Itasca School District #10
Itasca, IL 60143
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 13, 2006
I. Call to order and roll call – The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Vice President McCann with the following ROLL CALL:
PRESENT ABSENT
Mrs. Nancy DiCiolla Mr. Patrick Powers
Mr. Fred Maier
Mr. James McCann
Mrs. Maureen McDonald
Mrs. Debbi Pawinski
Mrs. Rose Zelenka
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 – Vice President McCann led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. Welcome to Visitors – Mr. McCann welcomed all visitors to the meeting.
IV. Communication – Mrs. McDonald, board secretary, noted communications received during the previous month.
V. Additional Agenda items: Dr. Cull added Action Memorandum FY07-#08; Ratification of Sending 30-Day Notice to Septran. Additionally, in the board packet there were items out of order and incorrect. Revised inserts were provided to the board members.
VI. SuperintendentÕs Report – Superintendent Cull reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes. He highlighted that the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) will be having its annual dinner on September 20, at Lake Park East High School. Interested board members should let Dr. Cull know by Friday, September 15th if they will be attending.
The Annual Joint Conference will be November 17-19, 2006 at the Hyatt and Sheraton hotels. Fred Maier and Debbi Pawinski are planning to attend. Other board members interested in attending were asked to let Dr. Cull know by September 30, 2006.
There have been some issues related to the transportation of our special education students. It is an action item we will address later in this meeting.
Dr. Cull stated that normally at this time, the board would be receiving Dr. TornatoreÕs testing report. The results are still not complete and may not be until mid or late October. This will set back some of the short-term goals that we have set.
Dr. Cull reported that he had met with the administrators regarding the TAG survey results. There are trends within each of the grade levels. It is a topic we will revisit at the next administrative meeting.
Mrs. Zelenka asked if there had been a decision made regarding Outdoor Ed. Dr. Cull stated that it had been resolved. Previously, Dr. Cull had sent e-mails to Board Members soliciting input because the program will be held at a Lutheran Camp. The Outdoor Ed. program will take place September 20, 21, and 22, 2006.
Mrs. DiCiolla asked if Septran SPED Transportation contract were cancelled, would Laidlaw be prepared to start immediately? Dr. Cull said Laidlaw would assist us with the transition. They will need about 40 busses. Laidlaw has enough well-trained substitute drivers located in the mid-west region that they will bring to our area to drive the busses. Mrs. DiCiolla asked if there would be additional costs. There will be some damages for services rendered that we have contracted for. Originally, Laidlaw was the second lowest bidder for the contract. Mr. McCann asked how long the contract with Septran was for. Dr. Cull thought it was a three-year contract. If the Septran contract is cancelled, we could have an emergency contract with Laidlaw and go out to bid again. Mr. McCann asked had there been any discussion with Septran as to why there were so many problems. Dr. Cull said that basically, they are attributing the problems to not having enough well trained drivers. Septran has advertised a $2,000.00 signing bonus for qualified drivers but received hardly any respondents. Laidlaw offers a benefits package and they pay their drivers a little bit more.
VII. Board Requested Reports
A. Quarterly Financial Report – Dr. Cull reported that of the tax monies received on September 1st and expected on the 15th, the September 1st amount is about $800,000.00, short of what we anticipated. The September 15th revenue disbursement should put us back on budget.
B. N.D.S.E.C. – Mrs. Pawinski, N.D.S.E.C. representative, stated that the last meeting was September 11, 2006. N.D.S.E.C will begin using P-Cards (MasterCard).
Mrs. DiCiolla inquired referencing of Òbusiness managerÓ within the Operational Board Briefs from N.D.S.E.C. Dr. Cull attends all meetings that refer to Òbusiness managerÓ.
C. Peacock Middle School – Dr. Nickisch reviewed his report. A copy of this report is attached to these minutes. Dr. Nickish reviewed student related issues for the months of August and September. The largest number of parent counselor contacts was from 6th grade parents trying to gain understanding of the curriculum.
This past June 1st, The Village of Itasca along with the Itasca Police Department, hosted a drug awareness program. Presenter, Dr. Mann Spilter, shared his narrative ÒMandas StoryÓ which recounted his daughterÕs descent into drug addition and ultimately her demise. Attendance that evening at The Village Hall was low. Of the audience that did attend, Dr. Mann Spilter was so well received that the Itasca Police Department invited him to come back and speak to 8th grade students on November 8, 2006. 8th graders at both the public and private schools are invited to hear him speak. Flyers advertising the program will be distributed closer to that date.
Last evening, September 12, 2006, an Internet Safety Program was presented in cooperation between the Itasca Police Department and the Illinois AttorneyÕs GeneralÕs Office. There were about 100 parents in attendance. Parents were informed of the dangers of Internet and related issues our children are exposed to. We are looking to have this as an annual program presented to our schools. Mrs. Pawinski was in attendance at the program and added that she thought the program was very informative.
Mrs. Zelenka asked if the teachers had made any decisions regarding replacement activities related to the Springfield trip. Dr. Nickisch said Mayor Gruber visited their building yesterday. Visits to other sites are planned and are awaiting confirmation. Mrs. Zelenka asked that the replacement activities be reported in Dr. NickischÕs Middle School Report next month.
D. Curriculum – Dr. Marcia Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reviewed her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. With the assistance of Dr. Medwick, Dr. Tornatore gave a presentation of the TAG program offered at Franzen Intermediate School. Examples of student work for grades 3, 4 and 5, highlighting the revised TAG curriculum were distributed. Dr. Tornatore referenced the inside cover of the TAG brochure outlining the qualifications for students to be identified TAG. For grades 3-8 a group IQ score of 125 was one of 4 qualifiers used to identify TAG students. Students must now attain 3 of 4 designated criteria with one of those areas being the requirement to attain a group IQ score of 125 or above. Dr. Medwick met with her staff to review TAG surveys sent home to parents of TAG students. On the survey, answers to the 4 most common questions were: (1) Expectations; (2) Extensions in all subjects; (3) Time lapse in activities; and (4) Why arenÕt all extensions indicated. Collectively, the teachers are working on giving clear examples and communicating with the parents.
