7-18-11 Minutes - Plano School District #88

PLANO COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 88 

Minutes of Regular Board Meeting 

Board of Education 

The Board of Education of Plano Community Unit School District No. 88 met in regular session 

on Monday, July 18, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the Plano School District Administration Office. 

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II 

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IV 

V 

VI 

CALL TO ORDER 

President Porter called the regular meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Present for roll call were 

Campbell, Heller, Porter and Velazquez. Member DeBolt arrived at 6:10 p.m. and 

Members Martinez and Moody were absent. Others present were administrators Benson, 

Valdez, Patterson, Superintendent Walker and Board Secretary Benoit. Office staff 

present: None. 

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA 

Heller moved, and Velazquez seconded the motion, to approve the agenda as printed. 

Voting aye: Heller, Velazquez, Campbell and Porter. 

Motion carried: 4 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent. 

OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS TO SPEAK 

There were no visitors at the meeting. Media representatives Lisa Welz (Record) and 

Ryan Morton (WSPY) were present for the meeting. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

Velazquez moved, and Heller seconded the motion, to approve the consent agenda as 

printed: 

A. Minutes 

Regular Meeting & Executive Session – June 20, 2011 

Special Meeting & Executive Session – July 11, 2011 

B. Financial Statements, Bills & Payroll 

Bills and Payroll, Financial Statements and Accounts Payable Checks #104432-104537 & 

104578-104602 (void checks #104445 & 104473) and Payroll Checks #104300-104431 & 

104538-104577 (void check #104355.) 

C. PMA Reports 

PMA monthly Report #592 (6/1/11-6/30/11). 

D. Executive Session Tape Destruction 

Approve the destruction of audiotapes of executive session minutes during November 2009. 

Voting aye: Velazquez, Heller, Campbell and Porter. 


SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT 

Report No. 12-01 Flexible Learning Experiences (FLEX) Proposal 

Principal Eric Benson reported that the administration has been 

looking at ways to improve the graduation rate, which is 4.5% 

below the average. PACE is an after-school program designed to 

help students recover credits in order to graduate. FLEX would be 

an alternative program offered during the school day.

Board of Education Meeting 

Held 7/18/11 – page 2 of 8 

Report No. 12-01 

Flexible Learning Experiences (FLEX) Proposal (cont.) 

Currently, there are 52 students who are more than 4 credits short 

and this program would help them get on track to graduate on time. 

FLEX would offer a controlled educational environment where 

students would use current software programs as an intervention to 

learn at their own pace. Eventually this could reduce 

transportation costs, if students are able to stay at Plano High 

School and not be transported to other programs. Dr. Walker said 

the district would watch for additional funding, including grants 

for chronic truants. Member Campbell commended everyone for 

their hard work on this program. 

Campbell moved, and Velazaquez seconded the motion, to approve 

the implementation of Flexible Learning Experiences (FLEX) at 

Plano High School for the 2011-12 school year. 

During discussion, Member Heller asked how staff would be 

assigned to this program. Dr. Walker said a special education 

teacher was previously transferred from another building and with 

that added FTE, special education teachers’ time would be used 

differently to allow them to work in this program. Mr. Heller 

asked if the Board could receive updates during the year in order to 

measure success. Mr. Benson said it was the intention of the 

administration to closely monitor the program and collect data. He 

said they hope “super seniors” will be able to graduate after the 

first semester. He said the teachers monitoring the programs will 

be able to offer small group instruction if students are on the same 

lessons. Dr. Walker said the staff would closely monitor 

attendance, behavior, credits and progress toward graduation. Vice 

President DeBolt asked if students could potentially attend FLEX 

and PACE. Mr. Benson said this was possible, especially if the 

student’s work/school schedule needed this flexibility. Mr. Benson 

added that there would be a contract between the school and the 

students/parents, so they understand that, in some cases, this will 

be the student’s last opportunity to graduate on time. There will be 

constant communication between the school and the students and 

their family. Member Heller asked about the software license cost. 

Dr. Walker said it averages $100/license at a quantity discount. 

