November 14, 2007
RICH TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 227
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
NOVEMBER 14, 2007
MINUTES
The Board of Education of Rich Township High School District 227 met on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, in the Media Center at Rich Central High School, Olympia Fields, Illinois.
Mr. Brunson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and requested everyone stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. He then requested a roll call.
Present: Brookins, Brunson, Imoukhuede, Moten, Norwood, Owens, Upshaw
Absent: None
Also Present: Mr. Hunigan, Mrs. Treichel, Mrs. Ramey, Ms. Christain, Mr. Milligan, Mr. Oliver, Ms. Waite, Mr. Dwyer, Ms. High, Mr. Walker, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Scott, Ms. Madison, Ms. Caput, Ms. Whitehead, Mr. and Mrs. Durley, Ms. Varnado, Mr. and Mrs. Walker, Ms. Hicks, Dr. Kirkwood, Ms. Dumas, Ms. Bassette, Mr. Pipicos, Mr. and Mrs. Darryl Marshall, Mr. and Mrs. John Kriha, Ms. Ellis, and student representatives Arielle Smith (Rich Central), Mickietha Hampton (Rich East), and Dallas Crain (Rich South)
Board Goals
Mr. Brunson read the three Board Goals.
Recognition of Citizens Pertaining to Agenda Items
No citizens wished to be recognized pertaining to agenda items
School Board Members Appreciation Day
The three student representatives, Arielle Smith from Rich Central, Mickietha Hampton from Rich East, and Dallas Crain from Rich South, congratulated the Board members for all the things they do for the good of others and for their vision for the future of the District.
Mr. Hunigan also recognized the Board members and thanked them on behalf of the staff for the numerous unpaid hours they spend working for the District. He read a Resolution recognizing the Board, which is incorporated into these minutes.
Agenda
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Approval of Consent Agenda
Mr. Brunson requested approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Imoukhuede moved and Mrs. Norwood seconded the following:
(08-32) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda items as listed.
Request for approval of the minutes of the Personnel Committee regular and closed session meetings of October 4, 2007; the Property Committee meeting and regular Board meeting of October 9, 2007; the Education Committee meeting of October 17, 2007; and the Personnel Committee regular and closed session meetings of October 29, 2007, as distributed.
- Request for approval of payroll and bills payable
Suggested Motion: It is moved that the Board of Education approve the payroll and bills payable dated November 14, 2007, as follows:
Payroll
Gross Payroll October 10, 2007 1,391,493.20
Gross Payroll October 25, 2007 1,497,781.23
Bills Payable
Education 1,091,762.71
Operation and Maintenance 239,547.19
Capital Project Fund 1,678,918.84
Transportation 264,928.00
Tort 37,897.16
- Request for approval of payroll and bills payable for the Career Preparation Network
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Suggested Motion: It is moved that the Board of Education approve the payroll and bills payable dated November 14, 2007, for the Career Preparation Network as follows:
Payroll
Gross Payroll October 10, 2007 4,859.64
Gross Payroll October 25, 2007 4,859.64
Bills Payable
Education 3,096.80
- Request for approval of classified and exempt personnel report
Suggested Motion: 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.
E. Request for approval of new teaching contracts
Suggested Motion: It is moved that the Board of Education approve teaching contracts as follows:
2007-2008 School Year
Jacqueline Bunn .5618 of Step 15, MA Lane
Math, Rich Central
Timothy Foecking .7348 of Step 1, BA Lane
Social Studies, Rich East
Sloan Greco .7679 of Step 4, MA Lane
Language Arts, Rich Central/Rich East
6th Assignments
Derrick Gordon .1 of Step 7, MA Lane
Math, Rich South
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Lakisha Husband .1 of Step 8, MA Lane
Family Consumer Science, Rich Central
Provided all the requirements of the State of Illinois and the North Central Association are met.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brookins, Brunson, Imoukhuede, Moten, Norwood, Owens, Upshaw
Nay: None
Motion 08-32 carried.
Summary of Committee Reports
Mrs. Brookins reported on the Education Committee meeting of October 17. She noted that Mr. Koutavas gave a report on the Student Management System. He informed the Committee that 26% of parents/students are looking at PowerSchool on any given day. Also discussed were interventions for students with D’s and F’s, requirements for each grade level, the English curriculum, and the PSAE scores. Mrs. Brookins noted that there will be a discussion on Advanced Placement test results at the next Education Committee meeting.
Mrs. Owens reported on the Personnel Committee meeting of October 29, 2007. She noted the meeting consisted of a discussion on the evaluation of the Superintendent and the evaluation process, the expectations of the school board, and indicators for the goals. During the closed session prior to this meeting, indicators in conjunction with the Superintendent’s evaluation were again discussed.
Mrs. Moten and Mrs. Norwood reported on the Budget and Finance/Property Committee meeting of November 12, 2007. The tax levy was discussed as well as dental insurance. In addition, the audit of cash receipts was discussed. Upgrades to the Rich East boys’ locker room and weight rooms at all three campuses were also discussed.
Report of the Superintendent
Mr. Hunigan requested approval of the 2007 Tentative Tax Levy. He noted the final levy will be on the agenda for approval in December. Mr. Hunigan read the resolution
Agenda
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regarding the estimated amounts necessary to be levied for the year 2007. Mrs. Moten moved and Mrs. Owens seconded the following:
(08-33) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the Resolution regarding the estimated amounts necessary to be levied for the Year 2007, in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 08-12.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brookins, Brunson, Imoukhuede, Moten, Norwood, Owens, Upshaw
Nay: None
Motion 08-33 carried.
