DATE:

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

LOCATION:

ITASCA VILLAGE HALL 550 West Irving Park Itasca, Illinois 60143

AYES	ABSENT
Mrs. Dale Mrs. DiCiolla Mr. Hervas Mrs. McDonald Mrs. Nolte Mr. Powers	Mrs. 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
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recorder

II. Closed Session –

Motion made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education enter a closed session for the purpose of discussing negotiations. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES	NAYS
Mrs. Dale Mrs. DiCiolla Mr. Hervas Mrs. McDonald Mrs. Nolte Mr. Powers

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

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

AYES	NAYS
Mrs. Dale Mrs. DiCiolla Mr. Hervas Mrs. McDonald Mrs. Nolte Mr. Powers

The Board of Education returned to open session at 7:00 p.m. President Nolte stated that while in closed session, the board had discussed negotiations and that no action was taken.

Additional present:

Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director if Technology
Members of the staff and community

III. Recess -

Mrs. Nolte declared a 30-minute recess at this time to give the Board of Education and audience an opportunity to participate in a reception hosted by the Education Association of Itasca.

Following the recess, Mrs. Nolte thanked the teachers for their very nice reception. The meeting resumed.

IV. Pledge of Allegiance – Mrs. Nolte led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

V. Welcome to visitors – President Nolte welcomed all visitors to the meeting.

VI. Communications – No communications were received during the previous month.

VII. Agenda Addendum Items - None

VIII. Superintendent’s Report –

Superintendent Cull reviewed the Superintendent’s Report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He highlighted a few portions of the report including acknowledgement of the fact that the District has once again, received the Bright Red Apple Award. This is the 11th consecutive year.

Dr. Cull asked the principals to briefly report on the uncollected fees for each of their buildings. Dr. Medwick reported that there was one District #10 student and one out of district student. These families have received calls and letters. Dr. Turner reported that one student’s family had paid $20.00 of the $80.00 fee and no other payment had been made. Calls had been made to the home. Reinhard reported that fees either partial or in full had been paid by all students. Seven have made and continue to make partial payments. Of the N.D.S.E.C. non-district students, five have not paid any fees and one District 10 student attending out of district in a N.D.S.E.C. program has not paid. This item will be discussed again next month to see if there has been progress and administration will ask the board how to proceed in the event payments have not been made. Discussion ensued.

Dr. Cull also highlighted the four board vacancy seats and noted that October 27th is the first day to circulate petitions. The filing period is January 18th to January 25th, 2005. The office will be open until 5:00 p.m. on January 25.

A check in the amount of $918.00 had been received through a partnership with Starbucks. Dr. Cull will try to arrange for a presentation to be made at a meeting.

IX. Board Reports –

A. N.D.S.E.C. – In the absence of Mrs. Zelenka, N.D.S.E.C. representative, Dr. Cull reported on the last meeting in which policies were reviewed to meet the No Child Left Behind Act. In addition, manuals had been reviewed. N.D.S.E.C.’s annual dinner is scheduled for January 26th, 2005, at a location to be determined.

B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, principal, delivered a report on Peacock Middle School, a copy of which is attached. The report included a discipline report that will be presented on a monthly basis along with the interventions experienced. It helps staff pinpoint key months and develop strategies to deal with disturbances. Dr. Nickisch reviewed this report for members of the board and he will add this to his report each month. He also discussed the Books on Tape and the Wall of Fame. The Wall of Fame was an idea of Sharon Laughlin, Peacock Language Arts teacher. Peacock had received requests from parents to add their children who are in the military to the Wall of Fame in a separate category. Staff is looking to create some guidelines/parameters for this plan. Mrs. McDonald commented that this was very nice and thought that it would be a good idea.

C. Lake Park Placement – Dr. Cull stated that Mrs. Zelenka had requested this report and it will be routinely given.

D. Curriculum Report – Dr. Tornatore reviewed the Curriculum Report, a copy of which is attached to this report. She reviewed items including an explanation of the Project Prevent Program and the NWACC committee. Some discussion ensued regarding the Project Prevent Program as well as the work of the Writing and Report Card Committees.

E. Testing Report – Dr. Tornatore stated that the state scores were still incorrect. Mrs. Dale has asked how the district correlates some of the scores for placement in reading and math particularly in the lower placement scores. Discussion ensued.

F. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski, Director of Technology, reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He noted that there has been an increase in Malware (browser hijacking, self-installing programs and pop-up ads) as this is becoming a big problem. The tech team is trying to find new tools to see if this can be handled more effectively.

He noted that he has spent quite some time with telephone vendors in an effort to ensure that whatever system purchased will resolve the immediate problems not only at Peacock but will be adaptable with the other systems in the district. There are a lot of telephone lines coming into the district. If some of these phone lines can be eliminated and a couple of T-1 lines could be brought in, there should be a cost savings. Discussion ensued regarding the purchase of the new laptops for Benson teachers. A surveillance camera has been installed at Peacock. Mr. Kapachinski stated that one of the two missing printers has been found but the other one has not been located as yet.

