DATE:

Wednesday, April 14, 2002

LOCATION:

ITASCA VILLAGE HALL 100 North Walnut Street Itasca, Illinois 60143

A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education enter a closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel. This closed session was reconvened from the April 12, 2004 closed meeting. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

The Board entered a closed session at 6:32 p.m.

A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board return to open session. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

The Board returned to open session at 7:49 p.m.
President Nolte stated that while in closed session, the board had discussed personnel and that no action was taken.

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
Dr. Dawn Turner, Principal, Raymond Benson Primary School
Dr. Marcia Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recorder
Numerous members of the staff and community

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


IV. Welcome to visitors . – Mrs. Nolte welcomed all visitors to the meeting.

V. Communications - No communications received during the previous month.

VI. Agenda Addendum Items – Nothing added to agenda.

VII. Superintendent’s Report - Dr. Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. In addition, he distributed a report that was not reflected in the Superintendent’s Report containing a budget summary. Some discussion ensued.

VIII. Board Requested Reports:

A. N.D.S.E.C. – In the absence of Mr. Torii, Dr. Cull gave the report.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch reviewed the Middle School Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Topics covered included several informational items including the annual survey that will be distributed to parents and students, as well as information on the annual Fine Arts Festival scheduled for April 22 and three performances of the musical, Annie April 28, 30, and May 1. This year was the first year of Peacock’s Parent Advisory Committee. Sixteen members made up the committee. Critical issues to Peacock were discussed including substance abuse and bullying. Dr. Tornatore also made a presentation for summer school information -

Mrs. Dale asked how summer school information will be distributed to the rest of the school community. A letter will be sent out to all parents.

The Annual Discipline and Medication committee had met. The committee has some recommendations for the board. Some discussion ensued. A copy of this report is attached to these official minutes.

Mr. Hervas commented on the issue of the new diabetic law as it pertains to school physicals. He emphasized the importance from the district’s standpoint not only how to treat diabetes but also to teach ways to prevent it.

B. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore reported that achievement testing is going along well. Beginning with the next school year, testing will be done in March. The Kindergarten committee has met a few times as of now. Dr. Tornatore emphasized that the district had received grant money and were able to purchase computers at Franzen. A copy of Dr. Tornatore’s report is attached to these official minutes.

C. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski reported that there has been some problems with the serve at Benson. The Tech team is not sure what the problem is and they are attempting to work with Dell Computers. At some time, the district may have to replace the server at Benson. The closet at Benson did not have air conditioning for quite some time. Mr. Kapachinski stressed the importance of keeping the computer labs climate controlled as much as possible. Mr. Kapachinski also discussed the 16 new computers at Franzen and the life-cycle plan.

D. Character Counts! – Mrs. McDonald, Character Counts! representing the Board of Education, asked that board members again complete the Global Portrait Surveys and return them prior to the next meeting. October 17-23 is National Character Counts! Week and the coalition is trying to put together a Village wide events. Character Counts! will not take over the Itasca Art Fair.

E. NSBA Conference – Conference attendees reported on their attendance on the Conference. Mrs. Nolte stated that it is more and more difficult to find districts that are doing more than District #10. She had attended sessions on Strategic Long Range Planning, improving test scores and conducting superintendent evaluations.

Mrs. Dale had attended lots of sessions including a session on the hazing incident last spring. In the session, there was discussion about how a school board reacts to a crisis. She also attended a session on liability and how to keep yourself from being sued. In addition, she attended a workshop on how to bring a very good school district to an outstanding school district.

Mr. Hervas attended numerous legal workshops and one in particular was very fascinating to him. It had to do with problems that can occur on student websites.
Superintendent Cull attended sessions on community collaboration, board/superintendent relationships, and also the one on making good schools great schools.

F. Appointment of a Salary Committee - President Nolte appointed three members of the Board to a salary committee to review administrative and support personnel salaries. The committee is Mrs. Diann Dale, Mrs. Rose Zelenka, and Mrs. Maureen McDonald.

G. Freedom of Information – None received.

H. Opportunity for Community Input – No community input.

XI. Consent Items –

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the minutes of the March 10, 2004 regular and closed session Board of Education meeting and the expenditures for the month of March, 2004, be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

XII. Action Items

A. National Teacher Day Proclamation – A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the following proclamation be adopted by the Board of Education:

RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the following proclamation be adopted by the Board of Education:

WHEREAS, teachers open children’s minds to the magic of ideas, knowledge and dreams; and

WHEREAS, teachers keep American democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship; and

WHEREAS, teachers fill many roles, as listeners, explorers, role models, motivators and mentors; and

WHEREAS, teachers continue to influence us long after our school days are only memories;
NOW THEREFORE WE, serving as members of the Board of Education of Itasca School District #10,

DO HEREBY PROCLAIM TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2004 AS

NATIONAL TEACHER DAY

We urge everyone to observe this day by taking time to recognize and acknowledge the impact of teachers on our lives.

