School Board Niles Township District 219, Cook County, Illinois MINUTES Regular Board Meeting Monday, October 6, 2008 The meeting was held in the Board Room of the District Office located at 7700 Gross Point Road, Skokie, Illinois. I. Call to Order and Roll Call Board President Robert Silverman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Board members present at Roll Call: Sheri Doniger, Carlton Evans, Jeffrey Greenspan, Ruth Klint, Robert Silverman, Lynda Smith. II. Executive Session It was moved by GREENSPAN and seconded by EVANS to recess into closed session to discuss matters relating to student discipline and the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith. The motion carried. The Board recessed into closed session at 7:05 p.m. At 7:45 p.m. it was moved by DONIGER and seconded by EVANS to return to open session. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith. The motion carried. III. Recall to Order of Open Session Ms. Smith recalled the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. The Pledge was recited. IV. Changes/Additions to the Agenda Added to the consent agenda was a personnel issue and a student discipline issue. Removed from the consent agenda were three student trips, Niles North theatre, and two Niles North vocal jazz trips. V. Audience to Visitors No one asked to speak. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 6, 2008
Page 1 of 7
VI. Student Representative Comments Amy Amin spoke about the events that took place for Homecoming. VII. Community Representative Comments No one asked to speak. VIII. Approval of Consent Agenda It was moved by SMITH and seconded by DONIGER to accept the amended consent agenda. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith. The motion carried. Included in the consent agenda: − Monthly Bills and Payroll in the amount of $5,098,303.78. − Personnel •
Approve employment of the support staff Linda Leung as Teacher Assistant/ Foreign Language & ELL ‐ North, P1‐S4, 186 days effective 9/29/08.
•
Approve employment of the following temporary/part‐time staff effective 10/7/08:
•
•
NAME
POSITION/LOCATION
RATE
Antonow, Alexander Chiu, Rita Khan, Maryam Orange, Bethsaida Ortiz, Samuel Rana, Pavan Shah, Mihir
Audio Visual Intern – West Textbook Center Assistant – West IRC Assistant –North IRC Assistant – North Textbook Center Assistant – West Audio Visual Intern – North Audio Visual Intern – North
$8.00/Hr. $7.75/Hr. $7.75/Hr. $7.75/Hr. $7.75/Hr. $8.00/Hr. $8.00/Hr.
Approve the following certified staff leave of absence for the 2008‐09 school year: NAME
POSITION/LOCATION
TYPE OF LEAVE
Trzaskus, Susan
Science – North
FMLA – Unpaid 11/3/08‐1/15/08
Approve employment of the following stipend positions for the 2008‐09 year: SCHOOL
POSITION
NAME
Niles North Niles North Niles North Niles West Niles Central
Assyrian Club Hellenic Club Assistant Wrestling Coach Mock Trial Team Dean of Students
Al‐Bazi, Carmen Bentle, Thomas *Priban, Jeffrey Belleau, Michael Frampton, John
* Indicates not a District 219 employee
•
Approve the following disciplinary actions: CASE#
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
2009‐01 2009‐02
Suspension without Pay – 2 days (10/14 & 10/15/08) Resignation and General Release Page 2 of 7
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 6, 2008
•
Approve the termination of probationary employee Wendy Gillman, Secretary B, Special Education – West, 191 days, effective October 2, 2008.
•
Approve the resignation of support staff Laurie Volocyk Secretary B, Pupil Personnel Services – North, effective October 31, 2008.
•
Approve employment of the following substitute teachers for the 2008‐09 year: Papaioannou, Vasilios Truong, Hoang Carey, Sharon Patlak, Daniel Weyna, Patricia Key, Brian Pinson, Theo Ziubrzynski, Stan Levin, Mitchell Sawosko, Walter
− Minutes of 9/15/08 Meeting, open and closed sessions. − Student Trips − For one North RIOT Club student to attend the Women in Entrepreneurship symposium in Albany, New York on November 6‐8, 2008 at a cost to the District of $220. − For approximately 25 North drama students to attend the Illinois High School Theatre Festival in Champaign on January 8‐10, 2009 at a cost to the District of $8,487. − For 89 West orchestra and wind ensemble members to attend a trip to Washington, D.C. on January 16‐21, 2009 at a cost to the District of $440. − Textbooks for an anticipated total cost of $3,735. IX. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Gatta thanked the community for their support and turnout for the school events celebrating Niles West 50th and Homecoming. She said it was an exciting weekend. −
Principals’ Report Mr. Freeman spoke of events scheduled for North’s Homecoming. He is starting a program where he and the assistant principals have lunch with students to discuss school issues.
