I. Call to order and Roll Call – The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Powers with the following ROLL CALL:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Nancy DiCiolla
Mr. Fred Maier
Mr. Jim McCann
Mrs. Maureen McDonald
Mrs. Debbi Pawinski
Mr. Patrick Powers
Mrs. Rose Zelenka
Also in Attendance:
Dr. Kenneth Cull, Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recorder
II. Closed Session – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mrs. DiCiolla 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. Pawinski
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Maier
Mr. McCann
The board entered a closed session at 6:31 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Board of Education return to open session. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. McCann
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. DiCiolla
The board returned to open session at 7:40 p.m. President Powers stated that while in closed session, the board had discussed negotiations and that no action was taken.
Additional present:
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
Members of the staff and parent community as well as interested citizens
III. Pledge of Allegiance – President Powers led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. Welcome to Visitors - All visitors were welcomed to the meeting by Mr. Powers.
V. Communications – Memos and thank you notes received during the previous month were read by Mrs. McDonald, Secretary.
VI. Agenda Addendum Items – Nothing added to the agenda.
VII. SuperintendentÕs Report – Superintendent Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He stated that the FY 06 tentative budget is on the agenda as well as the Professional Negotiated agreement for votes later in the meeting. He has a copy of the Indoor Air Quality Test Report and stated that if anyone is interested in reading the report, it is available for review.
VIII. Board Requested Reports:
A. Quarterly Financial Report – Dr. Cull reviewed his report with members of the board and the audience. No questions were asked nor comments made.
B. N.D.S.E.C. - Dr. Cull reviewed the N.D.S.E.C. report that had been a routine meeting. When developing their budget, they have been much more open than they have been in the past. A tentative collective bargaining agreement has been reached with the organization. There is a meeting on Monday. Dr. Cull will not be able to attend the meeting next week so Mrs. Zelenka will need to be there.
C. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, principal of F.E. Peacock Middle School, reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached. He discussed the 2005 graduation that had been very successful. He also informed everyone that physicians from Lutheran General Hospital will be available for Peacock students during registration in August to do sportsÕ physicals. In addition, he reviewed the results of the 2005 Peacock Parent Survey and noted that a number of Peacock parents have access to the Internet.
At this time, Dr. Cull presented a plaque to former Board of Education Member, Mr. Chuck Hervas. Mr. Hervas thanked the community and board members both current and past for all of their support.
D. Curriculum – Dr. Marcia Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, discussed early entrance to kindergarten. She and the administration is promoting that students testing for early kindergarten entrance need to have an IQ of 125. She was looking for a board consensus. She stated that this is not a policy but rather a procedure. Discussion ensued. The board believed it was a good idea to use a baseline to ensure that the child is ready for school. Dr. Tornatore also discussed TAG meetings and noted that Sherri Klint will be working on a training video with Dr. Tornatore that will provide guided reading instruction for newly employed teachers. In addition, she stated that many grants have been submitted but will not be finalized until fall. Mrs. DiCiolla thanked Dr. Tornatore for her work on the grants and also for making the video on Òguided reading.Ó
Mr. McCann discussed the DAC Committee minutes and asked about rationale for going from quarters to trimesters. An additional concern was the pass/fail system for some of these. Mr. McCann stated that he will keep an open mind but he is not in favor of this.
E. Technology - Mr. Kapachinski stated that the technology team has been pushing out a new virus program for the past few months. The District now has the newest virus scan program. They have also installed a new system for dealing with Malware/spyware and the results have been very satisfactory. There has been no major virus problems this year. The SIS rollout comprehensive schedule is basically complete.
Mr. Kapachinski reported that he has begun the planning process for summer projects and has begun building images on 18 computers.
Mrs. Zelenkas questioned Mr. Kapachinski about buying the new computers. The Technology Audit stated that the district did not need any new computers. The answer was that if the money allocated for the computers is not spent, the district will lose the money for them. Eighteen computers are being replaced through the grant. Discussion ensued. Mrs. DiCiolla asked if there was going to be additional costs involved with this purchase. Mr. Kapachinski answered no. All existing software will be installed on these computers. More discussion ensued.
