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A Board meeting was held on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, in the Resource Center of Carleton Washburne School. It was preceded by an Executive Session Meeting at 5:00 P.M., and a Work Session at 6:15 P.M.
Notes from the Special meeting follow in green:
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
All present.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
IV. MOTION TO MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made that the School Board adjourn the public session of the meeting to
enter into an Executive Session to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of a specific employees of District 36 or legal counsel for
District 36 (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)).
V. RETURN TO WORK SESSION
VI. MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
VII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
A. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Strategic Planning Update
Dr. Hagerman provided an update on Strategic Planning. The Committee of the Whole met on January 5, 2012, to clarify roles and responsibilities of sub-committees, discuss communication, and begin sub-committee work. The communication sub-committee has created a detailed schedule of communications pieces. The focus group sub-committee created the Moderator's Guide for the 25 focus groups. The initial work of the survey sub-committee is to identify and screen vendors, as well as align with the other sub-committees. The planning and process sub-committee, as well as the Superintendent's Cabinet, met throughout the month to develop activities for the certified-staff Institute Day on February 17, 2012. Finally, the data synthesis and reporting sub-committee focused on ensuring that data is collected and reported in a manageable, understandable manner.
2. Staffing Report
Director of Human Resources, Dr. Maureen Cheever, provided enrollment and staffing updates for each school for the current year, as well as an overview of the enrollment and staffing planning process for the 2012-2013 school year. As part of the process, staff looked at enrollment and staffing data since 2004 and found that while enrollment has declined by about 300 students, the number of certified staff has increased slightly, and the number of associates has increased by about 25. Certified staff positions did not decrease because the enrollment decrease was spread across five buildings and nine grades; the increase in associates is driven, in part, by Special Education and RtI.
Enrollment for this school year declined by 82 students, and it is anticipated that it may decline by as many as 100 next year. Administrators are examining the data and projections as they plan staffing for the 2012-2013 school year. Proposals will be presented to the Board at its February meeting, and it anticipated that action will be taken in March.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Sue Connaughton addressed the Board.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Notes from the Regular meeting follow in green:
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
All present.
III. WELCOME BY BOARD PRESIDENT
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
Elsa DeJaegher addressed the Board.
V. COMMUNICATIONS & FOIA
The Board received several thank-you notes for the staff holiday party they hosted. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from Thomas Shea for student records was denied. He was informed in writing, and the Board suggested that he contact the building principal.
The Board received a number of letters and emails about the proposed changes to the World Language program. If the recommended changes are implemented, students will begin daily language instruction in sixth grade (versus seventh). In order to preserve instructional time for core academic subjects, sixth grade band and orchestra students would not be able to participate in the art, drama, and general music exploratories. Elective choices at Carleton Washburne School would not be impacted.
Parents and community members asked that the Board and administration reconsider this decision so that sixth-graders who participate in instrumental music can have a full range of exploratory experiences, and so that the instrumental music program would not be negatively impacted.
The Board had a thoughtful and in depth discussion, including the following elements:
the importance of the arts, the District's commitment to block scheduling and educating the whole child, World Language Program goals, and the number of instructional minutes required to achieve functional language proficiency. It was noted that it is not possible to enrich one program without impacting another since there are a limited number of minutes available per day. Both language and music require daily contact to achieve proficiency.
District administration offered to continue seeking out additional options for students. The schedule will be re-examined; alternatives will be discussed at the February Board meeting.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
Approved as presented.
VII. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
A. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Recap of Work Session
Dr. Hagerman provided highlights from the Strategic Planning update and Staffing Report.
2. Math Curriculum Review Meeting
Dana Crumley and Tom Shannon attended the Math Curriculum Review Committee meeting on January 5, 2012, and reported that staff is hard at work aligning District curriculum with the Common Core State Standards--Mathmatics. One of the biggest shifts is an emphasis on a deep understanding of fewer, specific skills, coupled with the cultivation of habits, including perseverance. "Patient" problem-solving and appropriate struggle with material is to be expected and encouraged as part of the learning process.
