The Board of Education of the Bloomington Public Schools, School District 87, McLean County, Illinois, met in Regular Session

MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

August 27, 2003 6:30 P.M. Educational Services Center

The Board of Education of the Bloomington Public Schools, School District 87, McLean County, Illinois, met in Regular Session.

Ms. Marianne Clancy, Board Secretary, established a quorum and the following Members were present: Mr. John Hanson, Mrs. Cheryl Jackson, Mr. Keith Davis, Mr. Uvaldo Herrera, Mr. John Dirks and Mrs. Janet Smith, Board President.

Present from the administrative staff were Dr. Robert Nielsen, Dr. Roger Kilpatrick, Mr. Barry Reilly and Mrs. Sally Tucker.

Ms. Linda Aschenbrener, Public Relations Facilitator, was also in attendance.

Present from the news media was Ms. Sharon Wolfe from The Pantagraph.

Mrs. Smith stated at this time, the Board of Education is holding a public hearing on the 2003-04 budget for the Regional Vocational System. Mrs. Smith read the following statement:

“In accordance with Section 17-1 of the School Code, the Regional Vocational System prepared a budget in tentative form for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004. As required by the School Code, the tentative budget has been on file for public inspection at the Educational Services Center for District 87 for over thirty days. Public notice of the availability of the budget was published in The Pantagraph on July 18, 2003. The tentative budget is on display in the rear of the room.

Also in accordance with Section 17-1 of the School Code, the Board is holding a public hearing on the budget at this time. This public hearing is pursuant to notice published in The Pantagraph on July 18, 2003.

During the public hearing, Dr Steve Poznic, will provide a summary of the budget. The Board of Education will be given an opportunity to discuss the budget. Members of the public will then be given the opportunity to discuss the budget. When all the discussion has concluded, the public hearing will be adjourned.

At this time, Dr. Poznic will present a summary of the budget.”

Dr. Poznic, Director of the McLean DeWitt-Regional Vocational System (MD-RVS) presented information regarding the FY04 budget. He stated that there were no changes made to the tentative budget that was put on display July 18, 2003. Dr. Poznic reviewed the budget summary stating the total amount to be $1,040,177 in anticipated revenue and expenditures. Dr. Poznic stated that there was one significant difference in the FY04 budget vs. budgets presented in past years. He explained that funding which had flowed from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in the past, known as Career & Technical Education (CTE) Formula Reimbursement, has now been re-structured by the ISBE. The funding now flows as the Career & Technical Education Improvement (CTEI) Grant with compliance rules and restrictions attached to use of the funds. Dr. Poznic explained that the MD-RVS Board of Control voted at its regular meeting this past spring to place the entire CTEI grant allocation into the Bloomington Area Vocational Center (BAVC) FY04 budget. The rationale for this change was to use the funds as effectively as possible to support CTE programs, eliminate the compliance burden that would be placed on local

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school districts for use of the funds, and lower the BAVC operating cost burden on local districts. Dr. Poznic said the Board of Control felt it made sense to place the CTEI grant funds at the BAVC because BAVC had the most flexibility to use the funds under the new grant rules and that BAVC could then lower tuition costs paid by participating districts.

Mr. Davis asked if there were more solid figures now as to what enrollments and tuition will be at the BAVC? Dr. Poznic stated that we budgeted for AVC tuition to be $975/student. The Administrative Council for the AVC left that with a caveat that depending on how numbers would flush out when the school year began, they would allow some latitude there if there was a severe enough attrition rate that we would need to make an adjustment on tuition. Mr. Davis asked Dr. Poznic if he had a hard handle on that figure? Dr. Poznic stated that we have had some attrition and it looks like I’ll have to talk with the Administrative Council about a recommended increase to where we may need to go to $1,000/student. Mr. Davis asked what that means in terms of additional revenues to the District? Dr. Poznic stated that it wouldn’t be additional revenues to the District, it would be additional revenue flowing to the AVC budget. Mr. Davis asked does that impact our budget in District 87 and if so, how? Dr. Kilpatrick stated that District 87 pays tuition the same as other districts do for our students to go to AVC and we planned on approximately $975/student. An estimate of that amount is $120,000. If there is a $25 increase in tuition, that would mean about $3,000 additional the District would need to pay.

Mrs. Smith stated that the public hearing is closed.

Mrs. Smith stated that at this time, the Board of Education is holding a public hearing on 2003-04 budget for the Area Vocational Center and she read the following statement:

“In accordance with Section 17-1 of the School Code, the Area Vocational Center prepared a budget in tentative form for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004. As required by the School Code, the tentative budget has been on file for public inspection at the Educational Services Center for District 87 for over thirty days. Public notice of the availability of the budget was published in The Pantagraph on July 18, 2003. The tentative budget is on display in the rear of the room.

Mrs. Smith stated that Dr. Poznic will present a summary of the budget.

