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 following roll call)
Mr. Dennis Torii
Mrs. Rose Zelenka

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

II. Pledge of Allegiance – Mrs. 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 stated that 30 notes had been received from members of the staff for gifts they received during the holidays from the Board of Education. Mrs. McDonald reviewed other correspondence received during the previous month.

V. Superintendent’s Report –

Dr. Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Enclosed in this packet is a comparison of test scores with the Lake Park Feeder Districts.

He reported that regarding the HVAC contingency, the board wanted to see where the district stood after the major project was completed. Then they could choose from a list of possible projects that they may want to address. The administration would like to begin looking at this and he would like to know how the board wants to proceed. He suggested that possibly at the February meeting, there might be something up for action. The board has about $150,000 minus some contingencies. There is not much expected for contingencies at Benson as they are only replacing the univents. Dr. Cull would like some direction as to what he should bring back as far as contingencies.

He reported that a PTO meeting was held last night at Peacock with members of the Board of Education. There is one scheduled at Benson for next Tuesday.

Superintendent Cull stated that the board needs to discuss the 2004-05 school calendar and specifically the holiday break at Lake Park. He asked the board to determine if they are comfortable with Lake Park’s breaks. Following a brief discussion, the consensus of the board was to adhere to Lake Park’s calendar.

Dr. Cull reported that the District had received an offer to renew our transportation contract.

Discussion ensued regarding the contingencies. Dr. Cull recommended that the board consider the fact that there are more roofs to be repaired. Mrs. Dale discussed the possibility of gutters. She also suggested the possibility of doing some things in the Industrial Technology room though these projects could be scaled back. Discussion ensued regarding what might be spent at Benson.

Mr. Powers suggested the board raise the issue of the technology room again and obtain some quotes on the project. Mr. Torii discussed potential roof problems and he would like to see some type of evaluation of the roof.

Mrs. Dale stated that if possible, the Transportation Contract include something insuring that current bus drivers remain in Itasca. Dr. Cull replied that this is not possible as route choices are done by seniority per the bus company.

IV. Board Requested Reports:

A. N.D.S.E.C. - Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C. representative, attended a meeting held last Monday. The agenda included the appointment of personnel, approval of bills, human relations personnel, Marklund Program, and the hiring of a director of DuPage West Cook. A part-time director has been hired for DuPage West Cook. This means that parents will have someone to see if there is a problem. An audit will be conducted at N.D.S.E.C. A Connection Conference is scheduled to be held on February 27 and staff members are encouraged to attend. Mr. Torii discussed some things outlined in the conference, i.e., L.D. Stimulation, educational settings, etc.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch delivered the middle school report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He up-dated the board on discipline interventions at Peacock up to the end of the first semester. He reported that good things are happening. There has been a reduction in some of the nuisance behaviors. Administration has been working with bus drivers and as a result of these conferences with drivers, they have been writing up the students.

The play “Annie” is moving forward with auditions scheduled for President’s Day. A mother/daughter team has been hired. The women are Carol and Carrie Lynch. The play is tentatively set for the last 3 days of April or beginning of May

C. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore gave the Curriculum Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. At the next DAC Team meeting, members will be working on the 2004-05 calendar. This will occur in January/February. They will also be working on the revision of the Technology Plan to directly correlate to a grant being requested. Dr. Tornatore discussed the workshops planned including training the teachers in guided reading and shared reading. Peacock has requested a well-known speaker as well with the instruction of reading at the middle school level tied to writing.

Mrs. Dale stated that when the committee was formed a number of years ago, a board member was on the committee. She would like that to be considered once again. Dr. Tornatore stated that would not be a problem and the meetings all begin at 3:30 p.m. Mrs. Dale said she would be the board representative.

D. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski delivered the Technology Report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He stated that the new patch management system has been deployed and it is working well at two of the buildings and the district office. He is sure that it is working well at Benson as well. Laptops have been a problem. He has been trying to work out something with teachers so that they will leave their laptops in the district one night a week.

