MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2004 REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
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:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Diann Dale
Mrs. Nancy DiCiolla
Mr. Chuck Hervas
Mrs. Maureen McDonald
Mrs. Susan Nolte
Mr. Patrick Powers
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 and Instruction
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary
Staff and citizens of the community
II. Pledge of Allegiance - President Nolte led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. Welcome to Visitors - Mrs. Nolte welcomed all visitors to the meeting.
IV. Communications - No communications received during the previous month.
V. Agenda Addendum Items - No items added to the agenda.
VI. Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached. All board members are invited to the IASB Dinner meeting on September 29. Please let Catherine know by September 22 if you are planning to attend. Dr. Cull highlighted the kindergarten class as being larger than has been normal in recent years. He also made note of the use of the new Village Hall.
VII. Board Requested Reports
A. Quarterly Financial Report –Superintendent Cull reviewed the quarterly financial report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He stated that there might be a bit of a windfall on Title I funds. In addition, there are no anticipated added expenditures.
B. N.D.S.E.C. – Dr. Cull highlighted the meeting held in August. N.D.S.E.C. approved hiring of a nurse for one of District #10’s students. Dr. Cull stated that he is looking forward to getting more quarterly reports as a result of the meeting.
C. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, principal of F.E. Peacock Middle School, reviewed his report a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He reviewed survey result with members of the Board and the audience. He also discussed his recommendation on board policy prohibiting certain types of conduct. There is a physical education unit that involves roller-blading. Dr. Nickisch suggested that a modification to that policy be made to include the statement ….”except while students are under the direct supervision of District #10 staff.” Mrs. Dale asked if that would include roller-blading during the lunch period. Discussion ensued. Mrs. DiCiolla asked about the liability involved. Dr. Cull will check into this. Mrs. Dale asked about 6th grade common time language arts. She wanted to know the criteria for this. Dr. Nickisch will respond at either next month’s meeting or at curriculum night. Mrs. DiCiolla asked about the negative response of the 7th graders. Discussion ensued.
D. Curriculum Report – Dr. Tornatore delivered her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. The October workshop has been planned and she has met with the DAC team to confirm. She highlighted the work planned for the DAC Committee. For the parent night, media directors will be in attendance to talk with parents about what is happening in the schools.
E. Testing Report – Dr. Tornatore distributed testing reports to members of the Board and the audience. She then reviewed the report with a power point demonstration. Questions and discussion ensued. This item will be on the October agenda for further discussion. Dr. Tornatore was acknowledged for an outstanding report.
F. Technology Plan - Dr. Tornatore introduced some DAC members in attendance. These people included Bryen Travis, Sandy Bernahl, and Laura Lindsay. She stated that they serve on the DAC team that was responsible for the Technology plan. This revision is based on specific guidelines for the State of Illinois. Mrs. Nolte asked about the big “hit” scheduled 3 years from now. Is there any reason why this is not spread out more? The reason is that the district is looking at this in a linear fashion for planning purposes only. The board has approved 6 years for desk-tops and 4 years for laptops. If this plan is adhered to, that will be the cost. This is a very linear approach. Dr. Cull explained that this is only a plan. Discussion ensued. It was suggested that perhaps there be an alternative plan for replacing the laptops. It was also suggested that we track the utilization of the equipment.
G. Technology Report – Mr. Kapachinski delivered his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. There has been a higher than normal technical support issues. All of the computers were available on the first day of school. Mr. Kapachinski highlighted the Dell Premier Access Program. In addition, Mr. Kapachinski thanked the board for permitting him to make purchases last year before the budget was adopted in order to help make the start of the year run smoother. Mrs. McDonald asked about the missing technology noted in his report. Mr. Kapachinski explained that it was mostly printers. Mrs. Dale asked about moving the television in the IT room. The decision to move it is based on need. She also asked if there is a time-line for the Student Management System. Dr. Cull replied that administration is trying to be thorough in the selection. They have met with at least 11 vendors. He believes that a decision will probably be made in late winter and the system will not begin this year. Discussion ensued. Dr. Cull’s said his best guess is that it may be up next summer.
