School Board Niles Township District 219, Cook County, Illinois MINUTES Regular Board Meeting Monday, November 26, 2007 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 6:39 p.m. Board members present at Roll Call: Sheri Doniger, Jeffrey Greenspan, Ruth Klint, Robert Silverman, Lynda Gault Smith, Eileen Valfer.
II. Executive Session It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by GREENSPAN to recess into closed session to discuss matters relating to the selection of a person to fill a vacancy in a public office. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. The Board recessed into closed session at 6:25 p.m. At 8:10 p.m. it was moved by GREENSPAN and seconded by GAULT SMITH to return to open session. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried.
III. Recall to Order of Open Session Mr. Silverman recalled the meeting to order at 8:19 p.m. The Pledge was recited. IV. Changes/Additions to the Agenda Items were removed from the personnel recommendations. V. Appointment of New Board Member It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by GREENSPAN to table the appointment of a new board member until later this evening or a later date. A voice vote was taken. The motion carried. VI. Public Hearing on Debt Restructure It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by DONIGER to open the public hearing on debt restructure. A roll call vote was taken. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of November 26, 2007
Page 1 of 6
Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. No one spoke on this issue. It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by DONIGER to open the public hearing on debt restructure. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried.
VII. Audience to Visitors Lois Albanese, 7844 Central, Morton Grove spoke to the Board as a community member and former employee of District 219. She spoke of the Board possibly being unaware of some practices by the Administration. VIII. Student Representative Comments Karina Mendez Keil spoke of IDSA awards presented to Jessica Filman, Dena Lichterman, Pankaj Sharma, Alexa Forman and Dale Vogler. IX. Community Representative Comments No one asked to speak. X. 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: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. Included in the consent agenda: − Monthly Bills and Payroll in the amount of $5,396,026.81. − Personnel Approve the employment of Dorothy Yalda in the support staff position of ESL Tutor – Foreign Language & ESL – West, P1-Step 1, 186 Days effective 12/3/07.
Approve employment of the following part-time/temporary staff for the 2007-2008 school year effective 11/27/07: NAME
POSITION/LOCATION
RATE
Frank, Jessica Schlesinger, Heather Warner, Doyle
Science Lab Assistant – West Theater Assistant – West Job Coach – Special Education -West
$7.50/Hr. $7.50/Hr. $14.00/Hr.
Approve the leave of absence for the following support staff: NAME
POSITION/LOCATION
TYPE OF LEAVE
EFFECTIVE DATE
Kim, Linda
Teacher Assistant – Academic Achievement – North
Continued Education -Unpaid
1/7/08 – 6/30/08
Page 2 of 6
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of November 26, 2007
Approve employment of the following stipend positions for the 2007-08 school year: NAME
NILES WEST
*Jaffe, Richard Leaks, Michael *Ramirez, Richard *Ravena, Christopher
Boys Tennis Assistant Coach Boys Track & Field Indoor/Outdoor Assistant Coach Wrestling Assistant Coach Wrestling Assistant Coach
* Indicates not a District 219 Employee
Accept the retirement of support staff Beverly Sporina, Secretary A – Pupil Personnel Services - West effective 6/30/10.
Accept the retirement of certified staff Sheree Freeman, Applied Science & Technology West effective 6/30/12.
Accept the request for reassignment from the following administrator: NAME
POSITION/LOCATION
EFFECTIVE DATE
Heuerman, Steven
From Director of Physical Welfare/ West To: Teacher
School Year 2008-2009
Approve the following teacher substitutes for the 2007-2008 school year: Arndt, Daniel McCurtain, Sean Sclafani, John Barron, Michael Marchenko, Roman Von Wahlde, Jennifer Hermann, Anne
Approve Letter of Agreement between Niles Township Support Staff Union and Niles Township High Schools District 219 allowing paraprofessionals to transport students.
− Minutes of 11/5/07, Open and Closed Sessions − High Volume Copier Lease for 36-months with Canon Business SolutionsCentral, Inc. for nine digital stand-alone imaging devices at a guaranteed minimum cost of $118,401.24 per year. − Renew Maintenance Agreement with Sirsi Corporation in the amount of $10,452.96. − Disposal of Damaged/Obsolete Furniture & Equipment currently stored in the Niles West basement. − Donations to Auto Program from Robert Henderson of a 1995 Ford Windstar Sports Van, from H. Helgeson a 1993 Ford Explorer and from Nancy Schaffer Lodding a 1995 Mercury Sable. XI. Superintendent’s Report Eric Lueder introduced DECA students Rebecca Choe, Justine Larsen, and Lisa Schutz, who were responsible for getting the Harlem Wizards to play at Niles West and generate money for Special Gifts Theater. Neighbors United founders Ken Clinkman, Jeff, Burman, Rich Reeder, and Matt Robins told the board they had decided to disband effective 12/31/07. With the resurgence of the Foundation for Education they are giving their remaining funds of $10,418.79 to this program. Mr. Silverman thanked them and all the members of Neighbors United for their hard work in getting the community to vote for the referendum and said it would not have passed without their efforts. The National Spanish Hispanic Award winner was Karina Mendez Keil. The moment of silence has temporarily been stopped through an order issued by Judge Gettelman. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of November 26, 2007
Page 3 of 6
−
Principals’ Report Kaine Osburn said there were 100 more parent teacher conferences than last year. He advised the Board of upcoming events. Bob Freeman advised the Board of upcoming events.
