June 16, 2003
RICH TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 227
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
June 16, 2003
The Board of Education of Rich Township High School District 227 met in regular session in the Media Center at Rich Central High School, Olympia Fields, Illinois, on Monday, June 16, 2003.
Mrs. Owens called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
Present: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr (7:15 p.m.), Norwood, Owens
Also Present: Ms. Rich, Ms. Sowles, Mrs. Pizzimenti, Mr. Kredens, Ms. Morain, Mr. Spielbauer, Ms. Brookins, Ms. Franklin, Ms. Bradford, Ms. Williams, Ms. Davis, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Murphy, Ms. Pugh, Mr. Turner, Ms. Jarmon, Mr. and Mrs. Brazzale, Ms. High, Mr. Magill, Mr. Veazey, Mrs. Jasinevicius, Miss Jasinevicius, Dr. Knutson, Mrs. Panega, Mr. Tandy, Mr. Cohn, Mrs. Treichel
Scheduled Presentations
Mrs. Owens noted that the first item on the agenda was the presentation of certificates of election from the County Clerk of the County of Cook to the Board’s three new Board members. She asked Mr. Brunson, Mr. Cohn, and Mr. Jasinevicius to come forward and receive their certificates. Certificates were presented and congratulations given to Mr. Brunson, Mr. Cohn, and Mr. Jasinevicius. Mr. Jasinevicius introduced his family.
Closed Session
At 6:45 p.m. Mr. Burnette moved and Mr. Cohn seconded the following:
(03-176) 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: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-176 carried.
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At 7:50 p.m. Mr. Burnette moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(03-177) It is moved that the Board of Education reconvene its regular Board meeting.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-177 carried.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Mrs. Owens asked if any Board members wished to change or remove any item from the Consent Agenda. There being none, Mr. Burnette moved and Mr. Brunson seconded the following:
(03-178) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda items as listed.
a. Approval of the regular, closed session and Committee of the Whole minutes of May 19, 2003, Special Meeting and closed session minutes of May 27, 2003, and Education Committee minutes of June 2, 2003, as distributed.
- Approval of payroll and bills payable
It is moved that the Board of Education approve the payroll and bills payable dated June 16, 2003, as follows:
Payroll
Gross Payroll May 23, 2003 1,295,826.60
Gross Payroll June 10, 2003 1,416,340.23
Bills Payable
Education 569,165.42
Minutes
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Operation & Maintenance 168,319.80
Transportation 227,003.23
Site & Construction 380,941.12
Life Safety 464.64
Total Bills Payable 1,345,894.21
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 June 16, 2003, for the Career Preparation Network as follows:
Payroll
Gross Payroll May 23, 2003 4,527.27
Gross Payroll June 10, 2003 4,527.27
Bills Payable
Education 53,621.48
- 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.
Mr. Tandy noted he had reviewed the personnel matters with Mr. Burnette.
Mr. Cahill noted he had reviewed the bills with Mr. Brunson.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
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Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-178 carried.
At 7:55 p.m. Mrs. Owens called a recess in the Board meeting to hold a public hearing on the District’s amended budget.
At 8:00 p.m. Mrs. Owens reconvened the regular Board meeting.
Financial Considerations
Mr. Cahill requested approval of the Prevailing Wage Rates. Mr. Brunson moved and Mr. Burnette seconded the following:
(03-179) It is moved that the Board of Education adopt the Resolution entitled “A Resolution Adopting the Prevailing Wage Rates for Laborers, Workmen and Mechanics Employed on Public Works of Rich Township High School District 227, Cook County, Illinois, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-43.
Mr. Cahill noted that this resolution satisfies a legal requirement that the Board of Education enforce the Prevailing Wage Act for public works projects.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-179 carried.
Mr. Cahill requested adoption of the Amended Fiscal Year 2002-2003 budget. Mr. Brunson moved and Mr. Burnette seconded the following:
(03-180) It is moved that the Board of Education adopt the amended Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Budget as presented to the Budget and Finance Committee at its May 12, 2003, Committee meeting, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-44.
