AGENDA
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
WEST HIGH SCHOOL
1201 W. NEW YORK ST.
AURORA, IL 60506

HEALTH ACADEMY - ROOM A-206

Monday Evening October 15, 2007, 6:00 P.M.

I.          Call to Order
II.         Roll Call
III.        Pledge of Allegiance

IV.       Recognition of Visitors

This section of the agenda allows for the recognition of any individuals or groups whose attendance should be appropriately acknowledged. 

V.        Recognition of Audience Wishing to Speak to an Agenda Item

Persons wishing to address the Board are requested to submit questions or proposals in writing.  In order to encourage public participation, individuals wishing to address a specific agenda topic will be asked to indicate which topic and then will speak once the topic is introduced later in the meeting.

VI.       Recognition of Audience Wishing to Speak to the Board

Any formal request to appear before the Board may be considered at this time.  As of this writing, we have received no formal requests to address the September Board of Education Meeting.  Persons wishing to address the Board are asked to sign up in advance of the meeting, indicating the topic which they would like to discuss.

VII.      Special Recognition

School Walk to Cure Diabetes Team - Hall School

On October 5, Hall School hosted a School Walk to Cure Diabetes. This walk helped raise awareness and funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Anna and Steve Kish were the JDRF Walk Organizers. Others involved were the Hall School staff, Jena Palmby, Robin Chuk, Michelle Fogle, Kristen Ziman, Marnie Noel and Dennis and Jean Ramsey. These individuals are being invited to the Board meeting on October 15 to be honored for their efforts.

VIII.     ACTION ITEMS

IX.       Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Minutes
   
   
2. Approval of Bill Listings
   
   
3. Payroll Authorization
   
   
4. Personnel Report
   
   
5. Appointments – Certified Probationary – Full Time
   
   
6. Appointments - Certified Probationary - Part Time
   
   
7. Appointments – Educational Support Personnel- Full Time
   
   
8. Appointments – Educational Support Personnel- Part Time
   
   
9. Request for Leave of Absence
   
   
10. Request to Dispose of Two Vehicles
    
    
11. Request to Declare Surplus Property
    
    
12. Agreement with Fox Valley Special Recreation Association

RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Education approve the items contained in the Consent Agenda for October 15, 2007.

X.        Action as a Result of Executive Session

XI.       Information and Discussion

A.        Vision 120

1.         Board Policy Review
The process for review of Board Policies will begin with the first three sections - School District Organization, School Board and General School Administration. The format for the policies will be based on the Illinois Association of School Board's Policy Reference Manual. Included in your backup material are the proposed policies for review. The proposed policy is listed first with the Board's existing policy following. The Board is asked to review these policies with discussion being held at the November 5 meeting and approval at the November 19 meeting. This three-step process will continue until all policies have been reviewed and approved.
               

B.        Teaching and Learning

1.         Application for Waiver or Modification of State Board Rules

School District 129 has had a School Improvement Waiver in place since 2002. This waiver allows us to take three full days for school improvement rather than half days as specified in the Illinois School Code. Prior to our school improvement waivers, we scheduled seven half-days throughout a school year. Since moving to full days, our students are in session an additional half day. Parents have also favored this approach because it is easier to secure childcare. The waiver process requires that we hold a Public Hearing prior to submitting the waiver. The hearing has been scheduled for November 5, 2007. We are asking that the waiver be in place for five years (maximum allowed) or through the 2012-2013 school year.

C.       Safe Secure Facilities

            1.         Security System for West High School

Included with your backup material is a proposal for a security system at West High School prepared by Alarm Detection Systems. Mr. Pete Kerl reviewed this proposal with the Board at the October 1 meeting. Further information is being provided for the Board's discussion on the Security System. Action will be requested for the November 5, 2007 Board meeting.

2.         Safe Secure Facilities Plan of Work

Included in your backup material is a draft of the timeline for safe secure facilities plan of work developed by Pete Kerl and Jeff Schiller.

D.        Financial Responsibility

            1.         Copier Lease For Hill School

Included in your backup material is information relative to the leasing a copier for Hill School. The present machine has incurred costly repairs and is not equipped to do the volume of copying needed. We are asking that the lease agreement be approved at the November 5, 2007 meeting

E.        Community Involvement 

E.        Correspondence

            1.         Letters of Thanks from Michelle Gallo, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School

Included in your backup material are copies of two letters, one to the Hollywood Casino Employees and the other to Pastor Mark and Our Savior Lutheran Church, thanking them for their donation of bag packs and school supplies for Lincoln School Students.

            1.         Letters of Thanks from Brett Burton, Principal of Nicholson Elementary School

Included in your backup material are copies of two letters, one to Tony McQueary and the Weyerhaeuser Company and the other to the VFW Post 7452. Weyerhaeuser donated funding for after school programs as well as instructional technology programs/materials for Nicholson students. The VFW donated U.S. Flags to Nicholson.