F. Character Counts! - Mrs. McDonald, Board coalition representative, stated that this evening had been a very short meeting lasting about fifteen minutes. Basically the coalition had cleaned up everything for the end of the year. The Character Counts! coalition will participate in the Itascafest and National Night Out. A plaque had been presented to Alva Kreutzer, for coalition coordinator. The group does not meet again until September.
G. School Technology Service – Dr. Cull introduced two representatives from the School Technology Service who gave the Board of Education and members of the audience an overview of the audit recently performed in District #10. They applauded the District for its outstanding technology plan and the way in which technology is used in District #10. They had done an in-depth study looking at the networking and at the hardware as well as the instructional technology. The first representative spoke on the network side. He stated that there were no problems and that everything was functioning well. He highlighted some things – currently, the student computers are not on the same network with staff computers and he suggested that they be put on the network. He also suggested that, as a future item, the District provide a wireless network. The District needs to continually evaluate that cycle. The second part was to look at curriculum and instructions. The hardware looks good. The representatives stated there were a lot of exemplary things going on in Itasca. The network works. Itasca has a well-written technology plan. It is very well paced. The plan shifted from being software driven to being instructional driven. A comment heard from the staff is that they are really using it instructionally. The audit found that what the technology plan says and what staff says is currently being done with current hardware. Hardware, though slow, could still be used over the next couple of years. At some point maybe some of the slower pieces of equipment can be recycled. When the whole picture is taken into consideration, the equipment the district now has should service the school community for the next several years. The audit also looked at laptops. The representative stated that when teachers get laptops, technology integration steps up. The laptops are performing adequately. Staff is using them extensively. In reviewing both sections of the report, the district is in a good position. The repair cycles are flexible. The next big thing is streaming media. Streaming media isnÕt just getting the video services delivered. Because it is broken down into clips, it will be the next big thing coming into the classroom. Another area was that communication could be improved. There is some interest in reviving the technology committee. Representatives asked the board to think of technology as the board doing business. Mr. McCann asked about streaming media specifically what was the time frame and what kind of cost? No cost for the infrastructure. For next year, it was purchased for $800.00 for Peacock Middle School. This was an introductory cost. Probably the following year, it will be a little more.
Mr. Powers thanked the representatives for the summary and asked how they see District #10 technology in comparison to other districts – how it is utilized in comparison. They answered that in K-8 districts and the pacing of the technology plan, Itasca has moved ahead as an exemplary district. One of the initial concerns was whether or not the District is utilizing the technology. Though initially there was some apprehension, it sounds like it is widely used.
Mrs. DiCiolla asked about student computer ratio within the classrooms and how does the District compare to other districts. The reply was the District is doing a very good job and it is not necessary to have a one-to-one ratio and that there is appropriate access.
President Powers, on behalf of the Board, thanked them for giving their report. He also thanked Mr. Kapachinski for the work he and his staff are doing.
Superintendent Cull thanked the previous administration and board members for having the initiative to plan in the way that they did.
H. Freedom of Information – No requests have been received.
I. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports - Ruth Barchfeld, school nurse, presented some up-dated statistics. Dr. Cull said he will present this to the board and that Mrs. Barchfeld should send him any updates that she has.
