Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of School District 157, Cook

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT 157, COOK COUNTY, HELD AT THE

ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER ON THE 18th DAY OF DECEMBER 2012

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Natalie Barnes, and upon roll call the following attendance was noted:

Present:Natalie Barnes

Charles Garcia

Eric Gibson

John Kresich

Absent:Kelsy Cowley

Tonya Reed

Annie Wade

Mrs. Reed arrived at 7:37 p.m.

Also present were: Dr. Michele Morris, Superintendent; Dr. Raymond LaPorte, Interim Business Manager; Dr. Bennie Knott, Schrum School Principal; Dr. Shernita Mays, Hoover School Principal; Mrs. Dana Ash, Schrum School Assistant Principal; Mrs. Shirley Creamer-Taylor, Hoover School Assistant Principal; Mrs. Cynthia Revels-Young, Special Services Coordinator; Mr. Joe Kekelik, Director of Buildings and Grounds; Ms. Lisa Penn, Schrum School Teacher; and Mr. Nick Manousopoulos, Calumet City Alderman.

APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Motion was made by Mr. Garcia, seconded by Mr. Kresich,to approve the minutes of the regular and executive session meeting held on November 27, 2012. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Barnes, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich; Nays none; motion carried.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE SCHOOLS

Hoover School

The Hoover School Teacher/Student Mentoring Program has been flourishing. There are thirty staff members that signed up to be a mentor to a student. The one on one attention for the targeted “Red Tier” students has shown favorable benefits, such as decreases in inappropraite behavior.

The Hoover School No Bullying Campaign has started. The students write letters to each other - “Letters To My Peers” – which explain how bullying makes them feel. The letters are read three times a week during the morning announcements at Hoover School. Classroom teachers use the writing assignment as another opportunity to discuss anti- bullying at Hoover School.

In addition, the Hoover School teachers are engaging the students in after-school activities such as: Computer Club, Book Club, Newspaper Club, Library Club and Volleyball. The Hoover School Newspaper Club produces an issue once a month, and the Computer Club will use their activities as a springboard for their Technology Fair projects.

On December 13, 2012, Hoover School will present their Winter Program at 6:30 p.m. and on Thursday, December 20th the Winter Concert will take place at 9:00 a.m.

Schrum School

Map testing has been completed at Schrum School. Although there were some technology issues, the Schrum School staff was able to work through the glitches and help each other to complete the testing. Gratitude was expressed to everyone for their assistance in getting the job done!

Schrum School is conducting volleyball tryouts on December 11ththrough December 13th.

Dance tryouts were held on Monday, December 10th and the Dance Team will be chosen later in the week. The Dance Team is a new extracurricular activity at Schrum School.

The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sponsored a seminar on Saturday, December 1st at Schrum School. They met with 18 female students and conducted a presentation on personal hygiene, confidence and self-esteem.

Eight Schrum School students were honored with a Student of the Month luncheon provided by Superintendent Dr. Michele Morris. The students dined on pizza, chips and pop and had a marvelous time.

The T. F. North Band visited the Schrum School students on Thursday, November 29th to show them the magic and excitement of a complete show.

Six students were chosen at Schrum School, using PBIS tickets, for a “Bring a Friend Pizza and Ice Cream Party”.

The Schrum School students will be purchasing Candy Cane Grams for a holiday greeting to one another during lunch hours. The Candy Grams will be given out on the morning of the Christmas Kickoff.

Schrum School students volunteered to help out at the Winter Special Olympics on Saturday, December 9th. This was an opportunity for the 8th grade students who were not in Rotary Club or Student Council to accumulate service points.

Once again,the Schrum School Student Council sponsored a food drive, donating all the food to a food pantry to fill baskets for Calumet City families who may need extra help during the holiday season. The winning homerooms for each grade level were treated to a Subway lunch for all their hard work.

The winning homerooms were: 6th grade – Mrs. Kimes

7th grade – Mr. Wachukwu

8th grade – Mrs. Quinlisk

Dr. Morris shared with the Board of Education members that Schrum School students won first place in the Newberry Reading Bowl.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Hoover School

Hoover-Schrum held a PTO meeting on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Five parents and seven staff members attended the meeting. The group is preparing for upcoming events such as the Winter Dance at Schrum School and the Sweetheart Dance at Hoover School.

Letters have gone out to our parents who have recently been fingerprinted. One of Hoover School’s male parents has volunteered to mentor one of our troubled students on a weekly basis.

Schrum School

Schrum School parents have been supporting the boy’s basketball teams for our home and away games. Go Spartans!!

Also, some parents have joined us for the T. F. North band presentations.

Schrum School is looking forward to parents joining them for the Band and Chorus program on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

Schrum School parents were invited to attend the PTO meeting at Hoover School on Monday, December 3, 2012.

