Meeting Video and Agenda Attachments

Pledge of Allegiance--Lincoln School: (Video Clip: 00:00-07:05) Mary Beth Knoeppel, Lincoln Principal, introduced fourth and fifth graders who are part of the school's 21st century, college-ready initiative to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

May 11, 2016, Organizational Meeting: (Video Clip: 7:05-10:41) During its annual organizational meeting, which was held prior to its regular meeting, the Board voted to reappoint Peggy Babcock to serve as President of the Board of Education, James G. Ekeberg, MD, to serve as Vice President, and David W. Seiffert to serve as Secretary. Also during its organizational meeting, the Board voted to hold its regular meetings through June  0, 2016, at the times and places indicated on the 2015-16 schedule, and to adopt the proposed 2016-17 regular meeting schedule.

Student Recognition--Department of Instruction: Recognition of Outstanding Achievement for Students in Math and Science: (Video Clip: 10:41-22:23) Matt Weidman, Math and Science Coordinator, introduced students who excelled in the Illinois Junior Academy of Science and Engineering Fair, the "You Be the Chemist" Challenge, MATHCOUNTS, and the Illinois Math League.

Student Recognition--2016 NWSC PTA/PTSA Reflections National and State Winners: (Video Clip: 22:23-26:44) Julie Holdeman, President of the Northwest Suburban Council of PTA/PTSA, introduced students from across the District who had artwork recognized at the state and/or national level of the Reflections art program.

Recognition--2016 Illinois PTA Outstanding Volunteer of the Year: (Video Clip: 26:44-28:27) Earlier this spring, Mrs. Holdeman was named the 2016 Illinois PTA Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. In recognition of this honor, Scott Thompson, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, presented Mrs. Holdeman with the District's "Above and Beyond" Award.

Recognition--2016 Illinois PTA Outstanding Teacher of the Year: (Video Clip: 28:27-30:14) Jennifer Muccianti, a physical education teacher at Lincoln School, was also named the 2016 Illinois PTA Outstanding Teacher of the Year earlier this spring. Dr. Thompson presented Mrs. Muccianti with the District's "Above and Beyond" Award in recognition of this honor, as well.

Superintendent's Report--Full-Day Kindergarten Report: (Video Clip: 32:51-35:19) Dr. Thompson reported the findings of the District's investigation into the cost and space requirements associated with expanding kindergarten to a full-day program. The study is one of the performance goals included in his contract. About 90 percent of school districts in the state offer full-day kindergarten programs. However, the District's study found that it would need to hire at least 22 additional teachers at an approximate cost of $1.2 million a year to implement a full-day kindergarten program. It would also need at least 22 additional classrooms. Currently, that space is not available, as most of the District's elementary schools are operating at or above their capacity. In fact, the District has already converted 10 computer labs into classrooms to meet its need for additional classroom space for Grades 1-6.

Superintendent's Report--Facilities Plan Committee Proposal Update: (Video Clip: 35:19-38:14) Dr. Thompson presented an update on his investigation into the feasibility of implementing the Facilities Plan Committee v2.0's recommendations for addressing the District's long-term facilities needs. He reported that District 15 and the Palatine Park District are exploring the possibility of a land swap that would facilitate the construction of the recommended elementary school for Grades K-5 in northeast Palatine. The proposed trade calls for District 15 to exchange Gray M. Sanborn School, the District's oldest facility that is located adjacent to Palatine Park District, Community Park, and Cutting Hall, for land adjacent to the Falcon Park Recreation Center, which is located on Recreation Drive, just east of Hicks Road in northeast Palatine. There are currently no schools in that area, which is where roughly 22 percent of the District's students live. The land swap would eliminate costs associated with purchasing property for the school, and likely reduce construction costs, too, as the District would simply add classroom space to the existing facility, which already includes a gymnasium, office space, and numerous other amenities.
  Dr. Thompson said Palatine Park District officials originally built the Falcon Park Recreation Center because it wanted to provide its services to that area. This creative proposal is exciting for both the Palatine Park District and District 15, he said, because both entities could significantly strengthen the services they provide to the area's residents by partnering to turn the facility into a community school that serves as an educational and recreational hub in that neighborhood.

Dr. Thompson also noted that residents' responses to the facilities recommendations presented to the Board in April have generally been positive. He said many residents have told him the plan makes a lot of sense, and that they wish it had been implemented years ago. They want full-day kindergarten, and they support the realignment of boundaries so that students feed into the same middle schools and high schools, he said.

However, Dr. Thompson also emphasized that the recommendation is only a proposal at this point, and that the District is continuing to investigate its feasibility. The next step in that effort, he said, is to work with the Palatine Park District to appraise both the Falcon Park and Sanborn sites so that both parties can continue to flesh out this plan. He said he expects to share that appraisal information with the Board during its June meeting.

Superintendent's Report--Salary Schedules: (Video Clip: 38:14-44:12) Dr. Thompson reported that the District is prepared to release the salary schedules included in the new Classroom Teachers' Council (CTC) agreement approved by the Board during its April meeting. Later in the meeting, the Board approved their release.

Dr. Thompson noted that the contract language is still being reviewed by attorneys for the District and CTC to ensure that the language in the draft version is correct. He noted that this is the same process the District has used with past contracts, and he emphasized that the District is trying to expedite this process so that it can share the final document with the public as soon as possible. Doing so before such time would be irresponsible, he said, because it could cause unnecessary confusion and need for correction if incorrect or inaccurate information is disseminated.

Dr. Thompson also addressed concerns about the new contract by reiterating his belief that the agreement will benefit the District. Although the 10-year contract is unusual in its length, it will allow the District to keep cost increases associated with teachers' salaries to less than 1 percent per year, which is unheard of, he said. On average, it will provide teachers with four years of 2.5 percent raises, followed by six years of 4 percent raises, but those increases will be offset by a retirement incentive that will allow the District to hire new teachers at roughly half the salary of a retiring teacher. Every contract contains compromises, said Dr. Thompson, and this one is no different. As it stands, though, this contract provides for a decade of stability that will strengthen the District's long-term financial standing, he said.

Citizens Address the Board: (Video Clip: 54:00-1:52:16) Fifteen residents addressed the Board regarding the teachers' contract and/or the Facilities Plan Committee recommendation.

Board of Education Retirement Reception: Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, 1100 N. Smith Street, Palatine.

Next Regular Board of Education Meeting: Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at 7 p.m. at Joseph M. Kiszka Educational Service Center, 580 First Bank Drive, Palatine.