Mr. Hunigan requested approval for the hiring of fingerprinting services. He noted that this firm will have the results to the District within 72 hours, and live scan services will be provided. Mrs. Moten moved and Mrs. Brookins seconded the following:
(08-34) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the “Hiring of Trace Identity Services, Inc. for Fingerprinting Services” in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 08-14.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brookins, Brunson, Imoukhuede, Moten, Norwood, Owens, Upshaw
Nay: None
Motion 08-34 carried.
Mr. Hunigan requested approval of an alternate construction project for Rich East. He noted that lockers will be replaced, the office within the locker room will be remodeled, and a window will be added so the supervisor can view the entire locker room. Mrs. Norwood moved and Mrs. Moten seconded the following:
(08-35) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the “Alternate Construction Project for Rich East High School” in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 08-15.
Agenda
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Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brookins, Brunson, Imoukhuede, Moten, Norwood, Owens, Upshaw
Nay: None
Motion 08-35 carried.
Mr. Hunigan requested approval of upgrades to the weight rooms at Rich Central, Rich East and Rich South. He noted new equipment will be installed in all three weight rooms. All the weight rooms should be completed after winter break. Mrs. Norwood moved and Mrs. Brookins seconded the following:
(08-36) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the “Hiring of Midwest Service, Inc. (MSI) for weight room equipment at Rich Central, Rich East and Rich South in the amount of $354,073.71” in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 08-16.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brookins, Brunson, Imoukhuede, Moten, Norwood, Owens, Upshaw
Nay: None
Motion 08-36 carried.
Mr. Hunigan requested approval to hire AETNA as the District’s Dental Insurance Carrier. He noted that, after evaluation, it was decided that AETNA would give the District better benefits for less money. Mrs. Brookins moved and Mrs. Moten seconded the following:
(08-37) It is moved that the Board of Education approve the “Hiring of AETNA as the District’s Dental Insurance Carrier” in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 08-17.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brookins, Brunson, Imoukhuede, Moten, Norwood, Owens, Upshaw
Nay: None
Motion 08-37 carried.
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Mr. Hunigan brought up the grade level requirements. He noted the District is looking for higher expectations for its students. Before a student can move to the next grade level, certain core requirements need to be completed. For the 2007-2008 school year, students need to complete a math and language arts class. Starting with the 2008-2009 school year, students will have to complete four core courses to move to the next grade level.
Mrs. Brookins noted that this classification requirement will limit certain activities in which students can participate.
Mrs. Moten added that the District needs to make sure interventions are in place for students who do not meet the requirements.
Special Reports
Mrs. Brookins reported on her attendance at the Freshman Academy Conference on November 13, 2007, at Governors State University. She noted our District is already involved in a lot of the procedures which were brought up at the conference. In some districts, after the freshmen leave the freshman academy, they have other academies to be a part of.
Mrs. Owens noted that Thornton High School and Joliet West High School were the presenting school districts. They have had freshman academies for three years and still consider themselves in the development stage. She added that these schools found a significant increase in attendance, performance, and attitudes for their freshmen with the academies.
Mr. Imoukhuede stated that these schools had mentioned a 6-year plan for their students. The last two years are for students to project what they want to do in life.
Report of the President
Mr. Brunson brought up the possibility of changing the Board meeting dates. After discussion, it was decided to postpone this matter until the December Board meeting.
Mr. Brunson reminded the Board that the next Board meeting would take place on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. at Rich South.
Mr. Brunson reminded the Board of the Joint Conference in Chicago November 16, 17 and 18, 2007.
Agenda
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Recognition of Citizens
Ms. Bassette was recognized. She asked what the District was doing to prevent the staph infection. Mr. Hunigan responded that staff development has taken place. The District is using new chemicals in its cleaning process. The nurses are working with the staff.
Ms. Bassette brought up the situation regarding the English curriculum. Mrs. Owens responded that this was discussed at the last Education Committee meeting.
Mr. Hunigan added that it was planned for tonight’s agenda, but due to the change in date of the meeting it will be on the December agenda. The Board looks to the administration on the handling of curriculum issues. Boards do not get directly involved in the curriculum.
Special Presentation
Mr. Koutavas brought up Connect-Ed, a new web based auto dialer
notification system. He stated that it ties into PowerSchool. Personalized messages will be sent out in minutes, not days. Training and one-year support is included. Mr. Koutavas added his appreciation to the Board for its vision and commitment to technology. Mrs. Moten moved and Mr. Imoukhuede seconded the following:
(08-38) It is moved that the Board of Education approve “Connect-ED as its Web Based Auto Dialer Notification System Provider” in accordance with Business Office Memorandum 08-13.
Results of the roll call vote were as follows:
Aye: Brookins, Brunson, Imoukhuede, Moten, Norwood, Owens, Upshaw
Nay: None
Motion 08-38 carried.
New Business
Mr. Imoukhuede requested a Community Relations and Long-Range Planning Committee meeting for December 12, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in the District Office.
Mrs. Brookins requested an Education Committee meeting for November 29, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Office.
Agenda
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At 8:30 p.m. Mrs. Owens moved and Mrs. Moten seconded the motion to adjourn. After a voice vote, Mr. Brunson adjourned the meeting.
___________________________________ ___________________________________
President Secretary