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:

PRESENT ABSENT

Mrs. Diann Dale
Mr. Chuck Hervas
Mrs. Maureen McDonald
Mrs. Susan Nolte
Mr. Patrick Powers (arrived after roll call)
Mr. Dennis Torii
Mrs. Rose Zelenka

Also Present:

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 & Instruction
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary
Members of the staff and community
A representative from Johnson Controls

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

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

IV. Communications – Mrs. McDonald, board secretary, reviewed correspondence received during the previous month.

V. Agenda Addendum Items – “Board Policy for Recording of the Minutes” was added to the agenda for discussion by Mrs. Dale.

VI. Superintendent’s Report –

Superintendent Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. The report was self-explanatory but Dr. Cull highlighted several items. These included the 2004-05 school calendar that should have been attached to an e-mail of the minutes of the last DAC Committee meeting. The consensus is to align District 10’s calendar with Lake Park’s calendar for next year. All of the feeder districts are using this calendar with one exception.

The Student Management Software will probably be discussed during the next couple of months’ board meetings. The software issues have been resolved. Budget has been put on hold because the Regional Office of Education is planning a 5-year evaluation visit. The District is preparing for this visit. The DuPage Division spring dinner meeting is being held on March 11, 2004. If any board member wishes to attend, please let Dr Cull know within the next week or two.

Mrs. Dale had a question about the Student Management Software. If it’s been in place for five years, why are there problems with it now? Mr. Kapachinski answered that the grading system has only been in place about 1 1/2 years. Mr. Kapchinski further explained what some of the issues were and some discussion ensued.

Mrs. Dale also questioned how long the District has used the payroll software program.

Mrs. Zelenka asked if the parents are going to be involved in the Student Management System grading process.

Mr. Torii stated that N.D.S.E.C. would be converting to an electronic IEP system. They will be contacting Mr. Kapachinski about this.

VIII. Board Requested Reports:

A. Mr. Torii combined the January 12 and February 9 meetings in his report. N.D.S.E.C. is still trying to fill a position for a human resource person. They have had 200 applicants and are still searching for someone to fill the position. They have hired a part-time DuPage West Cook administrator and will be naming him soon. There is a therapeutic day school that will be implemented by N.D.S.E.C. An extended school year is being considered for some of the N.D.S.E.C. students with one or two classes scheduled during the summer.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch delivered the Middle School Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. The annual District Science Fair was held last Saturday. Results are listed in his report.

With regards to placement of District #10 students at Lake Park, Dr. Nickisch reported that in English Honors classes consisting of 85 students, 17 were from District #10. The number of students for math is not known but approximately 30 Peacock students out of 85 will be in geometry. There are 12 in Science (out of 85) and 17 in Social Studies

The Advisory Committee will meet again on February 25. Summer school will be included on the agenda as the committee would like more information regarding this.
B. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore distributed science pictures with captions for members of the board to see. She reviewed her report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes.

She discussed the TAG Program and reported that there will be another meeting scheduled. Dr. Cull and Dr. Tornatore will facilitate a meeting in an effort to improve communications with parents.

Mr. Torii commented on the educational structure in New York and how that state is managing the NCLB. They are allowing children to go to different schools if they qualify.

Mrs.Dale asked when the gifted meeting would be set. It should be soon.

D. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski delivered the Technology report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He discussed the problem incurred with the report cards explaining what happened and how some safeguards had been put in place. The district has had some security issues this past month including more viruses. The district experienced about ten new viruses. He also discussed an additional problem, namely, browser high-jacking. There were two or three instances that the teacher could not use the computer. Mr. Kapachinski is hoping that virus protection vendors can keep up with this problem.

The weather station is not up and running as yet. The cable has to be replaced as soon as weather permits.

F. Character Counts! – Representative Mrs. McDonald reported that she had attended the meeting held earlier this evening. There’s a new superintendent of recreation from the Itasca Park District on the Coalition, Mr. Brian Meyer. The Finance Committee had a meeting this month and they have been setting goals. The Lions’ Club has generously donated $5,000 to finance a sports’ training video that will be released soon. Magnets will be distributed at the Valentine’s Dance on Saturday. Members are working on a parental resource booklet. Miss Pam Mitchell, a District #10 teacher, described what the schools are doing related to Character Counts!. The 8th graders are teaching 6th graders about conflict resolution and Franzen is working on various caring projects. Culture week was held at Benson with Australia as the country focused. Students learned about the Great Barrier Reef and taking care of the environment. A donation was made honoring Mr. Keith, the custodian at Benson who recently passed away. March 5 is the date for the Community Leaders’ Luncheon.
Dr. Turner explained the Pennies for Patients project that the 2nd graders are promoting. All board members received a donation can.

Mrs. Dale stated that the IEPTO had hired a teacher to speak to the students about the Great Barrier Reef.

F. Skate Board Park – Mrs. Diann Dale reported that the park district and the Village had extended themselves to provide her with the information she requested. She asked Dr. Cull if there had been a response from the Park District Director as to why the District is paying the Park District $8,000 for lawn and snow maintenance. Dr. Cull reviewed the original memo and stated the amounts charged since then.

