MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
February 28, 2007 6:30 P.M. Educational
The Board of Education of the
Ms. Marianne Clancy, Board Secretary, established
a quorum and the following Members were present: Mrs. Janet Smith, Mrs.
Millicent Roth, Mr. John Dirks, Mr. Michael Harrison, Mrs. Cheryl Jackson, Mr.
Keith Davis and Mr. Joseph Butcher.
Present
from the administrative staff were Dr. Robert Nielsen, Mr. David Wood, Mr.
Barry Reilly, and Mrs. Teresa Hill.
Ms. Linda Aschenbrener, Public Relations Facilitator, was also in attendance.
Present from the news media was Ms. Sharon Wolfe, The Pantagraph.
Mrs. Smith presented the Minutes for approval.
It was moved by Mrs. Roth,
seconded by Mr. Dirks, that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education held on
January 24, 2007, the Minutes of the Closed Meeting of the Board of Education
held on January 24, the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of
Education on February 19, 2007 and the Minutes of the Closed Meeting of the
Board of Education on February 19, 2007 be approved. Upon a roll call vote, Mr. Davis
“Abstained”, as he was not in attendance at the Meetings on January 24, 2007.
Mr. Butcher “Abstained”, as he was not in attendance at the Meetings on
February 19, 2007. Mrs.
Mr. Butcher stated he met with several members of the McLean County
Regional Planning Commission on February 21.
He stated he received introductory information on the Commission as a
new member.
Mr. Dirks stated he met with the Facilities Committee on Monday to talk
about the exterior of the
Mrs. Smith stated that she too met with the Facilities Committee to
discuss
Ms. Angela Scott, District 87 parent, stated that she gave Dr. Nielsen a
letter regarding concerns she has about the District renewing the First
Student, District 87’s contracted bus transportation company,
contract. She would like the
Board to review her letter and take into consideration the issues and hopes she
has before approving the renewal of the contract.
Mrs. Jackson stated that last night was the Intercity Scholastic Bowl Tournament. She stated that District 87 brought home the
Varsity and the Junior Varsity first place trophies. She congratulated the team members for doing
a terrific job.
Board Meeting
February 28, 2007
Page 2
Mr. Wood discussed issues related to the
recommendation to extend the bus transportation contract with First
Student. Mr. Wood made four main points:
1.
First
Student, or its predecessor, has provided bus transportation services to the
District for nearly 40 years. The company knows the community and schools
and its performance of the contract terms is satisfactory. The companies
3.1% rate increase proposal for the next two years is reasonable, within in the
means of the anticipated budget, and compares favorably with similar services
in other communities.
2.
While
bus transportation is generally an area prone to complaints, the number of
complaints is reasonable in the context of the 1.4 million student trips per
year provided under the contract. Moreover, First Student continually
works with the Principals and administration to address issues as they
occur. Some issues such as crowding and scheduling occur because the
District, for cost reasons, operates a very efficient three tiered system with
little flexibility.
3.
The
District has recently solicited information about transportation services and
bullying in two separate surveys. In general, most parents are satisfied
with the current transportation services. While bullying occurs on the
bus and while students go to and from school, it is more prevalent in other
places where larger groups of less supervised students congregate.
Bullying is a complicated, intractable and pervasive issue and the survey
provided good information to help the District improve its anti-bullying
efforts.
4.
The
District and First Student continue to work together to improve transportation
services. Information from these two surveys will be incorporated into
that improvement process.
Mrs. Smith presented the Consent Agenda for Approval. It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Harrison,
that the Consent Agenda (Human Resources Report, Bills, Payroll, Treasurer’s
Report, Financial Summary, Bent
School Paving Bid Recommendation, Bent School Fencing Bid Recommendation, Bent
School Landscaping Bid Recommendation, BHS Asbestos Abatement Bid
Recommendation, BJHS Roof Flashing Bid Recommendation, District Floor Covering
Bid Recommendation, Oakland Siding Replacement Bid Recommendation, and Letter
of Understanding: Advanced Placement Audits at BHS, be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted
“Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 2-28-07/1)
Dr. Nielsen reminded everyone that the Illinois State Scholars
Banquet is tomorrow night at BHS and hopes all the Board Members can attend.
It
was moved by Mr. Dirks, seconded by Mrs. Jackson, that Summer School 2007 be approved.
Upon a
roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with
Original Minutes, Attachment 2-28-07/2)
Several parents expressed concerns with
First Student. One suggested that there
was a disconnect in the communication between parents, First Student and District
87’s administration. The parent maintained that First Student had become
complacent in the contract and was not interested in customer service.
Another parent and bus driver pointed out that the equipment in the
buses, e.g. heaters, cameras, was not always in working
Board Meeting
February 28, 2007
Page 3
order. The
parent also maintained that drivers had no way to make sure whether a BHS
student was allowed on a particular bus route and that drivers, not First
Student, should make the decision whether to bring a bus back to the school for
student behavior issues. Finally, a parent asked how the District decided not
to use a particular driver on District bus routes.
Dr.
Nielsen and several Board members indicated that school officials are concerned
about student safety and would ask First Student about the issues the parents
raised.
Another
issue addressed by parents was bullying in the District. One parent
thanked the District for surveying parents and students and another asked for
clarification of the district’s “zero tolerance” policy on the topic.
Dr.
Nielsen stated that the District did not have a “zero tolerance” policy and
every case is decided on its own facts and merits. He pointed out that
some cases are complicated because it’s not always easy to tell what exactly
happened. Dr. Nielsen also stated that there is an appeals process if
parents/students are not convinced the student discipline was warranted.
The Board Members indicated that
they had not previously heard these complaints and there was general consensus
to improve communication with parents and others concerning safety for
students. They asked the administration to investigate and have First
Student respond at a future Board meeting.
There being no further business to come before the Board, Mrs. Smith adjourned the meeting.
APPPROVED: ATTEST:
______________________ ___________________________
President Secretary