Board Business BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS PALOS 118 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION LIAISON Members: Pam Paris and MariJo Calacci Mrs. Angelos, Foundation Chairperson reported that the Foundation is busy working on their upcoming Trivia Night event. This event will be held on February 20, at the Square Celt in Orland Park. Tickets are available on the Webstore. Other Foundation initiatives include: an employee match program, grants, and an alumni page on the Foundation’s Facebook page.
PARENT FACULTY ASSOCIATION BOARD LIAISON Members: Katie Thomason and Pam Paris Mrs. Miller, Parent Faculty Association President reported that the PFA has been busy this month with assemblies. Fifth graders were treated to a visit from Science Made Fun. Eighth graders visited the Illinois Holocaust Museum and, then had the honor of meeting Mr. Ernest Fruehauf, a holocaust survivor, when he came to visit the students at Palos South. On February 4, Tim Green will present to grades 5 – 8. Mrs. Miller indicated that there was a change in this year’s fundraiser. One Love One District will take place on Saturday, March 5. Mrs. Miller said that the PFA’s goal is to unite our community and celebrate our district. She thanked Mrs. Hilary Rhodes for creating the event’s new logo. The evening will be hosted and DJ’d by ABC and 190 North host Mark Nilsson with live music by the Chicago band RENDITION. The PFA is planning school contests with the students, and is currently contacting families and businesses for donations and sponsors.
APPOINT BOARD MEMBERS FOR DISTRICT-WIDE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE Board members Katie Thomason and Nadine Scodro volunteered to serve as board liaisons on the discipline committee. The committee will review current discipline policies and ensure that policies comply with the recently enacted Senate Bill 100.
POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING Policy Committee Chairperson: Pam Paris Vice Chair: Terry Heafey Mrs. Paris, Policy Committee Chairperson reported that the Board Policy Committee met and has recommended the listed policies for adoption. Annually, the IASB policy update program sends suggestions for updates including content and wording clarification. The Policy Committee recommends
that a first reading of these policies be presented to the board at the January 19, 2016 meeting with a recommendation to move the policies to the second reading and board action at the February regular meeting.
8:30 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property 2:150 Committees 2:200 Types of School Board Meetings 4:170 Safety 5:100 Professional Growth (Staff Development) 7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations 7:130 Student Rights and Responsibilities 7:140 Search and Seizure 7:290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention Program 7:305 Student Athlete Concussions and Head Injuries 5:90 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting 6:15 School Accountability 6:50 School Wellness 7:50 School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools 6:160 English Learners 7:300 Extracurricular Activities 7:340 Student Records 5:50 Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace 5:170 Copyright 4:10 Fund Balance Policy
STUDENT LEARNING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE Chairperson: Katie Thomason Vice Chair: Nadine Scodro Committee Chairperson Katie Thomason reported that at the recent meeting, Mr. Jay Kraning from HLERK gave a presentation on the legal rights of transgender students.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT STAFFING AND ENROLLMENT UPDATE Dr. Scarsella updated the board on staffing and enrollment projections for 2016-2017. He indicated that the board is extremely pleased to restore some positions previously cut at Palos West due to the projected increased enrollment resulting from the boundary change. Dr. Scarsella announced his recommendation to transfer Rose White back to Palos West as assistant principal for the 2016-17 school year. Ms. White will assist in the training of the new full-time media center specialist and will provide stability to that school as it prepares to welcome approximately 150 new students next year. A search is underway for a new assistant principal at Palos South.
UPDATE ON THE BOUNDARY TRANSITION COMMITTEE Dr. Scarsella updated the board on the status of the new boundary transition committee. The Transition Advisory Committee met for its initial meeting on January 5 in the Palos West Media Center. He said that the committee had over 40 attendees representing parents, teachers, support staff, administrators and board members. The group generated many great ideas for activities that will benefit both our transitioning students and their families. The committee’s second meeting is scheduled for January 26, at which time it will begin prioritizing the list of ideas and creating action plans for the rest of the school year. Dr. Scarsella extended thanks to board members Pam Paris and Nadine Scodro for volunteering to serve on this important committee.
