West Cook News

At a recent meeting, the Forest Park School District 91 Board was updated on the progress of the Future Ready Schools program.

Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the board.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

FOREST PARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT 91

Location: District Office

MINUTES May 12, 2016

The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by President Ms. Connor.

Roll Call: Mr. Rosa, Mr. Connor, Ms. Bowker, Ms. Rostello(absent), Mr. Harvey, Ms. Ricordati, Ms. Connor

Motion was made by Ms. Ricordati, seconded by Ms. Bowker and carried to enter into closed session at 6:32 p.m. in compliance with Chap. 102, Par. 42, Sec. 2 of the Open Meetings Act to discuss the employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of employees.

On roll call - 6 ayes

Ms. Rostello entered the meeting at 6:43 p.m.

The Board reconvened to open session at 7:02 p.m.

President, Ms. Connor led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance, after which the Mission and Vision Statements were read.

Consent Agenda Items Following review of consent agenda items, motion was made by Ms. Bowker and seconded by Ms. Ricordati to approve the minutes of April 14, 2016, regular open meeting, payrolls of May 15 and May 27, 2016, the bills as presented, the destruction of any recorded closed session minutes of October 2014, and the following personnel items for FY2016; the approval of William Milnamow's employment contract through June 30, 2020, and the approval of Paula Atherton's employment contract through June 30, 2019.

Payrolls: May 15, Education $446,298.14, Operations & Maintenance $41,137.92, Transportation

$8,625.35 May 30, Education $444,555.78, Operations & Maintenance $32,072.25, Transportation $7,606.64

Bills: Education $510,754.57, Operations & Maintenance $24,902.10, Debt Service ?0, Transportation $3,386.89, Municipal Retirement/Social Security $63,416.26, Capital Projects $0, Working Cash $0, Tort $1,546.26, Fire Prevention & Safety $0. On roll call: Ayes: Mr. Connor, Mr. Rosa, Mr. Harvey, Ms. Bowker, Ms. Ricordati, Ms. Rostello, Ms. Connor Nays: None

Motion carried

Motion was made by Mr. Rosa, seconded by Ms. Bowker, and carried to approve the closed session minutes of April 14, 2016.

On roll call - 7 ayes minutes of April 14, 2016.

On roll call - 7 ayes Introductions and Matters of Consideration from the Audience The following were in attendance at tonight's meeting: Rebecca Latham, Donna Morrocco, Lisa Emond, Jamie Stauder, Bill Miinamow, Stacie Pelletier, Bob Ray (IEA Representative) Kevin Winnicki and his family. Also in attendance were 2nd grade students: Locklin Bell, Georgia Sullivan, Antonio Gasse, Sam Peterson and their family members, and several community members.

Correspondence The Board received from Alice Reeves, Dina Farrington, Field-Stevenson staff, and Garfield staff for acknowledging them on National Teacher Appreciation Day.

Items for Discussion -Dr. Cavallo, Superintendent of Schools National Elementary Honor Society - Kevin Winnicki Dr. Cavallo and President Ms. Connor conducted a special induction ceremony for Kevin Winnicki into the National Elementary Honor Society. Kevin missed the induction ceremony at his school due to an unfortunate accident during the ceremony. President Ms. Connor administered the NEHS pledge to Kevin and presented him with his certificate, then Dr. Cavallo gave him his NEHS pin.

|EA Early Childhood Grant Early Childhood teacher Stacie Pelletier introduced Bob Ray, a |EA representative, Mr. Ray proceeded to present Stacie with a check for $1000.00 to support her students with autism. She won this grant which allows her to take her students on several different field trips to help them learn appropriate social skills. Dr. Cavallo acknowledge Stacie as one of District 91's superstar teachers and is grateful to have her as a staff member.

