Also in attendance:
Dr. Kenneth Cull, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Marcia Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Dr. Reinhard Nickisch, Principal, F.E. Peacock Middle School
Dr. Dawn Turner, Principal, Raymond Benson Primary School
Ms. Debora Mitsui, Recorder
II. Levy Hearing –
A. Presentation of 2006 Levy – President Powers turned the hearing over to Superintendent Cull. Dr. Cull stated that at the 2006 levy had been presented at the November 8th Board of Education. The levy is a request for access to property tax dollars. Typically, property is taxed at 1/3 of its value. We will be asking for 10% increase but in actuality we will probably get between a 3 to 4% increase. In requesting tax dollars, the only unknown factor is new construction. We usually get about 1 % in new construction when the new construction hits the tax rolls. The condominium development on Rohlwing Road, once filled, may provide more revenue. Also, teardowns provide some additional tax dollars.
The public has been notified of the levy and it has been on display since December 1, 2006. There have been no inquiries directed to the district office. The levy is presented as an action item at this meeting.
B. Opportunity for community input – There being no input from the audience, the hearing was adjourned at 7:23 p.m. A short recess was called until 7:30 p.m.
III. Pledge of Allegiance – President Powers led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. Welcome to Visitors – Mr. Powers welcomed all visitors to this meeting.
V. Communication – Mrs. McDonald, Board Secretary, read communications received from staff during the previous month.
VI. Additional Agenda items – Mr. McCann asked that the transfer of Franzen property (Franzen School/Bryn Mawr Avenue) be added as an agenda item for the January Board of Education Meeting agenda. The request will be added as an action item for a roll call vote listed as item "L" at this meeting.
VII. Superintendent's Report – Superintendent Cull reviewed the SuperintendentÕs report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. The ED-RED dinner is on Monday, January 29, 2007. If Board members are interested in attending, please let Dr. Cull know by January 5, 2007. There is a correction to the location on the invitation from the IEPTO to the Board. The meeting will be held at Franzen Intermediate School. Dr. Cull will send reminders to Board members. There is a scheduled joint meeting of all Lake Park feeder school superintendents on February 21, 2007. Board members who are able to join Dr. Cull in attending this meeting, please let him know.
An additional day of attendance will be added to the calendar at the end of the year due to the cancellation of school for the snow day on December 1, 2006. The last day of school will be June 7, 2007 unless any additional emergency closing days are necessary. No official action has been taken regarding the district calendar as yet. Mr. McCann asked if this would affect 8th grade graduation. Dr. Cull said it would not have any affect.
VIII. Board Requested Reports
A. Quarterly Financial Report – Dr. Cull's report is attached to these official minutes. He discussed that the district is owed $150,000.00 from the 2005 tax levy. We may be receiving some of that payment in January. Of the expected revenue, there may be a shortfall of approximately $80,000.00 to $90,000.00. Mr. McCann asked how those shortages occur. Dr. Cull explained that lost funds could be due to: 1) certain small percentages of taxpayers are in arrears and 2) pending appeals by taxpayers.
Dr. Cull highlighted the positive report from the audit last month. Dr. Cull and the administration have followed the BoardÕs directive to come in with a balance budget. The audit reflected that the district is doing a good job.
B. N.D.S.E.C. – Mrs. Pawinski, District #10 representative to N.D.S.E.C. reported that at the last meeting, Monday, December 11, 2006 the bills list and the IDEA grant amendments were reviewed. Dr. Cull added that there had been two N.D.S.E.C. meetings since the November Board of Education meeting. At the November 13th meeting, Dr. Cull was elected Chairperson of the committee by unanimous ballot. Mr. Maier referenced page 13 of the minutes of the N.D.S.E.C. Operational Board Briefs regarding a compliance review. Dr. Cull reported that the districtÕs report had been forwarded as well as a needs assessment report to N.D.S.E.C.
C. Peacock 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. Mrs. Sharon Laughlin, the Student Council, and student body orchestrated a book drive that collected over 1,300 books to be donated to the Chicago school system. The Science Fair will be on February 2, 2007. Information packets will be sent home with students this week. Mr. Bryen Travis, Middle School teacher, will be directing our musical, Beauty and the Beast. Middle School staff is pleased that Mr. Travis will be taking over the project. In the past with his direction, there has been as many as 130 students participating. We are anticipating that we will have a tremendous turn out this year.
D. Curriculum Report - Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reviewed the curriculum report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. She discussed the recent November 7, 2006 TAG meeting at Peacock Middle School. A description of the TAG program and examples of extensions were provided to parents. Dr. Tornatore offered special thanks to Mrs. Sandy Bernahl, Middle School Media Center Director. Mrs. Bernahl went out of her way to be available to parents that evening. Mrs. Bernahl answered questions and shared ways that Peacock Middle School works to meets the needs of talented and gifted students. Mr. Powers commented that the TAG program has turned some corners in the past few years and that parents are more pleased with the program. The dedication of the staff is clearly visible.
E. Technology – Mr. Charles Kapachinski – During the month of November, the password policy was implemented throughout the district. Remote access for teachers is now available from any computer. The new interface is slightly different than the version currently being used so training will be offered. The roll out of the new parent connection module is scheduled to take place shortly after second semester begins. Currently, the technology team is working on issues related to the parent connection for access procedures, offering an instruction guide, processes for forgotten passwords, etc. for parents. November has seen another record month for help desk incidents.
F. Character Counts! – Mrs. McDonald, Board representative to the Character Counts! Coalition in Itasca, reported that there was no meeting this month.
