|
A Board meeting was held on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, in the Resource Center of Carleton Washburne School. It was preceded by a Work Session at 5:00 P.M., and Board reorganization at 7:15 P.M. An Executive Session followed these meetings.
Notes from the meetings follow in green:
Work Session
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
Absent: Mr. Shannon and Mr. Hulsizer
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
IV. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
A. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Fine Arts
A revision of the Music, Art and Drama programs began in fall 2010 with a review of current District practices, and research into national standards and trends. Mission and Belief Statements, Overarching Essential Questions, Enduring Understandings, and Specific Units complete with knowledge targets were developed for all three Fine Arts content areas.
The music program includes general music, strings, and band. The mission statement for this area is: Students will acquire a lifelong interest in and appreciation of music through active exploration, engagement, and reflection.
The art program's mission is to provide students with a nurturing environment essential to becoming lifelong creative and critical thinkers. Art studio time develops the whole child creatively, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Through studying past and present artists and practices, students learn to create, observe, discuss, interpret and analyze works at hand.
Drama/Theatre addresses the emotional, artistic, and intellectual aspects of the whole child. This artistic discipline nurtures affective and intellectual competencies. Students will build basic theatre and acting skills; practice innovation and divergent thinking and explore the complexities of life through artistic self-expression.
Teachers noted that the review process strengthened curricular alignment across the District, and commented that connections between the arts and other curricular areas will continue to be emphasized. During the next phase of the program review assessment tools will be evaluated, and a recommendation will be presented during the 2012-2013 school year
Dr. Hagerman and the Board thanked Assisant Superintendent Trisha Kocanda; art teachers Lea Basil-Lazarus, Amy Gabbert, Lillian Johnston, Julie McDonough, and Laura Montgomery; music teachers Betsy Gmitro, Jeni Cecil, Amy Becker, Rob Denien, MJ Ferneding, AJ Keller, Sheryl Nussbaum, Bob Rzeszutko, and Stephen Vowles; and drama/theater teachers Amy Markos, Susan Antman, and Kirsty Collins for the comprehensive review and presentation.
2. Board Discussion
a. Self-Evaluation Board Governance Review
In order for the Board to engage in self-evaluation in closed session, an IASB member must be present. A meeting has been set for May 17, 2012.
b. Winnetka Spring Town Meeting
The Town Meeting is May 16, and the Board is required to make a brief presentation. Content areas will include Board goals and the Caucus planks. A draft will be circulated.
3. Compensation Philosophy
Dr. Cheever presented an overview of historical compensation practices. Teacher and custodian compensation is handled via collective bargaining. Increases for all other staff members are awarded based on discussions between the Board and administration.
Dr. Pingitore discussed the financial implications of several options for salary increases including one based on CPI and two that mirror the existing collective bargaining agreements. She asked the Board for direction regarding both next year's compensation and general philosophy.
CPI is often the basis for compensation increases because District revenue is tied to CPI. It was noted that the District will likely become liable for additional pension costs, and that beginning next fall principal evaluations will (in part) be based on student growth. The Board discussed the proposed options, performance based pay, and several hybrid models. Action will be taken next month.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Board Reorganization
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
Absent: Mr. Shannon and Mr. Hulsizer
III. ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS
IV. NOMINATIONS AND VOTING
The following candidates were nominated and unanimously re-elected:
Dana Crumley - President
Jon Kaplan - President
Beth Moritz Filip - Secretary
V. BOARD MEETING DATES
2012-2013 meeting dates were set. It is anticipated that all Board meetings will begin with a 5:00 P.M. work session.
July 2012 (no meeting)
August 14, 2012
September 11, 2012
October 2, 2012
November 6, 2012
December 4, 2012
January 15, 2013
February 12, 2013
March 19, 2013
April 9. 2013
May 7, 2013
June 2013 (TBD)
VI. BOARD RETREAT
The retreat was scheduled for September 11, 2012 prior to the monthly Board meeting. It is anticipated that Strategic Planning will be the main focus of this session.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Regular Board Meeting
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
Absent: Mr. Hulsizer
Via phone: Mr. Shannon
III. WELCOME BY BOARD PRESIDENT
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
V. COMMUNICATION & FOIA
No Freedom of Information Act requests were received this month. The Board issued responses to several letters received last month, on the New Trier math program, the dismissal of a tenured teacher, and the Reduction-in-Force process.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
Approved as presented.
VII. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
A. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Recap of Work Session
Dr. Hagerman gave an update on the Strategic Planning process. Following the conclusion of the focus groups in March, the Survey sub-committee used the qualitative data gathered from the groups to identify top-ten priorities of parent/community groups and staff groups. Four targeted surveys were created and thoroughly tested, for parents, staff, community, and students. The surveys are open now. Survey results will be shared with the Data Synthesis and Reporting sub-committee, and a summary will be presented at the June Board meeting. Dr. Hagerman recently met with the education committee of the Winnetka Caucus and learned that there is a great deal of overlap between the District's survey questions and those of the upcoming fall 2012 Caucus survey, which will allow good comparisons of data.