Minutes
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Mr. Cahill stated that the Board of Education, at its April meeting, authorized the preparation and publication of availability of an amended Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Budget. The Budget and Finance Committee, at its May 12, 2003, meeting reviewed the amended budget. The Budget has been available for public inspection since May 15, 2003.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-180 carried.
Mr. Cahill requested approval of a working cash fund loan repayment from the Education Fund. Mr. Jasinevicius moved and Mr. Cohn seconded the following:
(03-181) It is moved that the Board of Education authorize the Township Treasurer to repay $2,000,000 from the Education Fund to the Working Cash Fund of Rich Township High School District 227, Cook County, Illinois, as provided for in the “Resolution Authorizing a Loan from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund of Rich Township High School District 227, Cook County, Illinois,” dated June 17, 2002, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-45.
Mr. Cahill noted that, at its June 17, 2002, regular meeting, the Board of Education authorized a $2,000,000 loan from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund. This action authorizes the Township Treasurer to repay the loan.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-181 carried.
Mr. Cahill requested approval of a supplementary bills payable list. Mr. Cohn moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
Minutes
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6/16/03
(03-182) It is moved that the Board of Education authorize the Director of Fiscal Services to prepare and the Township School Treasurer to issue checks for a supplementary June, 2003, bills payable list in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00, and direct that the same be reviewed for after the fact approval with the July, 2003, bills, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-46.
Mr. Cahill noted that the items that are paid on the special bill list and payroll are generally for payments that have to be made during the current fiscal year. These bills will be paid in June but approved at the July meeting.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-182 carried.
Mr. Cahill requested approval of a supplementary bills payable list for the Career Preparation Network. Mr. Jasinevicius moved and Mr. Burnette seconded the following:
(03-183) It is moved that the Board of Education authorize the Director of Fiscal Services to prepare and the Township School Treasurer to issue checks for a supplementary June, 2003, bills payable list in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00, for the Career Preparation Network, and direct that the same be reviewed for after-the-fact approval with the July, 2003, bills, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-47.
Mr. Cahill noted that these bills will be for the Career Preparation Network and will be approved in the same way as the District’s bills above.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-183 carried.
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Mr. Cahill requested award of a copier-printer bid. Mr. Jasinevicius moved and Mr. Brunson seconded the following:
(03-184) It is moved that the Board of Education waive any and all irregularities in the bidding process and (i) award the “Copier-Printer Bid” to Canon Business Solutions, the lowest responsible bidder, for the 60-month lease-purchase price of $402,406.80 (or $80,481.36 annually), (ii) enter into a five-year maintenance agreement for $242,894.25 (or $48,578.85 annually), (iii) declare surplus and trade-in for select existing District copiers for $1,640.00 and (iv) authorize the administration to negotiate and execute the necessary documents to complete the transaction, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-48.
Mr. Cahill noted that bids had been submitted for the replacement of 24 of the District’s copiers. Canon was the lowest bidder. He noted the District will be saving $60,000 per year over its current contract.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-184 carried.
Mr. Cahill requested approval of the 2003-2004 athletic trainer services contract. Mr. Brunson moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(03-185) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the Athletic Trainer Services contract for the Rich Central, Rich East and Rich South athletic programs for the 2003-2004 school year from HEALTHSOUTH at the annual amount of $61,500, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-49.
Mr. Cahill noted that HEALTHSOUTH has been our athletic provider since February, 1998, and has been providing excellent service. Their proposal for next year remains the same.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-185 carried.
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Mr. Cahill requested authorization to renew a contract providing food service to BASE, Inc. Mr. Brunson moved and Mr. Jasinevicius seconded the following:
(03-186) It is moved that the Board of Education authorize the administration to renew a “Contract Providing Food Service to BASE, Inc.” from August 18, 2003, through May 28, 2004, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-50
Mr. Cahill noted that this contract will benefit the District as we continue to provide food service to District 162 for its before and after school program through BASE, Inc.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-186 carried.
Mr. Cahill requested authorization to renew a contract with Matteson School District 162. Mr. Brunson moved and Mr. Burnette seconded the following:
(03-187) It is moved that the Board of Education authorize the administration to renew a “Contract Providing Food Service to Matteson School District 162" from July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-51.
