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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
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| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Regular Meetings September 11, 2006 |
Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, McDaniels Auditorium Madison, Wisconsin |
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I CALL TO ORDER
The Board of Education meeting was called to order by President Johnny Winston, Jr. at 7:18 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Ruth Robarts, Arlene Silveira, Shwaw Vang, Johnny Winston, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT: Joe Carlsmith
STAFF PRESENT: Sue Abplanalp, Pam Nash, Doug Pearson, Kathy Price, Roger Price, Art Rainwater, Ken Syke, Lisa Wachtel, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
LEGAL COUNSEL PRESENT: Attorney Clarence Sherrod
The Superintendent and Board of Education members recognized the Mann and Sanchez Scholars who would be starting their high school careers. Scholars and their families work with district program coordinators Kathy Price and Amy Wallace to ensure graduation and post high school opportunities. Currently, five Mann Scholar graduates attend UW system schools, three attend Madison Area Technical College, and one studies out of state. This past spring, the district's first two Mann college students graduated from UW-Oshkosh and Brown University.
II APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Lucy Mathiak to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting dated August 14, 2006 with a correction to page 2, item VI D, changing the date from February 18 to September 18 for the next meeting of the Long Range Planning Committee. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
III PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Don Severson, Active Citizens for Education, opposed item X B of the agenda relative to proposed TIF District No. 7, City of Fitchburg, stating that it does not meet the legal requirements. He also referenced the information provided by William Pfeiffer which indicated that the project delays, for no really good reasons, the amount of money that would be yielded to the district in that area. Mr. Severson also made a suggestion regarding the upcoming referendum approving refinancing of debt and, if it passes, will free up considerable money in the budget (approximately $1 million). He urged the board to take a proactive approach to how that money is used assuming the referendum passes. He wanted the board to identify for the public what their ideas were or projections would be for the use of that money in terms of district priorities.
Bill Pfeiffer opposed item X B relative to proposed TIF District No. 7 for the City of Fitchburg. He noted that the board received his letters regarding this matter. He indicated that this TIF had come before the board on June 5, 2006 and that it was unanimously rejected. The Joint Review Board also voted to reject it because it did not meet the statutory requirements. He did not agree that the area was blighted or that it needs any improvements. The benefits to the district were insufficient to the cost to the district. He felt the City of Fitchburg wanted the district to help them pay for "beautification" improvements which is not as important as the education of students. He felt that Fitchburg had all the resources it needed to make these changes themselves. The district would be giving up too much in tax increment over a long period of time.
It was moved by Shwaw Vang and seconded by Carol Carstensen to suspend the rules and allow City of Fitchburg Mayor Tom Clauder and Tony Roach 15 minutes to present TIF District No. 7.
There was some discussion about setting precedent and past practice allowing things to be moved forward on the agenda so people would not have to wait until later in the agenda for their item to come up.
Mr. Vang withdrew his motion and Ms. Carstensen withdrew her second.
There were no written registrations.
IV BOARD PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
A copy of the report is attached to the original of these minutes.
A copy of the report is attached to the original of these minutes.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTION THEREON
A Performance and Achievement
1 It was moved by Shwaw Vang and seconded by Arlene Silveira to approve the Evaluation of Learning Materials adoptions in the amount of $9,543,396.62. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
Mr. Vang reported that the committee met on August 21 and established four to five goals and activities for the 2006-07 school year. There was also a presentation by the English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Coordinator on the state of ESL for Southeast Asian students. The next meeting is set for October 9.
B Finance and Operations
Ms. Kobza reported that the committee has not met since the last Regular meeting but is scheduled to meet on September 25. They will be reviewing the district's finances as reflected in the People's Budget as discussed at the previous meeting. They will also be looking at the transportation budget for the district.
C Human Resources
Ms. Robarts reported that the committee met on August 21. They discussed and then approved a set of goals and activities for the 2006-07 school year and agreed that they would like to establish a regular Human Resources schedule for the rest of the school year. The next meeting will be held on September 25 at 6 p.m. in McDaniels Auditorium. Bob Butler, a consultant for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards has been invited to do a presentation on the fundamental reasons why it is in the best interests of districts and their employees to address controlling health insurance costs. Mr. Butler has an article on this subject in the July issue of School News which she has posted on the www.schoolinfosystem.org web site.
