Spring Valley C.C.S.D. #99

            Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

            John F. Kennedy School Library

            800 North Richards Street, Spring Valley, IL 61362

            Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 7:00 p.m.

The Spring Valley C.C.S.D. #99 Board of Education met on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the John F. Kennedy School Library with President Raymond Nolasco presiding.

1.            Roll Call:

Board of Education Members Present: Raymond Nolasco, Jack Kusek, Greg Case, and Jim Scarpaci.

Board of Education Member Jim Faletti arrived at 7:25 p.m.

Board of Education Member Trisha Bogatitus arrived at 7:50 p.m.

Also Present: James M. Hermes, Kimberly Lisanby Barber, Gina Herrmann, and Cynthia Vallero

2.            Pledge of Allegiance:

3.            Approval of the Regular Meeting Agenda:

Motion by Case and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Approve the Regular Meeting Agenda with the Following Addition to Action Items :

Approval of Volleyball Camp

Approval of Reading Summer Camp

Roll Call: Case, Kusek, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

4.            Introduction of Special Guests:

Mr. Ryan Crawley, Title I teacher at John F. Kennedy School, introduced two of his students to the Board of Education.   Sam Lucas and Lorenzo Olivares will present their projects at the state capitol for Tech 2010. The student=s project was shown after which President Nolasco presented them each with a medallion and congratulated them on behalf of the Board of Education.

5.            Public Comment, Correspondence, and Announcements:

None at this time.

April 28, 2010 Board of Education Meeting Minutes                                                Page 2

6.            Consent Agenda:

a.            Approval of March 17, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes

b.            Approval of March 17, 2010 Closed Session Minutes

c.            Approval of the Financial Report

d.            Approval of the Treasurer=s Report

e.            Approval of District Bills

f.            Approval of Imprest Fund Expenditures

g.            Approval of Activity Fund Expenditures

MOTION by Scarpaci and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Approve the Consent Agenda.

Roll Call: Scarpaci, Kusek, Case, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

7.            Discussion Only Items:

a.            Technology Report:

Luke Tomsha presented an extensive list of projects he has planned to complete during the summer months and also discussed purchases that he would like to make to prepare for the 2010-2011 school year.   Mrs. Gina Herrmann discussed the 1.1 initiative program at John F. Kennedy School for grades 6 thru 8.  All 6^th grade students will receive their own Mac Book computer that they will use thru grade 8.  Each year thereafter 6^th grade students will receive a Mac Book computer.  Mrs. Herrmann stated that this will allow students to complete meaningful and exciting assignments in school and at home.  The administration is currently working on rules and regulations regarding the use of these computers as well as insurance coverage should the computers become damaged or lost.   Mr. Tomsha also stated that he is looking into a tracking devise that would enable him to locate a computer should it become misplaced.  Mrs. Herrmann explained that a meeting would be set up with parents prior to the beginning of the program to explain the rules and guidelines and their responsibilities before the computers are given out.   She also stated that there is evidence of improved writing scores as well as improvement in state and in-school testing when computer use is encouraged.  Mrs. Herrmann stated that she will have more information available at the May meeting regarding the 1.1 initiative program. 

b.            Summer Projects:

Superintendent Hermes stated that there are no real major projects scheduled for this summer.  At Lincoln School the blacktop needs to be re-coated and at John F. Kennedy School the major project will be to sand and refinish all doors as well as clean up the landscaping around the building. 

April 28, 2010 Board of Education Meeting Minutes                                                Page 3

c.            Facilities Update:

Superintendent Hermes stated that he is still waiting to hear from the state regarding the construction grant.  He was informed that during the first two weeks of May those schools on the >02 list and above will be notified as to their status with the >03 schools to be reviewed and notified afterwards.   The building design committee met and came up with a few suggestions that will be forward to Bill VanDusen, district architect, for his consideration.  Hopefully, he will have a final plan to present to the Board of Education to review at the May meeting.

d.            Cash Flow & Budget Update:

Superintendent Hermes reviewed the district=s cash flow and budget.  He stated that unlike most schools, Spring Valley  CCSD #99 seems to be in fairly good shape and has received their funds as scheduled resulting in relatively healthy balances.  Mr. Hermes presented a schedule of revenues, expenditures, and cuts that the district made that had an effect on the budget.

e. 1^st Reading of the 2010-2011 Handbook:

Superintendent Hermes briefly discussed changes and instructed those with questions to contact him or Mrs. Herrmann.

f. 2010-2011 Bus Routes:

Superintendent Hermes stated that there are two bus companies interested in providing bus service to the district.  He is reviewing the bus routes to see if some may be consolidated with others to provide better choices for bus stops as well as providing a more public and safe spot for the students.  Questions arose regarding bullying on the busses, as well as playground, and how these issues are handled.  The administration assured the Board of Education that everything possible is being done to address this problem and to provide a safe environment for all students.

g. 2010-2011 Student Fees:

A brief discussion took place regarding the increase of student book fees and lunches.  More discussion will take place at the May meeting. 

