IN BRIEF
August 26, 1999

 
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, August 26, 1999.
 
 
Recognition Recognition was given to Aurora Monreal-Berner who received a gold medal for her “Illustrated Talk: A Hidden Handicap” and to Alexandra King and Alonzo Blunt who received a silver medal for their “Focus on Children” project at the 1999 FHA-HERO National Leadership Conference and Competition in Boston.
 
Board Actions
  • approved the consent items: minutes of June 17, 24, August 2, 3, and 13, 1999; personnel recommendations; FDSE actions; and financial reports; renewal of EAP; Code of Conduct Revisions for 1999-00; and resolution authorizing transfer of monies from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund; 
  • approved the following textbooks for the divisions indicated: English Division—Best Short Stories: Middle Level, reviewed by Mrs. Peterson; Applied Arts Division—Economic Survival: A Financial Simulation and Economics Today and Tomorrow, reviewer Mrs. Leavy; and How Networks Work, reviewer Mr. Jacobs;
  • ratified the Board of Education Goals and action plan for the 1999-2000 school year;
  • adopted the resolution for Oak Park and River Forest High School’s participation in the Minority Student Achievement Network;
  • adopted the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200’s 1999-2000 Budget;
  • adopted the FDSE 1999-2000 Budget;
  • accepted with gratitude a donation of the book Northern Protest from Mr. William T. Clusin, Md., Ph.D.; and a donation of three issues of Trapeze from the years 1934, 1936 and 1937 and high school fraternity letters from 1910 from Mr. John W. Armour;
  • approved the Educational Support Staff List;
  • approved the resolution authorizing Notice of Dismissal;
  • expelled one student for semester one of the 1999-2000 school year, but held the expulsion in abeyance contingent upon completion of enrollment and regular attendance in an Ombudsman program for the first semester of the 1999-2000 school year, receiving counseling via the school’s community support staff, and meeting with the Safe Schools Coordinator regarding goal-setting and job placement.

  •  
Reports Superintendent’s Report—Dr. Susan Bridge introduced the new members of the Building Administrative Team: Mary K. Bennett, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction; Richard Deptuch, Director of Instruction; and Jack Lanenga, Director of Operations.  Dr. Bridge reported: students were continuing to score well on the ACT scores, scoring significantly higher than state and national level; Christine Daggett had written the Technology Grant in which $135,000 was awarded to Oak Park and River Forest High School; ground breaking for the running track occurred Sunday, August 22 as a result of the efforts of Fenwick, Concordia and the high school; the marching band, under the direction of Scottie Jones, would be performing on Saturday during the football game; on OPRFHS’s Minority Student Achievement Network participation; continuing dialogue on a possible police liaison officer with the Oak Park and River Forest Police Departments.  Dr. Bridge invited all to the Open House on September 15 at 7:00 p.m.

Dr. Lebrecht reported that the Makin’ Tracks race was scheduled for October 2 at 9:00 a.m., and gave an update on the summer’s construction projects.

Mr. Vogel reported on the most successful summer school session in his history.

Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Deptuch reported on the New Teacher Induction Program and the GESA Program.

Mr. Sye reported on the College Transcript Summary, the Ombudsman/CareerWorks/West 40 Proposal and the Student Absent Statistics.

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

Personnel
Certified Staff
Appointments Thomas Bieschke, History Teacher, effective 8/26/99
Colleen Biggins, Special Education Teacher, effective 8/26/99
Marsha Blackwell, English Teacher, effective 8/26/99
Alice Hadac, Science Teacher, effective 8/26/99
Joseph Hallissey, part-time Speech Teacher in Fine and Performing Arts, effective 8/26/99
John Lesniak, Special Education Teacher, effective 8/26/99
Terry Rafferty, Business Teacher, effective 8/26/99
Felicity Rich, part-time Art Teacher in Fine and Performing Arts, effective 8/26/99
 
Early 
Retirement
Request
 
Gerald Cowles, Mathematics Teacher, effective 6/8/01
Leave of 
Absence 
 
Laureen Hall, English Teacher, for the 1999-2000 school term
Daniel Sullivan, History Teacher for the 1999-2000 school term
Rescission 
Of Leave of
Absence
 
Patrice Prentis, Mathematics Teacher, for the 1999-2000 school year
Resignation Paul Dickfoss, Science Teacher, effective immediately
Anthony Miller, Business Teacher, effective 8/4/99
Non-Certified Staff

 
Appointments Barbara Clark, Attendance Clerk, effective 8/26/99
 
Resignation Patricia Junius, Academy Paraprofessional/Clerical Assistant, effective 7/28/99
Leslie Merry, First Contact/Student Activities Secretary, effective 8/10/99
Jozett Simon, Applied Arts Division Secretary, effective 8/9/99
Mary Targosz, Academy Freshman Seminar Teaching Assistant, effective 8/18/99
The next regular Board Meeting will be on Thursday, September 23, 1999, at 7:30 p.m., Board Conference Rooms.

OPRFHS Home Page       Board of Education     tcieplak@oprfhs.org      08/30/99