January 12, 2004
RICH TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 227
MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
JANUARY 12, 2004
The Board of Education of Rich Township High School District 227 met in a regular meeting on Monday, January 12, 2004, at the Phoenix Campus, Park Forest, Illinois.
Mrs. Owens called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
Present: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Absent: Burnette
Also Present: Dr. Knutson, Ms. Panega, Mr. Tandy, Mr. Cahill, Mrs. Treichel, Ms. Rich, Mrs. Hicks, Ms. Stokes, Mr. and Mrs. Brazzale, Ms. Moore, Ms. Swanson, Ms. Spaniak, Mr. Kaufmann, Mr. Navickas, Nasir Palmer-Roundtree, Mr. McAlister, Mr. Douglas, Mr. Veazey, Ms. Harris-Cooper, Mrs. Wynne, Ms. Jarmon, Ms. Davis, Ms. Brookins, Ms. Reed, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Long, and student representatives British Reynolds (alternate Rich South), Latoiya Miller (Rich East), and Rachel Pierce (alternate Rich Central).
Special Presentation
Mrs. Owens noted the first thing on the agenda was a resolution honoring the District Mentoring and Induction Program.
Mrs. Lohr moved and Mr. Cohn seconded the following:
(04-75) It is moved that the Board of Education accept the Resolution honoring the District 227 Mentoring and Induction Program as will be read.
Mrs. Lohr read the resolution honoring Ms. Rich, the program coordinator, and the three campus coordinators: Nancy Spaniak (Rich Central), LaDonna Swanson (Rich East), and Cindy O’Dea (Rich South), as well as the mentor teachers who participated in the program District-wide.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-75 carried.
Minutes
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Mrs. Lohr noted that she was very proud of the District’s mentoring program. Mrs. Owens added that the mentoring program was a source of encouragement for the new teachers. Ms. Rich, Ms. Swanson, and Ms. Spaniak stood and were recognized. Mr. Tandy also recognized Ms. Panega for helping with the planning of the program.
Ms. Spaniak stated that the goal of the mentoring program is to make District 227 strong and powerful. She noted that the coordinators and mentoring teachers will do their best to help new teachers to continue the excellence at Rich District 227.
Ms. Rich thanked the Board for their acknowledgment. She stated the coordinators and mentor teachers will continue to help each crop of new teachers in order to rebuild a wonderful staff.
Student Representatives
British Reynolds, Rich South’s alternative Student Representative, Latoiya Miller, Rich East’s Student Representative, and Rachel Pierce, Rich Central’s alternate Student Representative, reported on activities at their campuses. Mrs. Owens noted that there was a written report for Board members from the Phoenix Campus.
Mr. Cohn asked the Student Representatives to report back to the Board regarding what the students are doing individually to create an excellent environment in the schools.
Mr. Cohn noted that LaRhonda Taylor and Rick Rapp, two Rich Central teachers, had been nominated for the prestigious Golden Apple Award.
Mr. Jasinevicius commended Mark Hopman and Nancy Adduci for the great job they did on the Big Dipper tournament.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Mrs. Owens requested approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Cohn moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(04-76) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the consent agenda items as listed:
a. Approval of minutes of the special meeting and closed session of December 8, 2003, and the regular meeting, closed session, and levy hearing of December 15, 2003, as distributed.
Minutes
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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 June 16, 2003 (Session 1), and July 28, 2003.
c. Approval of payroll and bills payable
It is moved that the Board of Education approve the payroll and bills payable dated January 12, 2004, as follows:
Payroll
Gross Payroll December 18, 2003 1,097,050.25
Gross Payroll January 9, 2004 1,096,282.80
Bills Payable
Education 333,821.89
Operation & Maintenance 112,809.77
Transportation 48,274.03
Site & Construction 2,031.40
Total Bills Payable 496,937.09
d. 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 January 12, 2004, for the Career Preparation Network as follows:
Payroll
Gross Payroll December 18, 2003 5,260.92
Gross Payroll January 9, 2004 5,260.92
Minutes
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Bills Payable
Education 857.49
e. 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.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-76 carried.
