OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT NO. 148 DOLTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS The MINUTES of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 148, Dolton, Cook County, Illinois held at the Administrative Office in said School District at 6:00 p.m., on the 23rd of February 2016. ROLL CALL After the Pledge of Allegiance, President Kim Adkins called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and directed that the roll be called. Upon the roll being called, the following members answered present: Pam Gibson, Larry Lawrence, Faith Gunter, Ernesto Mickens, Joyce Jackson, and Kim Adkins. Also present were, Keri-Lyn Krafthefer, Attorney, Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Krafthefer P.C., Interim Superintendent Dr. Mickles, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Moore, Chief School Business Official Mr. La Bella, Director of Technology, Ms. Marshall, Director of RtI/PBIS & Bully Prevention, Mrs. Navarre, Director of Building and Grounds, Mr. Reese, Principals Mr. Chambers, Mr. James, Mrs. Jeter, Dr. McFarlane, and Ms. Montgomery, Assistant Principals Mrs. Marks, Mr. Palicki, and Mrs. Williams. VISITORS Jamie Haas, Mary Kate Lanigan, Kathy Sobkowiak, Annmarie Michalcyk, Carol Miller, Anne Gallagher, Mike Hurst, Timothy Williams, Tequilla Hall, Karen Hall, Carol Benda, Amy Giggleman, Clayton Welch, Monique Grayson, J. Bendell, B. Matthews, D. Devine- Anderson, G. Jilek, Kim Hunt, Ken Hunt, Darlene Prince-James, Anthony James, Lana Brown, Delores Johnson, Lea Green, Sharon Taylor, Patrick Datte, Sarah Donnelly, Kanisha Cox, Marva Penn, Jennifer Lampkin, Mary Short, Tonja Davis, Kathie Messe, Pearl Mack, Ella Cook Cashaw, Ryanne Godfrey, T. Pernell, Joan Carreon, Kathy Cherry, Shalonda Randle, and Carlton Johnson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Gunter moved and Member Adkins seconded the motion that the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, beginning at 7:00 p.m. be approved as written and directed the secretary to place them on file as part of the official Board Minutes. 1
Tim Williams, Riverdale Intergovernmental Affairs liaison, introduced himself and described what he does for the Village. He would like to work with the Board of Education regarding any issues or concerns that they may have. DISTRICT ITEMS OF INTEREST Each year, District 148 Junior High students participate in their individual school s Science Fair. The top 7th Grade Science Fair projects were selected from each of the three junior high schools in December. Mrs. Joan Carreon give a PowerPoint presentation on the highlights of this year s fantastic Junior High Science Fairs. Mr. Michael Hurst, Science Fair coordinator, introduced each Principal/Teacher and they presented this year s winning scientists and the students explained their projects. Winners were: Roosevelt Junior High School Brandon Hall, Washington Junior High School Farran Moore, and Lincoln Junior High School Anthony Martin. Mr. Hurst introduced some special visitors: League of Women Voters of Thornton Township Co-Presidents Kathie Messi and Pearl Mack, Secretary Ella Cook-Cashaw and Members Joyce Washington and Jacki Davis-Rivera who presented the winners with saving bonds. We will have 21 projects representing District 148 at the Regional Science Fair. The Board of Education also commended these outstanding young scientists and honored these students with certificates. Member Jackson acknowledged Mrs. Jeter for the outstanding work that she does for Washington School. A parent also wrote a letter of appreciation to Mrs. Jeter for her accomplishments and improvements with the Washington School students. President Adkins acknowledged Mr. Hurst for the positive influence that he has upon our students in District 148. The Board appreciates the outstanding job he does as the Science Fair coordinator. The Board also recognized the League of Women Voters for the tireless efforts they extend and for the support that they give to our students. 2
ADMINISTRATION-INFORMATION REPORTS Dr. Moore reported that we had 642 students were represented for Bring Your Parent to School day. Mrs. Debbie Devine-Anderson and Ms. Mary Kate Lanigan presented a PowerPoint Top Tools for Behavior Management. These resources are used with students that prove to be more challenging. The program is a means for better classroom management and behavior interventions. Card and behavior charts were explained as a useful intervention tool. De-escalation zones and self-reflections were explained, showing the usefulness in behavior management and other tools that can be helpful in behavior interventions. Dr. Mickles reported that Aunt Martha s is offering the district a grant funded program called Make a Difference. It is a program designed for eighth grade students to teach them about their bodies, abstinence, and healthy life choices. Dr. Mickles shared that the Attendance committee is meeting to discuss ways to improve our student attendance. The information will be presented at the next District Leadership Team meeting. Dr. Mickles also reported that Mr. Chambers, Ms. Montgomery, and Dr. McFarlane are working on updating the Strategic Plan to reflect the new plan guidelines. Ms. Marshall reported that our Enrollment stands at 2,248 students which is a decrease of 8 students from last month. PRESIDENT'S REPORT Four Committees met since the last Regular Board meeting. The District Leadership Team meeting was held on January 27, 2016. The Building & Grounds Committee and Finance Committee meetings were held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. The Parent Advisory meeting was held on February 16, 2016. Summaries of these meetings will be presented following approval by each Committee. The approved summaries of the Parent Advisory Committee meeting held October 13, 2015, District Leadership Team meeting held October 29, 2015, Building & Grounds Committee and Finance Committee meetings held January 12, 2016, were presented. NEW SCHOOL LAWS 2015 The Department of Governmental Relations of the Illinois Association of School Boards for the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance prepared the publication New 3
