MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

January 28, 2004                    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 Dirks, Mr. John Hanson, Mrs. Cheryl Jackson, Mr. Keith Davis and Mrs. Janet Smith, Board President.  Mr. Uvaldo Herrera and Mrs. Millicent Roth were absent.

 

Present from the administrative staff were 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, Ms. Dara Walch, WJBC Radio, and Ms. Monica Linderos, WHOI TV.

     

Mrs. Smith presented the Minutes for approval. Mrs. Jackson stated that on page 2, the second to the last paragraph, line 2, should read “pleased to see student 8th grade ambassadors from Bloomington Junior High School acting as hosts for the event.”  Mrs. Smith stated that on page 2, the last paragraph should state that the “Be a Star, Read” program is on March 9th.  It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hanson that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on January 14, 2004 be approved as corrected.  Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”.  Motion carried.

 

Mrs. Roth arrived at the meeting at 6:34 p.m.

      Dr. Steve Poznic, Director of the Bloomington Area Vocational Center (BAVC) introduced Mr. Mark Anderson, Industrial Technology teacher, and four of his students in the Area Vocational Center's Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) program. Matt Essman, Steve Lawyer and David Marquardt, Bloomington High School (BHS) and Mitchell Baker, University High School, attended the International Home Builder's Show in Las Vegas during the weekend of January 17th. The students placed 1st in a design and cost estimation project against two other high schools and nine community colleges. Students from the program have attended this event for seven years, placing 1st in 2001. The entire trip was funded by the local chapter of the Home Builder's Association and several local construction companies.  Mrs. Smith asked Mr. Anderson, his students and their parents to come forward and receive congratulations from the Board.

      Mr. Davis stated that he and Ms. Roth met with Dr. Nielsen on January 28 regarding the format of his evaluation. The process is expected to be completed in mid-March.

      Mr. Dirks stated that he will attend Thursday's Citizens' Advisory Council (CAC) meeting.

     Mrs. Tucker and Mrs. Cindy Helmers, BHS Principal, presented Proposed Graduation Requirements. Based on the performance results on the Prairie State Achievement Exam presented to the Board of Education in October 2003, our Board of Education asked the administration for additional information regarding the achievement rates for core and non-core students.

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January 28, 2004

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Analysis of Results
• Students completing the core curriculum outperform those who do not complete the core curriculum
• Approximately 80% of all students completing the core course of study “Meet” or “Exceed” State Standards in Reading and Math.
• Core Curriculum includes 4 years English and PE/Health, 3 years each of Math, Science and Social Studies.

Recommendations for the Class of 2009 and Beyond
• Modify BHS graduation requirements
• Provide greater opportunities for all students beginning at BJHS
• Require a more rigorous course of study for all students

Proposed BJHS Changes
• High School graduation credit will be given to BJHS students who successfully complete French I, Spanish I or Algebra I as given at the high school.
• The semester grade for these courses will be based on the following: 40% Quarter 1, 40% Quarter 2, 20% Semester Exam. (Same as BHS). The semester grade for these courses will be counted toward the student's BHS grade point average.
• BJHS quarter grades will continue to be used for BJHS Honor Roll designations.

Recommended Changes in the BHS Graduation Requirements (Beginning with the Class of 2009.)
• Total credits stays at 23.5

English: proposed change from 3 1/2 to 4 credits. (82% of students currently complete 4 credits.)
• “Techniques in Reading” will be required for Freshman students reading below grade level in addition to their English class.
• Senior electives will continue to provide capstone experiences in literature and writing with an additional .5 credit required.

Mathematics: proposed change from 2 to 3 credits (74% of students currently complete 3 credits).
• Safety Nets will be in place for all students
• There will be a sub-committee in the math department working to review course offerings and alignment with BJHS

Science: proposed change from 2 to 3 credits. (70% of students currently complete 3 credits.)
• We will need to offer Fundamental Physical Science/Chemistry and Fundamental Physical Science/Physics every year instead of every other year.
• With the proposed change, additional laboratory space will be necessary

Social Studies: proposed change from 2 1/2 to 3 credits. (60% of students currently complete 3 credits.)
• American History, World History and American Government are currently required (2 1/2 credits)
• Social Studies electives meet the additional 1/2 credit for most students, including Economics (consumer ed. credit.)
• For students who need an additional elective course, the department has discussed an offering of Contemporary Issues and/or Geography class to meet State Standards

     This proposal will be refined over the next two months. The final recommendation

 

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will be presented to the Board of Education on April 14th and Board Action will occur at the April 28th meeting.