Mrs. Dale stated that she is getting a lot of calls regarding the Skate Board Park and that the school district is getting support. She asked if there is a meeting planned with the park district, the Village, and the school district. Dr. Cull replied that last week Mr. Dave Williams and Police Chief Hiher met with him to discuss some other issues and part of the discussion included talk about the Skate Board Park. Mr. Williams made a suggestion that there be a meeting with the board presidents and the administrators to just sit down and discuss the issues. Dr. Cull stated that Mrs. Nolte is interested in participating in such a meeting. He has talked to Mr. Williams and the Mayor but has not talked with the park district as yet.

There were a lot of legends with the land itself. Mrs. Dale explained the history of the land surrounding the schools. It seems that the park is on part of our property.

Dr. Cull up-dated the board that, at the Youth Council Meeting, the Skate Board Park was discussed. The park district is aware of District #10’s concerns and there are a couple of the precautions that they are planning. The Itasca police are going to be starting bike patrols concentrated heavily in that area. Police may be having events there to help police become better acquainted with the children. Also, a video surveillance camera will be placed off the back of the building. There will not be access to the park during school hours. Superintendent Cull would like the board to know that the park district has heard the District’s concerns and are trying to address some of these issues. He suggested that it be given a chance. If it doesn’t work, it can be taken away. Mrs. Dale explained that, though she supports the park, she does not support it being placed behind Peacock School. Mrs. Zelenka also expressed her concern about the park. Mrs. McDonald is concerned about the liability as is Mr. Torii. But Mr. Torii would like to see a meeting in an effort to try to work this out. Parties involved need to be cooperative. Mr. Hervas stated that while it is a most dangerous situation, he feels that it needs to be given a chance. He is in favor of working with the other organizations to have the park at this location with safety precautions put into place.

Mr. Powers arrived at the meeting at this point in the agenda. Dr. Cull reiterated to Mr. Powers what the Park District would like to do. Mr. Powers believed that it shows good faith on the Park District’s board but he thinks it’s going to be a problem. If it's portable equipment and it can be removed if it does not work out, then maybe that is the way to proceed. Though he is not against the idea of a Skate Board Park, he would like to see it placed somewhere else. The majority of the board would like the park at another location. This will be conveyed at the meeting with the Village and the Park District.

G. Contingency Fund – Dr. Cull re-capped the situation. Based on the bonds sold and the price of the contract of Johnson Controls, it appears that the District has $150,000 on hold. A proposal was brought to the board for the Industrial Technology Room and was voted down previously. The board believed it was too soon to make that commitment and did not want to spend the money that that time. Superintendent Cull stated that the board should start discussing plans as to what should be done with those funds. Since the board packet has been distributed, Dr. Cull has had a conversation with the teacher from that room. She has some new ideas as to what should go into the room. Dr. Cull asked what the board needs to see in order to make a decision with regards to this money. Dr. Cull reviewed the report submitted by Johnson Controls. This serves as a starting point.

Superintendent Cull distributed drawings by Wight Architectural firm of the Industrial Technology room. Discussion ensued. It was suggested that Johnson Controls break down the costs more. Also, the consensus was that gutters are needed as well as work in the Industrial Technology room. Work should be done as improvement to the schools and not necessarily maintenance.

Regarding the Industrial Technology teacher’s input, she does not think she needs an office but rather a storage room.

Mr. Torii questioned as to when a decision needs to be made. Dr. Cull replied that it would be good to make it in April but it could still be made in May. Mr. Torii stated that he would like to table this until the project is complete. Dr. Cull said that he believes the money has to be spent by summer, 05. Mrs Dale. asked if when building the budget, will there be money alloted for some of these repairs. Mrs. Nolte disagreed with Mr. Torii and believes that the work has to be done. Mrs. Zelenka agreed with Mrs. Nolte and thinks that the tech room needs to be addressed this summer. It was determined that the superintendent try to get a better idea of costs involved

H. Freedom of Information – No requests made during the previous month.

Board Policy - Mrs. Dale discussed the handling of the closed session tapes specifically as to where they are stored. This policy was tabled and it has not come back on the agenda. Dr. Cull stated that he has asked attorney Barry Moss to re-write the policy. Mrs. Dale stated that in her opinion, it would be good to rent a safety deposit box in which to store the tapes. Other board members concurred that it was a good idea.

I. Opportunity for Community Input – No comments made nor questions asked.

IX. Consent Items

A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Powers that the minutes of the January 14, 2004 regular meeting, the expenditures for the month of January, 2004, the request for retirement received from Dorothy Ronzheimer, and the employment of Robert Cangelosi, custodian, be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion with a spelling correction made to the minutes, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

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

X. Action Items

A. Extension of Laidlaw Contract – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Laidlaw Amendment to the Extension of Pupil Transportation Services Agreement at an increased rate of 2.75% for a period of one year be approved. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

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

B. Interfund Transfer of Funds – A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the Board of Education approve an inter-fund loan transfer of funds in the amount of $150,000 from the Education Fund to the Transportation Fund to be repaid by February 1, 2005. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

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

XI. Board Requested Reports –

Mr. Torii asked about the status of the teachers’ contract. They have one more year after the current year and talk will probably begin during the 04-05 school year.

Mrs. Zelenka asked if Dr. Tornatore could provide her with a review of curriculum for the FAC class and the IT class. She would like to know what is being taught in these classes.

XII. Adjournment - There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 10:15 P.M.

__________________________ Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

__________________________ Susan Nolte, President Board of Education