Vice-President Terence McKeown called the regular meeting of the Board of Education of Bloomingdale Elementary District 13 to order on Monday, December 15, 2008 in the district office at 7:33 p.m.

Roll Call
Present: Mrs. Diane Birkley, Mrs. Fina Klco, Dr. Donald Litchfield, Mr. Terence McKeown, Mr. Cary Moreth, Mrs. Linda Wojcicki (Ms. Peterson was present via telephone. However, she opted not to participate in any items requiring a vote.)

Absent: Mr. none

Others Present: Dr. Kim Perkins, Dr. Linda Schielke, Dr. Bob Leli and Mr. Brian Della from PFM Management, Ms. Laura Selsky, Ms. Leslie Stavnem, Ms. Patti Edwards, Ms. Carol Ehrhardt, Mrs. Janis Prehn, Mrs. Kathy Ogden

Tax Levy Hearing
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Mrs. Klco to open the tax levy hearing at 7:34 p.m. As no one from the audience had any questions or comments, a motion was made by Mrs. Birkley and seconded by Mrs. Wojcicki to close the hearing at 7:35 p.m.

Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Mrs. Birkley and seconded by Mrs. Wojcicki to approve the items shown in the Consent Agenda to include the regular minutes from 11-24-08; the Approval of Bills in the Education Fund for $309,489.50, the Operations and Maintenance Fund for $43,913.75, the Debt Service Fund for $2,967.00, the Transportation Fund for $55,603.35, Payroll (11-21-08) for $398,896.49 and (12-10-08) for $394,122.45 as shown in F.D. 12/15/08-1; the Fund Balance Report as shown in F.D. 12/15/08-2; the Balance Sheet as shown in F.D. 12/15/08-3; the Revenue Report as shown in F.D. 12/15/08-4; the Expenditure Report as shown in F.D. 12/15/08-5; the Activity Report as shown in F.D. 12/1/508-6; the Resignation of Meghann Londos, a special education paraprofessional at DuJardin effective 12-19-08; the Employment of Ann Marie Novar, a lunchroom supervisor at DuJardin effective 11-20-08 for a salary of $11.05 per hour.

Roll Call Vote

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

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Bob Leli and Mr. Brian Della from PFM Management Assets spoke to the Board citing options available regarding funding for the Facilities Master Plan presented by Building and Grounds Director Greg Leyden. Of the options discussed, issuing a Non-Referendum Debt is the safest and recommended by PFM. Mr. Della made reference to the importance of having a good credit rating. The district is very proud of the fact that we hold an “A1” with Moody. Because of this rating, all projects listed in the Facilities Master Plan could be easily funded. At Ms. Peterson’s request, Dr. Perkins will put together a calendar of steps to be taken for the funding process.

The Board reviewed information from Dr. Debbie Kling regarding proposed staffing and scheduling for the middle school for next year. Upcoming staff retirements and declining enrollment will impact future needs. Westfield’s Jon Perry will become the new Spanish teacher, with 40% of his day spent teaching the subject, and 60% spent providing a writing lab. Dr. Kling also shared a survey that was administered to other middle schools comparing exploratory and physical education programs. At the request of the Board, Dr. Perkins will contact Itasca School District to see if exploratories are offered to their students in addition to the Spanish program.

RtI Plan
The Board reviewed the district’s Response to Intervention (RtI) Plan. Every school district in Illinois must develop a plan which provides early, effective assistance to children who are having difficulty learning. This plan must be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education by January 1. The district’s RtI Plan was developed by Special Education Coordinator Fred Louderman and Principal Mark Dwyer with advisory assistance from Dr. Linda Schielke. Technology Coordinator Nanci Greene’s knowledge of the process was instrumental with the on-line documentation.

ECRA Update
The district entered into a one-year agreement with ECRA Group Inc. for employing the services of a research and information data team to assist with our school improvement efforts. John Gatta of ECRA will present to the school improvement teams on January 13. He will advise the committee of the services ECRA will provide.

Board Reports and Requests

• B.I.G. - No Report
• CCTS! - No Report
• Education Foundation - Mrs. Wojcicki reported that the committee has changed its plans for a “casino night” fundraiser to possibly hosting a “Texas Hold ‘Em” evening. This would be held some time in March.
• LEND – Mrs. Birkley reported that while the committee has not met recently, LEND’s Executive Director Peg Agnos (who is currently in Springfield) has kept the group updated on the situation with Govenor Blagojevich.
• NDSEC - Dr. Litchfield reported that District 13 provides the largest number of classrooms to NDSEC of all the districts in the Co-op. The district houses four NDSEC classrooms – two at DuJardin, one at Erickson, and one at Westfield.

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:

• Westfield’s sixth grade class for raising over $625, the seventh grade class for raising over $575, and the eighth grade class for raising raising over $575 for the Sharing Tree Collection Contest. The grand total was $1,817.30, which will be spent on gifts for children in need.
• Erickson’s students and staff for their book donations during feast week. These books were delivered to Native American children living on a reservation.
• Board Member Diane Birkley for her coordination of the Erickson book drive and subsequent shipment to the selected reservation.
• Mark Dwyer, Fred Louderman, Nanci Greene,and Linda Schielke for their work on the development of the Response to Intervention (RtI) Plan.

Certificate of Tax Levy (F.D. 12/15/08-7)
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Mr. Moreth to certify Compliance with the Truth in Taxation Act, adopt the Working Cash levy Resolution, approve the Certificate of Tax Levy, authorize the Board President and Secretary to sign the necessary documents, and authorize the finance director to deliver these to the County Clerk’s office by the last Tuesday in December.

Roll Call Vote

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

Resolution for Accepting the Nominating Petitions (F.D. 12/15/08-8)
A motion was made by Dr. Litchfield and seconded by Mrs. Klco to approve the Resolution for Accepting the Nominating Petitions as shown in F.D. 12/15/08-8, and authorize the Board President and Secretary to sign it. Voice Vote: all ayes

Board Meeting Schedule (F.D. 12/15/08-9)
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Mr. Moreth to adopt the meeting dates for January through December 2009 as amended. Voice Vote: all ayes

January 26, 2009	April 27, 2009	July 27, 2009	October 26, 2009
February 23, 2009	May 18, 2009	August 24, 2009	November 23, 2009
March 23, 2009	June 22, 2009	September 28, 2009	December 14, 2009

Second Reading and Adoption of Board Policies (F.D. 12/15/08-10)
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Mrs. Klco to waive the second reading and adopt revised policies 5:90, 5:290, 6:15, 6:60, 7:10, and 7:230 as shown in F.D. 12/15/08-10. Voice Vote: all ayes

2009-2010 School Calendar
The Board discussed a draft of the 2009-2010 school calendar. The calendar reflects a student start date of August 19. With Lake Park High School starting a week later than usual, this calendar will bring the districts’ start dates closer together. Dr. Perkins indicated that he has also been in conversation with the teachers’ union regarding the possibility of applying for a Veteran’s Day waiver. The district would use this school day as an opportunity to better inform students about veterans.

Other
The Board held a brief discussion on class size determination.

The Board also briefly discussed the state mandates, and how they impact our Operations and Maintenance account.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m.

Tamara J. Peterson, President
Linda Wojcicki, Secretary