School Board Niles Township District 219, Cook County, Illinois MINUTES Regular Board Meeting, Monday, February 6, 2006
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 6:42 p.m. Board members present at Roll Call: Michael Burnett, Sheri Doniger, Jeffrey Greenspan, Ruth Klint, Timothy Knudsen, Robert Silverman, Lynda Gault Smith. II. Executive Session It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by KNUDSEN to recess into closed session to discuss matters relating to student discipline, negotiations, litigation, and the employment, appointment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. The Board recessed into closed session at 6:42 p.m. At 7:50 p.m. it was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by KLINT to return to open session. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. III. Recall to Order of Open Session Mr. Silverman recalled the meeting to order at 7:55 p.m. The Pledge was recited. IV. Changes/Additions to the Agenda Added to the consent agenda was a personnel handout. Removed from the consent agenda was review and release of closed session minutes. V. Audience to Visitors No one asked to speak. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of February 6, 2006
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VI. Student Representative Comments Roshani Sheth and Nitasha Kassam from Niles West reviewed events that were going on at Niles West. They spoke of the portable music players pilot program where students may be allowed to use them in study hall. They will survey students on this program. Tessie Neuhauser and Catherine Davison spoke of upcoming events at Niles North. VII. Community Representative Comments No one asked to speak. VIII. Approval of Consent Agenda It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by KNUDSEN to accept the amended consent agenda. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. Included in the consent agenda: − Monthly Bills and Payroll in the amount of $4,503,500.53. − Personnel
Approve employment of Scott Dahlberg as Director – Social Studies, North and West, 205 days, for the 06‐07 school year at an annual salary of $104,000 effective 8/7/06.
Approve employment of the following certified staff for the 2005‐2006 school year:
NAME
POSITION
FTE
EFFECTIVE DATE
Bramley, Scott Gross, Rachel
English – North English – West
From .4 to 1.0 From .6 to 1.0
January 23 – June 7, 2006 January 23 – June 7, 2006
Approve employment of the following support staff effective February 7, 2006: NAME
POSITION/LOCATION
Al‐Bazi, Calvin Louie, Edwin
Senior Computer Technician – North, T3‐S1, 260 days 1.0 Computer Technician – North, T2‐S1, 260 days 1.0
Accept the resignation of Emily deGuzman‐Moutzouros Social Studies teacher – West effective February 6, 2006.
Accept the resignation of Jennifer Oswald, Teacher Assistant – Special Education ‐ North effective February 6, 2006.
Approve the retirement of Janet Hasselbring Math teacher – North effective 6/30/09.
Approve the leave of absence for the following support staff: NAME
POSITON/LOCATION
Ruiz, Deanna Secretary A – Guidance West
FTE
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TYPE OF LEAVE
EFFECTIVE DATE
FMLA – Unpaid
1/19/06 – 3/10/06
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of February 6, 2006
Approve the following stipend positions for the 2005‐2006 school year: NAME *Crossen, Julie *Hogendorp, Kevin *Riportella, Deanne *Rosenthal, Adam
POSITION/LOCATION Play 5 “Other” – West Assistant Girls Soccer Coach – North Assistant Boys Volleyball Coach – West Play 4 “Other” – West
* Not a District 219 employee
Approve the following teacher substitutes for the 2005‐2006 school year: Jones, John Joseph, Joyce Lee, Susie
McCarthy, Patricia O’Donnell, Patrick Puccini, Stacey
Weiss, Jodi Yaro, Sargon
Approve Leah Passman as a clerical substitute for the 2005‐2006 school year.
