MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

FOR THE

BOARD OF EDUCATION

EVERGREEN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 124

December 10,2008

1. A Regular Meeting for the Board of Education of Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on December 10, 2008 in the Multi-Purpose Room at Central Junior High School, Evergreen Park, IL.

The following Board Members were physically present at roll call:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan

Mr. Jim Flanagan

Mr. Terry MacDonald

Mrs. Joan Boss

Mrs. Sue Ryan

Absent at roll call: Mr. Craig Miller, Mr. Rick Schultz

The following staff members were present: Dr. Robert Howard, Superintendent; Mrs. Kathy Hatczel, Assistant Superintendent; Mrs. Fran LaBella, Executive Director of Business Services; Mrs. Teri Louer, Executive Director of Student Support Services, Mr. Bill Smith, Director of Buildings and Grounds; Mrs. Marcia Harroun, Director of Technology; Mrs. Rita Sparks, Mr. Jeff Nightingale, Mr. John Stanton, Ms. Shaton Wolverton, Ms. Denise Thomas, Principals; and Mrs. Jan Stanton, Recording Secretary.

Also Present: Dr. Diane Cody

2. At 7:08 p.m. Mr. Schultz joined the meeting via telephone conference.

3. Mr. Flanagan, Board President, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. Consideration to approve the revised agenda was made by the Board. A motion was made by Mrs. Rohan and seconded by Mrs. Boss to approve the agenda as presented, A voice vote was taken with the following results:

MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE (6-0)

5. Mr. Flanagan opened the meeting to the public. Hearing no comments, Mr. Flanagan continued with the remainder of the agenda.

6. Mr. Flanagan told the audience that the primary responsibility of the Board of Education is to hire a Superintendent. Mr. Flanagan introduced Dr. Diane Cody and told those in attendance about Dr. Cody highlighting her accomplishments as a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principal and Teacher. Thereafter, a motion was made by Mr. Schultz and seconded by Mr. MacDonald to approve Dr. Cody’s Employment Contract as Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1, 2009. A roll call vote was taken with the following response:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mr. Rick Schultz yea (via telephone)

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED (6-0)

7. At 7:15 p.m. a motion was made by Mr. Schultz and seconded by Mr. Flanagan to take a brief recess to allow those in the audience to welcome Dr. Cody to Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124. A voice vote was taken with the following results:

MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE (6-0)

8. At 7:16 p.m. Mr. Schultz ended his phone conference.

9. At 7:30 p.m. a motion was made by Mr. Rohan and seconded by Mr. MacDonald to continue with the remainder of the meeting. A voice vote was taken with the following results:

MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE (5-0)

10. A Resolution honoring staff and students for their ISAT test scores was read by Board Secretary, Mrs. Joan Boss. Members of the Board thanked the staff and administration for their great work. Thereafter, a motion was made by Mr. Flanagan and seconded by Mrs. Boss to approve the Resolution. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED (5-0)

11. Dates for Strategic Planning were discussed by the Board. The following dates/times were set:

o January 23, 2009 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and

o January 24, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 (noon)

12. Mrs. Rohan reported that the Board Facility Committee was seeking a competitive quote for air conditioning at Northwest Elementary School and that the Committee was looking into Performance Contracting. The date of January 27, 2009 (at 7:00 p.m.)was set for the full Facility Committee to reconvene.

13. Regarding the Tri Conference:

¨ Mrs. Boss reported that she will put together information from the Tri Conference and report to the Board at an upcoming meeting.

¨ Mr. MacDonald presented information from a workshop on ‘bullying’ asking that the District take a close look at the information. Mr. MacDonald reported that the presenter at the workshop encouraged districts to start discussions on bullying at the pre-kindergarten level.

¨ Mr. Flanagan reported that he went to a workshop regarding the development of an effective relationship between the Board and the Superintendent. Mr. Flanagan mentioned to the Board that after the April election, the Board should take a look at self-evaluation.