PRESENTATION OF LETTER OF COMMENDATION FOR ALDERMAN NICK MANOUSOPOULOS

Natalie Barnes, Board of Education President, presented a Letter of Commendation to Alderman Nick Manousopoulos to thank him for his outstanding and constant support and service to Hoover-Schrum Memorial School District 157. Alderman Nick Manousopoulos expressed that he was honored by our gesture of appreciation.

COMMENTS FROM VISITORS

No comments were made by visitors.

IMPREST FUND

The Board of Education reviewed the Imprest Fund Report from November 17, 2012 through December 14, 2012.

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

Motion was made by Mr. Garcia, seconded by Mr. Kresich,to approve the consent agenda for items VIII.A.2, VIII.A.3, and VIII.A.4. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Barnes, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich; Nays none; motion carried.

VIII.A.2Approve Payrolls for November 9, 2012 and November 21, 2012, Totaling $543,249.05

VIII.A.3Approve Bills in the Amount of $288,226.55

VIII.A.4Approve the 2nd Reading and Adoption of PRESS – May, 2012

Motion was made by Mr. Garcia, seconded by Mr. Kresich, to approve consent agenda items VIII.A.2, VIII.A.3, and VIII.A.4. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Barnes, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich; Nays none; motion carried.

APPROVE THE 2012 TAX LEVY IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,838,588

Motion was made by Mr. Garcia, seconded by Mr. Kresich, to approve the 2012 Tax Levy in the amount of $7,838,588. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Barnes, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich; Nays none; motion carried.

APPROVE THE DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN REQUIRED ASSESSMENT OF INDICATORS AS PRESENTED

Dr. Morris shared with the Board of Education members that the Illinois State Board of Education requires the Board of Education of all school districts to approve the district’s progress in meeting the State’s expectations regarding the assessment of the indicators as required in the District Improvement Plan. Dr. Morris provided a highlighted set of the indicators that were assessed by the District Improvement Team and the School Improvement Teams. For each indicator the level of implementation of that practice was evaluated by the teams and identified as full implementation, partial implementation or no implementation. Dr. Morris reported that the schools needed to access 25 indicators and the District needed to access 20 indicators. She shared that most of the indicators that they assessed were identified as partially implemented. There were no indicators identified as no implementation. Mrs. Barnes asked Dr. Morris to share a few of the indicators that were fully implemented and partially implemented. Motion was made by Mr. Garcia, seconded byMr. Gibson, to approve the District Improvement Plan required assessment of indicators as presented. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Barnes, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich; Nays none; motion carried.

PRESENTATION BY DR. MORRIS ON 2012 – 2013 ASSESSMENT DATA: ISAT COHORT DATA, AIMSWEB DATA, AND MAP ASSESSMENT DATA

Dr. Morris conducted a presentation for the Board of Education that focused on the AimsWeb Data and the MAP Assessment Data. Dr. Morris shared with the Board of Education members that the kindergarten students have not been administered the MAP assessments. They will begin to participate in the MAP assessment program in January. Mrs. Barnes asked if the 5th grade students who scored low on AimsWeb and MAP are participating in the After School and Saturday School programs. Dr. Mays confirmed that the aforementioned students are enrolled in the supportive programs. Dr. Mays also shared with the Board of Education members that the 4th grade group has the largest number of Special Education students. She also shared that Dr. Chang has been meeting with each grade level and conducting 2 hour workshops.

SCHOOL SAFETY PROCEDURES AND DISTRICT CRISIS PLAN

Dr. Morris shared information with the Board of Education members relative to the District School Safety Procedures and Crisis Plan. She shared that due to the horrific actions that occurred at Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday morning, a few parents have called to inquire about the safety and welfare of the students and staff members of Hoover-Schrum Memorial School District 157. She shared specific actions that the District has taken to minimize risks and to keep our schools safe. Dr. Morris reported that an all call message was sent to all families in the district, and a letter was sent home with the students on Monday, outlining some of the steps the district will take to minimize risks and to keep our schools safe. Some of the steps that were included in the letter were:

• The District Crisis Plan is reviewed and revised by administrators and staff members (The District Crisis Plan Team) who work together to enhance the security and safety practices used in the schools.
• This school year, a representative from the district’s insurance company, Gallagher Bassett, is working with the District Crisis Plan Team to provide valuable input and guidance related to school safety.
• Safety drills, including lockdown drills, are practiced by staff and students.
• The Calumet City Police Department will work with our district to assist us in the practice of lockdown drills.
• The Calumet City Fire Department assists our schools in the practice of the fire and evacuation drills.
• Our schools are equipped with interior and exterior video surveillance which is accessible to all administrators within the district.
• Entry into our schools is controlled and monitored by the office personnel.
• Each school year, we implement enhanced strategies to help keep our students and staff members safe.
• A “safe-haven evacuation site has been established for each school as follows:

• Hoover School will evacuate to Calumet City Bible Church located at 1345 Superior Avenue, Calumet City, IL 60409. (District Office has also served as an evacuation site for Hoover School in the past in inclement weather).
• Schrum School will evacuate to Our Lady of Knock Church located at 501 – 163rd Street in Calumet City, IL 60409.

