MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PROSPECT HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT 23 DECEMBER 11, 2013 MACARTHUR MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PROSPECT HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT 23 DECEMBER 11, 2013 MACARTHUR MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER Mari-Lynn Peters, Board President, called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRESENT: ALSO PRESENT: Dr. Deb Wilson, Superintendent; Dr. Don Angelaccio, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction; Ms. Luann Kolstad, Business Manager EXECUTIVE SESSION Mrs. Olsen moved and Mr. Bowes seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive Session for purposes of discussing negotiations. The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 6:18 p.m. OPEN SESSION The Board returned to open session at 7:03 p.m. PRESENT: 1

2 Mrs. Peters made a statement to the audience regarding negotiations. She stated that at last Monday s meeting the mediator dismissed the Board. The mediator has cancelled the next meeting that was scheduled for December 13. Therefore, there will be no meetings until after January 1st. A subcommittee is scheduled to meet next week, hoping to aid resolution. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS AND VISITOR PARTICIPATION Joseph Szymanski, 200 North Parkway, Prospect Heights, asked to address the Board regarding teacher contracts. As an involved parent in the district, Mr. Szymanski asked the Board to give more consideration to their human resources, as the District 23 teachers are turning out exceptional students. Rachel Washburn, 2222 N. Coldspring Rd., Arlington Heights, parent of a District 23 student, asked to address the Board. Mrs. Washburn spoke on behalf of students and teachers, stating the importance of teacher quality in relation to student growth. She asked for fair compensation to teachers to maintain the quality of the teaching staff for the benefit of the students. Susan Peckworth, District 23 teacher at MacArthur Middle School, told the Board how much she values the students and her colleagues. She stated that teachers previously took a pay freeze to help the district, but other costs to them, such as insurance, have increased. Mrs. Peckworth asked the Board to be fair to the teachers who are consistently asked to work harder and expect less. Dan Perillo, District 23 teacher and PHEA President asked to address the Board. Mr. Perillo read a statement expressing a desire to complete negotiations with PHEA staff members being fairly compensated. Jodi Hernandez, District 23 teacher at MacArthur Middle School, told the Board of her history with District 23, and the changes she has seen in educational philosophies over the years. She feels that staff goes above and beyond without adequate recognition, adding that negotiations are never pleasant and that it takes time to rebuild relationships afterward. She asked the Board to take teachers seriously and provide fair compensation in order to prevent a revolving door of teachers who have to go elsewhere to earn a better salary. COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO VETERANS DAY PROGRAM Dr. Wilson included letters of thanks in the Board materials. Students and veterans alike always enjoy the program, which has become an annual event. 2

3 CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Mr. Bowes moved and Mrs. Olsen seconded the motion to approve the Regular Minutes of November 13, 2013 as presented. APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES Mr. Bowes moved and Mrs. Olsen seconded the motion to approve the Executive Session Minutes of November 13, 2013 as presented. PERSONNEL REPORT Mr. Bowes moved and Mrs. Olsen seconded the motion to approve the Personnel Report as presented, a copy of which is included with these minutes. 3

4 FINANCIAL REPORT Mrs. Olsen moved and Mr. Bowes seconded the motion to approve the Financial Report as presented of bills in the amount of $1,703, and the payroll for December in the amount of $1,026, Buildings and Sites: No report. COMMITTEE REPORTS IASB/ED-RED: reported on the December 6 ED-RED meeting, and shared with the Board via a copy of the analysis of the pension reform bill provided at the meeting. The next event is the Winter Legislative Dinner on Monday, Jan 27, which includes pre-dinner workshops. Policy: No report. School/Community Relations: No report. NSSEO: Mrs. Botwinski reported on the NSSEO Governing Board Meeting held last week. The coop has started a program called Experiencing NSSEO for people to go and observe their programs. As part of the program, Mrs. Botwinski visited Kirk School. Finance: reported that the committee met on December 3 rd and discussed their agenda items, several of which will be presented as part of the Superintendent s Report. One area of discussion concerned the Affordable Care Act and its financial impact on the district. Also discussed was securing a bond consultant for the next time the district goes out for bonds, and the possibility of outsourcing the extended day program to the Park District. There was a discussion on the pension reform of the Teachers Retirement System, which as the second tier is phased in, may require teachers also contributing to Social Security. A cost shift to school districts could be coming in January. The outcome of many aspects of the reform will depend on the result of appeals. 4