14. Mrs. Siemiawski and Mrs. Louer provided the Board with a power point presentation updating the Board on the Before and After School Program. The following areas were highlighted:

· Program Philosophy

· Details of the Program, including cost, hours, routine, and behavior expectations

· Before and After School staff

· Student Enrollment and Attendance

· Revenue/Expense Recap

· Future Program Development

15. Mrs. Hatczel reported that the District is required to submit to the Illinois State Board of Education a District Improvement Plan which includes components of the District’s “Response to Intervention” plan by January 1, 2009. The District Improvement Plan, with the required Response to Intervention components, was reviewed by Mrs. Hatczel. A copy of the District Improvement Plan will be submitted to the Illinois Interactive Report Card site by January 1, 2009 per Board approval later in the meeting.

16. Dr. Howard recognized the contributions made by District 124 students, in the amount of $2,936.94, to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

17. Mrs. LaBella provided the Board with an update on the financial condition of the South Suburban Benefit Cooperative. Mrs. LaBella told Members of the Board that the SSBC Board has asked all representatives to go to their Districts’ Boards of Education and discuss the possibility of a midyear rate increase effective January, 2009 of between 10% - 15%. Mrs. LaBella reviewed a spreadsheet that estimated the deficit position the Cooperative will be in without any change to the current premium structure. Additionally, Mrs. LaBella reviewed the cost increase for both the Board and the staff for a 10% increase.

18. Mrs. LaBella reviewed the Financial Report for the year ending June 30, 2008 and the report to the Board regarding the new required disclosures under Statement on Auditing Standards. Mrs. LaBella noted that there were no management concerns found in the District’s internal controls over financial reporting under the new audit requirements. Additionally, Mrs. LaBella informed the Board that the District remained in Financial Recognition for the 2007-2008 school year reporting period.

19. A motion was made by Mrs. Boss and seconded by Mrs. Rohan to open the floor to a Public Hearing regarding the Tax Levy. A voice vote was taken with the following results:

MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE (5-0)

20. Mrs. LaBella reviewed the levy certificate indicating the amounts the Board is levying in all of the district’s funds. Mrs. LaBella reviewed the spreadsheets outlining the assumptions the District will use to create the levy and the ultimate levy extension for 2008.

21. After answering questions, a motion was made by Mrs. Boss and seconded by Mr. Flanagan to close the Public Hearing. A voice vote was taken with the following results:

MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE (5-0)

22. Consent Agenda items 1 through 6 were reviewed by the Board and, thereafter, a motion was made by Mrs. Rohan and seconded by Mr. Flanagan to approve items as recommended:

1. Approve Monthly Transaction Reports for October and November, 2008

2. Approve Fund Balance Report for November, 2008

3. Approve Expenditure Report and Projected Payroll Report for November, 2008

4. Approve Board Minutes from the Regular Meeting of November 5, 2008 and the Special Meeting of November 3, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21, 2008.

5. Approve Closed Session Minutes from the Regular Meeting of November 5, 2008 and the Special Meeting of November 3, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21, 2008.

6. Personnel Recommendations

FUND	EXPENSES Dec. 2008	EXPENSES Dec 2008	IMPREST ACCOUNT	PROJECTED PAYROLL Dec 2008	TOTAL PROJECTED EXPENSES Dec 2008
EDUCA- TION	0.00	121,927.48	2,066.00	1,410,396.00	1,534,389.48
TITLE I	0.00	2,205.11	0.00	19,762.66	21,967.77
Pre-K	0.00	191.88	0.00	13,197.39	13,389.27
TPI	0.00	0.00	0.00	8,841.63	8,841.63
TITLE II	0.00	16,098.65	0.00	0.00	16,098.65
DRUG FREE	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
READ. IMPROV.	0.00	3,405.41	0.00	5,342.22	8,747.63
TITLE V	0.00	51.00	0.00	18,397.65	18,448.65
PL94-402	0.00	111,132.86	0.00	0.00	111,132.86
BUILDING	0.00	48,652.34	0.00	74,372.73	123,025.07
BOND/INT	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
TRANS.	0.00	59,645.02	0.00	0.00	59,645.02
IMRF	0.00	0.00	0.00	56,720.76	56,720.76
Const.	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
WK. CASH	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
FIRE PREV. & SAFETY	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
TOTALS:	0.00	363,309.75	2,066.00	1,607,031.04	1,972,406.79

