School Board Niles Township District 219, Cook County, Illinois MINUTES Monday, January 10, 2011 I. Call to Order and Roll Call Board President Robert Silverman called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Board members present at roll Call: Sheri Doniger, Carlton Evans, Jeffrey Greenspan, Ruth Klint, Robert Silverman, Lynda Smith, Eileen Valfer. II. Closed Session It was moved by EVANS and seconded by VALFER to recess into closed session to discuss the appointment, employment , compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of employees, collective bargaining, purchase of property, security procedures, student disciplinary cases, the placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters related to individual students and pending litigation. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. The Board recessed into closed session at 6:40 p.m. At 7:40 p.m. it was moved by EVANS and seconded by VALFER to return to open session. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. III. Recall to order of Open Session Mr. Silverman recalled the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. The Pledge was recited. IV. Changes / Additions to the Agenda Taken off the Consent Agenda and placed under Business was item 1 on the Personnel Recommendations sheet regarding a discretionary leave of absence. V. Audience to Visitors (on agenda items only) Mr. Silverman addressed the audience with a statement regarding the restructuring plan explaining that Niles Township High School District had the second highest operating expense per pupil (OEPP) in the state which was not a desirable position. He stated that in order to keep the OEPP flat the District would need to reduce expenses by $5 million. The Board is only recommending $1 million in cuts. He stated it was about saving as many jobs as possible for as long as possible and for the good of the students. Thirteen people asked to speak on the Restructuring Plan: −

Pankaj Sharma, NTFT Union President, requested that the Board and administration keep an open mind while listening to the people requesting to speak. He also stated the hoped that many of the reductions could be handled through attrition.

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Tim Miller, mathematics teacher at Niles West, stated that in the 2010 report card, only 55% of the OEPP was attributed to instruction and 45% went to something else. He feels expenses should be cut that are not related to student learning.

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Dan Vander Jeugdt, Niles West, stated we have great facilities and a good health program. He did not understand why health should be embedded into physical welfare. He would like to see the program remain at 8 plus one not be changed to 7 plus. He stated fitness improved the ability to learn.

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Mark Egofske, Niles North, stated that in teaching health it was very important to build relationships with the students in order for them to be able to discuss difficult topics such as sex education. He believes that health should remain a “stand alone” program and that community partnerships would suffer if it did not remain so.

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Bryan Wittersheim, driver education teacher, thanked the Board and administration for the opportunity to teach driver education. He talked about what a great program currently exists in District 219, enhancing the safety of our students.

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Lisa Dunham, AS&T teacher at Niles West, stated that eliminating the birth to three program would hurt students going into professions such as teaching and pediatrics. She said it would also affect dual credit with Oakton Community College.

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Julie Lear, AS&T teacher at Niles North, said the birth to three elimination would hurt our relationship with the community as it is also used as a day care program.

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Angie Hankes, AS&T teacher at Niles North, requested that Business Law remain in the AS&T Department.

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Lou Metallo, AS&T teacher at Niles West, stated that he felt the Management class taught students to become leaders..

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Sherry Baehr, asked if the reduction in a librarian could be held off until 2012 when a retirement is scheduled.

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Pam Hendrix, Fine Arts teacher at Niles North, stated that an increase in class size to 30 would be too difficult in performance based classes.

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Scott Bramley and Andrew Jeter, Literacy Centers, stated that the staff needs to meet the changing needs of the students and does not feel any cuts in the IRC would be advisable at this time.

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Lisa Lipin, 4535 Davis Street, Niles North parent and community member, felt there was not enough communication to the community and the Board should wait and seek more parent/community input prior to voting on the restructuring.

Mr. Silverman thanked everyone for their input. VI. Community Representative Comments No one asked to speak. VII. Student Board Member Comments Chris Ahmad of Niles West Chris stated that a turn-about dance and finals were upcoming. Rizinia Hakimiyan of Niles North Rizinia stated that the winter sports were in full swing and everyone was getting ready for finals. VIII. Approval of Consent Agenda It was moved by SMITH and seconded by DONIGER to approve the amended consent agenda. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. Included in the consent agenda:

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Monthly Bills and Payroll in the amount of $8,602,401.13. Personnel − Approved the retirement of the following certified staff: POSITION/LOCATION NAME Meyer, Debora Applied Science and Technology / North −

Approved the employment of the following part-time/temporary staff for the 2010-2011 school year: NAME Busch, Kathleen Ference, Robert Iqal, Janet Zarnoff, Zachary

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EFFECTIVE 6/2015

POSITION/LOCATION Student Lab Assistant / West Textbook Center / North Textbook Center / West Fine Arts / West

RATE $8.25/Hr. $8.25/Hr. $8.25/Hr. $8.25/Hr.

