Itasca School District #10
Itasca, IL 60143
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
October 10, 2007
I. Call to order and roll call – The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President DiCiolla with the following ROLL CALL:
PRESENT ABSENT
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mrs. Hogan
Mr. Maier
Ms. Pawinski
Mrs. Dyra
Mrs. Miller
Also in attendance:
Dr. Kenneth Cull, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Marcia Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Dr. Dawn Turner, Principal, Raymond Benson Primary School
Dr. Joanna Medwick, Principal, Elmer Franzen Intermediate School
Dr. Reinhard Nickisch, Principal, F.E. Peacock Middle School
Ms. Debora Mitsui, Recorder
II. Pledge of Allegiance – Mrs. DiCiolla led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. Welcome to Visitors – Mrs. DiCiolla welcomed everyone present and thanked the members of the teachers’ union for the reception provided earlier in the evening.
IV. Oath of Office – Mrs. DiCiolla administered the Oath of Office for newly appointed Board member, Mr. Charles Sprandel. Mr. Sprandel was welcomed to the Board and congratulated.
V. Communications – Mr. Maier read communications received during the past month.
VI. Additional Agenda Items – There were none requested.
VII. Superintendent’s Report – Superintendent Cull reviewed the Superintendent’s report, a copy of which is attached to these official minutes.
At Peacock the rooftop unit is to be installed on the weekend of October 7th.
The Technology Steering Committee has been established and the first meeting date is scheduled for October 16th.
The Senior Luncheon will be held at Peacock Middle School at 11:00 a.m. on October 12th.
Mrs. DiCiolla asked that life span schedules be added to the Working Cash II Tracking document on pages 6 & 7 of the Superintendent’s Report. Dr. Cull indicated that he would like to meet with Mrs. DiCiolla for clarification of a “sources and uses” format.
VIII. Board Requested Reports
A. NDSEC – Ms. Pawinski, District #10 representative to N.D.S.E.C. reviewed the Operational Board Briefs.
The next meeting is scheduled for October 15th at 3:00 p.m. The annual NDSEC dinner is on October 24th. Ms. Pawinski and Dr. Cull will be in attendance.
B. Middle School Report – Dr. Nickisch, principal of F.E. Peacock Middle School, reviewed his report. A copy of his report is attached to these official minutes.
C. Curriculum – Dr. Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, reviewed her report. A copy of her report is attached to these official minutes.
Mrs. DiCiolla inquired about the District Advisory Committee (DAC) building representatives and noted that there are some departments that are not represented. The DAC committee was not meant to have a representative from every category or department. The district had to make some choices a couple of years ago related to the numbers of participants and extra duty stipends. Administrators are confident with the DAC members who are representing their grade levels.
D. Technology Update – Mr. Kapachinski, Director of Technology, reviewed his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.
A district comprehensive security audit (under separate cover) that began at the end of June was discussed. The audit’s process took about two months to complete.
A minor issue regarding interim grade percentages for Franzen and Peacock has been identified. A small adjustment will need to be made within the programming of the student management system to correct the issue.
F. Superintendent Search – Mrs. Dyra provided the Board with an update of the Superintendent Search Committee’s progress. There will be a public forum on October 17th, 2007 at Benson Primary School. Three concurrent forums at 3:30 p.m. will be provided for (1) Teachers, (2) Support Staff, and (3) Active PTO members. At 7:00 p.m. an additional forum will take place for taxpayers/community. The Search Firm will be contacting the administrators for their input. The first advertisement has been posted in Education Week for Friday, October 12, 2007. Additional advertisements are running on line at all professional organization sites normally used for Superintendent vacancies. Communication regarding dates, times and locations for the forums are being provided via flyers, email to staff, the district website, press release, Lion’s Club town bulletin board, etc.
Future tasks include:
· Review of the materials that have been compiled by the search firm consultants
· A second round of advertisements at the end of October
· Leadership Profile review session with BWP
· Last day for applications (Nov., 20, 2007))
· Board to determine salary range
· BWP candidate screening (Nov., 21-30)
· Slate of candidates presented to Board (mid December)
· Board begins interview process (mid January 2008)
G. Testing Report – Dr. Tornatore reviewed her report. Students who were tested in the Illinois Standard Achievement Test (ISAT), Illinois Measurement of Annual Growth in English (IMAGE), and Illinois Alternative Assessment (IAA) all met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for all demographic groups in all categories in each of our schools.
The District Advisory Committee (DAC) will be assessing and recommending a new assessment test for our school district. A recommendation will be presented to the school Board during the winter of 2008. Full implementation of the newly purchased assessment program will be during the 2008-2009 school year.
