July 15, 2002
RICH TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 227
The Board of Education of Rich Township High School District 227 met on Monday, July 15, 2002, in the Media Center at Rich Central High School, Olympia Fields, Illinois.
In the absence of the President, Mrs. Lohr, Vice President, opened the meeting at 7:45 p.m. and requested a roll call.
Present: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, White, Lohr
Absent: Burnette
Also Present: Dr. Knutson, Mr. Tandy, Mrs. Panega, Mr. Cahill, Mrs. Treichel, Ms. Rich, Mrs. Martin, Dr. Donausky, Mr. Lea, Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Pizzimenti, Dr. McDonald, Mrs. Hicks, Mr. O’Malley, Mrs. Hurd-Jenkins, Mr. Jenkins, Leon Norwood
Recognition of Citizens
Mrs. Lohr asked if any citizens wished to be recognized. Mr. Jenkins was recognized. He noted that his son had been expelled from Rich East. He wanted to know if his son could attend any of the other District 227 schools.
Dr. Knutson informed Mr. Jenkins that his son could not attend any of the District 227 schools once he had been expelled.
Mr. Jenkins brought up the fact that the Student in Good Standing form had been sent to him stating the wrong information. Mr. Lea noted that a corrected form had been sent out and asked Mr. Jenkins if he had received it. Mr. Jenkins stated that the corrected form had been received.
Mrs. Jenkins asked if discipline decisions are made in a public meeting. Dr. Knutson responded that the parents are invited to attend the student discipline hearing but when the hearing officer’s report is discussed by the Board it is done in closed session.
At 8:05 p.m. Mrs. Owens moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(03-01) It is moved that the Board of Education go into closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, discipline, dismissal or compensation of an employee or officer.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, White, Lohr
Nay: None
Motion 03-01 carried.
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At 8:40 p.m. Mrs. Norwood moved and Mrs. Owens seconded the following:
(03-02) It is moved that the Board of Education reconvene its regular Board meeting.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, White, Lohr
Nay: None
Motion 03-02 carried.
Mrs. Lohr recognized Mr. O’Malley. Mr. O’Malley noted he had attended a meeting of the Village of Matteson earlier in the evening and had been presented with a check in the amount of $57,552.96 for District 227. This check represents TIF surplus.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Mrs. Lohr asked if anyone wished to remove any item from the Consent Agenda. Mrs. Owens requested that the closed session minutes of June 17, 2002, (Session 1) be removed from the Consent Agenda. Mrs. Lohr requested approval of the Consent Agenda with the above removal. Mr. Freund moved and Mrs. Owens seconded the following:
(03-03) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda items as listed:
a. Approval of the Regular and Closed Session (Session 2)) meeting minutes of June 17, 2002, the Community Relations and Long Range Planning Committee Meeting minutes of June 17, 2002, and the Special and Closed Session meeting minutes of June 24, 2002, as distributed.
b. Approval of payroll and bills payable
It is moved that the Board of Education approve the payroll and bills payable dated July 15, 2002, as follows:
Payroll
Gross Payroll June 25, 2002 3,440,879.98
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Gross Payroll July 10, 2002 283,266.26
Bills Payable
Education 416,309.71
Operation & Maintenance 93,727.77
Transportation 12,514.92
Site & Construction 313,886.40
Life Safety 5,134.00
Total Bills Payable 841,572.80
c. Approval of payroll and bills payable for the Career Preparation Network
It is moved that the Board of Education approve the payroll and bills payable dated July 15, 2002, for the Career Preparation Network as follows:
Payroll
Gross Payroll June 25, 2002 12,322.98
Gross Payroll July 10, 2002 3,500.00
Bills Payable
Education 515.00
d. Approval of classified and exempt personnel report
It is moved that the Board of Education approve the classified and exempt personnel report listing new hires, leaves of absences, promotions, resignations, retirements, terminations, and transfers, as presented by the Superintendent, provided all the requirements of the State of Illinois are met.
Minutes
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4
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- Open closed session minutes
It is moved that the Board of Education open to the public the closed session minutes of the following meetings from 2001-2002 as follows: December 3, 2001, and June 3, 2002.
