ITASCA SCHOOL DISTRICT #10
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 14, 2005
I. Call to order and roll call – In the absence of President Powers, the meeting was called to order by Mr. Jim McCann, Vice-President, with the following ROLL CALL:
PRESENT ABSENT
Mrs. Nancy DiCiolla Mrs. Rose Zelenka
Mr. Fred Maier
Mr. Jim McCann
Mrs. Maureen McDonald
Mrs. Debbi Pawinski
Mr. Patrick Powers (arrived following the roll call and levy hearing)
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
Members of the staff and community (arrived after the hearing)
II. Levy Hearing –
A. Presentation of 2005 Levy – Vice-President McCann turned the hearing over to Superintendent Cull. Dr. Cull stated that the purpose of the hearing is to give the gathered community an opportunity to review and discuss the levy presented by the Board. The levy is a request for access to property tax dollars. Since the tax cap legislation, the levy does not play much of a role. The district will receive a percentage increase in our taxes in line with the CPI plus a little more for new construction. The only reason we balloon levy is to make certain that should there be some piece of newly constructed property, then we can get full value. The levy is presented as an action item at this meeting. The levy reflects an increase of 11.6 percent.
B. Opportunity for community input – Mr. McCann asked about lack of available information in terms of new construction. Is that unique to Addison Township or does this occur everywhere? It is almost everywhere. The Bloomingdale Assessor does give more information about new construction.
There was no further input. Therefore, the hearing was adjourned.
President Powers arrived at 7:25 p.m. and called a short recess until 7:30 p.m.
III. Pledge of Allegiance – President Powers led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. Welcome to Visitors – Mr. Powers welcomed all visitors to the meeting.
V. Communications – Mrs. McDonald, Board Secretary, read communications received during the previous month. In addition to those read, the IEPTO sent an invitation for board members to attend their meeting on January 17, 2006, 7:00 p.m. at Benson School
VI. Agenda Addendum Items – Nothing added to the agenda.
VII. SuperintendentÕs Report – Superintendent Cull reviewed the SuperintendentÕs Report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He asked about the joint board meeting scheduled to be held in Keeneyville and requested that members of the board make a decision next month as to whether or not they would like to attend. Mrs. DiCiolla, Mr. Maier and Mrs. Pawinski will attend the Keeneyville meeting.
Dr. Cull said that the TAG surveys done last spring had focused on parent communications. The objective for this year is to improve in all areas of communication that were not given the highest rating. He wanted to inform the board that a report will be made to the board. Dr. Cull also discussed the new format of the board packet that includes action memorandums. Whenever action is required on an item, it will be placed on the agenda as a numbered action memo. This will give the board simplified motions plus the motions will be in some type of log. Mr. Powers suggested that if board members had any way to simplify the packet and help the meetings run more efficiently, to please advise either him or the Superintendent.
VIII. Board Requests for Report
A. Quarterly Financial Report – Dr. Cull reviewed the quarterly report. He discussed the overages in expenditures and specifically, N.D.S.E.C. A copy of Dr. CullÕs report is attached to these official minutes. Mrs. DiCiolla said when it comes to the to/from report, she would like to receive a bottom line. When the board approves any transfers made or if a loan is paid back, please inform the board whether itÕs a permanent transfer or not. Mr. Powers asked whether the district is looking for a shortfall of $120, 000 or $130,000. He asked Dr. Cull for his thoughts on areas to try and compensate for that shortfall. One thing that is going to occur is that the District still does not know half of the revenue for this year. Dr. Cull was conservative in this estimate. He wants to see where thatÕs going to break out around mid-January. For whatever is left beyond that, Dr. Cull will work with N.D.S.E.C. to see if there are any areas where costs can be cut. Other than that, it would be to close down any other possible expenditures. Permanent loans will remain on the report.
B. N.D.S.E.C. - Mrs. Pawinski, District #10 representative to N.D.S.E.C. reported on their first meeting in which Laidlaw bills and criminal sex offendersÕ policies were discussed. At the second meeting, participants were performing some activities indicating giving those in attendance a role that would help them to understand what it would be like to have a disability. No classes will be cut. N.D.S.E.C. had cut some staff and made other cost cuts to keep their classes going.
C. Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, principal of F.E. Peacock Middle School, delivered his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He reviewed the discipline report with those in attendance and also reminded everyone that the Science Fair will be held on February 4 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Students will receive their packets this coming Friday.
Dr. Nickisch also reported that coming later this year and scheduled at Peacock is a Train Safety Presentation in conjunction with the Itasca Police Department and the Metra Police.
D. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore reviewed the Curriculum report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. The Terra Nova will be discontinued after this year. She also discussed the ACCESS test stating that ESL children will be taking both the IMAGE tests and the ACCESS. Dr. Tornatore talked about the screenings and round-ups for kindergarten and kindergarten prep for the next school year. The purpose of the roundups is to help plan for the upcoming year and also to help identify children who need early intervention. The Daily Herald had highlighted Amy Reuter and students in District 10 for their reading progress.
E. Technology – Mr. Kapachinski gave his report including a discussion of Student Information System. This year the state has started an automated reporting process and District #10 is ahead of quite a few of the other school districts in being able to do the state reports. However, the data that is in the system has had to be corrected and modified. The anti spy ware system has been deployed. This new system has dramatically reduced the number of Malware infections over the past year.
There is a need to replace the main router at the District office. However, the money is available to replace this. A copy of Mr. KapachinskiÕs report is attached to these minutes.
