ITASCA SCHOOL DISTRICT #10
ITASCA, IL 60143
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 8, 2006
I. Call to order and roll call – President Powers called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the following ROLL CALL:
PRESENT ABSENT
Mrs. Nancy DiCiolla Mrs. Maureen McDonald
Mr. Fred Maier
Mr. Jim McCann
Mrs. Debbi Pawinski
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 & Instruction
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
II. Pledge of Allegiance – President Powers led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. Welcome to Visitors – Mr. Powers welcomed all visitors to the meeting.
IV. Communications – No communications.
V. Agenda Addendum Items – Mrs. Zelenka requested that a closed session be held for the purpose of discussing District #10 property. Dr. Cull suggested that he prepare a report and that a closed session be held in April prior to the regular meeting.
VI. SuperintendentÕs Report – Dr. Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes.
The dates for the GoalsÕ meeting and the Budget Workshop have not been decided. It was asked that Board members e-mail potential dates to Dr. Cull.
George Williams is no longer hosting outdoor education programs. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Zelenka asked if the District is looking for alternative locations. Alternative sites are being researched.
A considerable discussion ensued regarding the 8th grade Springfield trip. The 8th grade instructional staff believe the trip is not worth the loss of the instructional time used. Mrs. DiCiolla would like to see the trip continued unless she is convinced otherwise. She suggested that activities be provided for the students while on the bus. Mrs. Zelenka is also opposed to abandoning the trip. She thought it good to allow the students to view a video or something along that order while on the bus. She also suggested that the trip remain at least until the next contract is negotiated if it is a chaperone problem for the staff and parents.
Mr. McCann believes the Springfield trip is worthwhile and is disappointed with the rationale for cancellation of the trip. He has volunteered participate in the trip as a parent chaperone. What would we be open to entertaining some alternative activities? He suggested that the board table this item until the 8th grade team can present some alternatives to the board.
Mr. Powers would not want to see the trip dropped without some alternatives. He believes that the students enjoy the trip.
Mr. Maier is interested in knowing why the trip was valuable in the past. He too would like to hear some alternatives to the trip. Mrs. Pawinski noted that the Springfield trip is an option for students who are unable to attend the trip to Washington, D.C.
Dr. Cull stated that he assumed the Board would support this change if the staff felt the trip was no longer worth the instructional time. He reminded the Board that teachers are volunteering their time for this and that the Board cannot require teachers to volunteer time. The staff will prepare some alternatives to the trip for the April or May board meeting.
VII. Board Requests for Reports –
A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mrs. Pawinski, board representative to N.D.S.E.C., reported on the meeting held February 13th. The State Autism Program designed to train teachers was discussed at that meeting. In addition, ED classes have increased and there is consideration for adding a class at Lincoln Academy. There is an additional need for classroom space for the 2006-07 school year. A reception is being planned for the new director, Dr. Rita Stevenson. The next meeting is scheduled for March 13.
B. Middle School –Dr. Nickisch, principal of F.E. Peacock Middle School, reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. Dr. West, the school counselor, is meeting with students to discuss student concerns. The contacts are up this year. The Drug Awareness Program is set for June 1 and 2nd. Students will earn community service time for attending the program.
Dr. Nickisch was asked if there are any plans to provide earlier intervention in future years for students who are on academic probation. This year the numbers are higher than in the past. Usually there are only 3-4 students. At 6th and 7th grade, students have alternative programs for reading and math. Dr. Nickisch believes that there is a trend beginning.
Mrs. DiCiolla asked if there are more peer issues than normal this year. Dr. Nickisch stated that this is a typical number. Discussion ensued.
Mrs. Pawinski stated that N.D.S.E.C. is looking for help and this could possibly be considered for community service hours.
C. Curriculum - Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reviewed her report. A copy of her report is attached to these official minutes. She discussed the results from the IMAGE testing and that the District has attained AYP for the 05-06 school year. Dr. Tornatore reported that the ESL teachers would be administering the ACCESS test to students this year.
The curriculum for Industrial Technology will be replacing the Bike Unit with Forensics.
The DAC Committee has met and developed a survey prior to the revision of the DAC plan. They have also reviewed technology purchases.
Some discussion ensued about replacing the laptops. Mr. Kapachinski clarified how many computers are owned by the District and how many of them are in need of repair or replacement.
