Board of
Education Meeting
President Buttice called the meeting to order at
Members present: Mr. Buttice, Mr. Norvill, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Visocky,
Superintendent Masear
Members absent: Mr. VanBeuning
Guests: Mr. Clifton, Mr. Phil Vandemore, Channel 22 Representative
Citizen’s
Request/Public Participation:
Mr. Clifton
expressed his concern about the band program at
Approval
of Minutes:
Motion made by Visocky/Dearing to approve the special joint
meeting minutes from
Motion made by Dearing/MacPhee to approve the special joint
meeting minutes from
Motion made by Norvill/Dearing to approve the minutes from
Treasurer’s Report:
Mr. Visocky questioned a voided check that was issued in the wrong amount for workshop reimbursement.
Motion was made by Visocky/Dearing to accept the treasurer’s report. Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Visocky. Nays-0. Motion carried.
Approval of Warrants:
Mr. Norvill questioned a payment to Morton Community Bank, which was for new Spelling Bee materials and the credit card was used to purchase these items. Also questioned was the payment for the copy machine lease. Mr. Dearing questioned a payment for a hearing impaired 3-year-old that is made monthly and cleaning supplies that were purchased and how often these items are purchased.
Motion made by Dearing/Norvill to accept the warrants. Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Visocky. Nays-0. Motion carried.
Superintendent
Report and Recommendations:
Third Grade ISAT Scores:
Mrs. Stieglitz brought to
Superintendent Masear’s attention, a newspaper article from the suburbs of
School Improvement Plan Review:
Superintendent Masear reported the continuation of work towards our SIP goals. She provided an update toward our five goals. Some of the areas we are working for improvement in are geometry, writing across the curriculum, staff development, school and student safety, technology training, and social studies performance. Superintendent Masear provided examples of how each these areas are being targeted. The DARE program is back for this semester. Social studies textbooks are being examined for the younger grades and there will hopefully be a recommendation for purchasing before the end of the year. The “Second Step” program has been implemented at the younger grades as an Anti-Violence Prevention Program.
Student Discipline Update:
Mr. Vandemore gave an update on student discipline that indicated a select few students receive the majority of disciplinary referrals. 90% of his discipline time is spent on 14 students. Parents of these students have been notified and support from these parents has been requested. These students must begin to change their behavior in order to succeed. There have been 11 suspensions this year.
Committee Reports:
Technology Committee:
We are continuing to work toward the development of our three-year technology plan. Jay
Wendelin and Marlie Heider are leading this committee and are attending workshops and working
with other school representatives to write this technology plan. Ms. Schwader will represent the
board on the technology committee. Our new classroom computers have been formatted and should be in the classroom by our next meeting date.
Building Committee:
Building committee meeting minutes was provided in our packets. Superintendent Masear
explained what items will be acceptable improvements for our Life Safety Plan. Windows and
lighting was addressed due to the lighting energy grant. It was reported that we are moving in
positive
directions. Mr. Norvill and Mrs. Masear
toured
Mr. VanBeuning entered at
Curriculum-Social Studies:
The kindergarten through fifth grade teachers are participating in a social studies textbook
adoption. We have examined Nystrom social studies kits and have a second grade kit on loan for one month. We are contacting other districts to survey their curriculum and opinions. A recommendation is targeted for May 1st.
Old Business:
Sales Tax Proposal:
There has not been any movement at
this time. Mr. Buttice reported that a
committee is being formed and that he is interested in serving on this
committee. Consensus was asked for and
received that Mr. Buttice would represent Robein on the City School Committee. The superintendents have a meeting with Mr. Houchin
on
Life Safety Plan:
Superintendent Masear reported that we have received a lengthy list of items that may qualify under life/safety for our new 10-year plan. The major guideline is to repair or replace within the school. We need to decide which areas need to be included for future building updates at Robein.
Building renovations questions will
be included on a parent survey.
New Business:
Lighting Energy Grant:
Graybar Electric has visited our building to provide information we need to complete the application for this grant. We would be responsible for costs up front and the grant would reimburse us for energy savings. This might be an area to target with proceeds from this year’s track meet. The board gave their approval to continue with this grant.
Language Arts Novel-Curriculum Revision:
Ms. West and Mr. Suchocki have recommended changes to the district’s list of recommended novels. The list of Robein’s novels as well as Districts #86 and #76 were provided.
Discussion of FY2005 Calendar:
Superintendent Masear met with the
other superintendents to review our school calendar for next year. If we keep on a similar schedule with this
year, our start date for teachers would be
Motion made by Norvill/Dearing to
allow the
ISBE FY01 Transportation Audit:
Superintendent Masear reported that for the 2000-01 school year we are receiving a credit in the amount of $3646.00 for regular transportation and $196.00 for special education transportation.
Other Business:
Mr. Dearing
expressed the need for track uniforms.
Mr. Norvill
requested on behalf of the boy scouts an area for them to keep their supplies.
Executive Session:
Motion made by Visocky/Dearing to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing the release of the July through December 2003 executive session minutes.
Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Dearing, Mr. Visocky. Nays-0. Motion carried.
The board entered executive session at
The board exited executive session at
Motion made by Dearing/VanBeuning to release the July through December 2003 executive session minutes and keep closed the October 16, 2003 special meeting executive session #1 minutes.
Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Visocky. Nays-0. Motion carried.
Adjournment:
Motion made by Dearing/Norvill to adjourn the meeting. Motion voted. Yeas-Mr. Buttice, Ms. Schwader, Mr. Norvill, Mr. VanBeuning, Mr. Dearing, Mr. MacPhee, Mr. Visocky. Nays-0. Motion carried.
The meeting ended at
Next regular meeting is scheduled for
______________________________ _____________________________
Steve Buttice, President Shauna Schwader, Secretary