F. Character Counts! Dr. Cull reported on the meeting held earlier this evening. The Marketing Committee is working on presenting some scholarships. Members of the coalition are planning to go out to some of the local businesses and talk to them about what Character Counts! is and what is being done in Itasca. Then the coalition can ask if they would be willing to support scholarship funds. We can then offer some scholarships to high school students that are exhibiting good character.
Dr. Cull highlighted the fact that the school report had given a very good report on District #10 students.
G. IASA/IASB/IASBO Conference – Attendees were asked to give a brief report on what sessions they had attended at the recently held conference. Mr. Maier gave an accounting of sessions he had attended including one on legislative topics affecting school districts. Some senators and others representing the State Board of Education had conducted the session. There had been lots of discussion about the NCLB and alternative school funding but there is nothing yet that will help. The keynote session was inspirational and the conference as a whole gave him a lot more information.
Mrs. Pawinski attended all three days of the conference. She went to sessions on team building and the board governance review. Also. She went to a session protecting students from sexual offenders and having safety plans in place. Mrs. Pawinski also went to a session discussing the mainstreaming IDEA. On Sunday she attended a session titled ÒMany Hats.Ó This one was about being a board member as well as a parent.
Mrs. DiCiolla talked about the sessions she attended involving a lot of mandates affecting the 6% cap. She got a lot of valuable information. She discussed a session she attended on targeting student learning and bringing learning back into the board room. This session stressed policy written that focused on the academics of children. She has a plan she would like to pull together with the material she has and share it with members of the board. ItÕs a good technique. Mrs. DiCiolla will send copies of the handouts to Dr. Cull. Mr. Powers asked Mrs. DiCiolla to put together a summary of what she is trying to do.
Dr. Cull discussed the sessions he had attended including one out of Villa Park. They had discussed the goal setting process and tying it to student learning and academic issues. It was a good presentation. Part of it includes doing routine community surveys and then tying the results in with test results. This will help to set direction for board goals. One of the other sessions he attended was Ò20 plus questions you need to ask to get student achievement.Ó All administrators had attended this session. It was very thought provoking.
H. Areas of Academic Improvement – Dr. Cull stated that this was a report that was suggested last spring. He explained how the report was put together and how staff and administrators had focused on specific weaknesses as shown by the test scores, what kind of intervention was being done, and how it would be evaluated. Discussion ensued. Mrs. DiCiolla was looking at the Stanford test and noted that the 7th grade reading was exceptionally low and this was not mentioned in the report. Superintendent Cull answered that the administration had picked one area in each school for the purposes of this report. The administrators are going to focus on things that are ISAT-related. Discussion ensued. Mr. Powers said it would be helpful to look at test results. Specifically look at them and then give that direction. Maybe next time the Board can give a more pointed direction as to what they want the administration to examine. Mrs. DiCiolla had an issue with math facts and she discussed this with members of the board. Following some discussion, it was suggested that Mrs. DiCiolla discuss this issue individually with administration. On the areas of improvement, Mr. McCann said that focusing on one thing is more realistic. To try and pick one area each year would be a good idea.
I. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported that one request had been received.
J. Opportunity for community input regarding board requested reports. No comments made nor questions from audience.
IX. Consent Items – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Maier that the minutes of the November 1, 2005 special meeting and closed session, November 9, 2005 regular meeting; the December 5, 2005 special meeting and closed session; and the expenditures for the month of November, 2005 be approved. Following an additional opportunity for questions and discussion, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. Powers
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. McCann
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Maier
Mrs. McDonald
X. Action Items –
A. Planning and Budget Calendar – A motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mrs. Pawinski that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY06-#1, the Planning and Budget Calendar. Following an opportunity for board discussion as well as community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
B. Inter Fund Loan – A motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mr. Maier that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY06-#2, the inter fund loan of $150,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Following an opportunity for board discussion and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. Powers
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. McCann
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Maier
Mrs. McDonald
C. 2005 Levy – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY06-#3, the 2005 Levy. Following a further opportunity for questions and discussion plus community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. McCann
Mrs. DiCiolla
D. Vote Affirmation – A motion was made by Mr. Maier and seconded by Mrs. DiCiolla that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY06-#4, the affirmation of FY07 Mission Statement and Goals. Following a further opportunity for discussion and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
E. Board of Education Meetings – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY06-#5 Board of Education meetings for 2006. Mr. Maier stated that he liked the idea of moving the July meeting to August. A further opportunity was given for board discussion as well as community input. Following the discussion, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
F. Articles of Agreement for DuPage/West Cook – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mrs. Pawinski that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY06-#6, the Articles of Agreement for DuPage/West Cook. Following an opportunity for board discussion and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. McCann
Mr. Maier
Mrs. McDonald
G. Release of Closed Session Minutes – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Maier that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY06-#7, the release of closed session minutes for the public record. Following an opportunity for questions and discussion from the Board of Education, the community was given an opportunity for input. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
H. Student Teacher – A motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY06-#8, the placement of a student teacher. Following some discussion including the duration of the student teaching time, the community was given a chance for input. The motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
XI. Board Requested Reports – None requested at this time.
President Powers stated that he would like to call a closed session: A motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the Board of Education enter a closed session for the purpose of discussing the employment and compensation of specific personnel. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. McDonald Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. McCann
The board entered a closed session at 8:57 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Maier that the Board of Education return to open session. The motion carried on the following
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. McCann
The board returned to open session at 9:46 p.m.
President Powers stated that while in closed session, the board had discussed the employment and compensation of specific personnel and no action was taken.
XI. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Powers adjourned the meeting at 9:48 p.m.
