October 11, 2006
I. Call to order and roll call – The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by President Powers with the following ROLL CALL:
PRESENT ABSENT
Mr. Patrick Powers Mr. James McCann
Mrs. Nancy DiCiolla Mrs. Rose Zelenka
Mrs. Maureen McDonald
Mrs. Debbi Pawinski
Mr. Fred Maier
Also present:
Dr. Ken 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. Joanna Medwick, Principal, Elmer H. Franzen School
Dr. Dawn Turner, Principal, Raymond Benson Primary School
Ms. Debora Mitsui, Recorder
II. Pledge of Allegiance – President Powers led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mrs. Zelenka arrived at 7:37 p.m.
III. Welcome to Visitors – Mr. Powers welcomed all visitors to the meeting. Mr. Powers also thanked the Education Association of Itasca for hosting a reception providing an opportunity to bring the staff and Board together.
IV. Communication – No communications were received during the previous month.
V. Additional Agenda items – No addendum items added to the agenda.
VI. SuperintendentÕs Report –
Superintendent Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. Itasca School District has been awarded the Bright Red Apple Award for the 13th year. Criteria for the award is based on five key factors: Academic Performance, Pupil/Teacher Ratio, Expenditure Per Pupil, Educational Level of Teachers, and Average Teacher Salary.
The Village of Itasca has issued two separate pin numbers for the Benson parcels. In order for District 10 to move forward, there must be a legal description of the parcels. That description has not yet been located. Dr. Cull will follow up at the County ClerkÕs office this week. Once all the information is in place it will be provided to the District attorney for review.
There is no new information regarding completed ISAT results. If the scores become available before October 25, there will be time to present the test results at the November Board meeting. If the scores do not become available and we are left with the preliminary results, we may have to manually compile the results. Presently, with information that is available, we will be able to figure out our percentage of meets and exceeds. ISAT reports that are shared in November at parent/teacher conferences may not be available. Delayed results may also affect assessment of District goals and objectives.
School Board Elections materials will be made available the end of October. Candidates may begin circulating their petitions November 7th. Election information will be posted in local newspapers and our on our District website.
VII. Board Requested Reports
A. N.D.S.E.C. – Mrs. Pawinski - The next meeting is October 16th. Mrs. Pawinski is unable to attend. If anyone else would like to attend, please let Mrs. Pawinski know. Dr. Cull said that he will attend.
At the September 11th meeting, Dr. Cull reported that elimination of the assessment fee was recommended. Monthly tuition payments by districts will eliminate the need for the assessment fee.
Mrs. Zelenka inquired if there were any properties in Itasca affected by TIF (Tax Incremental Financing). Dr. Cull said that areas affected were Roselle, Bloomingdale, and the Wood Dale District #7 portion of Itasca.
The transportation concerns related to the Septran Contract have been resolved.
B. Peacock Middle School – Dr. Reinhard Nickisch reviewed his report. A copy of this report is attached to these minutes. A summary timeline representing the 8th grade social studies curriculum modification was presented. A packet with pictorials was distributed to Board Members related to the ÒRock the VoteÓ mock elections conducted at Peacock Middle School. Mrs. Zelenka thanked Dr. Nickisch for providing the timeline.
Nine student musicians from Peacock were chosen to participate in the VanderCook College of Musical Honor Band Festival on Saturday, September 30, 2006. The day was spent rehearsing 5 hours with 120 other Chicago-land area students culminating with a concert for family and friends. Mr. Maier was in attendance and encouraged anyone who can attend to do so next year.
C. Curriculum Report - Dr. Tornatore reviewed her report. A copy of this report is attached to these minutes. Dr. Tornatore highlighted PeacockÕs Middle School talented and gifted program. At Peacock, the TAG program is integrated in two ways: (1) It is offered within the regular curriculum and; (2) it branches into different outcomes. Examples of extensions, activities, and webquests being offered to talented and gifted students within the grade levels and subject areas were shared. Dr. Tornatore gave tribute to the teachers who have worked during Institute Days to develop these areas of studies. Next month Benson Primary SchoolsÕ TAG program will be featured.
