NEW TRIR TOWNSHISP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 203 - BoardDocs

TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 203
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
June 9, 2008
New Trier High School - Northfield Campus
Northfield Campus Multipurpose Room – Cornog Auditorium, 7 Happ Road, Northfield, Illinois
Closed Session – 5:00 p.m. Open Session – 7:00 p.m.
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of New Trier Township High School District 203, Cook County,
Illinois was held at New Trier High School – Northfield Campus, 7 Happ Road, Northfield, Illinois, Room
C234, on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present Administrators Present at Table
Mr. James B. Koch, President Dr. Linda L. Yonke, Superintendent
Mr. Robert Merrick, Vice President Mr. Donald R. Goers, Associate Superintendent
Ms. Carol Ducommun Dr. Debra Stacey, Principal – Winnetka Campus
Mr. Stephen J. Malkin Ms. Jan Borja, Principal – Northfield Campus
Ms. Susan B. Noyes Ms. Cindy Jaskowiak, Assistant Superintendent
Ms. Wendy Serrino for Curriculum and Instruction
Mr. Peter Ullman
Also Present
Ms. Laura Blair, Director of Communications; Mr. Larry Lobert, Director of Human Resources; Mr. Chris
Johnson, Director of Technology; Mr. Matt Ottaviano, Assistant Principal of Winnetka Campus; Katherine
Urkovich, Assistant Principal for Student Services; Michele Slav, Director of Business Services; Dr. Tim
Dohrer, Director of Academic Research; John Neiweem, Director of Physical Plant Services; Tim Dohrer,
Director of Research and Academic Services; Tim Hayes, Assistant Principal, Northfield Campus; Laurel
Burman, Director of Special Education; Anne O’Malley, Library Coordinator; Peter Tragos; Kerry Hall; Judy
Mitchell; John Gilchrist, Jim Conroy, Director of Post High School Counseling; Kerry Hall, Gerry Munley,
Science Department Chair; John Graettinger; Marianne Breen, Director of the New Trier Foundation; Maureen
Magee, NTESPA and support staff representative; Kristi Fischer, Business Ed Department Chair; Paul
Waechtler, Science Department Coordinator; Greg Harris, Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator; John
Cadwell, English Department Chair, Linda Oddo, Speech and Theater Department Chair; Beth Levy; and
members of the Community.
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Koch called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Cornog Auditorium and asked for a motion to
call the meeting to Open Session. Mr. Merrick moved and Ms. Ducommun seconded that the Board move from
Closed Session to Open Session. Upon a roll call the members voted as follows:
AYE: Mr. Malkin, Mr. Merrick, Ms. Noyes, Ms. Serrino, Mr. Ullman, Ms. Ducommun, Mr. Koch
NAY: None
The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Koch welcomed the members of the community to the last student and staff recognition program of this
school year. Two hundred seventy five certificates were presented.
BUSINESS MEETING (moved to Room C234)
I. Minutes
Mr. Merrick moved and Ms. Serrino seconded that the Board approve the minutes of the Regular
Meeting of April 14, 2008 (open and closed session) and the Special Meeting of April 7, 2008 (open
session). Upon a roll call vote being taken, the members voted as follows:
AYE: Ms. Ducommun, Mr. Malkin, Mr. Merrick, Ms. Noyes, Ms. Serrino, Mr. Ullman, Mr. Koch
NAY: None
The motion passed unanimously.
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Mr. Larry Lobert, Director of Human Resources introduced various department chairs to present eleven new
faculty members for the 2008-2009 school year.
II. Communications
There was no one wishing to comment.
The Board Policy on Donations and Naming – First Reading was presented at this time.
(See Agenda Item VI.D.)
III. Special Orders of Business
A. Report from Campus Principals and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and
Instruction
Ms. Borja reported that the Northfield campus, while quiet, is working steadily on preparations
for next year’s freshman class. Senior Helpers and Adviser Chairs are organizing in anticipation
of the fall.
