Minutes from the September 2, 2010 Meeting

Please click on this link to view the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting on September 2, 2010.

Board Brief for September 16, 2010

Call to Order: The Board of Education meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.

Public Hearing on the 2010-2011 Budget Adoption: No one asked to speak.

Student/Staff/Citizen Recognition:
The Board presented four students with Ambassador for Excellence Awards. Sarika DeBruyn, of Stevenson, was recognized for winning the American Heart Association’s billboard contest. Cassidy Saez-Vega, of Hanover Highlands, was recognized for naming the Hanover Park Police Department’s canine officer, Ajax. Keller graduates Danny Mena-Morado and Shakeyla Binion were recognized for their performance in the Family Violence Coordination Council anti-bullying slogan contest.

The Board also presented several Above and Beyond Awards. Jeff Gathman, the father of a Muir teacher, was recognized for buying 20 turkeys for needy families. The following people were recognized for volunteering at Hoover’s new greenhouse:  Bozena Akmakjian, Harry Wahrer and Melissa Nevarez of Lowe’s Hardware, Bill Hooper of B&R Handyworks, John Mydlach of John F. Mydlach Construction, Jerry Splitt of Lou-Bo’s Handyman Services and Chuck Vasquez of MCS.

Jenna Nystrom received the Outstanding Alumni award for her successful service career. She credited her passion for helping others to Pastor Bill Shaw, and dedicated her service medal to him. Pastor Shaw recently passed away unexpectedly.

Public Comment: A parent made recommendations to educate the administrators and nurses in District 54 about Mongolian spots.

Freedom of Information Act Requests: There has been one request since the last board meeting for copies of copier and printer lease and maintenance agreements.

Consent Agenda:

• Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting on September 2, 2010
• Checks dated Sept. 10, 2010
• Monthly update of revenues and expenditures
• Treasurer’s report on cash and investments
• Employment of personnel
• The renewal of a contract with R&G Consultants for Medicaid billing services
• The renewal of software licensing for the Websense Internet filtering solution
• The destruction of audiotapes of 24 closed-session meetings
• The release of minutes of 24 closed-session school board meetings
• The 2010-11 Application for Recognition of Schools

Reports:

• Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Ed Rafferty turned his report over to Andy DuRoss, assistant superintendent of human resources, who presented the sixth-day enrollment report to the Board. The district’s total enrollment on the sixth day of school was 13,680 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, an increase of 103 students from the fall of 2009. District 54 also has 569 early childhood students.
• Report of President of Board of Education: President Karen Strykowski praised Einstein students for the work on display in the board room.
• District Citizens’ Advisory committee Report: Board Member Barbara Hengels reported that DCAC members learned about the new essential outcomes and District 54’s project list for 2010-11.
• Foundation Report:  Board Member Bill Harper reminded everyone about the DiVine Wine Tasting on Sept. 17 and the Lou Malnati’s Fundraiser on Sept. 22.
• PTA Report: Former PTA Council President Mary Kay Prusnick invited everyone to the PTA General Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Mead. The Illinois Attorney General’s office will speak to parents at the meeting about sexting.

New Business:

• The Board adopted a resolution directing the superintendent to prepare the 2011-12 budget in tentative form.
• The Board adopted the 2010-11 budget.
• The Board approved an extension to the student transportation contract for 2011-12.
• The Board appointed additional representatives to serve on the District Citizens’ Advisory Committee this school year.
• The Board approved the Hoover Math and Science Academy proposal.
• The Board approved the revision of District 54’s essential outcomes for literacy, math, science and social science.

Announcements:Board members spoke about participating in the Septemberfest parade and the Hoover School greenhouse and garden dedication yesterday.

Adjournment: The Board adjourned at 8 p.m. to closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; and for discussion of minutes and verbatim records of closed-session meetings for the purpose of semi-annual review, as mandated.

Minutes from the August 12, 2010 Meeting

Please click on this link to view the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting on August 12, 2010.

Board Brief for September 2, 2010

Call to Order:  The Board of Education meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.

Discussion – Hoover Math and Science Academy Proposal:
The Task Force of staff from Hoover Elementary School shared with the School Board its proposal to become an open enrollment school in the fall of 2011 for students interested in attending a math and science academy. The instructional program at the academy would be founded on the District 54 curriculum, with a few changes. For example, each grade level would modify the units studied in science to be inquiry-based. In addition, classrooms would be converted so that Hoover had two science labs and one math lab for hands-on lesson activities.

Discussion – Review and Revision of District 54’s Essential Outcomes for Literacy, Math, Science and Social Science:
Teams from across District 54 met this summer to review and revise the essential outcomes documents for literacy, math, science and junior high social science. These teams identified the priority standards all students must master. These standards were shared with the School Board. This fall, District 54 will conduct a curriculum review of the elementary school social science curriculum and review the early childhood through sixth grade essential outcomes for social science as part of this process.

Public Comment: No one asked to speak.

Freedom of Information Act Requests:  There has been one request since the last board meeting related to pavement resurfacing in District 54.

Consent Agenda: The School Board approved the following items on the Consent Agenda:

• Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting on August 12, 2010
• Checks dated August 13 and 27, 2010
• Resignations and employment of personnel
• Re-employment of 26 employees who received dismissal notices
• The purchase of art supplies for the 2010-11 school year

New Business:

• The Board had the first reading of revisions to the following board policies:
  • Board Officers (BCB)
  • Meetings of the Board (BD)
  • Closed Session Minutes, Recording and Review (BDDG)

Announcements:

• Board Secretary Melissa Hutchison announced she would not seek re-election when her term ends in April.
• Board President Karen Strykowski commented on the positive start to the school year, highlighting the Tunnel of Hope on the first day at Fox School.

Adjournment: The Board adjourned at 8:20 p.m. to closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; and to discuss minutes and verbatim records of closed-session meetings for the purpose of semi-annual review, as mandated.