Present: Board President Greg Robitaille, Vice President Cathleen Albrecht; Board Members: Carol Ducommun, Keith Dronen, Marc Glucksman, Lori Goldstein, Patrick O’Donoghue.
Administrators: Superintendent Paul Sally; Assistant Supt for Finance & Ops Christopher Johnson; Secretary Supt Lindsey Ruston; Assistant Supt for Curriculum &Instruction Peter Tragos; Assistant Supt for Student Services Timothy Hayes; Assistant Superintendent Special Ed Joanne Panopoulos; Principal (Winnetka) Denise Dubravec; Principal (Northfield) Paul Waechtler. Absent: None Significant Public Comment: None Information Items: Long Range Facilities Study (Chris Johnson/Steve Cashman – from Cashman Stahler Group) Presented findings from study done during 2017-18 school year to analyze future facilities needs. Stated expected usage of study is to inform strategic plan and help prioritize needs over next 15 years. Findings & recommendations were shared in areas related to: academic spaces, enrollment & scheduling efficiency, athletic & KW spaces, site/envelope/mechanical/electrical & plumbing, energy efficiency. Process going forward will be led by Facilities Steering Committee and Finance Committee with updates to the Board. Expect first phase of work to occur in FY20-FY24 without requiring referendum or additional taxpayer funding. Proposed 15-year framework to be presented to BOE in May 2019 https://boarddocs.com/il/newtrier/Board.nsf/files/B3XT9G6976C2/$file/6.%20(C.)%20FacilitiesStudySummaryandNextSteps_082418_Final.pdf Student Vaping Report (Timothy Hayes) Presented results of 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), developed by the CDC. Focus of report to BOE and discussion was due to the significant increase in students indicating they had used vapes (e-cigarettes). While cigarette smoking has continued to decline, marijuana use has fluctuated (and risen recently; also hypothesized due to vaping), vaping has increased from 19% in 2014 & 2016 to 42% last year. Discussion focused on what NTHS can/should be doing to raise awareness with all community members; opportunities to educate parents and students; and suggestions on how to address via in-school discipline as well as through the local law enforcement community. Board requested additional, follow-up report at an appropriate time to keep this topic front & center. https://boarddocs.com/il/newtrier/Board.nsf/files/B3X7GY73986C/$file/2018YRBSBoardReportFINAL.pdf Campus Security Update (Chris Johnson) Verbal update to BOE on visible and behind the scenes changes to security as of start of school year. Specific reference to: Staff ID visibility, new secure vestibules for entry, improved camera systems. Next phase of security improvements to be recommended in September, expected cost/budget of $700k. Treasury & Financial Reports (Chris Johnson) Shared revised report with objective of creating greater ease of understanding and reinforcing District transparency. Financial report is first one of the fiscal year, making comparisons year-on-year less relevant. Noted strong revenue collections, due to Cook County tax bills going out on time, enabling greater opportunity to collect revenue earlier in the year, which led to +36% higher revenue this year vs last year. Positive variance vs last year is simply timing-related, and will reverse itself later in the year. For detailed reports, see link: https://boarddocs.com/il/newtrier/Board.nsf/files/B3X7WH75A419/$file/7.%20(B.)%20Monthly%20Financials%20and%20Summary%20July%2018.pdf Action Items Consent Agenda: Reciprocal Reporting Agreements with Winnetka and Northfield Police Depts were listed on the consent agenda; but were removed to be voted on in September. These were not discussed in this meeting. Quest Food Service Contract Amendment pulled for clarifying question; voted on & approved unanimously separately. Consent agenda including the following, approved unanimously: Bill list for period July 1-31, 2018; Personnel Report; Board Policies – Second Reading (6-300, 6-305, 6-310, regarding graduation requirements, transfer credits, and credits for non-district classes); Infinity Transportation Contract Extension; Ratification of Master Lease Agreement and Lease Schedules No. 3 & 4 to the Master Lease Agreement with Dell Financial Services dated 11/17/17, for the leasing of network storage equipment and copiers at a cost not to exceed a total of $1,174,595; Approval of Qualified Depository Accounts Next meeting: September 17, 2018 Observer: Cindy Levine Meeting Length: 2 hours; 25 minutes
1 Comment
Present: Board President Greg Robitaille, Vice President Cathleen Albrecht. Board Members:Carol Ducommun, Keith Dronen, Marc Glucksman, Lori Goldstein, Patrick O’Donoghue.