Financial Considerations
Mr. Cahill requested acceptance of a food service bid. Mr. Brunson moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(04-77) It is moved that the Board of Education accept the lowest responsible bid, meeting specifications, for Food and Supply Products for Rich Central, Rich East, and Rich South for the 2004 calendar year from Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the amount of $290,546.87, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 04-28.
Mr. Jasinevicius asked if this was our incumbent vendor. Mr. Cahill responded that it was. Mr. Cahill noted that the bid notice was advertised in the Daily Southtown, Star, and Chicago Daily Defender. Bids were sent to eight vendors, and three responded. Gordon Food Service had the lowest responsible bid.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-77 carried.
Minutes
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Personnel Office Report
Mr. Tandy requested approval to offer teaching contracts. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mr. Brunson seconded the following:
(04-78) It is moved that the President, Secretary and Superintendent be authorized to sign contracts as follows:
Part Time to Full Time
Gregory Schweiger Step 4, BA Lane
Part-Time (Revised)
Sue Misch .3017 of Step L, MA Lane
Part Time (Semester 2)
Stephanie Saul .3182 of Step 4, BA Lane
Michael Gordon .3182 of Step 15, MA+30
Lane
Amy Hannon .3050 of Step 1, BA Lane
provided all the requirements of the State of Illinois and the North Central Association are met.
Mr. Tandy noted these individuals would be helping to finalize staffing for the second semester.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-78 carried.
At 8:03 p.m. Mr. Tandy requested a closed session for negotiations strategies. Mr. Brunson moved and Mrs. Lohr seconded the following:
Minutes
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(04-79) 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, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-79 carried.
At 8:55 p.m. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mr. Brunson seconded the following:
(04-80) It is moved that the Board of Education reconvene its regular Board meeting.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-80 carried.
Mr. Tandy requested approval of the Professional Negotiations Agreement. Mr. Brunson moved and Mr. Jasinevicius seconded the following:
(04-81) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the Professional Negotiations Agreement between the Board of Education and the Rich Township High School Education Association for the three-year period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2006, as presented to the Board and ratified by the Rich Township High School Education Association on January 12, 2004.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-81 carried.
Minutes
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Mr. Tandy informed the Board that, at present, the District is twenty-six students over the projected enrollment. There are still some large class sizes at Rich Central. Mr. Tandy requested that the Board authorize an additional 1.0 FTE in staffing. There was agreement among the Board members to add an additional 1.0 FTE to the District’s staffing allocation. Dr. Knutson mentioned that the Board would be voting on this additional FTE when the budget is voted on.
Mr. Cohn requested to know the financial impact of the FTE. Mr. Cahill stated he would have this information at the next Budget and Finance Committee meeting in March.
Report of the Director of Teaching and Learning
Mrs. Panega reported on the District-Wide Institute Day planned for Friday, January 16, 2004, at Rich Central. She stated it would be a very powerful institute. Mr. Cohn mentioned that there would be some very unique people speaking at the institute, including Dr. Asa Hilliard and Dr. Juwanza Kunjufu.
Committee Reports
Mr. Jasinevicius reported on the Property Committee Meeting held prior to the Board meeting. He noted that the three committee members (Jasinevicius, Brunson, Lohr) had been present as well as Mr. Cahill and Ms. Myers, who is the retired head of the School Construction Grant Committee and is now working as an independent consultant. Mr. Jasinevicius noted that the following items would be presented to the full Board at the February 16 meeting:
1) School Construction Grant Application
2) Life Safety Amendments
3) Establishment of a Master Facility Planning Committee
4) Wood Dance Floor for the Dance Studio at the Rich South Auditorium
Mr. Cohn requested an Education Committee meeting for Monday, February 2, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. in the District Office.
Mrs. Owens, on behalf of Mr. Burnette, requested a Personnel Committee Meeting of the Whole for Monday, January 26, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. in the District Office.
