President Tamara Peterson called the regular meeting of the Board of Education of Bloomingdale Elementary District 13 to order on Monday, October 26, 2009 in the district office at 7:35 p.m.

Roll Call
Present: Mrs. Diane Birkley, Mrs. Fina Klco, Mr. Terence McKeown, Mr. Cary Moreth, Mrs. Linda Wojcicki, Ms. Tamara Peterson

Absent: Dr. Donald Litchfield

Others Present: Dr. Kim Perkins, Dr. Linda Schielke, Nanci Greene, Heather Grover, Mariela Siegert, Peggy Schmuldt, Brian Della (PFM), Janis Prehn, Jeremy Gabriel, Gaylen Voller (Medinah School District), Kathy Ogden

Public Hearing
A motion was made by Mrs. Birkley and seconded by Mr. Moreth to open the public hearing for the purpose of discussing holiday waivers, and to receive public comments regarding the proposal to waive the Lincoln’s Birthday holiday and Veterans’ Day holiday. Voice Vote: all ayes

Dr. Perkins read testimony submitted by the Bloomingdale Council of Teachers voicing opposition to waiving the Veterans’ Day holiday. This written testimony will be made part of the official record.

A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Mrs. Klco to close the hearing. Voice Vote: all ayes

Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Mrs. Birkley and seconded by Mr. McKeown to approve the items shown in the Consent Agenda to include the regular and closed session minutes from 9-28-09; the Approval of Bills in the Education Fund for $394,837.28, the Operations and Maintenance Fund for $75,778.92, the Transportation Fund for $94,951.01, the Tort Fund for $200.00, Payroll (10-10-09) for $391,383.83; the Fund Balance Report as shown in F.D. 10/26/09-2; the Balance Sheet as shown in F.D. 10/26/09-3; the Revenue Report as shown in F.D. 10/26/09-4; the Expenditure Report as shown in F.D. 10/26/09-5; the Activity Report as shown in F.D. 10/26/09-6; the Employment of Lauren Zeller as
speech pathologist for Erickson effective 10-30-09 for a prorated salary of $30,739.87, a FMLA Leave and Parental Leave for Molly Vaughn effective pending paperwork; and Extra Duty Addendum.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Birkley, McKeown, Klco, Moreth, Wojcicki, Peterson
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6 - 0

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Perkins stated that November 15 has been designated as School Board Member Day in Illinois. Board members received certificates in appreciation for their service to the District 13 community. These individuals do so without receiving any monetary compensation for the time they give to the school district. Ms. Peterson and Mrs. Birkley shared that they had received positive feedback from parents who attended the September 28th board meeting.

School librarians Peggy Schmuldt, Heather Grover, and Mariela Siegert, along with Technology Coordinator Nanci Greene presented a proposal for an upgrade to the current library software. The Destiny automation system is a collaborative package with Follett Software Co., which we currently use. Through the aid of a PowerPoint presentation and “virtual tour” of the Destiny software, the librarians were able to give the Board a clear picture of the system’s capabilities. The software is very user-friendly, and students will be able to quickly locate needed materials and resources. If this system upgrade is approved by the Board at its November meeting, students would have accessibility by January 1.

Dr. Perkins shared steps that have been taken to-date to keep parents apprised of actions taken to help control and prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. Our school secretaries make daily reports to the health department regarding staff and student absences. Soapless dispensers have been installed in each room. Michelle Lents (school nurse) has constructed a page on our website pertaining to health information. Dr. Perkins sent out a voice broadcast message encouraging good prevention practices. Our maintenance staff utilizes the guidelines from the CDC regarding proper cleaning.

Citizen’s Request to Board
District 13 parents Jodie Colucci, Tina Klco, Amy Dahly, and Heidi Lamz addressed the Board with their concerns for the handling of the two incidents referenced in the Superintendent’s Report. Dr. Perkins was able to assuage some of their concerns during his reporting of the events, however, parents stressed their feelings for better communication. Mrs. Dahly suggested the district send out an information sheet regarding the emergency broadcast message system. Concern was also expressed for inappropriate treatment from a middle school office staffer. Dr. Perkins and the Board assured parents that the matter would be looked into and addressed. Mrs. Colucci also expressed concern over a news article regarding the bus company used by District 13. The incident she referred to had taken place in another school district. Dr. Perkins was not previously aware of the incident but will investigate with Mark Maine from First Student.

