DATE:

Wednesday, September 10, 2003

LOCATION:

ITASCA VILLAGE HALL 100 North Walnut Street Itasca, Illinois 60143

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. Ken Cull, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Reinhard Nickisch, Principal, F.E. Peacock Middle 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 present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Welcome to Visitors – All visitors were welcomed to the meeting by Mrs. Nolte.

IV. Communications – Mrs. McDonald, board secretary, read several pieces of correspondence that had been received during the previous month highlighting some. One was received from Lake Park High School thanking Itasca School District for allowing them to conduct on of their summer teacher programs at Franzen School.

V. Agenda Addendum Items – Superintendent Cull added the assessment report on agenda following the curriculum report. He also added an action item regarding student suspensions to be placed at the end of the agenda.

VI. Superintendent’s Report –

Dr. Cull reviewed his report that is attached to these official minutes. He highlighted some issues items including the IASA/IASB/IASBO Conference scheduled to be held in Chicago in November. He suggested that board members contact Catherine if you plan to attend the IASB meeting. There was also discussion regarding the proposed brochure that was distributed to K-5 parents during curriculum night. Regarding the Risograph copy machines, Dr. Cull discussed the history and current situation with this equipment. Maintenance agreements on two of the machines have been stopped. A secondary market for two Risographs and three sorters is being sought.

A further item not included in the report was that invitations had been received for board members to attend a law conference. Please let the Superintendent know if you would like to attend. Superintendent Cull gave an up-date on the tree planting ceremony for Mr. Tom Wright, long time board member as well as president. After speaking with Tom’s daughter, Joan Nelson, it was determined that the ceremony could be held on Tuesday, September 23 at 4:15 p.m. Joan Nelson will make family contacts and the Superintendent’s Office will take care of inviting community members.

Dr. Cull also reported that he has sent a congratulatory note to the new Chief of Police, Scott Heher, and has a formal meeting scheduled with him next Monday. The Chief is considering have an officer come in during the students’ lunch schedules and talk as well as have lunch with the students. Also, there are suggested plans to do a child’s installation of safety seats in front of Benson School. The basis of the formal meeting is going to be the development of a specific crisis plan for any event that may occur around the schools. The Chief is also open to working with schools on Election Day security.

The Regional Office of Education is holding an evening meeting scheduled for September 24. The purpose of the meeting is to do some initial stages of strategic planning on how resources can be best distributed in DuPage County. The Regional Office of Education is often contacted by people who are interested in donating time or money in supporting schools. The regional superintendent thought it might be a good opportunity for some planning - Dr. CUll will attend and would like to bring a board member as well as the IEPTO and Peacock presidents Perhaps Bryen Travis as well. Please let Dr. Cull know if you are interested in attending.

Peacock renovations report indicated that there were plans to have a wrap up meeting on September 9th but will, in fact, take place on the 16th. The project was completed on time with the exception of a few loose ends. Tomorrow Keter is coming in to do some air quality testing on the buildings. Checking that CO2 levels are down and the fresh air level is up.

There is an action item on the agenda concerning a roof repair. The board authorized the Superintendent to approve $56,000 that included tuck pointing and some other issues. There is a leak. As Johnson Controls looked at a potential cause, it was thought that the tuck-pointing could be part of the problem but it wasn’t. Johnson Controls found an area on the roof that was a potential source of the leak. They needed authorization to repair that part of the roof. Dr. Cull explained with the help of a drawing of Peacock, the area that Johnson Controls wants to fix.

He also discussed moving a portion of Phase 2 project into Phase 3. In May, there was a discussion about doing a full renovation of the technology room. This did not pass. Dr. Cull’s summary was that the board did not want to spend the money at that time. The board was interested in a list at the end of Phase 3 in which the board could choose from.

Dr. Cull made the decision to move the ceiling and lighting, items part of the contract, into next summer’s work. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Dale asked that Keter look into the area where the leak is at Peacock.

Mrs. Dale asked about the cleaning of the adhesive and also the cost of the carpeting in the sewing room. Dr. Nickisch answered that the labor of removing the carpet was part of the cost.

Mrs. Dale also discussed the work that was and wasn’t done in the tech room. Dr. Nickisch answered that there had been no money budgeted for tables. Once it was determined that there was a need for those tables, Miss Smith contacted her church for a stop gap measure. In the meantime, the district has purchased four tables to replace the tables. Discussion ensued. Options should be investigated for different ways of using the classroom.

Mr. Torii asked about the possibility of stopping phase 3 or the project. The District is committed to phase 3. These other things are contingencies. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Torii expressed his appreciation for the fact that the District asks parents to sign off on all of their handbooks.

Discussion ensued as to the cost of cleaning Peacock . It was determined that the workers did not leave the school in disrepair and that Service Master came in and cleaned up the area that could have been cleaned by the custodians had they had access to the common areas during the summer.

VII. Board Requested Reports:

A. Quarterly Financial Report – Dr. Cull stated that tax monies are coming in at the projected rate. On the plus side, the District had $37,000 in Title I funds last year and have received word that the District is going to get $64,000 in funds this year. However, Dr. Cull received notification from the state that our allocation is still $37,000. The District is on target with expenditures. He discussed the cash flow report that he is working on with the bookkeeper and is hoping to have it ready by the next board meeting. Mrs. Nolte asked about items listed under board travel and how these items are not really board travel. While they are all initiated by the board, they are not board travel and, as a board, members are concerned about this. Dr. Cull will make up a separate line item for board activities. Mrs. Dale asked if the District will be getting our fair share of money from Addison Township. Though Dr. Cull has tried to contact the Assessor, he has not received a reply. He noted that there is an October meeting for Bloomingdale Township and by then he may have a better idea regarding Doral.

