.

C. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, discussed the Talented and Gifted Program. Teachers are submitting two types of reports including their recommendations as well as students’ grades. Dr. Tornatore reported on the Teacher Certification Process. The district offers credits for the teachers. Dr. Tornatore explained the work of the Teacher Certificate Renewal Committee.

Drug free education is offered at all three schools specifically the one from the YWCA

Dr. Tornatore discussed the work of the Report Card Committee. Mr. Kapachinski is beginning the starting point for this committee. It needs to be linked to the student data-base. Dr. Tornatore is meeting with the schools and gathering ideas as to what the teachers would like to see placed on the report cards. Mr. Torii asked if we could put the grades on the web-site. This is something the committee will research. Dr. Tornatore noted that there is no funding from the state anymore.

Mrs. Zelenka questioned Dr. Tornatore as to the function of the NWACC curriculum committee. Mrs. Dale asked if the District could possibly look into the ED-Line that Lake Park High School uses.

A copy of Dr. Tornatore’s report is attached to these minutes.

E. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski, Director of Technology, gave his report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. The enhancements to the virus program have been working. There are a declining number of viruses coming through the firewalls. He explained that during the summer months, the teachers don’t normally check their e-mail and once they return, there appears to be more viruses. As of yesterday, he is looking at an efficient solution to some of the patching problems the district is experiencing. About 15 – 20 printers have had some problems that have required outside servicing.

The automated report card process has been developed for the staff.

F. Character Counts! – Dr. Cull gave the report as representative Mrs. McDonald had not attended the meeting held earlier this evening. Each of the committee gave reports on their activities followed by reports from organizations on what they are doing with regards to Character Counts!. Dr. Cull highlighted the fact that one of the winners of the “Show Your Character Award,” Debbie Pawinski, was a District #10 employee.

G. Freedom of Information – None requested during the previous month.

H. Opportunity for community input regarding board requested reports – No questions asked nor comments made by members of the audience.

VIII. Consent Items

A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mrs. Zelenka that the minutes of the September 10, 2003 regular meeting and the expenditure reports for the month of September, 2003 be approved. Following an opportunity for further questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Torii
Mrs. Dale
Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. Zelenka

IX. Action Items –

A. Student Suspension – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Torii that the Board of Education uphold the decision of the Hearing Officer made at the September 11, 2003 Student Suspension Hearing. 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 19, 2003 – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Torii 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 19, 2003, has been designated as National Character Counts! Week; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT on the 8th day of October, 2003 on behalf of the residents, parents and students, and especially members of the Board of Education, the week of October 19, 2003 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 questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none

C. Student Teacher – A motion was made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the Board of Education approve Joy Morgan from Concordia University as a student teacher for Mary Kabat from August 21, 2003 through December 7, 2003. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

D. Vote Confirmation – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Torii that the Board of Education confirm the September 10, 2003 vote to uphold the decision of the Hearing Officer regarding three Student Suspension Hearings. Following an opportunity for community input, questions and further discussion, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

X. Board Requested Reports – None at this time.

X. Adjournment - There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting adjourned at 8: 30 p.m.

__________________________ Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

__________________________ Susan Nolte, President Board of Education