Board Reports and Requests

• B.I.G. - Mrs. Klco reported on topics shared during the recent B.I.G. meeting which included an update on the road construction, Lake Park High School’s ACT
  scores (The scores are the highest in ten years, and the school will be featured in an upcoming Newsweek article for its AP test rate.), various caring tree and food pantry donation drives, a ribbon cutting ceremony at Broker Park through the park district, and a youth center sponsored by St. Isidore’s.
• CCTS! - Mrs. Wojcicki reported that the CHARACTER COUNTS! Celebration was once again a success, with Miss Illinois being a featured guest.
• Education Foundation - Mrs. Wojcicki reported that the Foundation is planning two fundraisers: Texas Hold ‘em in January, and a beer and wine tasting in the spring.
• LEND – Mrs. Birkley reported that LEND members watched a presentation by K-12 Virtual Curriculum Group. While the presentation was somewhat interesting, it was not too well received by the audience. Peg Agnos has spearheaded a position paper opposing unfunded mandates directly related to the list shared previously by Dr. Perkins. Mrs. Birkley also shared that Dr. Butts will provide direction to a panel created for the purpose of strategic planning. Mrs. Birkley will serve on this panel.
• NDSEC - Dr. Perkins reported that NDSEC is still awaiting payment from the Chicago Public School system in the amount of $382,000 for students who are residents of Chicago but attending Marklund and Alden Village. This amount is past due from last year, and repeated calls and correspondence directed to the Chicago Public School system have been unanswered. Educational services for these students will no longer be provided beginning mid-November. NDSEC’s director, Rita Stevenson is constructing a chronology to share with representatives.

Board "Salutes"
The following people received a “salute” from one or more board members and/or the superintendent/assistant superintendent for their contributions to the Bloomingdale School District community:

• Larry Janis, a retiree in the community, for his volunteer work at DuJardin School serving as a volunteer tutoring two full days per week in helping students with various academic needs, in addition to mentoring a student once a week.
• Ann Mitchell, a District 13 retired teacher, for her volunteer work at Erickson tutoring primary grade students each Monday.
• Teddie Torney, Westfield reading teacher, for planning and conducting a reading workshop for teachers in grades 4-8 from District 13 and Medinah.
• Nanci Greene, technology coordinator, for planning and conducting workshops in Word, Excel, and web-site design for Westfield teachers in early October.
• Janis Prehn, finance director, for her work in helping us to achieve a AA+ bond rating.

State Library Grant (F.D. 10/26/09-7)
A motion was made by Mr. Moreth and seconded by Mrs. Wojcicki to approve our application for a School Library Grant, and authorize the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent to sign said application.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Moreth, Wojcicki, Birkley, Klco, McKeown, Peterson
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6 – 0

Consideration of a Resolution Providing for the Issue of Limited School ‘Bonds, Series 2009A, for the Purpose of Increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District R#7 (F.D. 10/26/09-8)
Dr. Perkins recapped the steps taken which enabled us to arrive at this point, beginning with the project maintenance facilities plan submitted by Building and Grounds Director Greg Leyden in November 2008. President Peterson announced that a proposal had been received from Robert W. Baird & Co., Incorporated, St. Charles, Illinois for the purchase of the District’s general obligation working cash fund bonds to be issued by the District pursuant to Article 20 of the School Code and that the Board of Education would consider the adoption of a resolution providing for the issue of said bonds and the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest thereon. Whereupon, Member Wojcicki read by title said resolution.

A motion was made by Mr. Moreth and seconded by Mrs. Birkley to approve a resolution providing for the issue of $1,730,000 Limited School Bonds, Series 2009A, of School District Number 13, DuPage County, Illinois, and for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Moreth, Birkley, Klco, McKeown, Wojcicki, Peterson
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6 – 0

In response to an inquiry from Mr. Moreth as to what the tax implication will be for residents, Dr. Perkins referred to a document previously provided by Janis Prehn showing that taxpayers will pay 34% more for re-funded debt over a 20-year period,.

Consideration of a Resolution Providing for the Issue of Refunding School Bonds, Series 2009B, for the Purpose of Currently Refunding Certain Outstanding Obligations of the District R#8 (F.D. 10/26/09-9)
President Peterson announced that a proposal had been received from Robert W. Baird & Co., Incorporated, St.Charles, Illinois, for the purchase of the District’s general obligation refunding bonds to be issued by the District pursuant to Article 19 of the School Code and that the Board of Education would consider the adoption of a resolution providing for the issue of said bonds and the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest thereon. Whereupon, Member Wojcicki read by title said resolution.

