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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
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| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Human Resources February 17, 2003 |
Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, Room 103 Madison, Wisconsin |
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The Human Resources Committee meeting was called to order by Chair Ray Allen at 6:45 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ray Allen, Bill Clingan, Shwaw Vang
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Juan José López, Ruth Robarts
STAFF PRESENT: Rita Applebaum, Jane Belmore, Valencia Douglas, Mary Gulbrandsen, Bob Nadler, Roger Price, Art Rainwater, Ken Syke, Barbara Lehman - Recording Secretary
It was moved by Bill Clingan and seconded by Shwaw Vang to approve the minutes of the Human Resources Committee dated February 3, 2003 as distributed. Motion unanimously carried.
Ralph Holmes talked about how to add time to the elementary school lunch program. He suggested the Board set policy requiring a minimum of 20 minutes from when the last child is seated and five minutes for passing time. He suggested three ways the time could be included: 1) adding back to Mondays; 2) taking the 10 minute break and rolling it into lunch time (would not give passing time); 3) shortening the time required to stay after school to 20 minutes instead of 30 minutes. (A statement is attached to the original of these minutes.)
There was some discussion about the 10 minute break time that was a recess before and is not discretionary time. Also clarified that the early dismissal on Mondays was achieved by adding onto the other four days.
One written registration supported written comments made by another parent relative to measurable evaluation results and the Performance Management Agreement timeframe (a copy of the correspondence is attached to the original of these minutes).
There were no announcements.
(Packets included a proposed Human Resources policy/procedures statement and proposed changes to Board Policy 8005 - Employment. Copies are attached to the original of these minutes.)
Item 4 was withdrawn by the administration and will be rescheduled to a later date.
(Packets included the Superintendent's MPA goals for the 2002-03 school year. A copy is attached to the original of these minutes.)
Mr. Allen stated that the goals included in the packet are the same as those submitted by the Superintendent a few months ago. The issue was put off due to concerns raised about measurement criteria. The Superintendent indicated that he had not received alternative goals or edits from the Board members as was suggested at the last meeting. Mr. Allen stated that he wished to finalize the issue and deferred to the committee.
Discussion: Tying the Superintendent's goals to those of the district. Only Goal 2 has a measurable outcome with regard to participation in algebra. If the goal is to "create" or "develop," there are few options. Not reasonable to make a definitive statement about the superintendent if a certain percentage of students do not perform. Would like some type of ability for the Board to declare whether the goals have been met. Clarified that the rating system was the same for all management staff. Grapple with using benchmarks that would not indicate what to expect in terms of assigning a rating and would lack a series of gradations. Where individual judgment comes into play. Lack of resources or effort or vision is one thing but does not take life into account. Does not make sense to include those types of measures unless all district staff and the Board is held accountable and everyone resigns if the target is not hit. A baseline would provide something against which to measure progress. A change in the number of kids should be a major part of the discussion. Cannot tell whether the framework has made any difference or not.
Goals are for this school year and it is February. It was suggested by the Superintendent to have the process begin with the Board proposing some goals for the Superintendent to react to. He stated that he was not motivated by evaluations; he works just as hard no matter what the goals are or anything else. He added that he would lead as best he can no matter what. He disagreed with having arbitrary benchmarks but was open to improving this process and improving the district. May be helpful to change the order. Contract never gets reopened so this is the only way to take the initiative and shape this employment relationship. It was presumed that the full Board would agree to three or four goals. The three priorities already exist. Superintendent has earned his contract. Could revisit the way it is done. Seems more legitimate and up front to have the Board suggest goals. Evaluation sessions were frustrating because of the lack of agreement among the Board members about what was expected out of the process. Not a criticism of the superintendent but do need a process or set of goals and a way of evaluating that can be communicated. Would be very good to start out by having the proposed goals come from the committee. Need to include how the Board will know when the Superintendent has achieved the goals. The Superintendent also needs to know what we expect. Contract is one-sided. Needs measurability and specificity. Board fails to do its part of the contract.
It was moved by Bill Clingan that the Human Resources Committee propose a set of goals for the Superintendent to be voted on and sent to the full Board for this year.
The Superintendent withdrew his proposed MPA goals for the 2002-03 school year.
Shwaw Vang seconded the motion.
Discussion: If the superintendent does not agree, it will have to be negotiated. There are only four months left in this school year.
Bill Clingan withdrew his motion.
It was moved by Bill Clingan and seconded by Shwaw Vang that the Human Resources Committee create a set of goals for the Superintendent to be voted on and sent to the full Board for the 2003-04 school year.
Discussion: Concerned about micromanaging the Superintendent in addition to the Board priorities. Sooner or later it will come to stating that these goals were not met regardless of how the duties are performed. What the Board sees as a priority may not be what the Superintendent sees needs to be done in the district. Do not want to get down to what the Board wants but what is important to the district. There are many ways that the goals can be met. The superintendent shapes many of the projects that go on in the district; well beyond what is on the list.
There was some discussion on specific input received by a parent regarding the Superintendent's evaluation.
Motion unanimously carried.
Discussion: Could consult with legal counsel to see if the current goals can be held for 16 months. People are not comfortable with the goals. All Board members are not present. Questions of measurability remain. Need to move forward. Could accept the offer from the Superintendent to withdraw them and have no goals. The evaluation of the five criteria in the appraisal is also part of the contract. Could evaluate on the appraisal part and remove these goals from the table.
It was moved by Bill Clingan and seconded by Ray Allen to remove from the table the goals submitted by the Superintendent for the 2002-03 school year.
Discussion: Cannot support that. Lot of work went into this. Need to see it through. Would not take very much to make the other goals like Goal 2 and have something that could be evaluated. Goals 1 and 3 need criteria. Not comfortable with having no goals at all. There are only four months left. The Board is not together on supporting or defining the goals. There have been times when the superintendent has not been evaluated. Too many other big issues going on. Need to get it out of committee. Would like to see it through.
Motion carried 2-1 with Shwaw Vang voting no.
No discussion.
It was moved by Shwaw Vang and seconded by Bill Clingan to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Motion unanimously carried.
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