Mrs. Dale asked about impact fees that are coming from U.S. Shelter and the condos that are planned. She asked what the District does with that money (and how much the District is getting?) She also asked if the District is being provided with a report on utility calculations regarding Franzen School and if it is any better.

B. N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii reported on the meeting held August 11, 2003. Some of these items were previously reviewed including salaries. A meeting took place on September 8 and items that board should be made aware include clusters for the elementary schools that is being negotiated. Discussion ensued as to what is paid in salaries to N.D.S.E.C. because all were receiving the same percentage increase (staff and support staff)

C. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, Principal, reported that Peacock is going live with the broadcast. He reviewed the surveys (parents and students) with members of the board and the audience. Discussion ensued regarding some of the comments. A copy of his report is attached to these minutes.

D. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reviewed her report which emphasizing the October 24th workshop day. She stated that training with the use of leveled books will begin at Franzen this winter.

Dr. Medwick will be meeting with her team on 10/24 to review the TAG Program.

Peacock will be instructed on the use of the Internet sites, including Middle Search, Encyclopedia Britannica and Electric Library.

Dr. Tornatore also reported on the DAC committee’s work as well as the TAG program.
Dr. Tornatore answered questions concerning her report and discussion ensued. A copy of her report is attached to these official minutes.

TESTING REPORT - Dr. Tornatore reviewed test scores from the 02-03 school year. Considerable discussion ensued. There is a concern that the test scores are not getting better but in fact, are getting a little worse. Dr. Cull stated that the board will have to come to understand that when Districts are required to test at every grade level, they will be over the limit of testing if giving both the ISAT and the Stanford. There will be some issues that the board will have to address. President Nolte thanked Dr. Tornatore for her report.

E. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski, Director of Technology, gave his report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He highlighted that the beginning of the school year did not go as well as it could have and that not all computers were up. A number of issues are presented to the District this year. During the last 2-3 months, lots of viruses have found holes in security required some type of action. The teachers have been very patient. Following his review, Mr. Kapachinski expressed a concern for being able to maintain the District computers with the cut in technology. More discussion ensued. Mrs. Dale expressed her concern about not being able to maintain the district technology. More discussion ensued.

F. Character Counts! – Mrs.McDonald gave the report on the meeting held earlier this evening. This had been the first meeting since June. There are some new members – Tom Kryger from the Knights of Columbus, Mary Fran Leno is the new park district liaison and the new Chief of Police was in attendance. Neal Schawel continues to be chairperson and the new vice-chairperson is Cindy DiLuca with the new Secretary – Nancy DiCioloa The Library is sponsoring a Bootoberfest that is being sponsored by the bank and Dorla. The IEPTO sponsoring a sock hop at the Middle School on September 19 and October 25 is Make a Difference Day. Police officers have offered to help citizens with yard work and painting. Fifteen business/people were nominated for Show your Character Award and the winners include: John Binneoboese, Debbie Pawinski, and Tom Kryger/Itasca Bank. Awards will be given out on Tuesday, October 24, at a Village Board Meeting. The Fire Department will be having a memorial service at 8:45 a.m. tomorrow, September 11, at the fire department.

G. Board of Education Operating Beliefs – Mrs. Zelenka would like to ask if the board would consider getting together as a board possibly at a retreat. The purpose would be to find out how the group operates as a board. This kind of thing can’t be done at a general meeting. It is her understanding that no decisions can be made nor any voting take place at some type of event like this. Possibly some discussion could include forming committees. Mrs. Nolte stated that if there is a meeting, her preference would be for _ day. She then asked for other board member’s input. Following some discussion, Mrs. Nolte. stated that she would like to appoint a committee of 3 people to see how this would work. She would like some open discussion. Mr. Torii discussed the importance of board members attending IASB meetings. Mr. Powers questioned what would be the content of the meeting. Further discussion ensued.

Mrs. Nolte appointed Mrs. Zelenka and Mrs. Dale to present to the board next month either an agenda for a retreat and/or some ideas for committees.

H. Freedom of Information – None had been received during the last month.

I. Opportunity for community input – No comments nor questions from the audience.

VIII. Consent Items –

A motion was made by Mr. Torii and seconded by Mr. Powers that the minutes of the July 9, 2003 Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting, the expenditures for the month of July, 2003, the employment of Donna M. Suptela and Arianne Betlej, and the resignations of Karen Masciullo (Force) and Kelly Brich be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, Dr. Nickisch introduced Arianne Betlej to members of the Board. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

IX. Action Items –

A. Application for Recognition – A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Torii that the Application for Recognition for the 2003-2004 school year be approved. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
B. Student Teacher – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Torii that the Board of Education approve Jennifer Meadows from Roosevelt University as a student teacher for Linda Kaye and Eric Pagels from Roosevelt University as a student teacher for Johanna Heppeler. Following an opportunity for community input, questions, and discussion, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

C. Approval of Peacock Roof Repair – That the Superintendent authorize repair to the portion of the roof north of the atrium stairwell for a cost not to exceed $12,000. Following an opportunity for community input, questions, and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS


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

Student Suspensions – Following an explanation of the hearings by Dr. Cull, a motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the decision of the Hearing Officer concerning the student suspension hearings held on September 9, 2003 be upheld. Following a further opportunity for questions and discussion plus community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS


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

X. Board Requested Reports – None at this time.








XII. Adjournment

There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting adjourned at 11: 22 p.m.

__________________________ Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

__________________________ Susan Nolte, President Board of Education