LINCOLN-WAY COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 210 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES January 22, 2015 7:00 P.M. A. Routine Matters: President Arvid Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Lincoln- Way East Griffins Lair. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Dr. Johnson asked that roll call be taken. Roll call was taken. Members present were: Mrs. Dee Molinare; Mr. Chris Kosel; Mr. Kevin Molloy; Mr. Stephen White; and Dr. Arvid Johnson. Members absent: Mr. James Gast and Mrs. Christine Glatz. Also present: Dr. R. Scott Tingley, Superintendent; Mr. Ronald Sawin, Assistant Superintendent; Mr. Tim Reilly, Assistant Superintendent; Mr. Robert Schiffbauer, District Director of Personnel; Dr. Brian Murphy, District Director of Technology; Mrs. Mary Harrison, District Director of Special Services; Mr. Rich Wilkey, District Director of Buildings and Grounds; Mrs. Stacy Holland, District Director of Community Relations; Mr. David Armbrecht, Director of Transportation; Dr. Steve Provis, Principal, Lincoln-Way Central High School; Dr. Sharon Michalak, Principal, Lincoln-Way East High School; Dr. Mark Cohen, Principal, Lincoln-Way North High School; Dr. Monica Schmitt, Principal, Lincoln-Way West High School; Miss Jaki Farquhar; Miss Melanie Kircher; Sergeant Duane Davis; Mr. Ron Lullo; Mr. Christopher McFadden; Mrs. Edith Lutz; Mr. Jon DePaolis, 22 nd Century Media; and Mrs. Susan Fennell, Recording Secretary. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Tingley welcomed the guests in attendance at the meeting. B. Public Comment: C. Consent Agenda: Mrs. Molinare moved, seconded by Mr. Molloy, that the consent agenda be approved as presented: the January 8, 2015 regular meeting minutes; the January 16, 2015 payroll in the amount of $2,129,912.88; and the November 18, 2014 District 210 Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes. Roll call taken; all in favor voted Aye. None opposed. Motion carried. 1
D. Awards, Presentations, and/or Recognition: Presentation- Will County Detective Sergeant Duane Davis Dr. Tingley recognized and thanked retired Will County Detective Sergeant Duane Davis for his dedication and service to the students of Lincoln-Way High School District 210 during his tenure as coordinator of the School Resource Officer program. Dr. Tingley expressed his appreciation to Sergeant Davis for his advocacy on behalf of the four Lincoln-Way High Schools and his passion for students. Dr. Tingley and Dr. Johnson presented Detective Sergeant Davis with a gift of appreciation and wished him well in retirement. Curriculum and Instruction Update Mr. Reilly reviewed the District 210 Highlights sheet, noting in particular that following the Illinois 5Essential Survey conducted in the spring of 2014, the Lincoln-Way high schools received the highest rating possible in the following four categories: Effective Leaders, Collaborative Teachers, Supportive Environment, and Involved Families; and the second-highest rating in the fifth category: Ambitious Instruction. Mr. Reilly also noted that District 210 will offer five additional Advanced Placement courses in 2015-2016, making a total of 34 courses available to students for potential college credit. In addition, the mathematics committee continues their work on a new math curriculum that will emphasize student thinking and problem-solving. Mr. Reilly added that all five Lincoln-Way feeder districts have partnered with District 210 science teachers to revise the science curriculum to meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for grades K-12. Student Council Presidents Miss Jaki Farquhar, Lincoln-Way East Student Council President, reported that the overall theme of this year s Turnabout is Forest, and more specifically, the theme for the Turnabout Dance is Into the ForEast. Miss Farquhar defined the spirit days of the week, adding that the Council is looking forward to great student participation in the planned activities. Miss Farquhar also reported that the annual wheelchair basketball game fund raiser benefiting the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association will be held next month, and the Council is looking for a new community service event to sponsor in March. Miss Melanie Kircher, Lincoln-Way North Student Council President, reported that the theme for the February 21 TWIRP Dance is Under the Sea. In addition, ten contestants will compete in the Mr. and Miss Phoenix Pageant on March 28, with all proceeds from the event funding senior scholarships. Miss Kircher was pleased to report that this year s St. Baldrick s fund raiser will be held on Friday, February 6, noting that the St. Baldrick s Foundation raises money to fund childhood cancer research. Miss Kircher added that this event raised more than $18,000 last year and more than $89,000 since 2010. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Tingley thanked Miss Farquhar and Miss Kircher for their reports. 2