XII.      MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ITEMS

                   A.        Dates to Remember

B.        School Walk to Cure Diabetes Team - Hall School

FEARN
Included in your backup material are articles from:
Oct. 5 Chronicle story on new anti-drug program

HOPE WALL
Included in your backup material are articles from:
Sept. 21 Beacon story on track project
Sept. 25 Beacon story and photos on track project

McCLEERY
Included in your backup material are articles from:
Oct. 4 Beacon story and pictures on the effect of late-night Cub games on education

SCHNEIDER
Included in your backup material are articles from:
Oct. 5 Chronicle story on new anti-drug program

WEST HIGH SCHOOL
Included in your backup material are articles from:
Sept. 21 Beacon column by West High student
Sept. 21 Herald story on Homecoming activities
Sept. 21 Herald story on FCCLA students in national competition
Sept. 27 Chronicle story on T-shirt ruling
Oct. 2 Daily Herald story on Hall of Honor
Oct. 2 Beacon story on gym floor auction
Oct. 3 Herald story on John Bauer
Oct. 4 Beacon story on West security plan

DISTRICT
Included in your backup material are articles from:
Sept. 19 Beacon story on city TIF in the school district

XIII.     Adjourn

1. The next meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, October 15, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at West High School, 1201 W. New York Street, Aurora, IL in the Health Academy (Enter at Door #1).

CONSENT AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 1, 2007

The Board of Education's Consent Agenda contains those motions or resolutions which are deemed routine and/or require little or no discussion. The use of the consent Agenda is intended to expedite the meeting by the elimination of repetitive roll calls and unnecessary discussions. A Consent Agenda item will be removed from the Consent Agenda prior to its passage upon the request of any Board member. The roll call of votes on the approval of the Consent Agenda shall constitute the roll call of votes on each and every Consent Agenda motion or resolution as if each were voted on individually.

IX.       Consent Agenda

A.       Approval of Minutes

Included with the Board's backup materials are the minutes of the Board of Education meetings held over the past month.

RECOMMENDATION:  That the minutes of the Board of Education meetings held on October 1, 2007.

B.       Bills for Payment

Board members were previously provided with listings of District Bills for review.

RECOMMENDATION:  That the Board of Education approve and accept bill listings in the amount of $820,454.59 and Hope Wall bill listings in the amount of $34,675.23 for the period ending October 15, 2007.

C.      Payroll Authorization

Authorization is requested for payrolls for the month of November, 2007.

RECOMMENDATION:  That the Board of Education authorize payrolls for the month of November, 2007 in an amount not to exceed $5,400,000.00. 

D.      Personnel Report

In the Personnel Report for October 15, 2007, we are advising of the resignations of Christina Padilla, Parapro @ Todd; Anna Flaim, Registrar @ West High; Janet Perle, Bus Driver; Gwen Schleiss, Bus Driver; Judith Brown, Office Professional @ West

RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Education approve and accept the Personnel Report for October 15, 2007.

E.      Appointments – Certified Probationary – Full Time

RECOMMENDATION:  That the Board of Education approve the appointment of the following Certified Probationary Full Time personnel:

F.      Appointments – Certified Probationary – Part Time

RECOMMENDATION:  That the Board of Education approve the appointment of the following Certified Probationary Part Time personnel:

G.       Appointments - Educational Support Personnel - Full Time

RECOMMENDATION:  That the Board of Education approve the appointments of the following Educational Support Persnnel - full time:

Sharon Dempsey, Title I Para Pro @ Greenman

Chase Dooley, Special Ed Para Pro @ Herget

Adriana Pelletier, Title I Para Pro @ Smith

Jennifer Starai, Paraprofessional @ Hope Wall

Barbara Pryor, Custodian @ West

H.       Appointments – Educational Support Personnel – Part Time

RECOMMENDATION:  That the Board of Education approve the appointments of the following Educational Support Personnel - part time:

I.        Request for Leave of Absence

Herbert Jensen, Custodian @ McCleery, has requested an unpaid leave of absence through November 30, 2007 for medical reasons. This request is consistent with the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Education and Service Employees.

RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Education approve the leave of absence for Herbert Jensen through November 30, 2007.

J.       Request to Dispose of Two Vehicles

Included in your backup is information regarding the request to dispose of two vehicles that are not fit for district use. One is a 1989 Ford F600 Tow Truck and the other a 1994 Ford E150 Van.

RECOMMENDATION:  That the Board of Education approve
the Resolution to Dispose of Surplus Property for lunch tables at Goodwin Elementary School.

K.       Request to Declare Surplus Property

Included in your backup is information regarding the request to dispose of surplus lunch tables at Goodwin Elementary School.

RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Education approve the Resolution to Dispose of Surplus Property for lunch tables at Goodwin Elementary School.

L.       Agreement with Fox Valley Special Recreation Association

Included in your backup material is a draft copy of the agreement between School District 129 and the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. This agreement allows the district to provide provisions of Individualized Education Plans for students between the ages of 18 and 21 at the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association's facility located at the Vaughan Athletic Center.

RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Education approve the agreement between School District 129 and the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association for use of the Vaughan Athletic Center for transition service for life skills to District 129 students in the Transition Program.

RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Education approve the recommendations contained in the Consent Agenda for October 15, 2007.