DATE:

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

LOCATION:

ITASCA VILLAGE HALL 100 North Walnut Street Itasca, Illinois 60143

Curriculum item was added after budget report as well as determining a date for evaluations.

VI. Superintendent’s Report –

Dr. Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He highlighted the board goal planning session and suggested: either May 7 and 8 or May 21 and 22. Following some discussion, the consensus of the board is to plan on May 21 and 22. We will check with Mr. Torii and Mrs. McDonald to see if those dates are good for them. Dr. Cull also displayed a plaque received for the District’ employees’ contributions to the United Way.

Item “F” under Board Requests for Reports - Skate Board Park – President Nolte stated that this item is for discussion and no action will be taken on it. The Mayor, Village Administrator, Director of the Park District, and President of the Park District Board were in attendance at the meeting. Previous to this meeting, these individuals had met with Mrs. Nolte and Dr. Cull to discuss the concerns that the School Board has regarding the placement of the Skate Board Park behind Peacock Middle School. Mrs. Nolte thanked meeting participants for accommodating her schedule for the meeting.

Mrs. Nolte noted that the board is not opposed to the Skate Board Park but rather; they are against it being placed behind Peacock. Some concerns that were expressed by the board had been addressed at this meeting. There would be no admittance to the park during school hours. Also, a surveillance camera would be provided and would be wired to the police station for 24 hour monitoring. This camera was going to be provided via a grant that the park district had received.

Another concern of the school board was that people from other communities will come to use this Park. It was noted that this will not be an elaborate skate board park – if true skateboarders are looking for a challenge, they will go to larger and more challenging parks.

If there is any trouble at this park, the Park District is willing to pull the equipment and stop the program.

Mrs. Nolte asked board members to express their thoughts on this matter and how they would like to proceed. Questions and discussion regarding liability, issues related to graffiti, garbage, police protection, etc. were raised. Our attorney has developed a draft agreement indemnifying District #10. Dr. Cull stated that there is a commitment for more police presence in that area. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the board was that they are strongly opposed to the skate board park behind placed behind Peacock School though they have no problem with the park being going to some other location. Mrs. Nolte offered members of the Park District and the Village an opportunity to provide input. Mrs. Dale suggested that everything be put in writing so it is recorded for future boards. More discussion ensued. President Nolte thanked participants for attending the board meeting.

VII. Board Requested Reports:

A.N.D.S.E.C. – Mr. Torii, N.D.S.E.C. representative was not in attendance this evening so there was no report. Dr. Cull stated that there were no minutes included in the packet since the meeting was held just this previous Monday. Therefore, beginning in April, the board meetings will again coincide with the N.D.S.E.C. meetings.

Mrs. Dale asked when the board would receive a copy of the Regional Office of Education’s Evaluation report of their recent visit to the District. Dr. Cull will provide members copies as soon as it is received.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch reviewed the middle school report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Included in his report were some informational items. The annual meeting of discipline committee will be on Monday, March 22. This committee has been charged to review the discipline and administration of medication district-wide. The graduation committee will convene next week. Graduation is slated for June 1 at Lake Park West campus due to construction going on at Lake Park East. Dr. Nickisch noted that graduation eligibility is always an issue. At this point, 4 students out of 100 are not eligible due to community service but the final due date for this requirement is not until May 21.

Mrs. Dale asked about the discrepancy in the Middle School Report class counts and the enrollment count included in the packet. Discussion ensued.

C. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore reviewed the Curriculum Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. She reviewed recent workshops that had been held in District #10 and had been very successful. The Kindergarten Curriculum Committee will be meeting throughout the remainder of the year reviewing the kindergarten curriculum. Mrs. Dale asked about the use of the 6th grade reading textbook. Discussion ensued.

D. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski reported that interims had been distributed without any problems. He has completed a needs analysis for the student management system with all parties providing input. Mr. Kapachinski has been reviewing various student management systems and is attempting to pare it back to about 4-5 vendors. He will then invite the vendors to visit the district and give presentations. The Peacock weather system is fully operational. The website will give historical trends. He encouraged board members to look at the website. Mr. Kapachinski attended a meeting regarding transportation in which Versetrans was demonstrated. He will be reviewing others as well.

Mrs. Zelenka asked if the District is looking at some type of student management system for parents to see? The trend in which school districts are moving is for vendors to provide communication with parents capability. Mrs. Dale asked whether or not the district is going to do a phone system in all four buildings. Dr. Cull answered that it will probably not be all four buildings at once but rather the district office and Peacock initially and then phase in the other two buildings.