Member Campbell asked how many students could be accepted 

into the program. Mr. Benson said it would depend of students’ 

schedules and availability of learning lab time. Dr. Walker 

concluded by stating that she would hope the number of students 

who need FLEX would decrease over the years, because early 

intervention would get the sophomores and juniors on track to 

graduate.





Flexible Learning Experiences (FLEX) Proposal (cont.) 

Hearing no more discussion, President Porter called for the roll call vote: 

Voting aye: Campbell, Velazquez, DeBolt, Heller and Porter. 


Statistics Textbook Adoption 

Assistant Superintendent Patterson talked about the new Statistics 

course that will be offered at the High School for the 2011-12 

school year. Thirty-five students are enrolled in the class called 

“Probability and Statistics.” She passed around the proposed 

textbook for the class. She said this is a good option for students 

who desire another year of high school math, but are not interested 

in calculus. Member Heller asked about the cost of the book. Dr. 

Walker said it was around $100/book. Mr. Green will be teaching 

this course. 

DeBolt moved, and Heller seconded the motion, to approve the 

adoption of Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World/SE 

published by Pearson/Prentice Hall as the textbook for the 

Probability and Statistics course at Plano High School. 

Voting aye: DeBolt, Heller, Campbell, Porter and Velazquez. 



Board of Education Student Representative 

Dr. Walker introduced the concept of a student representative who 

would serve in an advisory capacity on the Board of Education. 

School Code provides legislation and proposed roles and 

responsibilities for this position. Mr. Benson talked about the 

success of this program in the West Aurora School District, 

because the Board representative provided a voice for the district 

students. He said West Aurora Board members looked to the 

student rep for feedback and they gave a brief student report at the 

end of each Board meeting. He said the West Aurora principal 

also had a Student Advisory Committee and three students in the 

each of the four grade levels attended monthly and as-needed 

meetings with him. 

Vice President DeBolt asked how the student was selected. Mr. 

Benson said they went through a rigorous application and 

interview process and, in all cases, they were students who set 

tremendous examples and in nearly all cases they were students 

who had attended the district for all 12 school years. Member 

Heller asked if there was interest in the position and Dr. Walker 

said that a student had brought the program to her attention after 

speaking with a student representative from West Aurora.




Board of Education Student Representative (cont.) 

Member Heller asked for an example how they could be a “voice” 

for the students. Mr. Benson cited an example of how the student 

representative took part in the discussion about financial reductions 

in the district. He said they spoke eloquently and articulated the 

concerns of the students in a professional manner. Member 

Campbell asked if the principal met with the student rep prior to 

Board meetings and Mr. Benson said they reviewed the agenda 

prior to each Board meeting. He said the Student Advisory 

Committee met and discussed the agenda, so the rep had some 

feedback. Mr. Benson said he plans to start his own Student 

Advisory Committee in January and that this would be a very 

positive communication tool for high school administration. 

Member Campbell said he saw the program as a very positive one. 

He said the Board could stay in touch with the students and it 

would be a valuable tool for students, especially those who might 

be considering a future in government or local community service. 

He said he thought the district should consider it and evaluate its 

merit after a year. President Porter said he felt that if you start the 

program you could not discontinue it and he was concerned if it 

was not a positive experience. Member Campbell disagreed, 

stating that the district reevaluates programs all the time and makes 

decisions about the future of programs. 

Member Heller said he did not see the reason to have a student as a 

Board member. He said the Board meetings are skewed to high 

school discussions too much as it is and this would only heighten 

that. He said he had a problem asking for a student’s input and 

then not allowing them to vote, because the student may feel 

ignored. Vice President DeBolt said she would rather see more 

than one student allowed the opportunity to serve. Dr. Walker said 

they could rotate students. President Porter said he liked the idea 

of creating community leaders, but he felt there might be a more 

informal channel of communication. Dr. Walker said students 

could come to the meetings on an as-needed basis and if they are 

interested in learning about governance and how to become a 

responsible member of society by serving on committees and 

boards. She said the students might also attend City Council 

meetings to learn about city governance. 

