School Board Niles Township District 219, Cook County, Illinois MINUTES
Regular Board Meeting, Monday, March 20, 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 7:03 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 KNUDSEN and seconded by GAULT SMITH to recess into closed session to discuss matters relating to 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 7:03 p.m. At 7:55 p.m. it was moved by BURNETT 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 8:00 p.m. The Pledge was recited. IV. Changes/Additions to the Agenda Added to the consent agenda was a personnel handout. Added under business was a student trip. V. Student Recognitions The Board gave Superstar Awards to the following students: Niles North – Athletics – Kevin Dam, Academics – Rachel Cohn, Community Service – Stefani Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of March 20, 2006
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Weiss and Sadaf Ansari. Niles West – Academics – Amin Lakhani, Community Service – Martha Scheler and Athletics – Danny Kim. VI. Audience to Visitors No one asked to speak. VII. Student Representative Comments Nitasha Kassam and Roshani Sheth said they had a Bubble Tea sale and it was very popular with the students. Money earned will go to the May 12 sendoff. They have changed their charity to Rock for Kids. Their recent breakfast with the Board was very productive. Tessi Neuhauser and Renee Philip said spirit week was last week. The ‘Vipass’ swipe pass began today for seniors with a 2.5 GPA being allowed to go to the student commons during study hall. They revised their constitution. They asked that their breakfast with the board be postponed until May. Westfield Shopping Center donated $1,500 to School Chest. VIII. Community Representative Comments No one asked to speak. IX. Approval of Consent Agenda It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by DONIGER to accept the amended consent agenda. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. Passing Knudsen The motion carried. Included in the consent agenda: − Monthly Bills and Payroll in the amount of $3,679,099.98. − Personnel •
Accept the resignation of the following:
NAME
POSITION/LOCATON
EFFECTIVE DATE
Geddeis, Karen Community Relations Coordinator ‐ District Zoloto, Kathryn Foreign Language Teacher – North 1.0 FTE
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April 21, 2006 June 7, 2006
Approve Deborah Kim for the stipend position of Assistant Boys Volleyball Coach (50%) – North for the 2005‐06 school year.
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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of March 20, 2006
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Approve employment of the following temporary/part‐time employees effective March 21, 2006: POSITION/LOCATION
Booker, Joseph Borkowski, Daniel daRosa, Gavin Johnson, Heather Kwiecinski, Devin Marino, Sergio Parkinson, Farrah Rysemus, Kim Ta, Linh Teng, Diane Zarrieneh, Ashkan
Science Lab Assistant – West Summer Bookstore Assistant – West ESL Tutor – North (through 6/2/06) Summer Bookstore Assistant – West Summer Bookstore Assistant – West Student Monitor – North Summer Bookstore Assistant – West Summer Bookstore Assistant – West Summer Bookstore Assistant – West Summer Bookstore Assistant – West Summer Bookstore Assistant – West
$6.00 $6.00 $18.00 $12.00 $6.00 $15.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $12.00 $6.00
Approve the unpaid leaves of absences for the following certified staff for the 2006‐07 school year: NAME Cross, Jennifer Czupryna, Britt Goodwin, Jill Sang, Melissa Shapiro, Laura Slutzky, Mindy
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HOURLY RATE
NAME
Positon/Location English – North Science – West Math – North Social Work – North Special Ed – West Physical Ed – West
Leave FTE .4 .5 1.0 8/21/06‐9/29/06 .4 .4
Type Of Leave Family Care Family Care Continued Educa Family Care Family Care Family Care
Approve the following teacher substitutes for the 2005‐06 school year: Stephen Bush
Christoper Kiepura
Thomas Moore
− Minutes of 2/27/06 meeting, open and closed sessions. − Student Trips − For 18 North and West students to attend the WYSE State Competition in Urbana, Illinois on April 5‐6, 2006 at a cost to the District of $3,640.60. − For 25 North and West Model UN members to attend an activity in Evanston, Illinois on April 6‐9, 2006 at a cost to the District of $6,818.00. − Adopt the proposed FY 07 budget calendar. − IHSA membership for the 2006‐07 school year for Niles North and Niles West High Schools. X. Superintendent’s Report Neil Codell spoke of the successful athletic fundraisers at both schools. He said the Niles Township Superintendents Association had a meeting with legislators and much time was spent discussing the special education funding. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of March 20, 2006
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The Superintendent’s Financial Advisory Committee met on March 9 and members gave their input on school fees. Each item was reviewed and they recommended that all fees remain the same for the 2006‐07 school year. The only possible action may be to increase the 20% discount for families with more than one child in school. Mr. Greesnpan asked if the number of waivers have increased. It was stated a report will be forthcoming with this information. − Principals’ Report Robert Freeman said NHS Inductions were last week and it was a very special event. The vocal jazz group went to Western Michigan last weekend where they won three awards. Elizabeth Dribin and Maggie Walker won Golden Apple Awards. Mr. Freeman said one of Sheena Dev’s wishes was to have a reflection pond. They received grant money from the Village of Morton Grove of $1,500 which will go towards this being built. The AS&T department is doing the drawings for the pond. Lindsey Liese said that the students are having a meeting with Dr. Stein and Ed Murphy to discuss grade weights in the foreign language classes. Dale Vogler said Penny Schwartz received the North Suburban School Librarian of the Year award. Enrollment in German has increased over the last few years. Students were in a contest at the University of Illinois and took 1st Place for the State. Eighty‐nine students are State Scholars. April 12 will be the first shadow day for the Class of 2010. XI. Board Members’ Comments Sheri Doniger said the first township educational leaders meeting was held on March 2 and was very well received. Tim Knudsen said he received calls from community members asking what the charges were for the printing, mailing and personnel needed to compile the community newsletter. It was noted that these charges were part of the Community Relations budget report. Jeff Greenspan wants to make sure parents know they can come to either school for the internet safety programs in April. The principals will make sure parents are aware of this. XII. Board Committee and Other Reports Facilities Committee – The preliminary budget for capital projects is being analyzed and revised. Policy Committee – Policy changes will be brought to the April 10 meeting.
