President Donald Litchfield called the regular meeting of the Board of Education of Bloomingdale Elementary School District 13 to order on Monday, December 19, 2005 in the district office at 7:34 p.m.

Roll Call
Present: Mrs. Diane Birkley, Mrs. Mary Ellen Johnson, Mr. Terence McKeown, Ms. Tamara Peterson, Mrs. Linda Wojcicki, Dr. Donald Litchfield

Absent: Mrs. Patricia Bach

Others Present: Dr. Kim Perkins, Dr. Linda Schielke, Mr. Mark Dwyer, Mr. Earl Overman, Dr. John Markgraf, Mrs. Donna Carusiello, Mr. & Mrs. Scott Skie, Mrs. Kathy Ogden

Tax Levy Hearing
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Ms. Peterson to open the Tax Levy Hearing at 7:36 p.m. Voice Vote: all ayes

As no one from the audience had questions regarding the tax levy process, a motion was made by Mrs. Johnson and seconded by Mr. McKeown to close the Tax Levy Hearing at 7:37 p.m. Voice Vote: all ayes

Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Mrs. Johnson to approve the items shown in the Consent Agenda to include the Regular and Closed Session Minutes from the 11-28-05 meeting; the Approval of Bills in the Education Fund for $225,733.36, the Operations and Maintenance Fund for $36,739.89, the Transportation Fund for $57,387.27, Payroll (12-10-05) for $352,763.52 and (12-16-05) for $334,516,26 as shown in F.D. 12/19/05-1; the Fund Balance Report as shown in F.D. 12/19/05-2; the Revenue Report as shown in F.D. 12/19/05-3; the Expenditure Report as shown in F.D. 12/19/05-4; the Resignation of Christina Zimmerman as an inclusion paraprofessional at Erickson effective 12-8-05, a Change in Position for Carol Ehrhardt from a half-time ISP teacher/half-time ISP aide at Westfield to a full-time ISP teacher effective 1-3-06 for a salary of $38,805, and Allison Reilly from a part-time paraprofessional at Westfield to a full-time paraprofessional effective 1-3-06 for a salary of $10.50 per hour, and the Employment of Nicole Wilhelm as a paraprofessional at Westfield effective 11-29-05 for a salary of $10.50 per hour, Jacquelyn Craven as a paraprofessional at Erickson effective 1-3-06 for a salary of $10.50 per hour, Gregory Bodine as a paraprofessional at Westfield effective 12-14-05 for a salary of $10.50 per hour, Suzette Burch as a lunchroom supervisor at Westfield effective 12-5-05 for a salary of $10.50 per hour, and Donna Ferraresi as a lunchroom supervisor at Westfield effective 12-12-05 for a salary of $10.50 per hour, a New Stipend of $1,000 for Sue Wruck as a resource person for the new Management Information Group student software.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Wojcicki, Johnson, Birkley, McKeown, Peterson, Litchfield
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6 - 0

Superintendent's Report

• School Improvement Plans - The Board heard reports from each of the three principals regarding their School Improvement Plans for the 2005-2006 school year. They each gave a snapshot of things that will happen as we proceed with the partnership between the school district and the National Study for School Education (NSSE), as compared to past practices for school improvement.

  Erickson School met adequate yearly progress (AYP) in all areas of reading and math as shown in the 2005 Illinois State Report Card. Dr. Markgraf outlined the goals set for the 2005-2006 school year and reflected on progress made with goals set in 2004-2005. The book study groups held for the purpose of supporting good instruction have been very successful. The Board is very supportive of this program, and Dr. Litchfield encouraged Dr. Markgraf to come to them if the need arises for supplemental income.

  Mr. Dwyer addressed the demographics of DuJardin School. Student attendance continues to be very good with the 2004-2005 school year ending at a rate of 96%. The mobility rate at DuJardin continues to climb. 25 new students have enrolled to-date, compared to last year’s end-of- year total of 57. Out of the 62 students enrolled in 4th grade, 28 have been attending DuJardin since kindergarten. Among the various activities promoted at DuJardin is the Math-A-Thon fundraiser. Students have raised over $30,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. DuJardin staff will focus on improving student achievement in vocabulary. One way they hope to accomplish this goal is by involving the entire staff in the reading of the book, Bringing Words to Life by Isabel Beck, followed by various supportive activities.

  Mr. Overman was pleased to report that Westfield students have gained an additional six hours of class time in each class this year, by dropping its advisory period and reconfiguring those activities. He also indicated that thanks to an initiative on the part of staff, we will now receive from Lake Park High School the results from the full battery of tests given to eighth grade students. Up to this point, no comprehensive results had been gleaned. An effort will be made to promote more reading time for students during the school day. A broader base of book offerings will be made, as well as issuing an invitation to book author, Gordon Korman, who will speak to students in February in an effort to encourage a greater appreciation for reading. Mr. Overman also reported on the success of the new drama program.

