COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PROPOSED MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2003

Transcription

1 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PROPOSED MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, A meeting of the Committee of the Whole of the Board of Education of Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2003 by John Armstrong, President. ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Jeff Antonetti, John Armstrong, Deby Dato, Nancy Dobner, Julie Hefner, Brian Swanson Thomas A. Weber, Sr. Dr. Barbini, W. Harkin, D. Coles, and approximately 35 guests 3. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA By Dato seconded by Hefner to accept the agenda as presented. All members present voted aye. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES By Dobner seconded by Dato to approve the minutes of the C.O.W. meeting of June 5, 2003, as presented. All members present voted aye with the exception of Mrs. Hefner who abstained. 5. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE Mr. Armstrong, Board President began this portion of the meeting by explaining the Bike Ban to clear up a few misconceptions. Mr. Armstrong indicated that the Bike Ban is only in effect on school property, the bike ban has been in effect for a few years at WMS and WHS, and that the bike ban does not apply to Robert Crown and Cotton Creek Schools. Dr. Barbini gave a history of what triggered the decision to extend the bike ban to Wauconda Grade School, mainly numerous close calls and an accident which occurred last school year when a student was hit by a car on Main Street on his way to school. Dr. Barbini explained that after the administration considered various options, the decision was made to extend the bike ban to Wauconda Grade School beginning with the school year. Dr. Barbini quoted a letter from the district s liability insurance carrier indicating that once the administration is aware of a potential safety hazard and disregard it the district can be deemed negligent and held liable should an accident occur. Dr. Barbini further explained that the opportunity has presented itself to work with the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to form a Safe Routes to School Committee. The committee would work with the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to identify options for safer routes to schools. Dr. Barbini indicated that the Bike Ban will be in effect until other options are studied and brought to the Board of Education for review and approval. Dr. Barbini then introduced Dave Glowacz from the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. Dave Glowacz explained the Safe Routes to Schools program which would include an area profile, surveys of students and parents and an evaluation of problem areas. Mr. Glowacz indicated that he had ridden his bicycle over from WGS and thought the ride was relatively safe, however, he could understand how pick-up and drop-off time could be a more congested and

2 2 dangerous time. Mr. Glowacz explained that it is important to teach kids how to ride/walk to school safely. Mr. Armstrong then inquired about the cost to the district, indicating that the district can do a lot of data gathering through surveys on their own. Mr. Glowacz indicated that the Bicycle Federation is willing to work with the district at no cost. Due to the outpouring of parent interest regarding this issue, the Bicycle Federation is hoping to use this situation as an example of bringing this program to the suburbs. Mr. Glowacz stated that he is a certified bicycle instructor and a bike riding advocate and he is concerned over the reasons for the bike ban. He is concerned that the issue of liability is being used against children, for instance the perception of car traffic and pick/up and drop/off zones can be changed/controlled. Why not ban cars around WGS instead of bikes. Mr. Glowacz then introduced Dr. Matt Longjohn, an expert in childhood obesity. Dr. Longjohn addressed the Board indicating that he is well aware of the potential for injury when children ride bicycles to school. He also said that the fact that so many parents were concerned speaks highly of the community in general. Dr. Longjohn then spoke of the increase in childhood obesity over the last few years and the impact on our youth. He spoke of the need to educate families to eat right and maintain healthy lifestyles. He felt the school district should promote this not be against it. Dr. Longjohn indicated that when the district makes a decision like this baseline data should be gathered and studied and challenged the administration to collect statistics to support this decision. Dr. Longjohn did commend the Board for their willingness to work together to come up with a solution to this problem. Mr. Armstrong then explained the rules/procedures for audience participation. Brooke Schriedel, 514 Kimball, Wauconda, addressed the Board. Mr. Schriedel indicated that he does not believe in the bike ban and doesn t know of any other school districts that have a bike ban. Mr. Schriedel said that there are known sex offenders in our community and it is safer for kids to ride bikes. They can get away from a dangerous situation faster. Mr. Schriedel said that roller blades and skateboards are more dangerous than bikes. He felt that if this went to a vote it would be shot down. Mr. Art Garland, 1106 Washington, Wauconda, addressed the Board. Mr. Garland said he has 2 boys, one at RC and one at WGS. We tell them to be the best they can be but now we say they are not responsible enough to be trusted to ride their bikes to school. Mr. Garland felt the decision was not made the right way and he feels we should seek input on how to fix this problem. Mr. Garland indicated he was willing to give up his time to volunteer to be on the committee. Cindy White, 536 Kimball, Wauconda, addressed the Board stating that she has had debates with the district in the past because she cannot get busing for her kids. She said her kids enjoy riding their bikes to school. Ms. White felt that the two gentlemen (D. Glowacz and Dr. Longjohn) said it all and she agrees with them. Ms. White feels that the Safe Routes to Schools program is an excellent idea. She said she felt that the school needs to send a message to the parents on how to drive and indicated that the WMS parking lot was a mess. Ms. White does not think the district should ban bikes until we get feedback from the committee. She thinks kids should be given the chance to ride. Mr. Jose Pineiro, 1001 North Shore Drive, Wauconda, then addressed the Board. Mr. Pineiro thanked Dave Glowacz of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation for his input and thanked Dr. Barbini. Mr. Pineiro then gave a brief history of the two (2) phone calls that started this action. Mr. Pineiro feels that the bike ban was done as an uneducated decision and that the administration did not have baseline data. He understands that there is a safety concern but he

