MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

August 23, 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. Keith Davis, Mr. Joseph Butcher, Mrs. Cheryl Jackson, Mrs. Janet Smith, Mr. John Dirks and Mr. Uvaldo Herrera, Board President.  Mrs. Millicent Roth was absent.

 

Present from the administrative staff were Mr. David Wood, Mr. Barry Reilly, Mrs. Teresa Hill 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 Mr. Eric Stock, WJBC Radio.

 

Mr. Herrera presented the Minutes for approval.  It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Jackson, that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education held on August 9, 2006 be approved.  Upon a roll call vote, Mr. Davis, Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Butcher and Mrs. Smith voted “Aye”. Mr. Dirks and Mr. Herrera “Abstained” as they did not attend that meeting.  Motion carried.

 

      Mrs. Smith reported that she attended two McLean County Regional Planning Commission meetings.  She stated that she has the comprehensive plans for Bloomington and Normal if anyone would be interested in seeing those she would be glad to share them. 

 

      Mrs. Smith stated that she was at the high school yesterday and that it is absolutely gorgeous.

 

      Mr. Dirks reported that there was a Board Retreat for Beyond the Books Educational Foundation to kick off the new school year recently and everyone is ready for the upcoming year.

 

      Mr. Dirks reported that the Achievement Gap Taskforce has been working this summer.  There was a great brainstorming session in June and three subcommittees were formed based on the group considered were priorities.  They are:  1. After School Programs, 2.  Ideas to increase parental involvement 3.  Data Modeling and Reporting (how to get information quickly and directly to teachers and administration)  Mr. Dirks stated that everyone is very enthusiastic about the progress that is being made. 

 

      Mr. Herrera stated that he attended the New Teacher Orientation.  He stated that he had the opportunity to have a tour of Bloomington Junior High School (BJHS) and that it was interesting to see the amount of work that has gone into the new addition.  Mr. Herrera said it is great to see some of the policies and decisions that the Board has made taking form in the District.

 

Mr. Jim Cooper, Sheridan School Principal, reported on the 2005 - 2006 Bloomington Public Schools - District 87, kindergarten through fifth grades,

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Summer School which was held at Sheridan School from Monday, July 24 until Friday, August 18, 2006. Summer School was held for twenty days and students attended from 8:30 AM until 12:00 noon. Of the 208 students initially enrolled in summer school, 186 students attended. Transportation was provided for every child whose family designated that need. Four buses transported approximately 140 students. The standards to successfully complete summer school follow: students must attend eighteen days of the twenty days, exhibit acceptable behavior and progress shown in work.

 

 

Summer School (K-5) 2006 Report

 

Grade Level

Students Initially Enrolled

Students Who Attended

Student Attendance Rate

# of Students Who Met Requirements

Students Reading Near, At or Above Lexile

Kindergarten

36

32

85.60%

22

 

First

44

42

90%

33

 

Second

34

32

92.10%

28

 

Third

27

23

93.20%

10

10

Fourth

25

24

92.50%

21

13

Fifth

16

12

93.30%

11

6

Multi-Level Bilingual

30

21

88.70%

16

 

 

Mrs. Vickie Slagell, Stevenson School Principal, reported on the 2005-06 Bloomington District #87 Junior High Summer School/Special Education Extended School Year.  In summary: 

 

     The 2005-06 Bloomington District #87 Junior High Summer School/Special Education Extended School Year was held at Bloomington Junior High School from Monday, June 5 though Friday, June 30. Summer school was conducted twenty days with students attending mornings daily from 8:30-12:00. Forty junior high and seventy-thee special education students initially enrolled. Eighty-eight students participated in the summer band program and twenty-eight students attended the strings sessions held at BJHS. Three requirements had to be met for students to successfully complete summer school: attendance requirement (attend 18 days out of 20), good behavior and passing marks/grades.