A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED (5-0)

23. Consideration was made by the Board to approve the Tax Levy. A motion was made by Mrs. Boss and seconded by Mr. MacDonald to approve the Tax Levy as presented by Mrs. LaBella. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED (5-0)

24. Consideration was made by the Board to approve the annual contribution to NSNS Basketball. Mrs. LaBella reported that this has been done in the past and that this is the same amount that was requested last year. A motion was made by Mrs. Boss and seconded by Mr. Rohan to approve the NSNS Contribution in the amount of $1,600.00. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED

25. Consideration was made by the Board to renew the Workers Compensation Insurance. Mrs. LaBella reported that the Workers Compensation Insurance has been with Illinois Public Risk Fund for seven years and that this year’s premium reflects an increase in the amount of 9.6%. Additionally, it was reported that the Illinois Public Risk fund has allocated a grant for the District in the amount of $4,500.00 which will be used for winter safety items. Thereafter, a motion was made by Mrs. Rohan and seconded by Mr. Flanagan to approve the renewal of the Workers Compensation Insurance through Illinois Public Risk Fund for an annual premium of $87,814. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED (5-0)

26. Consideration was made by the Board to approve a Cannon Copier for Central Junior High School. Mrs. LaBella reported that the copier would be an upgrade to the current copier at Central Junior High and would be more reliable and able to handle heavier volume workloads. Additionally, Mrs. LaBella reported that the Administration is recommending the replacement of the small Xerox digital copier in the Junior High School Office. A motion was made by Mrs. Boss and seconded by Mr. Flanagan to approve the upgrade of the copiers for Central Junior High School. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED (5-0)

27. Consideration was made by the Board to authorize Fran LaBella to cast an affirmative vote on a mid-year health Insurance premium increase as discussed earlier in the Board Meeting. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED (5-0)

28. Consideration was made by the Board to approve a Memorandum of Understanding. Dr. Howard told the Board that a Memorandum of Understanding for an employee has been agreed to and signed by the Union. Additionally, Dr. Howard reported that in the Memorandum of Understanding, the contractual two-year District service eligibility requirement for an extended personal leave without pay under the Collective Bargaining Agreement would be waived for this employee, enabling the employee to remain eligible to participate at the employee’s expense the District’s insurance program. A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald and seconded by Mrs. Boss to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Union. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED (5-0)

29. Consideration was made by the Board to dispose of unused materials and equipment. Dr. Howard referred to the list of items that need to be disposed of and told Member of the Board that the items would be disposed of in the best interest of the District. A motion was made by Mrs. Rohan and seconded by Mrs. Boss to approve the disposal of unused materials and equipment. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED (5-0)

30. Consideration was made by the Board to approve the District Improvement Plan with RtI Components as presented earlier in the meeting. A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald and seconded by Mrs. Boss to approve the District Improvement Plan. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

Mrs. Kathy Rohan yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald yea

Mrs. Joan Boss yea

Mrs. Sue Ryan yea

MOTION CARRIED (5-0)

31.At 9:05 p.m. a motion was made by Mrs. Rohan and seconded by Mr. MacDonald to recess to Closed Session to update the Board on Personnel items. A voice vote was taken with the following results:

MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE (5-0)

32.After returning to Open meeting at 10:15 p.m., a motion was made by Mrs. Rohan and seconded by Mr. MacDonald to adjourn the Meeting. A voice vote was taken with the following results:

MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE (5-0)

33.The next schedule Meeting will be held on January 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Central Junior High School, Evergreen Park, IL

__________________________ ______________________________

President Secretary

Jan Stanton, Recording Secretary