Parents can learn more about how the standards were developed, and how they will be implemented in The Winnetka Public Schools, on February 24, 2012, at 1:00 P.M. This Winnetka Parents Institute program will be held at Carleton Washburne School.
3. Update on Junior Kindergarten Registration
Fifteen students have registered since enrollment opened on January 4. Eighteen are needed to fill a complete section. Registration will be open to Winnetka residents through February 14. On February 15 enrollment will open for nonresidents. 4. Budget Calendar Dr. Pingitore presented the 2012-2013 budget calendar. Work began in November 2011, when the tentative levy was presented to the Board. The Board authorized the District to begin preparing the budget. 5. 2012-2013 School Calendar Next year's calendar was presented, and it will be voted on next month. The first and last day of school are closely aligned with New Trier's, and all major breaks occur at the same time. There will be no student attendance on Election Day next November. 6. FY2011 Audit Andy Mace, Principal, Miller, Cooper & Co. Ltd., presented the audit for the 2011 fiscal year. Standard auditing practices were employed and District 36 received a clean audit. Fund balances continue to be strong. Mr. Mace noted that the District needs to maintain these balances for many reasons. A reserve of five to six months is recommended to maintain cash flow because tax payments are typically received six months after the fiscal year begins. He commented that operationally the District is doing well. He recommended getting a fixed-asset appraisal now that construction of the District Office is complete. 7. Facility Utilization Dr. Pingitore recently met with representatives of The Winnetka Park District; TWIG summer camp; and the District's Adventures in Learning summer program to discuss summer facility requests. All agreements will be shared with District administration and building principals prior to formal approvals. Dr. Pingitore also reported that she is working with several village organizations to improve parking at Crow Island School. At this point, the process is pending approval from village entities. In total, 24 additional spaces will be created. Four will be on school property, and the remainder will be on village streets and Park District property. VIII. PERSONNEL REPORT A. Action Item 1. Recommended for Employment, Non-Certified Staff
2. Recommended for Employment, Certified Staff
3. Recommended for Employment, Long Term Substitute
4. Change of Status, Certified Staff
5. Resignation, Non-Certified Staff
6. Resignation, Long Term Substitute
7. Termination, Maintenance
8. Termination, Other Approved as presented. IX. PARENT REQUEST FOR STUDENT TRANSFER
A. Informational Item
The Board has been given a letter requesting a transfer, action to be taken at the
February 28, 2012, School Board meeting. The request was reviewed and action will be taken at the February Board meeting. X. BOARD GOAL UPDATES Progress is being made in all goal areas. Curriculum reviews (World Language and Math) were presented earlier in the meeting. In addition to the staffing report presented in the Special meeting, Human Resources reported that the Skokie School principal search and staff compliance training are underway. The Board reported that policy work continues, and they discussed evaluation of their goals. They are considering creating a rubric to measure their progress. Board representatives met with the Caucus' School Chair, Alice Clark, and were informed that the current Caucus platform will not be amended. Tom Shannon suggested adding the terms accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to the Board's goal. He will present a draft of proposed goal language to the Board. XI. ACTION ITEMSA. Acceptance of FY2011 Audit
A motion is requested that the School Board accept the FY2011 Audit as prepared. Approved as presented. XII. OTHER BUSINESS Susan Crowe Whitcomb announced that two historical Crow Island School artifacts, an Eames chair and a jungle gym, will be included in the New York Museum of Modern Art's upcoming exhibit on school design. The Winnetka Historical society is coordinating the loan. More information on this exhibit will be forthcoming. Dates for The Alliance for Early Childhood networking dinner, Charlotte Danielson's EdRed presentation, and The Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Fest were shared. XIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Andrea Eskandari addressed the Board. IVX. ADJOURNMENT | 
