January 2010 Board Minutes

Spring Valley C.C.S.D. #99
Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
John F. Kennedy School Library
800 N. Richards Street, Spring Valley, IL 61362
Thursday, January 21, 2010

The Spring Valley C.C.S.D. #99 Board of Education met on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the John F. Kennedy School Library with President Raymond Nolasco presiding.

1. Roll Call:
Board of Education Members Present: Raymond Nolasco, Melanie Malooley Thompson, Jack Kusek, Jim Faletti, and Greg Case
Board of Education Member Jim Scarpaci arrived at 7:11 p.m.
Board of Education Member Absent: Trisha Bogatitus
Also Present: James M. Hermes, Gina Herrmann, and Cynthia Vallero
Absent: Mrs. Kimberly Lisanby-Barber

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Approval of Regular Meeting Agenda:
President Nolasco stated that the following additions would be made to the agenda:
h. Freedom of Information
I. Use of field at John F. Kennedy School
MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Thompson that the Board of Education Approve the Regular Meeting Agenda with Additions as Presented.
Roll Call: Kusek, Thompson, Faletti, Case, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

4. Introduction/Recognition of Special Guests:
Mrs. Herrmann introduced Nathan Tonozzi who won the Patriots Pen contest.  After reading a section of his essay, Nathan was congratulated by the Board of Education and presented a medallion by President Nolasco.

5. Public Comment, Correspondence, and Announcements:
None at this time.

6. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of December 16, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes
b. No December 16, 2009 Closed Session Minutes
c. Approval of the Financial Report
d. Approval of the Treasurer’s Report
e. Approval of District Bills
f. Approval of Imprest Fund Expenditures
g. Approval of Activity Fund Expenditures

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MOTION by Thompson and seconded by Faletti that the Board of Education Approve the Consent Agenda.
Roll Call: Thompson, Faletti, Kusek, Case, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

7. Discussion Only Items:
a. Technology Report:
Luke Tomsha was present to discuss the technology report. .  He stated that he will be looking into other features MAC can offer; the district has run out of space on the Windows server and he is working on transitioning away from depending on Windows; workshops being held with teachers receiving training on MAC and focusing on what tools Apple can offer in a 1.1 environment; and continuing to explore a 1.1 environment in the future as the staff becomes more familiar with Apple.

Mrs. Herrmann stated that the 3 year tech plan has been completed and submitted.  In the absence of Mrs. Barber, Mrs. Herrmann also reported that Mrs. Barber has submitted the E2T2 Grant in the amount of $540,000.00.  The grant is for 5th-8th grade students and will pay $500 of the purchase price for each computer with the district responsible for the balance.  This grant also requires that 25% of the funds be used for staff development provided thru Western Illinois University.   The Board of Education was also informed that Mrs. Barber is researching another grant, Bridging the Digital Divide Program, which will create training and access to computers and other technologies to residents of low income communities.  More information will be provided to the board as information is obtained.
A listing of grants and funds the district should be receiving was also distributed.

b. Facilities Update:
Superintendent Hermes informed the Board of Education that he went to Springfield, IL and delivered the district’s construction grant application to the State Board of Education.  While in Springfield he visited the New Berlin School and made a slide presentation for the board to view.  He also showed a slide presentation of Peru Parkside School and discussed the outlay of both buildings and the options available to District #99.  Mr. Hermes stated that he is very confident that we will do well once the Capital Development Board looks at our facilities and decides on how much money the district will receive.  He stated that there are areas that the new money will not cover and that the district will need to look into grants to cover those areas.   The district architect, Bill VanDusen, is currently reviewing  plans that would be the best way to spend the money and benefit the district.

c. IESA:
Discussion took place regarding the IESA and whether or not Spring Valley CCSD #99 should remain a member.  Mrs. Herrmann informed the board that the recommendation of the coaches was not to participate in the IESA beginning next year.  However, there was some discussion among members of the Board of

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Education regarding ways to adjust scheduling and planning.  Therefore, it was decided to table any decision regarding this item until the
February meeting.

d. Cash Flow and Budget Update:
Superintendent Hermes reviewed the budget balances with the Board of Education and explained various account balances and percentages used to date.   He also presented a monthly cash flow summary report that presented balances in each account showing the month’s beginning balance, revenue received, expenses, and ending balance.   Mr. Hermes stated that he has concern about next year’s grant money and any freeze or reduction that may be put on state aide funds.