G. Character Counts! - Mrs. McDonald, board representative to the Character Counts! coalition, reported on the meeting held earlier this evening.. The Character Counts! Awards will be awarded to recipients soon. Neal Schawel has resigned as chairperson of the coalition. Members of the coalition were sorry to see Neal resign as he was the impetus in getting Character Counts! going.. The Lions’ Club Board is announcing the “Show your Good Character Award” this year. The Award ceremony will be next Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Recipients of the “Caught You Being Good Award” will get a certificate. Recipients of this award include Alex DeJulius and Don Mattes. Character Counts! week will culminate on October 23rd with events planned for that week. Coalition members had received an advanced screening of the video, “Pursuing Victory With Honor.” Several people spoke in the video including Dr. Cull, Police Chief Heher, Maryfran Lemo, Fred Maier, and Fr. Doug from St. Peter’s Church. This video will be required viewing every two years. It can be brought to the next meeting for a viewing. There will be an additional PowerPoint presentation made in conjunction with the video. Discussion ensued regarding WIBA becoming a part of the park district. Mrs. Dale stated that the district should get some information about this transition as it becomes available. Mrs. DiCiolla said that with the park district involved, coaches would be better screened.

H. Traffic Study – Mrs. Dale stated that the Village has been discussing places to install some stop signs. Mrs. Dale expressed some concerns with other safety issues. She displayed some pictures that she had recently taken. A crossing guard at Rush had been removed who was employed by the Village. Mrs. Dale is also concerned about the supervision level while children are being dropped off and picked up at Benson. She stated that these are some of the issues she would like to see followed through with the Village. Members of the board wanted to be sure that safety was the first consideration. Discussion ensued. This will be pursued with the Village. Dr. Cull assured the board that Dr. Turner, Chief Heher as well as himself have been monitoring safety issues. Mrs. Dale was thanked for her report.

I. Capital Outlay – The report covered a two-week period. Mrs. Dale stated that she had spoken with Mrs. Zelenka about the report and that Mrs. Zelenka would like this to be placed on the agenda next month for review when she is at the meeting. Mrs. Nolte asked that if anyone has questions, please give them to Superintendent Cull prior to the meeting.

J. FY04 balances – Dr. Cull stated that last August, there had been a monthly report with the end of the year fund balances. It was requested to go to the board in August and since he and Mrs. Dale were e-mailing each other regarding this report, he placed this on the agenda so as not to violate any Open Meetings Act Law. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Dale discussed her concerns with the fund balances with regards to specific accounts. Mrs. DiCiolla would like to propose to the board that they strongly consider having some parameters when it comes to the financial statement, with a variance, in an effort to give the board a “heads up.” Dr. Cull asked for some direction in this regard. If he observes that an item is going over 20% from budget and if it is certain to happen, it should be brought to the board with the rationale as to why it was over budget. Discussion ensued. Dr. Cull asked for a specific dollar amount - $5,000 and/or 20%.

K. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported that no requests had been received.

L. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Report – Mrs. Deb Thude, a crossing guard on Rush, thanked the board for their consideration in putting another crossing guard at that point. She would appreciate quick action. Mr. Mike Latoria thanked the board for not cutting the Outdoor Education Program and stated that his child had really enjoyed the experience. He also stated that the Village of Itasca also has the goal of safety. The Mayor has directed him to contact Mrs. Dale when they are ready to meet about these safety concerns. The Chief has put together an action plan/information to go to the committee and Village Board. Perhaps an intergovernmental meeting may be appropriate at this time.

X. Consent Items – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Powers that the minutes of the September 8, 2004 regular meeting; the expenditures for the month of September, 2004 be approved; and Catherine McNulty’s request for leave be approved. Following an opportunity for discussion and questions, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES	NAYS
Mrs. Dale Mrs. DiCiolla Mr. Hervas Mrs. McDonald Mrs. Nolte Mr. Powers

XI. Action Items -

A. Character Counts! Resolution for National Character Counts! Week of October 18, 2004 -

A motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the Board of Education adopt the following resolution: WHEREAS, Character Counts! is a nationwide nonpartisan and nonsectarian initiative to strengthen the character of our next generation; and WHEREAS, Good character is based on six positive values: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. By displaying these “Six Pillars of Character” in their daily lives, Itasca School District #10 students will contribute significantly to the future of our community; and WHEREAS, The week of October 18, 2004 has been designated as National Character Counts! Week; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT on the 13th day of October, 2004 on behalf of the residents, parents and students, and especially members of the Board of Education, the week of October 18, 2004 is hereby proclaimed as National Character Counts! Week within Itasca School District #10 as a time to re-emphasize the importance of our shared values and to help make Itasca School District #10 “A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN.” Following an opportunity for community input, questions, and discussion, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

B. Illinois Gas Cooperative Agreement Addendum – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education approve the addendum to the agreement with the Illinois Gas Cooperative which changes withdrawal notice from 60 to 120 days. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.

XII. Board Requests for Reports - The Victory with Honor video will be shown at the next meeting. Mrs. Dale asked for this year’s stipend list.

XIII. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 9:28 p.m.

__________________________ Maureen McDonald, Secretary Board of Education

__________________________ Susan Nolte, President Board of Education