School Board Niles Township District 219, Cook County, Illinois MINUTES
Regular Board Meeting, Monday, May 1, 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 7:05 p.m. Board members present at Roll Call: Sheri Doniger, Jeffrey Greenspan, Ruth Klint, Robert Silverman, Lynda Gault Smith. II. Executive Session It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by KLINT to recess into closed session to discuss matters relating to student discipline, and the employment, appoint‐ ment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. The Board recessed into closed session at 7:05 p.m. It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by KLINT to return to open session. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, 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 was the PeaceJam student trip. Added to the consent agenda was a Science Olympiad student trip and a personnel handout. V. Audience to Visitors No one asked to speak. VI. Student Representative Comments Nitasha Kassam said West is preparing for the May 12 student sendoff and invited the Board to attend. They will be having board elections in the next two weeks. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of May 1, 2006
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Tessie Neuhauser from North said Shoshana Goldman won teacher of the year. They invited the Board to breakfast on May 24. VII. Community Representative Comments No one asked to speak. VIII. Approval of Consent Agenda It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by GAULT SMITH to accept the amended consent agenda. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. Included in the consent agenda: − Monthly Bills and Payroll in the amount of $2,567,442.84. − Personnel •
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Approve employment of the following certified staff for the 2006‐07 school year effective August 21, 2006: NAME
POSITION/LOCATION
FTE
Bramley, Scott Charous, Rebecca Gross, Rachel Hawker, Christopher Kannokada, Manoj Kerwin, JoEllen McCarte, Kathleen Pashtan, Hanna Ronning, Lydia Stucky, Sarah Thomas, Mary Beth Widdes, Jason
English – North, BA‐Step 2 Math – North, MA+15, Step 1 English – West, MA‐Step 2 Science – West, BA+15‐Step 2 Special Education – West, MA, Step1 Art – West, MA+45‐Step 13 Family Consumer Science – West, BA‐Step 1 Foreign Language – North, BA‐Step 11 Foreign Language – North, MA‐Step 9 Social Studies –North/West, MA+15, Step 1 Guidance – West, MA+30‐Step 1 Science – North, BA+15‐Step 1
1.0 .4 1.0 1.0 1.0 .7 1.0 .4 .8 .9 .5 1.0
Approve the employment of the following support staff: NAME
POSITION/LOCATION
FTE
EFFECTIVE
Budge, Diane
Secretary B – Special Education – North, S3‐S1, 205 Days Registrar – West, S4‐S1, 260 days
1.0
May 1, 2006
1.0
July 1, 2006
Hastings, Loretta
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Approve the family care – unpaid leave of absence for Susan Carlson, Special Education – North 1.0 for the 2006‐2007 school year.
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Approve continuation of the unpaid leave of absence for Deanna Ruiz, Secretary A ‐ Guidance – West for March 13 – June 5, 2006.
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Approve the suspension without pay for ten (10) days beginning April 25 through May 8, 2006 for Case #2006‐08. Page 2 of 8
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of May 1, 2006
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Approve employment of the following for the 2006‐07 school year effective 8/21/06: NAME
POSITION/LOCATION
SALARY
Beach, Aquila Dietlin, Kathleen Elk, Laura Hellmer, Anne Ketkar, Leena Lawriw, Keeley Oliveri, Jennifer Platt, Allison Wilson, Jessica
Social Work Intern – North Psychologist Intern ‐ West Social Work Intern – North Psychologist Intern ‐ West Social Work Intern – West Social Work Intern ‐ West Psychologist Intern ‐ North Psychologist Intern – North Social Work Intern – North
$9,000/Year $15,000/Year $9,000/Year $15,000/Year $9,000/Year $9,000/Year $15,000/Year $15,000/Year $9,000/Year
Approve the employment of the following bookstore assistants: NAME
LOCATION
RATE
EFFECTIVE DATE
Al‐Moukayed, Olivia Benetatos, Christina Drachenberg, Jessica Hood, Tiffany Jones, Margaret Kruszynski, Kevin Nieva, Marianne Plath, Denise Rysemus, Julie
North West West North North North West West West
$6.00/Hr. $12.00/Hr. $12.00/Hr. $12.00/Hr. $12.00/Hr. $12.00/Hr. $12.00/Hr. $12.00/Hr. $12.00/Hr.
May 2, 2006 June 7, 2006 June 7, 2006 June 7, 2006 June 7, 2006 June 7, 2006 June 7, 2006 June 7, 2006 June 7, 2006
Approve the following teacher substitutes for the 2005‐2006 school year: Alper, Bradley
Arnold, Gary
Hardy, John
− Minutes of 4/10/06 meeting, open and closed sessions. − Budget Transfers to the expenditure accounts of $1,050 for the Educational Fund and $87,541 for the Tort/Liability Fund from the contingency accounts. − Student trip for 20 West students to attend the Science Olympiad Nationals in Bloomington, Indiana on May 18‐21, 2006 at a cost to the District of $930. IX. Superintendent’s Report Chris Powell introduced the staff that attended the recent FCCLA state competition. Over 40 students that participated in this event introduced themselves and stated the awards they earned at the competition. Principals’ Comments Dale Vogler said Jerry Turry former Niles West Athletic Director will be inducted into the IHSA Athletic Director Hall of Fame. Steve Foerch was named Gymnastics Coach of the Year. There will be a series of assemblies for juniors and seniors the week before prom.
