BOARD BRIEFS

At its Regular Meeting of November 28, 2006 the Board of Education conducted the following business:

President Williams called the regular meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

After a brief moment of silence, Mr. Langton led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

At this time, Mr. Williams called the FY06 Annual Tax Levy meeting officially to order.

• Ms. Masterton presented the levy. Hearing no questions from the Board or any audience participation, Mr. Williams called for a motion to adjourn the Public Hearing to explain the proposed 2006 Property Tax Levy for Addison School District 4 and return to the regularly scheduled Board meeting.

The Board approved the minutes of the Regular and Closed Session Meetings of October 30, 2006.

The Board approved the Accounts Payable for November 2006. Ms. Masterton addressed questions from the Board.

The Board approved the Payroll for October 2006.

Presentation: What's Happening at Ardmore School

Mr. Chuck Wartman, Principal of Ardmore School, began his presentation thanking the School Board for their generous donation for the school library. Mr. Wartman presented a Power Point presentation highlighting various activities and strategies used by the faculty to actuate the learning activities that go on at Ardmore on a daily basis. The Board thanked Mr. Wartman for this entertaining and informative presentation.

Communication/Public Participation: A Stone School parent, who attended a previous Board meeting, requested an update on enrollment figures within the District. Dr. Hendricks said that aides had been hired for all classrooms with high enrollments. The administration reported that in speaking to the building principals involved, that there were no negative quarter grade trends in the classrooms affected. Administration is carefully monitoring these areas to make sure that all students are provided with a quality education. The audience was assured that the Board receives updates on this subject.

Superintendent's Report: Dr. Hendricks indicated that he had included his information in the Board packet. Dr. Hendricks distributed a picture of the new signage that will be placed in front of each school building.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Report: Ms. Masterton reported on the following information:

• Open enrollment dates for insurance are December 1 through December 15, 2006.
• Ms. Masterton reported that there is $800,000 in insurance claim reserves.
• There will be a modest increase of 5% over the present premiums paid.
• Breakfast is now served at Fullerton and Indian Trail
• A breakfast/snack program will begin at Ardmore later in the year and
• Discussion on the budget for next year should begin soon. Some of the items to be considered are:
• what should be done with the 121 Fullerton building
• how to renovate the old kitchen area, next to the District Office
• and the completion by STR of a 5 year facility plan.

Director of Curriculum Report: Mr. Frontier reported on the following items:

• Triggiano , Italy trip update:
• A parent meeting was held and interest was high;
• If the trip takes place, it will be planned during spring break and extend into the next week (the students will miss 4 days of school), March 24 – April 5, 2007;
• The Sister Cities Committee may give each student a grant of $1,000 toward the expense of the trip.
• Mr. Frontier explained that previously staff surveys evaluating workshops and inservices were using a paper-pencil process. In an effort to reduce the time expended in completing the surveys, the district is implementing an on-line survey process. This process has proved very successful and time saving in processing the results.
• Mr. Frontier introduced Holly Burg, the District Literacy Specialist. Holly explained her responsibilities for the after school classes and classroom assistance that she provides for new and experienced teachers in the District.

Action Items:

• The Board accepted District 4 Staff Resignation Requests.
• The Board approved District 4 Staff Employment Requests.
• The Board approved the 2006 Property Tax Levy, as presented during the hearing earlier in the meeting.

Discussion Items:

•  Regular Board of Education Meeting – Tuesday, December 19, 2006, 7:00 p.m., Board Room – Indian Trail Junior High School

•  Worker's Compensation and Liability Insurance Coverage Change
Pat Masterton explained the goal in considering this coverage change is to provide the best possible coverage at the most cost effective price.

•  Proposal from Telesolutions
Ms. Masterton explained that the District will be looking at implementing a new telephone system to replace the antiquated system now in place.

•  Other
The Board will hold a training session (not a formal Board meeting) regarding long term planning strategies and information obtained at the recent School Board convention. It was decided that this meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 9, 2007, at 6:00 p.m., in the district office conference room.

The artwork in the Board Room was created by the students of Army Trail School under the direction of Bonnie Eigel.

Miscellaneous/Unfinished Business: None

The Board adjourned the Tuesday, November 28, 2006 Board of Education meeting at 8:32 p.m.

/mh