School Board Niles Township District 219, Cook County, Illinois MINUTES

Regular Board Meeting, Tuesday, October 10, 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 6:24 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 GAULT SMITH and seconded by BURNETT 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 6:24 p.m. At 7:52 p.m. it was moved by BURNETT and seconded by DONIGER 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 Removed from the consent agenda were student trips. Added to the consent agenda was a personnel handout, personnel item discussed in closed session and a student discipline matter discussed in closed session. V. Audience to Visitors No one asked to speak. VI. Student Representative Comments Lindsey Liese said there will be an ECC breakfast with the Board on November 8. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 10, 2006 

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Carly Valfer said the Homecoming events went very well. Charities are being discussed with Niles West and a selection will be made soon. Students are very happy that the resource centers have been reopened and that the Student Commons area is available for students. Max Berman and Jill Klein from Student Senate said IPODs can be used in the IRC and students are enjoying this. They are discussing drafting a new constitution and are discussing having a ‘senior commons’ area somewhere in the school. VII. Community Representative Comments No one asked to speak. VIII. Approval of Consent Agenda It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by DONIGER 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 $3,623,935.84 − Personnel •

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Approve the employment of the following certified staff: NAME

POSITION/LOCATION

FTE

EFFECTIVE DATE

Curtis, Janice

ESL – West, MA-Step 8

.2

October 3, 2006

Approve the employment of the following part-time/temporary staff for the 2006-07 school year effective 10/11/06: NAME Apostol, Gian Chang, Haesun Ham, Martin Ismaili, Alinawaz Jung, Lucy Kadet, Jonathan Khan, Usman Mathew, John Nissan, Linora Park, Ki Tack Peterson, Sonia

 

POSITION/LOCATION Girls Volleyball – North Science Lab Assistant – West Girls Volleyball – North Technical Intern – North IRC Assistant – North Technical Intern – North Main Office Assistant – West Girls Volleyball – North IRC Assistant – North Science Lab Assistant – West Lifeguarding Assistant – North

HOURLY RATE $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $8.00 $6.00 $8.00. $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00.

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Approve the retirement of certified staff Donna Virklan, College & Career Counselor – North effective June 30, 2009.

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Approve the retirement of support staff Linda Edgecombe, Executive Secretary II – District effective September 30, 2010.

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Approve the leave of absence for certified staff Frances Bogart, English – North, FMLA – Unpaid effective 12/1/06 – 1/18/07.

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Approve employment of Kathleen Reifsnyder as a clerical substitute for the 2006-07 school year: Page 2 of 8

Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 10, 2006 

   

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Approve employment of the following teacher substitutes for the 2006-07 school year: Busch, Mary Kotowski, Cheryl Goldflies, Ryan Schecter, Brittany

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Approve the following stipend positions for the 2006-07 school year.

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NILES NORTH STIPENDS

NAME

Girls Cross Country Baseball Assistant Coach

Swedberg, Andrew *Zagorski, Ronald

NILES WEST STIPENDS

NAME

Brzezinski, Benjamin Internet Club *Rathke, Charlotte Play 3 Assistant *George, Steven Play 2 Other Mikula, Sharon (50%) W.Y.S.E Indicates not a District 219 employee Accept the resignation of Maureen Clark – Clerk A-Library Extended Hours – North effective October 13, 2006.

− Minutes of 9/18/06, open and closed sessions. − 2006-2007 Applications for Recognition of Schools for Niles North, Niles West and Off Campus Learning Center. − Student Fundraisers North North North West West West West

Fine Arts Athletics (Baseball) Athletics (Baseball) Student Activities (Sophomore Cabinet) Student Activities (School Chest) Student Activities (School Chest) Fine Arts (Choir)