H. Character Counts - Mrs. McDonald delivered her report. A meeting was held earlier this evening. Election of officers was held. Nancy DiCiolla was elected secretary and Cindy DiLuca continues to be the vice-president. A sports video is being produced. The cost of the production is $5,000 and this is being financed by the Lions’ Club. Michael Josephson puts out a newletter every month on the Character Counts! website. The police department Cop Cards Program was featured. Two people have been chosen for the “Show Your Good Character Award.” She also reviewed what is being done in the schools.
I. Consumable Material Fees Up-Date – Dr. Cull stated that the district has a very high percentage of collection and have had only a few families that have not paid so the district has done very well. The people that have not paid have made no attempt to pay. The question is what should be done now? Dr. Cull stated that legally the district cannot exclude a student from school or withhold report cards, grades, etc. However, the district can exclude students from extra-curricular activities. Superintendent Cull has talked with Attorney Barry Moss who provided verbiage as to how this can be worded. Discussion ensued. It was suggested that a letter be sent to these families from the Superintendent or the Board of Education. It was also suggested that possibly these people be called.
J. Sexual Harassment Policy – Mrs. Dale would like to make this policy consistent with other policies. The policy calls for at least one of the complaint manager individuals to be female.
K. Physical Education Waiver – Mrs. Dale explained that this waiver is an attempt by the company to have waivers release them from any liability with respect to the waiver. Discussion ensued. The consensus was to work with the vendor on the waiver language.
L. Freedom of Information – None received during the previous month.
M. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports – No comments made nor questions asked regarding the reports.
VIII. Consent Items – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the minutes of the July 14, 2004 Regular Board of Education Meeting; the August 18 2004 Special Meeting; the closed session minutes of the August 18, 2004 Special Meeting; the expenditures for the month of July, 2004; the employment of Heather Ahn, Marjorie Margolis, Sandi Schingoethe, Cari Cieszkowski, Linda Szramiak, and Jennifer Albig; the re-employment of Lea Smith and Karen Capone; the resignation of Christie Mann; and the request for family leave from Wendy Hanczar and Nancy Bernal be approved. Following some discussion, the consensus of the board was to remove the August 18, 2004 Special Meeting Minutes from the motion and vote on those minutes separately. The motion was amended to remove the August 18, 2004 Special Meeting minutes. Following a further 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. DiCiolla
Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. McDonald
A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the minutes of the August 18, 2004 Special Board of Education meeting be approved. Following a further opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. DiCiolla Mrs. Dale
Mrs. Nolte
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Powers
IX. Action Items
A. Application for Recognition – A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the Application for Recognition for the 2004-2005 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
Mrs. DiCiolla
B. Board of Education Policies – A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that Policies #2:105 – Ethics and Gift Ban; #5:120 – Ethics; #5:130 – Limitations on Accepting Gifts; and #5:190 – Teacher Qualifications be approved for second reading. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
C. Indemnification Intergovernmental Agreement with Park District – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Indemnification Intergovernmental Agreement between the Itasca Park District and Itasca School District #10 be approved. An opportunity was given for questions, community input, and comments. Mr. Hervas stated that another representative to the Itasca Park District had reviewed this agreement and not himself. The motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
D. P-Card Resolution – A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mrs. DiCiolla that the Board of Education approve the resolution included in the packet to authorize participation in the P-Card Program. Following a further opportunity for discussion, questions, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Dale
Mrs. Nolte
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Powers
E. Technology Plan – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education approve the Technology Plan as accepted by the Regional Office of Education in compliance with State of Illinois requirements. Following discussion, an opportunity for community input and questions, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mr. Powers Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. Dale
X. Board Requested Reports: Testing report will be on next month. Board members were asked to please e-mail questions to Dr. Tornatore prior to the meeting. Mrs. Zelenka asked for a list of capital outlay items from each building. Mrs. Dale asked that the 1999 Traffic Study be placed on next month’s agenda for discussion. Dr. Cull will up-date members of the board on fees not collected at the next meeting.
XI. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 10:20 p.m.