UPDATE ON COMPLIANCE REPORT During the month of December, the South Cook Intermediate Service Center (ISC) – Region 7 conducted a comprehensive compliance review of the school district on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The purpose of the review is to ensure the school district is compliant with the School Code, including teacher licensure. As part of the review, the ISC team conducted an onsite life safety inspection of all school district facilities. Dr. Scarsella indicated that he is proud to report that Palos 118 received commendations from the ISC for the quality and safety of its school buildings and the extremely low number of issues identified in the report that require attention. The ISC stated the minimal number of issues listed in the report, “are testaments to the excellent condition of the District 118.” The ISC also remarked, “The District 118 community should be very pleased with the learning environments the district provides its students.” Dr. Scarsella thanked teachers, support staff and administrative team for the team effort involved in ensuring our schools continue to comply with the immense number of mandates and regulations placed on public school districts throughout Illinois.
NEW BUSINESS APPROVAL OF STUDENT FEES FOR 2016-2017 The Board of Education approved the 2016-2017 registration fees as presented. For the fourth consecutive year, administration recommended no increase in student registration fees. The Board of Education also set the paid lunch fee for the 2016-2017 school year at $2.85, and set the price of milk to $0.50.
APPROVAL OF 2016-2017 SCHOOL CALENDAR The Board of Education approved the 2016-17 school calendar with a starting date of August 22, 2016 and a closing date of June 2, 2017 and set a public hearing date for February 16, 2016, to receive testimony on the proposal to conduct school on legal holidays pursuant to Section 24-2 of the School Code. Highlights of the proposed calendar include: 1. Teachers start on Thursday, August 18. 2. School starts for pupils on Monday, August 22 – full day of school. 3. Winter recess begins December 23 and pupils return to school on Tuesday, January 10. 4. There is a teacher institute day scheduled on Monday, January 9. 5. Graduation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 31 at Stagg. 6. Records Day will be Thursday, June 1. 7. Last day of school is June 2 (shortened day). The body of the calendar follows past years with the same number of teacher training days, etc.
BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICIES- FIRST READING A first reading of the policy board changes as recommended by the Policy Committee was conducted. A second reading and adoption will occur at the February meeting. 8:30 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property 2:150 Committees 2:200 Types of School Board Meetings 4:10 Fiscal and Business Management 4:170 Safety 5:50 Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace 5:90 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting 5:100 Professional Growth (Staff Development Program) 5:170 Copyright 6:15 School Accountability 6:50 School Wellness 6:160 English Learners
7:50 School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools 7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students 7:130 Student Rights and Responsibilities 7:140 Search and Seizure 7:290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention 7:300 Extracurricular Athletics 7:305 Student Athlete Concussions and Head Injuries 7:340 Student Records
APPROVAL OF DESIGNATED PERSONS TO PREPARE TENTATIVE BUDGET The Board of Education approved a resolution setting the fiscal year for 2017 beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017. This action authorizes Dr. Anthony M. Scarsella, Superintendent of Schools, and Mr. Justin Veihman, Chief School Business Official, to prepare the annual budget in tentative form.
APPROVAL OF LIBRARY/MEDIA GRANT REPORT The board approved the annual Library/Media State Grant Report to the board. Palos 118 applied online for the Per Capita School Library Grant from the Illinois State Library and will receive the grant this school year.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS FOR PALOS EAST AND WEST The board approved the contracts to supply school kits from School Kidz for Palos East and Palos West for the 2016-2017 school year. APPROVAL OF VAN GOGH SCHOOL PICTURE CONTRACT – EAST, WEST, SOUTH The board approved the school picture contract with VanGogh Photographers for Palos East, West, and South Schools for the 2016-2017 school year.