     Mrs. Vickie Slagell, Stevenson School Principal, presented the Summer School 2004 proposal.


• Early Start programs at Irving, Sheridan and Stevenson are dependent on grant monies. Sheridan already has confirmation on the grant monies and Stevenson and Irving will be notified by April 1st
• High School course offerings include second semester Algebra I and Freshman Literature if enough students sign up
• Summer School is expected to run 24 days starting on June 7th and ending July 9th
• All Pre-K through 8th grade classes will be held at BJHS, except for the high school classes
• Tuition will be raised to $200 per student - up from $150 last year
• April 23rd is the deadline for enrollment
• There must be a minimum of 20 students per class (at all grade levels) as opposed to 15 last year
• Tuition will be non-refundable, unless the class is cancelled
• Last year, only 66 students enrolled, compared to 660 when Summer School was tuition free
• Special Education classes for Learning Disability, Behavior Disorder, Educable Mentally Disabled and Developmentally Disabled Instructional students will remain tuition free as mandated by law.
• Even if there were 20 students enrolled at each grade level, it would still cost the district $54,150
Staff costs = $40,000
Supplies = $1,300
Clerical = $800
Postage = $500
Transportation = $11,550

      Mrs. Slagell was asked to inform the Board if there are requests from families outside District 87 who wish to attend our Summer School Program.

      Mr. Dirks suggested looking into a mailing to alums for fundraising purposes for the Summer School Scholarship Fund.  Dr. Nielsen stated he would look into this and get an idea of the feasibility and cost of such a mailing.

      Mrs. Slagell asked for input from the Board on how to divide up the Summer School Scholarship Fund the fairest way.

      Board Action on the Summer School proposal is expected to occur at the February 11th Board of Education meeting.

      Mr. Reilly presented the proposed 2004-2005 Calendar.

• The Calendar is currently the 3rd Draft compiled, with further changes expected.
• Three Institute Days precede the 1st day of school on Monday, August 20th one Institute Day will be held Friday, October 8th.
• Winter Break begins December 20th. School resumes the 3rd of January.
• Spring Break occurs from the 20th to the 25th of March
• Friday, May 27th will be the last day of school (if no emergency days are used.)
• School Improvement Plan days are scheduled for Friday, February 11th and Monday,

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April 18th
• Parent/Teacher Conference Days are scheduled for Friday, October 29th and Friday, January 14th
• There are 9 legal school holidays planned
• Total days of pupil attendance equals 173

     Mr. Reilly stated he will bring a revised calendar back to the Board in February for approval.

     Mrs. Smith presented the Consent Agenda for consideration.  It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Dirks that the Consent Agenda (Personnel Report, Bills, Treasurer’s Report, Financial Summary, and Engagement of Auditors 2003-04) be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”.  Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 01-28-04/1)

     It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Jackson that the Board approve the First Mid-State Underwriting Agreement.  Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”.  Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 01-28-04/2)

     It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Jackson that the Board approve the Curricular Materials Objection Recommendation (Huckleberry Finn).  Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”.  Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 01-28-04/3)

     Mrs. Roth stated that she agreed in retaining Huckleberry Finn, but after revisiting the book herself, she felt the Board should make sure the book’s racism was directly addressed in the classroom.  She stated that more activities and discussion that bring out the purpose of the book are needed. 

      Mrs. Tucker stated that the District will host a video presentation of “The Expanding Canon” on February 13th from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  The film’s producer, Mr. Dale Allender, will be at the showing to discuss strategies for teaching multi-cultural literature.  Faculty from several area schools will be invited. 

     Mr. Mike Williams, President of the Bloomington/Normal Chapter of the NAACP, asked the Board to follow up with Mr. Dirk's earlier request to ask alumni to contribute towards the Summer School Scholarship Fund.

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

 

                                          APPROVED:

 

 

                                          _________________________________

                                          President

ATTEST:

 

 

_______________________________

Secretary