Special Presentations -
Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School (OLHMS) Improvement Plan
Andrea Anderson, Principal, outlined the OLHMS School Improvement Plan for 2005-2006, including basic student demographics, data analysis of ISAT trends, and staff development information such as the Model Classrooms Project and the middle school program development. She noted the marked improvement in overall scores in both Reading and Math over previous years. She presented data from the Interactive Illinois Report Card and discussed goals and action plans for the middle school.

Recommended Adoption of Middle School Reading Program - Holt
Susan Haddick, Assistant Superintendent, presented an overview of the middle school reading pilot. She outlined background information such as how the pilot was conducted, when it was conducted (12/1/05 thru 2/16/06), which reading series were
piloted (Holt 6th-8th, McDougal 6th-8th, and Harcourt 6th only), the results of the pilot, and how the adoption will be funded. The middle school teachers selected the Holt literacy program as the one best suited to the needs of their students.

THE BOARD HEARD FROM THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING:

• Buildings and Grounds report
• Hometown Playground Equipment - Mike Lynch
  - City of Hometown Recreation Commission requested permission to pursue the installation of playground equipment at Unity Park behind Hometown School.
• ISBE School District Financial Profile - assessment of the district’s financial health
• Brandt School
  - reconstruction meeting
  - window bid
  - building permit
• Laidlaw bus contract extension (2 years)
• Family Health & Fun Fair on 2/25/06 was a huge success with an estimate of 1,500 attendees, over 160 volunteers, and net proceeds of approximately $1,200
• ISBE National School Lunch review
• 06-07 Mini-Grant Application Sponsored by the Educational Foundation
• Emergency/Crisis Plan
  - Andy Birchfield visit, Marsh USA Inc.
  - Sample, Parent’s Brochure, Emergency Response Planning
  - Leanne DeHaan-Lyons and Paul Enderle will assume leadership roles
• 1/30/06 Staff Development summary
• School Improvement Planning
  - District/School Improvement templates
  - Dr. Marla Israel, Loyola University
• Hometown Family Reading Night
• Kindergarten program 2006-07
  - Registration 2/22/06 -- to date, 172 students have been registered
  - ELF program services will be embedded within the full-day kindergarten program for 2006-07
  - K screening will be moved from June to August
• ISAT Parent Letters
• Teacher Lane Changes
• 2006-07 School Calendar
• Climbing Walls for K-5 schools will not be ordered due to safety concerns
• Covington and Kolmar primary classroom changes
• Sidewalk Art Festival - OLHMS on May 20, 2006
• Retro Bill visits to schools was a definite success
• ISBE FY05-06 Grant Reimbursals
  - FY06 School Library Grant - $1,994
  - Reading Improvement Block Grant
• Oak Lawn Park District “School’s Out Club”
• School District 54’s concern about ever-increasing IASB dues
• Moraine Valley Community College $89 million bond referendum
• Readers Cafe 2nd Annual Author’s Night 2/22/06
• SCOPE Spring dinner and meeting on 3/22/06
• AASA Reflections from Superintendent

THE BOARD TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTION:

• Approved the minutes of January 23, 2006
• Approved the closed session minutes of January 23, 2006
• Approved the resignation of teachers Christine Gialamas-Antonucci, Donna Marie Ivers, and Emily Lynch at the conclusion of the 2005-2006 school year
• Approved the expansion of employment for teacher Julie McGann from half-time to full-time, effective 1/24/06
• Approved the 2006-2007 school calendar
• Approved the Laidlaw bus transportation 2-year extension of contract
• Approved the Brandt window bid from Krull Window Company, Inc. in the amount of $152,352
• Approved the building permits - general safety, sprinkler system, and window replacement at Brandt School
• Approved a 3-year lease with Christ Advocate for a portion of Gaddis School
• Adopted the resolution for participation in State of Illinois Federal Surplus Property Program
• Approved the list of bills as presented, the Fund Reconciliation Report, the summary financial reports, and the payroll in the amount of $2,407,803.97

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2006, at the Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, 5345 W. 99th Street, Oak Lawn, Illinois.