BULLETIN from the BOARD

The Board of Education held its regular meeting for the month of April on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 in the gymnasium at Blythe Park Elementary School.

Following the Call to Order, Supt. Lamberson and Board member Nancy Jensen opened the meeting by honoring retiring President Cheryl Berdelle, Board members Linda Bade and Richard Volpe, and Board of Education Secretary Judy Novak for their many years of dedicated service to the students and families of District 96.  Collectively, Ms. Berdelle, Mrs. Bade and Mr. Volpe served on the District 96 Board of Education for 28 years.  Mrs. Novak served as Board Secretary for the past 17 years.  Dr. Lamberson and Mrs. Jensen thanked them for their outstanding leadership and commented what a privilege it had been to serve with them over the past several years.   

Numerous members of the public expressed to the Board concern regarding the proposed Hardscape and Landscape design for Hauser Jr. High School that included the removal of an existing Hackberry tree on Hauser’s front lawn.

A member of the public asked the Board to postpone their decision to appoint a Project Manager for the 1 to 1 Laptop Initiative to a future meeting to allow the community more time to absorb the initiative.

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

• Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of March 17, 2009, Minutes of the Closed Session of the Regular Business Meeting of March 17, 2009, and the Minutes of the Building Committee Meeting of March 30, 2009.
• Payment of General Invoices, Schedule A-686
• Accepted the resignation of Hauser Jr. High paraprofessional, Jeannette Zaura.
• Revision of the 2008-09 School Calendar Closing Date to June 5, 2009.
• Resolution designating the week of May 3 – 9, 2009 as Staff Appreciation Week.
• Approved request from Ames School paraprofessional, Danae Calvo for a leave of absence to perform her student teaching assignment beginning on August 24, 2009.

The Board adopted the Student Fee Policy for the 2009-10 school year leaving the fees unchanged.

Supt. Lamberson reported to the Board recent changes that were made to the Laptop Initiative for 5th grade students next year. 

The Board of Education approved a change of assignment for Hauser Technology Teacher, Elizabeth Whaley, to the position of Project Manager for the 1 to 1 Laptop Initiative as recommended by the Education Committee.

Dr. Lamberson commented that a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) pertaining to the Laptop Initiative has been assembled and will be posted on the District 96 website under Resources.  The FAQ document is intended to answer the most commonly asked questions regarding the laptop program.  He further noted that parents can contact Mrs. Whaley with any additional questions they have.

Supt. Lamberson noted that the District 96 Draft Board Policy Manual posted on the District’s website in March 2009 remains available for public review and comment.  Mrs. Jensen noted that all Board members will receive a copy of all policy feedback submitted.  Dr. Lamberson commented that the newly elected Board may adopt the policy manual at its regular business meeting on May 19, 2009.

The Board approved raising the Kindergarten class size limit to 23 students per section (with a total of 8 sections) for the 2009-10 school year due to enrollment concerns.  Currently there are 158 students registered for Kindergarten in the fall.

The Board authorized the administration to seek bids for the Hardscape and Landscape project to be completed at Ames Elementary School and for repairs to the portico at Hauser’s historic entrance on Woodside Road during the summer of 2009.

The Board approved the selection of National Investigations, Inc. as the vendor to provide electronic residency validation for all District 96 students for the 2009-10 school year.  National Investigations provides a similar service for students attending Riverside Brookfield High School.  Costs for this validation service will be shared with the High School if a family has students attending in both districts.

The Board approved bids for the 2009 Hauser Tuckpointing Project and the 2009 Life Safety and Sprinkler System Projects.

The district’s enrollment as of March 31, 2009 was 1,455 students.

From School Board Committees:

Mrs. Jensen reported on some of the items discussed at the Education Committee meeting held today beginning at 5:00p.m.

• A newly created Special Education Services Brochure will soon be posted on the district’s website as an informational resource for parents.
• Staff work on the District 96 Curriculum Guides is nearing completion.  These Guides will set curriculum standards for all grade levels across the district providing each child with the same educational experience.  Mrs. Jensen noted that producing the Curriculum Guides has been long-time goal of the Committee, and that final versions will be available for parents at Open Houses in the fall 2009.
• Report Cards for Kindergarten through 2nd grade have been reformatted to reflect curriculum changes and will be ready for use in the fall 2009.  Reformatting of Report Cards for 3rd grade through 5th grade is in progress and may be ready for use in the fall 2009.

Supt. Lamberson reported several revenue items discussed at the Finance Committee meeting held today beginning at 7:00p.m.

Future Meeting Dates: 

May 5, 2009       Special Board Meeting, 7:30p.m. Hauser Jr. High LRC

May 19, 2009     Regular Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Hauser Jr. High LRC