Board Briefs

President Laurel DiPrima called the business meeting of the Board of Education of January 20, 2005, to order at 7:30 p.m. Board members present: Rich Benson, Rosemary Grier, Cindy Koerner, Joe Leane, and Sue Ramstedt, John Abrams. Approved the minutes of the December 16, 2004, meeting.

Items of Public Interest

• District 57 will have four open seats for the April 5, 2005, school board election. January 18, 2005, is the first day to file nominating petitions with the school board secretary and January 25, 2005, is the last day to file nominating petitions.

• Fifth grade students at Lions Park School will be attending a space mission at the Challenger Learning Center in Woodstock, Illinois on January 20 and 21.

• All community memb ers are invited to Bagels with the Board on January 22, from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Administration Building.

• Lincoln Junior High Jazz Band will be performing at the NorthShore Jazz Fest, January 22, all day.

• Early Dismissal on January 24 – Lincoln Junior High will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. and Lions Park and Fairview will both dismiss at Noon.

• Lions Park will host a variety show on January 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Other Reports
Legislative: There is an ED-RED Legislative Dinner on January 31. Dr. Brown indicated he would be attending an A+ Illinois forum in Lombard on January 21.
NSSEO: NSSEO meeting was on January 5 and the next meeting will be on February 2.
Education Foundation: Invitations for the March 19 Foundation Dinner Dance will be sent out in February.
Building Representatives: A brief summary of school and PTA activities was presented.

Priority Items

• Debbie Hughes was appointed Secretary to Board of Education.

• Reviewed Budget Deficit Reduction (BDR) Status.

• Approved Policy Manual Revisions to incorporate and update Governance Compact and Community Relations and Communications sections.

• Heard a Mid-Year District Goal Progress Report.

Action Items*

1. Approved Bills and financial statements.*
2. Approved Flexible Benefit Plan Amendments.*
3. Approved Change of Check Signatory.*
4. Approved Waste Disposal Contract.*
5. Reviewed Closed Session Minutes .*
6. Approved Personnel Report.*

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Brown reported that Fairview School students had collected over $3,000 for the Tsunami relief effort and that a final report from the schools on their efforts will come at the end of this month. Dr. Brown said thank you was in order for the Wheeling Township Democratic Organization for gathering winter clothes for some of our less fortunate students at Fairview and Lions Park.

Executive Session

The Board convened into closed session for the purpose of discussing the sale or lease of real estate, personnel, and/or litigation.