Administrators: Superintendent Paul Sally; Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Christopher Johnson; Secretary Superintendent Lindsey Ruston; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Peter Tragos; Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Timothy Hayes; Assistant Superintendent for Special Education Joanne Panopoulos, Principal (Winnetka) Denise Dubravec; Principal (Northfield) Paul Waechtler. Absent: None CITIZEN’S COMMENTS: None Information Items: Teacher Evaluation Overview and Update--Peter Tragos reported on the professional culture at New Trier. This dense report covered the methods of developing and evaluating teachers. New Trier values formative and evaluative feedback and supporting development and growth for every teacher at each stage in their career. Every non-tenured teacher is evaluated yearly and tenured teachers are evaluated bi-annually. Board discussion focused on incorporating student feedback, coaches evaluations, time spent on teacher evaluations, and assessment categories for teachers. Treasurer’s and Financial Reports--Chris Johnson submitted snapshot reports for June, last month of FY18; he expects to be on budget for fiscal year. Highlights included increased interest income ($500,000) as interest rates rise (now over 2%). Board Policy--First Reading Transfer Credits Toward Graduation Requirements. Changes in board policy are in response to the increase in non-district learning experiences. Students are pursuing personalized and non-traditional courses and are requesting these experiences to be included on transcripts. This pertains to both students who are transferring into NT and current NT students. Changes maintain the district’s discretion for the valuation criteria outside courses. Visitors To and Conduct On School Property. Changes reflect current practice of requesting and keeping visitors’ photo IDs.The present system scans the visitor’s driver’s licence and runs a criminal background check against a sex offender database. Board concerns about storing information found on ID, the internal security of the visitor management system, options for visitors without government-issued IDs, and the verification of the ID were brought up during discussion. It was determined that this policy was not ready for a second reading and would go back to the policy committee for more discussion. Voting Items Tentative 2019 Budget-- Chris Johnson presented the Tentative Budget for FY19 to the Board for review and approval in September. School districts must adopt a budget by the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year. The budget takes into consideration historical expenditures, state legislative changes, staffing levels and enrollment trends. Currently there is a net increase of 42 students for the 2018/19 school year. The Tentative Budget for FY19 is balanced with a surplus of $594,000 in Operating Funds per Mr. Johnson. Unanimously approved. Final budget to be presented for approval at September meeting. Campus Security Expenditures-Chris Johnson Phase 1 of Campus Security Plan has two capital expenditures of over $50,000 which were not previously approved and now require Board approval. Shatterproof film installation (both campuses) $205,000 Secure vestibules at 3 entrances (Winnetka Campus) $370,000 Board discussion included plans for coverage for all entrance/exit points (dozens at both campuses), the role of campus security officers and SRO’s, and the ultimate goal of integrating all surveillance systems. Unanimously Approved. Consent Agenda: Bill List for the Period, June 1 - 30, 2018, Personnel Report (Appointments, Change of Status, Resignations, Retirements and Terminations), Construction Change Order #34, Closed Session Records Review, ED-RED Membership Renewal, Printer, Copier Lease, Technology Network Managed Services Contract Renewal, Technology Network Equipment Service Contract, Board Policies - Second Reading and Approval (2-230), Canvas Instructure Contract. Unanimously approved. Meeting Length: 2 hours. Observer: Siobhan Hill Next Meeting: August 16, 2018 |
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