IN BRIEF
January 27, 2000

 
This is a summary of the actions of the Oak Park and River Forest High School Board of Education at its last meeting on Thursday, January 27, 2000.
 
Recognition
    The Board commended Coach Jack Kaiser for being named “Coach of the Century” by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association; Michael Ashford and Cecily Strong for being chosen to perform in the All-State production of “Big River” and Sarah Amandes for being selected to perform in the Opening Ceremonies “Festival Memories;” Logan Giulietti-Schmitt for qualifying to compete in the 2000 US Junior Figure Skating Championships through a first- and fourth-place in regional competition; Lucas Vriner and Alexis Hoffstadter for qualifying to compete at the U.S. Figure Skating Association’s National Championship in Cleveland by placing second in the novice pairs competition at the 2000 Midwestern Sectional last December; and former Board member Gerard M. Jacobs on his service to the Board of Education.

Board
Actions
  • approved the consent items: minutes of December 9 and 16,1999 and January 13, 18, and 20, 2000; personnel recommendations; financial reports; and FDSE actions; 
  • appointed new Board member Carlotta Lucchesi to replace Board member Gerard M. Jacobs;
  • moved to approve entering into an agreement with West 40 ISC No. 2 on an alternative school;
  • accepted with gratitude a donation from Tom and Edith Kooyumjian of a Hewlett Packard 659C color printer to the Technology Department and a donation from Ron Heister of a Elenco Precision Power Regulator and a DeVry Electronics Micro Processor Trainer donated in the memory of Joe Kelly;
  • approved the sale of selected District artwork via auction held by John Toomey Gallery;
  • approved for first reading Policy 5199, Home-Schooled and Nonpublic School Students;
  • adopted Policy 3450, Investment of School District Funds;
  • amended Policy 5125, Graduation Requirements;
  • approved revision to the 2000-01 School Calendar noting that the school year would begin August 25, 2000; and
  • expelled student EXP 1/27/00-24 for second semester of the 1999-2000 school year, but hold the expulsion in abeyance contingent upon completion of enrollment and regular attendance in an Ombudsman program for second semester of the 1999-00 school year and, upon the student’s return to school, proof of three to five certifiable counseling sessions and contact with the school’s Community Support Staff for counseling services.
     
Textbook
Assignment
Board member Peterson volunteered to review the textbook Careers for the Special 
Assignment  Education Department.
 
Reports Superintendent’s Report—Dr. Bridge reported that Martin Luther King, Jr. Assemblies were held back to back so that the entire student body was able to participate.  The speakers included senior Gianna Baker and the former Oak Park Community Relations Director, Mrs. Sherlynn Reid.  Every faculty member attended a workshop on substance abuse by John Williams of Youth Township Services and Jennifer Geis Benish of the Community Support Program.  On February 16 at 7:30 p.m., Districts 90, 97 and 200 will sponsor a program by nationally-renowned speaker, Milton Creagh, on the struggles of substance abuse.  Mr. Creagh will address the entire student body on February 17.

Placement tests for incoming eighth graders were given on January 15 in mathematics, science and, for some, foreign language. 

New Directions for incoming freshmen and their parents is scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, and Board members are invited to attend.

Dr. Bridge reported that the Parent Visitation Day is scheduled for February 11 which will allow parents to tour the school and visit classes. 

Recruiters from 174 colleges met individually with 676 students first semester. 

Dr. Bridge reported that on Martin Luther King Jr.’s Day, Oprah Winfrey featured World History teacher Monica Swope and students Christopher Lee, Lauren Devitt, Kynyada Glasco, and Kelly Liebman.  They were awarded a grant from the National Council for Community and Justice to set up a city-suburban exchange program to deepen students’ understanding of each other’s lives. 

Dr. Bridge congratulated Mr. Joe Hallissey on his appointment to Technical Director for the 2002 State Theatre Festival. 

Dr. Danes presented the Department Enrollment Trends and Staffing Projection for 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 Report. 

The Board Members reported on their various Board committee and liaison representative responsibilities. 
 

Personnel
Certified Staff
Appointments Judy Dooley, part-time Special Education Teacher, effective January 25, 2000
Non-Certified Staff
Appointments  Michelle Dotson, part-time Food Service employee, effective January 3, 2000
Tuny Mokrauer, part-time Math Content Area Tutor, effective January 25, 2000
Brian Holloway, Security Monitor, effective January 10, 2000
Lydia Lisa Novak, part-time Food Service employee, effective January 5, 2000
Tashwanda Slaughter, part-time Food Service employee, effective January 3, 2000
Elizabeth Tuerk, Academy TA/Vocational Coach, effective January 24, 2000
Resignations Brian Hurst, part-time Security Monitor, effective December 17, 1999
Rose Lane, On-Campus Program Teacher’s Assistant, effective January 12, 2000
Antwanette Williams, part-time Food Service employee, effective December 15, 1999

Change in 
Resignation 
Date for
Non-Certified 
Position
Patricia O’Shea, Substitute Personnel Placement Position resignation changed to June 30, 2000


The next regular Board Meeting will be on Thursday, February 24, 2000 at 7:30 p.m., Board Conference Room.

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