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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of March 20, 2006
XIII. Business Student Trip – Spring Break Service Trip It was noted that procedures for student trips are in place so the Board knows that students remain safe and questions are raised and answered prior to the trip taking place. This is not the first time this sponsor has submitted proposals late. It is felt there is some risk involved in this trip. Bob Freeman said part of the details of the trip were not put together in time. He apologized but does not want to penalize students by not allowing this trip. Robert Silverman expressed concerns over allowing students to sleep on the floor in a church and did have overall concern for the students’ safety. It was noted that all parents have or will sign a form before students will be allowed to go on this trip. Lynda Gault Smith said the issue of this trip not being done in a timely fashion is something that should be addressed by Mr. Freeman with the sponsor. She did express dismay of the sponsor of the trip not being present to answer questions. Robert Silverman requested that an orientation meeting for parents take place prior to students leaving on the trip. He requested that Pankaj Sharma have no more trips approved if he cannot follow the established procedures and timelines. It was moved by SILVERMAN and seconded by DONIGER to approve the student trip by the WHO Club to Mobile, Alabama on March 25 – April 1, 2006 at no cost to the District provided that a parent meeting is held prior to the trip’s departure date. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. Abstain: Burnett. The motion carried. Freshman Studies Dr. Stein said this proposed integrated program is for grade weight three courses and is geared for students that are typically in such weighted classes. The goal is to have 72 students in this program where they will work with the same three teachers. Mr. Codell said it has been proven that students learn better in these smaller environments and strong relationships are forged with students which also help their comfort zone. Michael Burnett complimented the administration on this program and would like to see this developed for other students as well. Dr. Stein said this will be considered in the future. Dr. Stein further stated much work was
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of March 20, 2006
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done by Paula Miller and Mark Wilson to ensure that students in this program have the opportunity to take other classes they have selected for their freshman year. Dr Stein said that IITs in both schools have been in place for two years to address those students who did not make AYP. This year the data can be pulled to see how successful this program has been. The Board unanimously endorsed the Freshman Studies program. Purchases Niles West Science Classrooms Remodeling Project Chuck Polich of IHC said they are planning on doing the demolition over spring break. Mr. Yeggy said the total project will be approximately $100,000 over budget. Due to this fact some capital projects will be postponed for a year or two. It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by GAULT SMITH to authorize IHC Construction Companies LLC to prepare contracts for the listed vendors in the stipulated amounts. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith. Voting Nay: Knudsen. The motion carried. Via Riva High Back Chairs It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by GAULT SMITH to purchase 32 Via Riva high back chairs from S. Stein & Co. in the amount of $15,744. 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 March 20, 2006
Lawn Maintenance Service It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by GAULT SMITH to award the Lawn Maintenance Service contract to KGI Landscaping, Co., in the amount of $33,000. Any additional cuts due to an unusual growing season will be at an additional cost of $2,200 per cut. Michael Burnett asked if this was discussed at a Facilities meeting, and said he would like to have this done in‐house. Gerry Yeggy said he feels this is the most cost efficient way of having the grounds cut by having the lawn service and in‐house personnel do every other cut. It was asked that this be reviewed by the Facilities Committee next year. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman, Gault Smith. The motion carried. Lynda Gault Smith left the meeting at 10:05 p.m. State Mandated Improvement Plans Dr. Stein explained that due to Niles North and Niles West not making Adequate Yearly Progress in math or reading for the past four years, each school is required to submit a two year school improvement plan to the Board of Education for approval. He went on to say that this report has been reviewed by outside professionals and they have commented that Niles Township interventions are excellent. We are part of an SOS (System of Support) grant in which 15 teachers will take training classes for reading strategies. After they complete this training they will be certified to do training in‐house. Dr. Stein also explained that with the IT Department the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessment tool has been put in place for special education students. He said directors of general education students are working with the special education directors to improve coursework and they have created a strong partnership, which is something we did not have when special education was a separate entity. It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by BURNETT to approve the State School Improvement Reports for Niles North and Niles West. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman. The motion carried. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of March 20, 2006
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XIV. Old Business There was no old business. XV. New Business There was no new business. XVI. Audience to Visitors No one asked to speak. XVII. Correspondence and FOIA Requests There was no correspondence or FOIA requests. XVIII. Information Items − Proposed Board Meeting Dates for May 2006‐April 2007 − Monthly Financial Report for February 2006 XIX. Adjournment It was moved by BURNETT and seconded by DONIGER to adjourn the meeting. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Burnett, Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Knudsen, Silverman. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. _________________________________
______________________________
President
Secretary
MINUTES APPROVED APRIL 10, 2006.
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Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of March 20, 2006