8. Administrative Reports:

a. John F. Kennedy School Principal=s Report:

Mrs. Herrmann reported on student discipline and current enrollment of 537 students.  She stated that the coaching evaluation form is posted on the web; pending Board approval, volleyball camp will be held by Jessica Strouss June 7-11 and a summer reading class will be held by Ryan Crawley; Band-o-Rama will be held April 23 and 24 at JFK; and the fun fair will be held on Friday, May 7 at JFK  Mrs. Herrmann also stated that tickets for the Lady Antebellum Concert for a Cause supporting Spring Valley CCSD #99 are available by contacting her office.

April 28, 2010 Board of Education Meeting Minutes Page 4

b. Lincoln School Principal=s Report:

Mrs. Barber reported on enrollment of 255 students and a poverty level of 61%.    She also listed the technology usage at Lincoln School as well as the names of students from Lincoln School who attended the Young Authors breakfast.

c. Superintendent=s Report:

Superintendent Hermes reported to the Board of Education information pertaining to the Apple Leadership Conference he attended in Texas.   He was excited about  the opportunity to implement a 1.1 program in the district which will engage students and teachers in the classroom and encourage more challenging assignments.    He also informed the Board of Education about an offer from Baird Optical and their vision plan.  This plan is one that reduces the cost of eye care expenses to the staff at no cost to the district.

9. Action Items:

a. Approve IASB February Policy Manual Updates:

MOTION by Scarpaci and seconded by Faletti that the Board of Education Approve the IASB February Policy Manual Updates.

Roll Call: Scarpaci, Faletti, Kusek, Case, Bogatitus, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

b. Approve 2010-2011 Board of Education Meeting Dates:

MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Faletti that the Board of Education Approve the 2010-2011 Board Meeting Dates as Presented.

Roll Call: Kusek, Faletti, Case, Bogatitus, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

c. Approve 2010-2011 Student Fees:

Discussion will take place at the May meeting regarding student fees.

d. Approve Volleyball Camp Request:

MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Bogatitus that the Board of Education Approve the Volleyball Camp Request as Submitted.

Roll Call: Kusek, Bogatitus, Faletti, Case, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

April 28, 2010 Board of Education Meeting Minutes Page 5

e. Approve Reading Summer Camp:

MOTION by Faletti and seconded by Scarpaci that the Board of Education Approve the Reading Summer Camp as Submitted.

Roll Call: Faletti, Scarpaci, Kusek, Case, Bogatitus, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

10. Executive Session: Time: 9:10 p.m.

MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Case that the Board of Education Go Into Executive Session: References: 5 ILCS 1 20/2 2.2 ( C ) 1 and 2.

Roll Call: Kusek, Case, Faletti, Bogatitus, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

Return to Regular Session: Time: 9:40 p.m.

11. Action After Closed Session:

a. Approval of Room and Staff Changes:

MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Bogatitus that the Board of Education Approve the Room and Staff Changes as Presented.

Roll Call: Kusek, Bogatitus, Faletti, Case, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

b. Employment of Staff:

MOTION by Scarpaci and seconded by Faletti that the Board of Education Employ Amanda Kalman as a Teacher FY2010-2011 School Year.

Roll Call: Scarpaci, Faletti, Kusek, Case, Bogatitus, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

c. Accept Resignation:

MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Case that the Board of Education Accept the Resignation of Robert Washo.

Roll Call: Kusek, Case, Faletti, Bogatitus, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

d. Approval of Staff Reduction in Force of SLPA:

MOTION by Scarpaci and seconded by Bogatitus that the Board of Education Approve the Staff Reduction in Force of SLPA Esmeralda Harris.

Roll Call: Scarpaci, Bogatitus, Faletti, Kusek, Case, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.