3 3 cannot stand back and let the school district tell the kids they are irresponsible. He appreciates what the Board and administration are charged with. Mr. Pineiro indicated that he made a request two times under the Freedom of Information Act for any notes/minutes, Board memos, etc. regarding the bike ban and was told that no documents exist and now he finds out there was a letter from the districts insurance carrier regarding this matter. Mr. Pineiro challenged the Board with the following: 1. Reconsider this decision in an effort to keep bikes in all schools. 2. Place the Bike Ban on the agenda of the August 21 Board meeting. 3. Continue to work with the village and police on traffic control. 4. To work with the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to find options to address this issue. 5. To establish better communication between the schools and the parents. Marilyn Glenn, 329 Indian Ridge Trail, Wauconda, then addressed the Board. Mrs. Glenn indicated that her 7 th grade daughter is forced to ride to school. Ms. Glenn is disabled and not always able to drive her daughter to school and since they live in Country Ridge no busing is provided. Ms. Glenn feels it is safer for her to ride her bike than to walk because she can get away from a sticky situation quicker on a bike. Bob Lempinen, Lakeview Dr., Wauconda, addressed the Board. Mr. Lempinen brought up measures other districts have taken to provide for the safety of the students. He used Lake Forest School District as an example. He suggested less cars in the vicinity of the school and making more room for bikes. He also suggested bike-riders wear orange belts. Mr. Lempinen said we have to overcome the possibility of a parent suing. Marla Sherman, 1001 North Shore Dr., Wauconda, addressed the Board. Ms. Sherman indicated that State Representative Kathy Ryg and State Representative Elaine Nekritz were interested in this issue and that it was being shared at the state level. They want to use Wauconda as an example to bring the Safe Routes to Schools program to schools. Marge Rucker, 155 Church St., Wauconda, addressed the Board. Ms. Rucker indicated that she was sad to hear about the bike ban. She would like to know if this is truly a safety issue or a liability issue. She said she feels parents should know what route their children take if riding to school. Ms. Rucker questioned how we can ensure students will take the safe routes to schools once they are determined. How can we then say it is okay to go back to bike riding? Ms. Rucker had questions regarding the accident that occurred on Main St. She would like more details about that accident. Did it occur in the crosswalk in front of the high school? That crosswalk has a history of accidents. Ms. Rucker then brought up the idea of parents signing a permission slip allowing their children to ride bikes to school, stating that they accept full responsibility. Diana Mikelski, Greenview Dr., Wauconda, then addressed the Board. Ms. Mikelski indicated that she was a parent and also the Supervisor of Transportation. Ms. Mikelski gave an overview of the number of buses in the area of the WGS on a school day and the number of students transported. She indicated that less congestion in this area would make it safer for the drivers and the buses. Dr. Barbini then asked for Board direction regarding the administration convening a committee to work with the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to identify safer options for bike riding at WHS, WMS and WGS. A tentative timeline for the committee was distributed. Mr. Antonetti indicated that the main reason for the bike ban was safety and that students have been injured in the past. Mr. Antonetti said that he was in favor of encouraging kids to ride their

