The closed session convened at 7:00 p.m. Open session was held in the Training Center and called to order at 7:40 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Special Presentation - K-2 Literacy Program Update
Gerry Krull, Peg Wiora, Katherine Mulcahy

Gerry Krull, Peg Wiora, and Katherine Mulcahy provided an overview of the K-2 Literacy early intervention strategies, discussing the focus, summary, and goals of the program.

Essential Literacy Foundation (ELF) = Kindergarten
Reading Recovery (RR) = 1st Grade
Literacy Groups (LG) = 2nd Grade

Special Presentation - Covington School Improvement Plan
“Lyle” Neal

“Lyle” Neal, principal of Covington School, presented a comprehensive School Improvement Plan for Covington School for the 2004-2005 school year. The report included information such as demographics, enrollment, mobility rates, state assessment, local assessment, and anecdotal data.

THE BOARD HEARD FROM THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING:
• Buildings and Grounds Report

Middle School update - Andrew McCall, architect
In general, construction is going well and on schedule. However, on Wednesday, July 21, 2004, the middle school project suffered a setback when a storm hit Oak Lawn and 110 linear feet of the third floor west wall collapsed under pressure of 75 mph winds. At issue now is how best to repair the damage ... either joists repaired or joists replaced. Structural engineers will conduct an evaluation and our attorney will review whatever agreement is reached between Concept 3 and CLIC (insurance) on the manner of repair. It was noted that this will not delay the completion of the project.

• Covington Roof - Andrew McCall
• Medallion School Partnerships update - The pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. Now we have more students than we can handle and that has necessitated the development of a waiting list for Before and After School child care at Hannum School. The possibility of a second site is being considered.
• Apple computer lease for K-6 building labs
• AERO FY05 budget
• 2nd Draft of the 2004-2005 budget
• Student Registration update
• Personnel/Staffing update 2004-2005
• Brandt Kindergarten initiative
• Special Teachers’ Schedule 2004-2005
• Apple Calendar 2004-2005
• Summer School update/parental evaluations
• New Teacher Orientation 8/25/04
• August 26 & 27 Institute Days
• ISAT Data - cursory analysis, writing
* Site change for Institute Day - 8/26/04 - from Covington to Kolmar
• Change date for reorganizational meeting, April 2005
• New law - fingerprinting is now required for all new employees
• A proposal to retain a common grant writer for #229, #122, and #123

School Board Policy - #720.25

The board conducted a First Reading of a new School Board Policy - #720.25 Social and Emotional Development of Students.


THE BOARD TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTION:
• Approved the minutes of June 28, 2004
• Approved withholding the release of closed session minutes of December 15, 2003, January 27, 2004, February 23, 2004, March 22, 2004, and April 26, 2004
• Approved a parental leave for Patricia Hill-Weber for the 2004-2005 school year
• Approved the following resignations: Lane Barham, Diane Bauer, Maryann Cusack, Karen Noonan, Jason Schlieske, Susan Sharko, and Jennie Welsch

• Approved employment of certified personnel, 2004-05
1. Corich, Colleen - Science Teacher at the Science & Environmental Center
2. Dalfonso, Tina - Special Education Teacher at Kolmar
3. Joslyn, Marcy - Special Education Teacher at Kolmar
4. Kuchever, Denise - Part-time Kindergarten Teacher (.50) at Sward
5. McKenna, Karyn - PTP Kindergarten Teacher at Kolmar
6. Meyer, Carolyn - TPI Teacher at Covington and Sward
7. Post, Caryl - Early Childhood “Blended” Teacher at Kolmar
8. Podrebarac, Andrea - Part-time Kindergarten Teacher (.50) at Hometown and part-time Instructional Aide .50 (Spec. Ed) at Hometown
9. Riley, Tracy - 6th Grade Teacher at Covington
10. Vaicik, Amy - Speech-Language Pathologist at Covington (.4) and in the Special Ed. Blended Early Childhood program at Kolmar (.6)
11. Zaimes, Michael - 5th Grade Teacher at Sward

Auxiliary Teachers
1. Conroy, Jeanine - Auxiliary Teacher at Covington
2. Dare, David - Physical Education at Sward, Covington, and Hometown
3. Dewey, Lisa - Auxiliary Teacher at Sward

• Approved employment of educational support personnel, 2004-05
(and sub sweepers)
1. Altes-Kirby, Michelle - Instructional Aide in the Special Education program at Hometown
2. Byczek, Phyllis - Instructional Aide in the Special Education program at Covington
3. Franzese, Joyce - Instructional Aide in the Special Education program at Hannum
4. Lundy, Christine -Instructional Aide in the TPI program at Covington
5. McNerney, Megan - Instructional Aide in the TPI program
6. Ricchiuto, Patricia - Technology Assistant at Hannum
7. Schick, Catherine - Instructional Aide for the Covington Kindergarten program at Brandt
8. Veen, Catherine - Teacher Aide in the Special Education Early Childhood/Blended program at Kolmar
9. Vopelak, Wendee - Teacher Aide in the Special Education Early Childhood program at Kolmar

• Adopted School Board Policy #720.25 - Social and Emotional Development of Students

• Approved a 3-year computer lease for K-6 building labs with Apple Financial Services
• Approved the AERO FY05 budget • Approved the list of bills as presented, the Fund Reconciliation Report, the summary financial reports, and the payroll in the amount of $3,201,679.42

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, September 27, 2004, at the Administration Center, 4201 West 93rd Street, Oak Lawn, Illinois.