Dr. Stacey thanked all the staff for their support in assisting the senior class as they graduate and
expressed thanks to the Administration Services for all their work behind the scenes in bringing
the school year to an end. Summer School, administered by Chris Pearson and Peter Tragos, has
enrolled over 1800 students. . The Summer School Science Program alone has over 270
students participating. Dr. Stacey also wished to thank the Board for their patience in
recognizing the large group of Spring Student/Staff Awards.
Ms. Jaskowiak reported that indeed Summer School had 1,894 students and that number was
expected to continue to rise. She reiterated Dr. Stacey’s appreciation of the Board Recognition
Program and its importance in the academic experience.
B. Strategic Planning
Ms. Cindy Jaskowiak presented two strategic plans, the Deciles Proposal and the Optimal
Use of Time Proposal. Her summary of the Deciles Proposal Committee concluded that the
deciles ranking should be eliminated commencing with the 2008-09 school year. It was also
decided that a thorough revision of the High School Profile should occur for the 2008-09 school
year. Starting with the 2008-09 year, a weighted and unweighted GPA will appear on sophomore
transcripts. Ms. Jaskowiak invited committee members Jim Conroy, Matt Ottaviano and Tim
Dohrer to come forward and respond to Board members questions and comments. It was
determined that additional feedback would be forthcoming regarding the revised High School
Profile.
Mr. Ullman moved and Ms.Ducommun seconded the motion that the Board approve the Deciles
Proposal as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the members voted as follows:
AYE: Ms. Noyes, Ms. Serrino, Mr. Ullman, Ms. Ducommun, Mr. Malkin, Mr. Merrick,
` Mr. Koch
NAY: None
The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Jaskowiak reviewed a power point presentation about the Collaborative Time Proposal
and summarized the highlights. The presentation covered the need for more collaborative time
among staff and students as well as the benefits in improved instruction. The Committee’s
recommendation spans two years. For 2008-2009, the Committee recommends eliminating
the stand alone late start days, replacing these with four paired (Friday/Monday) altered
schedules of collaborative-instructional time, making internal adjustments to the sequence of
days to allow for appropriate science laboratory time. An evaluation will take place after the 3 rd
paired day schedule to make any needed adjustments for the following year. The second year,
2009-2010, would have seven paired collaborative-instructional days. The added three paired
days would assume an agreement by the New Trier Board of Education and the New Trier
Education Association of an increase of 2 days to the school calendar year. Ms. Jaskowiak
invited Committee members Gerry Munley, Greg Harris, Peter Tragos and Tim Dohrer to
respond to Board member questions and comments. Much discussion followed about loss of
instructional time, quality of instructional time, designated time on the calendar for analysis and
more. Mr. Koch suggested more time was needed to consider the recommendation in order to
come to a consensus decision. Mr. Koch asked the committee to return for the next regular Board
meeting at which time a decision would be made.
Communication – Citizens’ Comments was presented at this time. (See Agenda Item IX.).
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IV. Routine/Recurrent Items (consent agenda)
- Bill List for the Period, May 1 - 31, 2008
- IHSA Membership Renewal
- Prevailing Wage Resolution
Mr. Goers presented the Bill List for the period May 1-31, 2008, and the Fiscal Year ’08 Capital Projects
Status Report. Mr. Goers also reported on the renewal for membership in the IHSA, and the Prevailing
Wage Act Resolution. Ms. Serrino moved and Mr. Merrick seconded the motion that the Board approve
the Bill List for the period May 1-31, 2008; the IHSA membership Renewal; and the Prevailing Wage
Act Resolution as presented. Upon a roll call vote being taken, the members voted as follows:
AYE: Mr. Merrick, Ms. Noyes, Ms. Serrino, Mr. Ullman, Ms. Ducommun, Mr. Malkin, Mr. Koch
NAY: None
The motion passed unanimously.
V. Board Member Reports
There were no Board member reports.