EFFECTIVE 1/10/2011 1/10/2011 1/10/2011 1/10/2011

Approved the employment of the following stipend positions for the 2010-2011 school year: NILES WEST NAME Baseball Assistant Coach *Schram, Patrick Croatian Club Sponsor Bentle, Thomas NILES NORTH NAME Play 4, Other *Novak, Leah Play 5, Other Zavell, Anne Play 3, Other Allen, Mark Play 4, Other Allen, Mark (.5) *Indicates not a District 219 employee

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Approved the employment of the following substitute teachers for the 2010-2011 school year: NAME Gotta, Marie Houpis, Candice Ross, Beth Sheinfeld, Shifra Minutes − Approved the closed session minutes of the Special Closed Session Meeting of December 9, 2010. − Approved the open and closed session minutes of the December 13, 2010 Board of Education meeting. Rising Starts Restructuring Plan − Approved the restructuring plan for Rising Stars reporting as required by the Illinois State Board of Education. Payment to Niles Township Property Tax Appeals Cooperative − Approved the authorization for administration to pay $57,009.64 to the Niles Township Property Tax Appeals Cooperative for efforts undertaken on behalf of Niles Township High School District 219 in the property tax appeal arena. Donations to Auto Shop and Master Jedi Sci-Fi Club. − Accepted two donations from Charles Halevi, hardcover and softcover books to the Niles West Master Jedi Sci-Fi Club and from Gregory Schaffrath, a 1976 Pontiac Astre to the Niles West Auto Shop.

IX. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Gatta thanked everyone for attending the meeting and stated the comments were very thoughtful. She stated that the teachers provide an amazing service. She stated that a reallocation of resources was need in order to provide the opportunity for healthy students, good sports teams and college readiness. She stated the process would proceed. − Principals’ Report

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Mr. Kaine Osburn talked about athletics. The swim team upset Evanston, girls gymnastics were 3-2 overall, girls basketball had a 14-6 start, boys basketball is 9-6 and Niles West wresting team is holding their own. He stated that in Fine Arts the Orchestra Chamber would be performing and the student directors’ play would be presented. Dr. Ryan McTague stated that construction was going well. In athletics he said boys’ and girls’ basketball was great, boys swimming team beat Highland Park, the Wrestling Team was holding its own, the girls’ gymnastics team is currently number one in conference and hopes to take the conference meet and the cheerleading team is competing in conference on Wednesday. He said the winter band holiday concert was great. He promoted February Frenzy, sponsored by the Booster Club, that will be held at Maggiano’s. He encouraged everyone to participate. X. Board Members’ Comments Mr. Greenspan addressed the restructuring proposal. He stated it was a matter of efficiency as well as cost saving. Ms. Smith thanked the summer school committee for all of their input on programs and offerings. Ms. Klint mentioned the Pizza Wars conducted by the Education Foundation taking place on January 20th at 6::00 p.m. at Niles West. Proceeds would benefit the Foundation. XI. Board Committee Reports Policy Committee: Dr. Doniger stated a Policy Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 25th at 2:00 p.m. Facility Committee: Mr. Greenspan stated a survey was being conducted on what transportation our employees used to get to work. He also stated District 219 would receive $82,000 from ComEd thanks to the use of our co-generation usage. XII. Business −

