Board Minutes

ADDISON SCHOOL DISTRICT 4 – ADDISON , ILLINOIS

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of October 16, 2007 held in the Board Room at Indian Trail Junior High School . President Williams called the regular meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.

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

Roll call showed the following individuals:
PRESENT : Daniels, Lullo, Ricamato, Ruffolo, Williams, Willis
ABSENT: Towns
A quorum was declared present.

Motion #1: Approval of Minutes

Motion by Mr. Ruffolo, second by Mr. Daniels to approve the minutes of the Regular and Closed Session Meeting Minutes of September 25, 2007.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Daniels, Lullo, Ricamato, Ruffolo, Towns, Williams, Willis
ABSENT: None
NAY: None…Motion #1 Carried.

Communication/Public Participation on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items :

Patricia Kosmach, District 4 parent with students at Ardmore and Indian Trail, expressed concerns on the l ate 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.

Gina Grabowski, Diane Kirk and Daniela Sitkowski, Stone School parents, addressed the enrollment numbers at Stone School specifically at 5 th grade. 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.

Mr. Langton explained the challenge that is faced every spring in determining enrollment, partially due to mobility issues. He explained the importance of registering your children in the spring, so teacher needs can be determined and staffing needs met in the summer and school can begin fully staffed.

Mr. Langton also assured the parents that large class sizes are examined and the individual needs of students are taken into account in determining staffing for classes. All circumstances are taken into account when determining staffing needs.

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.

Dr. Sharma-Lewis shared the student demographics for the past 3 years and comparison ISAT information for grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. She also explained Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP): The state calculates school or the district's AYP to determine if students are improving their performance based on targets in reading and mathematics learning standards. The goal for 2008 AYP is to have 62.5% of the district's students meet/exceed state standards.

Dr. Sharma-Lewis explained that the District and School Improvement Plan is required by the state and implemented by each school district to improve student achievement; enhance instructional quality; have outcomes that are measurable and the District will provide professional development for the staff to achieve that these plans are implemented well. The District will achieve these plans by implementing a systematic, problem-solving model that is based on a continuous improvement cycle of instruction, assessment, strategies and interventions.

Dr. Sharma-Lewis also shared information on MAPS testing procedures and outcomes. She addressed questions from the Board and audience.

Tentative Tax Levy Presentation

Mr. Hitcho presented information regarding Addison District 4's tax levy. He explained the basis of the calculations: Consumer Price Index, New Construction, Levy Adjustments and the equalized Assessed Valuation. He explained the process for adoption of the 2007 tax levy and the time line for adoption.

Mr. Hitcho recommended adoption of the Resolution for the Estimated Amounts for the 2007 Tax Levy, later during the Action portion of the meeting.

Superintendent's Report : Dr. Hendricks reported:

• To the Board on reviewing 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 is presently going through the process of permitting a new development at Mill and Army Trail Roads. Janko will be building 31 single family homes, 58 duplexes and 100 condos. Janko is planning to market this development to people 55 or older. The impact on growth of the school district should be minimal, if this development is approved and built.
• He reported on the budget implementation plan (BIP) and the ramifications it will have our District 4;
• The Skward conversion is going well and on schedule. This Human Resource/Financial package should be totally implemented during the first part of 2008;
• The purchase of Laidlaw Bus by First Student was discussed. Mr. Hitcho explained that the Laidlaw name may be on our buses for awhile, it will change to First Student within the year. The transportation service we have become accustomed to this year will remain the same.
• The Regional Office of Education facility inspections were discussed.
• The correction of the air flow issue at Indian Trail has been completed.

Curriculum Report: Dr. Sharma-Lewis reported:

• On the MAPS Assessment training previously held and the training schedule for future implementation;
• Early Release Day reports from September 17, 2007 were very favorable. The time was spent in school improvement goals setting and planning. Each school based team evaluated their current achievement in reading, math and writing and set goals on their target goal for achievement in each of these areas.
• The implementation to utilize an RTI (Response to Intervention) model mandated by Congress was discussed. Dr. Sharma-Lewis explained that the core principles of a RTI model are based on research and common sense. She explained that the district is taking proactive steps to implement assessments for instruction, diagnose students' needs, and monitor progress through implementation of RTI. Future updates will be given to the Board.