E. Character Counts!– In the absence of Mrs. McDonald, Dr. Cull reviewed the meeting that had taken place earlier this evening. Character Counts! coalition of Itasca is now a 501c3 organization giving it the status of a not-for-profit organization with tax exemption. Donations made to the Character Counts ! coalition is now a charitable deduction.

G. HVAC Discussion – Superintendent Cull reported that the board will probably have to make some decisions at the next meeting. He is looking to see if there is some action item being framed for the April meeting per options provided last month. Discussion ensued. Option 3 includes Peacock roofs. At the suggestion of the board, the district will have the architect review all of the roofs in the buildings. Option 4 is work on the gutters. A gutter contractor has viewed the actual needs. Benson School needs gutters around the entire building and Franzen needs gutters behind the building. Option 5’s task is that there is going to be approximately $150,000 or so to pursue some of the objectives. Discussion ensued. The consensus is that something needs to be done in the Industrial Technology room. Johnson Controls needs to know the decision by next month (April). Trying to improve the temperature in the three rooms is important as is the work in the Industrial Technology room and possibly the gutters and roofing.

H. Quarterly Financial Report – Dr. Cull reviewed the report. He discussed the reduction in current revenue amounting to close to $300,000. He believes that the board needs to change their approach and have financial discussion on a continual basis to help in building the 2006 budget. He would like to set aside some time at the goals’ session to begin discussing these financial issues. Discussion ensued. Mr. Hervas stated that last year the board had postponed making some tough decisions. He had never imagined that the district would lose this money in this fiscal year and he believes that the board needs to communicate with the community what is being done with the money. They need to be kept informed. It is likely that at some point in time, the school district will need to go for a referendum.

I. Budget Report – Superintendent Cull explained the budgeting process. Previously, members of the board received the budget book, reviewed it and voted on it at the next meeting. Dr. Cull thought he would like to focus on next year’s budget and what the first draft of the budget looks like. He has met with administrators and entered the individual building’s needs. He has made some decisions about the budget and made some cuts based from those discussions. A brief overview of what he did was presented and discussion ensued. The budget does not cut any programs but rather, cuts in supplies/travel & meeting. The actual dollars received in revenue will be known by the end of March or so and will have more actual numbers in the revenue. The objective for discussion might be to determine what the board wants the budget to look like. Mr. Powers stated that it appears as if Dr. Cull had been very conservative as to both revenue and expenditures. Work needs to be done to create a balanced budget. Members of the board would like Dr. Cull to return with a budget that is balanced and inform members of the board what is being cut. Mrs. Nolte said she would like to know what our insurance costs will be by April 15. Mrs. Nolte wants to enter a budget meeting with as many actual figures as possible. Discussion ensued as to finding a way to get information out to the community. A date will be set at the next meeting for a budget meeting.

It was also determined that a closed session meeting needs to be set for the Superintendent’s evaluation. A date was set for a special closed meeting for Monday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the District Office.

At this point in the meeting, Mrs. Zelenka asked what is being taught in the Family & Consumer Science and the Industrial Technology classes. This was relative to a report requested at the previous meeting that had been provided.

Mrs. Zelenka believes that some areas are overlapping and would like clarification within both of the curriculums for overlapping areas/subjects or classes in the building. Dr. Cull explained that from a teaching perspective, this is a good thing – integrating concepts. Some things are redundant. It was determined that Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, review it. Dr. Cull stated that he is not clear on what is being requested. What is the objective? If there are certain sections of the curriculum that need to be addressed, then that should go directly to those areas. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Zelenka stated that it might not be a good time to review the Industrial Technology curriculum. Mr. Hervas stated that the board should discuss policy issues and not how to teach. More discussion ensued.

During this discussion, Mrs. Dale asked about repetitious curriculum – similar things being taught in different years. Further discussion ensued. She requested an assessment of the amount of hands-on instruction in Family and Consumer Science. The administration will research these requests for board members.

K. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported that one request had been received during the previous month and had been complied with in a timely manner.

