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Upcoming Meetings
Special Board Meeting (Board Member Seating and Board Reorganization)
May 1, 2017
6:00 p.m.
Roosevelt Middle School
Library Learning Center
2nd Floor
Tri-Board Meeting/Town Hall Forum
7:00 p.m.
Roosevelt Middle School
Multi-Purpose Room
May 15, 2017
7:30 p.m.
Roosevelt Middle School
Library Learning Center
2nd Floor
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Board of Education
Meeting Highlights
Presented by:
Mr. Ralph Martire, District 90 Board President
Dr. Edward Condon, Superintendent
The Board of Education meeting was called to order by Board Vice President Anne Gottlieb at 7:45 p.m. in the Roosevelt Middle School Library Learning Center.
Anne Gottlieb, Roman Ebert, Barb Hickey,
Rich Moore, and Stacey Williams were present.
David Latham and Ralph Martire were absent. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Below is a summary of the Board of Education meeting highlights. Board Packets containing meeting details are posted on the
District 90 website
prior to each meeting. Full meeting minutes will be posted on the website once approved.
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Recognize Visitors and Public Comments
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Approval of Agenda
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Board members approved the agenda.
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Communications
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There were no notices or communications.
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Cole, a 7th grade student at Roosevelt, provided an update about activities and classroom instruction at the school. For example, he explained that 5th grade students are learning about immigration and studying ancient Greece and Mesopotamia. Students in grade 6 are learning about the processes of the body and microorganisms, while also studying east Asia. Seventh grade students are learning about the Civil War and studying for the U.S. Constitution exam. Eighth grade students are learning about pollution's effect on earth as well as the development of the Cold War.
Two 3rd grade students at Lincoln, Isa and Lincoln, presented an iMovie about why Lincoln is a "fine, fine school." The iMovie and the students' accompanying commentary presented a view of learning in all grades. For example, Kindergarten students are studying push/pull levers, while 1st graders are learning about weather and the importance of place value in arithmetic. Second grade students are collecting and graphing data, while 3rd graders are designing apps for the Apple store. Students in 4th grade participated in the math curriculum pilot and are studying fractions. All students at Lincoln, from Kindergarten to 4th grade, are working on persuasive writing.
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Consent Agenda
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Board members approved the Consent Agenda, which included Minutes from the Board of Education Meeting on March 20, 2017;
Committee of the Whole Meeting on April 4, 2017; Payrolls; Orders Relating to Payrolls; Bills; and Treasurer's Report.
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Board Committees
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Education
Rich Moore reported that there had not been an Education Committee meeting since the last Board of Education meeting.
The Personnel Report would be discussed later in the meeting.
Policy
Stacey Williams stated that the First Reading of several policies would be discussed later in the meeting.
Finance/Equity
For finance, there was nothing to report. It was also reported that the next meeting of the Equity Committee will be April 18.
Facilities
Roman Ebert stated that there was nothing to report.
Communications
Barb Hickey reported that a meeting in connection with the River Forest Sub-Committee on Collaboration is scheduled with Dr. Condon and Dawne Simmons, Communications and Community Outreach Coordinator. Ms. Hickey also explained that Jasculca Terman
Strategic Communic
ations is working with Village of River Forest administrators on developing a communications strategy. The Sub-Committee members are considering joining together to pool calendar information on one website, which will enable the members to broaden the reach of their communication messages.
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District Calendar Review
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Dr. Condon reported about several upcoming events and activities. The activities included the Roosevelt Cultural Extravaganza on April 21; the incoming 5th grade parent meeting on April 25; the Chorus and Recorder concert at Willard on May 2; and the Tri-Board Meeting/Town Hall Forum on May 1 that will address educational equity. A
dditional information can be viewed in the Board Packet.
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Outside Organization Meetings
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Council of Governments - Ralph Martire
The next meeting of the Council of Governments is scheduled for May 12.
OPRFHS Community Council - Rich Moore
Rich Moore reported about an OPRFHS initiative that is seeking to transition more students into AP classes. A survey identified about 245 students who had the potential to be successful in AP courses, with 160 of those students agreeing to take one AP class this coming year. Mr. Moore also discussed some of the supportive services to help those students succeed in AP courses. The next meeting is scheduled for May 11.
Youth Network Council - Barb Hickey
Barb Hickey reported that the Youth Network Council's interventionists have noticed several students at the RF Public Library after school who may benefit from the Council's services. There was a discussion about a noticeable growth of homelessness in Oak Park and the use of Xanax at OPRFHS. Ms. Hickey also discussed the upcoming Parent Forum at the Whittier School in Oak Park about preventing underage drinking.
The next meeting of the Youth Network Council will be May 11.
District PTO Council - Barb Hickey
Barb Hickey reported that the PTO Council meets on April 21.
Inclusiveness Advisory Board - Anne Gottlieb, Stacey Williams
The next meeting of the Inclusiveness Advisory Board is scheduled for May 10.
River Forest Service Club - David Latham, Roman Ebert
There was nothing to report. The next meeting is scheduled for April 20.
Citizen Corps Council - Roman Ebert
Roman Ebert reported that there had not been any meetings because the new Executive Director is getting ready for the Memorial Day holiday, which is the Citizen Corp's major event. The next meeting is still to be scheduled.
