MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

September 28, 2005            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, Mr. Keith Davis, Mrs. Millicent Roth, Mr. Uvaldo Herrera and Mr. John Dirks, Board President. Mr. John Hanson was absent.

 

Present from the administrative staff were Mrs. Sally Tucker, Mr. David Wood 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. Erik Stock, WJBC Radio Station.

    

Mr. Dirks stated that "In accordance with Section 17-1 of the School Code, the Board of Education will now hold a public hearing on the 2005-2006 budget for the Bloomington School District.

 

The District prepared a budget in tentative form for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006 which this Board reviewed at its August 17, 2005 meeting.

 

The tentative 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 budget was published in The Pantagraph on August 19, 2005.  The tentative 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 budget and the Board and members of the public will be given an opportunity to discuss the budget.

 

When all discussion has concluded, the public hearing will be adjourned.

 

At this time, Mr. Wood will present a summary of the budget.”

 

Mr. Wood summarized the changes to the 2005-06 Tentative Budget which was approved in August:

 

  • The Tentative Budget did not include salary increases pending conclusion of negotiations with the BEA and other bargaining units.  While these negotiations were recently concluded, one agreement has not yet been ratified and specific payroll changes are still being calculated.  Moreover, teachers have until the end of September to file for a change on the salary schedule because of educational achievement.  Because of these uncertainties, the Legal Budget includes only a general estimate of the impact of these negotiations.  These salary changes include:

      Education Fund                      $842,964

      Operations & Maintenance Fund       $104,605

 

  • There is one change in the IMRF/SS Fund Expenditure Estimate to reflect $58,600 in additional spending due to these salary changes.

 

 

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  • There is one change from the Tentative Budget in the Education Fund Revenue Estimate to reflect an additional $100,000 in federal Title I funds which the State Board notified the District of on August 28.  These funds will be used to increase the percentage of salary paid for from federal funds for the Title I teachers.

 

  • There is one change from the Tentative Budget in the Transportation Fund Expenditure Estimate to reflect an additional $31,300 for anticipated increases in the cost of gas/diesel fuel.

 

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

 

There was no discussion.

 

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

 

There was no discussion.

 

Mr. Dirks stated that “The Public Hearing is now concluded."

 

     It was moved by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Roth that the Board approve the Bloomington Educational Support Personnel (BESP) Contract for Program Assistants for 2005-2008. Upon a roll call vote all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.  (See with Original Minutes, Attachment

9-28-05/1)

 

     Dr. Nielsen asked the BESP representatives to come forward to sign the contract.

 

     Mr. Dirks thanked both negotiations teams for their work on this contract.

 

     Mr. Dirks presented the Minutes for approval.  It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mrs. Smith, that the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of Education held on August 31, 2005, the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of Education held on September 7, 2005, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education held on September 14, 2005 and the Closed Meeting of the Board of Education held on September 14, 2005 be approved.   Upon a roll call vote Mr. Dirks, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Roth and Mr. Davis voted “Aye”.  Mr. Herrera abstained from voting as he was not in attendance at the August 31, 2005 and the September 14, 2005 meetings.  Motion carried.

 

Mrs. Karen Monhardt, District 87 instrumental music teacher, introduced Bloomington Junior High School 6th grade orchestra student, Zari Gary, who has been awarded a Pratt Music Scholarship from Illinois Wesleyan University and will receive free, private viola lessons. Zari started playing the viola last year as a 5th grade student at Sheridan School.

 

Mr. Dirks congratulated Zari on her accomplishments and asked her and Mrs. Monhardt to come forward and receive congratulations from the Board.

 

Mrs. Jackson reminded everyone that the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) will be having their fall dinner  meeting on October 19, 2005 at Ridgeview High School in Colfax.

 

 

 

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Mrs. Roth stated that the Minority Teacher Recruitment Program (MTRP) recently awarded a scholarship to Mr. Edwin (Sarge) Sargent who is currently a Program Assistant for District 87.

 

Mrs. Roth stated that the Sesquicentenial (Sesqui) Committee is about to vote on a slogan for the Sesqui Event and asked anyone with suggestions for the slogan to send them to “webmasters” on the District website.

 

Mr. Dirks reminded everyone that this is Homecoming Week at Bloomington High School.

 

      Mrs. Diane Stempinski, Standard Aligned Classrooms (SAC) Facilitator, presented the following presentation on the Standard Aligned Classroom Program:  

 

District 87 History

          In 2002, SAC began as a comprehensive staff development initiative

          Funded by State Farm Foundation for Teacher Excellence Programs that improve teacher quality

          Goal to have all current teachers offered SAC opportunity at some level

 

What is Standards Aligned Classrooms (SAC)

          SAC offers a tested, research-based program for aligning classroom instruction and assessment with the Illinois Learning Standards

          Introduces proven strategies for student achievement through assessment

 

Across Illinois, the program:

          Instills educators with a greater sense of confidence in the classroom

          Accelerates student achievement and motivation

          Creates a more powerful learning experience for everyone involved

 

Goals:

  • Unpack Illinois Learning Standards into classroom-level targets.
  • Select aligned assessments.
  • Involve and motivate students by setting student-friendly learning targets.
  • Launch/participate on a Learning Team.