Kathy Miller, parent, asked about enrollment. She stated that there was a huge first grade class for the next school year. Since the District typically gets some new students over the summer, the first grade next year may be a little bigger than average. If it grows more, is the District considering making another class? Discussion ensued. Dr. Cull answered that the administration is reviewing it. Terry Kovach, parent, stated she has five children in District #10 and asked about the possibility that if there is a population growth spurt in Itasca, does the District have a goal in mind so as not to raise above the 25 student level per classroom? More discussion ensued. Other parents involved in the discussion indicated that the administration is relied upon to advise the board on what the enrollment is going to be and the staff work with the students in the classrooms. Kim Leider stated that what is discouraging to her is that the District is putting more money into technology and she would like the board to remember that it is teachers that are teaching and not the computers. There will be another board meeting on the 2nd Wednesday in July. As for enrollment, there is typically a lull during the month of July and then when August begins, people begin coming in to register their children. Mrs. DiCiolla asked about kindergarten students who are attending kindergarten elsewhere and then come to the public schools for first grade. Kathy Marcheschi, District parent, stated that this is an issue for parents and made a request that parents be kept informed. Dr. Cull suggested that parents let him know if they have any suggestions. President Powers said that the Board will try to make the best decision possible and that the studentsÕ education is of the up most importance. He thanked all for their comments.
Laura Vitols and Deb Thude, District #10 Teaching Assistants, raised some further discussion about the disappointed loss of salaries due to the cuts in stipends. Further discussion ensued.
IX. Consent Items – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Maier that the minutes of the May 11, 2005 closed session and regular meeting, the May 20, 2005 special meeting, the expenditures for the month of May, 2005, and the resignation of Johanna Heppeler be approved. Following an opportunity for further questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. McCann
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. DiCiolla
X. Action Items –
A. Hazardous Bus Routes – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Maier that the routes previously determined to be hazardous routes continue to be approved as hazardous. Following an opportunity for further questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
B. Joint Prevailing Wage Resolution – A motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the Joint Prevailing Wage Resolution as listed on pages 74-75 in the board packet be approved by the Board. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
C. FY 2006 Tentative Budget – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that the FY 2006 Tentative Budget be approved as presented and placed on display during regular business hours at the Administrative Center, 200 North Maple Street, Itasca, Illinois for at least thirty days prior to the budget hearing to be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2005, at 7:15 p.m. in the Itasca Village Hall, 550 West Irving Park Road, Itasca, Illinois. Discussion ensued with members of the Board regarding a clarification on the purchase of the 18 new computers and what will happen to the dollars not spent for these computers. Mrs. DiCiolla asked when the final numbers for revenue are known, to please advise the board. Also, if more money is going to be used for special education, please make the board aware of this as soon as possible. Following a further opportunity for discussion, questions, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. Powers
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. McCann
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Maier
D. Professional Negotiated Agreement – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Professional Negotiated Agreement between the Education Association of Itasca and the Itasca School District #10 Board of Education for the years 2005-2008 be approved. Mr. McCann acknowledged that this had been a very long process and thanked Dr. Cull for representing the Board during the process. He believed the contract was fair to both sides. Dr. Cull thanked the Board and Mr. McCann for his comments. Also, he stated that the Bargaining Team had come to the table with a willingness to look at the whole picture. Mr. Powers thanked both Dr. Cull and the Team for their work. Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. McDonald Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. McCann
Mr. Maier
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Powers
E. Approval of Hourly Pay Rates – A motion was made by Mr. Maier and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the Board of Education approve hourly pay rates of hourly for 2005-2006. A discussion ensued. Laura Vitols, Teaching Assistant at Franzen School, thanked the board for meeting with them on August 18 of last year. In addition, she thanked them for the 5% increase though the increase adds up to a decrease in salary. She asked how does the Board deem this to be an equitable solution. More discussion ensued. Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. McCann Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. McDonald Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. DiCiolla
F. Approval of Annual Salaries – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Board of Education approve annual salaries for salaried non-teaching personnel for 2005-2006. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. McCann
Mrs. DiCiolla
G. Roofing Contract – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mrs. Pawinski that the Board of Education award the contract for roof repair to the low bidder, Knickerbocker Roofing and Paving. Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. McCann
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Pawinski
XI. Board Requested Reports – Mrs. Zelenka asked for an annual report on the activity fund. Dr. Cull said that the District is in transition so that data may not be kept for the entire year. It will be that way going forward but not necessarily going backward. This will be included in the September report.
XII. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Powers adjourned the meeting at 9:24 p.m.