E. Action Items: Presentation of Outstanding Invoices Mr. Molloy moved, seconded by Mr. Kosel, that the board approve the January 14, 2015 list of bills in the amount of $1,132,260.97 as presented. Roll call taken; all in favor voted Aye. None opposed. Motion carried. Personnel Report No personnel report was given. Approval of the Treasurer s Report for December 2014 Dr. Tingley reviewed the Treasurer s report for December 2014, noting that the month-end fund balance has been reduced to $11.7 million following a bond payment made in early January. Dr. Tingley also reviewed the month s revenue, noting receipt of $1.3 million in categorical funds, $1.1 million in real estate tax distributions, and nearly $440,000 in state aid payments. Dr. Tingley then reported $7.6 million in expenditures for the month, noting that invoices continue to be paid within a Net 60 window. Dr. Tingley recommended acceptance of the Treasurer s Report for December 2014 as presented. Mr. Molloy moved, seconded by Mr. White, that the board accept the Treasurer s Report for December 2014 as presented. Roll call taken; all in favor voted Aye. None opposed. Motion carried. Approval of the Student Activities Report for December 2014 Dr. Tingley reviewed the Student Activities report for December 2014, noting a slightly reduced fund balance due to bookstore related expenditures. Dr. Tingley added that the principals are monitoring any negative fund balances and then recommended acceptance of the Student Activities Report for December 2014 as presented. Mr. Kosel moved, seconded by Mrs. Molinare, that the board accept the Student Activities Report for December 2014 as presented. Roll call taken; all in favor voted Aye. None opposed. Motion carried. Closed Session Minute Summary and Tapes Dr. Johnson referred to the recommendation of the subcommittee appointed by Mr. Gast regarding the disposition of the closed session minute summary and tapes from July 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014, and then requested a motion for approval. Mr. White moved, seconded by Mr. Molloy, that the board approve the recommendation of the subcommittee for the disposition of the closed session minute summary and tapes from July 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014 as presented. All in favor voted Aye. None opposed. Motion carried. Out-of-State Travel Dr. Tingley presented the following requests for out-of-state travel: A request from Nate Jackson for the Lincoln-Way Central Guitar Studio to travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana on March 27-29, 2015 to attend the 2015 Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival hosted by Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne; 3
A request from Mitch Nowicki for the Lincoln-Way North baseball team to travel to Louisville, Kentucky on April 9-11, 2015 to compete in the Super Prep Series High School Baseball Tournament; A request from Bert Johnson for the Lincoln-Way East Marching Griffins to travel to Southwest Michigan on September 26, 2015 to participate in a regional competition sponsored by Music for All; A request from Bert Johnson for the Lincoln-Way East Marching Griffins to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana on October 24, 2015 to participate in a super-regional competition sponsored by Music for All; A request from Cary Ruklic for the Lincoln-Way West band and chorus to travel to New York City for six days in the summer of 2016 to perform at various venues and workshops, and visit several area attractions. Dr. Tingley stated that the request from Mr. Ruklic will be returned until firm travel dates are established. Dr. Tingley noted that the other four trips involve no cost to the district and no missed class time. Dr. Tingley then recommended acceptance of the trips, excluding the request from Mr. Ruklic, as presented pursuant to follow-up by the high school principals. Mr. White moved, seconded by Mrs. Molinare, that the board approve the trips as presented. All in favor voted Aye; none opposed. Motion carried. Student Registration Fees