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

VIII. Consent Items

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Powers that the minutes of the February 11, 2004 regular meeting, the expenditures for the month of February, 2004, and the resignation of Amy Hourigan be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:



AYES NAYS

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

IX. Action Items

A. Approval for Board of Education Members to Attend Conference

A motion was made by Mrs. Zelenka and seconded by Mr. Powers that the requests made by Diann Dale, Chuck Hervas, Susan Nolte and Dennis Torii for reimbursement for attending a National Conference as per Board of Education Policy #2:125 – Board Member Expenses – 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. Dale
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. Nolte

B. 2003 Tax Reduction Extension Allocation

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Powers that the following resolution be adopted by the Board of Education:

WHEREAS, the Board of Education of Itasca School District #10 of DuPage County, Illinois, has heretofore levied taxes for the tax year 2003 and certified such levies to the County Clerk of DuPage County, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the extension of the taxes heretofore levied by the board may be reduced, in the aggregate, if such aggregate extension exceeds the extension limitation established in Section 1-5 of the Property Tax Limitation Act (P.A. 87-17) (“Act”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 1-10 of the Act, the County Clerk is obligated to make reduction proportionally for each of the District’s funds unless otherwise requested by the board; and
WHEREAS, the Act permits the board to request that the County Clerk reduce the extension other than proportionally for each of the District’s funds unless otherwise requested by the board; and
WHEREAS, the Act permits the board to request that the County Clerk reduce the extension other than proportionally among the various funds of the District;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of Itasca School District #10, DuPage County, Illinois, as follows:
1. The Superintendent of Schools is authorized to determine the appropriate amount for reduction in the aggregate extension of the 2003 levy of the District, including the allocation of the reduction among the various funds of the District, should the aggregate extension of the District for 2003 need to be reduced by operation of the Property Tax Limitation Act.
2. The County Clerk is authorized to accept the written request of the Superintendent stating the method and allocation of any such reduction at the request of the Board of Education under Section 1-10 of the Act.
3. This resolution shall be in effect forthwith upon its adoption. Adopted this 10th day of March, 2004.

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

AYES NAYS

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

C. 2004-05 School Calendar

A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the 2004-2005 school calendar be approved as presented. Following an opportunity for community input, questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none

D. Reduction in Force Resolution

A motion was made by Mrs. Dale and seconded by Mrs. Zelenka that the Board of Education enter a closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

Mr. Hervas
Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Dale
The board entered a closed session at 10:38 p.m.

A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Board of Education return to open session. The motion passed on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES NAYS

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

The board returned to open session at 11:08 p.m.

President Nolte stated that while in closed session, the board had discussed personnel and no action was taken.

A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Powers that the following Resolution be adopted:

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NOTICES OF NONRENEWAL
OF EMPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN PROBATIONARY TEACHERS
DUE TO A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS
EMPLOYED AND A DECREASE IN CERTAIN TYPES OF SERVICES

WHEREAS, the Board of Education of Itasca School District No. 10 (the “Board”) is committed to operating the school system within the parameters of available fiscal resources; and
WHEREAS, projection of available fiscal resources in the form of revenue from the State of Illinois is uncertain; and
WHEREAS, the Board is projecting budget deficit and cash flow operational difficulties as evidenced by local and State trends; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the overall staffing need for Itasca School District No. 10 necessitates a decrease in the number of probationary teachers employed; and
WHEREAS, the Board has received reports and recommendations from the Administration regarding the necessity of decreasing the number of probationary teachers:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF ITASCA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10, DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the recitals set forth hereinabove shall be and are hereby incorporated as findings of fact within this Section 1 as if said recitals were fully set forth herein.
Section 2. That the Board hereby determines that the probationary teachers identified on Exhibit 1 attached hereto and made a part hereof shall not be reemployed as teachers in this School District for the 2004-05 school term and that said probationary teachers are dismissed as of the end of the present school term, which is June 8, 2004 (assuming no snow days).
Section 3. That the President and Secretary of the Board are hereby authorized and directed to give the aforesaid probationary teachers notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the Board’s decision to dismiss and to not reemploy said teachers for the next ensuing school term, which notice shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2 attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Section 4. That the probationary teachers dismissed pursuant to this Resolution are honorably dismissed.
Section 5. That the reason for dismissing the individuals listed on Exhibit 1 is economic necessity and staffing need.
Section 6. That the Board’s determination of the economic necessity for a budgetary cutback constitutes sufficient cause for the reduction in the number of probationary teachers employed by the Board and the discontinuance of some particular types of educational services.
Section 7. That the Administration is directed to use its best efforts to consult with each probationary teacher to be dismissed prior to sending that person written notice of his or her dismissal.
Section 8. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect forthwith upon its adoption.
PASSED THIS 10th day of March, 2004.

EXHIBIT 1

LIST OF TEACHERS TO BE DISMISSED

Donna Suptela
Catherine Moretti
Heather Shick
Stacey McCarthy
Marlea Smith

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

AYES NAYS

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

X. Board Requested Reports – None at this time.

XI. Adjournment


There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting adjourned at 11:12 P.M.

__________________________ Patrick Powers, Secretary Pro Tempore Board of Education

__________________________ Susan Nolte, President Board of Education