MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

FOR THE

BOARD OF EDUCATION

EVERGREEN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 124

 

August 19, 2009

 

  1. A Regular Meeting for the Board of Education of Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 was called to order at 7:03 p.m. on August 19, 2009 in the Library at Central Junior High School, Evergreen Park, IL.

 

      The following Board Members were physically present at roll call:

 

Mrs. Joan Boss

Mrs. Kathy Rohan

Mr. John Kennedy

Mr. Bob McDonald

Mrs. Beth Amado

Mr. Terry MacDonald

Mr. Jim Flanagan

 

Also Present:  Dr. Diane Cody, Mrs. Kathy Hatczel, Mrs. Fran LaBella, Ms. Shalema Blue, Mrs. Rita Sparks, Mr. Jeff Nightingale, Mr. John Stanton, Mrs. Shaton Wolverton, Ms. Denise Thomas, Mr. Bill Smith, Mrs. Marcia Harroun and Jan Stanton, Recording Secretary

 

  1. Mr. Flanagan, led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

  1. Consideration to approve the agenda was made by the Board. A motion was made by Mr. Flanagan and seconded by Mr. MacDonald to approve the agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

 

Mrs. Joan Boss              yea

Mrs. Kathy Rohan       yea

Mr. John Kennedy           yea

Mr. Bob McDonald          yea

Mrs. Beth Amado       yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald         yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan          yea

 

MOTION CARRIED (7-0)   

 

  1. Mr. Flanagan opened the meeting to the public.  Northwest parent, Mr. Keith Hudson, asked if the recently split Kindergarten class at Northwest School would remain split when the students go to first grade – expressing a concern about having a large class size. 

 

Dr. Cody assured Mr. Hodson that the Administration takes a careful look at the number of students in each class every year.

 

  1. Hearing no additional comments, Mr. Flanagan continued with the remainder of the agenda. 

 

  1. The method of delivering the Board Packet to Members of the Board was discussed. The decision was made to have all Board Packets and Weekly Mailings sent to Members of the Board electronically.  Additionally, paper copies of the Board Packet will be sent to Mr. Flanagan, Mr. MacDonald, Mrs. Boss, Mrs. Rohan, Mrs. Amado and a paper copy of the Weekly Mailing will be sent to Mrs. Amado.

 

  1. The Joint Annual Conference was discussed by Members of the Board.  Hotel accommodations were reviewed.  The decision to have dinner with the District #231 Board was discussed and it was decided that Dr. Cody would talk to Dr. Hart about having a joint dinner meeting later in the school year.

 

  1. The October 21 Board Meeting date was discussed.  After discussion the decision was made to move the October Board Meeting to Tuesday, October 20, 2009.

 

  1. Mrs. Rohan provided the Board with an update from the July 20, 2009 AERO Governing Board Meeting.  Mrs. Rohan reported that AERO is exploring a bi-lingual special education program and that there will be an option to have a tour of PRIDE coming up.  Additionally, Mrs. Rohan reported that Negotiations are continuing at AERO.

 

  1. Dr. Cody reported that this year’s summer school focus was literacy. Dr. Cody further reported that when the May assessment data was compared to the July data in the area of fluency, 80% of the students showed improvement and in the area of comprehension 69% showed improvement.  Additionally, 92% of our kindergarten students improved their letter sound recognition.  The summer school absentee rate was discussed and Mrs. Spingola reported that phone calls were made to the parents of students with cronic attendance.

 

   Dr. Cody thanked Mrs. Spingola for her efforts in making the summer school  program a success.

 

  1. Dr. Cody reported that the number of additional students in Kindergarten at Northwest School justified opening another section of Kindergarten, and, therefore, adding another .5 teacher.

 

  1. Dr. Cody reported that the Pre-Kindergarten program location was moved from Northwest School to Southeast School where the majority of the students live.  Additionally, Dr. Cody noted that parents will be providing transportation for their students attending the Pre-Kindergarten program.