H. Freedom of Information – There were no requests received.
I. Opportunity for Community Input Regarding Board Requested Reports – There were no requests.
IX. Action Items -
A. Consent Items – A motion was made by Mrs. Dyra and seconded by Mr. Maier that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY08-#11; the Consent Agenda.
Following some discussion, corrections and/or deletions/additions were made on the original minutes and the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mrs. Miller
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. Sprandel
Mrs. Dyra
Mrs. Hogan
Mr. Maier
Ms. Pawinski
B. A motion was made by Mrs. DiCiolla and seconded by Mrs. Miller that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY08-#12; Proclamation of 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. A motion was made by Ms. Pawinski and seconded by Mrs. Dyra that the Board of Education approve Action Memorandum FY08-#13; Establishment of a Finance Committee.
Discussion ensued regarding term of service, number of meetings, and the number of members needed to serve on the committee. Our Board Policy 2:150 states: The Board President makes all Board committee appointments unless specifically stated otherwise. Mrs. DiCiolla stated that she would like to appoint Mrs. Miller as Chairperson. Mrs. DiCiolla would also like to step down from the Policy Committee in order to work with the Finance Committee. Mrs. Miller is working on an application form asking for public participation for the Finance Committee’s membership. Once the committee is established, members will discuss terms of service, meeting dates, etc.
Dr. Cull recently received a survey regarding finance committees from a neighboring district. He will forward it to Mrs. Miller and Mrs. DiCiolla.
Following a further opportunity for questions, discussion, and community input, the motion carried on the following ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
Mrs. Hogan
Mrs. DiCiolla
Mr. Sprandel
Mrs. Dyra
Ms. Pawinski
Mr. Maier
Mrs. Miller
X. Board Requested Reports – Mrs. DiCiolla requested that life span schedules be added to the Working Cash II Capital Outlay needs document. Mrs. DiCiolla mentioned that the district’s auditor should have a schedule of our existing major fixed assets, the purchase dates, and life span.
Mrs. Hogan asked if a follow-up synopsis would be provided for the security audit. Mr. Kapachinski stated that assessment had been completed. Critical issues have been rectified and the auditors have certified that they are no longer problems. There is no other documentation available at this time. Mrs. Hogan will call and speak to Mr. Kapachinski for questions about the audit.
Mrs. DiCiolla asked that Dr. Cull request a letter from the district’s attorney determining the effect of tax appeals won for the appellant that reduced assessed values. She wants to know if tax receipts will be held back from the district currently and if tax receipts will be less in the future because of the reductions.
XI. Closed Session
Closed Session – A motion was made by Mr. Maier and seconded by Ms. Pawinski that the Board of Education enter into a closed session at 9:02 p.m. for the purpose of discussing negotiations. The motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
A motion was made by Mr. Maier and seconded by Ms. Pawinski that the Board of Education return to open session. The motion carried on the following VOICE VOTE: All AYES: NAYS none.
XII. Adjournment – There being no further business, President DiCiolla adjourned the meeting at 11:05 p.m.
_______________________________ _____________________________
Fred Maier, Secretary Nancy DiCiolla, President
Board of Education Board of Education
BOE Action Memorandum FY08 - #11
Consent Agenda
October 10, 2007
Included in the consent agenda:
September 12, 2007 Closed Session 1 (Negotiations)
September 12, 2007 Regular Meeting
September 12, 2007 Closed Session 2 (Personnel)
September 22, 2007 Special Closed Session (Board Candidate Interviews)
September 24, 2007 Special Closed Session (Superintendent Search Committee)
October 4, 2007 Special Closed Session (Personnel)
- Approval of Expenditure Reports, September, 2007.
- Approval of the resignation of Tamara Schlitter (Aide at Franzen)
- Approval of hiring Marlene McBride (Media Center aide at Peacock).
The Superintendent recommends that the Board approve the consent agenda.
BOE Action Memorandum FY08 - #12
Character Counts! Proclamation
October 10, 2007
WHEREAS, Character Counts! is a nationwide nonpartisan and nonsectarian initiative to strengthen the character of our next generation; and
WHEREAS, Good character is based on six positive values: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. By displaying these “Six Pillars of Character” in their daily lives, Itasca School District #10 students will contribute significantly to the future of our community; and
WHEREAS, the week of October 15, 2007 has been designated as National Character Counts! Week;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT on the 10th day of October, 2007 on behalf of the residents, parents and students, and especially members of the Board of Education, the week of October 15th, 2007, is hereby proclaimed as National Character Counts! Week within Itasca School District #10 as a time to re-emphasize the importance of our shared values and to help make Itasca School District #10 “A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN.”
The Superintendent recommends that the Board of Education approve the Resolution proclaiming Character Counts! Week.
BOE Action Memorandum FY08 - #13
Formation of a Finance Committee
October 10, 2007
The Board of Education has reached consensus to establish a Finance Committee.
