(Report of May 3, 20, and June 7, 17, 2010, Board of Education Meetings)

Employment Matters
The Board approved the employment of the following personnel at the May and June Board meetings: Mary Christine Dion as a 6^th-8^th grade Spanish teacher; Thomas Erf and Kelly Cummings as 3^rd grade classroom teachers; and Amy Levin as a 2^nd grade classroom teacher.  The Board accepted resignations from 7^th grade resource teacher Jillian Jeserig and Avoca West Elementary School inclusion assistant Tammy Shih, effective as of the close of the 2009-2010 school year.  The Board accepted a notice of intent to retire from the superintendent’s secretary, Madeleine McCloskey, effective as of December 31, 2011.   Leave of absence requests were granted to the following individuals:  Second grade teacher Jennifer Greenberg, for a 12-week leave commencing September 9, 2010; and Jennifer Stump for a one-year leave of absence for the 2010-2011 school year.

Social/Emotional Learning Program Report
During the May 3 Committee of the Whole Board meeting, a report on the K-8th grade social/emotional curriculum covered background on the program and accomplishments and recommendations for the first year of the three-year plan.  Consultant Diane Becker indicated that specific measures were taken this year to establish a program that focused on district readiness.  Goals for 2010-2011 will be aimed at maximizing the unique potential of each student, and third year goals will focus on implementation, review and adjustment of activities for continuous improvement and sustainability factors.  She emphasized that the program is not treated as an add-on to the curriculum, since it relates to everything the teachers already do in the classroom.

District Community Outreach Committee
The District Community Outreach Committee presented a final report and recommendations to the Board at the May 20 meeting.  The purpose of the committee was to research and implement activities that enhance the partnership between the District and the Avoca community. Actions in the following areas were recommended: Communication vehicles; volunteerism in the schools; service projects and service learning; school finance education; and business partnerships.

District Diversity Committee
At the May 20 Board meeting, the District Diversity Committee presented their final recommendations that will be implemented over a period of three years:  Create physical and virtual Diversity Centers in the schools; formalize a recurring diversity communication schedule; pursue staff awareness and training of cultural diversity; explore opportunities for local to global sister school relationships; incorporate the Global Education Checklist for students and staff; review current recruitment strategies; explore how cultures, geography and current events can be expanded upon in all subject areas and fine arts; utilize Cross Cultural Interpretation Services and interpretation services of staff, parents and student relatives; provide access to key school communications in multiple languages; encourage clubs/sports coaches to facilitate involvement of culturally diverse students; and form a foreign language review committee.

New Extracurricular Fee
At the May 3 Committee of the Whole meeting, the District Extracurricular Study Committee presented specific recommendations on ways to expand and improve extracurricular offerings at both schools in a budget-neutral manner.  The Board was given several fee options that would be used to cover the additional $15,000 to $18,000 cost connected with these new offerings.  The Board discussed the matter again on May 20 and agreed on a flat extracurricular fee of $25 for each student for grades 1 through 8 starting this year.   The Board officially voted to adopt the new student fee at its June 17 meeting.

2010 MAP Test Report
A detailed PowerPoint presentation comparing the Spring 2009 and Spring 2010 Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test results was given at the June 17 Board meeting.  MAP tests were administered in grades 2^nd-8^th in the subjects of reading and math.  The overall analysis of the test results covered 14 different aspects of the testing, including:  Teachers continued doing an excellent job working with the lowest performing students; the 2010 RIT average exceeded results from 2009 in 10 of 14 tests; students scored 1.5 and 3.5 years above grade level in reading and math; considering this year’s implementation of a different math program, growth goals exceeded in three of five grade levels; all grades exceeded expected growth goals in reading; ELL (English Language Learner) students made strong progress in reading at all grade levels; and gifted students exceeded growth goals in all but one test.  Superintendent Dr. Porto indicated that an action plan or SMART goal will be developed to help IEP students to exceed their yearly growth goal expectations.

Upcoming Board Meeting Dates
Regular Board meetings are open to the public and are held in the Community Room at Marie Murphy School during the school year.  The public is invited to share input during the two visitors’ comments portions of the meeting.  Regular Board meetings normally begin at 6:30 p.m. on the second to the last Thursday of the month.  Committee of the Whole meetings usually take place at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month in the Marie Murphy School Library.  To confirm the times and locations of these meetings, please contact the superintendent’s secretary at 847-251-3587.  All School Board and Committee of the Whole meetings are videotaped, and the tapes may be checked out by the public through the Marie Murphy School Library (847-251-3617).  Upcoming meeting dates include:

> 8/19, 4:30 p.m. – Board Finance Committee
> 8/19, 5:30 p.m. – Board of Education
> 9/23, 5:30 p.m. – Board Finance Committee
> 9/23, 6:15 p.m. – Budget Public Hearing
> 9/23, 6:30 p.m. – Board of Education