D. Gregerman/D. Garta T. Tichy T. Tichy A. Forman D. Lichterman/P. Sharma D. Lichterman/P. Sharma P. Bachman

− Student Discipline – To accept the hearing officer’s October 3, 2006 report on Student #2007-01 and to expel Student #2007-01 for the remainder of the 2006-07 school year and provide alternative schooling with transportation. IX. Superintendent’s Report Neil Codell said Rotary is having a pancake breakfast Sunday. The Village of Skokie is having an open house on October 22. Mr. Codell spoke of the recent violence in schools. He said the district works diligently to ensure that students and staff are as safe as possible. He said the administration reflects daily on security in the schools. − Principals’ Report Bob Freeman said the freshman transfer student open house had a great turnout and extremely favorable parent response. The Homecoming football game was the first shutout in 20 years. The Principal’s Recognition Breakfast is tomorrow morning and a Partner Meeting will be held tomorrow evening for all parents. Pam Frontzak was awarded a grant for her recycling efforts. Tim Ortmann has been nominated for the Golden Apple Award. Mr. Codell gave the report for Niles West, and said the Peace Jam Conference in Denver attended by the Peer Mediators was very motivational for the students. Dale Vogler said a fine arts open house was held and attended by 350 parents. There was a freshman open house with over 500 parents in attendance. A You Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 10, 2006 

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Make a Difference breakfast will be held on October 25. The first of four Parent Conferences will take place on October 21. X. Board Members’ Comments Ruth Klint spoke on the VIpass which allows any junior or senior with a 2.0 GPA and in good standing to check out of study hall and go to the Student Commons. She said she is concerned as the District promotes high academic achievement and by having such a low GPA as the deciding factor for a privilege sends a mixed message. She asked that the GPA be removed from the criteria for having this opportunity and noted that GPA is not considered when offering off campus rights. A lengthy discussion ensued with all Board members voicing their concerns. Issues that came up as a result of this discussion was the fear that the resource centers will have reduced visitors, which Bob Freeman said he is monitoring via the swipe system and attendance is still high in all centers. It was stated that Student Association proposed the 2.0 GPA criteria and it was tied to the fact that some limit was needed so as not to have to turn students away for fear of overcrowding. Lynda Gault Smith said she did her annual visit to a life skills cooking class and was overwhelmed with the improved reading skills of the students. Bob Silverman thanked Bob Freeman for his work in cultivating an environment of respect at Niles North. Tim Knudsen stated Illinois has improved in ACT’s for the fifth year in a row and Niles Township has gone down in scores for the last five years. He also said that he was slammed in a recent Westword editorial by Seth Motel and quoted from the last Board meeting. Since Seth was not at the meeting, Mr. Knudsen suggested that Seth was prompted to write a disparaging article about him from someone in the administration. Lindsey Leise stated that she works on the Westword and Seth receives his information from watching the board meetings online. XI. Board Committee and Other Reports Policy Committee – there is a meeting on October 11 at 2:00 p.m. Facility Committee – Jeff Greenspan said they did a tour last week of three different facilities that have turf fields. XII. Business Summer School Report Dr. Stein spoke of the courses that were offered this past summer and the success of enrollment. Ryan McTague said the idea of creating new opportunities for students and offering readiness programs has given incoming freshman a boost before school starts in the fall. They are discussing adding more programs next year. Susan Husselbee said summer school was able to cover its costs last year. Enrollment and revenue were up whereas costs were kept down this past summer. She recommends no fee increase for next year.

 

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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 10, 2006 

   

The discussion focused on possibly offering the current two hour a day for six weeks classes in a four hour a day for a three week session. Dr. Stein feels this is too condensed. Ryan McTague said this may be attractive to students as well as to staff. It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by DONIGER to approve the summer school tuition, fees and bus pass rates remain the same as 2006 with $125 per semester for District 219 residents for non lab courses and $140 per semester for lab courses, $150 for out of district students for non lab courses and $165 per semester for lab courses, $325 for driver education, $25 registration fee, bus pass of $50 for 30 rides and $100 for 60 rides and have the summer school 2007 begin June 15, 2007 and end July 27, 2007 with no attendance on July 4, 2005. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. Voting Nay: Greenspan. The motion carried. Niles West Capital Projects – Science Lab Change Order It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by GREENSPAN to approve the Contract Revision #1 to Ernie Peterson Plumbing, Inc. in the amount of ($6,973.22). Mr. Knudsen question why the scanning of the floor was not done to cause this reduction. Gerry Yeggy will respond to this question when he returns. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. Purchases Theater Lighting – Niles West It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by DONIGER to accept the bid of $8,544.99 from Secoa for the purchase of theater lighting for Niles West. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. Musical Instruments It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by DONIGER to accept the bids of $3,623 from Music & Arts Centers, $3,134 from NEMC, $4,1717 from Sam Ash Music and $1,420 from the The Woodwind and Brasswind for the purchase of musical instruments for Niles West. Mr. Knudsen questioned the need for these instruments. Teralyn Keith explained that music students are expected to own their own instruments. When they get Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 10, 2006 