 

  1. Dr. Cody reported that 15 energy efficient air conditioners were put in place at Central Junior High School.  Dr. Cody emphasized the importance of not loosing instructional time due to not being able to focus in the extreme heat. Dr. Cody told Members of the Board that the cost of each window unit was $690.00 and reported that installation was done by our maintenance department.

 

Members of the Board and Dr. Cody thanked Mr. Smith, Mr. Decker and the maintenance staff for their efforts in installing the air conditioning units on short notice.

 

  1. Mrs. LaBella provided the Board with a budget update reviewing revenues, expenditures, and the district deficit.

 

  1. Mrs. Hatczel provided the Board with Climate Survey results, including parent, staff and student responses.  Mrs. Hatczel reported that the surveys will be given at the same time every year and that the longitudinal data will be beneficial.  Dr. Cody mentioned that she will meet with Principals and department heads individually to review specific comments pertaining to their school/department.

 

  1. An overview of the curriculum initiatives that were worked on over the summer were reviewed by Mrs. Hatczel.  The following items were mentioned:

 

·         Pacing calendars were developed in Reading

·         Science was looked at to see what teachers are teaching in grades 1, 2, 3 to assure that students are ready for 4th grade ISAT in the area of Science

·         Everyday Math was reviewed to make sure teachers are covering the standards and mastering what students need to master

·         Math assessments were reviewed/revised

 

       Mrs. Hatczel thanked the teachers that were involved in the summer curricular work for their hard work.

 

  1. Consent Agenda items 1 through 7 were reviewed by the Board and, thereafter, a motion was made by Mrs. Boss and seconded by Mrs. Rohan to approve the following items as recommended:

 

1.    Approve Monthly Transaction Reports for June and July, 2009

2.    Approve Fund Balance Reports for June and July, 2009

3.    Approve Expenditure Report and Projected Payroll Report for August, 2009

4.    Approve Board Minutes from the Regular Meeting of July 15, 2009

5.    Approve Closed Session Minutes from the Regular Meeting of July 15, 2009

6.    Approve destruction of Closed Session Tape from February, 2008

7.    Personnel Recommendations (revised)

 

 

 

FUND

EXPENSES               Aug 2009

EXPENSES Aug 2009

IMPREST

ACCOUNT

PROJECTED

PAYROLL Aug 2009

TOTAL

PROJECTED

EXPENSES

Aug 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

EDUCA-

TION

0.00

173,392.08

0.00

633,484.19

806,876.27

TITLE I

0.00

0.00

0.00

6,720.00

6,720.00

Pre-K

0.00

575.11

0.00

4,200.00

4,775.11

TPI

0.00

0.00

0.00

958.00

958.00

TITLE II

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

DRUG

FREE

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

READ.

IMPROV.

0.00

19,636.00

0.00

4,800.00

24,436.00

Ext. Day

0.00

575.64

0.00

1,200.00

1,775.64

PL94-402

0.00

833.56

0.00

0.00

833.56

BUILDING

0.00

100,619.22

0.00

61,409.42

162,028.64

BOND/INT

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

TRANS.

0.00

55,020.37

0.00

0.00

55,020.37

IMRF

0.00

0.00

0.00

36,520.76

36,520.76

TORT

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

350,651.98

0.00

749,292.37

1,099,944.35

 

A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

 

Mrs. Kathy Rohan       yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald         yea

Mrs. Joan Boss              yea  

Mr. John Kennedy           yea

Mrs. Beth Amado       yea

Mr. Bob McDonald          yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan          yea (abstain #4 & #5)

 

MOTION CARRIED                  (7-0)

 

18. Consideration was made by the Board to approve the Principal Evaluation Plan.  Dr. Cody reported that the new Evaluation Plan was very comprehensive and that she plans to meet with the Principals monthly to establish/review their goals.  A motion was made by Mrs. Rohan and seconded by Mr. McDonald to approve the Principal Evaluation Plan. A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