− Minutes of 1/17/06 and 1/24/06 Meetings, Open and Closed Sessions − Pinnacle Gradebook Servers Upgrade to authorize the purchase of Pinnacle Gradebook servers from Dell at a cost not to exceed $16,416.60. IX. Superintendent’s Report Mr. Codell said the Education Leaders meeting will take place March 2 and all feeder schools board members have been invited. Niles North Science teacher Jacki Naughton was appointed to the IMSA board by Governor Blagojevich. Mr. Codell said the administration has discussed and closed some websites that are beyond provocative. Guy Ballard explained that Myspace.com is classified as a dating site and also a web log. When you sign on to this site you tell individuals about yourself and give and share profiles. This site has become rather disturbing. Web predators have gone into this site to gain people’s confidence. He has surveyed local high schools and all have blocked this site. Our Acceptable Use Policy is for educational use. Since this is a dating site, the administration feels comfortable in blocking it. A letter is going out to parents explaining what the schools are doing. A training session for parents regarding cyber predators will be offered. Sheena Dev said some students are concerned that deans will search these sites to see what information students have placed on these sites to see if they have violated the Code of Conduct. The administration said they are not planning on doing this and further stated they do not have the manpower to do this research. Mr. Codell said he was interviewed by Chicago Tonight for a PBS series on school funding. The legislators may be heading in a direction that would take money from solvent schools to assist schools that are running at a deficit. − Principals’ Report Robert Freeman said the Rock for Kids/Relay for Life assembly was successful. Students learned about a lot of different ways they can get involved in activities. The orchestra has been invited to perform at the 60th Anniversary of The Midwest Clinic on December 19‐23, 2006. Mr. Freeman also commented on upcoming events. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of February 6, 2006
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Dale Vogler said Second City was a huge success and raised over $12,000. The auditorium was full for incoming freshmen night. The ACT prep program started this week with over 180 students enrolled. X. Board Members’ Comments Tim Knudsen said he attended a meeting with a citizens group and there were complaints regarding school property tax increases. Jeffrey Greenspan said he attended Second City and it was a wonderful event. Mr. Silverman agreed and said he thought the students did a fantastic job. XI. Board Committee and Other Reports Facilities Committee – Mr. Greenspan said a meeting date will be set. XII. Business Math Center Update Lisa Stone, along with teachers Sean Delahanty and Shoshana Goldman, and student tutor Alla Sutin, talked to the Board on different aspects of the Math Center. It was explained that the center is open all day and assists students in clarifying concepts, working on homework and preparing for makeup exams. They also answer many science questions and do PSAE preparation. Dr. Stein said the Math and Literacy Centers are positive responses to help students. Advanced Placement Report for May 2005 Dr. Stein reviewed the data for the 2005 tests compared to the previous four years. The Board asked for a breakdown of scores by course. There was a discussion as to why AP enrollment may be going down at Niles North. Sheena Dev said that teacher reputation makes a difference when students are selecting courses for the following year. Jeffrey Greenspan noted that if counselors encouraged students to take AP classes it may help increase enrollment. Mark Wilson said he started analyzing data last year to see where students stop taking more rigorous coursework. His results will not help increase enrollment for this year, but may help for 2007. There was discussion that the cost factor of taking the AP tests may discourage students from doing so. It was also noted that some colleges may not give college credit for certain or duplicate courses. Mr. Wilson also said that students who do well in global studies are being encouraged to take AP Psychology in their sophomore year to introduce them to AP courses. He noted that if this is done, students need to have help to succeed. Dr. Stein said he has been visiting feeder schools to explain the Explore test and how to introduce test requirements into their curriculum. It was noted that Explore test results are shared with feeder schools along with semester grades for all class levels. The board requested that in next year’s report a section be added as to what has been done to increase enrollment by department and by course and also a breakdown of students taking three or more AP courses.
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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of February 6, 2006
Preventative Maintenance Agreement for Generating Plants It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by GREENSPAN to authorize the administration to enter into a contractual agreement for maintenance of our generating plants with Cummins NPower at a cost of $44,535 per year per generating plant with an inflation factor of 3% for subsequent years beginning February 6, 2006. The Facilities Committee reviewed the contractual agreement for maintenance. Mr. Yeggy stated that at 15,000 hours a major overhaul will be needed and will not be reached during this contract. Our staff is trained to do some maintenance but any significant maintenance needs to be done by certified individuals. Mr. Knudsen noted that the costs are almost double of the last agreement. Mr. Yeggy stated the 2004‐2006 version required 3,000 hours, and this proposed agreement requires 1,710 and if more is used there is an additional factor. These figures took into account 300 hours per year for summer school provisions. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. Voting Nay: Knudsen. The motion carried. Purchase of Replacement Low Volume Copiers
It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by DONIGER to accept the proposal from Canon Business Solutions to purchase 42 copiers during fiscal years 2006 and 2007 in an amount not to exceed $101,495. The existing copiers will be disposed of in the most economical way. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. Voting Nay: Knudsen. The motion carried. Community Relations Plan It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by GREENSPAN to authorize the implementation of the Community Relations plan for the 2006‐07 school year at a cost of $71,280; cost not to exceed the budget approved allowances for the Community Relations Department. Mr. Burnett asked and was assured that the budget will not increase for the 2006‐07 school year. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of February 6, 2006
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A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. Voting Nay: Knudsen. The motion carried. 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 Mr. Yeggy noted there were two FOIA requests received regarding transportation that have been addressed. XVII. Closed Session It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by GAULT SMITH to recess into closed session to discuss matters relating to review of closed session minutes and the employment, appointment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees and adjourn therefrom with possible action to be taken. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m. _________________________________
______________________________
Vice President
Secretary
MINUTES APPROVED FEBRUARY27, 2006.
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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of February 6, 2006