 

In District 87, the program:

·         Focuses on assessment awareness and development

·         Increases knowledge of the Illinois Learning Standards, Performance Descriptors and Assessment Frameworks

·         Consists of building and grade level based teams

 

Recipe for Success:

  • Learning Team approach
  • Meaningful curriculum
  • Administrative support
  • Trained coaches for facilitation

 

Learning Teams Consist of:

  • Small group of people (3-6 members)
  • Classroom teachers and a building administrator

 

 

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  • Regular meetings- 6 meetings Oct-March
  • Exploration of a topic of common interest
  • Processes of inquiry and collegial dialogue
  • Constructing and extending knowledge to improve practice
  • Promoting professionalism among staff members
  • Combating the isolation in teaching
  • Providing a safe environment for risk-taking and experimentation

 

Learning Teams:

 

 

Training Components

Awareness Plus Concept Understanding

 

 

Skill Attainment

 

Application/

Problem Solving

Presentation of Theory

 

85%

 

15%

 

5-10%

Modeling

85%

18%

5-10%

Practice and Low Risk Feedback

 

85%

 

80%

 

10-15%

Coaching

Study Teams

Peer Visits

 

90%

 

90%

 

80-90%

 

Meaningful Curriculum:

          Based on Illinois State Learning Standards, Performance Descriptors and Illinois Assessment Framework

          Richard Stiggins’ textbook, “Classroom Assessment for Student Learning: Doing it Right—Using it Well”

          Each member “unpacks” a learning standard for their classroom

 

Illinois Goals for Learning (1985)

Learning Standards (1997)

Benchmarks (1997)

Performance Descriptors (2003)

Illinois Assessment Frameworks (2004)

 

Administrative Support:

          All District 87 administrators have been trained

          Coordinate teams

          School Improvement Days/Institute Day

          Discussing with faculty the use of ILS in classroom

          Value classroom assessment

 

Coaches:

          Educational consultants meet with the Learning Teams on an ongoing basis to provide support and guidance.

-          Must be certified through State of Illinois SAC initiative

-          Only 30 qualified trainer/coaches in State of Illinois

  • Meet regularly with other coaches in State of Illinois for professional development

 

Attributes of a Coach:

  • Facilitation
  • Communication

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  • On-going Support
  • Moves Team Towards Self-direction  

·    Knowledge of Program and Materials

 

Coaches:

          Dana Karraker: 20 years in education, master’s candidate in Curriculum and Instruction

          Suzy Dees: Trainer for Mentoring and Induction, current District 87 teacher

          Diane Stempinski: 14 years w/District 87, National Consultant aha! Process

 

Elementary Structure:

Learning Teams:

-          Teachers voluntarily sign-up for SAC

-          One-day training

-          Six meetings

-          Classroom Assessments for Student Learning: Doing It Right-Using It Well” by Rick Stiggins, Judy Arter, Jan Chappuis and Steve Chappuis

 

BJHS Structure:

          Learning Teams 

          Two year Institute Day Schedule

          Year one focus: Curriculum and Assessment

          Year two focus: Vertical and Horizontal curriculum and assessment

 

BHS Structure:

          Year One: Learning Team

          Year Two: Curriculum and targets; departmental goals

          Year Three: Focus on departmental needs of assessment and curriculum

 

Teachers Trained in District:

          Elementary: 96% classroom teachers (excluding current first year teachers)

          BJHS: 100%

          BHS: 100%

 

          Perspective: In Illinois, 6000 teachers (excluding District 87) have been trained 2002-2005

 

Additional Projects:

          Curriculum books to all staff

          District wide assessment survey Spring 2005; repeat Spring 2006

          Grade level meetings focus on common assessments

          6-8 Vertical articulation through departments

          New Teachers receive two workshops on assessments and ILS

          SAC in Motion produced 50 weeks of aligned curriculum

          SAC II focus on four types of classroom assessments: Spring 2006

 

Mrs. Stempinski thanked the Board for allowing her to come to the Board Meeting and make her presentation.  She also wanted everyone to know how much she enjoys working on this project along with her colleagues.

 

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It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mrs. Roth, that the Consent Agenda (Personnel Report, Bills and Treasurer’s Report) be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”.  Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 9-28-05/2

 

     It was moved by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Jackson that the Board approve the District 87 Budget for 2005-06.  Upon a roll call vote Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Herrera, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Roth and Mr. Dirks voted “Aye”. Mr. Davis voted “Nay”, since he was opposed to the Bloomington Education Association (BEA) Contract for 2005-2008.  Motion carried.  (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 9-28-05/3)

 

     It was moved by Mrs. Roth, seconded by Mr. Herrera that the Board approve the Resolution: Board Policy 3.093: Optional Compensation Program for Educational Administrators and Directors.  Upon a roll call vote all Members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.  (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 9-28-05/4)

 

Mr. Mike Williams, President of the Bloomington/Normal National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Chapter, stated his concerns about the Achievement Gap in the District as well as the recent announcement of Bloomington Junior High School and Bloomington High School not making Average Yearly Progress.

 

Mr. Williams stated "The achievement gap isn't an African-American issue, Latino issue, low-income issue or special education issue, it's a District 87 issue, it's a student issue, it's a parenting issue, and it's a community issue. If one fails, we all fail.”

 

      Mr. Williams suggested the district share the School Improvement Plans for each building with parents, students and the community "so we have a clear understanding of how the achievement gap is going to be closed."

Mr. Dirks stated he applauded Mr. Williams’ remarks and he appreciated the spirit in which they were presented.

 

Mrs. Roth stated that many people are not aware of what No Child Left Behind (NCLB) means because they don't come to the board meetings or learn via the media.  She stated that she would like the Board to consider ways to educate people on the NCLB topic.

 

      It was moved by Mrs. Jackson, seconded by Mrs. Roth 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, Mr. Dirks adjourned the meeting.

 

APPPROVED:                                ATTEST:

 

 

 

                                   

                                   

___________________________               ___________________________

President                                 Secretary