Mr. Cahill noted that School District 162 has contracted with our District since 1991 to prepare its meals for Huth students. This contract will benefit the District.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-187 carried.
Mr. Cahill requested approval to award a bid for locker replacement for a portion of Rich Central High School. Mrs. Norwood moved and Mr. Brunson seconded the following:
Minutes
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(03-188) It is moved that the Board of Education waive any and all irregularities in the bidding process and award the Locker Replacement Bid at Rich Central High School to Dearborn Midwest for the Base Bid Amount of $11,798.00, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 03-52.
Mr. Brunson and Mr. Cohn stated they felt it was important for the District to use local vendors for its contracts and requested information on the vendors who had submitted bids for the lockers. Mr. Cahill will supply that information to the Board.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-188 carried.
Personnel Office Report
Mr. Tandy requested acceptance of resignations of certificated staff. Mr. Jasinevicius moved and Mr. Cohn seconded the following:
(03-189) It is moved that the Board of Education accept the resignations of certificated staff members Brian McLaughlin, Thomas Bailey, Janine Stroemer, and Sarah Dubbert.
Mr. Tandy noted that three of these staff members had accepted positions at other school districts. Ms. Dubbert was moving out of state.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-189 carried.
Mr. Tandy requested approval of 12-month administrative contracts. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mr. Burnette seconded the following:
(03-190) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the following 12-month administrative contracts beginning July 1, 2003:
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- Ronald E. Bean, Associate Principal, Rich East High School
- Celeste Nelson, Associate Principal, Rich Central High School
Mr. Tandy noted that he was pleased to present these two excellent candidates to the Board for approval. He also noted that Mr. Bean was an internal candidate for the position.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-190 carried.
Mr. Tandy requested approval of 11-month administrative contracts. Mr. Jasinevicius moved and Mrs. Lohr seconded the following:
(03-191) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the following 11-month administrative contracts beginning July 1, 2003:
(i) Traci Toth, Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator, Rich East High School
(ii) Cynthia Morain, Science Curriculum Coordinator, Rich East High School
(iii) Robert Kaufmann, Math Curriculum Coordinator, Rich Central High School
(i) Patricia Wozny, Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator, Rich Central High School
(v) John Navickas, Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator, Rich South High School
(vi) Ismael Zamora, Math Curriculum Coordinator, Rich South High School
(vii) Faye Smith, Special Education Coordinator, District
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(viii) Barbara Hicks, Coordinator for Career and Technical Education Grants Administration, District
(i) Matthew Guritz, Social Studies Coordinator, Rich East High School
Mr. Tandy noted that he was pleased to present a number of internal candidates for these curriculum coordinator positions.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-191 carried.
Mr. Tandy requested approval of an employment contract. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mr. Brunson seconded the following:
(03-192) It is moved that the Board of Education of School District 227, as administrative agent for the Career Preparation Network, approve the contract of employment for Thomas Hysell, Director, for the period July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2005, as attached.
Mr. Tandy noted that Mr. Hysell has done an excellent job as Director of the CPN.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-192 carried.
Mr. Tandy requested approval of teaching contracts. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mr. Brunson seconded the following:
(03-193) It is moved that the Board of Education approve teaching contracts as follows:
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Full Time (2003-2004 School Year)
Monshea Aguirre Step 1, BA Lane
Phillip Crews Step 10, MA Lane
Diane Crumpley Step 14, MA Lane
Cynthia Knox Step 4, BA Lane
Kim Jones Step 2, MA Lane
Sherrie Towery Step 11, MA+45 Lane
provided all the requirements of the State of Illinois and the North Central Association are met.
Mr. Tandy noted that Mr. Crews will be teaching music at Rich Central, Ms. Crumpley, Ms. Knox and Ms. Levy-Jones will be teaching special education at East and Central, and Ms. Towery will be teaching science at East.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-193 carried.
Mr. Tandy requested approval of athletic/activity stipend reinstatements. Mr. Brunson moved and Mrs. Lohr seconded the following:
(03-194) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the reinstatement of stipends for the coaching positions and activity sponsorships as listed on the attached sheets.