Primary Math Enrichment - Student Presentations Ms. Emond wanted to share with the Board a few 2nd graders that have a fascination with math. Ms. Emond assisted the following students present their math problems, Locklin Bell, Georgia Sullivan, Antonio Gasse, and Sam Peterson. Each student read a math problem they developed and explained how they solved it to the Board. All board members were extremely impressed and thanked each student for presenting. Dr. Cavallo thanked Ms. Emond for being another District 91 superstar and is grateful to have her on staff as well.

Update on Future Ready Schools Dr. Cavallo described the Future Ready Schools concept in detail and a lengthy discussion ensued.

Assessment Update Since the District was assigned by ISBE to conduct field tests again for PARCC this year, the MAP assessment will not be given.

Items for Discussion - Mr. Brophy, Asst. Superintendent of Operations Status of District Finances Mr. Brophy continues to monitor House Bill 231 and it’s impact on the District finances.

FY2016 End of Year Financial Projection Mr. Brophy shared reserve levels and revenue and expenditure dashboards.

Update on 403(b) Plan Audit The audit is still in progress and additional visits are scheduled.

Items for Action - Dr. Cavallo, Superintendent of Schools Motion was made by Ms. Ricordati, seconded by Ms. Rostello and carried to adopt the resolutions honoring retiring staff members, Carolyn Leahy and Liliana Whalen. Both resolutions were formally read and will be appended to the official minutes.

On roll call - 7 ayes

Motion was made by Mr. Rosa and seconded by Mr. Connor to consider Board of Education policy revisions/additions/amendments for second reading and adoption. Om roll Cal!: Ayes: Mr. Connor, Mr. Rosa, Mr. Harvey, Ms. Bowker, Ms. Ricordati, Ms. Rostello, Ms. Connor Nays: None

Motion carried

Motion was made by Ms. Rostello, seconded by Ms. Ricordati and carried to approve the new Chromebook Take Home procedures for the 2016-17 school year.

On roll call - 7 ayes

Motion was made by Mr. Connor, seconded by Ms. Bowker and carried to approve the Board of Education meeting dates for June 2016 through May 2017.

On roll call - 7 ayes

Motion was made by Ms. Bowker and seconded by Ms. Ricordati to approve the Summer School Jumpstart Program for the 2016-17 school year. 

On roll call: 

Ayes: Mr. Connor, Mr. Rosa, Mr. Harvey, Ms. Bowker, Ms. Ricordati, Ms. Rostello, Ms. Connor 

Nays: None

Motion carried

Motion was made by Ms. Rostello and seconded by Mr. Rosa to approve the purchase of school supplies for District 91 students for the 2016-17 school year. 

On roll call: 

Ayes: Mr. Connor, Mr. Rosa, Mr. Harvey, Ms. Bowker, Ms. Ricordati, Ms. Rostello, Ms. Connor 

Nays: None

Motion carried

Superintendent's Report

Dr. Cavallo shared the following with the Board:

PPC (formerly Gaining/Concerns Committee) minutes from the 4/20/2016 meeting Residency - 9 cases, 7 cleared, 2 excluded

FOIA – None Focus Group Update - 2 sessions been held and remaining sessions are scheduled throughout May. The sessions are being recorded for the facilitator's use. State of the District Address - May 18, 2016 at Betsy Ross School at 6:30 pm

Committee Reports Advisory Council/Community Engagement Committee (formerly Citizens' Advisory Council) Mr. Connor shared the minutes from the 4/20/2016 meeting.

IASB West Cook - None

Finance Committee Mr. Brophy briefly described this committee's purpose and expected outcomes. This committee will meet monthly.

Superintendent/Board Evaluation The Board worked on their Board Guidelines/Agreements document.

Additional Matters for Consideration from the Board - None

Additional Matters for Consideration from the Audience The Forest Park Public Library will be holding their summer reading program again,

Adjournment

There being no other matters of interest from the Board at this time, motion was made by Ms. Ricordati, seconded by Mr. Rosa and carried to adjourn at 10:29 p.m.