MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

April 26, 2006 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: Mrs. Janet Smith, Mrs. Cheryl Jackson, Mrs. Millicent Roth, Mr. Keith Davis and Mr. John Dirks, Board President. Mr. Uvaldo Herrera was absent.

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

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

Present from the news media was Ms. Sharon Wolfe, The Pantagraph, and Ms. Lindsey Cramer, TV 10.

It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mrs. Smith that the Regular Meeting adjourn sine die. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

April 26, 2006 6:34 P.M. Educational Services Center

It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mrs. Roth that Mr. Dirks be appointed Temporary Chairman. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mrs. Roth that Ms. Clancy be appointed Temporary Secretary. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

It was moved by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mr. Davis, that Mr. Herrera be elected President of the Board of Education for a one-year term. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

It was moved by Mrs. Roth, seconded by Mr. Davis, that Mrs. Smith be elected Vice-President of the Board of Education for a one-year term. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

Mrs. Smith took her seat as acting President as Mr. Herrera was absent.

Mrs. Smith stated that we are proud of Mr. Dirks’ leadership this past year and thanked him for his participation in various events throughout the District. She presented a personalized gavel to Mr. Dirks.

It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Dirks that Ms. Clancy be appointed Secretary of the Board of Education. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Roth, that Mr. Wood be appointed Treasurer of the Board of Education. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

Board Meeting

April 26, 2006

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Mrs. Smith stated that we will leave the appointment of Ad Hoc Committees and Other Appointees for Mr. Herrera when he returns. She stated that if anyone would like to serve on a particular committee they should contact Mr. Herrera.

Mrs. Smith stated that Mr. Hanson served on the McLean County Regional Planning Commission (MCRPC) and she volunteered to serve on this committee. The first meeting is the first Wednesday in May.

It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Davis that the Board approve all current Ad Hoc Committees and Other Appointees until Mr. Herrera makes any changes. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 04-26-0/1)

Mrs. Smith stated that she would be glad to attend the MCRPC meeting just as a representative of the District, but she will have to wait to be appointed by Mr. Sweeney before someone can serve on the Commission.

It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Jackson that the Board approve the Calendar of Regular Board Meetings from May 10, 2006 to June 27, 2007. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 04-26-06/2)

It was moved by Mr. Dirks, seconded by Mrs. Roth that the Board approve all Existing Contracts and current Board of Education Policies. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

Mrs. Smith presented the Minutes for approval. It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mrs. Roth, that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education held on April 12, 2006 and the Minutes of the Closed Meeting of the Board of Education held on April 12, 2006 be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

Mrs. Tucker stated that we have the kindergarten teachers here tonight from Stevenson School for recognition: Ms. Chris Baldwin, Ms. Tanya Wolfe, Ms. Carolynne Scott and Ms. Katherine Corley. Mrs. Vickie Slagell, Stevenson School Principal, wanted this group to be recognized for the work that they have done throughout the school year in the area of Parent Communication and Parent Education. All kindergarten teachers have a parent orientation at the beginning of the year as well as two mandatory parent teacher conferences during the school year. Three additional opportunities were provided for parents this year at Stevenson School, covering math, language arts and technology. The objectives for these meetings were: To enlighten parents on the vast changes that have occurred in kindergarten over the years; To provide a positive and constructive parent/child situation for the families in the studies; and to give parents specific ideas for academic support in the home regarding math, language arts and technology as well as to introduce them to the Illinois State Standards and how these standards are covered starting in kindergarten. All programs were determined to be successful with good attendance.

Mrs. Smith thanked the group and stated that the Board applauds their efforts. She asked them to come forward and receive personal appreciation from Members of the Board.

Mr. Dirks stated that he and Mrs. Smith attended a facilities meeting at Bloomington High School (BHS) to discuss new flooring in the main hallway and entryway of the first floor. He stated that the pattern has finally been set.

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April 26, 2006

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Mrs. Jackson reminded the Board that there is an Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Cornbelt Division Meeting on May 1 in Fairbury and urged other Board Members to attend.

Mr. Dirks stated that he attended the National Honor Society Induction on Monday at BHS and stated it was a great event.

Mr. Dirks stated that he attended the Achievement Gap Taskforce meeting today and there were many great ideas suggested.

Mrs. Roth stated that she attended the Read Across America event at Sheridan School in March which she enjoyed. She stated she also toured the school that day and noticed that there was some of the same furniture at Sheridan that had been there when she attended that school. She encouraged the Board to tour the classrooms and take note of the furniture for future discussion of replacing it.

Mr. Wood summarized the financial status of the District from 2000-2008. He reviewed the revenue and expenditure factors contributing to the $4.1 M deficit in 2003 and 2004; outlined the actions taken by the Board to cut 10% of the education fund expenditures in 2004 and 2005; and set forth the revenue and expenditure assumptions for the 2006 – 2008 budgets. The District’s finances are stable and its budget was balanced in 2005 and is expected to remain balanced through 2008. The administration will present the Tentative Amended 2006 Budget at the May 10 meeting and hold a Public Hearing and consider approval at the June 28 meeting. The administration will present the Tentative 2007 Budget at the August 9 meeting and hold a Public Hearing and consider approval at the September 27 meeting.

Mr. Davis stated that he appreciated all the work that Mr. Wood has put into this presentation but that he has no confidence in State Funding and thinks the assumptions made in this presentation may be flawed.

Mr. Reilly presented the 2005-2006 Amended School Calendar. He stated that due to the snow day we took in March we pushed the last day of student attendance to May 30, 2006 instead of before Memorial Day.

It was moved by Mr. Dirks, seconded by Mr. Davis, that the Consent Agenda (Human Resources Report, Bills, Treasurer’s Report, Financial Summary and the New Life Safety Amendments – BHS/AVC Wood Shop Floor) be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 4-26-06/3)

Dr. Nielsen stated that he passed out a list of Staff Recognitions that will be held in May and asked the Board to sign up to attend the ones which their scheduled allowed. He stated that we would like a Board Member at each event. He also noted that the Beyond the Books Educational Foundation (BTB) will be presenting the BTB grants at these recognitions.

Dr. Nielsen stated that the BHS Graduation will be on May 30, 2006 at 6:30.

It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mrs. Roth, that the Bilingual Program Changes, be approved.

Mrs. Smith stated that she wants to make certain that these students will not be moved again into another building any time soon. She would like them to be able to establish a sense of community.

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April 26, 2006

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Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 4-26-06/4)

It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Dirks, that the Behavior Disorders Program changes be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 4-26-06/5)

It was moved by Mrs. Roth, seconded by Mrs. Jackson, that the New Textbooks for 2006-07 for BHS be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 4-26-06/5)

It was moved by Mr. Dirks, seconded by Mr. Davis, that the Technology Purchase be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 4-26-06/6)

Mrs. Jackson stated that she commended both Mr. Wood and Mr. Jim Peterson, District 87 Technology Director, for putting this purchase proposal together.

Mrs. Roth stated that she hopes that the acquisition of the new purchase will continually be preparing our students to compete globally in all aspects of their education.

It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Davis, that the Resolution for Dismissal be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 4-26-06/7)

Mr. Micheal Coons, an Illinois State University student and BHS graduate, thanked the Board for not cutting any Fine Arts programs during the years of the recent budget cuts.

The Board thanked Mr. Coons for coming to the Board meeting and expressing his appreciation.

It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Dirks, that the Board go into Closed Session for the purpose of considering the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific

employees of District 87, including hearing testimony on a complaint

lodged against an employee to determine its validity. 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.

APPPROVED: ATTEST:

___________________________ ___________________________

President Secretary