BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
SUMMARY OF THE BATAVIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 101
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
October 25, 2011
Prepared by JoAnne Walker
Administrative Assistant
Board of Education Regular Meeting
· School Report Card
Chief Academic Officer Newkirk began a three-part presentation on the 2011 Report Card. Tonight was an overview of the ISAT, PSAE and IAA results and using performance data for school improvement. The two areas of focus are reading and math. Students in grades 3-8 take the ISAT test and students in grade 11 take the Prairie State Achievement Test.
Mr. Newkirk discussed the students’ current reading and current math performance as well as their performance over the last three years. The overall current reading performance for the district is 88.4 meeting or exceeding expectations. In math it is 91.7. Generally, students in grade 11 score lower with 70.6 in reading and 77.6 in math.
Mr. Newkirk spoke about the need for districts to increase their benchmark scores mandated by the federal legislation No Child Left Behind. “There is lots of discussion regarding NCLB and we don’t know where it is headed, but we use it for continuous improvement.” One of the benefits of the NCLB act is that it has made districts focus more attention on those students in subgroups, i.e. low income, LEP, etc. Board Member Resek noted that 80% of the schools in the state did not meet AYP.
· Kindergarten
Chief Academic Officer Newkirk reviewed the administration’s recommendation to eliminate the After School Enrichment Program for the 2012-13 school year but still allow full day kindergarten for identified special populations. One of the district’s goals is to increase student performance in all subgroups by 5% each year. Offering a full day program for students in need of readiness prepared for first grade would align the kindergarten to the district goal.
The Board of Education discussed the advantages and disadvantages of continuing the program on a tuition basis. With the change in calculating the state aid formula and budget cuts, the program is no longer cost effective for the district. The Board will re-visit this issue at the November meeting with possible action at that time.
In the Consent Agenda the Board Approved the Following:
· Approval of minutes of the Regular Meetings of September 13, 2011 and September 27, 2011 and the Special Meetings of September 21, September 27 and September 29, 2011.
· Approval of the net payrolls in the amount of $1,109,644.66 for September 30, 2011 and October 15, 2011 in the amount of $1,095,354.41.
Education Fund $326,214.50
Food Service $144,690.93
Drivers Ed $517.36
Summer School $.00
Foundation $6,757.38
Grants $12,239.97
Special Education $397,255.40
Operations and Maintenance Fund $300,190.76
Debt Service Fund $7,056.37
Transportation Fund $92,698.28
I.M.R. Fund $73,517.61
FICA $77,685.91
Capital Projects Fund $1,452,087.32
Total of above: $2,890,911.79
· Approval of the August and September Treasurer’s Report as presented.
· Personnel
Employment-Classified
Kyle Brown
Melisa Mansour
· Approval toaccept the mandated Annual Administrative Salary & Benefit Report and direct the administration to post it on the district’s website.
· Approval of the destruction of the audio tapes of the Closed Session Meetings of April 27, 2010 and April 29, 2010.
· Approval of the following Closed Session Minutes and further recommending these minutes remain closed: September 13, 2011, September 27, 2011 and September 29, 2011.
· Freedom of Information Act Requests:
On September 22, 2011, the district received a Freedom of Information Request from Diane Cooper asking for a certified copy of the payment bond for the Project at Rotolo Middle School involving McCann Industries vs. T. Manning.
On September 22, 2011, the district received a request from Mary Jo Lee with a number of questions concerning the district’s transportation carrier, Illinois Central.
On October 5, 2011, the district received a request from Jeff Frost requesting certified payroll for the interior and exterior concrete and construction work performed at H. C. Storm School in July 2011.
On October 6, 2011 the district received a Freedom of Information request from Ellen Knautz regarding information on the percentage of students in the district who are eligible for free/reduced lunch for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years.
On October 7, 2011 the district received a request from Lauren Bartow regarding questions about Ms. Prusko’s class and the procedure for students to drop a course.
· Approval of the cash donation to Rotolo Middle School of $1,500 from the estate of Marilyn Robinson.
· Approval of the RMS field trip to Platteville, Wisconsin to participate in the “Women in Engineering Career Day”.
· Approval for Batavia High School to accept a donation in the amount of $3,000 from an anonymous donor for dance scholarships and a donation in the amount of $500 from Len and Nancy Monson for the Developing Opportunities Program.
· Approval to put the BHS textbook Century 21 Accounting on public display for one month to seek input from the public.
· Approval to place the 2011 School and District Report Cards on public display on our website.
· Approval to authorize the administration to reimburse Mooseheart in an amount not to exceed $46,230 for storm sewer improvements needed to correct issues with the BHS Main Street retention pond.
· Approval to authorize the superintendent and staff to begin developing the FY13 Budget.
· Approval to authorize the disposal of surplus property as presented.
· Approval of the following policies for first reading and adoption:
2:160 Board Attorney
2:200 Types of Board of Education Meetings
2:220 Board of Education Meeting Procedure
3:70 Succession of Authority
5:170 Copyright
7:300 Concussion Information Sheet
Board Members discussed the option of seven new course proposals at Batavia High School for the 2012-13 school year. The administration is seeking approval of these courses to move ahead with the planning process. The courses will come back to the Board of Education for curriculum final approval.
Board Member Purpura and President Link are concerned with the cost of the new courses. However, other Board Members disagreed and stated that the administration is following the direction that the Board asked, which is to increase rigor in the academic classes. They are also in favor of those courses which are cost neutral. Board Members approved proceeding with the development of the courses to gauge student’s interest.
The Board of Education adjourned to Closed Session at 9:27 p.m. to hear information on Student Discipline and Personnel. They returned to Open Session at 11:02 p.m. and acted to uphold the suspension for student #11574. They adjourned at 11:03 p.m.