West Cook Governing Board (IASB) - Ralph Martire
The next meeting of of the West Cook Governing Board (IASB) is scheduled for June 20.
ED-RED - Ralph Martire
The next ED-RED meeting is scheduled for June 2.
River Forest Subcommittee on Collaboration - Barb Hickey
Barb Hickey reported that the River Forest Subcommittee on Collaboration's March meeting addressed the need to share information among the Subcommittee organizations. Consultants from Jasculca Terman Strategic Communic
ations have submitted a proposal to help Subcommittee members work with the Village. The consultants have proposed that Subcommittee organizations create a common calendar and conduct a survey in order to better ascertain what residents want and need to know about the groups. The date for the next meeting is April 19.
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Superintendent's Report
Action Items
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Approval - National Equity Project Agreement, 2017-18
Dr. Condon presented the National Equity Project (NEP) Agreement for renewal with District 90. The proposal included facilitating equity institutes for administrators and faculty members, reviewing data for equity implications, and supporting the District's efforts on behalf of Universal Design for Learning. The Board of Education approved the NEP agreement.
More information is available in the
Board Packet.
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Superintendent's Report
Informational Items
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Policy, March 2017 - First Reading
Dr. Condon and Stacey Williams presented several policies for First Reading. The policies addressed a variety of issues including board member conflict of interest, succession of authority, maintaining student discipline, and teaching about religions.
More information is available in the
Board Packet.
ASBO Certificate of Excellence Award
Dr. Condon informed Board members that the District received the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence for the high quality of the District's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Dr. Condon complimented Anthony Cozzi, Director of Finance and Facilities, and his team for their efforts in receiving this recognition. Dr. Condon also reported that this is the 24th time the District has received this recognition. Additional information is available in the
Board Packet
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Welcoming Community Status
Stacey Williams presented information about school districts adopting "Welcoming Community" status for consideration by the Board of Education. Ms. Williams also reported that she has heard anecdotes of children in Oak Park and River Forest who were afraid of being deported. She cited several local school districts including Chicago Public Schools, Oak Park District 97, and OPRFHS District 200 that have adopted language supporting inclusive families. Ms. Williams requested an open discussion among Board members with the eventual goal of working with District attorneys to draft a resolution for the Board's for consideration.
D90/River Forest Community Center Preschool Partnership
Dr. Condon explained that the Blended Preschool at Willard is at capacity with a wait list. The District is planning to enter into an agreement with the RF Community Center (RFCC) to provide instruction for qualified students with special needs who will attend the Community Center's preschool program. Dr. Condon explained that the agreement represents a creative solution that offers students optimal learning conditions and the chance to establish a stronger partnership with the RFCC Early Childhood Program. He complimented Karen Boozell, Director of Special Education, and Dick Chappelle, RF Community Center Executive Director, for this innovative solution.
Enrollments
Dr. Condon reported that enrollment data had not changed substantially since the March Board of Education meeting. He will continue to monitor the class sizes in preparation for the coming year.
May 1, 2017 Town Hall Forum (COW) Meeting Format
Dr. Condon provided an update on the Town Hall Forum that will be held in conjunction with the Oak Park District 97 and OPRFHS District 200. He thanked the Boards of Education of the two Districts and their Superintendents for supporting the Tri-Board meeting format. Dr. Condon is working with the other Districts to ensure that the Forum agenda complies with the requirements for multi-Board concurrent meetings and is properly structured to meet the goals of the event. There is the possibility that a representative from the state Board of Education (BOE) will offer greetings to the assembly. The Forum will enable the Districts to share information about their initiatives that advance educational equity, seek areas of intersection and collaboration, and hear issues and concerns from community residents.
Dr. Condon also explained how the Town Hall Forum will affect other BOE business, such as seating new Board members and appointing Board leadership. There will be a special meeting at 6 p.m. (before the Forum) to handle these matters.
Additional information can be viewed in the
Board Packet.
Township School Treasurer's Office Investment Report
Anthony Cozzi, Director of Finance and Facilities, reported on the Township School Treasurer's Investment Report and the Annual Investment Yield. While the Annual Investment Yield letter shows a 12-month yield of 0.64%, the yield did not outperform the rate for U.S. Treasury bills, which was 0.82% for the same time period. Additional information can be viewed in the
Board Packet.
Washington School Frieze Preservation
Dr. Condon explained that in the mid-to-late 1990s, the District closed Washington Elementary School. A facade frieze from the school was stored with the Village, but now will be returned to the District. In partnership with the Village, District 90 is moving a stone frieze from the Washington School facade to the memorial garden area in front of the District building. There will be an invitation for the community to attend an unveiling of the frieze later this spring.
Staff Appreciation Week: May 1-5, 2017
Dr. Condon informed Board members that Staff Appreciation Week is scheduled for May 1-5. He stated that the District's relationship with staff is critically important and that the staff are a the backbone of our school community. A luncheon at the end of May is planned to express the District's appreciation for the many amazing contributions our faculty and staff make toward our school and students' successes.
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Personnel Report
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Board members approved two personnel actions: the appointment of a classified staff member and the retirement of a classified staff member.
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Closed Session
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Pursuant to 5ILCS120/2(c) for 9) Student disciplinary cases, Board members entered into a closed session.
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