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of May 1, 2006
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Bob Freeman said there are 32 state finalists for the History Fair. He reported that support staff member of the year is Jane Johnson. Chris Powell and Kevin Monahan took seven students to work on a home in the district as a community service project. X. Board Members’ Comments Ruth Klint said she attended her first International Night and it was delightful. Sheri Doniger said the technology department won the Sylvia Charp Award and it will be presented to Guy Ballard in July. XI. Business School Trip Mr. Silverman said that this trip was pulled from the consent agenda due to it being an out of state trip and district funds cannot be used for these. Dale Vogler said that activity account funds will be used for this trip. It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by KLINT to approve 15 West students to attend the PeaceJam Annual Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 13‐14, 2006 at no cost to the District. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. School Improvement Reports Roger Stein explained that development of the school improvement reports is done by analyzing the results and revising assessments, creating grading rubrics, modifying curriculum guides, participating in professional development and discussing successful methodologies, all of which contribute to sound attainable school improvement goals. They are using ACT type designs for all grade levels and even working with junior highs so they can be used in assisting students. Much work went into aligning state goals to the course curriculum. It was asked if the PSAE interventions were successful. Dr. Stein said that initial results from Catapult show an increase in reading comprehension. It was noted that parent‐teacher conferences were not listed as an intervention; Dr. Stein said this will be added. Mr. Greenspan questions ‘expanded honors enrollment.’ Dr. Stein said there is a summer honors biology prep class and 46 students have enrolled. Mr. Greenspan said this proves his point of the need to offer honors classes in summer school. There
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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of May 1, 2006
was discussion on this subject of the difference between a preparation class and having a complete semester of an honors class offered and not being able to cover all the material necessary in a three week period. Mr. Silverman commented that this is an excellent report. It clearly states objectives and outcomes and said he hopes it continues to drive improvement for every student. Dr. Stein said there will be seven late starts next year, compared to four this year. These late starts allow teacher collaboration for the school improvement reports. It was noted that this report will be placed on our website. It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by DONIGER to approve the Niles North and Niles West School Improvement Reports, and adding an intervention for parent‐teacher conferences, noting that projected expenditures will reflect budgetary guidelines. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. Summer Curriculum Projects ‐2006 Dr. Stein explained that all projects are based on improving student performance in all areas. There are many projects geared to align curriculum in both schools. It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by DONIGER to approve the proposed summer projects for a total of no more than $52,110 from Board of Education funds, noting that projected expenditures will reflect budgetary guidelines. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. Updated Capital Projects List It was moved by GREENSPAN and seconded by DONIGER to authorize the administration to proceed with the necessary planning and procurement activities to successfully complete the $1,762,070 of Capital Improvement Projects included in the 2006‐07 budget. Jeff Greenspan explained that the listing of projects include a breakout of funds and year of project to be completed based on the facilities committee analysis. Mr. Silverman said the seats in North’s black box theater are hazardous and asked that
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of May 1, 2006
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the year of their replacement be moved up. Gerry Yeggy said they are looking for someone to buy the existing seats, which will reduce the cost of replacement. A discussion took place on possibly replacing West’s seats but it was explained that West keeps the same configuration while North has 15 different configurations they use. GREENSPAN amended his motion to include $80,000 for seats in North’s black box theater to be added to the 2006‐07 budget. DONIGER seconded. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. School Fees for 2006‐07 It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by GAULT SMITH to adopt the school fees, which represents no increase for the past two years and an additional 5% discount for school and bus fees for additional students in the same family. Mr. Greenspan said he does not believe these fees should be this high and it is a burden on students and their families and he will be voting against it. Mr. Codell said the Superintendent’s Financial Advisory Committee has recommended these fees and was steadfast in not wanting to reduce these fees. Mr. Greenspan said that we have the funds available and commented that college tuition is very high and we aspire to have our students attend college and for that reason they should be lowered. Mr. Silverman noted that while we do have excess funds, this money needs to last for many years to come so we do not have to ask taxpayers for a referendum for as long as possible. Having the student fees at this amount extends this savings and at some point the fees will have to be raised. Lowering and raising of fees will only cause confusion. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. Voting Nay: Greenspan. The motion carried. The School Fees for 2006-07 will be student fees $450 per student and $337.50 for other students in the same family, drivers education fee of $350 per student, bus fee for students living less than 1½ miles from school of $300 for the first student and $225 for additional students, and parking fee of $300.
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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of May 1, 2006
Policy Changes – 1st Reading This is for recommended changes to our Search and Seizer policy. Policy Changes – 2nd Reading It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by DONIGER to approve the policy changes. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. Changes were approved for the following policies: Number
Name
4:170 5:330 6:310 7:235
Safety Program Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Leaves Credit For Alternative Courses and Programs, and Course Substitutions NEW – Isolated Time Out or Physical Restraint
Pentamation Finance System Upgrade It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by GAULT SMITH to authorize the purchase of the Pentamation servers and software at a cost not to exceed $64,469.31. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried.
Purchase of TI Calculators It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by GREENSPAN to accept the bid of $20,823.48 from the Douglas Stewart Company for the purchase of 18 TI‐84 Plus Silver Edition EZ‐Spot teacher 10‐pack calculator sets. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. Procurement Card Credit Limit It was moved by GREENSPAN and seconded by DONIGER to increase the credit limit on the Bank of Montreal Procurement Card Agreement.
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of May 1, 2006
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Mr. Greenspan noted that this was reviewed and approved by the Facilities Committee. Gerry Yeggy thanked Jean Hedstrom for doing the research on this which will save the District money. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. XII. Old Business There was no new business. XIII. New Business There was no new business. XIV. Audience to Visitors No one asked to speak. XV. Correspondence and FOIA Requests There was no correspondence or FOIA requests. XVI. Information Items − Financial Report for March 2006 −
Procedures 7:140‐AP Use of Metal Detectors for Student Safety
XVII. Adjournment It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by KLINT to adjourn the meeting. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. _________________________________
______________________________
President
Secretary
MINUTES APPROVED MAY 1, 2006.
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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of May 1, 2006
