ROCKFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS Administration Building Tuesday, October 27, 2009 The regular meeting of the Rockford Board of Education was called to order by President David Kelley at 5:04 p.m. Present: President David Kelley, Vice President Harmon Mitchell, Secretary Alice Saudargas, Mr. Robert Evans, Miss Lisa Jackson, Mrs. Jeanne Westholder (arrived 5:10 p.m.), Mrs. Jude Makulec (arrived 5:16 p.m.) Motion by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mrs. Saudargas, that the Board hold a Closed Session in Room 202 to consider the appointment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of employees; the discipline of students; pending or imminent litigation; collective negotiating matters or other matters provided for pursuant to 2 (c) of the Open Meetings Act. Ayes: Miss Jackson, Mrs. Saudargas, Mr. Evans, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Kelley. Nays: None. Absent: Mrs. Westholder, Mrs. Makulec Approved 5-0-2. The Board was in closed session from 5:05 p.m. until 7:20 p.m. I. Call to Order - President David Kelley called the regular meeting of the Rockford Board of Education to order at 7:40 p.m. II. Moment of Silence III. Pledge of Allegiance IV. Roll Call Present: Absent: President David Kelley, Vice President Harmon Mitchell, Secretary Alice Saudargas, Mr. Robert Evans, Miss Lisa Jackson, Mrs. Jeanne Westholder, Mrs. Jude Makulec. None. V. Solicitation of Public Comment None. A. FY10 Amended Budget On behalf of the entire Board, Mr. Kelley thanked Auburn Media students, Josh Wilson and Josiah Douglas and Jared Weidman from the Communications Department, for their assistance in operating the camera and sound equipment in order to telecast this board meeting. VI. Petitions & Communications A. Charles Sensel thanked the Board for coming to together on procedures and policies on behalf of the children. VII. Board Member Comments A. Mr. Mitchell shared that the Board has had to make expulsion decisions on only seven (7) discipline cases this year compared to last year when the Board addressed 18 to 30 expulsion cases per meeting. Mr. Mitchell thanked classroom teachers who are directly responsible for this improvement. 1
B. Mrs. Makulec thanked the members of the Sara Ingrassia-Jackie Confer Dictionary Fund for all of their hard work to make the distribution of dictionaries to 3 rd graders possible. Dr. Sheffield informed the Board that representatives were out of the country and will be at the November 10, 2009 Board meeting. C. Mr. Kelley congratulated Guilford High School for defeating Freeport High School. VIII. Recognition of Gifts to Schools A. Monogram Systems B. Sarah Ingrassia-Jackie Confer Dictionary Day pulled by Administration IX. Consent Items A. Approval of Minutes October 13, 2009 B. Personnel C. Payroll D. Accounts Payable Checks E. Purchase Orders F. Bids & Recommendations 1. Snow Plowing G. Closed Session Items 1. Administrative Appointments pulled by Mrs. Westholder a. Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Tracy Stevenson-Olson b. Executive Director of Schools Genevieve Diane Cepela c. Executive Director of Schools Earl Hernandez d. Director of Security Services Frederick Diehl e. Acting Principal of East High School Mark Wallace 2. Student Discipline Expelled students are prohibited from school and all school-sponsored activities and prohibited from being on school grounds without the prior written permission of the principal. Those expelled are recommended for alternative placement and the 10- day suspensions are affirmed. a. Student Discipline AM1 - expelled for the remainder of the 1st semester of the 2009-2010 school year b. Student Discipline NS2 - expelled for the remainder of the 1st semester of the 2009-2010 school year c. Student Discipline LW3 - expelled for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year d. Student Discipline CS4 suspended 10 days out of school H. Other Consent 1. Financial Results Year to Date October 2009 pulled by Mrs. Makulec 2. Interest Transfer from Working Cash September 2009 3. Monthly Investment Reports September 2009 Motion by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mrs. Saudargas, that the Board approve Consent Items Not Pulled. Consent Items Pulled: Administrative Appointment Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Tracy Stevenson-Olson Motion by Mrs. Makulec, seconded by Mrs. Westholder, that the Board approve the appointment of Tracy Stevenson-Olson to Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction 2
Administrative Appointment Executive Director of Schools Genevieve Diane Cepela Administrative Appointment Executive Director of Schools Earl Hernandez Motion by Mrs. Makulec, seconded by Mrs. Westholder, that the Board table the appointment of Earl Hernandez to Executive Director of Schools Ayes: Mrs. Westholder, Nays: Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Kelley, Miss Jackson, Mrs. Saudargas, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Evans Failed 1-6-0 The Board proceeded to vote to approve the appointment of Executive Director of Schools Earl Hernandez Ayes: Mrs. Saudargas, Mr. Evans, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Kelley Nays: Mrs. Westholder, Mrs. Makulec, Miss Jackson Approved 4-3-0 Administrative Appointment Acting Principal of East High School Mark Wallace Motion by Mrs. Makulec, seconded by Mrs. Westholder, that the Board approve the appointment of Mark Wallace to Acting Principal of East High School Administrative Appointment Director of Security Services Frederick Diehl Motion by Mrs. Saudargas, seconded by Miss Jackson, that the Board approve the