MINUTES
- REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Board of Education of the
Ms. Marianne
Clancy, Board Secretary, established a quorum and the following Members were
present: Mr. John Hanson, Mr. Keith Davis, Mrs. Cheryl Jackson, Mr. John Dirks,
Mrs. Millicent Roth and Mrs. Janet Smith, Board President. Mr. Uvaldo Herrera was absent.
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. Michele Steinbacher from The
Pantagraph and Mr. Russ Eisenberger from WJBC Radio
Station.
Mrs. Smith
presented the Minutes for approval. It was moved by Mr. Dirks, seconded by Mr.
Hanson that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on
Bloomington High School (BHS)
Principal, Mrs. Cindy Helmers introduced BHS students
Anthony Gardner and Katherine Wiley. Mr. Gardner was named a National Merit Finalist.
He represents the top 1/2 of 1% of all seniors nationwide based on his Prairie
State Achievement Test (PSAE) scores. Ms. Wiley was named a National Merit
Commended Scholar and represents the top 5% of all seniors nationwide. Mrs.
Smith asked both scholars and their parents to come forward and receive
congratulations from the Board.
BHS Athletic Director, Mr. John Szabo introduced Mr. Rich Gordon, coach of the Boys'
Golf team. Mr. Gordon noted that
the team won 13 tournaments this year and placed 3rd at State. Mr. Gordon also
noted that all of the team members maintained at least a "B" average
and four received an Academic Achievement Award for maintaining at least a 4.4/5
G.P.A. Team members included: Matt Bova, Adam
Erickson, Brandon Holtz, Zach Jecklin,
David Marquardt and Dustin Thompson. Mrs. Smith asked Mr. Gordon, the team and
their parents to come forward and receive congratulations from the Board.
Mr. Dirks reported that he attended the Beyond the Books Educational
Foundation meeting on October 9th where possible fundraisers were
discussed.
Mr. Davis reported that he will
attend the November 3rd Insurance Plan Committee meeting.
Ms. Willie Halbert, a community member
addressed the Board regarding the use of
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Page 2
The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn
in the BHS' curriculum. Ms. Halbert found the use of
numerous racial slurs throughout the book to be offensive and asked that we consider
removing it from the curriculum.
Dr. Nielsen informed Ms. Halbert that a Curriculum Review Committee will be formed
to review the book. The committee will be comprised of 2 administrators, 3
teachers and other individuals. After review, the committee will bring a
recommendation to the Board at either the December or January Board meeting.
Mrs. Roth, Mr. Dirks, Mr. Hanson and Mrs. Jackson attended
Mr. Davis mentioned that he recently taught a class at
Ms. Stephanie Ramsey, an auditor from Gorenz and
Associates, reported on the District's audit. In summary:
In the Education Fund, total revenues came within 100.58% of the 38 million
dollar budget and expenditures came within 99.60% of the budget
Our district's Financial Profile Designation ranking came to 3.55. A perfect
is 4.0. Ms. Ramsey noted that this score shows that our district knows what we
have and knows what we need to have
The district recorded a deficit of $2,369,112 an increase of 1.8 million
dollars over the year before
Revenues were $41,727,563
Expenditures were $44,115,675
Sources of revenue include: Real Estate taxes - 64%; Federal & flow
through - 10%; General State Aid - 8%; Other State sources - 7%; and Other
local sources - 11%. Real estate taxes included an increase in revenue, but it
was down in investment income, General State Aid and Corporate Property
Replacement taxes.
Sources of expenditures include: Salaries and Benefits - 76%; Purchased
services - 9%; Supplies and materials - 10%; Capital outlay - 2%; and Other
objects/tuition - 3%.
Assessed value of District equals $702,503,679
Tax rate was $4.4375 per $100 Equalized Assessed Value (EAV)
Average daily attendance is up slightly to 5,185 students
Cost per pupil came to $8,187
The District's Operating Fund Balance was $12,310,677 on
Gorenz and Associates reported a "clean
audit"
Ms. Ramsey applauded the Business Department for providing information to the
auditors
Mrs. Tucker reported on the District's Illinois State Achievement Test (ISAT)
scores. Each Board Member was given a CD with the ISAT data on it and
Mrs. Tucker directed the Board how to navigate through the information. The
information will be available on the 2003 Illinois State Report Cards, due to
be released next week by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
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3
Mrs. Helmers
and Mr. Tim Moore, BHS Associate Principal, presented the results of last May's
PSAE. A CD was
given to each Board member containing the information. This test is required for all juniors in the
state. In summary, the results are:
BHS recorded an average ACT score of 21 (all students included), which is
higher than both the state and national average.
