District 63 Board Meeting Highlights

Highlights from the rest of the meeting (continued from ).

7:15 p.m. - Board members comment on observing student teachers.

• Jane Wojtkiewicz, president:  "What we're trying to do is to each take a turn at the different schools to be that observer. I did that at Stevenson, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I enjoyed it so much, I'm going to go do it at another school." 

7:20 p.m. - In the interest of saving money, the Board sent only two of its members to the national School Board Conference this year. 

• Walter Gluzkin, board member: "I learned about collaborating with other local schools. It was an innovative approach to saving money but also building relationships with other schools."
• John Jekot, board member: "It was a little disappointing because a lot of what they presented was a repeat of different sessions. I expressed my concerns through email. Besides that, it was very informational."
• Jekot also listened to a presentation from former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice: "What was unfortunate was that, I guess there are hecklers who follow her around, and she did get interrupted about four times. They had to escort the people out." 

7:30 p.m. - The recent elections had no change on the current board members; Gluzkin, Jekot, Janet Kaczkowski and Tom Simmons ran uncontested and were all re-elected to another term.

• Wojtkiewicz: "I just want to say thanks for giving us another four years. It's very important work that you all do, and I for one am happy you did want to keep on going with us." 

7:40 p.m. - Supt. Scott Clay presented a list of suggestions to enhance the district's first-response program in case of emergency. "The list is getting small because we try to get as many of them done each year as possible," he said.

• Complete an online course for incident management
• Explore ways to enhance sprinklers in schools. "This has been on our list for a while, but it's quite cost prohibitive," Clay said. "It's in the millions of dollars to have that done."
• Updates to lockdown procedures
• Label maps with areas in schools where there are disabled staff/students

7:50 p.m. - Mary Meduna, director of special services, presented a profile of the district's special education program based on numbers gathered from the 2009-10 school year.

• The district was on par with others with 495 students (about 14 percent) in an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• One cause for concern: 20 percent of the district's students are Hispanic, but 30 percent of those in an IEP are Hispanic. "I'm not sure what we're going to do about this, but I think this is something to note," Meduna said.

8:05 p.m.

• Kaczkowski: "I'm really, really happy to see this coming along. Is there any data concerning social aspects [of the special education results]? Less bullying of these kids, more acceptance?" 
• Meduna: "There are studies that shows as kids are included at an earlier age, the students around them become more accepting and understanding of their needs. and as they get older, that peer group becomes the protector group." 

As part of its action items, the Board discussed adjusting bell times as follows:

Gemini: 7:30 a.m. to 2:28 p.m.

Apollo, Stevenson and Mark Twain: 8:25 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Washington, Melzer and Nelson: 8:55 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

However, such an adjustment is a fairly complicated endeavor, so the Board waited to approve it while it explores the matter further. The move, which would allow buses to share routes for schools that are close together, would save an estimated $240,000 annually, though it was initially projected to save around $350,000.

The Board approved the resignations of the following non-certified staff:

• Cynthia Golata, ALE Teacher Assistant
• Margaret Gillespie, Bookkeeper

The Board approved retirement resolutions for the following staff:

• Karen Weitzman, executive administrative assistant
• Cheryl Rosen, early childhood
• Lynn Esposito, Gemini teacher
• Tom Norquist, Gemini teacher
• John McLaughlin, Gemini teacher
• Eva Perelgut, Mark Twain teacher
• Karen Hillman, Nelson teacher
• Karen Morris, Nelson teacher
• Helen O'Connell, Nelson teacher
• Gayle Stein, Nelson teacher

The Board approved the appointment of the following staff members:

• Jessica Holm, first- and second-grade teacher
• Debbie Piazza, executive administrative assistant

The full agenda for Wednesday's meeting can be found on the district's website.