OAK PARK RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION
April 24, 2014
7:30 Open Session
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Observer: Nancy Leavy
Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In Attendance: President Phelan, Vice President Jeff Weissglass, Dr. Jackie Moore, Thomas Cofsky, Sharon Patchak-Layman, Dr. Ralph Lee, and Dr. Steven Gevinson.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
12 speakers addressed the board. The majority represented the swimming community and was united in the position that the Board should be bold and decisive about investing in a top of the line swimming pool. They pointed out that 80 years ago a board invested in two swimming pools, which was bold and unconventional at the time, and the current board should be willing to do the same. Other speakers represented the tennis community who opposed moving the tennis courts and especially were opposed to a rooftop tennis court.
REGULAR AGENDA:
After the public comment, President Phelan moved the presentation of the Pool Feasibility Study to the top of the agenda. Legat Architects and Henry Brothers Engineering presented the study. They said the options had been narrowed to three concepts: an 11 lane 25 yard pool, an 8 lane 25 yard stretch pool, and a 9 lane /long stretch pool. Next they identified two different sites. The 1st site involved tearing down the parking garage and building a pool facility right next to the field house and connecting the new building to the old building. There would be a possibility of replacing 100 of the 300 lost parking spaces under the pool, which would be very expensive. This site is the least impactful on current school programming, but would result in the loss of possibly 300 parking spaces. The other site is located where the present baseball field is . A bridge would have to be built to link this new facility to the main building. The baseball field would be moved north, and the tennis courts would have to be relocated, possibly on the roof of the natatorium. The courts would have to extend past the
roof line and would be 50 feet in the air. Both of these proposals would include new locker rooms, changing rooms, showers and room for 500 spectators. Estimates of cost ranged from 20M to 69 M. Dr. Lee commented that we want it all and we can’t have it all. Steve Gevinson thought the cost estimates were shocking. Tom Cofsky pointed out that these estimates, as high as they were, were actually incomplete and did not include many anticipated expenses. Sharon Patch- Layman appreciated the options. John Phelan introduced another concept that involves using Scoville Ave. for some or all of these possibilities. The board accepted the Pool Feasibility Study , but it made it clear it wants more options and much more study before it would decide on an actual plan.
The board then went back to its agenda. Superintendent Isoye’s report highlighted that 112 OPRF students raised their grade point averages by one full point, and students were recognized for their achievements in Science, Human Relations, and Philosophy. Also an OPRF teacher, Jessica Stovall, has been awarded a Fulbright Exchange opportunity in New Zealand.
ACTION ITEMS:
The Board approved the appointment of David Ruland as the new Director of Human Resources. He has a broad range of experience including in the Chicago Public Schools and school districts in Michigan and California.
The Board approved the resolution to increase teaching staff by 3.5 positions by a 5-2 vote. This was discussed at some length and finally approved with John Phelan and Sharon Patchak-Layman dissenting.
The Board approved the Summer Construction Project by a 7-0 vote. This will provide 4.8 million dollars of improvement during the summer.
The Board approved the Classroom Technology Integration Plan 7-0.
The Board approved the Data Equity Proposal 6-1 with Ms Patchak-Layman dissenting.
The Board approved the Student Discipline proposal 5-2 with Sharon Patchak-Layman and Dr. Lee dissenting.
ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS:
The Board renominated and elected the current officers: John Phelan President, Jeff Weissglass Vice President and Dr Jackie Moore Secretary.
The meeting was adjourned around 11:30.