Mrs. Zelenka asked Dr. Tornatore how the TAG program is overseen during the year. Dr. Tornatore stated that she is the curriculum director and works with the staff to create the curriculum and extensions. The principals of the buildings oversee the implementation. Dr. Medwick added that during the year, the program is fine-tuned. She meets with her teams periodically to discuss what is working and modifies the extensions as necessary.
Dr. Tornatore will be communicating to parents the expectations of TAG students transitioning from 2nd to 3rd grade and from 5th to 6th grade. Next month, Dr. Tornatore will be sharing examples of Peacock Middle SchoolÕs TAG extensions.
E. Technology – Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology, was unable to be at the meeting. Dr. Cull reviewed the Technology report, a copy of which is attached. Mrs. Zelenka asked how the on-line access was progressing at Peacock. Dr. Reinhard said that they were looking at one grade at a time. The staff has no formal training as yet, but is looking at implementing on-line access during second semester. Mrs. Zelenka asked if on-line parent viewing would be available. The target date is within this year for parents to have on-line access.
F. Character Counts!- Mrs. McDonald, representative, was unable to attend the meeting. Dr. Cull reported that the coalition was involved in the Memorial Day Parade and National Night Out. Passing out donated water and soft drinks took much of the volunteerÕs time. At the Character Counts meeting, we nominated and elected the same officers. Cindy DeLuca - Chairperson, Chris Carling – Vice Chairperson, and Secretary - Nancy DiCiolla
G. Consumable Fees Update – Dr. Cull reported that there were only a few uncollected consumable fees as of this date, 2 at Franzen, 1 or 2 at Peacock and 1 at Benson.
H. Discussion Regarding Depot Museum – Dr. Cull, reported that he had been meeting with a committee of the taxing bodies and interested folks regarding the future of the Depot Museum. The director is leaving at the end of December. The issue is how can we support it and make it better. The current arrangement is that the museum sits on village property and the park district is charged with the job of operating it. The park district has the ability to levy for the operation of the museum and they have been doing so. Their operating cost is about $20,000.00. The support they need is financial and assistance to some degree. The library cannot participate monetarily because of their tight budget. The school district has not made any commitment because we have not had a chance (as a board) to talk about it. Mr. Maier said that the village of Arlington Heights had an Inter-Governmental-Agency agreement that he was reviewing, which has similar circumstance. Discussion ensued.
At the next Depot Museum meeting, Dr. Cull will request a budget in order for the Board to see where the funds are being allocated. Board members are open to further discussions on this topic.
I. Freedom of Information – Dr. Cull reported there were no requests made.
J. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports – No questions or comments were made.
VII. Consent Items – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Maier that the minutes of the August 9, 2006 Budget Hearing, Closed Session, and Regular Meeting; the expenditures for the months of August, 2006; the resignation of Judy Snyder; the employment of Erin Wyser, Elizabeth Luszcyzyk, Beth Aehlert, Deb Hawkins, Kerri Lomax, Lauriel Boryszewski; the rehiring of Jennifer Anderson and Tracey Schwartz; be approved. The motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Maier
Mr. McCann
IX. Action Items –
A. Resolution Conferring Land to the Village of Itasca – Motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mrs. Zelenka that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY7-#01; Resolution Conferring Land to the Village of Itasca. Mrs. DiCiolla said that she was still concerned that the Village has still not deeded the property that is the west wing of Benson Primary School to the School District. Mr. Maier said that administrators of the Village are aware of the parcels needing to be transferred. Mr. McCann said that the land doesnÕt belong to us, the main reason we are doing this transfer is to minimize the (Franzen School-Bryn Mawr Avenue) liability issue. Dr. Cull is providing the pin number and a legal definition to our attorney for the Benson property in order to draft an ordinance that their Board will act on. Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion was declined on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYES
Mrs. McDonald Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. McCann Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. Maier
Mrs. Zelenka
* Motion failed since 5 ÒAYEÓ votes were required for the transfer of land.
B. Mid-American Energy Company – A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Maier that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#06; Mid-American Energy Company as Itasca School District #10 Energy Supplier. Mrs. Zelenka asked how long Mid-American Energy had been a provider. Dr. Cull said a long time and that he would forward specific information to the Board. The Fellows Company uses them. Also, both Medinah and Roselle school districts are using Mid-American. Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion was carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. McCann
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. McDonald
Mr. Maier
Mrs. Zelenka
C. Application for Recognition – A motion was made by Mr. Maier and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that the Board of Education approve Action memorandum Fy07-#07; Application for Recognition for the 2006-2007 School Year. Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion was carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. Pawinski
Mr. McCann
Mr. Maier
D. Ratification of Sending 30-Day Notice – A motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mr. Maier that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum Fy07-#08; Ratification of sending 30-Day Notice to Septran and Authorization of the Superintendent to Act on Behalf of District 10 regarding SeptranÕs Contract. Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion was carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS
Mr. Maier
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. Zelenka
Mrs. Pawinski
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. McCann
X. Board Requested Reports – No requests for reports at this time.
Mr. Maier asked that Dr. Cull look into Parliamentary procedure for adding a defeated action item to the next monthÕs agenda.
XI. Adjournment – There being no further business, Vice President McCann adjourned the meeting at 9:11 p.m.