Students who were enrolled in the core curriculum recorded an average score
of 22.8 on the ACT, while students who were not enrolled in the core curriculum
averaged a score of 17.1
BHS students' scores were higher than the state average in all areas tested
(reading, math, English, science and social studies)
A record number students (116) took a record number of Advanced Placement
exams (233) this past spring. Of the 233 tests taken, 162 recorded scores of
"3" or higher. Scores of "3" or higher qualify for college
credit.
Mr. Colin Manahan, Director of Facilities Management, presented the
District's upcoming Life Safety Work which included:
Mr. Terry Sims of BBA Engineering, Mr. Russel
Francois and Mr. Marty Miller of Francois and Assoc., and Mr. Don Rutledge of
the Farnsworth Group suggested Life/Safety improvements at each building.
This process came about as a result of the Citizens' Advisory Council's (CAC)
Facilities subgroup touring our buildings and recommended changes.
The improvements are proposed to be made within a minimum of three years
Health Life/Safety funds are restricted in their use for safety issues within
buildings and their grounds.
Recommended solutions include:
At most buildings: air and/or heating systems replaced and/or added to
provide 100% air conditioning at all buildings, video surveillance and card
access systems installed and all exterior openings (windows and doors) caulked.
In addition
at Bent: north boiler roof
replaced, north wall tuck pointed, exterior doors replaced and fencing replaced
at Irving: exterior doors and
fencing replaced
at Oakland: asbestos floor tile
replaced, exterior lighting installed and existing siding replaced and stained
at Raymond: asbestos floor tile
removed, carpet replaced and tuck pointing
at Sheridan: replace exterior
doors, asbestos tile and carpeting on 2nd floor and fencing
at Stevenson: replace cooling
tower, exterior doors, water supply system, fascia, asbestos tile in north
hallway; add temperature controls to classrooms, exterior lighting, and install
magnetic hold open doors in learning center
at Washington: add temperature controls in each classroom, waterproof walls on
north side and install magnetic hold open doors in gym
at BJHS: add temperature
controls in each classroom and replace roof
at BHS: replace 30 electrical
panels, fire alarm system, south gym floor, roof, stage curtains, track surface,
existing tunnel, asbestos floor tile in cafeteria, kitchen and student center
at Educational Services Center (ESC):
replace electrical panels, fire alarm system, roof and air conditioning
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4
Total cost of repairs
is estimated at $16,045,920
Funding for the work would be provided for by issuing bonds in the Health
Life/Safety fund. This would restructure the debt, not raise taxes. The
District's only outstanding bond will be paid off in the near future and
interest rates still remain low. The work will have to be approved by the Board
of Education (BOE), the Regional Office of Education (ROE) and the ISBE.
The repairs should extend the life of our buildings by an additional 15-20
years.
A Public Hearing will be held at the November 12 BOE meeting.
Mr. Manahan presented District
Paving Work funded by Health Life/Safety funds which included:
Paving work to replace deteriorated sidewalks, playgrounds, parking lots and
bus lanes throughout the district was proposed at an estimated cost of
$5,490,000.
Repairs have been determined by Mr. Don Rutledge of the Farnsworth Group, who
toured each district building.
The repairs will add a more aesthetically pleasing look to our properties by
removing some unnecessary concrete and adding landscaping in its place.
Funding for the work would be provided for by issuing bonds in the Health
Life/Safety fund and would not raise taxes.
The work will have to be approved by the BOE, the ROE and the ISBE.
A Public Hearing will be held at the November 12 BOE meeting.
Mr. Reilly presented District 87 Enrollments:
Current enrollment is 5,673 students. It is projected to be 5,632 next
year
Enrollment is stable at Raymond, Bent, Sheridan, Stevenson and Washington.
Enrollment is dropping at Irving and Oakland
Projected enrollment for elementary next year is 2,597 (currently 2,659);
projected enrollment at BJHS is 1,358 (currently 1,354); and projected
enrollment at BHS is 1,561 (currently 1,553)
We currently have 411 certified staff - down from 431 last year
79% of our certified staff are female; 21% are male
93% of our certified staff are White; 5% African American; and 1% Hispanic
83% of our administrators are White and 17% are African American
Mrs. Smith presented the Consent
Agenda for consideration. It was moved
by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Davis that the Consent Agenda (Personnel
Report, Bills, Treasurers Report, Financial Summary and Tuition-Based
Enrollment) be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted
Aye. Motion carried. (See with
Original Minutes, Attachment 9-22-03/1)
It was moved
by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Dirks that the Board approve
the Notice of Public Hearing for Use of Health/Life Safety Funds. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present,
voted Aye. Motion carried. (See
with Original Minutes, Attachment 10-22-03/2)
It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr.
Hanson that the Board approve the Audit. Upon a roll
call vote, all Members present, voted Aye.
Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 10-22-03/3)
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5
A District 87 parent, who chose not to
provide her name, disapproved of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
being taught at BHS.
It was moved by Mr. Dirks, 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 Ms. Roth, 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