D LongRangePlanning
Ms. Carstensen reported that the committee has not met since the last Regular meeting. The next meeting will be on September 18. Planners from both the City of Madison and Fitchburg have been invited to come and give an overview of development in each of the cities and how it is likely to impact the Madison schools' enrollment over the next 20-25 years.
E Community Partnerships
Ms. Mathiak reported that the committee had two meetings since the last Regular meeting. On August 21 they began some preliminary discussions of the two main foci they will be working with this year. One has to do with strengthening partnerships between schools and parents to bridge some areas of disconnect and learn from those schools that have good relationships with their parents. The second was to discuss developing a standard process for administering grants to community partners and making recommendations to the Board. One of the biggest questions is how much money may be available and what the Board's wishes will be toward practices for grants for community partners. That will require some board discussion and decision and may go through the Finance and Operations Committee. They did start pulling together some models and are gathering information.
The committee then met at 5 p.m. this evening and again talked more about how they would get be getting information on what works and what does not with parents as partners. They are trying to be respectful of plans for the Communications Committee and get at a different set of questions. They will meet again on October 9 at 5 p.m. Administration will be helping to get a panel together that will talk about their schools that have been very successful in engaging a broad spectrum of partners in the community.
F Communications
Ms. Silveira reported that the committee met this evening. The three citizen members were introduced who will be very valuable contributors to the committee. They also met and voted on the committee's goal to provide the Board of Education with information about community values, goals, and concerns for the MMSD and encouraging a sense of community ownership of and responsibility for the MMSD. The end goal is to create a conversation with the community to determine what they value in the schools and public education and use that information in their decision making. They discussed different ways to identify different community groups to work with to set up these conversations and start the process of evaluating what types of information and what types of questions they want to solicit from these groups. It was also suggested that outside facilitators be identified to help with these conversations throughout the community.
The next meeting will take up legislative issues and looking at ways to empower parents and the community to engage the legislators both at the state and federal levels and provide people with information on the funding issues so the legislators can make better decisions. The next meeting is scheduled for September 25 at 5 p.m.
VII AUDITING, PURCHASING, TRANSFERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
A Auditing
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang that interim bills be approved amounting to $9,543,396.62 and covering the period of August 9, 2006 through September 5, 2006. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
2 There were no School Building Fund bills.
B Purchasing
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Arlene Silveira that the bid of $33,162.00 from Marling Lumber for La Follette Trades House building materials be approved with funding from the 2006-2007 General Operating Budget. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
2 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Arlene Silveira that the proposal of $30,000.00 from A&J Specialty Services for flood damage repairs at Lindbergh Elementary School be approved with funding from the 2006-07 General Operating Budget, in accordance with BOE Policy 5000.2.a, Exigent Circumstances.
There was some discussion regarding insurance coverage and the electrical estimate.
Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
3 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang that the proposal of $15,000.00 from Sergenian's Floor Coverings for flood damage repairs, new carpet at Lindbergh Elementary School, be approved with funding from the 2006-07 General Operating Budget in accordance with BOE Policy 5000.2.a, Exigent Circumstances. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
4 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang that the proposal of $68,846.00 from Forward Electric for flood damage repairs -- electrical -- at Lindbergh Elementary School be approved with funding from the 2006-07 General Operating Budget, in accordance with BOE Policy 5000.2.a, Exigent Circumstances. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
5 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang to approve an expenditure totaling $271,272 for purchase of first semester student bus passes from Madison Metro Transit System. The district provides bus passes to high school and middle school students that meet transportation requirements for indigent students. Purchase was funded through the 2006-07 Transportation Services budget (reference requisition #45933).
There was some discussion about the number of students that this reflects and the number of waivers. Administration will provide that information. The estimate was the budgeted amount. There was a substantial rate increase.
Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
6 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Arlene Silveira that an award be made to Inacom Information Systems, under Wisconsin State Contract #03-2052, in the amount of $48,600, for the purchase of Open Enterprise Server, ZENworks Desktop Management, GroupWise Bundle License under the Enrollment Model plan using a student count of 24,300. Funding comes from the 2006-07 Technical Services budget. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
7 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang that an award be made to Inacom Information Systems, under Wisconsin State Contract #03-2052, in the amount of $34,760, for the purchase of Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition licenses. Funding comes from the 2006-07 Technical Services budget. Student Representative abstained. Motion unanimously carried.
