BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
SUMMARY OF THE BATAVIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 101
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
November 15, 2011
Prepared by JoAnne Walker
Administrative Assistant
Board of Education Regular Meeting
· Kindergarten Report
Chief Academic Officer Newkirk discussed the administration’s recommendation to authorize the elimination of the After School Enrichment Program (AESP) for the 2012-2013 school year. Given the administration’s and Board of Education’s goal to increase student achievement of special populations by 5%, AESP should be discontinued and alternative interventions for students who are at-risk should be put in place.
Board Members discussed the various options and Superintendent Barshinger clarified that there are two issues. First, the Board needs to authorize the development of a full day kindergarten program for at risk students. Second, the administration is recommending that the district work with other agencies or government bodies to create a partnership which would provide an extended day program for those students wanting to remain in the building all day. Board Member Hinterlong emphasized that these partners should focus on literacy, numerical skills and provide enrichment. This would not be a time for just play. The majority of the Board Members believed that this option was a good alternative to the current After School Enrichment Program. The administration will also look at reinstating the specials teachers into the kindergarten program.
The Board of Education voted to eliminate the After School Enrichment Program for the 2012-2013 school year and direct the administration to look into developing a full day program for At-Risk students.
The Board of Education also voted to direct the administration to present a plan for incorporating specials back into the kindergarten program and the associated costs.
Further, the Board of Education voted to direct the administration to look into developing a partnership for an After School Enrichment Program.
· School Report Card
Chief Academic Officer Newkirk discussed the student performance data for 2011 and compared it to local and national benchmarks. When comparing Batavia with local benchmark districts, including Naperville 203, Indian Prairie 204, Barrington 220, St. Charles 303, Wheaton 200, Elmhurst 205 and Geneva 304, the overall composite scores among the districts show very little variance. In the ACT composite, Batavia has shown a steady increase since 2007. Mr. Newkirk concluded that the number of AP tests and AP courses offered at BHS since 2008 has steadily increased.
· 2011 Levy
Assistant Superintendent Monn discussed the proposed 2011 Levy. The proposed levy calls for a 4.83% increase over the 2010 extension, which is below the 5% threshold for the Truth in Taxation Act.
Final numbers will not be known until the EAV is established in March. Realistically, Superintendent Barshinger stated that the actual revenue increase may come in around 1.67%. Mr. Monn reviewed the recommended levy amounts for each fund. A vote on the Levy will be taken at the December meeting.
· IASB Resolutions Review/Evaluation
Board Members had reviewed the IASB resolutions and provided input to the IASB Delegate Jack Hinterlong. They also discussed the need for a Board Self-Evaluation. The last one was completed in 2008. Board Members agreed to engage the Illinois Association of School Boards to facilitate the process.
In the Consent Agenda the Board Approved the Following:
· Approval of minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 25, 2011 and the Special Meetings of October 11, 2011, October 12, 2011 and October 25, 2011.
· Approval of the net payrolls in the amount of $1,196,419.19 for October 31, 2011 and November 15, 2011 in the amount of $1,097,197.69.
Education Fund $266,534.23
Food Service $535.00
Drivers Ed $650.66
Foundation $3,977.54
Grants/Donations $9,832.72
Special Education $137,592.88
Operations and Maintenance Fund $226,718.64
Debt Service Fund $5,679.57
Transportation Fund $523,716.72
I.M.R. Fund $79,593.14
FICA $80,080.90
Site/Construction $731,196.63
Fire Prevention & Safety $0.00
Total of above: $2,066,108.63
· Approval of the October 2011 Treasurer’s Report as presented.
· Personnel
Resignation-Classified Staff
Lisa Cowperthwait
· Approval of the destruction of the audio tapes of the Closed Session Meetings of May 11, 2010 and May 25, 2010.
· Approval of the following Closed Session Minutes and further recommending these minutes remain closed: October 25, 2011.
· Freedom of Information Act Requests:
On October 25, 2011, the district received a request from Chris Hunecke asking for the “specials” curriculum for Visual Arts, Music and P. E. He also requested a copy of the 5-day schedules for all kindergarten classes in the district.
On November 1, 2011, the district received a request from Mary Jo Le asking for copies of district information concerning current student transportation policies and procedures for special needs students and the total number of students who take district transportation to and from school.
· Approval of the donation of $1,500, from the estate of Marilyn Robinson, for the LRCs at Batavia High School, Hoover-Wood School, Louise White School, Alice Gustafson School and J. B. Nelson School.
· Approval of the donation to Louise White School in the amount of $500 from BP on behalf of the Grizzell family to support the After School Reading Program and approval of the donation in the amount of $100 from T. Lillian Wickramsekera to be used to create a fund for students in crisis.
· Approval of the donation of a used drum set, given by Kathryn and Ezra Siegel, to the K-5 music classroom.
· Approval of the lease with Sovereign Leasing LLC for four multifunctional activity buses, with an annual lease payment of $27,392, as presented.
The Board of Education adjourned to Closed Session at 9:09 p.m. to hear information on Collective Bargaining and Personnel. They returned to Open Session at 10:40 p.m. and adjourned.
~Always learning.~
~~Always growing.~
