The closed session convened at 7:00 p.m.  The open meeting was held at the Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School (OLHMS) Cafetorium and called to order at 7:40 p.m.

Special Presentations

Science Sleuths - Ambassadors for Excellence

Through the generosity of the Educational Foundation, and Dr. Gasteyer in particular, 21 students in our district have had the opportunity to participate in the Summer 2007 Sleuth Academy at Benedictine University.  The students were recognized and presented with a certificate of achievement.

ISAT 2007/District Improvement Plan (DIP) for 2007-2008 

Susan Haddick, Assistant Superintendent, provided an overview of the Plan.  Targets for improvement (Reading and Math) were selected based upon ISAT data from spring 2005, and a three-year plan for improvement was developed.  She presented statistics, outlined professional development initiatives, and discussed assessment tools (Just5Clicks, MAP) and the integration of technology into the curriculum.

OLHMS School Improvement Plan (SIP) for 2007-2008  

Andrea Anderson, Principal, presented the OLHMS School Improvement Plan.  She provided basic school information, and explained the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Status Report, school data analysis, and action plans.  OLHMS met all AYP targets.

Final Budget Presentation 2007-2008

Lauri Calabrese, Assistant Superintendent, reviewed the 2007-2008 budget.  She summarized the changes from “tentative” to final budget in the Education, Operation & Maintenance, and Transportation Funds.   She discussed the Life Safety Fund and the Site & Construction Fund. The Financial Advisory Committee will reconvene on October 30, 2007.

A public hearing was conducted regarding the 2007-2008 budget.  There were no comments from the audience.

THE BOARD WAS PROVIDED WITH INFORMATION FROM THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING:

• Fox College -- Lease of Gaddis School
• AERO Special Education Cooperative -- Lease of Gaddis School
• Wellness Committee to review our current classroom food practices
• Professional Development Plan
• School Improvement Plan
• International Reading Conference – Gerry Krull and Peg Wiora will be presenting
• Illinois Principals’ Conference – Lori Gloodt and Sheila Lettiere will be presenting
• 2007 Illinois School Report Card Data -- Demographic Summary – 8th grade student achievement:  85.8% meeting or exceeding standards in Reading and 95.9% meeting or exceeding standards in Math
• Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce presentation/”Red Apple” Award from Schoolsearch  (only 84 Illinois school districts out of 872 were honored with this award)
• Newspaper article regarding School District Detachment & Annexation issue/Letter from Oak Lawn Mayor Dave Heilmann
• Staffing Update
• Special Education Services for Parochial/Private Schools
• Teacher Lane Changes (32)
• Alliance/SCOPE information
• Rotary 3rd Grade Dictionary Project

THE BOARD TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTION:

• Adopted a Resolution providing for the issue of $5,973,125.65 Taxable General Obligation Capital Appreciation Refunding School Bonds, Series 2007A, of School District Number 123, Cook County, Illinois, and for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds

• Adopted a Resolution authorizing the issuance of $8,265,000 General Obligation Limited Refunding School Bonds, Series 2007B, and $10,385,000 Taxable General Obligation Limited School Bonds, Series 2007C, of School District Number 123, Cook County, Illinois, and for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds

• Adopted a Resolution authorizing and directing the execution of an Escrow Agreement in connection with the issue of $5,973,125.65 Taxable General Obligation Capital Appreciation Refunding School Bonds, Series 2007A, $8,265,000 General Obligation Limited Refunding School Bonds, Series 2007B, and $10,385,000 Taxable General Obligation Limited School Bonds, Series 2007C, of School District Number 123, Cook County, Illinois

• Approved the minutes of August 27, 2007 

• Approved the closed session minutes of August 27, 2007

• Approved resignations from Karen Lukes, Julie Miller, and Deanna Theodore

• Approved the employment of ESP, 2007-2008

Susan Boss - Instructional Aide (1st-3rd Grades PTP) at Sward School

Melissa Byrd - Instructional Aide (6th Grade Resource) at OLHMS

Tara Fanning - Instructional Aide (1st-2nd Grades PTP) at Sward School

Victoria Murray - Instructional Aide (3rd Grade PTP) at Hometown School

Erin Snyder - Instructional Aide (7th Grade Resource) at OLHMS

Angela Zakes - Instructional Aide (1st-3rd Grades PTP) at Sward School

• Adopted revisions to the following school board policies:

2:220 -       Board of Education Meeting Procedures

2:170 -       Procurement of Architectural, Engineering and Land Surveying Services

4:120 -       Food Services

6:160 -       Limited English Proficient Students    

7:70   -       Attendance and Truancy

7:190 -      Student Discipline

• Approved the 2007-2008 Application for Recognition of Schools

• Authorized the Administration to provide notice to Fox College, Inc. that the Long Term Agreement for the lease of a portion of Gaddis School be terminated effective December 31, 2008

• Approved a lease for a portion of Gaddis School to the AERO Special Education Cooperative, subject to terms to be negotiated, from January 1, 2009 thru December 31, 2029

• Approved the list of bills as presented, the Fund Reconciliation Report, the summary financial reports, and the payroll in the amount of $1,822,738.27

• Adopted the 2007-2008 budget

The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, October 22, 2007, at the Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, 5345 W. 99th Street, Oak Lawn, Illinois.