School Laws 2015. This is a digest of state laws affecting Illinois public schools enacted in 2014. The new laws was presented to Board members for their review. IASB CONSTITUTION & POSITION STATEMENTS The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) sent the Position Statements for the Board of Education s review. TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS A copy of the textbooks and instructional materials for each grade level (Kindergarten- Eighth) in all subject areas that District 148 will be using during the 2015-2016 school year was presented for each Board members review. The information is being provided to be in compliance with District 148 Board Policy 6:210 Instructional Materials. We continue to review the most current content materials to ensure that our curriculum is preparing our students for college and career readiness. SOUTH COOK DIVISION WINTER BREAKFAST A Winter Breakfast sponsored by the South Cook Division of the Illinois Association of School Boards will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at Lincoln Elementary, SD 156 in Calumet City. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The topic of the program will be: Three Critical Steps for Developing a Strong STEM Program. Registration is required. NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE The 76 th National School Board Association s Annual Conference and Exposition will be held April 9-11, 2016 in Boston. This event brings together more than 7,000 school Board members, school administrators, and superintendents, and helps them to Revolutionize Board Leadership. The Conference includes: Three Days of Essential Presentations and Experiences to Energize You and Your District Advocacy Governance and Executive Leadership Innovations in District Management Student Achievement and Accountability Learning Visits & Meal Events Registration has been completed for those Board members who are attending. 4
SOUTH COOK DINNER MEETING The South Cook Dinner Meeting of the Illinois Association of School Boards will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at the Silver Lake Country Club West Garden Room, 14700 South 82nd Avenue, Orland Park, IL 60462, at 6:00 p.m. The topic of the program will be: The Future of Illinois and State Funding. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and it is required. SCOPE SPRING DINNER SCOPE (South Cooperative Organization for Public Education) will be holding their Spring Dinner on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 6:30 p.m., at the Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. This year s topic will be Engaging in the Process. Invitations and more information will be forthcoming. COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS Member Mickens reported on the Building and Grounds meeting. During the meeting, they discussed the work projects at the schools and the professional custodians. Member Mickens reported that during the Finance Committee meeting, they discussed a pipe that is too small and the replacing of a water supply line at Roosevelt Elementary. They also discussed a partnership with South Suburban College to provide the District with technology interns. President Adkins reported on the Parent Advisory Committee meeting. The meeting centered on the topic: My Plate and included healthy eating and a nutrition education class. They discussed the types of foods that we should be eating and guidelines to follow. The meeting was very engaging. APPROVE PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE FOR TECHNOLOGY INTERNS Member Mickens moved and Member Adkins seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 approve the partnership with South Suburban College for one intern to work approximately 20 hours per week for 8 weeks at $10 per hour, half of which will be reimbursed to the district from a grant at South Suburban College. Our commitment would be half of the salary ($5.00 per hour) approximately $820.00. 5
Member Mickens moved and Member Adkins seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 approve another intern. This intern would work for 20 hours per week for 16 weeks and would be 100% funded through South Suburban College. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO PREPARE 2016-2017 BUDGET IN TENTATIVE FORM Member Adkins moved and Member Mickens seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 Adopt the Resolution designating and directing the Chief School Business Official to prepare the annual budget in tentative form for Dolton West School District 148 for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017. APPROVE REPLACEMENT OF WATER SUPPLY LINE AT ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Member Mickens moved and Member Adkins seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 approve to use $65,000.00 from Health and Life Safety Funds and use the funds to replace the original water supply line at Roosevelt Elementary. 6
APPROVE BILLS AND ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL REPORTS Member Adkins moved and Member Mickens seconded the motion that the Board of Education Dolton West School District 148 approve the bills presented for payment for the month of February 2016 as printed under the Action Items/New Business, Agenda Items F-4a - F-4m totaling $1,062,482.91 and the accompanying Financial Reports, directing the secretary to place all reports on file for audit. DESCRIPTION AMOUNT SUB-TOTAL GRAND TOTAL a. Regular Bills $670,077.45 b. District Band 526.52 c. IDEA Grant 253,409.84 d. IDEA Grant-Preschool 10,000.00 e. PFA Grant 15,315.60 f. PS EXP Grant 36,257.76 g. Safety Grant 447.20 h. Supp GSA Police Liaison 6,923.28 i. Supp GSA Referees 1,655.00 j. Title I Grant 50,255.02 245,468.14 SUBTOTAL 1,044,867.67 k. District Custodian OT 383.22 l. Total Secretaries Overtime 684.52 m. Total Teacher Substitute 16,547.50 SUBTOTAL 17,615.24 GRAND TOTAL $1, 062,482.91 7
