President Benson called the education meeting of the Board of Education of February 5, 2004, to order at 7:30 p.m. Board members present: John Abrams, Laurel DiPrima, Rosemary Grier, Cindy Koerner, Joe Leane, and Sue Ramstedt. The minutes of the January 15, 2004, business meeting were approved.

Items of Public Interest

• The Lincoln Junior High Jazz Band was voted best junior high band at the North Shore Jazz Fest held at Glenbrook South High School on January 24, 2004.
• Board of Education Vice President Laurel DiPrima has earned the status of IASB Leadership Academy member.
• The District administrative offices and schools will be closed on February 16 in honor of Presidents’ Day.
• The District 57 Education Foundation is sponsoring a dinner dance fundraiser on February 28, 2004, at the Northbrook Hilton. Tickets are available through the Education Foundation.

Other Reports
Referendum: A referendum committee update was presented with regard to private school group support, school committees, informational coffees, future Westbrook School bus routes, and a Town Hall meeting to be held on March 7.
Legislative: A legislative forum will be held on February 7.
Multi-district: The last meeting was held on January 28 with a focus on curriculum articulation with District 214. The next meeting will be hosted by District 57 on June 23.

Questions or Statements from the Floor
None

Priority Items

1. Staff members, students, and parents presented an overview of the progress of the citizenship action team of the CHARACTER COUNTS! program at Lions Park School.
2. Business Services Director Greg Kurr presented a recommendation for per pupil "base line" allocations at $142 for elementary schools and $162 for the junior high school for the 2004-05 school year. Further adjustments may be needed as the budget deficit reduction process moves forward.
3. Superintendent Bruce Brown presented a two-year budget deficit reduction process to slow deficit spending and move towards a balanced budget with aggregate adjustments in excess of two million dollars. The plan calls for reductions in many areas excluding programs, personnel, and benefits for the 2004-05 school year. Program, personnel, and benefit reductions are expected the following year.
4. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Lois Andrews presented a recommendation for summer school fees to be increased this year in order for the program to be self-supporting. In-district tuition would increase from $57 to $62 per one and one-half hour class and out-of-district tuition would increase from $142.50 to $155 per class under the recommendation. The registration fee for band and orchestra classes would increase from $35 to $40 for the ten day program.
5. Business Services Director Kurr presented the terms of an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement with the Mt. Prospect Park District regarding Westbrook School.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Brown’s report included information on referendum campaign committee activities.