Itasca School District #10
Itasca, IL 60143
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 11, 2007
I. Call to order and roll call – The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Powers with the following ROLL CALL:
PRESENT ABSENT
Mr. Patrick Powers
Mrs. Maureen McDonald
Mr. Fred Maier
Mrs. Nancy DiCiolla
Mr. James McCann
Ms. Debbi Pawinski
Mrs. Rose Zelenka
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. Joanna Medwick, Principal, Franzen Intermediate 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.
III. Welcome to Visitors – Mr. Powers welcomed visitors.
IV. Communication – Mrs. McDonald recited a thank you note Dr. Medwick sent to the district regarding a recent death in her family.
V. Additional Agenda Items – There were none added.
VI. Superintendent's Report – Superintendent Cull reviewed the Superintendent's Report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes.
Tax exemptions have been received. The extension of taxes is considered revenue. Approximately half will be received in this fiscal year and approximately half is to be received in next the fiscal year. On June 1st, we will know exactly how much of the extension went into FY07. This will leave another "hard number" for the portion of the extension due in FY08.
There is a special meeting scheduled for Monday, April 16th at 6:00 p.m. at the District Office to review the draft for the 2008 budget. Public packets will be available at the district office after 12:00 p.m. April 12th as well as Monday night's meeting. A light dinner will be provided for the Board.
The structure for the May 9th Board meeting was highlighted. The meeting will start with our existing Board members being seated. President Powers will call the meeting to order and then immediately adjourn "sine die". Outgoing Board members will vacate their seats and our newly elected Board members will take the oath of office and be seated. Our Vice-President, Mr. McCann, will preside over the elections of officers for the positions of President, Vice-President and Secretary. Once that first order of business is completed, the board will carry out its regular agenda.
A salary committee was appointed. Mr. McCann, Mrs. DiCiolla, and Ms. Pawinski volunteered. Dr. Cull will e-mail them with possible meeting dates.
VII. Board Requested Reports
A. N.D.S.E.C. – Ms. Pawinski, District #10 representative to
N.D.S.E.C., reported on the March 12th meeting. At that meeting, discussions included the monthly financial summary, the 2007-2008 draft calendar, and the Illinois Alternate Assessment process.
NDSEC will be hosting a seminar on school safety on April 23, 2007. Dr. Cull is unable to attend, but Ms. Pawinski plans on attending.
Mr. Powers asked about the report on "Funding for Specialized Evaluations and Equipment". Dr. Cull explained that some students have specialized needs, i.e., communication boards, computers, etc. In the past, NDSEC would order items and then bill our district. Now, NDSEC takes care of it directly.
B. Peacock Middle School – Dr. Nickisch, principal of F.E. Peacock Middle School, delivered his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.
Dr. Nickisch reviewed student discipline and student and parent contacts with the counselor. He also gave a graduation update for students on academic probation and for students still needing to complete community service hours. Currently, there are 18 students who have cumulative GPA's ranging from a low of 0.81 to a high 2.14. The score for determining academic probation is 1.70 out of 4.00. Three to four times a week, during common time, those students are placed in a study hall enabling them to receive support in specific subject areas. They are being provided this opportunity to elevate their scores to be eligible to graduate.
There are still a large number of students needing to complete their 18 hours of community service. Some of the students have completed their hours but have not turned in the appropriate form. A letter will be going home on April 13th reminding parents of the deadline for rectifying academic and/or community service deficiencies.
Ms. Pawinski stated that the Northeast DuPage Special Education Association (NEDSRA) needs volunteers. Students needing community service hours are welcome to contact Ms. Pawinski for details.
A new intervention strategy, Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM) is being implemented at Peacock Middle School. The program provides teachers with statistical data and provides proof that there is progress in student achievement. The measurement data examines how each child is progressing in learning important skills. Last year, Mr. Mike Poremba, 7th grade language arts teacher, piloted a version of this program among members of his reading intervention class. Peacock is now offering the program to the 6th and 8th grade reading intervention programs. It is also being piloted this year for our 6th grade math intervention program. Much of the credit goes to Cheryl Elenz, our school psychologist, for initiating the program and teaching our staff how to collect the data.
C. Curriculum Report – Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reviewed her report. A copy of her report is attached to these official minutes.
The Illinois Standards Achievement Testing (ISAT) and Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English (IMAGE) have been completed. Stanford Achievement Testing for grades 1-8 begins April 23, 2007 and will be completed by May 11th, 2007.