- Approval of SCOPE Membership
It is moved that the Board of Education approve the District’s membership in the South Cooperative Organization for Public Education (SCOPE) for the 2002-2003 school year.
Mr. Tandy noted that Anita Howard was listed on the Classified and Exempt Personnel Report. Anita will be our new Communications Coordinator, if approved. He noted that her reference checks were verified, and they confirmed what was heard and seen in her interview that Mrs. Howard will do an excellent job for our District.
Dr. Knutson noted that Ms. Howard was currently still working with Lyons Township schools, and she will continue there part time.
Ms. Howard was recognized. She stated she is thrilled to be working with District 227.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, White, Lohr
Nay: None
Motion 03-03 carried.
Financial Considerations
Mr. Cahill was recognized. He noted he had five items to bring before the Board. He began with an announcement regarding receipt of Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award. Mr. Cahill noted that his office staff should be commended for all the work put into making this award a reality. He stated it was quite an honor for a district to receive its 15th CAFR award.
Mr. Cahill requested approval of bid for an electrical upgrade and computer expansion at Rich Central. Mr. White moved and Mrs. Caldwell seconded the following:
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(03-04) It is moved that the Board of Education waive any and all irregularities in the bidding process and award to the lowest, responsible bidder meeting specifications a contract for electrical upgrades and computer expansion at the Rich Central High School to Divane Bros. Electric Co., Franklin Park, IL, in the amount of $272,000, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-03.
Mr. Cahill noted that it had been estimated that the bids would come in at $600,000, but the lowest responsible bid was $272,000. He noted that this will give the district an opportunity to move forward with other electrical upgrades.
Mr. White stated that Divane Bros. Electric Co. is a very reliable company.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, White, Lohr
Nay: None
Motion 03-04 carried.
Mr. Cahill requested participation in the Illinois Energy Consortium. Mr. White moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(03-05) It is moved that the Board of Education adopt the “Resolution Authorizing the Natural Gas Membership and Participation Agreement with the Illinois Energy Consortium, Inc.” and the companion “Resolution Authorizing the Electrical Supply Membership and Participation Agreement with the Illinois Energy Consortium,” in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-04.
Mr. Cahill noted that over 300 Illinois school districts participate in this program.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, White, Lohr
Nay: None
Motion 03-05 carried.
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Mr. Cahill requested approval of tentative budgets for Rich Township High School District 227 and the Career Preparation Network. Mrs. Owens moved and Mr. White seconded the following:
(03-06) It is moved that the Board of Education authorize the Director of Fiscal Services to prepare the 2002-2003 Tentative Budget and the Executive Director of the Career Preparation Network to prepare the 2002-2003 Tentative Budget, and make them available for public inspection for a period of not less than 30 days expiring on or before September 9, 2002. Further, a Public Hearing on said Tentative Budgets will be held on September 9, 2002, at 7:30 p.m., and the secretary is directed to have inserted in the local newspaper the attached notices of said availability for inspection and Public Hearing, in accordance with Business Memorandums 03-01 and 03-02.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, White, Lohr
Nay: None
Motion 03-06 carried.
Personnel Office Report
Mr. Tandy requested approval of teaching contracts. Mr. Freund moved and Mr. White seconded the following:
(03-07) It is moved that the Board of Education approve teaching contracts as follows:
Full-time
Allison Arkin Step 1, M.A. Lane
Linda Carter Step 20, M.A. Lane
Michelle Esposito Step 2, B.A. Lane
Hope Henderson Step 1, M.A.+45 Lane
Karyn Junker Step 1, B.A. Lane
Patrick Keeley Step 5, B.A.+15 Lane
Matthew Lawson Step 3, B.A. Lane
David O’Toole Step 1, B.A. Lane
Rachael Owens Step 2, B.A. Lane
Julia Robertson Step 5, M.A. Lane
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Craig West Step 10, B.A. Lane
Thomas Williams Step 3, B.A. Lane
Debra Witt Step 8, M.A. Lane
Jean Paul Zwickert Step 3, M.A.+45 Lane
Part-Time
John Kern .4940 of Step L, M.A. Lane
Byron Hyink .4 of Step L, M.A.+30 Lane
provided all the requirements of the State of Illinois and the North Central Association are met.
