BULLETIN From The BOARD

The Board of Education held its regular meeting for the month of March on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 in the gymnasium at Hollywood Elementary School.

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

• Minutes of the Building Committee Meeting of February 17, 2009, the Regular Business Meeting of February 17, 2009, and the Closed Session of the Regular Business Meeting of February 17, 20009.
• Payment of general invoices, Schedule A-685.
• Authorized issuance of Reduction in Force (RIF) notices to probationary and 2^nd year special education paraprofessionals effective at the close of the 2008-09 school year.  Approved 14 designated holiday dates for the 2009-10 school year for all 52-week employees (District Office staff and maintenance/custodial staff).
• Approved an administrative recommendation to double promote a Hauser Jr. High student at the end of the 2008-09 school year.
• Approved submission of ISBE application for building and sprinkler system permits for 2009 summer and life safety work.

Central School principal Dr. Janice Limperis reported that after meeting with the before and after school study group and hearing several presentations from various service providers, a decision was made to contract with the PAV YMCA in Berwyn, IL to provide both before and after school programs beginning in the fall of 2009.  A program will definitely be available at Hollywood School and potentially each of the other elementary schools, depending on enrollment.  The YMCA will be using District 96 facilities but will provide the programming and staff.

Board members Nancy Jensen and Hareena Wakely, along with Supt. Jon Lamberson, recently completed a page by page review of all district policies with the assistance of a representative from the Illinois Association of School Boards.  A draft copy of the updated manual is available on the district’s website for parent and community review and comment.  Adoption of the final document is expected in June 2009.

Kindergarten teacher and administrative intern Mindy Keller reported on the progress of the newly implemented kindergarten transition program known as K.I.T.E. (Kindergarteners Improving Toward Excellence).  Overall, the program has proven to be very successful for the 30+ students enrolled in the program as evidenced by scores on assessments administered at the start of the program and at the end of the first two trimesters.  It is anticipated that the program will continue for the 2009-10 school year.

Ames principal Colleen Lieggi reported on the proposed 1 to 1 Laptop Initiative for possible implementation in 2009-10.  The program would be designed to provide all 5^th graders with a laptop computer for use 24/7 through 8^th grade at Hauser Junior High.  The committee has been working on developing a vision for the program and has conducted site visits at three area middle schools where this program is currently operational.  The next step in the process is to hire a “project manager” who would be responsible for developing curriculum, professional development, parent/teacher/student communication, and infrastructure maintenance components for the program.  The program initiative will continue to be discussed by the administration and the Board before a final decision is reached.

The Board discussed student fees for 2009-10.  Supt. Lamberson noted that he is not recommending any increase in fees for next year.  However, several PTA/Os have expressed an interest in shifting some of the “standard” items (Kleenex, hand wipes, plastic bags, etc.) on the school supply lists to the school fee list so that these items could be purchased in bulk by the district and made available to the classroom teachers as needed.  If implemented, it could mean a slight ($3-$7) increase.  Formal action on the 2009-10 school fees is expected at the April 21st meeting.

Reports from the Superintendent and Staff:

1. Enrollment as of February 28, 2009, was 1,456 students.
2. The March kindergarten registration for fall 2009 enrolled 159 students.  The current plan calls for two sections each (a.m. and p.m.) at Ames and Blythe Park, three sections at Central, and one at Hollywood.  The existing class size policy limits sections to 20 students for a maximum enrollment of 160 in 8 sections.  At the April meeting, the Board will give consideration to authorizing a policy override to 23 students per class increasing total capacity to 184 if necessary or adding a 9^th section and keeping the cap at 20.
3. The newly redesigned District 96 website was shared with those present and is on available online.  Parent and community comments are welcome.
4. Principals Colleen Lieggi and Bob Chleboun presented a highlight from the book entitled  6 Habits of Highly Effective Teams that was part of a professional development experience earlier in the year.
5. Supt. Lamberson reported that District 96 received the 2009 “Bright Red Apple” award for academic excellence based on academic performance, pupil/teacher ratio, expenditure per pupil, educational level of teachers, and average teacher salary.
6. Supt. Lamberson and the Board extended congratulations to the students and staff at Blythe Park and Central Schools for having received the 2008 Academic Excellence Award from the Illinois State Board of Education.  This distinction is given to schools that sustain very high performance levels on state assessments – 90% of students must meet or exceed state standards in both reading and math – for at least three years.

Future Meeting Dates

March 30, 2009 Building Committee, 4:30 p.m., Hauser Jr. High LRC
April 21, 2009 Education Committee, 5:00 p.m., Blythe Park School
April 21, 2009 Finance Committee, 6:30 p.m., Blythe Park School
April 21, 2009 Regular Business Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Blythe Park School