The meeting of the Board of Education, School District No. 95, Cook County, Illinois was held on May 1, 2013 at S.E. Gross Middle School

FIRST AGENDA

  1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Landahl called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm. followed by the pledge of allegiance.

  1. ROLL CALL

Members present: Waterloo, Blackburn, LaBarbara, Elwart, Snyder and Landahl.

Members absent: Speziale

  1. RATIFY THE CANVASS PERFORMED BY THE COOK COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE AND DECLARE RESULTS

MOTION #1 – Mr. Landahl moved to ratify the canvass performed by the cook county clerk’s office and declare the following results.

Elected to four year terms: Brian Conroy, Michelle Maggos, Barb Garvey and Rebecca Zoltoski. Elected to one two year term: John LaBarbera. Seconded by Mr. Snyder. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

IV.RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS/ JAMES LANDAH, CHUCK SNYDER AND BRIAN ELWART.

The aforementioned outgoing board members were recognized at this time.

Ms. Waterloo acknowledged outgoing board member, Brian Elwart, and he was presented with a small token of appreciation from the board and also a plant for his wife. She thanked him for his contributions to the board for the past nine months.

She mentioned how informed and helpful Mr. Elwart was and that he brought much needed new eyes to the board during his time served.

Mr. LaBarbera acknowledged outgoing board member, Chuck Snyder and following are a few highlights from his words spoken regarding Mr. Snyder:

  • Presentation of plaque for Mr. Snyder and a plant for his wife
  • Many thanks to his family for all Mr. Snyder’s time involved with being a board member
  • Dedication to the position
  • Work involved
  • Level headed – rock of the board
  • Outstanding community service
  • Finance, curriculum, education and policy work
  • Huge impact on District 95 and it’s growth
  • District 95 benefiting from his contributions

Mr. Snyder spoke at this time and his words included the following:

  • Awesome school district
  • Started serving as a board member 12 years ago
  • Met great people
  • Facility work
  • Budget cycle work – incredible
  • Bond issues
  • Referendum work
  • Grant work
  • Policy manual work
  • Program improvements
  • Updated curriculum
  • Test score increases/state standards
  • Common core leadership
  • Contract negotiation work
  • Pride taken in working together
  • BPC, PTO, Volunteer work
  • Outstanding community
  • Challenging the new board for the future in doing their job
  • Finance control/money issues/growth

Mr. LaBarbera acknowledge outgoing board member, Jim Landahl and presented his with a plaque and also flowers for his wife. The following are some highlights from Mr. LaBarbera’s words:

  • Thanks to Mr. Landahl’s wife and family
  • Strategic plan accomplishment
  • Recruiting new board members
  • Leadership skills
  • Effort/thought/passion
  • Countless hours
  • Community passion
  • Deserving credit/commitment hours
  • Calming the waters
  • Issues/referendum/finance/discipline/education/leadership
  • Building initiatives
  • Behind the scenes work
  • Completely improved district 95 in every way
  • Community passion/key to success

Mr. Landahl spoke to the board and the audience at this time and the following are some highlights from his speech:

  • Team work/accomplishments
  • Thanked his wife Elaine for all her support
  • Educational experience for all children
  • Thanked professional staff/ named several current and past board members
  • Intergovernmental relationships
  • Support staff/IASB
  • Fiscal, curricular, facilities, referendums
  • Last 12 years building on success
  • Common core
  • Working to the next level
  • School advancements-continuing

V.ADJOURMENT SINE DINE

MOTION # 2 – Mr. LaBarbera moved to adjourn Sine Die at 6:30 pm. Seconded by Mr. Blackburn. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

SECOND AGENDA

  1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was to order at 6:31 pm. followed by roll call.

  1. ROLL CALL

Members present: Waterloo, Blackburn, Conroy, Garvey, LaBarbera, Maggos and Zoltoski.

Members absent: None

III. SELECT A PRESIDENT PRO TEM

MOTION #1 – Mr. LaBarbera nominated Ms. Waterloo as president pro tem. Seconded by Mr. Blackburn. Ayes: Waterloo, Blackburn, Conroy, Garvey, LaBarbera, Maggos, Zoltoski. Nays: None. Motion carried.

IV. REGORGANIZATION OF BOARD

The Oath of Office was administered to the newly elected and returning board members at this time.

The following board members were nominated and elected by a unanimous vote to serve in the following offices for a period of one year.

President – Lynn Waterloo

Vice President – Chris Blackburn

Secretary – Michelle Maggos

MOTION #2 – Mr. LaBarbera moved to adopt existing District 95 policies. Seconded by Mrs. Garvey, Voice vote. All Ayes. Motion carried.

MOTION #3 – Mr. Blackburn moved to establish Sraga, Hauser LLC, as the District 95 attorneys. Seconded by Mrs. Garvey. Voice vote. All Ayes. Motion carried.

MOTION #4 – Ms. Waterloo moved to establish Cashman/Stahler Group as the District 95 architect. Seconded by Mr. Blackburn, Voice vote. All Ayes. Motion carried.

MOTION #5 – Mr. LaBarbera moved to designate the First National Bank of Brookfield and Citibank as District 94 depositories. Seconded by Ms. Waterloo. Ayes: Blackburn, Conroy, Garvey, LaBarbera, Maggos, Zoltoski and Waterloo. Nays: None. Motion carried.

