D41 Board Highlights

Following is a summary of the Board of Education (BOE) consecutive meetings that were held on May 14. Minutes are posted on www.d41.org once approved.

This issue of Board Highlights covers the two consecutive meetings that were held on May 14, during which the existing Board of Education (BOE)concluded its business and transitioned to a new Board composed of four continuing and three newly-elected members. A reception honoring departing members and welcoming new members preceded the meetings. In the first meeting, the BOE approved the DuPage County’s certified canvass results of the April 17 election in which Erica Nelson, Robert Solak and Steven Vondrak were elected to four-year terms (Debbie Hoffman, John Marcheschi and Carol McElvain concluded their terms). The BOE conducted regular business including the Oath of Office for the incoming members. The BOE then adjourned and convened a second, organizational meeting of the reorganized BOE.

BOARD APPROVES ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL HIRE
The BOE approved the appointment of Kim Hefner as an Assistant Principal of Hadley, effective July 1. Kim will be filling the role of retiring Assistant Principal Larry Szczepanik. For the last six years, Kim has been a seventh and eighth grade reading/language arts and Spanish teacher at Hauser Junior High in Riverside. Prior to joining the staff at Hauser, Kim taught seventh grade in Normal, Illinois, where she achieved National Board Certification. Her leadership experience includes serving as mentoring facilitator, a member of the Building Leadership Team, and as a team facilitator. Kim earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Illinois Wesleyan, another Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Illinois State University and her Master’s degree in administration from Aurora University. Assistant principals have a wide range of responsibilities, including supervising and evaluating staff, communicating with parents, and performing all duties in the principal's absence.

NEW BOE ORGANIZES, ELECTS OFFICERS
In its first act, the newly organized BOE elected officers. The BOE roster going forward is: Terra Costa Howard, President John Kenwood, Vice President Erica Nelson, Secretary

Members: Kevin Cosgrove, Robert Solak, John Vivoda, and Steven Vondrak. Officer terms are two years. President Howard thanked John Vivoda, who was BOE President for the last four years, for his dedication to the children of District 41.

The BOE designated six institutions as banks of depository for district funds,affirmed the appointment of D41 Assistant Business Manager Phyllis Hanna as Treasurer, adopted existing BOE policiesand set the following meeting schedule: Aug. 13, 27; Sept. 10, 24; Oct. 15, 29; Nov. 12, 26; Dec. 10; Jan. 14, 28; Feb.11, 25; Mar. 10, 24; Ap. 14, 28; May 5, 19; June 9, 23.

It tabled discussion on assignments of BOE members to committee and liaison appointments.

SCHOOL CALENDAR THROUGH 2009 ADOPTED
Each year, the school calendar is developed consistent with state requirements and in alignment with the other Glen-bard Associated Districts, to the extent possible. Two-year calendars have been developed to assist staff, parents and community members with planning. For 2007-2008, the calendar was amended to change the May SIP Day to May16. For the 2008-2009 school year, a calendar was adopted; however, the BOE has asked the administration to study the timing of parent-teacher conferences, and the possibility of implementing student goal-setting conferences. It also asked the administration to examine placement of SIP and Institute days to preserve as many five-day weeks as possible. These discussions will take place in the fall and may result in amendments to the 2008-2009 calendar.

AUDITOR SELECTED
The BOE approved retaining the firm of Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP,. Ltd. as the District’s auditor. Last year, the company merged with Wm. F. Gurrie, which has previously prepared the District’s audit, a document which becomes the basis for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
D41 School Psychologist Jacki Marcus thanked the BOE for permitting her to take an unpaid leave to attend the Deaf Olympics, where she acted as an interpreter for the US hockey team, which won the gold medal. Jacki met athletes from throughout the world (including Apollo Anton Ohno) and had a chance to try out sign languages from all over. “I have known many of the players since they were young boys,” said Jacki, “so to share in their victory in some small way was special.”

NEXT MEETING
The next regular BOE meetings are set for May 21, June 11 and June 25. No meetings are scheduled for July. Meetingsare held in Central Services, 793 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Other special meetingsmay be called and their agendas will be posted on www.d41.org at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

About the Glen Ellyn School District Board of Education
Board members are unpaid volunteers, each representing the whole district. The board is accountable to the public and makes decisions as a unit based on what is best for the whole district.The board hires the superintendent, sets instructional policy, approves the budget and ongoing expenditures, and is ultimately responsible for the performance of the district.The public is welcome and encouraged to attend board meetings. Board meetings are working sessions held in public during which the board conducts its business, and ample time is always set aside for public participation. The agenda for some meetings may include a closed, or executive, session, during which the board may consider certain topics outlined by statute. Any official action on matters discussed in closed session must be taken in a public meeting. The BOE President will say whether or not action is expected to be taken after closed session, and members of the press or public are welcome to wait in a designated area for open session to resume. Many residents attend board meetings to listen and learn. Others have matters they would like to bring before the board. During the “Public Participation” segments residents may speak about matters that concern them. There is public participation at the beginning and end of each meeting. Forms requesting name, address and a brief outline of the topic are available at the registration table in the Board Room to be turned in before speaking. The board welcomes written comments. The board rarely acts immediately on an issue brought before it for the first time, taking action only after its members thoroughly examine all aspects of the matter.

How to contact BOE Members
Mail for BOE Member scan be addressed to the District. Each BOE Member has a District email address:kcosgrove@d41.org, rsolak@d41.org, thoward@d41.org, jvivoda@d41.org, jkenwood@d41.org, svondrak@d41.org

Please direct your questions or comments to our Communications Director, Julie Worthen at jworthen@d41.org. We ask that you do not reply directly to this email. Thank you!

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Our Vision: Exceptional Learning in a Respectful and Supportive Environment.