BULLETIN From The BOARD

The BULLETIN From The BOARD is a summary of the issues discussed and actions taken by the Board of Education at its regular business meeting each month.  Official Minutes of the Board meeting held on June 16, 2009 will be posted on the District 96 website for public review following approval by the Board of Education at its next regular business meeting taking place on August 18, 2009.

The Board of Education conducted a public hearing to amend the 2008-09 budget on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 in the Learning Resource Center at Hauser Junior High School beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Following the Call to Order, Supt. Lamberson presented to the Board two (2) revisions to the final 2008-09 budget to more accurately reflect actual revenues and expenditures that occurred during the school year. The budget was adjusted upward by $135,000.00; $90,000.00 of this increase was allocated for additional special education services provided to District 96 students by the LaGrange Area Department of Special Education due to a higher than anticipated number of IEP students. The remaining $45,000.00 was applied to increased property, casualty, liability and workers’ compensation premiums as a result of the upheaval in the insurance industry.

Immediately following adjournment of the public hearing, the Board held its regular business meeting for the month of June in the Learning Resource Center at Hauser Junior High School beginning at 7:37 p.m.

The Board approved the items listed under the Consent Agenda as follows:

• Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of May 19, 2009; Minutes of the Closed Session of May 19, 2009.
• Financial Statement as of May 31, 2009.
• Payment of General Invoices – Schedule A-688.
• Accepted the resignations of Hauser Language Arts teacher Laurie Brodhay and Elementary Technology teacher Barbara Margolis.
• Approved a parental leave of absence request from Reading Specialist Janet Kucek for the 2009-10 school year.
• Accepted the bid from Fox River Foods for general groceries in 2009-10.
• Adopted the Cook County Prevailing Rate of Wages, effective June 1, 2009.
• Approved instructional staff assignment changes for the 2009-10 school year as presented in the personnel report:

Staff Member	Transfer To	From
Valerie Brackett	3rd Grade/Central	3rd Grade/Hollywood
Alison Manson	AM KITE/PM Paraprofessional/Blythe Park	Paraprofessional/Hollywood

• Approved the appointment of instructional staff for the 2009-10 school year as presented in the personnel report:

Staff Member	Position	Location
Stephanie Becker	AM Kindergarten/PM KITE	Hollywood
Heidi Burks	Full-time Kindergarten	Ames
Christopher Harvalis	5th Grade	Ames
Allison Kamp	Resource Teacher	Central
Danielle Mrzaek	3rd Grade	Hollywood
Alex Whitlaw	AM KITE/PM Paraprofessional	Ames

Following approval of the items listed under the Consent Agenda, Board President Nancy Jensen thanked retiring teachers Laurie Brodhay and Barbara Margolis for their many years of dedicated service to the students and families of District 96.

With certain revisions, the Board adopted the remaining for (4) sections of the draft Board Policy Manual that is posted on the District 96 website:

• Section 2: Board of Education
• Section 5: Personnel
• Section 6: Instruction
• Section 7: Students

The Board adopted a resolution amending the 2008-09 budget as presented by Dr. Lamberson in the public budget hearing.

The Board adopted a resolution determining that the tentative budget hearing for the 2009-10 fiscal year will take place on September 15, 2009 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Ames Elementary School.

The Board adopted a resolution determining the dates of the 2009-10 fiscal year as July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

The Board adopted a resolution authorizing the transfer of $100,000.00 of interest from the Education Fund to the Transportation Fund to support the increasing cost of transportation for special education students.

The Board determined that the Closed Session Minutes of December 16, 2008 through June 16, 2009 should remain closed and confidential.

The Board approved the employment and reappointment of Jonathan E. Lamberson, Ph.D. as Superintendent of Schools through October 31, 2013.

Informational Items:
Dr. Lamberson received a letter from the Illinois State Board of Education acknowledging the district’s strong performance in meeting the requirements of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004. Special Education Director Dr. Mary Polk noted for the Board that District 96 was evaluated in several areas and achieved the highest possible score.

Enrollment as of June 5, 2009 was 1,487 students.

Future Meeting Dates:

August 18, 2009 – Regular Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Hauser Junior High School LRC.