Citizen’s Request to Board
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Skie, parents of a Westfield student, addressed the Board regarding their concerns about the design of the classrooms being utilized by their son with special needs. Mr. Skie expressed his concern that open-space classrooms make it more difficult for students to stay focused and tend to lead to increased disruption in student learning. The Skies are requesting that the Board explore various options to correct the situation. After an initial conversation with Mr. Skie in September, Dr. Perkins enlisted the services of FGM’s architectural firm and an acoustical engineer, Shiner & Associates to assess the situation. In addition, he spoke with the special education staff regarding the student’s academic progress. These findings were corresponded to Mr. Skie.

Mr. Skie cited various articles on the subject that he had discovered through research. Dr. Perkins will follow up on these findings. Mr. Skie posed the following questions/suggestions for further discussion by the Board: 1) Is the student population being best served?, and 2) Hire a special education architect to assess the classrooms at Westfield.

Board Reports and Requests

• B.I.G. - No report
• CCTS! - No report
• CAC - No report
• Education Foundation - No report
• LEND - No report
• NDSEC - Mrs. Johnson reported on the restructuring of the DuPage/West Cook Board. The approval of the amended Articles of Agreement will be voted on at tonight’s meeting. A number of board members commented positively on the presentation held at the December 6th NDSEC dinner, which gave attendees an opportunity to experience (to a small degree) how it feels to be disabled. A discussion ensued regarding the request made by Mr. and Mrs. Skie concerning the open-space classrooms at Westfield. Mrs. Birkley wondered if there were actions that could be immediately taken to rectify the situation. Dr. Perkins indicated that the district would continue to look at ways to address the Skie’s concerns without impacting ventilation concerns. Board members were invited to take a tour of the classrooms in question.

Certificate of Tax Levy (F.D. 12/19/05-5)
A motion was made by Ms. Peterson and seconded by Mrs. Johnson to approve the Certificate of Tax Levy and authorize the finance director to deliver this to the County Clerk’s office by the last Tuesday in December as shown in F.D. 12/19/05-5.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Peterson, Johnson, Birkley, McKeown, Wojcicki, Litchfield
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6 – 0

DuPage/West Cook Low Incidence Cooperative (F.D. 12/19/05-6)
A motion was made by Ms. Peterson and seconded by Mr. McKeown to approve the DuPage/West Cook Low Incidence Cooperative revised Articles of Agreement, and authorize the Board President and Board Secretary to sign said document, and authorize the superintendent to convey news of this action to the DuPage/West Cook Board.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: Peterson, McKeown, Birkley, Johnson, Wojcicki, Litchfield
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6 – 0

Board Meeting Schedule (F.D. 12/19/05-7)
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcicki and seconded by Ms. Peterson to approve the Board of Education meeting schedule for the second half of the 2006 calendar year. Voice Vote: all ayes

Ms. Peterson indicated her approval of the previous change towards monthly meetings.

Parent/Community Survey
The Board reviewed the draft of the parent and community surveys that will be sent the last week in February. Parent surveys will be sent home with students, but the community surveys will be mailed. Participants will be asked to return the survey within two weeks of receipt, and these will be forwarded “unopened” to ECRA for compilation. The Board decided that under the section “Important Issues”, the topic of “implementing a hot lunch program” will replace “Adhering to No Child Left Behind standards.” Dr. Perkins will utilize the district’s voice messaging system to remind parents of the need to return the completed surveys.

School Calendar
The Board reviewed the proposed calendar for the 2006-2007 school year. Dr. Perkins previously shared this draft with principals and the union president. The adoption of this calendar will be an action item on January 23.

School Board Retreat Planning
Dr. Perkins offered two possible dates for a Board Retreat: February 13 and March 13. March 13 appears to be the most feasible for board members. Suggested topics at this retreat will include:

• How do we assess ad hoc requests? What type of criteria is used?
• Update on gifted program
• Update on drama & communications programs
• Social Studies/Science curriculum
• E-tools for board packets

For Information
The Board was asked to return their completed LEND surveys to Diane Birkley.

Closed Session
A motion was made by Ms. Peterson and seconded by Mr. McKeown to enter into closed session at 9:45 p.m. after a brief recess for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the district or legal counsel for the district, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the district to determine its validity. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), as amended by P.A. 93-0057. Voice Vote: all ayes

The Board returned to regular session at 10:18 p.m.

Superintendent’s Contract (F.D. 12/19/05-8)
A motion was made by Mr. McKeown and seconded by Ms. Peterson to approve a new contract with Dr. Kim Perkins, Superintendent, as shown in F.D. 12/19/05-8.

Roll Call Vote

Ayes: McKeown, Peterson, Birkley, Johnson, Wojcicki, Litchfield
Nays: None
Motion Carried: 6 – 0

Adjournment
A motion was made by Mrs. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Peterson to adjourn the meeting. Voice Vote: all ayes

The meeting was adjourned at 10:22 p.m.

Donald Litchfield, President
Linda Wojcicki, Secretary