Mr. Tandy noted that position and campus of each new teacher.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, Lohr
Nay: White
Motion 03-07 carried.
Mr. Tandy requested acceptance of resignations. Mr. Freund moved and Mr. White seconded the following:
(03-08) It is moved that the Board of Education accept the resignations of certificated staff members Jennifer Banas and Kimberly Ann Kay, effective with the 2002-2003 school year.
After a voice vote, Mrs. Lohr declared the motion carried.
Motion 03-08 carried.
Report of the Director of Teaching and Learning
Mrs. Panega reported on the Summer Enrichment Program. She noted she will be presenting a full report at the August 19 Education Committee meeting.
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Committee Reports
Mrs. Norwood reported on the Policy Committee meeting held prior to the Board meeting. She stated that various policies had been discussed, and it had been a productive meeting.
Mrs. Caldwell reminded the Board that the next Community Relations and Long-Range Planning Committee meeting will take place on Monday, August 5, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. at Rich Central. This will be a follow-up to the foundation meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 16.
Mr. Freund reminded the Board of the Education Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, August 19, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rich Central Board Room. Agenda items will include the R.A.M.P. program, the gifted program, and the impact of coaches on student achievement and development. The Assistant Principals for Athletic/Activities will be invited to attend.
Special Reports
Mrs. Owens reported on her attendance at the Shared Leadership Conference in Tellico, TN. She noted she had been part of a group of sixteen from District 227 attending the conference. Mrs. Owens passed out information on Leadership and School Transformation which she had received at the Conference, which had been facilitated by the Bellons. She noted that continuous improvement of schools had been the focus of the Conference.
Report of the Superintendent
Dr. Knutson requested approval of a revised Phoenix Campus Bell Schedule. Mr. Freund moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(03-09) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the revised bell schedule for the Phoenix Campus, as attached.
Dr. Knutson noted that the Phoenix Campus principal and staff met to make suggested changes in the bell schedule. This schedule gives the students more instructional time and opportunities for school improvement.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
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Aye: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, Lohr
Nay: None
Absent: White
Motion 03-09 carried.
Dr. Knutson updated the Board on the Rich South auditorium. He noted that construction of the auditorium is 3 - 4 weeks behind in schedule, due in part to the contractor problem. The footings and the foundation have been poured. Dr. Knutson noted that Henry Bros. believes that construction will be back on schedule and the auditorium will be completed some time in May of next year. There is a construction camera in place, and we are currently working to get the camera working with the District’s web site.
Report of the President
Mrs. Lohr reminded the Board of the next regular Board meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, August 19, 2002, in the Rich Central Media Center.
Mrs. Lohr requested a Special Board Meeting for Monday, August 5, 2002, at approximately 7:30 p.m. following the Community Relations and Long-Range Planning Committee meeting. This meeting will be held in the Rich Central Board Room.
Mrs. Lohr requested a closed session to discuss negotiations strategies.
Mrs. Lohr reminded the Board members to submit to the IASB their Leadership and Development Activities Summary.
Mrs. Lohr requested a date for the New Staff Reception. It was decided that this reception would take place on Tuesday, August 27, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. in the Rich Central cafeteria.
Recognition of Citizens
Mrs. Martin was recognized. She reminded the Board of the October 3 dedication of the Phoenix Campus.
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Closed Session
At 9:45 p.m. Mrs. Owens moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(03-10) It is moved that the Board of Education go into closed session to discuss negotiations strategies.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, White, Lohr
Nay: None
Motion 03-10 carried.
At 10:40 p.m. Mr. Freund moved and Mr. White seconded the following:
(03-11) It is moved that the Board of Education reconvene its regular Board meeting.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Caldwell, Freund, Norwood, Owens, White, Lohr
Nay: None
Motion 03-11 carried.
At 10:41 p.m. Mr. Freund moved and Mr. White seconded the motion to adjourn. After a voice vote, Mrs. Lohr declared the meeting adjourned.
_______________________________________ ___________________________________
President Secretary