8. Administrative Reports:
a. John F. Kennedy School Principal’s Report:
Mrs. Herrmann reported on John F. Kennedy School’s discipline and  current enrollment of 537 students, which is up 7 students from the previous month.   She also briefed the Board of Education on the AR reading program and the pros and cons associated with the program.  She also stated that the AIMSweb testing will take place January 19 thru January 29 with students being tested on math and basic computation.   Mrs. Herrmann discussed the tech plan and  5th grade typing instruction which will be on Monday-Thursday throughout the 3rd nine weeks. During the 2010-2011 school year typing instruction will also given to 3rd and 4th grades.

b. Lincoln School Principal’s Report:
In the absence of Mrs. Barber, the Board of Education reviewed her report previously presented.  Also discussed was the Safe Routes to School Grant   Board member Jack Kusek stated that he met with IDOT as well as Spring Valley city officials to discuss what needs to be done in order to proceed with the grant.  Mr. Kusek stated that more documentation must be completed and that it will be approximately 1 year before the grant will be approved but that everything is moving in the right direction.   

c. Superintendent’s Report:
Superintendent Hermes informed the Board of Education that Mike DeAngelo has asked permission to have a 3-5 grade basketball program on Saturdays in the Lincoln School gymnasium; he received a letter from the State of Illinois informing him that Spring Valley CCSD #99 received full recognition; he wrote a letter to the Mayor Cliff Banks thanking the City of Spring Valley workers for all the help they have given the district; and, he did not sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the  Race to the Top because of all of the uncertainties and legal issues involved.

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9. Action Items:
a. Approval of November and December Board Policy Manual Updates:
MOTION by Thompson and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Approve the November and December Board Policy Manual Updates.
Roll Call: Thompson, Kusek, Faletti, Case, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

b. Appoint Roenfeldt & Lockas, PC, CPA as District Auditor:
MOTION by Thompson and seconded by Case that the Board of Education Appoint Roenfeldt & Lockas, PC, CPA as District Auditor.
Roll Call: Thompson, Case, Kusek, Faletti, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

c. Appoint LPL Financial as District 457b Provider:
MOTION by Faletti and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Appoint LPL Financial as District 457b Provider.
Roll Call: Faletti, Kusek, Thompson, Case, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

d. Approve AIA Document 8101 Agreement with Allied Design:
MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Case that the Board of Education Approve the AIA Document 8101 Agreement with Allied Design.
Roll Call: Kusek, Case, Thompson, Faletti, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

e. Approval of 2010-2011 School Calendar:
MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Faletti that the Board of Education Approve the 2010-2011 School Calendar.
Roll Call: Kusek, Faletti, Thompson, Case, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

f. Authorize Superintendent to Seek 2010 Mowing Bids:
MOTION by Case and seconded by Kusek that the Board of Education Authorize Superintendent Hermes to Seek 2010 Mowing Bids.
Roll Call: Case, Kusek, Thompson, Faletti, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

g. Approve 2009-2010 Certified and Non-Certified Seniority Lists:
MOTION by Scarpaci and seconded by Case that the Board of Education Approve the 2009-2010 Certified and Non-Certified Seniority Lists as Presented.
Roll Call: Scarpaci, Case, Thompson, Kusek, Faletti, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

h. Freedom of Information:
MOTION by Kusek and seconded by Scarpaci that the Board of Education Appoint Cynthia Vallero Freedom of Information Officer.
Roll Call: Kusek, Scarpaci, Thompson, Faletti, Case, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

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i.      Soccer Field Use:
MOTION by Faletti and seconded by Scarpaci that the Board of Education Approve the Use of John F. Kennedy School Property by the Midwest Youth Soccer League.
Roll Call: Faletti, Scarpaci, Thompson, Kusek, Case, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

10. Executive Session: Reference: 5 ILES 1 20/2.2 ( C) 1 and 2:       Time: 9:00 p.m.
MOTION by Thompson and seconded by Faletti that the Board of Education Go Into Executive Session Referencing 5 ILES 1 20/2.2  ( C) 1 and 2:
Roll Call: Thompson, Faletti, Kusek, Case, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

Return to Regular Session: Time:  10:42 p.m.

11. Action After Closed Session:
None

12. Adjournment: Time: 10:44 p.m.
MOTION by Thompson and seconded by Kusek that the January 21, 2010 Board of Education Meeting Be Adjourned.
Roll Call: Thompson, Kusek, Faletti, Case, Scarpaci, and Nolasco voted aye.  No nays.  Motion carried.

ATTEST:

___________________________
Raymond R. Nolasco, President

___________________________
John A. Kusek, Secretary

February 17, 2010