2. 2012 Writing Assessment Analysis & Report
Assistant Superintendent Trisha Kocanda presented an overview of the first District-wide writing assessment for grades 3-8, which was created by the Language Arts Committee and administered this winter. The formative assessment was an "on-demand" expository writing piece designed to provide feedback on students' independent writing aptitude and to better inform the goal-setting practice between classroom teachers and students. Students were given an hour to complete the assessment, and grade-level teachers scored the papers blindly, without student identification. In their analysis, scorers found trends and patterns for each grade (included in the Board packet); all grade levels noted writing stamina as an issue, which affected the quality of conclusions in the students' pieces. Results will be used to inform instruction and refine the assessment process. Mr. Kaplan congratulated Ms. Kocanda and the LA Committee for its outstanding work on the assessment.
3. State Maintenance Grant/Summer Work
The State of Illinois is offering up to $50,000 in matching funds via its School Maintenance Grant Program. Dr. Pingitore recommended that the Board approve a summer project to install new windows in the north courtyard area of The Skokie School, at an estimated cost of $157,061. The District also is working with a contractor to possibly replace the hallway tile at Crow Island School, at an estimated cost of $100,000; the project would need to be bid out if it moves forward. The District recommended continuing the window-replacement work begun last summer at Carleton Washburne School, for an estimated cost of less than $50,000.
4. Transportation Bid
Dr. Pingitore recommended approving a three-year bus transportation contract with current vendor North Shore Transportation, for the school years 2012-2013 through 2014-2015. Alltown Bus Company was the low bidder, but based on the District's past history with this company and in consultation with the District's legal counsel, the recommendation is to award the contract to North Shore.
5. Technology Updates
When the Technology Department was restructured in April 2010, Technology Director Matt Fuller was not able to find a suitable candidate for the Network Coordinator position. Since June 2010, the District has engaged Techcare/All Covered to function as its offsite managed-network service provider. However, Mr. Fuller believes that the District would receive a better level of service from full-time staff member and recommends hiring such a person at the conclusion of the Techcare contract in June 2012. Mr. Fuller also recommend that the District switch to Comcast as its Internet provider, for a five-fold increase in Internet bandwidth for a cost increase of less than 10%.
6. Graduate Research Project: Technology Integration in our Students' Lives
Mr. Fuller shared the results of a technology research project he conducted in the District as part of his doctoral studies at National-Louis University. His research indicates that Winnetka grade 3-8 students have an unprecedented level of access to technology. The next part of Mr. Fuller's research will focus on how he can help teachers develop specific protocols for learning about students' technology skills to use both in and out of school.
7. Retirement & Recognition Event
Dr. Hagerman noted that the District's annual celebration will be held at Pinstripes on May 16, 2012, from 4:00-6:30. He also informed the Board that the District nominated the five school PTO presidents and two foundation co-presidents, collectively, as the Volunteers of the Year. They will be honored this week by the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce.
8. Summer Institute Updates
Noted education expert and author Sam Chaltain will be presenting to District teachers as well as the wider community on May 7. His presentation will serve as a springboard for this year's Summer Institute, at which staff will focus on defining progressive education in the twenty-first century. Ms. Kocanda gratefully acknowledged the support of the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation for these staff-development opportunities.
VIII. PERSONNEL REPORT
Approved as submitted.
IX. COMMUNICATION TO BOARD - CONFIDENTIAL
X. BOARD GOAL UPDATES
Dr. Hagerman and Ms. Kocanda provided an overview of progress on Board goals, which included significant work by the Math, World Language, and Fine Arts curriculum review committees; work/training around new administrator and teacher evaluation instruments; and development and deployment of Strategic Planning surveys.
XI. ACTION ITEMS
1. STAR Enterprise Assessments
New computerized adaptive assessment for grades 3-8. Approved.
2. Infosnap Online Registration
New online registration and fee payment system. Approved.
3. Transportation Contract
Approved.
4. State Maintenance Grant
Approved.
5. Student Fees
At parents' request, administrators closely examined the purpose of fees at each grade level, leading to a new fee structure with different fees for each grade level. The recommended fees also include a transaction fee as part of the new online registration system. Approved.
XII. OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Mauer noted that the new spring/summer brochure from the Alliance for Early Childhood is available.XIII. PUBLIC COMMENT None. XIV. MOTION TO MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION XV. MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION XVII. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
XVIII. ADJOURNMENT
| 