appointment of Frederick Diehl to Director of Security Services Financial Results Year to Date October 2009 - Mr. Lewis provided an explanation on salary, benefit and capital outlay expenditures. The amended budget includes the additional positions that have been presented to the Board. Motion by Mrs. Makulec, seconded by Miss Jackson, that the Board approve the Financial Results Year to Date October 2009 Transfer Patrick Enright from 10 to 12 month Assistant Principal of East High School. Motion by Mrs. Makulec, seconded by Mrs. Saudargas, that the Board approve the transfer of X. Superintendent s Report Dr. Sheffield made the following comments: My comments will be brief in order to yield the floor to the Chief Financial Officer, Cedric Lewis, to introduce representatives from The New Teacher Project and explain the presentation they are making this evening. We will also receive presentations from Guilford High School and Johnson Elementary School after The New Teacher Project report. First, congratulations Mrs. Julia Halsted, Secretary to the Board, on the delivery of a baby boy. Blast-tastic made its debut this week to 10,000 e-mail users. I hope those who received our weekly electronic newsletter enjoyed reading about the positive activities going on in our schools. For the listening public, you may subscribe by clicking on the Blast-tastic icon on the home page of rps205.com. The next issue goes out tomorrow. This week, I ll conclude rather than begin -- my remarks with my sports update. Jefferson High School s boys crosscountry team placed fifth in the regional tournament with three runners qualifying for the sectionals. In the same tournament, Guilford s girls team placed sixth with two runners making the sectionals. Auburn s girls placed fifth with two runners going to the sectionals, and the Auburn boys placed sixth also with two runners making the sectionals. The girls team representing East High School finished ninth in the regional tournament. Guilford s football team defeated Belvidere North to qualify for the state playoffs. Auburn s girls tennis team defeated Freeport and East to qualify for the state tournament. East s volleyball team defeated Belvidere North, and the East girls 3
swimming team defeated Rockford Christian. Now, here are the fall season tournament results for our middle schools: In girls cross-country, 1st place went to Washington, 2nd place to RESA and 3rd place to Flinn. In boys cross-country, 1st place went to Washington, 2nd place to Flinn and 3rd place to Eisenhower. In soccer, Flinn defeated Barbour for the championship. In football, West defeated Eisenhower for the championship in a 6-0 overtime game. That s all folks for sports tonight. At this time, I d like to turn the presentation over to Mr. Lewis who will introduce our guests and those who participated in this particular project. A. The New Teacher Project Mr. Lewis explained that The New Teacher Project (TNTP) in collaboration with Administration under the stewardship of Mr. Bob Corder, Director of Human Resources, Ms. Molly Phalen, President of the REA, engaged with RPS in support of teachers. TNTP generated a report that was specific to Rockford Public School District data and what is said to our support and evaluation of teachers. Mrs. Susan Sexton provided background on the TNTP, the findings and recommendations of their survey. B. Johnson Elementary School Ms. Carol Jeschke gave a presentation on the successes and challenges at Maud Johnson Elementary School including the history, population data, honor, special events, academics, alumni and extended family. C. Guilford High School Mr. Mike Valentine, Principal of Guilford High School, presented the PSAE Reading and Math scores and trends, the academic challenges and what is being done to address these challenges. He also spoke about the unique programs and great things that are occurring at Guilford. XI. Committee Reports A. Education Committee Mr. Evans reported that the committee heard presentations on AP Honors Courses and the District s response to the threat of an H1N1 epidemic. B. Operations Committee Mr. Mitchell reported that the Operation s Committee hasn t met since October 5, 2009 when it addressed the Amended FY2010 Budget, the Ten Year Life Safety Survey, the Truancy Intervention Program Agreement and the Winnebago County Request for Financial Support for Tax Assessment. The next committee meeting will be Monday, November 2 at 6:00 p.m. XII. Action Items A. Resolution to Adopt the Amended FY10 Budget Mr. Lewis provided an explanation. Motion by Mrs. Saudargas, seconded by Mrs. Makulec, that the Board approve Resolution to Adopt the Amended FY10 Budget. B. Ten Year Life Safety Survey. Motion by Mrs. Saudargas, seconded by Miss Jackson, that the Board approve Ten Year Life Safety Survey. C. Truancy Intervention Program Agreement Mrs. Cyrus provided an explanation. Motion by Mr. Mitchell, seconded by Mrs. Makulec, that the Board approve Truancy Intervention Program Agreement. D. Winnebago County Request for Financial Support for Tax Assessment Information item, no motion made. 4
E. Airfare Motion by Mrs. Saudargas, seconded by Mr. Evans that the Board postpone Airfare until Administration makes a recommendation. XIII. Other Business/New Business/Agenda Recommendations A. Freedom of Information Act Log Atty. Katz Mr. Schmidt explained the distribution of the thermometer strips to parents. IX. Adjournment Motion by Miss Jackson, seconded by Mrs. Westholder, that the Board adjourn at 9:52 p.m. Approved on voice vote. President: David Kelley /s/ Mr. David Kelley Secretary: Alice Saudargas /s/ Mrs. Alice Saudargas Approved: /gn 5