She reported that the annual Tour of Itasca is scheduled for Friday, May 11, 2007.
For grade levels 6-8, the social studies committee will soon be finalizing their choice of materials. The materials will be available for use in the fall of 2007. During the 2007-2008 school year, grade levels K-5 will confirm their choice of a new social studies series however Textbook Loan funds will only be allocated for purchase of materials for grades K-4. Fifth grade social studies materials will be allocated from the district budget. Implementation of the K-5 new social studies materials will take place during the fall of 2008. At the May Board of Education meeting, social studies committee members from Peacock Middle School will provide their recommendation for the 6-8th grade purchase. At that time, Dr. Tornatore will also provide the Board with a complete listing of the textbook cycle timeframe.
Later in this meeting, the Board will be voting on an action item amending the 2006-2007 School Calendar. The district utilized one emergency day during the 2006-2007 school year. The last day of school for staff and students will be Thursday, June 7, 2007.
D. Technology – Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology, was unable to attend this evening's meeting. Dr. Cull reviewed the Technology Update, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes.
The Parent Portal has been launched and appears to be well received. A chart included in the Board packet shows usage of the portal on a daily basis and by hourly usage. Dr. Cull said there are some other plans for parent communication that we will plan to develop over the next couple of years.
E. Freedom of Information – None received during the previous month.
F. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports. – No comments made nor questions asked.
VIII. Action Items –
A. Consent Items – A Motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#44; Consent Agenda.
Minutes of the March 14, 2007 regular meeting Expenditure Reports for the month of March, 2007
Leave of absence request from Erin Infusino for the 2007-2008 school year
Mrs. Zelenka asked about Peacock's rooftop gymnasium ventilation unit and the $9,524.00 expense paid to Johnson Controls in the March expenditure report. Dr. Cull explained that this was an emergency repair. The cost included labor, the crane to lift the unit onto the roof and the rental fee for the unit. Now that we are experiencing warmer weather, the rental unit has been sent back and the gymnasium is using ambient heat at this time. The repair of the unit is going out to bid. Those figures will be shared at the May 9, 2007 Board of Education meeting
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mr. McCann
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Ms. Pawinski
B. A motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Ms. Pawinski to approve Action Memorandum FY07-#45; National Teacher's Day Proclamation.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
C. A motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Ms. Pawinski to approve Action Memorandum FY-#46; Amended 2006-2007 School Calendar.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
D. A Motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. Maier that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#47; Resolution Authorizing Notice of Non-renewal of Employment of Certain Probationary Teachers.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Zelenka
Ms. Pawinski
Mr. Powers
Mr. McCann
Mr. Maier
E. A Motion was made by Mr. Maier and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#48; Resolution Authorizing Notices of Dismissal to Certain Educational Support.
Mrs. Zelenka requested clarification on this resolution.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE.
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mr. Maier
Mr. Powers
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. Zelenka
Ms. Pawinski
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. McCann
F. A Motion was made by Mrs. McDonald and seconded by Mr. McCann that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#49; Board of Education Fixed Meeting Days and Times.
A Motion was made by Mr. Maier and seconded by Mr. McCann that Action Memorandum FY-#49; Fixed Meeting Days and Times be tabled until the May 9th, 2007 Board of Education Meeting.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion to table Action Memorandum FY-#49, carried on the following VOICE VOTE. All AYES: NAYS none.
G. A Motion was made by Mr. McCann and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#50; Contract for Photographic Services.
Mrs. Zelenka asked how the profits are dispersed. Dr. Cull said they go back to each respective school.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE.
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mrs. McDonald
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. McCann
Mrs. Zelenka
Ms. Pawinski
Mr. Powers
Mr. Maier
H. A Motion was made by Mr. Maier and seconded by Mrs. McDonald that The Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY07-#51; Board of Education Polices First Reading. VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
Board discussion led to the following modifications of policies presented:
Policy # 2:110 Education – revise with clarification of delegated duties for recording secretary.
Policy # 2:140 Board of Education – strike "as the case may be" in
first paragraph of the Oath of Office. There seemed to be multiple interpretations of this policy.
Policy # 2:240 Board of Education – under heading of Preliminary Development add, "when appropriate" to last sentence in paragraph.
The policy committee will meet to review these policies.
IX. Board Requested Reports – none
X. Adjournment – There being no further business, President Powers adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
