School Board Niles Township District 219, Cook County, Illinois MINUTES Monday, January 9, 2012 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 6:45 p.m. Board Members present at roll call: Sheri Doniger, Jeffrey Greenspan, Ruth Klint, Robert Silverman, Lynda Smith, Eileen Valfer. ABSENT: Carlton Evans II. Closed Session It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by KLINT 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, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. The Board recessed into closed session at 6:45 p.m. III. Open Session At 7:45 p.m. it was moved by DONIGER and seconded by KLINT to return to open session. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. IV. Recall to Order Mr. Silverman recalled the meeting to order at 7:55 p.m. The Pledge was recited. V. Changes / Additions to the Agenda There were no changes or additions to the agenda. VI. Audience to Visitors (on agenda items only) No one asked to speak. VII. Student Representative Comments − Niles North – Sonali Patel talked about the International Winter Party where 12 different nationalities performed and 300 students came and shared food. In athletics, the boys’ swimming and diving team is undefeated and girls’ gymnastics will be having their senior night. − Niles West - Cody Lefkowitz stated the Holiday Band concert was great, the seniors had the last hot chocolate with the principal. He stated that even through the school was closed for winter break, a sporting event going on almost every day. He announced that Wednesday, January 11 would be the egg drop. He said the Fine Arts would be performing World Festival of Plays January 12-14 and the Jazz Band/Flute Concert would be on February 1. He also announced that financial aid night would be January 11. Regular Session Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2012
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VIII. Community Representative Comments No one asked to speak. IX. Approval of Consent Agenda Prior to the motion on approval of the Consent Agenda Mrs. Klint asked that the minutes of the December 12, 2011 Board of Education meeting be revised to indicate her comments regarding EPAC and the School Day Committee. The comments were actually made at the November 14, 2011 meeting, thus the Consent Agenda was approved as follows and the changes have been made as requested to the November 14, 2011 Board of Education Meeting Minutes. It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by SMITH to approve the Consent Agenda. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. Included in the consent agenda were: − Monthly Bills and Payroll in the amount of $5,800,201.84. − Personnel − Approved the employment of the following certified staff for second semester of the 20112012 school year: NAME POSITION FTE EFFECTIVE 1/9/2012 Hanson, Courtney English – MA / Step 10 .4 (Increased from .6 previously approved 7/25/11) −
Approved the employment of the following support staff for the 2011-2012 school year: NAME POSITION FTE EFFECTIVE Cejovic, Filip Main Office Coordinator 1.0 1/10/2012 S3-Step 3, 188 days IRC Extended Hours 1.0 1/10/2012 Stallard, Kelly S1-Step 1, 186 days
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Approved the following certified unpaid leave of absence for the 2011-2012 school year: POSITION / LOCATION TYPE OF LEAVE LEAVE FTE NAME Yoo, Judy English / West Professional 30% Development (Previously approved for 70% at 5/9/11 BOE meeting)
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Approved the retirement of the following certified staff: NAME POSITION/LOCATION Cheng, Joy Psychologist / Niles Central Dobinsky, Susan Foreign Languages / North Holman, Betsy History / North Howes, Elizabeth Special Education / North Jackson, Anthony Science / North Klayman, Marcy Special Education / North Sacks, Joyce Special Education / North Tulley, Hillary Science / North
EFFECTIVE June, 2017 June, 2017 June, 2017 June, 2017 June, 2017 June, 2017 June, 2017 June, 2017
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Approved the retirement of the following support staff: NAME POSITION/LOCATION Mack, Steve Buildings and Grounds / North
EFFECTIVE 12/30/2013
− Approved the resignation of the following support staff: Regular Session Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2012
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NAME Hellman, Teresita
POSITION/LOCATION Paraprofessional, Special Education / North
EFFECTIVE 1/9/2012
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Approved the employment of the following part-time/temporary staff for the 2011-12 school year: NAME POSITION/LOCATION RATE EFFECTIVE Green, LaShawn Textbook Center / West $8.25/Hr. 1/9 2012
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Approved the employment of the following stipend positions for the 2011-2012 school year: NAME NILES NORTH Boys Volleyball, Assistant *Kravtsov, Michael Girls Soccer, Assistant Coach *Elkins, Paul *Indicates not a District 219 employee
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Approved the employment of the following substitute teacher for the 2011-2012 school year: Yates, James
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Approved the meeting minutes of the December 12, 2011 Board of Education Meeting, both open and closed sessions.
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Approved the international student trip to Guatemala for 10 Niles North and Niles West students from March 25, 2012 to April 1, 2012 at no cost to the District.
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Reviewed the Board of Education Closed Session Meeting Minutes from August 10, 2009 through November 14, 2011 and decided not to release those minutes due to the confidentiality of the issues discussed during that period and to destroy audio tapes of closed session meetings prior to June of 2010.
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Accepted the donation of a hanging leg raise machine to Niles North from Skokie School District 68.
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Authorized Franczek Radelet P.C. to act on District 219’s behalf in the Niles Township Property Tax Appeals Cooperative regarding tax objection complaints.
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Authorized payment in the amount of $35,056.94 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.
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Approved the Rising Stars School and District Improvement Plans in the new reporting format required by the Illinois State Board of Education.
X. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Gatta spoke about the third annual Coming Together in Skokie, this year featuring Assyrian culture, and showed the new brochure listing all the upcoming events. She then gave a recap of what has been done thus far with School Day starting with January 2011. She talked about the School Day Survey, reviewed the timelines and involvement of all the different constituent groups. She stated that the final report from the committee is due January 31, 2012. It is understood that any changes to the current school day would need to be negotiated by the Board and the Union. Principals’ Report Dr. Ryan McTague reported on athletics and boys’ basketball coming off of four straight wins and girls’ basketball doing well also. He mentioned cheerleading taking second place and making a great showing in some really tough competition and was hopeful of capturing the illusive conference title. The Vikettes hosted an Illinois Invitational with 36 teams participating which was also a fund raising project to raise money for the team to go to nationals. He talked about the Niles North Night Regular Session Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2012
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of Champions where 50 graduated athletes returned. He stated this was done after graduation since it was felt the athletes were honored all year long and it was nice to invite them back. He also hosted a Captains’ Breakfast with the Principal stating it was nice to meet with the leaders of the teams. He also encouraged everyone to participate in the February Frenzy to be held February 11, 2012 at Maggiano’s hosted by the Booster Parents. He thanked everyone who attended the Holiday Concerts. He stated the Fine Arts Parents’ fundraiser featuring “Home Free” was a huge success. He stated how proud he was of North’s Debate Team. They were co-champions in a Florida competition taking first and second overall. He talked about the Prairie Restoration Project and being highlighted in the Westfield Shopping Center Newsletter. He stated the North Star will go live at the end of January. Dr. McTague talked about the School Day and all the different ways he has presented it to parents, students, and staff along with opportunities for feedback. Mr. Kaine Osburn mentioned that the West Debate Team has received National Charter membership. He stated that winter sports continued through the break and invited everyone to see the new gymnasium, with all the banners hanging, which he feels is now the nicest in the CSL. Niles West has five new National Board Certified teachers: Daniel Horyn, Andrew Roche, Jayson Foster, David Klingenberger and Anthony Serafini. He thanked everyone who attended the holiday assemblies. He mentioned everyone gearing up for exams and 2012-13 registration for incoming freshmen. He mentioned Pizza Wars coming up on January 19 at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. He stated that this year staff will be treated to pizza wars instead of going out of the building. His meeting on School Day with parents was held December 14th and it had the largest attendance ever. On December 19th department meetings were held and the School Day video was viewed. He also met with student government and Ms. Ogulnik provided a Google document for feedback. Board Members’ Comments Dr. Doniger stated she attended Hot Chocolate with the Principal at both buildings. All the students were energetic and appreciative. She thanked the principals for allowing her to attend and they in turn thanked her for attending. She also stated she enjoyed the performance of Xanadu. Mrs. Klint stated she felt both schools looked great. She saw Phantom Toll Booth. She stated she is always proud of our schools and students and the spirit of the students and staff. Mr. Silverman stated he attended the Holiday Concert at Niles North and is always moved by the Alleluia chorus. He stated this year’s event was standing-room only. XI. Board Committee Reports EPAC – Mrs. Valfer started by saying she wanted to thank Karen Johnson, a West parent and District 71 school board member, who lead the EPAC meeting. The discussion centered around: • High school credit for classes taken during middle school, namely, for mathematics. • Honors Level Classes which has been tabled • Physical Welfare single gender classes. She stated that Mr. Swanson presented pros and cons for single versus co-gender classes. He stated that overall it was in the best interests of the students to have the co-gender classes and that opt-out consideration would be given on an individual basis. • Withdraw Passing/Failing – it was felt cleaner language needed to be written but will not affect GPA. • Attendance – this issue is tabled until February 9th • School Day – Mrs. Valfer stated that some members of EPAC felt this had already been decided and she assured them that information was still being gathered. Facilities Committee – Mrs. Greenspan stated the bid for aquatics had gone out and a bidders meeting will be scheduled. A schedule of events will be put together by Mr. O’Malley. XII. Business Summer School It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by SMITH to approve the three parts of the Summer School Resolution: 1) Calendar-Beginning Date: Friday, June 15, 2012 and ending Date Friday, July 27, 2012 with a non-attendance Day of Wednesday, July 4, 2012. 2) Extended School Day Regular Session Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2012
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offering a six-week Consumer Education and Health from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45p.m. and 3) Tuition and Fees: Tuition – D219 Students (semester non-Lab) $150 Tuition – D219 Students (semester Lab) $165 Tuition-Out-of-District Students (semester non-Lab course) $175 Tuition-Out-of-District Students (semester Lab course) $190 Driver Education (In District Students only) $400 Registration Fee – In district (semester course) $50 Registration Fee – Out-of-District (semester course) $100 Bus Pass – 30 rides $50 Bus Pass – 60 rides $100 Bus Pass – 8 rides $14 Bus Pass – 18 rides $30 Voting Aye: Doniger, 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 that a letter had been received from Lisa Madigan wanting to know why a previous FOIA had been denied regarding student records of a former student. That response is being drafted and will be submitted. XVII. Information Items No information items were presented. XVIII. Adjournment It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by VALFER to adjourn the meeting. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Smith, Valfer. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
President
Secretary
Minutes approved February 6, 2012.
Regular Session Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2012
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