G. IASA/IASB/IASBO Conference – Attendees – Mr. Maier and Mrs. Pawinski attended the Illinois State School Board Conference November 17-19, 2006. Mr. Maier reported that one of the sessions he attended related to school board policy. Mr. Maier was pleased to find that Itasca School District #10 is doing exactly as the session suggested. Our Board is functioning within the guidelines. Mr. Powers thanked Mr. Powers and Mrs. DiCiolla for the work that they do in reviewing our Board policy documents.
Mrs. Pawinski attended sessions relating to the role of a school board member and one on student assessment. Mrs. Pawinski found the sessions to be very enlightening.
H. TAG Information – Dr. Cull stated that since becoming Superintendent, the TAG program has been consistently on his and the BoardÕs radar. Communication has been a weakness in the program. Due to principals working with their staff and brainstorming ways to make TAG better, the program has shown great improvement. Each of the buildings are addressing communication. At Peacock Middle School only 8 of the parent TAG surveys were returned. Limited surveys that were returned can have a very positive or very negative impact on survey results. Communication issues continue to arise; there is still room for improvement. Mr. Powers stated that the need to have people voice their concerns with the program is great, especially the TAG parents.
I. Testing Report – Dr. Tornatore delivered her testing report explaining scores and trends. She emphasized that the report only pertains to national normed assessments; the Stanford and Tera Nova. Dr. Tornatore pointed to a trend that shows new students to the district each fall shows that half of those students score below the 50th percentile.
Dr. Tornatore stated that she had spoken with the head of the State Board of Education earlier today and that scores are still unavailable. Dr. Cull had received a report confirming AYP (adequate yearly progress). Copies of that report were shared with the Board. All three buildings met AYP. It is important that we focus on ISAT. The ISAT is our guideline and is judged by the State. Dr. Tornatore directed the Board to the last page of the testing report showing the preliminary ISAT test scores. Normally, at this time of year a student letter and student score report would be mailed to parents. Those materials as well as the State report card (made available on our district website) are unavailable at this time.
Due to decisions made at the State level, the Tera Nova will no longer be administered to grade two students. We will continue to administer the Stanford 9 through 2007. Currently our TAG program is linked to the Stanford test results and we will need to address our qualifiers. We will plan to look at an alternative diagnostic type of assessment for the 2008-2009 school year. Reportedly, the Stanford 10 has 40 questions that are the same as those on the ISAT. If we continue with the Stanford 10, we would be doing some level of redundant testing. Administrator's preference would be to drop the Stanford Achievement Test in favor of a pre and post-test to students within the same school year. Stanford scores that are received in the next school year do not help us to make adjustments in a classroom in the same academic year. Discussion supported administrationÕs plan.
J. Goals report – Dr. Cull stated that it is not his intent to do a formal presentation this evening. Previously, goals were projected two years into the future. Goals that were being written were too broad. The cycle has been adjusted and this transition has put the Board into a different time frame. The goals report is also later this year due to not having received the ISAT test scores. In February, the BoardÕs direction will probably be to review our mission and goals statement to see if it still appropriate.
Dr. Cull asked if there were any questions or comments from the Board at this time. There were none. Dr Cull requested that if there were questions specific to Franzen Intermediate School to contact Mrs. Medwick. Mrs. Medwick was unable to attend the meeting this evening.
K. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported that there were two requests from local newspapers advising them of our 2007 meeting schedule. We have responded to their request.
L. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports. No comments made nor questions asked.
IX. Action Items –
A. Consent Items – A Motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Maier that The Board of Education approve as corrected Action Memorandum FY07-#17 Consent Agenda:
á Minutes of the November, 2006 regular meeting
á Expenditure Reports for the month of November
á Hiring of Dawn Cimaglia
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. McCann
Mr. Maier
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Powers
B. A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mrs. Pawinski to approve Action Memorandum FY-#18; Approval of 2006 Levy.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mr. McCann
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Maier
C. A Motion was made by Mr. Maier and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#19; Support of the Depot Museum.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. Maier
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Powers
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. McCann
D. A Motion was made by Mrs. Pawinski and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#20; Meeting Dates for 2007.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. McCann
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
E. A Motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mrs. Pawinski that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#21; Planning and Budget Calendar.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. McCann
Mr. Maier
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Powers
F. A Motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mrs. Pawinski that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#22; Release of Closed Session Minutes and Destruction of Audiotapes.
Mrs. McDonald inquired as to how the audiotapes were going to be destroyed. Dr. Cull explained that he would pull the tape from the tape holder and smash it.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. McDonald
I. A Motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#25; Conferring Land to the Itasca Park District.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. McCann
J. A Motion was made by Mr. Maier and seconded by Mr. McCann that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#26; Second Reading of Policies.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. McCann
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
K. A Motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#27; Resolution declaring the intention to avail of the provisions of Article 20 of the School Code of the State of Illinois, as amended, and to issue Working Cash Fund Bonds of School District Number 10, DuPage County, Illinois, and directing that notice of such intention be published in the manner provided by law.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. McCann
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Maier
L. A Motion was made by Mrs. Pawinski and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#28; Resolution calling a public hearing concerning the intent of the Board of Education of School District Number 10, DuPage County, Illinois to sell $2,750,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. McCann
M. A Motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mr. Maier that the request for resolution authorizing conveyance of certain real estate property from Itasca School District #10 to the Village of Itasca (Franzen School/Bryn Mawr Avenue) be put on January action items agenda.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. McCann
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
X. Board Requested Reports – There were none requested.
XI. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Powers adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