XII. Board Members’ Comments Eileen Valfer spoke of meeting with student representatives from each school and said these students are the unsung heroes as they are working very hard behind the scene to make the school better for everyone. Jeffrey Greenspan spoke of the benefits of parent teacher conferences over open house. Ruth Klint echoed the positive environment from parent teacher conferences and said she and neighbors really gained information from these five minute conferences. She spoke about pursuing Consumer Education as a three week summer school course and asked for a timeline in discussing the possibility of offering this for the summer of 2008. Bob Silverman said the parent teacher conferences gave very specific steps for improving grades.
XIII. Business Student Coursebook Changes for 2008-09 Dale Vogler presented new courses, name changes and department change recommendations to the Board. Mr. Silverman asked for total FTE for all of these proposed changes and requested that the FTE remain the same for staffing this spring. The Board also asked about offering honors credit for PE leaders in the future. It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by VALFER that the Board approve the course proposals for the 2008-09 school year. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. Changes approved are as follows: Department - Course/Program AS&T-Engineering English-English Plus Reading Fine Arts-Digital Photography 2 Fine Arts-Computer Imaging Fine Arts-Percussion Techniques Fine Arts-Guitar Ensemble Fine Arts-Ceramics Foreign Language and ESL Foreign Language and ESLMathematics Special Ed-Life Skills/SAILS Programs Special Education-OCLC Special Education-CIC Physical Science
Change Add new course, Introduction to Engineering Design Expanding English 13-23 and Reading 1-2 Add new course, Digital Photography Change title to Digital Art and Design 1 Add new course, Percussion Techniques Add new course, Guitar Ensemble Add new course, Ceramics Department name change to Foreign Language and ELL Add new course in Mandarin Chinese Program Sequence change for upper level math at West Program Name Change to Pathways for Learning Program Name Change to Niles Central Change Course Description
Page 4 of 6
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of November 26, 2007
Calendars for 2008-09 and 2009-10 School Year The two calendars were presented to the Board. No suggested changes were made. This will be brought to the next meeting for approval. Policy Changes – 2nd Reading It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by GAULT SMITH to approve the policy changes. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. Changes were approved for the following policies: Number
Name
2:125 3:20 4:180 5:90 5:130 5:180 6:40 6:235 7:90 7:190
Board Member Expenses Organizational Chart Pandemic Preparedness Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Responsibilities Concerning Internal Information Temporary Illness or Temporary Incapacity Curriculum Development Access to Electronic Networks Release During School Hours Student Discipline
2007 Property Tax Extension Request Gerry Yeggy explained that a public hearing is needed due to the recommended property tax levy increase being more than 5%. Mr. Yeggy also explained that the levy can be no greater than the published amount, but can be lower. It was moved by GAULT SMITH and seconded by KLINT to authorize publication of the proposed 2007 property tax levy request in preparation for a public hearing on December 17, 2007. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried.
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.
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of November 26, 2007
Page 5 of 6
XVII. Correspondence and FOIA Requests There was no correspondence or FOIA requests. XVIII. Information Items − October 2007 Financial Report XIX. Closed Session It was moved by VALFER and seconded by GAULT SMITH to recess into closed session to discuss matters relating to litigation, negotiation, the board vacancy, and the employment, appointment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees with possible action to be taken. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. The meeting recessed into closed session at 10:25 p.m. The Board returned to open session on November 27th at 1:25 a.m. Personnel It was moved by GREENSPAN and seconded by GAULT SMITH to approve the recommended employee discipline for Employee Case #2008-03 of suspension without pay for seven days and approve the resignation agreement for Employee Case # 2008-08. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried.
XX. Adjournment It was moved by DONIGER and seconded by GAULT SMITH to adjourn the meeting. A roll call vote was taken. Voting Aye: Doniger, Greenspan, Klint, Silverman, Gault Smith, Valfer. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned on November 27th at 1:28 a.m.
_________________________________
______________________________
President
Secretary
Minutes approved December 17, 2007.
Page 6 of 6
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of November 26, 2007
