OPRFHS

Oak Park River Forest High School Board District 200

Regular Board Meeting

November 21, 2013

Nancy Leavy Observer

Board members present: John Phelan, President, Jeff Weissglass, Dr. Jackie Moore, Dr. Steve Gevinson, Sharon Patchak-Layman, Dr. Ralph Lee, and Thomas Cofsky

The meeting was called to order at 7:40 by President Phelan. He convened the public hearing on the transfer of $5,025,000 from the Educational Fund to the Operation and Maintenance Fund. There was no public comment on this issue, and the hearing was adjourned.

Public Comment:  10 citizens offered public comment: Seven speakers strongly protested any change in the location of the school’s tennis courts.  They acknowledged the need to build a new pool, but do not want to dislocate the tennis courts. One speaker reminded the board to build a significantly enlarged pool.   Tom Phillion, former Park District member, expressed disappointment that D200 and the Park District did not work together to find a collaborative solution.  He also advocated finding a solution within the footprint of the school and reminded the board that we are about education not athletic facilities.  John Bokum invited everyone to a Rotary Club fundraiser.

Introductory Reports: Joey Cofsky, Student Council liaison, reported that students are working to assist the Oak Park Food Pantry.  He also said that some problems with the cafeteria persist.  The later lunch periods are sometimes out of some food items, and the students want the board and students to meet with the head of food service. He also reported that there are not enough tutors for math and not enough space for group study sessions in the tutoring center. Groups disrupt the center, but students want a place for group work.  Faculty Senate representative, Sheila Hardin, invited the Board to a Faculty breakfast.  The Superintendent, Dr. Steven Isoye, reported that Rite Aid identified OPRF in the top 5% of Illinois high schools and that OPRF students took 1st Place in the Math League for Freshman, Juniors and Seniors.  He also reported that seven students had signed letters of commitment for athletic scholarships.   The Varsity football team made the playoffs and ended with a 9-1 season.  A hearing for Illinois Domestic Violence Prevention was held and offered by Sen. Don Harmon and Rep. Camille Lilly.

Action Items:  The most contentious discussion involved the proposal to transfer $5,025,000 from the Education Fund to the Operations and Maintenance Fund. This was a complicated discussion involving retiring some bonds earlier than scheduled. There was a motion to table this proposal, but it failed 4-3.  The proposal to transfer the funds was passed 4-3.  The yes votes were: Moore, Cofsky, Lee, and Weissglass, The no votes were Gevinson, Phelan, and Patchak-Layman. The Course Selection motion was approved 7-0.

Information: Principal Rouse reported the new school report cards will be more user friendly. He also reported on the Student Discipline Report. 70 % of all discipline actions involve class cutting and being tardy to class.  A new study revealed that the correlation between grades and serious discipline infractions was not as great as expected.  Many of the class 4 offenders had high grades. African American students are in the discipline system in numbers greater than their proportion in the student body.

Board Committee Structure.  Dr. Lee raised the question of evaluation, especially as it related to partially closing the campus.  Among the issues he raised were: Did that action have the desired effect? How and when was the policy change evaluated?   What did we accomplish? We know that the Plaxco system has really improved attendance.  What has happened as result of the campus closing?  The board also discussed how items get on the agenda and how committees can operate without violating the open meetings rules. 

The Board adjourned at 10:03.

Oak Park River Forest High School Board

December 19, 2013

Mary Haley, Observer

Present: John Phelan- President, Jeff Weissglass-Vice President, Sharon Patchak-Layman, Ralph Lee, Jackie Moore, Steve Gevinson, and Tom Cofsky

President John Phelan called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

Public Hearing on Levy:  John Bokum commended the board for creating the Financial Advisory Committee.  The FAC, he stated, had educated the community on the levy and had helped to regain the community’s trust.

Approval of Consent Items:  Five items were moved to the Action Items section of the agenda.  The rest were passed unanimously.

Action Items:  The 2014-2015 school calendar and the tentative 2015-2016 school calendar were discussed.  While there is general approval of scheduling 1st semester finals before winter break, its impact on the school starting date is an issue.  Mr. Weissglass noted that the projected 2015-2016 starting date is three weeks before Labor Day.  Philip Prale, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reported that the calendar is formed to coordinate with winter and spring breaks at Districts 97 and 90.  The starting date is decided working from those dates.  Mrs. Patchak-Layman asked whether OPRFHS should look at other schedules such as a trimester program to resolve this problem.  Mr.Prale agreed that this could be investigated, but that any changes could not be implemented in the short term.  The issue of second semester being longer than first semester was also discussed.  Dr. Isoye stated that state mandated tests fall in the second semester so that actual instruction days per semester are not as discrepant as they appear on the calendar.  The board voted to approve both the 2014-2015 calendar and the tentative 2015-2016 calendar.  More discussion of the 2015-2016 calendar is planned.

The board discussed the three proposals for the 2013 tax levy presented by the FAC.  Dr. Moore asked for clarification on why the $10M reduction was preferable to smaller reduction also presented by the FAC.  Both Dr. Lee and Dr. Gevinson read statements explaining their reasons for opposing the proposals.  Dr. Lee felt that more study is needed to determine how a $10M reduction in the levy would impact expenditures.  He recommended postponing the decision by a year.  Dr. Gevinson supported a flat levy, but was opposed to a $10M reduction.  He stated that such a change would be adequate to fund the district at the status quo, but that the status quo is not good enough.  He also questioned if such a reduction would allow the district to implement the proposals of the Strategic Planning Committee. Mr. Weissglass replied that the FAC, which he chaired, had looked at the issues raised by Drs. Lee and Gevinson.  The district has sufficient funds in reserve to make educational improvements and to implement recommendations from the strategic plan.  By accepting the proposed levy, the board will rebuild community goodwill and lay the groundwork for a modest referendum proposal in eight to ten years.  Mrs. Patchak-Layman, Mr. Cofsky, and Mr. Phelan also spoke in support of the proposal for a flat levy and the $10M reduction.  The motion carried by a vote of 5-2.

The board also voted to dissolve the FAC of 2010 and the current FAC.  The work of both committees has been completed, Mr. Phelan stated, and it is time for the board to take over the remaining tasks.  He expressed confidence that the administration and staff are well able to develop better and more efficient methods of providing excellent education and do not require mandates from the board.  Both motions passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:14.