Dr. Poznic stated there were no changes to the FY04 tentative budget that was placed on display July 18, 2003. He announced a total budget of $1,030,361 in anticipated revenue and expenditures. Dr. Poznic explained that the one significant

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change was the effect of the MD-RVS CTEI grant funds as a new revenue source that changed the proportion of State funds flowing into the BAVC budget. He explained that the increase in State funding due to the CTEI grant raised the percentage of state funds used to support BAVC to approximately 47% of the total anticipated revenue and tuition paid by local districts was actually reduced from approximately 73% the previous year to approximately 44% of anticipated revenue in FY04. This translated into a lower annual tuition rate per student per program paid by local districts. The rate for FY04 was anticipated at the time of the budget development to be $975 per student with an expected enrollment of 483. Dr. Poznic stated that prior to the CTEI grant being placed in the BAVC budget, the BAVC Administrative Council had previously approved a rate of $1,550 for FY04. Dr. Poznic further stated that the BAVC Administrative Council will make its final decision on the tuition rate at its meeting September 15th. He anticipated a slight adjustment to increase the rate to $1,000 per student to make up for lost enrollment due to recent local school schedule changes that caused the total enrollment to dip below the anticipated enrollment total of 483.

There were no questions from the Board or the public. Mrs. Smith stated that the public hearing was now closed.

Mrs. Smith presented the Minutes for approval. It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Jackson that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on August 13, 2003 and the Minutes of the Closed Meeting held on August 13, 2003 be approved. Upon a roll call vote, Mr. Hanson, Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Herrera, Mr. Davis, and Mrs. Smith voted “Aye”. Mr. Dirks abstained, due to not being in attendance at the last Board Meeting. Motion carried.

Mr. Herrera and Mr. Dirks attended a Citizens’ Advisory Council (CAC) leadership meeting today at the Educational Services Center. Mr. Dirks stated that the purposes that the CAC will be proceeding under were discussed. The Achievement sub-committee’s key question is how to engage parents in supporting students’ success in school with a focus on communication. The Facilities’ sub-committee has done a lot of the legwork as far as the finances and the initial look at the needs, and their focus this year will be to help define some of the needs from a facilities perspective and help prioritize them. The Multi-Cultural Advisory sub-committee will continue their work on finishing the report and getting inside the schools and sharing what a multi-cultural system looks like, hopefully with input from teachers, parents and administrators. The first full meeting of the CAC will be September 25, 2003. Mr. Dirks stated that he thinks the CAC is off to a good start.

Mrs. Smith reported that another negotiations meeting will be held on September 11, 2003.

Mrs. Smith reported that she and Mrs. Jackson attended the New Teacher Orientation breakfast at Bloomington Junior High School (BJHS) on August 19, 2003 and the All Staff Reception at Bloomington High School (BHS) on August 21, 2003. She also reported that she and Dr. Nielsen attended the Don’t Laugh At Me event, sponsored by State Farm and Illinois State University, at the Bone Student Center and stated that District 87 will be using that program. Mrs. Smith also reminded

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everyone that the Sheridan School Parade will be Friday, August 29, 2003 and that Board members who plan on attending should be there by 9:00 a.m.

Mr. Jim Peterson, Director of Technology, reported that last April, Microsoft contacted him stating that District 87 had received the Centers of Excellence Award. We are one of eight sites nationally to receive this award. The Centers of Excellence Program was created to recognize schools and districts that demonstrated an innovative approach to the use of technology. As a result of inspirational leadership, systemic professional development and solid strategic planning, these institutions have created learning environments that are engaging, effective and efficient. Mr. Peterson stated that District 87 received hardware and software, publicity from being on the Microsoft website, Microsoft paid for Mr. Peterson’s attendance at the National Educating Computers Conference in Seattle this year where he talked to approximately 100 school districts from around the world including the other Centers of Excellence. He showed how technology is being implemented in District 87 and has had direct input into Microsoft’s Education Group. Mr. Peterson stated that this was an opportunity for us to let them know what we would like in development for schools. District 87 will now be helping Microsoft choose future Centers of Excellence. He stated that we want to build on what we have so our students can access the information they need at anytime.

Mrs. Smith congratulated Mr. Peterson on the award and thanked him for the work he has done in technology for District 87.