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to the high school level they may be asked to play a more advanced level piece of equipment and that is when the school purchases. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. Voting Nay: Knudsen. The motion carried. Student Trips Aventure Francaise Tim Knudsen asked for policy clarification on using school district money for a trip that is not a competition. It was noted that the school district portion is for the bus and substitutes. Mr. Codell said the policy allows the Board to make exception. There was discussion of when does something cross the line and it was noted that previously we asked students to do fundraisers for out of state competitions, rather than having the district pay for these events. There was also a comment of the need to start looking at trips as costs get higher and higher and may become cost prohibitive for some students. The principals said they will pay for the buses and substitutes out of their activity accounts. It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by BURNETT to allow 15 North and West students to attend a French Immersion weekend in Chesterton, Indiana on October 20-22, 2006 at no cost to the District. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. Voting Nay: Knudsen. The motion carried. The Board asked that the sponsor provide an itinerary for this trip. Mr. Greenspan asked that the administration look at equality for Illinois Theatre Festival It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by BURNETT to approve 30 West students to attend the Illinois Theatre Festival in Champaign, Illinois on January 4-6, 2007 at a cost to the District of $2,434.00 and 32 North students to attend the Illinois Theatre Festival in Champaign, Illinois on January 4-6, 2007 at a cost to the District of $5,912.00. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. Voting Nay: Knudsen. The motion carried.  

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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 10, 2006 

   

Science Olympiad It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by DONIGER to approve 28 West students to attend the Science Olympiad competition in Champaign, Illinois on April 20-21, 2007 at a cost to the District of $3,191.69. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. Niles West Orchestra Trip to Europe It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by BURNETT to approve approximately 50 students to attend the 2007 Orchestra Tour to Europe on June 716, 2007 at no cost to the District. The sponsor of this trip Steve Katz, said this is the third trip to Europe that he has done. The students bring their own instruments. In order to allow for everyone to attend, fundraising is done by each individual student. Those that sell at fundraisers earn money for their own designated account. Mr. Katz noted that once the trip is approved by the Board and he knows how many students will be attending, performances are booked. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried.

Niles North and Niles West Trip to France It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by DONIGER to approve approximately 15 students to go on a student trip to France on July 17-26, 2007 at no cost to the District. Mr. Greenspan asked if a trip like this has been done before, questioned the benefit to students and was concerned for the availability of all students being able to afford to go on this trip. A discussion ensued regarding having such a trip be a school sponsored event or having it handled by an outside agency. Mr. Codell said he is comfortable with Eileen Walvoord, the trip sponsor as she has sponsored this type of trip in the past and he believes it will be well run. He also noted that at future meeting the sponsor of the school trip will be at the board meeting to answer any questions. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. Abstain: Greenspan, Knudsen. The motion carried. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 10, 2006 

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Special Board Meeting It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by BURNETT to a hold a special Board meeting to have a public hearing on Driver Education waiver on Monday, November 6 at 6:30 p.m. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. 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 There was no correspondence of FOIA requests. XVII. Information Items There were no information items. XVIII. Adjournment It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by BURNETT to adjourn the meeting. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.

_________________________________

______________________________

President

Secretary

Minutes approved October 30, 2006.

 

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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of October 10, 2006