ACCEPT STUDENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNT REPORT Member Lawrence moved and Member Mickens seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148, accept the Student Activity Account Report as submitted. BUILDING & GROUNDS AND RENTAL REPORTS Member Mickens moved and Member Gibson seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148, accept the Building and Grounds and the Rental Reports as submitted. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION There were several parents and staff members that spoke about their concerns at Lincoln School. Their concerns included students being bullied, not having enough adult supervision, parents and students concerns not being addressed, classroom disruptions, unresponsiveness to students concerns, rudeness by teachers, students being made to sit on the floor, disrespectful language being used towards, parents, students, and staff, staff members feeling intimidated and not feeling protected, teachers being struck by students, and classroom safety. President Adkins assured the parents and staff that their concerns had been heard and that their concerns would be addressed. Ms. Prince-James gave praise to the Roosevelt staff. Mrs. Brown discussed the concern of pay for the lunch monitors. 8
CLOSED SESSION Member Lawrence moved and Member Mickens seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 move into Closed Session at 7:27 p.m. for: Discussion of hiring a new superintendent, employee performance and employee Compensation pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1): (a) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body Discussion of pending litigation pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11): (a) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal Discussion of interviewing and selecting a person to fill the public office of School Board Member pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(3) Collective Bargaining Update pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) RETURN TO OPEN SESSION Member Adkins moved and Member Gunter seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 return to Open Session at 11:35 p.m. ACTION FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION President Adkins thanked the Board vacancy candidates for their time, attention, and for coming and staying for the lengthy Board meeting. She announced that the Board did not reach a consensus regarding a replacement candidate and that they would be informed when a candidate had been selected. 9
CLOSED SESSION Member Adkins moved and Member Gunter seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 return to Closed Session at 11:37 p.m. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION Member Adkins moved and Member Gibson seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 return to Open Session at 12:10 a.m. MOTION TO ACCEPT CORRESPONDENCE Member Mickens moved and Member Adkins seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 accept the Correspondence as written and placed on file as part of the official Board Minutes. This month s correspondence contained one letter of resignation from Daniel Hardy, Part-Time Music Teacher, Riverdale Elementary. ACCEPT RESIGNATIONS Member Mickens moved and Member Adkins seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 accept the resignation of the following employee: Daniel Hardy, Part-Time Music Teacher, Riverdale Elementary, effective February 5, 2016. 10
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFIED PERSONNEL Member Adkins moved and Member Mickens seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 employ the following certified employee for the 2015-2016 school year at the following position and at a salary based upon the following steps and lanes as determined by the most current Board/DEA Agreement in effect at any time during the school year, contingent upon satisfactory receipt of all employment mandates: Yvette Bruce, Special Education Teacher, Lincoln Jr. High, MA, Plus 20, Step 6, effective January 19, 2016. EMPLOYMENT NON-CERTIFIED PERSONNEL Member Adkins moved and Member Mickens seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 approve the employment of the following non-certified employee effective the following date, at the following position, and at a salary as determined by the most current Board/DSA Agreement in effect, contingent upon satisfactory receipt of all employment mandates: LaTonya McWilliams, Special Education Paraprofessional, Early Childhood Center, effective January 29, 2016. PERSONNEL CHANGE Member Jackson moved and Member Mickens seconded the motion that the Board of Education, Dolton West School District 148 place Employee # 022316 on administrative leave with pay effective February 24, 2016. 11
MISCELLANEOUS President Adkins asked to keep Mrs. Sevier in their prayers. Member Gunter questioned whether children of Board members are allowed to Student Teach in the district. The Nepotism Policy 5:32, was discussed. Student teachers are not employed by the Board of Education. ADJOURNMENT Member Adkins moved and Member Jackson seconded the motion that the Board of Education Dolton West School District 148 adjourn the meeting started on February 23, and ending February 24, 2016 at 12:32 a.m. On roll call, the following vote was taken: Kim Adkins, President Joyce Jackson, Secretary 12