Mr. Osburn said West conducted a site evacuation and it went very well. The Names assemblies were held and they have over 50 leaders. Over 400 people attended the tour of Niles West that was conducted yesterday. Many staff members were present and students performed. X. Board Members’ Comments Ruth Klint attended the LICA meeting and said she appreciates the co‐mingling of this group. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 6, 2008
Page 3 of 7
Bob Silverman said three or four weeks ago the Foundation sold 60 tickets to the West 50th Event and were concerned about over committing. Over 500 people attended the event which was a well organized, fantastic event. XI. Board Committee Reports Daycare – Agendas are set. A 10/10 meeting is scheduled with the potential daycare provider and a 11/3 planning meeting is scheduled. Facility Committee ‐ A meeting is scheduled for 10/15 at 7:30 p.m. where Paul Babski will do a presentation and the six classroom and daycare addition. Policy Committee – A meeting is scheduled for 10/8 to discuss field trips. Changes discussed at the 9/22 meeting are on tonight’s agenda. XII. Business Student Trips The North trip to New York City was discussed. It was questioned if the District should cover the cost. It was clarified that when students perform the District pays. At this proposed trip the students will present workshops. It was moved by SMITH and seconded by DONIGER to approve 20 North stu‐ dents to go on a theatre trip to New York, New York on March 24‐27, 2009 at no cost to the District. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith. The motion carried. The North vocal jazz trips were discussed. It was clarified that the Decatur trip is in state and District funds will be used; the Kalamazoo trip is out of state and activity funds will be used. It was moved by SMITH and seconded by DONIGER to approve North vocal jazz and choir trips for 58 members to attend the Milikin Vocal Jazz Festival in Decatur, Illinois on February 20‐21, 2009 at a cost to the District of $6,662 and for 50 members to attend the Midwest Vocal Jazz Invitational in Kalamazoo, Michigan on March 20‐21, 2009 at no cost to the District. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith. The motion carried.
Page 4 of 7
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 6, 2008
Policy Changes – 1st Reading The Board reviewed the common assessment proposal. It was noted that CSSI has had discussions on this for the past two years. The intent is to enhance student’s learning. There are a large number of teachers that currently use common assessments for courses. There are three phases to this proposal and the hope is to have grading scales restructuring done by the end of the 2010. Policy Changes – 2nd Reading It was moved by SMITH and seconded by DONIGER to approve all proposed policy changes except Policy 4:20. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith. The motion carried. The following policy changes were approved: 2:105 2:120 4:10 4:30 4:40 4:45 4:50 4:55 4:80 4:90 4:100 4:110 4:120 4:130 4:160 4:170 5:60 6:20 6:310 8:22
Ethics and Gift Ban Board Member Development Fiscal and Business Management Revenue and Investments Incurring Debt Insufficient Fund Checks Payment Procedures Use of Credit and Procurement Cards Accounting and Audits Activity Funds Insurance Management Transportation Food Services Free and Reduced‐Price Food Services Hazardous and Infectious Materials Safety Expenses School Year Calendar and Day Credit for Alternative Courses and Programs, and Course Substitutions Supplemental Recreational, Athletic, and Other Enrichment Activities
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 6, 2008
Page 5 of 7
It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by SMITH to approve Policy 4:20 Fund Balances. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Klint, Silverman, Smith. Voting Nay: Greenspan. The motion carried. 2008 PSAE Report Anne Roloff reviewed this report and stated that scores have remained stable over time even with the change in population. For the first time limited English proficiency students took the reading portion of the PSAE. It was noted that the comparison is not of the same students; results are from 11th graders for the test year. The state has required North to develop a restructuring plan and this will be done in a manner very similar to what was done at West last year. The Board questioned PSAE scores going down while the ACT scores increased. It was clarified that the PSAE scores are from the Class of 2008 while the ACT scores are from the Class of 2009. The Board asked that in the future a report of disaggregated numbers be presented, to show the growth of students that have attended school in Niles Township for a period of time, as opposed to recent transfers. The Board also requested a report showing scores without the LEP students. Dr. Roloff stated that no surrounding school made AYP. It was noted that we are a very successful school district and have numerous programs to assist students. Using one test given on one day to measure student achievement is not a good scale indicator. Dr. Roloff said Niles West has been selected to be part of a national measurement program. 2008 School Report Cards It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by KLINT to approve the 2008 School Report Cards. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith. The motion carried.
Page 6 of 7
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 6, 2008
Class of 2008 ACT Report The scores reflect the last test a student took. The Board asked for a report by removing the top and bottom 15%. The Board also requested a report for students that did not attend our sender schools. XIII. Old Business There was no old business. XIV. New Business There was no new business. XV. Audience to Visitors No one asked to speak. XVI. Correspondence and FOIA Requests Two FOIA requests were received – one for bid results on the classroom addition and a residency FOIA. XVII. Information Items •
Procedures 6:280‐AP1 Repeating Courses 6:280‐AP3 Grading
XVIII. Adjournment It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by KLINT to adjourn the meeting. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Evans, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. _________________________________
______________________________
President
Secretary
Minutes approved October 27, 2008.
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 6, 2008
Page 7 of 7