Superintendent Cull stated that per the recent technology study that was done, we can extend purchases by two years but there is still a need to monitor the purchases each year so that there is not a large technology purchase during any one year.
Dr. Tornatore thanked kindergarten teacher Linda Schaschwary for her expertise as a resource for the teachers. One more group of teachers will need to get their standard certificates renewed.
D. Technology Up-Date – Mr. Kapachinski, Director of Technology, gave his report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He indicated that there are still several phone changes to be made and these will occur during the summer. Mr. Kapachinski stated that the cost of the District Office router was included in the budget so no additional cost was incurred. If enough dollars remain in the Technology Budget at the end of the year, he would like to replace the remaining eight-year old routers. They are no longer being supported.
January and February were very busy months including many laptop issues. As laptops crash and canÕt be repaired, they will be replaced with desktops.
N.D.S.E.C. employees working in District #10 will be within the District network.
E. Character Counts! - In the absence of Mrs. McDonald, Board representative to the Character Counts! Coalition, Dr. Cull reported on the meeting held earlier this evening. The new Itasca Character Counts! Website had been unveiled. The web address is Itasca Character Counts.org.
F. Quarterly Financial Report – Dr. Cull reviewed the quarterly financial report. He stated that there may be a cash flow problem in April but March looks okay. The revenue picture looks a little better due to the CPI rising. Inflation in short term is good for school districts. New construction has been on a downward trend. The expenditures are lined out in the report. Per Dr. Cull, it appears that there is $60,000 in unexpected expenses, a $50,000 decrease in revenue. Exact figures will not be known until June. A copy of the Quarterly Financial Report is attached to these minutes.
G. Parent Concern Room 206 – Peacock – Dr. Cull up-dated members of the Board of Education and the audience on the situation regarding a parental concern with Room 206 at Peacock. Air quality of the room had been tested. The parent had still expressed concerns. Dr. Cull had met with the parent and Keter. Keter had returned to the room for further testing for mold. The report was returned with recommendations that were housekeeping in nature.
The parent expressed further concerns. The Board directed Dr. Cull to seek some quote on swab testing. Keter responded that there was no need to do this test.
The DuPage County Health Department had agreed to do some testing based on this parentÕs complaint. Following some testing, the report indicated that there was not enough moisture to support mold growth. Mr. Phil Pekron from Keter Consultants was in attendance at the meeting to share information and answer any questions. Mr. Pekron reviewed his credentials that included a MasterÕs Degree in Public Health. He has worked for OSHA as well as numerous school districts, Sears, Coca Cola, UPS and others. He is a certified hygienist. He reported that he did not see any problems with the air quality and made some recommendations including some housekeeping issues, i.e., vacuuming under desks and wiping down ledges. He also reviewed the report from the DuPage County Health Department and did not see this room as a hazard to staff or occupants. Mr. Pekron then answered questions from board members. Mrs. Zelenka asked if guidelines for air quality testing were made specific to children. Mr. Pekron stated that they use guidelines that are appropriate for the setting. Following a further opportunity for questions, Mr. Pekron was thanked for his assistance in this matter.
H. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported that one request had been received and had been complied with in a timely manner.
I. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports – No questions were asked nor comments made.
VIII. Consent Items –
Motion made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mrs. Pawinski that the minutes of the February 8, 2006 regular meeting and the expenditures for the month of February, 2006 be approved. Following some discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mr. Maier that the minutes be amended and a page with revisions be inserted into the original minutes. The motion to amend the minutes was carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. Maier
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. McCann
There was additional discussion on the expenditures. A question was asked if expenditures over $500 were being placed on the P-Cards. Dr. Cull replied that they are but only with prior knowledge and approval. A further opportunity was given for questions and discussion and the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. McCann
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Powers
Mr. Maier
IX. Action Items –
A. 2005 Tax Reduction Extension Allocation – A motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mr. McCann that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY06-#15, Tax Reduction Extension Allocation the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE::
AYES NAYS
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. McCann
X. Board Requested Reports – Mrs. Zelenka asked if there could be a more itemized line item budget provided at the budget workshop. Mr. Powers asked Dr. Cull to send a worksheet from last year to all board members again. It should be a detailed Excel spreadsheet with changes for FY06.
XII. Adjournment –
There being no further business, President Powers adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
