Board of Education: Minutes
May 08 Board of Education Minutes
by Daniel F. Marenda
June 19, 2008
Spring Valley C.C.S.D. #99
Board of Education Regular Meeting
John F. Kennedy School Library
800 North Richards Street, Spring Valley, IL 61362
May 21, 2008 -7:00 p.m.
The Spring Valley C.C.S.D. #99 Board of Education met on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the John F. Kennedy School Library with Vice President Melanie Malooley Presiding.
1. Roll Call:
Board of Education Members Present: Melanie Malooley Thompson, Jack Kusek, Jim Faletti, and Greg Case
Board Member Jim Scarpaci arrived at 7:20 p.m.
Board Member Raymond Nolasco arrived at 9:07 p.m.
Board Member Greg Case left at 8:25 p.m.
Board Members Absent: Trisha Bogatitus
Also Present: Daniel F. Marenda, Jim Hermes, Kimberly Lisanby-Barber and Cynthia Vallero
Pledge of Allegiance
2. Approval of Regular Meeting Agenda:
MOTION by Faletti and seconded by Case that the Board of Education Approve the Regular Meeting Agenda.
Roll Call: Faletti, Case, Kusek, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
3. Introduction/Recognition of Special Guests:
None at this time.
4. Public Comment, Correspondence, and Announcements:
None at this time.
5. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of April 16, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes
b. Approval of April 16, 2008 Closed Session Minutes
c. Approval of the Financial Session Minutes
d. Approval of the Financial Report
e. Approval of District Bills
f. Approval of Imprest Fund Expenditures
g. Approval of Activity Fund Expenditures
MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Case that the Board of Education Approve the Consent Agenda.
Roll Call: Kusek, Case, Faletti, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
May 21, 2008 Board of Education Meeting Minutes Page 2
6. Discussion Only Items:
a. Technology Update:
Superintendent Marenda presented the technology report and asked if there were questions regarding the report. Items discussed were:
• Since students were not able to make their presentation for TECH 2008 in Springfield, Representative Frank Mautino, Senator Gary Dahl, and Regional Superintendent Bruce Dennison came to JFK to view the students projects.
• Staff members were instructed in a course management system called Moodle, that can be used for paperless initiative.
• Summer projects were discussed regarding computer re-imaging.
• Superintendent Marenda stated that there have been computer problems in the administrative offices and there may be computers to purchase.
• Melanie Malooley Thompson stated that when Lab 2 at JFK is dismantled it would not be in the best interest of the students to disburse the computers to classrooms. A suggestion was made that the computers be put on carts, and then they can be accessed by all teachers.
• At the next technology meeting, the typing portion of language arts will be discussed and also ways to integrate it into the classroom.
b. Strategic Planning Update:
Superintendent Marenda stated that he has been in contact with Dr. Don Kachur, Professor Emeritus of Education at Illinois State University, for information and assistance with strategic planning. Superintendent Marenda stated that there is no blueprint for the district and that he and Dr. Kachur will meet and discuss the needs of Spring Valley C.C.S.D. #99. The cost is quite high, but Mr. Marenda will be discussing this project with two other companies to see how their costs compare. After Board discussion, it was decided that Superintendent Marenda should proceed with the strategic planning process and present his findings at the June meeting.
c. Compliance Report:
Superintendent Marenda stated that he received a letter from the Bureau, Henry, Stark Regional Office of Education stating that Spring Valley C.C.S.D. #99 is in full compliance and has been granted full recognition.
d. Organizational Survey of All Staff:
Board Member Jim Scarpaci presented a plan for a organizational surgery to be distributed to all district employees for their suggestions for the future of Spring Valley C..C.S.D. #99. He stated that this survey could go hand-in-hand with the strategic planning and would make sure that everyone is on the same page and headed in the same direction. He also stated that this would allow all employees to be a part of the solution without it becoming an object of criticism. It was recommended that the proposed survey be presented to the Board of Education for their review at the June meeting.
May 21, 2008 Board of Education Meeting Minutes Page 3
e. Annual Staff Recognition Banquet:
Board Member Jim Scarpaci proposed the idea of having an annual staff recognition banquet to honor staff members at various levels of employment. It was determined that a committee composed of staff members be established to discuss criteria for the awards presented.
7. Administrative Reports:
a. John F. Kennedy School Principal’s Report:
Mr. Hermes reported on enrollment and student discipline. He also reported on the following
• May 23, 2008 Graduation
• May 28, 2008 Beta Club trip to Six Flags
• Creating a Student Council that would work in conjunction with the Beta Club.
He will have guidelines for the Board of Education to review at the June meeting.