Mrs. Tucker reported on the Standards Aligned Classroom (SAC) Initiative. The project continues a long-term professional development goal of Dr. Nielsen’s which was begun the first year of his Superintendancy in District 87. During that year 60 participants including teachers, administrators and one Board member formed learning teams to increase assessment literacy in the District. The State of Illinois began a SAC initiative statewide. Washington School had a team last year which participated in the State initiative, BJHS and BHS have continued their focus on assessment literacy throughout the last five years. The elementary schools did not have building-based teams five years ago and this is their opportunity to do so. This initiative will support teachers and students in the processes of teaching and learning in classrooms. It’s funded by a grant from State Farm Insurance Foundation for $50,000 and can be renewed for up to three years. Over the next three years, each teacher in the District will have an opportunity to participate. Additional funds are available in the Curriculum budget should there be a need. The three focus areas for the initiative include: the study of the Illinois Learning Standards, lesson planning to integrate the standards, and a focus on assessment literacy. Teams will be building based, administrators will participate as team members and each team will have a trained coach. Raymond, Irving, Oakland, Stevenson and BJHS have teams committed at this point and other faculties are discussing their interest. The teams can participate either in the fall semester or the spring semester. The teams will have two days of training as a team, the teams will meet for six half day workshops to continue their work. Each team will determine its focus and the timing of the workshops. Mrs. Tucker will direct the grant and Mrs. Diane Stempinski, BHS English teacher, will coordinate the activities of the teams and coaches. Mrs. Stempinski, Mr. Laleman, and Mrs. Suzie Dees, a former BHS English teacher will be coaches. Mrs. Tucker stated that she will provide the Board with occasional updates on the initiative as it moves forward.

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Dr. Nielsen reported on the District 87 Deficit Reduction Plan. In summary: The Education Fund deficit will be $1.5 million on June 30, 2004; contributing factors will be increases in liability insurance, increases in Workmans’ Comp, rising utility costs, the state of the economy, decline of $1.1 million in Corporate Personal Property Replacement Taxes over the last two years, the decline in interest rates from 6.5% in 2000 to 2% in 2003, decline of $1 million in General State Aid over two years, continued economic downturn. He stated that our assumptions are that our student population will remain stable over the next several year, interest rates will remain in $1.5%-2.5% range for the next 12-18 months; Corporate Personal Property Replacement Taxes will remain flat for the next 12-18 months, General State Aid will be prorated (reduced) for the next two years; categorical grants will be prorated (reduced) for the next two years. The timeline for the Deficit Reduction Plan is as follows: September 24, 2003 Board Meeting-adopt District 87 budget, October 8, 2003 Board Meeting-formalize the plan, October 22, 2003 Board Meeting-staffing predictions based on enrollment projections and class size guidelines, set administrative/student/teacher ratios, November 12, 2003 Board Meeting-proposed programmatic changes for 2004-05, set tentative Levy, December 10, 2003 Board Meeting-tax Levy hearings and adoption, January 14, 2004 Board Meeting-discussion and input, January 28, 2004 Board Meeting-discussion and input, February 11, 2004 Board Meeting-administrative reports in the Five Year Maintenance Plan, Curriculum Summary, technology Summary, Life Safety, Spring Supplies Order and Special Projects along with the Bid Matrix will be presented, February 25, 2004 Board Meeting-discussion and input, final recommendations to Board on reductions and revenue enhancements, approval of the five Year Maintenance Plan, Curriculum Summary, Technology Summary, Life Safety, Spring Supplies Order and Special Projects with the Bid Matrix and authorization to seek bids and purchase supplies and materials for the 04-05 budget in the spring with payments after July 1, 2004, March 10, 2004 board Meeting-reduction in force, April 14, 2004 Board Meeting-draft Budget for 2004-05.

Mrs. Smith presented the Consent Agenda for consideration. It was moved by Mr. Dirks, seconded by Mrs. Jackson that the Consent Agenda (Personnel Report, Bills, Payroll, Treasurer’s Report, Tuition-Based Enrollment, and Resolution: Board Policy 7.100: Health Examinations, Immunizations, and Exclusion of Students and Board Policy 4.152: Use of School Facilities) be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all

Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes,

Attachment 8-27-03/1)

Dr. Nielsen reported that the school year is off to a smooth start and enrollment is up from last year. Dr. Nielsen reminded the Board that the Booster Club Steak Fry will be September 6, 2003. He also reported that he and Dr. Kilpatrick will be meeting with each of the buildings PTOs/PTAs to go over the District financial situation and the Deficit Reduction Plan.

It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Hanson that the Board approve the Area Vocational Center Budget for 2003-04. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes,

Attachment 8-27-03/2)

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It was moved by Mr. Dirks, seconded by Mr. Davis that the Board approve the Regional Vocational System Budget for 2003-04. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes,

Attachment 8-27-03/3)

Mrs. Sue Cain, Education Chairperson for the Bloomington/Normal National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Education Committee expressed her concern of the importance of the District 87 Board selecting a person to fill the vacant Board seat who would continue to bring a diverse perspective to the District 87 Board. She also expressed the desire to continue District 87, Unit 5 and the NAACP joint planning to do fundraising for Summer School 2004 to help assist those students with financial need who will need summer school to be successful in achieving academic success.

It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Jackson that the Board go into Closed Session to consider collective negotiating matters between the District and the Bloomington Education Association (BEA) and the Bloomington Education Support Personnel (BESP), or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

It was moved by Mr. Hanson, seconded by Mr. Davis that the Board return to the Regular Meeting. Upon a roll call vote all members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

There being no further business to come before the Board, Mrs. Smith adjourned the meeting.

APPROVED:

_________________________________

President

ATTEST:

_______________________________

Secretary