5 Negotiations: No report. encouraged the public to go on the district website and review contracts that are posted to clear up any misconceptions surrounding the negotiations. On behalf of the Board Mrs. Peters stated that the cancellation of Friday s meeting by the mediator is a disappointment to the Board as well as to PHEA membership. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING 2012 CERTIFICATE OF TAX LEVY Board President, Mrs. Peters, stated that on November 13, 2013 the Board of Education adopted an estimated tax levy for 2013 as developed by the Finance Committee and a Public Hearing for the purpose of allowing anyone to address the Board regarding the 2013 Certificate of Tax Levy will be conducted. Mrs. Botwinski moved and Mrs. Olsen seconded the motion to open the public hearing on the 2013 Certificate of Tax Levy. The Public Hearing opened at 7:38 p.m. No one addressed the Board. moved and Mrs. Olsen seconded the motion to close the Public Hearing on the 2013 Certificate of Tax Levy. The Public Hearing closed at 7:40 p.m. 5

6 SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT ADOPTION OF 2013 CERTIFICATE OF TAX LEVY Mrs. Olsen moved and Mr. Bowes seconded the motion to adopt the 2013 Certificate of Tax Levy for School District 23, Cook County, Illinois and that it be filed with the County Clerk indicating the amount of levy as follows: The sum of $14,500,000 to be levied as a special tax for education purposes, and the sum of $1,350,000 to be levied as a special tax for operations, building and maintenance purposes, and the sum of $875,000 to be levied as a special tax for transportation purposes, and the sum of $370,000 to be levied as a special tax for Illinois Municipal Retirement purposes, and the sum of $370,000 to be levied as a special tax for Social Security purposes, and the sum of $115,000 to be levied as a special tax for Tort Immunity purposes. REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF ANNUAL INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL AUDIT Ms. Kolstad informed the Board that the auditor reviewed the audit with the Finance Committee. It was a clean audit, with no exceptions. Ms. Kolstad asked Board members to be sure to read through the review, which is a snapshot of our financial year. Mr. Bowes moved and Mr. Bednar seconded the motion to accept the Audit, A-133 Single Audit and Annual Financial Report as presented. 6

7 ANNUAL IMMUNIZATION COMPLIANCE REPORT Dr. Wilson shared the Annual Immunization Compliance Report with the Board, which is required by the State. The district s compliance rate is 99.6%. Nurses continue to work with families to complete compliance. ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS The Board has reviewed the Annual Statement of Affairs, as required by Illinois School Code. The report was published in local newspapers and all contracts over $25,000 are posted on website. REVIEW OF OPERATIONAL GOALS Dr. Wilson reviewed the status of work being done towards completion of the district s operational goals, which currently focus on the theme of Quality Instruction. The goal is always to improve student learning. Among the ongoing improvements is a new web site for the district that should launch sometime in February. The geothermal project will move into the next phase of the work, which will be at Ross and Sullivan Schools. Dr. Wilson spoke about the policy manual revision, new curriculum implementations, the development of the district Technology Plan, and changes to the teacher evaluation process. SCHOOL BUS STOP BAR CAMERA ENFORCEMENT Prospect Heights Police Chief Dunne and a representative from Red Speed made a presentation from to the Board regarding school bus stop bar camera enforcement. Chief Dunne and Red Speed are requesting the installation of bus stop bar cameras on some school buses allowing the police department to issue citations to drivers that pass school buses when the stop arm is out. The Board learned that the Prospect Heights Police Department already has the infrastructure and technology in place, and that the program would be at no cost to the district. Though the program might generate some income for the district; the purpose is to stop violations. Red Speed stated that in their study, they had over two thousand violations in one day. If there are no violations, there is no payment to Red Speed. They suggest starting with a few buses to see how the program works for the district. The camera provides an eight to twelve second video. Red Speed passes along the ones they believe to actual violations to the police department, who then determines whether or not to issue a citation. The violator can view the incident video on their website. 7

8 Ms. Kolstad stated that she does get parent complaints about drivers going around school buses with the stop sign out. Dr. Wilson added that traffic on Schoenbeck has slowed down considerably with the installation of the flashing sign alerting drivers to reduce speed in the school zone. The Board and administration will continue exploring the use of the stop bar cameras. The earliest a decision would be made is at the January 8, 2014 Regular Meeting. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS AND VISITOR PARTICIPATION Sharon Graff, 1832 E. Lilac Terrace, Arlington Heights, asked to address the Board. Ms. Graff is a District 23 resident, who commented on the current contract negotiations. She asked that the district treat the teachers with honor and respect. OLD BUSINESS BOARD SELF-EVALUATION: NEXT STEPS Dr. Wilson provided information from Barb Toney of IASB that outlined the next steps the Board agreed to for self-evaluation. Dr. Wilson reviewed the six steps, and what needs to be done for each one to move forward. Another Board workshop meeting will probably be needed. The Board will schedule one for April or May, as they wish to conclude the self-evaluation within this school year. There was no new business. NEW BUSINESS There was no Executive Session. EXECUTIVE SESSION 8

9 ADJOURNMENT and Mrs. Botwinski seconded the motion to adjourn at 8:28 p.m. President Secretary 9