Minutes
Page 8
1/12/04
Special Reports
Mr. Jasinevicius reported on the presentation given at the Village of Matteson Board Meeting on January 5, 2004. He noted that Mrs. Owens, Dr. Knutson, and Ms. Howard had given a power point presentation to the Matteson Board, which is part of the Board’s plan to increase communication with the surrounding communities.
Mrs. Owens reminded the Board of the presentation planned for the Village of Park Forest Board Meeting to be held on January 26, 2004, at 8:00 p.m.
Mrs. Lohr reported on the breakfast meeting with the Village of Park Forest Board on Saturday, January 10, 2004. She noted that five Board members had met with the Park Forest Trustees, President Ostenburg, Ms. Muchnik, and some village staff to discuss issues of mutual benefit, including taxes and delinquent property.
Report of the Superintendent
Dr. Knutson requested adoption of the 2004-2005 Budget Calendar. Mr. Brunson moved and Mrs. Lohr seconded the following:
(04-82) It is moved that the Board of Education adopt the 2004-2005 Budget Calendar and authorize the Superintendent and Director of Fiscal Services to prepare the Tentative 2004-2005 Budget and make it available for public inspection for a period of not less than 30 days expiring on or before September 30, 2004, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 04-27.
Dr. Knutson noted that it is customary in January of each year to authorize the Superintendent to begin preparation for the budget. Specific dates have been outlined in Mr. Cahill’s budget calendar.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-82 carried.
Dr. Knutson reminded the Board that the Rich South auditorium dedication would take place on Thursday, January 22, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. at Rich South. There would be an instrumental performance by students from all three comprehensive schools.
Minutes
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Dr. Knutson requested approval of a sabbatical leave. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mr. Jasinevicius seconded the following:
(04-83) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the sabbatical request of certificated staff member Wanda Bradford for the 2004-2005 school year.
Dr. Knutson noted Ms. Bradford would be completing the final phase of her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the Adler School of Professional Psychology. He stated that, according to the professional negotiations contract, Ms. Bradford would be obligated to return to District 227 for one year following her sabbatical.
Mr. Brunson asked if Ms. Bradford would be replaced. Dr. Knutson noted that Ms. Bradford would receive a reduced salary and the District would hire someone to take her place.
Mr. Jasinevicius questioned the costs to the District. Dr. Knutson responded that the projected cost to the District would be between $30,000 - $40,000 for the year.
Mr. Jasinevicius noted that this same amount should be reinstated to extra-curricular activities which have been dropped.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-83 carried.
Report of the President
Mrs. Owens reminded the Board that the next Board meeting would take place on Monday, February 16, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. in the Rich South Media Center.
Mrs. Owens requested a closed session to consider a student discipline matter and to discuss the appointment, employment, discipline, dismissal or compensation of an employee or officer.
Mrs. Owens noted that there was a sign-up sheet going around for the South Cook IASA Dinner scheduled for January 29, 2004, at 6:30 p.m.
Minutes
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At 9:30 p.m. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(04-84) It is moved that the Board of Education go into closed session to consider a student discipline matter and 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, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-84 carried.
At 10:59 p.m. Mrs. Norwood moved and Mr. Jasinevicius seconded the following:
(04-85) It is moved that the Board of Education reconvene its regular Board meeting.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-85 carried.
Mrs. Lohr moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(04-86) It is moved that the Board of Education extend its 11:00 p.m. curfew until 11:15 p.m.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-86 carried.
At 11:00 p.m. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mr. Cohn seconded the following:
(04-87) It is moved that the Board of Education reconvene its closed session.
Minutes
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Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-87 carried.
At 11:05 p.m., Mrs. Lohr moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(04-88) It is moved that the Board of Education reconvene its regular meeting.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-88 carried.
Mrs. Lohr moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(04-89) It is moved that the Board of Education expel the student discussed in closed session for the remainder of the 2003-2004 school year.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-89 carried.
At 11:07 p.m. Mrs. Lohr moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(04-90) It is moved that the Board of Education adjourn its meeting.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
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Aye: Brunson, Cohn, Jasinevicius, Lohr, Norwood, Owens
Nay: None
Motion 04-90 carried.
______________________________________ ___________________________________
President Secretary