MOTION #6 – Mrs. Garvey moved to designate the Suburban Life as the official newspaper for District 95. Seconded by Mrs. Zoltoski. Ayes: Zoltoski, Conroy,

LaBarbera, Garvey, Maggos and Waterloo. Nays: Blackburn. Motion carried.

Mr. Blackburn voiced his negative vote on selecting the Suburban Life Newspaper as the district’s official newspaper. Comments again were made regarding the reasons behind this choice as the Suburban Life Newspaper as it is the only newspaper with circulation that covers all of district 95.

MOTION #7 – Mr. Blackburn moved to go into closed session at 6:40 p.m. Seconded by Mr. LaBarbera. Ayes: Conroy, LaBarbera, Maggos, Blackburn, Zoltoski, Garvey and Waterloo. Nays: None. Motion carried.

V. CLOSED SESSION

For the purpose to discuss appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the District.

VI. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Regular and closed session minutes of 4/4/2013

B. Approval of Vouchers in the amount of $308,952.61

C. Approval of A, T & T voucher in the amount of $427.68

D. Approval of A, T & T voucher in the amount of $1,635.13

E. Approval of township treasurer’s report and ratification of May payroll

F. Retirement Letter

G. Resignation Letter

MOTION #8 – Mr. Blackburn moved to accept the consent agenda as presented. Seconded by Mrs. Garvey. Ayes: Blackburn, Conroy, Garvey, Maggos, Zoltoski and Waterloo. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mr. LaBarbera left the meeting after closed session at 7:00 p.m.

VII. APPEARANCES BEFORE THE BOARD

  1. Recognize Scotty award winners – Brook Park-Maggie Simpson/S.E. Gross-Griffin Sventy

Dr. Kuzniewski announced the aforementioned Scotty Award winners to the board and the audience.

Mr. Sorensen spoke a few words acknowledging Maggie Simpson, the winner from Brook Park School. He stated what an outstanding student she is and her strong involvement in and out of school.

Mr. Nicholson spoke a few words acknowledging Griffin Sventy, the winner from S.E. Gross School. He stated what a stand out student he is and his strong leadership roles along with his involvement with the scouts.

Congratulations were given from the Board of Education to both of the winners.

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

Audience member and parent, Eileen Simpson, spoke and acknowledged her strong appreciation for the district 95 administration team along with a special thank you of appreciation to Mr. Batka, Director of Buildings and Grounds for all of his support and dedicated efforts.

IX. COMMUNICATIONS

Mrs. Maggos read aloud a “Thank You” card from teacher, Lisa Stukel.

X. OLD BUSINESS

A. Approve (3) 1.0 FTE for Reading Improvement

MOTION # Mr. Blackburn moved to approve 3 – 1.0 FTE Reading Improvement positions for the 2013-2014 school year. Seconded by Mrs. Garvey. Ayes: Conroy, Garvey, Blackburn, Zoltoski, Maggos and Waterloo. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Dr. Kuzniewski explained the aforementioned reading improvement positions to the new board members and stated that this topic of discussion has been ongoing since last October.

XI. NEW BUSINESS

  1. Stipend request form

Dr. Kuzniewski explained the process of Stipend Requests to the new board and gave insight on some of his recommendations. The following items were discussed and final information will be decided on at the June Committee of the Whole board meeting:

  • Spanish Club/proposal information
  • Art Club/K-2
  • Battle of the Books/multiple requests

XII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

A. Administrators’ reports

1. Principal, Brook Park elementary school

2. S.E. Gross middle school

3. Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services

4. Director of Teaching and Learning

5. Director of Buildings and Grounds

The following administrators commented on their board reports previously distributed in board packets.

Rich Batka

  • Volunteer work – Brook Park – praise to volunteers for help
  • Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and RB help
  • Project NICE
  • Beautification of grounds

Jeannie Zeitlin

  • 3rd pre-school screening
  • 12 staff involved
  • 4th year program – grant - $60,000
  • added 30 to program
  • identified 12 so far
  • special parent groups/board welcome to come
  • state audit rating – 4 highest – rating from state

Cathy Cannon

  • Common Core update/thanks for teacher and administrative help
  • Common Core summit update/district 95 ahead of other districts
  • Thanks to Ms. Cannon for her efforts from Dr. Kuzniewski

Mike Sorensen

  • Pam Starostka award from EXON Mobil
  • Will share back information

Kevin Nicholson

  • Thanks to Ryan Evans for all his outstanding efforts regarding track
  • Future hosting of meets
  • May 6th 5th graders S.E. Gross tour

XIII. INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION

  1. Staff Appreciation Dinner and Volunteer Breakfast

Mrs. Carlson updated the board regarding the status of both aforementioned events.

Pins and Ribbons at S.E. Gross will be held on May 14, 2013.

Dr. Kuzniewski explained the required new board member training options to the new board members. 3 different types of training will be required which include:

Open meetings, Leadership and Para-Professional training. IASB will offer all three and Dr. Kuzniewski also stated that the Open Meeting training is available to do online.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION #10 – Mr. Blackburn moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Waterloo. Voice vote. All Ayes. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

President

Secretary

Rc