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

B. Amended 2003-2004 School Calendar –

A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Powers that the 2003-2004 school calendar be amended to show 06.08.04 as the last day of school. Following some discussion, questions, and an opportunity for community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: Four AYES; NAYS two.

C. Contingency Fund –

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education renovate rooms at Peacock as generally outlined under options II and V not to exceed $77,000.

Dr. Cull reported that he had spoken to Johnson Controls and discussed flooring, decorating and painting. He attempted to work with them to see if there were some modifications in their prices. He made some recommendations to go with Option I.

If the board chooses to go with Option II, Wight is coming out next Thursday to check the roofs and the gutter situation. Discussion ensued. Mr. Hervas asked who would be responsible for demolition/painting, etc.

Bryen Travis, Peacock Music teacher, stated that children work in the basement classroom and it is time to make that into a classroom if at all possible. Following an opportunity for further questions, discussion and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

C. FY 2005 Tentative Budget –

A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Patrick that the FY 2005 Tentative Budget be approved as presented and placed on display during regular business hours at the Administrative Center, 200 North Maple Street, Itasca, Illinois for at least thirty days prior to the budget hearing to be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at 7:15 p.m. in the Itasca Village Hall, 100 North Walnut Street, Itasca, Illinois. An opportunity was given for questions, discussion and community input. Following this, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

D. Resolution authorizing notices of dismissal to certain educational support personnel due to a decrease in the number of educational support personnel employed and a decrease in certain types of educational support services as presented on page 68-72 of the board agenda packet.

A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Board of Education adopt the resolution as found on pages 68-72 of the Board Agenda Packet. (A copy of this resolution is attached to these official minutes.) Considerable discussion ensued with an opportunity for questions, comments and community input.

Teachers Bryen Travis and Amy Reuter, discussed the importance of the library aides at the schools. They distributed a typical day’s schedule. Teacher Linda Wit talked about the need for her media aide at Franzen and Sandy Bernahl, media teacher at Peacock, supported her colleagues at the two other schools. Schools having a strong media program have a significant impact on achievement tests. Community member Ron Putzell asked about the list of employees being dismissed included in the packet and how much did this amount to. The answer was between $150,000 and $175,000. Discussion ensued. Pam Mitchell, second grade teacher at Benson spoke of the importance of the support staff. Jean Gronkiewicz, receptionist at the District Office, spoke about all the areas she is responsible for and distributed a list to members of the Board. A suggestion was made that the schools make some suggestions as to what could be cut and e-mail these ideas to the Superintendent. Barb Parse, payroll secretary, suggested that instead of cuts, why not try to raise funds. Mr. Powers agreed that these were not just names on a piece of paper but staff members who were very necessary to the functioning of the school district.

Mr. Hervas said that the District really needs to try and take in as much funding as it can. Mr. Hervas also discussed his rational for the legal ramifications of this vote.

Mrs. Dale stated that she would rather try to have a budget workshop within the next 8 days.

Mrs. Zelenka asked which categories are represented: building secretaries, district receptionist, degreed certifications, and non-degreed certificated positions.

Dr. Cull explained that these staff members are the least seniority people in the various categories.

A date was set for the budget workshop. It will be held on April 26, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. at the district office.

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

E. F.E. Peacock Middle School Statement of Compliance

A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Board of Education approve the F.E. Peacock Middle School Statement of Compliance as issued by Wight & Company Architectural Firm. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

F. N.D.S.E.C. Laidlaw Contract


A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education approve the extension of the N.D.S.E.C. contract with Laidlaw Transit, Inc., for the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 school years. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

G. Inter-fund Loan -

A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Board of Education approve an inter-fund loan of $800,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund to be repaid by June 30, 2004. Following an opportunity for community input, discussion and questions, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYESNAYS

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

XIII. Board Requested Reports –

Mr. Hervas asked for a report on block scheduling to include:1) An overview of the program; 2) The rational for adoption; 3) A general assessment on learning; 4) Benefits and drawbacks of the program; 5) Impact on class sizes (an additional request from Mrs. Dale.)

IV. Adjournment

There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 10:05 P.M.

__________________________ Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

__________________________ Susan Nolte, President Board of Education