Community Partnerships - February 21, 2005

Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Community Partnerships February 21, 2005		Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, Room 103 Madison, Wisconsin

Partnerships Committee meeting was called to order by Chair Johnny Winston, Jr. at 5:03 p.m.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Ruth Robarts, Shwaw Vang, Johnny Winston, Jr.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None

CITIZEN MEMBERS PRESENT: Mary Ellen Johnson

OTHER BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Bill Clingan, and Student Representatives Oliver Kiefer and Lena Song

STAFF PRESENT: Valencia Douglas, Roger Price, Art Rainwater, Attorney Clarence Sherrod, Ken Syke, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary

1. Approval of Minutes

It was moved by Mary Ellen Johnson and seconded by Ruth Robarts to approve the minutes of the Partnerships Committee meeting dated February 7, 2005 as distributed. Motion unanimously carried.

2. Public Appearances

Barb Schrank was concerned that the committee has missed opportunities to collaborate with the community. She was looking for a report from the athletic committee. She was also interested in whether fee funding sources would be coming to this committee. She asked that a future meeting consider looking at the definition of partnerships and what additional definitions might be appropriate as it relates to building community collaborations. She suggested that there might be opportunities for partnerships with the Parent/Teacher Organizations taking on additional budget responsibilities. She was aware of the financial imbalance among the schools.

There was some discussion regarding past efforts to meet with PTO groups; the topic is scheduled for a meeting with the full board on March 1.

3. Announcements

There were no announcements.

Items 4 and 5 were taken up together.

4. Board Policy 3360 relative to Advertising

5. Board Policy 5013 relative to Community Sponsorship

(Packets included copies of Policies 3360 and 5013. Copies are attached to the original of these minutes.)

Mr. Winston, in light of having to cut a lot of services and programs, wanted to look at these policies and see if other board members could feel comfortable developing stronger partnerships with the business community in Madison. He did not want to repeat the situation from several years ago with the soft drink companies. He was interested in discussing areas like athletics, fine arts, and extracurricular activities as things that are real vulnerable to budget cuts. He wanted the administration to make some recommendations that would involve changing the policy. Mr. Winston distributed information on policies and procedures for advertising in schools/revenue enhancement (a copy is attached to the original of these minutes).

Discussion: Philanthropy vs. marketing. Athletic scoreboards, signs at games, etc., are an easier sell. The high schools have some connections for ongoing things. Currently, money can be given but there is no advertising. There are limited exceptions for MSCR and Food Services. Schools are guarded by confidentiality restrictions during the day but it is different after school. There was some discussion relative to the work of the Booster Clubs, eroding health programs, Foundation dollars vs. advertisements to develop product loyalty. Funding for things like plays vs. math classes, etc. Concern with having this discussion now vs. during the summer months. Concern that everything was explored. Sponsors could be listed on Cable Channel 10. Worthwhile to explore but specify the board's interest in having the community underwrite for some the television programs then look at a different kind of underwriting for extracurricular activities and athletics. Consider differences in age level of students and having some media literacy. Many other districts are getting money, negotiated as things go along, and either party can get out of it if they want.

FOLLOW UP: Mr. Winston asked that the administration provide options to the full board to explore for the future. In addition, provide information on what other school districts are actually getting.

6. Other Business

There was no other business.

7. Adjournment

It was moved by Ruth Robarts and seconded by Shwaw Vang to adjourn the meeting at 6 p.m. Motion unanimously carried.

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