4 4 bikes and working with the Safe Routes to Schools program to work out this issue. Mr. Antonetti indicated that he wants to take care of this issue properly with respect to safety and liability issues. He indicated that proper planning was essential. Mrs. Dobner stated that she is in favor of working with the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and thought forming a committee was a good idea. She indicated that some children do not know rules of the road and should take a safety course. Mrs. Dobner thought the committee should come up with their own timeline. She would like to see kids ride their bikes again. Further Board discussion occurred regarding the use of bicycle helmets, village ordinances and riding on the street versus the sidewalk. Mrs. Dobner indicated she was comfortable with parents signing something to indicate they allow their children to ride bikes to school. The majority of the Board were in favor of keeping the bike ban in place while a Safe Routes to Schools Committee was formed and options were explored. Dr. Barbini commented that a liability waiver signed by a parent would not exempt the school district from liability. This was confirmed with our liability insurance carrier and our law firm. This is not an acceptable option. Dr. Barbini also confirmed that school district policy prohibits roller blading and skateboarding on school property. Dr. Barbini responded to Mr. Pineiro s remarks regarding the Freedom of Information request he made for notes/minutes, Board memos, etc. concerning the Bike Ban. Dr. Barbini stated that this was an administrative decision; therefore, there are no board minutes/notes etc. Dr. Barbini indicated that he responded to Mr. Pineiro s request and Mr. Pineiro was provided with a copy of School Board Policy 8:40 and a page from the Middle School handbook. Similar language will also be in the Grade School handbook this year. Dr. Barbini further explained that as the situation evolved he requested confirmation of the opinion of the liability insurance carrier regarding this issue. The letter is dated August 6 th and Mr. Pineiro would be provided with a copy. Dr. Barbini said that this is too big a problem for the school district to handle on their own. The district needs the involvement of the parents, village, police, etc. to come up with a solution to this problem. Regarding the obesity issue, Dr. Barbini indicated that each Wauconda Grade School student receives 45 minutes of physical education instruction daily and they also go out during lunch/recess (weather permitting). Almost 1 hour of physical activity is available to students daily. Dr. Barbini said he would be working with Mr. Glowacz to arrange instruction on bike safety for students during study halls. 6. UPDATE ON SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER POSITION FOR Mrs. Dato reported on a recent meeting with villages served by the District. Information was shared regarding the number of students enrolled at WMS and WHS as identified by their village of residence. A fee schedule based on these numbers was presented. The village representatives will meet again to discuss the feasibility of funding this position in this manner on August 13. Chief Roberts indicated that Officer Yost s salary of $86,000 is not a true representation of the cost of this position. The department must also hire a new officer to replace him. Mr. Antonetti asked if the police department was still pursuing a grant. Chief Roberts indicated that yes, a grant application was in process. 7. EXECUTIVE SESSION

5 5 By Hefner second by Dobner to go into Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. to discuss Acquisition of Property and Information regarding the Employment, Appointment/Dismissal of Personnel On roll call, all members present voted aye. By Swanson second by Antonetti to come out of Executive Session at 10:15 p.m. All members present voted aye. No action taken in Executive Session 8. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business Mr. Armstrong adjourned the meeting at 10:20 p.m. These minutes are not a verbatim transcript. These minutes represent a summary of the discussion that took place at this meeting.