Mr. Hermes stated that a Student Government Organization plays a major role in
the school and helps to make it stronger.
b. Lincoln School Principal’s Report:
Mrs. Barber reported on student activities and enrollment, currently at 236 students. She also stated that the kindergarten numbers for 08-09 continue to rise and also informed the Board of Education that the RtI team has decided to recommend the Ames Web for Assessment. It is less expensive than the Stanford Tests and students are tested three times a year in reading and math.
c. Superintendent’s Report:
i. SB2288:
Superintendent Marenda stated that he is monitoring the school funding bill and has heard that there is some movement with little hope of approval by the Senate or Governor. He also stated that it is doubtful that the 23rd and 24th payments from the State will be received on time. However, due to good fiscal management, the district should be able to meet their fiscal responsibilities.
ii. 403b:
Superintendent Marenda attended a meeting sponsored by the IASA regarding 403b plans and the new IRS rules and regulations. Options and costs were discussed with recommendations made regarding the level of plans offered. This plan is to be in place by 2009 so more information should be available shortly.
iii. Other Items of Interest:
Superintendent Marenda stated that Bill VanDusen of Allied Design Consultants, Inc. had been at John F. Kennedy School measuring the front of the school so that an estimate could be made for the cost of building a ramp to make the building handicapped accessible. When information is received, Mr. Marenda will report to the Board of Education.
iv. State School News Service - FYI
v. Alliance Legislative Reports - FYI
May 21, 2008 Board of Education Meeting Minutes Page 4
8. Action Items:
a. Approve Milk Bid FY08-09 School Year:
MOTION by Faletti and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Approve the Firm Milk Bid Submitted by North Central Illinois Milk Distributors FY08-09.
Roll Call: Faletti, Kusek, Case, Scarpaci, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
b. Approve Bread Bid FY 2008-2009:
MOTION by Scarpaci and seconded by Faletti that the Board of Education Approve the Bread Bid FY08-09 Submitted by Interstate Brands.
Roll Call: Scarpaci, Faletti, Case, Scarpaci, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
c. Approve Copier Lease:
MOTION by Case and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Approve the Copier Lease Submitted by Digital Copy Systems, LLC.
Roll Call: Case, Kusek, Faletti, Scarpaci, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried
d. Retirement Resolution for Carol Pierce:
MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Case that the Board of Education Approve the Retirement Resolution for Carol Pierce.
Roll Call: Kusek, Case, Faletti, Scarpaci, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
e. Retirement Resolution for Nancy Lowry:
MOTION by Faletti and seconded by Scarpaci that the Board of Education Approve the Retirement Resolution for Nancy Lowry.
Roll Call: Faletti, Scarpaci, Kusek, Case, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
f. Consider Quote for Lincoln School Life Safety Work:
MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Case that the Board of Education Approve the Quote Submitted by The Glass Shop, Inc., Ottawa, IL for the Lincoln School Life Safety Work.
Roll Call: Kusek, Case, Faletti, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
9. Executive Session: 8:20 p.m.
MOTION by Faletti and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Go Into Executive Session to Consider Information Regarding the Appointment, Employment, Performance, Dismissal of Employees, and Collective Negotiations Between the Public Body and Its Employees.
Roll Call: Faletti, Kusek, Case, Scarpaci, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
Return to Regular Session: Time: 10:20 p.m.
May 21, 2008 Board of Education Meeting Minutes Page 5
10. Action Items After Executive Session:
a. Employee Resignation:
MOTION by Faletti and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Approve the Resignation of Brittany Baird.
Roll Call: Faletti, Kusek, Nolasco, Scarpaci and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
b. Employment of New Staff and Employment Contracts:
MOTION by Faletti and seconded by Nolasco that the Board of Education Approve the Employment of Amber Backus as a Teacher FY08-09.
Roll Call: Faletti, Nolasco, Kusek, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
MOTION by Scarpaci and seconded by Faletti that the Board of Education Approve the Employment of Melissa Shimizu as a Teacher FY08-09.
Roll Call: Scarpaci, Faletti, Kusek, Thompson, and Nolasco voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
MOTION by Faletti and seconded by Nolasco that the Board of Education Approve the Employment of Amber Householder as a Teacher FY08-09.
Roll Call: Faletti, Nolasco, Kusek, Scarpaci, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
MOTION by Nolasco and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Approve the Employment of Charlotte Alexa Bonnell as Technology Assistant FY08-09.
Roll Call: Nolasco, Kusek, Kusek, Faletti, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
MOTION by Nolasco and seconded by Scarpaci that the Board of Education Employ Anna Coutts as a Teacher FY2008-2009.
Roll Call: Nolasco, Scarpaci, Kusek, Faletti, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
c. Approval of Maternity Leave:
MOTION by Scarpaci and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Approve the Maternity Request of Mrs. Christy Perra for the first 90 days of the 08-09 School Year.
Roll Call: Scarpaci, Kusek, Faletti, Nolasco, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
11. Adjournment: Time: 10:35 p.m.
MOTION by Nolasco and seconded by Faletti that the May 21, 2008 Board of Education Meeting Be Adjourned.
Roll Call: Nolasco, Faletti, Kusek, Scarpaci, and Thompson voted aye. No nays. Motion carried.
ATTEST:
_______________________
Raymond Nolasco, President
________________________
John A. Kusek, Vice President
June 18, 2008
