BOARD BRIEFS

At its Regular Meeting of October 16, 2007 the Board of Education conducted the following business:

President Williams called the regular meeting, in the Board Room at Indian Trail, to order at 7:20 p.m.

Mr. Langton led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Board approved the minutes of the Regular and Closed Session Meetings of September 25, 2007.

Communication/Public Participation on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items : An Ardmore parent requested that the Board look at the late departure of buses from Ardmore at the end of the day. The administration responded that are aware of the problem and they will be adding 3 buses to Ardmore and see if that alleviates the problem. Next year the administration will look at other alternatives if the addition of buses does not improve the reliability of departure times at Ardmore .

One parent addressed a personnel issue and was informed that personnel issues are not handled during a Board meeting.

Three parents addressed the enrollment numbers at Stone School . The administration assured the parents that the District is monitoring the situation. Mrs. Pfaff, Stone School principal, encouraged the parents to come in and address their concerns with her.

Presentations:

District Improvement/Report Card Presentation – Dr. Bhavna Sharma-Lewis
•  Dr. Sharma-Lewis presented the 2007 District Report Card Data, available on the District website and the District and School Improvement Plan: the goals, action plan and outcomes. She also shared information on MAPS testing procedures and outcomes. Dr. Sharma-Lewis addressed questions from the Board and audience.

Tentative Tax Levy Presentation
•  Mr. Hitcho presented information regarding Addison District 4's tax levy process, the 2007 tax levy and the recommended adoption of the Resolution for the Estimated Amounts for the 2007 Tax Levy, later in the meeting.

Superintendent's Report : Dr. Hendricks reported:

• He asked the Board to review the information he placed in their packet;
• Dr. Hendricks reminded the Board to respond to the Those Who Excel Dinner invitation;
• The Board and administration will give two presentations at the School Board Convention in November:
• Terri Bresnahan and Kelly Ricamato will present on the tablet implementation within the District
• Dave Williams and Dr. Hendricks, along with members of District 88, will present on success educating Latino students.

Business Report: Mr. Hitcho reported:

• On the state of the Addison Golf Course Janko Residential Redevelopment; on the budget implementation plan; the status of the Skward conversion; the purchase of Laidlaw Bus by First Student; Regional Office of Education facility inspections and the correction of the air flow issue at Indian Trail.

Curriculum Report: Dr. Sharma-Lewis reported:

• MAPS Assessment training previously held and the training schedule for future implementation;
• Early Release Day reports from September 17, 2007; The implementation to utilize an RTI (Response to Intervention model) mandated by Congress. Dr. Sharma-Lewis explained that the core principles of a RTI model are based on research and common sense.

The Board accepted the District 4 Staff Resignation Requests.

The Board approved the District 4 Staff Employment Requests.

The Board approved the list of hazardous crossings within the school district boundaries.

The Board approved the Club/Activity Sponsors for 2007-2008, with an additional stipend of $640.00

To complete the Fullerton Avenue road improvements, the Board approved the Village of Addison to obtain a temporary easement from the District for the entrance to Wenbriar Drive , off of Fullerton Avenue .

The Board approved the Estimated 2007 Tax Levy, as presented earlier during the presentation section of the Board meeting.

Items of Discussion:

Next Regular Board of Education Meeting – Tuesday, October 30, 2007 – 7:00 p.m. – Indian Trail Junior High School - Board Room

1 st Reading of Board Policy Adoptions
The policies were presented for the 1 st reading. Mr. Langton pointed out that it was noteworthy to review the policy on Board communicat ions. If there are no questions or objections, the Board will be asked to waive the 2 nd reading and approve the policies as presented, at the October 30 Board meeting.

Lyric Opera at Addison Trail
The Lyric Opera presented the operetta, Cinderella, to the 4 th – 6 th graders, on October 11. The children enjoyed the performance.

FOIA Request
The District received a Freedom of Information request. The district will respond appropriately to the request.

Miscellaneous/Unfinished Business

Dr. Hendricks announced that the art work in the Board Room was created by students from Army Trail and Stone Schools , under the direction of Bonnie Eigel.

Mr. Williams thanked the students of the Builders Club and staff members of the District that assisted during Kiwanis Peanut Day. The Builders Club, at Indian Trail, earned $3,000 for their club through their efforts and the Kiwanis Club raised $9,000 for their various club projects.

The Board adjourned the Tuesday, October 16, 2007 Board of Education meeting at 8:43 p.m.

/mh