MARCH 9, 2005 REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
I. Call to order and roll call – The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by President Susan Nolte with the following ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: ABSENT:
Mrs. Diann Dale Mrs. Maureen McDonald
Mrs. Nancy DiCiolla
Mr. Chuck Hervas
Mrs. Susan Nolte
Mr. Patrick Powers
Mrs. Rose Zelenka
Also present:
Dr. Ken Cull, Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recording Secretary
II. Closed Session – A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the Board of Education enter a closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel, negotiations and student discipline. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Dale
Mr. Hervas
The board entered a closed session at 6:36 p.m.
A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mrs. DiCiolla that the Board of Education return to open session. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. Dale
Mr. Hervas
The board returned to open session at 7:33 p.m. President Nolte stated that while in closed session, the board had discussed personnel, negotiations and student discipline 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 and Instruction
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director Technology (arrived later in the meeting)
Interested staff and citizens of the community
III. Pledge to the Flag – President Nolte led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. Welcome to Visitors – President Nolte welcomed all visitors to the meeting. Superintendent Cull presented a plaque to Mr. Neal Schawel, a former member of the Board of Education. Mr. Schawel is the person who initiated the Character Counts! Program in Itasca. He was being acknowledged for his work with the program as well as his service as chairperson of the Character Counts! Coalition. Congratulations were given to Mr. Schawel.
V. Communications – No communications received during the previous month.
VI. Agenda Addendum Items – Action will be taken on a Student Suspension Hearing and will be placed at the end of the action items.
VII. SuperintendentÕs Report – Dr. Cull reviewed the SuperintendentÕs Report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He suggested that the GoalsÕ Session be planned for either May 6 or May 20. Discussion ensued. It will be set for May 20th. Mrs. ZelenkaÕs request for a summary comparison of the DistrictÕs ISAT scores is included in the packet. Dr, Cull stated that, with the new election laws, the board will need to have a regular board meeting in April and then have a separate meeting to canvass the election results. This provides enough time for the election commission to canvass all provisional ballots. In addition, District #10 will need to apply for school waivers and the law requires that this hearing be held on a night other than the board meeting night. There will be a special meeting held on April 25 to canvass the election and reorganize the board as well as a hearing for school waivers.
Mrs. Dale reported on the Traffic Committee meeting recently held. She indicated that an item raised was putting one speed bump behind Peacock School. She asked if the district could get some prices? It was suggested that Mr. Ross Hitchcock might have some prices.
VIII. Board Requested Reports:
A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mrs. Zelenka gave the report that included three important items. 1) DuPage West Cook is looking to reorganize and a recommendation will not be made until May. 2) There had been a chemical spill in one of the N.D.S.E.C. facilities and it had not been disposed of properly. The cost was about $25,000 to N.D.S.E.C. 3) N.D.S.E.C. is still attempting to plan on the training for the paraprofessionals and are hoping to start the class some time in April.
B. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch reviewed the report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. As an information item, Dr. Nickisch stated that two committees would be meeting shortly. One is the Discipline/Medication committee and the other is the Graduation Committee. Graduation will be held in the newly renovated Lake Park East auditorium and it is scheduled for June 1 at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Nickisch stated that student eligibility looks good. Currently, there are only four students that are not meeting requirements out of a class of 98. Twenty-eight are missing community service hours and this number is lower than in recent years. In the past, no students have missed graduation due to missed community service hours. Principal Nickisch reviewed the monthly up-date of student discipline. Mrs. DiCiolla stated that any money received should be used as marked. Mrs. Nolte asked that Mr. Powers attend the Discipline/Medication Committee meeting. Mr. Powers will attend the meeting scheduled for April 11.
C. Curriculum - Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reviewed her report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. She discussed the Illinois tests that need to be done as well as Teacher Certification.
She thanked the board for asking about the Industrial Technology curriculum. Mrs. Zelenka thanked Dr. Tornatore for her hard work and also had some questions about curriculum. Discussion ensued. Technology will be integrated during time while working on certain areas. Discussion ensued.
D. Technology – This item was tabled as Mr. Kapachinski had not arrived to the meeting.
E. Character Counts! – In the absence of Mrs. McDonald, representative to the Character Counts! Coalition, Dr. Cull reported on the meeting held earlier this evening. Some time had been spent in the meeting discussing the coordinatorÕs replacement. The discussion consisted of possible ways that the job can be divided. Dr. Cull reported that he had received a call from a Village Trustee. He learned that there had been some discussion at the Village level about the need for this position and the directorship. The statement was made that maybe the Coalition can reconfigure its structure and review the job description of the coordinator.
F. Quarterly Financial Report – Dr. Cull reviewed his quarterly financial report, a copy of which is attached. He stated that the District is currently in the process of negotiating a contract with teachers. Mrs. DiCiolla asked that any variance on the revenue side be reported to the board. Mr. Powers said he would like to see that the District is getting the best leverage possible out of the new system. Questions and comments were made.
G. Budget Report – Dr. Cull reported that the budgeting process begins early. He gave a description of rough revenue assumptions When reviewing the revenue in the past, heÕs looked at the extension (which the district has not received as yet) and typically that is by fund. That figure becomes the revenue figure in each of the accounts. That extension gets paid basically twice – half gets paid in June and the other half from July to January. He knows that half is going to come in this year and half next year. That indicates what half of the revenue will be for next year. He believes he will be more confident with the revenue figures with this knowledge. It is a balanced budget. Operations and Maintenance fund has a balance that the District will be dipping into. He suggests that the board schedule a budget meeting tonight and then he will make a more detailed review of the numbers. Mrs. Nolte asked if it would be better to have the meeting in March or April. The meeting was set for Wednesday, March 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Administrative Center. Mrs. DiCiolla asked about refunds on protested taxes. Dr. Cull stated that we are aware of it. If the District is looking at a change in the fund balances, they need to watch cash investments. Mr. Powers would like to see what it would look like at freezing all expenditures. Mrs. Zelenka asked if we could include a percentage increase or decrease over the current fiscal year. Dr. Cull answered that he can put that information in the report.
D. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski reported that the Student Information System has been completed. Dr. Cull has provided a work-flow. There had been three final candidates narrowed down to two. Both were very strong but STI Office was the stronger. The District is currently with them for our financial and payroll package. Teachers can take grades home and do them on their laptop. ItÕs very similar to the DistrictÕs current product so it should be simple to navigate.
Mr. Kapachinski also reported that February was a very unusual month for the District. There had been some high-profile issues. The Internet access was down and e-mail was interrupted two times. There had been a couple of freezes. This has been happening intermittently and so far, the technology team has not been able to identify the problem. The system crashed at Peacock and the financial management package crashed. There had been a couple of minor problems at Franzen and some testing will be done during spring break to identify these problems.
Mrs. DiCiolla asked about costs involved for future license involved in the purchase of the STI program. Mr. Kapachinski has gotten something in the contract stating that the District will get the first up-grade free. Mr. Powers asked about the problem in the financial system. Mr. Kapachinski explained that the SMWIN purchased from Tremont had been bought out by STI. STI kept the Tremont financial package and there had been some issues with the software packages. Normal problems came with the two programs. This package has been around for a few years so there may not be many problems. A question was also asked about the three data-bases that need to be purchased with the program. Another question was asked as to who were the individuals who tested the system. The principals, secretaries, and 3-4 teachers were involved. Principals, secretaries, Mr. Kapachinski and the technician were involved with the site visits. The parent feature will be part of the base package though it may not be ready right away. Mr. Kapachinski did not have a time line as to when this will be available. He will have a timeline schedule in place as soon as a purchase order goes through for the product. He should have this time-line before the next meeting and will report back to the board next month. Mrs. DiCiolla asked if STI will maintain the server. STI has ownership of the help desk problem. If itÕs an issue that affects a person, they should contact the help desk. If they canÕt figure it out, they should contact Mr. Kapachinski. Mrs. Zelenka asked if this system would be implemented in all 3 buildings. It will probably take longer for the on-line grading to go into service. Mrs. Dale asked about the teachers involved. Dr. Cull said all teachers were involved initially and asked what they wanted to see in a new system. Diann also asked about the help desk. If help desk has to call back, how will this work with the teaching staff? Mr. Kapachinski stated that he would have the role as the liaison with the teaching staff and the help desk. Dr. Cull reiterated that this is a company that the District is currently involved with. Dr. Cull acknowledged Mr. Kapachinski for his work involved and believed that he had been very thorough with it as well as doing a good job of negotiating the price so that it is coming in under budget.
H. Freedom of Information – No requests had been received during the previous month.
I. Opportunity for community input. No questions asked nor comments made regarding board requested reports from the audience.
IX. Consent Items:
A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mrs. DiCiolla that the minutes of the February 9, 2005 regular meeting, the expenditures for the month of February, 2005, the resignations of Gail Sage, Alva Kreutzer, and Andrea Dugan and the request for leave of absence from Lisa DiNovo be approved. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion and an amendment made on the original minutes regarding a time line to phase in the new student management system, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mr. Hervas Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Dale
X. Action Items:
A. 2004 Tax Reduction Extension Allocation – A motion was made by Mr. Hervas and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education approve the following resolution:
2004 TAX EXTENSION REDUCTION ALLOCATION
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of Itasca School District #10 of DuPage County, Illinois, has heretofore levied taxes for the tax year 2004 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) (ÒActÓ); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 1-10 of the Act, the County Clerk is obligated to make reduction proportionally for each of the DistrictÕs 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 DistrictÕs 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 2004 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 2004 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 9th day of March, 2005.
Following an opportunity for questions, discussion and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. Dale
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. Nolte
B. 2005-2006 School Calendar – A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mr. Hervas that the 2005-2006 school calendar be approved as presented. Following an opportunity for community input, questions, and further discussion, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
C. Purchase of STI Office Student Management System Conversion and Training –A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mrs. DiCiolla that the Board of Education approve the purchase of the STI Office Student Management System Conversion and Training at a cost not to exceed $18,000. Following an opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. Dale
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. DiCiolla
Suspension Hearing – A motion was made by Mr. Powers and seconded by Mrs. DiCiolla that the Board of Education support the decisions of the hearing officer in the case of the 3-Day suspension and the 8-Day suspension presented in closed session this day be upheld. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. Dale
X. Board Requested Reports – Mrs. Dale asked for information for the budget regarding membership line items. She would like a print out of what those memberships are and how much they cost. Mrs. DiCiolla asked to know of any contracts not part of a bidding process. Board members were in agreement with these requests.
Closed Session – A motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education enter a closed session for the purpose of discussing negotiations and personnel. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Dale
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Nolte
The board entered a closed session at 8:54 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mr. Powers that the Board of Education return to open session. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Dale
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Nolte
The board returned to open session at 10:11 p.m.
Mrs. Nolte stated that while in closed session, the board had discussion personnel and negotiations and that no action was taken.
XI. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting at 10:13 p.m.
