Board Briefs

President Laurel DiPrima called the business meeting of the Board of Education of March 17, 2005, to order at 7:30 p.m. Board members present: Mr. Benson, Mrs. Grier, Mrs. Koerner, Mrs. Ramstedt and Mr. Leane. Absent: Mr. Abrams. The minutes of the March 3, 2005, meeting were approved.

Items of Public Interest

• Initial ISAT testing took place from March 7 – 11. Make-up testing is taking place during the week of March 14 – 18.
• Lincoln Junior High will participate in the Band Solo/& Ensemble Festival at Northwestern University on Saturday, March 19.
• An ISBE/ Legislative Forum will be held at Forest View Alternative H.S. on Saturday, March 19, from 8:00 until 10:30 a.m.
• On March 19, The Education Foundation Dinner Dance will take place at the Northbrook Hilton from 6:30 p.m. – Midnight.
• Lions Park fifth graders will host a Musical at 7:00 p.m. on March 22.
• Lincoln Junior High’s Concert Band will perform at Prospect High School Band Festival on March 23, at 7:30 p.m.
• March 25 is a non attendance day for staff and students.
• Spring Break begins on Saturday, March 26, with classes resuming on Monday, April 4.

Priority Items

• Staffing Plan

The Board received a third presentation on the staffing report for the 2005-06 school year. The staffing plan contains recommendations based on current information regarding staffing levels for next year. This report will be periodically updated for the Board as enrollment information may change during the course of the spring.

Per board discussion on February 17 and March 3, the elementary student numbers have been reviewed, and a third recommendation for staffing was presented. This third version provided for five sections of third grade at Fairview and Lions Park Schools. The number of fourth grade classes at Lions Park would be reduced to four sections. In this plan, all class sections fell below the current class size guidelines. The additional room that would be freed up at Lions park would be utilized to provide individual instruction spaces for the kindergarten and Extended Support programs.

After a brief discussion by Board members the item was opened for questions from the audience at 8:15 p.m. Several audience members expressed concern over the number of sections and class sizes in fourth grade at Lions Park School.

At 9:00 p.m. President DiPrima brought the item back to the board for action.

Motion carried.

• SummerQuest Budget Proposal

Assistant Superintendent Lois Andrews presented the budget proposal for SummerQuest 2005. Administration recommends the approval of the SummerQuest 2005 program to be offered at Lincoln Junior High School. The program will run for 14 days from June 14 to July 1, 2005, with a half-day teacher preparation time on June 13. The program is the same length as last year’s offering. The recommendation includes a remedial component to meet state requirements.
It is recommended that district tuition be maintained at $62 per 1 _ hour class and out-of-district tuition at $155.00 per 1 _ hour class to enable the program to be self-supporting without board subsidy. Tuition for band/orchestra classes will remain at $40 under this recommendation.
Motion carried.
 

• Technology- Acceptable Use Policy

Assistant Superintendent Lois Andrews presented an updated Technology Acceptable Use Policy for board review and future approval.
This item was for discussion purposes.

• Student Fees*

Business Services Director Greg Kurr, presented an analysis of student fees and a recommended fee structure for the 2005-06 school year. Most fee increases have been limited to the annual CPI rate increases. The Board will be asked to take action on the student fees at the April 21 board meeting.

• Financial Projections

Business Services Director Greg Kurr, presented an updated PowerPoint presentation concerning financial projections.
 

• Appointment of President Pro Tem for April 7 Reorganization of the Board of Education

On April 7, 2005, the Board of Education will hold a special meeting to reorganize the Board of Education for the purpose of conducting business through April 2005. It is necessary to appoint a president pro tem to begin this process. President DiPrima solicited nominations for the position of President Pro Tem. Debbie Hughes, Board Secretary, was nominated to the position of President Pro Tem. Motion carried.
 

Action Items (Consent Agenda)*
Dr. Brown presented the Consent Agenda items to the Board. The items were approved

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Brown stated that the district council, John Murphey, has met with the Village of Mount Prospect regarding the TIF extension and is drafting an agreement to present to the Board.

New Business
There were no new business items to be presented.

Executive Session
President DiPrima entertained a motion to convene into closed session. The Board convened into closed session at 10:10 p.m. to discuss lease of real property and personnel items.

Regular Session
The Board reconvened into regular session at 10:50 p.m.

Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, Mrs. DiPrima moved and seconded by Mr. Leane, the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting adjourned at 10:51 p.m.