BOARD BRIEFS

At its Regular Meeting of October 30, 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 7:17 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 October 16, 2007.

The Board approved the Accounts Payable for October 2007. Mr. Hitcho addressed questions from the Board.

The Board approved the Payroll for September 2007.

Communication/Public Participation on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items : None

Presentations:

Those Who Excel Technology Recognition

Mr. Williams honored the District's Technology Team for their recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education for the Those Who Excel 2008 Award of Recognition . The team was nominated by the district and received this award for implementing the tablet technology into the classroom, at every grade level. Additionally, our Tech Team recommended that each classroom be equipped with a wireless LCD projector, that has allowed the staff to display the tablet computer from anywhere in the classroom.

Mrs. Bresnahan, the Director of Education and Information Technology thanked the team for the success of the implementation of this project and assisted Mr. Williams in handing out certificates of recognition and pens to all of the recipients.

The following staff members were recognized: Staff: Cheryl Boyd, Mike Kucko, Patti Lambert – Teachers: Sharon Achtien, Sue Bortko, Carol Cisko, Tiffany Furst, Caryn Griffith, Stacy Hahn, Deanna Johnson, Karen Koch, Mary Mehl, Amy Miller, Sue Ortale, John Tataris and Brenda Ultch.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) – Indian Trail Junior High School

Mrs. Sliva, Principal, of Indian Trail began the presentation by explaining that PBIS is a process for creating safer and more effective schools. It is a systems approach to school-wide classroom discipline that emphasizes prevention, instruction on social skills, and data-based decision making to reduce problem behavior and improve time spent in the classroom on instruction.

Mrs. Sliva thanked the following committee members for the smooth implementation and their support: Colleen Cummings, Christine Hubek, Edward Gimenez, Craig Bennett, Jillian Barker, Paul Miksan, Melinda Struck, Carolyn Young and Bob Pape.

Mr. Pape, Assistant Principal of Indian Trail, explained the matrix relating to the school wide expectations and explained the reward system of PBIS.

The committee presented a video showing the students' acceptance of this new program during the implementation process.

  Superintendent's Report : Dr. Hendricks shared the following:

•  November 17 is the Illinois School Board Association Convention

•  At this conference District 4 personnel will be participating in two presentations – Mrs. Ricamato and Mrs. Bresnahan will explain the success of the implementation of the tablet technology throughout the district and

- Dr. Hendricks and Mr. Williams, along with members of the staff from District 88, will address the successful educational procedures employed to educate the Latino population.

•  The Parent University will be held on Saturday, November 3, at Addison Trail High School . All parents are invited to attend the various presentations offered.

Business Report: Mr. Hitcho reported:

•  A tree from a neighbor's yard fell into the Ardmore parking lot striking a faculty member's car. The clean-up was handled by the district maintenance crew. Mr. Hitcho is conducting the follow-up to make sure that the insurance company pays the related bills.

•  He reported on the training of his entire department to input information into the Blue Cross/Blue Shield system.

•  The transition of personnel and the filling of a present vacant position, in the business department, were discussed.

•  The Skyward implementation and training schedule was detailed.

•  Direct deposit will be strongly encouraged for all employees.

•  The Transportation Committee with Laidlaw will be meeting quarterly.

Curriculum Report: Dr. Sharma-Lewis reported:

• The District Improvement Goals and plan of action will be discussed in each building during the next few weeks, to define the district's plan of action. She will discuss with each staff the importance of formative assessments, data collection, implementing interventions and working in problem solving teams to address student needs to improve academic performance.
• The program for Institute Day was presented. Dr. Mark Shinn will present how the district can incorporate best practices with Response to Intervention (RTI). The district staff is at different levels of understanding about RTI, assessments and interventions. This institute day will provide District 4 educators with consistent information.
• MAPS training, Part 2, will take place on November 8.

The Board accepted the District 4 Staff Resignation Requests.

The Board approved the District 4 Staff Employment Requests.

The Board waived the 2 nd reading and approved the Board policies, as presented.

Items of Discussion:

Next Regular Board of Education Meeting – Tuesday, November 27, 2007 – 7:00 p.m. – Indian Trail Junior High School - Board Room

Approval of Waiver for School Holidays: The District has applied for a waiver of selected school holidays, since August 1996. This waiver allows the district flexibility when planning their school calendar.

Consideration of Draft Calendar 2008-2009: The Board was asked to consider this calendar for adoption.

Other:

•  Mr. Langton reported that a Freedom of Information Request (FOIA) was received from the Chicago Area Laborers – Employers Cooperation and Education Trust regarding responsible bidder requirements. The District has responded that they do not maintain any specific language pertaining to this request.

•  Dr. Hendricks said that the next Intergovernmental meeting will take place Thursday, November 8, 2007, at the Addison Fire Department.

Miscellaneous/Unfinished Business – None

The Board adjourned the Tuesday, October 30, 2007, Board of Education meeting at 8:13 p.m.

/mh