Motion #2: Acceptance of District 4 Staff Resignation/Leave Requests

Motion by Mr. Towns, second by Mr. Ruffolo to accept the District 4 Staff Resignation/Leave Requests for the following individuals:

CERTIFIED STAFF LEAVE REQUEST
TARA DISMORE Effective: January 22, 2008 – Leave of Absence Assignment: Grade 4 – Stone Elementary School Term of Employment: 2 years, 5 months Hired: 8/25/05

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL - RESIGNATION
CHERYL L. BOYD Effective: September 28, 2007 – Resignation Assignment: Part-time I.M.C. Clerk – District Position
KARLA V. COSIO Effective: October 3, 2007 – Resignation Assignment: TBE Bilingual Aide – Fullerton Elementary School
MARYELLEN MARISIE Effective: October 19, 2007 – Resignation Assignment: Library Aide – Fullerton Elementary School

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Lullo, Ricamato, Ruffolo, Towns, Williams, Willis, Daniels
ABSENT: None
NAY: None…Motion #2 Carried.

Motion #3: Approval of District 4 Staff Employment Requests

Motion by Mrs. Willis, second by Mr. Lullo to approve the District 4 Staff Employment Requests for the following individuals:

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL EMPLOYMENT
JOANA R. BAKER Effective: October 1, 2007 Full-time ESP Position Assignment: Instructional Aide/Grade 5 - Stone Elementary School
JOSE S. GARCIA Effective: October 9, 2007 Full-time ESP Position Assignment: TBE Bilingual Aide – Army Trail Elementary School
TAMBERLYN C. McINTOSH Effective: September 26, 2007, Full-time Assignment: Special Education Inclusion Aide Grade 5 – Fullerton Elementary School

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Ricamato, Towns, Williams, Willis, Daniels, Lullo
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Ruffolo
NAY: None…Motion #3 Carried.

Motion #4: Approval of 2007-2008 Hazardous Crossings

Motion by Mr. Towns, second by Mrs. Willis to approve 2007-2008 listing of Hazardous Crossings. These crossings are the same as the crossings previously identified throughout the District.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Ruffolo, Towns, Williams, Willis, Daniels, Lullo, Ricamato
ABSENT: None
NAY: None…Motion #4 Carried.

Motion #5: Approval of Club/Activity Sponsors for 2007-2008

Motion by Mr. Towns, second by Mr. Daniels to approve the Club/Activity sponsors for 2007-2008, as follows:

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Towns Williams, Willis, Daniels, Lullo, Ricamato, Ruffolo
ABSENT: None
NAY: None…Motion #5 Carried.

14 clubs/activities were recommended for approval. Mr. Langton asked the Board to approve an additional $640 over the $6,000 amount agreed to in the Negotiated Agreement. The Board passed this motion unanimously.

Motion #6: Approval of Easement on Fullerton Avenue

Motion by Mr. Ruffolo, second by Mr. Towns to approve the granting of a temporary easement to the Village of Addison from District 4 for renovation of the entrance to Wenbriar Drive , off of Fullerton Avenue .

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Williams, Willis, Daniels, Lullo, Ricamato, Ruffolo, Towns
ABSENT: None
NAY: None…Motion #6 Carried.

Motion #7: Approval of Estimated 2007 Tax Levy

Motion by Mr. Towns, second by Mr. Daniels to approve the Estimated 2007 Tax Levy, as presented.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Willis, Daniels, Lullo, Ricamato, Ruffolo, Towns, Williams
ABSENT: None
NAY: None…Motion #7 Carried.

Discussion Items

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

1 st Reading of Board Policy Adoptions
The policies were presented for the 1 st reading. Mrs. Willis and Mr. Langton have reviewed the policies. 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.

Motion #8: Adjournment

Motion by Mrs. Willis, second by Mrs. Ricamato to adjourn the regularly scheduled Tuesday, October 16, 2007 Board of Education meeting.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYE: Lullo, Ricamato, Ruffolo, Towns, Williams, Willis, Daniels
ABSENT: None
NAY: None…Motion #8 Carried.

The regular Board of Education meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.

___________________________           ______________________ 
Kathy Willis, Secretary                                Dave Williams , President

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