 

OTHER SERVICES

Speech and language therapy was provided for 26 students whose I.E.Ps identified these services. Thirteen students were provided with physical therapy, and 17 students received occupational therapy services. Nursing services were available throughout the entire summer school program.

 

TRANSPORTATION

Bus service was provided for every child whose family designated the need for transportation. One bus transported all junior high students. Five busses provided door-to-door service for children enrolled in all special education

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classes. One out-of-district van transported one student to our extended school year program.

 

Summer School/Extended School Year Summary Report 2005-2006

 

Education Level

Grade/Program

Number of Students Who Initially Enrolled

Number of Students Who Completed Program

Number of Students Who Met Requirements

Jr. High (2 groups of multiage)

Grade 6

9

9

7

 

Grade 7

20

19

19

Jr. High (2 groups of multiage)

Grade 8

11

11

11

Transitional Special Education (T.S.E.)

Primary

11

10

7

E.M.H. Instructional Special Ed

Primary

4

4

2

L.D./B.D.

Primary

9

8

8

L.D./B.D.

Intermediate

8

7

5

D.D.

ECE

26

22

21

D.D.

Primary

10

9

6

D.D.

Secondary

5

5

5

Totals

 

113

104

91

Music Program

Elementary-High School

117

116

 

 

Totals:

     Staff: 33

     # of Students Who Initially Enrolled:

     % of Students Completing the Program: 92%

     % of Students Who Completed the Requirements: 81%

     Students retained because they did not complete the requirements:3

    

     Dr. Nielsen stated that this is the second reading of Board of Education Policy 7.193: Surveillance of Facilities and Grounds.  The word “should” in the second line of the policy was omitted upon Mr. Davis’ request.  There was no further input from the Board for changes.  Dr. Nielsen stated that the Resolution for this policy is under Board Action A this evening for Board consideration.

    

     Mr. Colin Manahan, Director of Facilities Management, presented a Summer Construction Facilities Update.  In summary:

 

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     We have completed 3rd Year of our Major Capital Improvement Program.  Projects completed:

 

Bent Elementary School
Air Conditioning Basement Hallway, Air Conditioning First Floor Hallway, Air Conditioning Second Floor Hallway, New Heat Distribution System, New Windows in Learning Center

 

Irving Elementary School
Reconstruct Playground, Landscaping & Fencing, Air Condition Kitchen, Marker board skins have been added to approximately 50% of the classrooms.

 

Oakland Elementary School

Renovate Classrooms #1, #2, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, and #23

Renovate Kindergarten Hallway, Renovate Cafeteria/Multipurpose Room, Renovate Office Complex, Renovate Nurse’s Area, Renovate Teacher’s Lounge, Paint Computer Lab, Renovate Learning Center, Renovate 4th/5th Grade Hallway, Convert Mechanical Room into Classroom,

 

Sheridan Elementary School
Air Conditioning Kitchen, Air Conditioning Cafeteria, Renovate Rooms 101-111, 202, East Wall Exterior Water Proofing, Bleacher inspection completed. Gym floor preventive maintenance. Renovate Classrooms 120-122, 124, Add Sink to Classroom 123, Replace All Exterior Doors (in progress)

 

Washington Elementary School
Reconstruct Playground, Landscaping & Fencing, Renovate Teacher’s Lounge

Renovate First Floor Hallway, Renovate Second Floor Hallway, Bleacher inspection completed.

 

Bloomington Junior High School

Finish Replacing Carpet in Office Area, Replace Carpet on Stage & Stairs, Paint All 8th Grade Classrooms and six restrooms, Renovate IT Computer Lab, Renovate Nurse’s Area, Renovate Additional Art Room, New Music Room Addition, New Locker Rooms Addition, New Public Area/Restrooms Addition, New 7th Grade Classrooms 101-104, New Computer Lab Room 105, New Resource Room 106, New 8th Grade Classrooms 201-205, New Resource Room 206, New Boilers, New East Gym, Preventive maintenance west gym.