The letter also included suggestions for parents to use as they talk to their children about the tragedy at Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Also, during the regularly scheduled District Leadership Team meeting, the District Crisis Plan and School Safety measures were the primary focus of the meeting. In addition, Dr. Morris met with Mr. Joe Kekelik, Director of Buildings and Grounds,to review the safety/security procedures of Hoover School and Schrum School. Joe Kekelik will meet with each grade level team in the next few days to review the safety/security procedures and address the issues that the staff may have.

Mr. Gibson shared that in talking to his daughters they reported that some of the students do not take the drills seriously that are practiced in school. Dr. Mays said that the teaching staff will need to reinforce to the students by using their serious voice that the drills that are practiced for their safety are very important and are conducted to keep them safe.

SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE REPORT – INFORMATIONAL

Mrs. Natalie Barnes shared her concern about the inadequate amount of Internet bandwidth at Hoover School and Schrum School. Dr. Morris reported that Rose Jordan has shared that she is working with A T & T and Comcast to remedy this situation. Currently we are paying an additional $200.00 a month for additional bandwidth. That will be remedied in this year’s filing of the e-rate plan.

RESIDENCY UPDATE – INFORMATIONAL

Dr. Morris shared with the Board of Education members that at the beginning of the 2012 – 2013 school year, Mr. Paul Ritchie investigated the status of students whose residency was questionable. Mr. Ritchie provided a chart for the Board of Education members relative to the residency status of the investigations he has conducted, thus far. At the current time, each school has only 1 additional student in need of a residency investigation. Dr. Morris shared with the Board of Education members that compared to previous school years, there is a substantial improvement in the number of students who are suspected to be non-residents of the district. She continued to say the need for residency investigations has decreased significantly, due to the hard work and efforts that were executed in this area last school year.

SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES UPDATE – INFORMATIONAL

Dr. Morris shared information with the Board of Education members relative to the various vendors who are currently providing Supplemental Educational Services for the students of Hoover School and Schrum School. She shared that on the night of the November 27, 2012 Board of Education meeting, a panic-stricken parent arrived at Hoover School looking for her first grade daughter. The parent rushed to Hoover School when an employee at the daycare told her that her daughter did not show up at their facility because she was at an after-school program at Hoover School. Fortunately, this occurred on the same night as the Board of Education meeting and Mrs. Shirley Creamer-Taylor was still in the building. She assisted the parent by immediately contacting the SES provider, Jeremi Learning. It was then discovered that Jeremi Learning had taken her child, without permission from the parent, to their facility in Hammond, Indiana. Mrs. Creamer-Taylor directed Jeremi Learning to bring the child back to Hoover School. When notified of this incident, Dr. Morris immediately contacted the Illinois State Board of Education. As a result, the SES director at the Illinois State Board of Education immediately contacted Jeremi Learning and directed them to cease services until the investigation was completed. Jeremi Learning has been advised that due to their lack of inadequate insurance liability information, they will now only be able to provide services on site at Hoover School. Several Board of Education members questioned why we are required to continue to allow Jeremi Learning to provide services for our students. Dr. Morris shared that since they are an approved provider, the State will need to further investigate our report.

APPROVE DISTRICT CLOSING ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND NEW YEAR’S EVE

Dr. Morris shared with the Board of Education members that during the 2010 – 2011 and the 2011 – 2012 school years, the District Office was closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve due to the fact that Christmas Day and New Year’s Day occurred during the weekend. When the holidays occurred on the weekend, the secretaries and the Buildings and Grounds staff were able to spend Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with their families, without being required to use a release day or a vacation day. This year Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve will occur on a Monday, and most of the Buildings and Grounds staff and the secretaries are using a release day or a vacation day to spend the holiday with their families. Upon further investigation, Dr. Morris and Dr. LaPorte have discovered that many districts are closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. As a result, Dr. Morris is recommending that the Board of Education consider approving that the District be closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve annually. Motion was made by Mr. Garcia, seconded by Mrs. Reed, to approve the District closing on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve annually. Upon roll call the following members voted Aye: Barnes, Garcia, Gibson, Kresich, Reed; Nays none; motion carried.