Mr. Tandy noted the reinstatement involves Tier One of the coaching positions and activity sponsorships. These reinstatements have been recommended by the Assistant Principals for Athletics/Activities.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-194 carried.
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Report of the Director of Teaching and Learning
Mrs. Panega requested adoption of new textbooks. She noted that these new textbooks had been recommended by the Math Reform Committee for the Algebra I and Algebra IA/IB classes. Mr. Cohn moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(03-195) It is moved that the Board of Education adopt the following textbooks for the 2003-2004 school year:
McDougall Littell Algebra I (Algebra I)
McDougall Littell Algebra I: Concepts and Skills
(Algebra IA/IB)
Mr. Cohn expressed his appreciation to Mrs. Panega and the Math Reform Committee for the outstanding job they have done.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-195 carried.
Committee Reports
Mr. Cohn reported on the Education Committee meeting held on June 2, 2003. He noted that the committee had heard a presentation from NCS Pearson on instructional management software. This software is used primarily for assessment. The Education Committee had also heard a presentation from the Math Reform Committee on Algebra for incoming freshman students. Mr. Cohn noted that the members of the committee had done an excellent job.
Mrs. Lohr reported on the Community Relations and Long-Range Planning Committee meeting of June 9, 2003. She noted the committee had been involved in brainstorming ideas for the rest of the year. One suggestion had been a joint meeting of District 227 and its foundation districts during the joint conference in November. It was also suggested that, instead of our meeting with individual villages, representatives of our Board periodically attend village meetings and address the village board during the audience/visitors time.
Minutes
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An update on the district’s 50th anniversary was also presented. There will be a District celebration on October 18, 2003, following the football game. This is the same weekend as the Rich East Homecoming.
Mr. Burnette requested a Personnel Committee meeting for 7:00 p.m. on June 30, 2003, in the District Board Room at Rich Central. Agenda items will include: 1) Brief update on the teacher mentoring program by Ms. Rich; 2) Results of the exit interviews of individuals who have left the district.
Mr. Brunson requested a Budget and Finance Committee meeting for 6:30 p.m. on July 21, 2003. Items for discussion will include the use of local/minority contractors for District contracts and the new 2003-2004 District budget.
Report of the Superintendent
Dr. Knutson reported on scholarship opportunities which the Class of 2003 had received. He noted that there were 800 graduates among the three high schools, and over 3 l/2 million dollars in scholarship monies had been received by the graduates.
Dr. Knutson noted that there was a proposed meeting planned with District 159, District, 227, and the Village of Matteson on June 26, 2003, at 8:30 a.m. at the Village of Matteson. This is a follow up to the meeting held last spring regarding the proposed change in he TIF for Lincoln Mall. Board members are invited to attend.
Dr. Knutson noted that substantial completion date for the Rich South auditorium is July 7, 2003.
Report of the President
Mrs. Owens requested a closed session following the Board meeting for negotiations strategies.
Mrs. Owens requested a special Board meeting to recommend principals at Rich South and Rich East. This meeting was set for June 30, 2003, at 8:00 p.m. following the Personnel Committee meeting.
Mrs. Owens noted a sign-up sheet was going around for Board members to indicate their interest in serving as representatives for SPEED, SCOPE, and South Cook IASB.
Minutes
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Recognition of Citizens
Ms. Brazzale was recognized. She commented on the professional way the Rich East wrestling tournament was run.
Thurston McGill, Jr., a Rich Central student, was recognized. He noted he had received a first place in instrumental music and would be attending the national competition in Miami in July.
Ms. Sowles was recognized. She pointed out the projects in the Media Center which were made by her students depicting scenes from “Lord of the Flies.”
Dr. Knutson recognized one of the District’s new administrators, Ms. Cindy Morain, who was in the audience.
At 9:05 p.m. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mr. Jasinevicius seconded the following:
(03-196) 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: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-196 carried.
At 10:26 p.m. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(03-197) It is moved that the Board of Education reconvene its regular Board meeting.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Burnette, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 03-197 carried.
Minutes
Page 16
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At 10:27 p.m. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded motion to adjourn the meeting. After a voice vote, Mrs. Owens declared the meeting adjourned.
____________________________________ ___________________________________
President Secretary