 

Mrs. Kathy Rohan       yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald         yea

Mrs. Joan Boss              yea  

Mr. John Kennedy           yea

Mrs. Beth Amado       yea

Mr. Bob McDonald          yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan          yea

 

MOTION CARRIED                  (7-0)

 

  1. Consideration was made by the Board to approve the additional .5 Kindergarten position/staff member.  Dr. Cody reported that due to the increase in the number of Kindergarten students at Northwest School an additional section was added, as mentioned under Superintendent’s Report. A motion was made by Mrs. Amado and seconded Mr. Kennedy to approve the .5 Kindergarten position/staff member.  A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

 

Mrs. Kathy Rohan       yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald         yea

Mrs. Joan Boss              yea  

Mr. John Kennedy           yea

Mrs. Beth Amado       yea

Mr. Bob McDonald          yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan          yea

 

MOTION CARRIED                  (7-0)

 

20. Consideration was made by the Board to approve the transfer of Michelle Aichele from .5 Kindergarten/.5 Pre-Kindergarten to Kindergarten. A motion was made by Mrs. Boss and seconded by Mrs. Amado to approve the transfer of Michelle Aichele to fill the additional Kindergarten section. A voice vote was taken with the following results:

 

MOTION CARRIED      ON VOICE VOTE      (7-0)

 

  21. Consideration was made by the Board to approve the hiring of Maria Mitchell for .5 Pre-Kindergarten at Southeast School.  A motion was made by Mrs. Boss and seconded by Mrs. Amado to hire Maria Mitchell for .5 Pre-Kindergarten at Southeast School to fill the position formally held by Michelle Aichele.  A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

 

Mrs. Kathy Rohan       yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald         yea

Mrs. Joan Boss              yea  

Mr. John Kennedy           yea

Mrs. Beth Amado       yea

Mr. Bob McDonald          yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan          yea

 

MOTION CARRIED                  (7-0)

 

  22. Consideration was made by the Board to approve the Memorandums of Understanding for Literacy Coach, Insurance and Number of Pay Periods.  Mrs. LaBella spoke of the understanding with the Union to 1) pay a stipend in the amount of $3,150 for the additional ten work days beyond the normal teacher work year, 2) pay the insurance premium of a bargaining unit member on a Board approved paid medical leave and 3) to increase the number of pay periods from 26 to 27 for the 2009-2010 school year.  A motion was made by Mrs. Rohan and seconded by Mr. MacDonald to approve the Memorandums of Understanding as presented.  A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

     

Mrs. Kathy Rohan       yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald         yea

Mrs. Joan Boss              yea  

Mr. John Kennedy           yea

Mrs. Beth Amado       yea

Mr. Bob McDonald          yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan          yea

 

MOTION CARRIED                  (7-0)

 

  23. At 8:14 p.m. a motion was made by Mrs. Boss and seconded by Mr. Kennedy to recess to Closed Session for discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity. 5ILCS 120/2 (c )(1). A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

     

Mrs. Kathy Rohan       yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald         yea

Mrs. Joan Boss              yea  

Mr. John Kennedy           yea

Mrs. Beth Amado       yea

Mr. Bob McDonald          yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan          yea

 

MOTION CARRIED                  (7-0)

 

 24. There being no further business, at 9:25 p.m. a motion was made by Mrs. Beth Amado and seconded by Mr. John Kennedy to adjourn the Meeting.  A roll call vote was taken with the following results:

 

Mrs. Kathy Rohan       yea

Mr. Terry MacDonald         yea

Mrs. Joan Boss              yea  

Mr. John Kennedy           yea

Mrs. Beth Amado       yea

Mr. Bob McDonald          yea

Mr. Jim Flanagan          yea

 

MOTION CARRIED        (7-0)

 

 25. The next scheduled Regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on September 16, 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