VI. Administrative Items
A. Personnel Report
The Personnel Report and Addenda were reviewed by Dr. Yonke and recommended for
approval. Mr. Merrick moved and Ms. Serrino seconded the motion that the Board approve the
Personnel Report and Addendum as presented in the Closed Session. Upon a roll call vote being
taken, the members voted as follows:
AYE: Ms. Noyes, Ms. Serrino, Mr. Ullman, Ms. Ducommun, Mr. Malkin, Mr. Merrick,
Mr. Koch
NAY: None
The motion passed unanimously.
B. Approved Board Legal Counsel
Mr. Goers recommended that the Board approve the addition of the firms Hinshaw & Culbertson
LLP; and Hodges, Loizzi, Eienhammer, Rodick & Kohn to the existing list of approved counsel
(Franczek Sullivan PC., Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor, and Paul, Weiss,
Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison). The new firms would bring a broader spectrum of legal counsel
with a focus on labor, employment and technology. The primary contacts would be both
Franczek Sullivan PC and Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. Ms. Ducommun moved and Ms. Noyes
seconded that the Board approve the recommendation regarding Board Legal Counsel as
presented. Upon roll call vote being taken, the members voted as follows:
AYE: Ms. Serrino, Mr. Ullman, Ms. Ducommun, Mr. Malkin, Mr. Merrick, Ms. Noyes
Mr. Koch
NAY: None
The motion passed unanimously.
C. Tentative Budget
Mr. Goers reviewed the Tentative Budget that will be on display for 30 days until the next
Regular Board Meeting. Mr. Goers reported that there was little change from the previous
Preliminary Budget. Mr. Goers responded to Board member questions. Mr. Malkin moved and
Mr. Merrick seconded the motion to approve the Tentative 2008-2009 Budget for public display
on June 9, 2008 and continue through the Public Hearing on July 14, 2008. Upon roll call vote
being taken, the members voted as follows:
AYE: Mr. Ullman, Ms. Ducommun, Mr. Malkin, Mr. Merrick, Ms. Noyes, Ms. Serrino,
Mr. Koch
NAY: None
The motion passed unanimously.
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D. Board Policy on Donations and Naming – First Reading
Dr. Yonke introduced members of the Policy Committee, John Neiweem; John Graetinger
Jr., community member and former Board of Education member; Mary Ann Breen, New Trier
Educational Foundation Director; Jan Wishart, President of the New Trier Booster Club; Susan
Noyes and Steve Malkin, current School Board members. Dr. Yonke stated that the committee’s
work emanated from a request for Staff Research. The Committee developed policy guidelines
around four main areas – donations, naming, advertising, and tribute gifts. While welcoming
donations to support district-established priorities, the District seeks to have an appropriate
buffer between the school and the donor to avoid any conflict of interest created by the donation.
Much Board discussion followed with committee members responding to questions and
comments. The Committee will reconsider the issues of permanent membership of the Booster
Club and the New Trier Foundation to the Donation Policy Committee and the recognition of
Memorial Honorees and their Donors and bring a recommendation to the July Regular Board
Meeting.
VII. Business Reports
Financial Reports for May 2008
Mr. Goers reviewed the financial reports for May 2008 and responded to Board member questions.
VIII. Board of Education
- Calendar of Events
Dr. Yonke reported that the Facilities Steering Committee and the Open Community Meetings were
scheduled for June 11 th . There will also be a Special Board of Education Meeting next Monday, June
16 th at 7 p.m. in Room C234.
- Board Members’ Requests for Information and Staff Research and Suggested Agenda Items
There were no requests for staff research.
IX. Communications – Citizens’ Comments (This item was presented earlier on the agenda)
Mr. Todd Warnock, New Trier parent, addressed the Board regarding the Strategic
Planning Initiative and its assessment. There were no other citizens wishing to comment.
Adjournment
Mr. Koch asked for a motion to adjourn. Upon a voice vote being taken the motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Lou Anne Kelly, Secretary James B. Koch, President
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