Restructuring FY2011 The restructuring proposal is to: 1. Embed health in the sophomore PE course, i.e., in lieu of in addition to the PE requirement. (Reduce FTE 2.7). The Board changes policy regarding health requirements. 2. Further cap driver’s education, earliest birthdays enrolling first. (Reduce FTE.8) 3. Reduce and collapse junior and senior electives in physical welfare to staff more efficiently, particularly courses capped at 20. (Reduce FTE .2) 4. Eliminate 1 librarian for FY 12. 5. Increase summer school offerings. Offer as many sections of Health and Consumer Ed as requested for grades 9-12. Offer Math, English and Science both for advancement and remediation. 6. Increase class size in some fine arts courses to 30. 7. Eliminate Advanced Web Development (Reduce FTE .4) 8. Eliminate Child Development B-3 (Reduce FTE .2) 9. Change Child Development Workshop from Double Period to Single Period, and increase class size to 30 .4 currently, .2 next year and capped to allow absorption of students who would otherwise take CD/Nursery, (Reduce FTE .4) 10. Eliminate Marketing/ Advertising 2 (aka Sports and Entertainment Marketing) (Reduce FTE .4) 11. Eliminate Business Management (Reduce FTE .2) 12. Move Law to Social Studies Department (Reduce FTE .8 in AS&T) 13. Eliminate Tech Topics. (.2 ELL at West, .2 ELL at North, .2 Special Ed at Central) (Reduce FTE .6) 14. Remove AS&T from Lit Center/Point. (Reduce FTE .4) The following courses in AS&T have not run for years will formally be eliminated: Fashion Workshop 2 Interior Design 1 Interior Design 2 Adv. Web Design Consumer Auto Tech/Drafting

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15. Change Special Education health and consumer education to one semester course instead of two semesters (Reduce FTE .4) 16. Reduce co-teaching in Special Education for Science (Reduce FTE .8) a. Reduce by 3 sections in science b. Add a para-educator 17. Reduce up to 1.8 FTE in Special Education during staffing process with focus on allocation of FTE and number of sections in IIC. (Reduce FTE 1.8) 18. Reduce FTE in Lit Center for Social Studies (Reduce FTE .4) 19. Eliminate AS&T position in Lit Center (Reduce FTE .4) (Already counted in AS&T.) 20. Lit Center Coordinators teach one class (Reduce FTE .4) 21. Create 4 level offerings at the Junior year in English and Social Studies instead of 7 for staffing efficiency. (Reduce in FTE .2) 22. Reduce the number of senior electives and create staffing efficiencies in English and other departments. Increase rotation of electives to further staffing efficiencies. (Unknown change FTE) Reinvestments A. Math (Add 2.0-4.0 FTE, $300,000) 1. Investing in new extension courses for Algebra 12-22. (Add FTE 2.0-4.0) B. English (Add 1.4 FTE, $140,000) 2. Lower class size in English for sophomore year from 30 cap to 25. 24.6 sections District-wide with 30 seats is 29.6 sections District-wide if sections are capped at 25. (Add 1 FTE) 3. Debate course elective. (Add FTE .4) C. PAR (New costs offset by directors teaching) 4. Consulting Teachers removed from class (Add 1.0 FTE) Personnel Changes: Assign some directors to classroom to offset investment in PAR. It was moved by GREEMSPAN and seconded by EVANS to approve the restructuring plan for academic year 2011-12 as presented by administration to achieve the efficiencies in the operations for best student performance with the resulting target of no less than $1 million in savings. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. −

AP Report Discussion Dr. Roloff presented the Advanced Placement (AP) Test Results from May 2010. She stated that approximately 12-15 of our students take an AP course. While this is unacceptable, the issue is being addressed by moving students to higher academic levels through the placement process and acceleration opportunities hoping to see significant increases in percentages within the next few years.

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Policy and Procedural Changes – 2nd Reading It was moved by KLINT and seconded by DONIGER to approve the Policy and Procedural Changes presented at second reading. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. Included in the changes: 4:110-AP2 School Vehicle Post-Accident checklist 5:185 Family and Medical Leave 6:190-AP4 Student Group Trips 6:190-E3 Proposed Overnight Trip Worksheet

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6:282 6:280-AP2 7:285 −

Weighted Grades and Rank in class Standards for Promotion Food Allergy Management

Food Service Contract It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by VALFER to authorize the administration to give notice to the District’s current food service provided terminating the contract on June 9, 2011 and completing the bidding process in order to have a new service provider in place for June 17, 2011. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried.

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Personnel It was moved by KLINT and seconded by DONIGER to deny the request of untenured teacher Michelle Amaro a discretionary Leave of Absence. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried.

XIII. Old Business There was no old business. XIV. New Business There was no new business. XV. Audience to Visitors (on items related to District business) No one asked to speak. XVI. Correspondence and FOIA Requests Mr. O’Malley reported receiving FOIA requests from Michael Grace regarding transportation and monthly bills and Alicia Null regarding rights for performances. XVII. Information A check was received from ComEd for $82,648.17 as an incentive curtailment credit. XVIII. Adjournment It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by VALFER to adjourn the meeting. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.

President

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of January 10, 2011 

Secretary

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