Member Campbell, who previously asked for this item to be 

included on the Board agenda, said he would like Mr. Benson to 

report on his progress with the High School Student Advisory 

Committee and ways to keep students involved in future Board 

meetings.




End of the Year Financial Review 

Dr. Walker reviewed end of the year figures and said that she was 

pleased that the district generally held expenditures under budget, 

thus increasing end of the year balances. 

Dr. Walker presented the Board with a Certificate of Financial 

Recognition, issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. She 

said this would be proudly displayed in the Board Room. 


FY12 Budget 

Dr. Walker said the tentative budget is a work in progress. The 

district has received good news that the Preschool for All program 

received approval for higher funding and that the TeenReach 

program will be funded in FY12. 

DeBolt moved, and Velazquez seconded the motion, to change the 

regular meeting of the Board of Education on September 19, 2011 

to September 26, 2011. 

Voting aye: DeBolt, Velazquez, Campbell, Heller and Porter. 



2011-12 Student/Parent Handbooks 

DeBolt moved, and Heller seconded the motion, to approve, for a 

second reading and adoption, the 2011-12 Elementary 

Student/Parent Handbook for P.H. Miller, Centennial and Emily G. 

Johns Schools. 

Voting aye: DeBolt, Heller, Campbell, Porter and Velazquez. 



2011-12 Support Positions 

Dr. Walker reviewed the new job descriptions for the Network and 

Computer Systems Administrator and Preschool Parent Liaison. 

She said she hoped the position of Network and Computer Systems 

Administrator would reduce approximately $30,000 that is paid to 

TechCare for network support. This conversation prompted Board 

members to think ahead to the day when Kathy Tyler retires from 

the district. Dr. Walker said this new hire would help make that 

transition easier. By having Kathy Tyler serve as the Technology 

Director over the Network Administrator and Technology Aide, 

there would be a good blend of support and knowledge. 

She also reviewed the revised job descriptions for the bus aides 

and drivers. Bus aides will be required to get yearly physicals, like 

bus drivers do now.




2011-12 Support Positions (cont.) 

Heller moved, and Velazquez seconded the motion to: 

Approve the new position of Network and Computer Systems 

Administrator at a starting pay of $20 per hour and reduce the 

hours to 40 per week allowing for one full-time Technology 

Aide. 

Approve the revised position descriptions for Bus Driver and 

Bus Aide. 

Approve the new position of Preschool Parent Liaison for the 

2011-2012 school year as funded by the Preschool for All Ages 

3-5 Years Grant. 

Voting aye: Heller, Velazquez, Campbell, DeBolt and Porter. 



Tuition Reimbursement 

Campbell moved, and Heller seconded the motion, to approve, 

under the terms of Section 8.3.1 of the Negotiations Agreement, 

100% tuition reimbursement for the one course needed to fulfill the 

requirements for ESL certification for Mary Ann Doetschman. 

Voting aye: Campbell, Heller, DeBolt, Porter and Velazquez. 


Report No. 12-09 Personnel Report 

Velazquez moved, and Heller seconded the motion, to approve the 

personnel report as follows: 

1. Resignations effective 2011-12 school year (unless otherwise noted): 

Mike Brandt – Art Teacher, Plano High School 

Kathryn Sorensen – Reading Specialist, Emily G. Johns School 

Mark Wayne – Science/Theater Teacher, Plano High School 

2. Contracts effective 2011-12 school year (unless otherwise noted): 

Mary Engmark – 1 st Grade Bilingual Teacher, P.H. Miller School, MA+42/Step 5 

Heather Renkar – Drama/Special Education Teacher, Plano High School, BFA+23/Step 1 

Thomas Schembri – ESL Teacher, Plano High School, BS+0/Step 3 

Courtney Schrey – Science Teacher, Plano High School, MA+36/Step 1 

Dan Tardi – Art Teacher, Plano High School, BA+0/Step 1 

3. Employment: 

John Miller – Custodian, P.H. Miller School, $10.50/hour, $10.70/hour eff. 7/1/11, June 

27, 2011 

4. Transfers effective 2011-12 school year (unless otherwise noted): 

Blanca Estela Graziano – from ESL teacher at Plano Middle School to ESL Teacher at 

Centennial School 

Penny Stubbe – from Clerical Aide to Secretary at Centennial School. 