 

Bloomington High School
Replaced West Stairs - South Gym, Replaced East Stairs - South Gym, Repaired & Painted West Canopy, Repaired & Painted East Canopy, Repaired & Painted West & North Exterior Columns & Windows, Replaced 23 Electrical Panels, Renovated Wood Shop into Health Fitness, Replaced Floor Coverings in Office Area, Replaced Floor Tile – First Floor Hallway, Added Air Conditioning – Art Rooms, Added Air Conditioning – Rooms 156/157,158, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, Driver’s Education Room, North Gym West Classroom, New Tennis Court Surface with City of Bloomington – In Progress, Reconstruct South Courtyard, Reconstruct South Courtyard, Bleacher inspection completed, Preventive maintenance of north gym floor.

 

Bent, Irving, Oakland, Sheridan, Stevenson, Washington, BJHS, BHS

l    Cleaning of buildings

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l    Fire and security alarm systems have been tested.

l    Preventive maintenance of heating and cooling equipment.

l    Basketball standards inspection completed.

 

     Mrs. Hill presented the Bloomington Public Schools Professional Development Plan.  In summary:

 

     Goals

n    Enhance teacher expertise in district goal areas.

n    Develop leadership and teaching skills, attitudes and behaviors necessary for the elimination of the achievement gap.

n    Prepare educators to provide effective intervention and special services for individual students.

n    Develop educator capacity to improve student achievement through the meaningful use of instructional technology.

n    To support the induction and training of new teachers in the district.

 

Basic Premises

n    Long-term professional development is necessary for meaningful change in instructional practices.

n     Professional development opportunities should be made available for professionals in all capacities relating to student instruction and/or student services.

n     District-wide professional development should be planned to meet district student achievement goals and the common needs of schools.

n    District-wide professional development funds from all sources should be allocated strategically to produce improved student achievement at all levels.

n    The professional development emphasis should be sustained for a period of 3 to 5 years to produce measurable achievement gains.

 

Professional Development Strands

Long-term professional development opportunities will be provided in four strands.  These strands will also be woven throughout workshop offerings and grade level meetings.  The strands apply to all grade levels and subject areas. 

n       Differentiated Instruction

n       Standards Aligned Classrooms/Assessment

n       Intervention/Special Services

n       Meaningful Use of Technology

 

Differentiated Instruction

Includes effectively assessing students and using information from assessments to plan and implement differentiated lessons that motivate students and cause each student to learn in the way he/she learns best.

 

Standard Aligned Classrooms/Assessment

Includes developing assessment literacy, understanding and effectively using the Illinois Learning Standards to plan quality instruction and working collaboratively to articulate the curriculum.

 

 

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Intervention and Special Services

Includes providing students with effective small group and individual instruction and short-term intervention in core areas as well as meeting the individual needs of students with a wide range of special needs.

 

Meaningful Use of Technology

Includes developing ways to integrate current technology into quality instruction in a meaningful way while maintaining the focus on raising student achievement.

 

Other Services

n    Professional Development Menu

n    Curriculum & Instruction Website

n    Grade Level Meetings (K – 5)

n    New Teacher PDS (K – 5)

n    Administrative Seminars

n    Other Requests

 

     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 and the BJHS Additions and Renovations Occupancy Application Permit) be approved.  Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”.  Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 8-23-06/1)

 

Dr. Nielsen stated that we will welcome students back tomorrow and it looks like we are off to a good start.

 

      It was moved by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Jackson, that the Resolution: Board of Education Policy 6.050: School Wellness; Board of Education Policy 7.193: Surveillance of Facilities and Grounds be approved.  Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”.  Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 8-23-06/2)

 

      It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Smith, that the Board go into Closed Session for the purpose of considering an action against, affecting or on behalf of the District that has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the District finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting; and to consider collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”.  Motion carried.

      

     There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Herrera adjourned the meeting.

 

APPPROVED:                          ATTEST:

 

 

______________________              ___________________________

President                           Secretary