He has just completed meeting with the three schools to discuss the needs analysis for the Student Management System. He has learned that the Firewall used by the District will not be supported by the manufacturer. Therefore, the district will subscribe for one more year and some time during the summer, replace the firewall.

Mr. Kapachinski is looking into long distance telephone charges in an effort to reduce the costs of the telephone system

Mr. Torii asked about the reporting system that Lake Park uses. Mr. Kapachinski will consider this system when looking at other Student Management Systems.

Discussion ensued regarding the cost for the phone system at Peacock. Does Peacock’s system get fixed or does the entire system get repaired. The Superintendent stated that something will be put in the budget regarding the phone system.

Mrs. Dale discussed the problems with the last paycheck inaccuracies. As of this date, it is not fixed but it will be before issuance of the w-2’s. Discussion ensued.

Mrs. Zelenka asked about the $3,000 or $4,000 contingency to pay for the firewall. If the contingency fund is not used, there will be enough to replace the firewall without adding to the budget.

F. Character Counts! – Mrs. McDonald, Character Counts! representative reported on the meeting she had attended earlier this evening. A Strategic Planning Commission meeting was held last Monday facilitated by Mr. Dave Williams, the Village Administrator. This is going to be a process that will probably need to be reworked to make goals more concise.

The coordinator, Alva Kreutzer, is working on creating a web page for Character Counts!.

Various committees gave their reports. The library is developing some grade level programs for 3-6 years olds.

Deb Sitkiewicz, District #10 schools’ representative, reported on activities being done at each of the schools.

G. Skate Board Park – The board had directed Dr. Cull to draft a letter indicating concerns raised as related to the Park Board’s decision to change the rink behind Peacock School into a small skate board park. He incorporated Dr. Nickisch’s concerns as well as the Board’s concerns and showed the letter to the board president. It is his intention to bring the letter to the Park District tomorrow as their meeting is scheduled for next Monday. He plans to attend that meeting. Mr. Hervas asked for clarification – he wanted to know if the board if asking the park district not to put it in at Peacock. Discussion ensued. The consensus was that the board does not want the skate board park in the back of Peacock. Board members felt that there should be a statement in the letter indicating they do not want the park in that location. Modifications were made to the letter and it will be delivered to the park district.

H. TAG Survey Results – The board had directed Dr. Cull to make some improvements in the program. It was his perception that the basis for the program was well-thought out but he did not think the district was doing a very good job of communicating with parents as to what is being done in the program. His intent was to focus on the talented portion and in the talented and gifted program, there are about 70 talented students and about 5-6 gifted students. He reviewed the process of the survey that had been sent to all 70 students (in the talented portion of the program) He explained the survey results that indicate some progress but he has been in contact with Dr. Nickisch that there is a little longer way to go at the Middle School. This is complicated with multiple teachers/schedules, etc.

Mrs. Dale stated that she found the questions/comments evolving around the program interesting and the one thing that she doesn’t see in reading is more of a challenge to students that are reading a couple of grades ahead of themselves.

Mrs. Zelenka reported that she thought overall the program looks good with the exception of the 8th grade. This does not represent the majority of students in the program.

Mr. Mike Latoria, a parent, asked if there is a venue where he can meet the person who is directly working with his child? The classroom teacher is the person he would see.

I. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported on one request that had been received. It was a routine request from the paper for 2004 meeting dates.

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

V. Consent Items –

A motion was made by Mrs. Dale and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the minutes of the December 10, 2003 Closed Session, Levy Hearing and Regular meeting and the expenditures for the month of December, 2003, be approved. Following an opportunity for further questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

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

VI. Action Items -

Nature Center Representative –

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Powers that Mrs. Zelenka be appointed as Itasca School District 10’s representative to the Spring Brook Nature Center Foundation Board.
IX. Board Requested Reports – Mrs. Dale asked for a copy of the stipend list for the District. Mrs. Zelenka requested a report as to how District #10 students are doing at Lake Park versus the other feeder districts’ students. Mr. Torii asked for an update on the status of the Student Management System.

Board members are asked to let Catherine Seger know if they are interested in attending a Leadership Conference.

X. Adjournment -

There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.