Voting aye: Velazquez, Heller, Campbell, DeBolt and Porter. 

Motion carried: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent.




Certified Job Descriptions 

Heller moved, and Campbell seconded the motion, to approve the 

revised position description for the Director of English Language 

Acquistion Services. 

Voting aye: Heller, Campbell, DeBolt, Porter and Velazquez. 


Dr. Walker said she would be presenting, at the next Board 

meeting, a revised job description for the superintendent. 

Report No. 12-11 

Teacher Evaluation Plan 

Dr. Walker presented some minor changes to the district Teacher 

Evaluation Plan. She said last year the district began using an 

instrument with four areas of achievement (Excellent, Proficient, 

Needs Improvement and Unsatisfactory). Previously, Needs 

Improvement was not an option, so the scale jumped from 

Proficient to Unsatisfactory. She said it was good that the district 

began using this scale, because now it is a legal requirement. She 

said that Val was going to shadow administrators while they 

perform evaluations at their buildings, so she can closely observe 

the entire process. 

Campbell moved, and Velazquez seconded the motion, to approve 

the revised Teacher Evaluation Plan. 

Voting aye: Campbell, Velazquez, DeBolt, Heller and Porter. 



District Bank Depositories 

DeBolt moved, and Heller seconded the motion, to name Harris 

Bank, Centrue Bank, Old Second Bancorp Banks, Castle Bank and 

Citibank as Plano Community Unit School District No. 88 district 

bank depositories for FY12. 

Voting aye: DeBolt, Heller, Campbell and Velazquez. 

abstain: Porter. 

Motion carried: 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstain, 2 absent. 

Voting 


Resolution to Participate in ISDLAF+ 

Heller moved, and Campbell seconded the motion, to approve the 

resolution to participate in the Illinois School District Liquid Asset 

Fund Plus and place a copy of said resolution in the minutes. 

Voting aye: Heller, Campbell, DeBolt, Porter and Velazquez. 

Motion carried: 7 ayes, 0 nays.




Imprest Fund Custodians 

Campbell moved, and Heller seconded the motion, to approve the 

imprest and activity fund custodians for the 2011-12 school year as 

follows: 

Administration Office 

Imprest Fund – Laurel Walker, Norma Green, Jamison Wetzel or Kathryn 

Benoit 

Plano High School 

Activity Fund – Eric Benson, Jim Schmidt, Teri Haws or Laurel Walker 

Plano Middle School 

Activity Fund – Wayne Czyz, Mark Heller, Angelita Carreno or Laurel Walker 

Emily G. Johns School 

Activity Fund – Tony Baker, Karen Zmuda or Laurel Walker 

Centennial School 

Activity Fund – David Smogor or Laurel Walker 

P.H. Miller School 

Activity Fund – Denise Helmers or Laurel Walker 

Voting aye: Campbell, Heller, DeBolt, Porter and Velazquez. 



Transportation Handbook 

Velazquez moved, and Campbell seconded the motion, to approve 

the revised Transportation Handbook as presented. 

Voting aye: Velazquez, Campbell, DeBolt, Heller and Porter. 


VII 

VIII 

IX 

BOARD COMMENTS - Filming at Centennial School will begin in August. 

FUTURE BOARD OF EDUCATION AGENDA 

Dr. Walker said that Kendall County Forest Preserve District representatives would 

like to speak with the district about possible land acquisition. Dr. Walker said that 

she would like the Board to meet with them in executive session at the beginning of 

the meeting on August 22. 

The Middle School occupancy permit will be presented at the August meeting. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Heller moved, and Velazquez seconded the motion, to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 p.m. 

Voting aye: Heller, Velazquez, Campbell, DeBolt and Porter. 


________________________________________ 

James Porter, President 

Board of Education 

Approved 8/22/11 

________________________________________ 

Kathryn Benoit, Secretary 

Board of Education

7-18-11 Minutes - Plano School District #88

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