MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

June 28, 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: Mr. John Dirks, Mr. Keith Davis, Mr. Joseph Butcher and, Mr. Uvaldo Herrera, Board President. Mrs. Cheryl Jackson, Mrs. Janet Smith and Mrs. Millicent Roth were absent.

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

A Public Hearing for the Amended 2005-06 District 87 Budget was held.

Mr. Herrera stated “In accordance with Section 17-1 of the School Code, the Board of Education will now hold a public hearing on 2006 amended budget for the Bloomington School District.

The District prepared an amended budget in tentative form for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006 which this Board reviewed at its May 10, 2006, meeting.

The tentative amended budget has been on file for public inspection at the Educational Services Center for District 87 for over thirty days and public notice of the availability of the amended budget was published in The Pantagraph on May 12, 2006. The tentative amended budget is on display in the rear of the room.

During the public hearing, Mr. David Wood, Chief Financial and Legal Officer of District #87, will summarize the amended budget and the Board and members of the public will be given an opportunity to discuss the amended budget.

When all discussion has concluded, the public hearing will be adjourned. At this time, Mr. Wood will present a summary of the amended budget.

Mrs. Roth entered the meeting at 6:35 p.m.

During the Public Hearing for the 2006 amended budget, Mr. Wood summarized the final amended budget and how it compared to both the original legal budget and the tentative amended budget.  The Education Fund balance is anticipated to have a surplus of approximately $2 M but could be much higher because the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) budget form requires all expenditures will occur when in fact some do not occur.  The main revenue changes are due to increased interest and the Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax (CPPRT).  The main expenditure increases are due to the Board approved science curriculum and utility costs.   

Mr. Herrera asked, “Is there any discussion from the Board?”

There was no discussion.

Mr. Herrera asked, “Is there any discussion from the public?”

There was no discussion from the public.

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Mr. Herrera stated, “The Public Hearing is now concluded.”

Mr. Herrera presented the Minutes for approval. It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Roth, that the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Boards of Education of District 87 and McLean County Unit District #5 held on May 31, 2006 and the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education held on June 14, 2006 be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye” on the Special Meeting Minutes; Mrs. Roth, Mr. Davis and Mr. Butcher voted “Aye on the Regular Meeting Minutes; Mr. Dirks and Mr. Herrera “Abstained” as they were not in attendance at the Regular meeting. Motion carried.

Dr. Nielsen stated that this will be Mrs. Tucker’s last Board Meeting and her last official act as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. He stated that it has been his pleasure to work with Mrs. Tucker for the last eight years. Mrs. Tucker has been an invaluable resource for him and to the District. Dr. Nielsen congratulated Mrs. Tucker and wished her health and happiness during her retirement. He also thanked her for the service and leadership that she provided to District 87.

Mrs. Tucker stated that the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction position was the job she set her sites on when she came to the District and feels very privileged to have had that opportunity.

Mr. Herrera stated that he appreciated the insights that she has provided over the years to the Board. He stated that a lot of the success District 87 has had as an educational system is due to Mrs. Tucker’s work and he thanked her for her efforts and devotion to the District.

Mr. Dirks thanked Mrs. Tucker for her years of work in the District.

Mr. Herrera asked Mrs. Tucker to come forward and receive personal congratulations from the Board.

Mrs. Roth stated that there are some changes to the Minority Teacher Recruitment Program (MTRP) that Mr. Reilly has suggested. Previously candidates needed to be from the Bloomington/Normal area and attend a local college or university. Mr. Reilly suggested that to open the program up and have a diverse pool of candidates they must attend a local college or university but not necessarily be from the Bloomington/Normal area.

Mr. Herrera reported that he attended a conference in Dallas this past weekend participating in the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Annual Conference. Mr. Herrera stated that he took part on a panel on school reform. The panel was made up of individuals from Dallas Unified District, the head of a Charter School in Los Angeles, California. He stated that the achievement gap was a big issue. The Charter Schools pointed to the successes they are having by putting students in colleges and universities and what they do to empower the teachers in the classroom. One thing that was mentioned is that they provide a mentoring program for freshman students who are Hispanic or Latino as a resource for them to help with their college work and help them succeed during their first year which increases their chances to finish a four year education.

Dr. Nielsen presented the “New” Board of Education Policy 6.050: School Wellness for First Reading. He stated that there is a state law now that requires all school districts to adopt wellness policies. Mrs. Connie Mueller, District 87 Director of Food Service, has been working with a group

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of community members, administrators and teachers on this policy. He stated if anyone has any suggestions or recommendations for this policy the group will be happy to consider them. If there are none, this policy will be brought back at the August 9 Board Meeting for Second Reading. The policy will be brought back at the August 23^rd Board Meeting for Board consideration.

Mr. Herrera presented the Consent Agenda for Approval. It was moved by Mr. Dirks, seconded by Mr. Butcher, that the Consent Agenda (Human Resources Report, Bills, Treasurer’s Report, Financial Summary, 2006-07 School Fees and the WCSIT Pool (Workers’ Compensation)) be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 6-28-06/1)

Dr. Nielsen stated that this is the last Board Meeting until August 9, 2006. He also stated that all construction projects in the District are on target for completion.

It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Dirks, that the Amended 2005-06 District 87 Budget be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 6-28-06/2)

It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Roth, that the Statement of Work (The Gallup Organization) be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 6-28-06/3)

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

APPPROVED: ATTEST:

___________________________ ___________________________

President Secretary