Dr. Tingley referred to a comparison of student registration fees for several area high school districts, noting that District 210 s fees are less than almost all of the other districts, even with the $6 increase approved last year. Dr. Tingley then asked the board to consider a $25 increase to the registration fee, which would bring the total required fees for the 2015-2016 school year to $250. After discussion amongst the board, Mr. Kosel stated that he has been opposed to fee increases in the past and is still reluctant to raise student fees; however, he believes the district is acting responsibly as after continued cuts, help is needed to fill the gap left by reduced state funding. Dr. Johnson then requested a motion to approve an increase of $25 to the registration fee for the 2015-2016 school year. Mr. White moved, seconded by Mr. Molloy, to approve an increase of $25 to the registration fee, bringing the total required fees to $250 for the 2015-2016 school year. Roll call taken; all in favor voted Aye. None opposed. Motion carried. F. Informational Items: FOIA Requests Mr. Sawin reported receipt of no new requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act. Legislative Report Mr. Sawin reported that the 99 th Illinois General Assembly has been seated and all newly introduced House and Senate bills have been sent to their respective committees for review. Mr. Sawin added that legislation relative to education will be monitored closely. 4
District 210 Advisory Committee Report Dr. Cohen reported that the Advisory Committee continues to study the district s policy on field trips, specifically encouraging those with a strong curricular purpose. Dr. Cohen added that suggested language for the Parent/Student Handbook will be presented in February. Asset of the Month Dr. Tingley reviewed the February 2015 Asset of the Month entitled, Service to Community/School, which is defined as a young person finding positive ways to serve in the school and community. Dr. Tingley then discussed reinforcement at home, at school, and in the community. Buildings and Grounds Report Mr. Sawin reviewed the Utilities and Contractual Maintenance Report for December, noting that expenditures were approximately 3.6% lower than those of the same time last year. Mr. Sawin then reported that the custodial/maintenance staff continues to monitor outdoor walkways, hallways, and heating equipment as weather conditions warrant. Mr. Sawin added that Mr. Rich Wilkey and his staff have done a great job addressing recent weather-related issues. 2015-2016 Draft Goals & Objectives Goal #2, Objectives A & B Dr. Tingley reminded the board that a draft of each of the 2015-2016 goals and the associated objectives will be presented individually for review and discussion at the board meetings in January and February. After all revisions, changes, etc., have been made, all of the 2015-2016 goals and objectives will be presented for first reading in early March and then again in late March when formal board approval will be requested. Dr. Tingley then reviewed a draft of Goal #2 which states, Continue to improve parental and community communication opportunities. Dr. Tingley discussed Objectives A and B and the associated activities, noting that additional emphasis will be made to expand the district s use of social media including Facebook and Twitter. Community Relations Report Mrs. Holland was pleased to report that the community continues to use the district s Facebook page as an information resource, most recently for inclement weather-related announcements. Mrs. Holland then reminded the board that all four high schools valedictorians and salutatorians will be recognized on February 12 at 6:15 p.m. in Knights Round Table Hall. In addition, the Mokena Chamber Business Expo will be held on February 28 at the Oaks Fitness Center, and District 210 s Breakfast with the Clergy will be held on February 24 at Lincoln- Way Central. Superintendent s District Report Dr. Tingley reviewed the Pride of Lincoln-Way. (ATTACHMENT). Dr. Tingley noted a substantial drop in the Consumer Price Index reported in December 2014, adding that the drop will impact the taxes levied in 2015 and received in 2016. 5
Correspondence G. Closed Session: H. Action After Closed Session: I. Other Business: J. Adjournment: Dr. Johnson declared that the board meeting be adjourned. All in favor voted Aye; none opposed. Motion carried. The board meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Arvid C. Johnson, President Dee Molinare, Secretary 6