A motion was made by Mrs. Klco and seconded by Mr. McKeown to approve the resolution providing for the issue of $2,490,000 Refunding School Bonds, Series 2009B, of School District Number 13, DuPage County, Illinois, and for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Klco, McKeown, Birkley, Moreth, Wojcicki, Peterson
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6 – 0

Ms. Peterson expressed her appreciation to board members for their thoughtful planning of this project, and to Brian Della of PFM and Finance Director Janis Prehn for their work.

ECRA Contract Renewal (F.D. 10/26/09-10)
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Mrs. Klco to approve the multi-year contract with the ECRA Group for its ECRISS research service at the cost of $54,000 per year.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Wojcicki, Klco, Birkley, McKeown, Moreth, Peterson
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6- 0

Truck Purchase (F.D. 10/26/09-11)
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Mrs. Birkley to approve the purchase of a pick-up truck at the price of $18,125.00 through Bob Ridings, Inc. and the state procurement system.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Wojcicki, Birkley, Klco, McKeown, Moreth, Peterson
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6 – 0

403b Plan Proposal (F.D. 10/26/09-12)
A motion was made by Mr. Moreth and seconded by Mrs. Wojcicki to approve the 403(b) plan as proposed.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Moreth, Wojcicki, Birkley, Klco, McKeown, Peterson
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6 – 0

Dr. Perkins shared that Gatekeepers, Inc. who was to manage the original 403(b) plan approved by the Board last November, has proven to be unreliable. The new plan will be administered in-house.

Preliminary FY11 Budget
The Board reviewed the preliminary draft of the FY11 budget which is expected to be balanced. Dr. Perkins shared the discouraging news that the state is currently $1 billion in the hole. The state has a 90-day backlog in paying its bills. He also stated that District 13 is in better shape than other districts, due in part, to staff retirements that were not filled. It may be necessary, however, to consider staff reductions in the future.

Holiday Waivers
The Board further discussed the proposal to waive the holidays for Lincoln’s Birthday and Veterans’ Day. Dr. Perkins again shared a list compiled by the Regional Office of Education showing the various holidays and how each district in DuPage County chooses to utilize the days (in attendance or not in attendance). While feelings for the most part were geared towards waiving the two holidays, Mrs. Klco did mention the possibility of waiving Casimir Pulaski Day in lieu of Veterans’ Day. Dr. Perkins indicated that since Casimir Pulaski always lands on a Monday and Veterans’ Day is a “floating” day of the week, parents and staff might be more receptive to the latter. Ms. Peterson requested that the minutes reflect that “should the Board decide to waive Veterans’ Day, the day will focus on honoring veterans in each classroom.” Dr. Schielke recommended polling the local VFW Posts to inquire about activities held on this day, and what student participation has been like in the past.

First Reading – Amended Board Policies
The Board reviewed proposed changes to the following policies: Policy 4:30 – Revenue and Investments, Policy 4:40 – Incurring Debt, Policy 4:100, Insurance Management, Policy 5:30 – Hiring Process and Criteria, Policy 5:90 – Abused and Neglected Child Reporting, Policy 5:100 – Staff Development Program, Policy 5:120 – Ethics, and Policy 7:190 – Student Discipline. The Board will act on these changes at its November meeting.

Other
In response to an inquiry from Mrs. Birkley regarding the status of the annexation into District 13 by Chateaus of Medinah , Dr. Perkins shared with the Board that Attorney Robb Cooper is reviewing a summons we received and will respond accordingly. Currently, the students affected by the de-annexation would not be
eligible to start in District 13 until July 1, 2010, and this may be extended due to the appeal by Districts 15 & 87.

For Information
Informational items included the following:

• September Enrollment Update
• NDSEC Enrollment
• LEND Breakfast at the Triple I Conference
• Second Quarter Activities
• Master Board Member Program Awards
• Lake Park Education Foundation Breakfast
• Fire Department Inspection
• An “engagement letter” from Chapman and Cutler LLP

Other
Mr. McKeown, Mr. Moreth, Ms. Peterson, Mrs. Wojcicki, Mrs. Birkley, and Mrs. Klco will attend the National School Board Association (NSBA) annual conference to be held in Chicago in April.

Adjournment
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Mrs. Klco to adjourn the meeting. Voice Vote: all ayes

The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

Tamara J. Peterson, President
Linda Wojcicki, Secretary