The Northwest Curriculum Council (NWACC) along with area superintendents met to discuss a curriculum-mapping project. Through a website that has been developed for the feeder districts to Lake Park High School, we are able to document our curriculum and correlated frameworks. Funding was made available for this project through a grant. Dr. Cull added that this is not meant to be a direction for us to become like another district. It is a tool that will enable Lake Park curriculum directors to see what subjects are studied and when.
D. Technology – Mr. Charles Kapachinski reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached. Help desk issues continue to increase due to the servicing of older equipment and the introduction of new initiatives. Peacock Middle School and Franzen Intermediate School will have access to grading components from home or any other remote Internet computer through our Student Information System. Additionally, the parent module has been setup. Once the new password policy has been implemented, the classroom system will be available. Franzen teachers have had the opportunity to attend training sessions for the Student Information System.
The SPAM filter project is in its final stage and should be complete within the next two weeks.
E. Character Counts! – There was no meeting this month.
F. Future Financing Options – Dr. Cull - Next year, bond payments of $700,000.00 that had been issued for the Johnson Controls HVAC will be begin to drop. Once the payback drops, the tax rate will also drop. If the District were to issue a new bond, it would fill our bonding obligation back to the $700,000.00 for the next few years. This action would not increase taxpayerÕs rates. The proceeds from the bond could be used to complete projects such as carpet removal with asbestos abatement at both Benson Primary School and Franzen Intermediate School. Additionally, left over funds could be used to do other projects. If the Board chooses to take action, formal action would need to be taken by December. The decision to issue a bond or to continue the payback over this next year is not urgent. The Board would still have the opportunity to move on issuing another bond next year (until the 2007 levy) with no penalty. However, interest earned on those funds would be lost.
Mrs. DiCiolla said that in order to support issuing another bond, it would have to go towards something that was absolutely needed.
Additional concerns were raised regarding the type of bond, bond rating, interest rates, and the timing.
The Board decided it would be worthwhile to have a representative from PMA to come to the next Board meeting to discuss rates. In the meantime, Dr. Cull asked that if the Board had specific questions to let him know so that he could pass them on to the PMA representative.
G. Discussion of Park District Agreement- Dr. Cull reviewed the draft of the Intergovernmental Agreement for Park Maintenance Services in Exchange for Park Use of School Property. The DistrictÕs cost for maintaining certain school property will remain at $6,000.00 annually with an annual increase per year, equal to the CPI. Mrs. McDonald asked if this cost included snow removal. Dr. Cull will check with Mary Fran on snow removal. The District is responsible for snow removal on its sidewalks. The District attorney has not looked at the agreement yet, but Dr. Cull will be providing it to him. Dr. Cull would like to come to an agreement in a timely manner so that we can put this cost into next yearÕs budget building process.
H. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported that no requests for reports had been received.
VIII. 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-#09 Consent Agenda:
á Minutes of the September 13, 2006 regular meeting
á Expenditure Reports for the month of September
á Employment of Michael Meniew – Custodian at Peacock
á Resignation of Amanda Kaluso
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mr. Maier Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. Powers
Mrs. McDonald
B. Character Counts! Resolution for National Character Counts! Week of October 16, 2006 – A motion was made by Mrs. Pawinski and seconded by Mrs. McDonald approve Action Memorandum FY07-#10; Resolution Declaring October 16, 2006 National Character Counts! Week. Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
C. Resolution Authorizing Intervention in Certain Tax Appeal Cases – A Motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#11; Intervention in Certain Tax Appeal Cases. Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. Powers
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Maier
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. Pawinski
IX. Board Requested Reports – No requests for reports at this time.
X. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Powers adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