C Other Financial Transactions
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Arlene Silveira that the Board of Education approve the resolution to authorize the temporary borrowing of $79,600,000 pursuant to Wis. Stat. Section 67.12(8)(a)1.
There was some discussion about the reasons for the temporary borrowing, the number of years it has been done, and the district's rating from Moody's as the highest available. Mr. Price noted the results of the bid and rate of net interest. The budget will be adjusted to reflect the borrowing. FOLLOW UP: Administration will provide a chart showing much has been borrowed over the years and as a percentage of the total budget.
Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
2 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang that the Board of Education accept a donation through the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools from the Rennebohm Foundation and the Kelly Family Foundation in the amount of $75,000 for the continued support of the Aristos Scholars and Grants Program for the district's teachers and administrators. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
3 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang that the Board of Education accept a donation from the Kern Family Foundation in the amount of $60,000 to support of the district's Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program.
All four schools are participating. FOLLOW UP: Administration was asked to set up a presentation for the board on what the Kern Foundation is and what they have funded and about the Project Lead the Way program.
Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
4 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang that the Board of Education accept a donation from the Madison Community Foundation in the amount of $50,000 to support the Every Child Counts—First Grade Math Intervention Initiative to cover the costs associated with providing the professional development and materials necessary to continue this initiative a second year.
FOLLOW UP: Administration will set up a report on the Every Child Counts-First Grade Math Intervention Initiative.
Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
5 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang that all grants and other donations received by the MMSD since May 1, 2006 be approved. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
VIII HUMAN RESOURCES TRANSACTIONS AND REPORTS
It was moved by Ruth Robarts and seconded by Shwaw Vang to approve Item VIII 1-265 in its entirety with the exception of any item a board member may wish to have separated out.
There was some discussion about the contract change reductions for teachers who are still receiving full benefits. Bob Nadler noted the various reasons for these changes. He will provide additional information on the Human Resources and Transactions Report on teachers with changes in part-time contracts. There were no separations. Student Representative abstained. Motion unanimously carried.
IX REPORTS TO THE BOARD
A Common Council/Board of Education Liaison Committee
Ms. Mathiak reported that the committee met on August 16 on a number of issues: How the Sprecher Road mowing (weed and grass levels) might be managed. The district does have the option to request an exemption for natural management. The second issue was the treatment of gypsy moths on school property. Many parties are interested in areas where trees are affected trees. The City is working on the hot spots. They worked out a cooperation between the City and the district to treat trees primarily at Allis and Cherokee with the understanding that, where there is infestation, the district will be treating. All the parties will discuss treatment plans. The committee also had preliminary discussion on the demographics at Allied Drive and whether it is different or if there are now areas that do not look that different from Allied Drive. This will be an ongoing discussion. Lastly, the focus for September 27 will be the role of schools in the planning process of infill and other redevelopment projects. There are some traffic safety issues being pushed by the infill projects that may push things to the point of where the district has to provide buses. The committee is trying to get information on the point at which the district comes into play, etc. Mary Gulbrandsen will work on sharing how the district determines what a hazardous road is. The next meeting on October 18 will look at the planning process and traffic issues. Another development that people should have on their radar is the Allied Drive Redesign process. The committee will have a presentation from the City. Discussion and ideas do have implications for some district plans.
Recessed at 8:45 p.m.
Reconvened at 8:54 p.m.
X OTHER BUSINESS
A It is recommended to approve the resolution approving the creation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District No. 29 amendment, TIF District 32 amendment, and TIF district 37 creation, City of Madison.
City of Madison representatives Dean Brasser, Comptroller; Joe Gromoki, TIF Coordinator; and Dan Rolfs, Community Development Project Manager; made a few comments and were on hand to answers any questions about Item X A, the creation of one new district and amendments to two others. Mr. Brasser distributed a chart showing the values of all the districts created since the TIF law was created (a copy is attached to the original of these minutes). He noted the value of the projects, how many have been closed and returned to the general tax base, the average length of time they stay open, the components of the TIF law, and the current percent equalized value.
There was some discussion about the Joint Review Board, statute requirements, and the blighted status of all three districts. Each one was discussed in more detail and many questions were answered. The board would be advising Johnny Winston, Jr. how to vote at the Joint Review Board meeting.
Ms. Robarts requested separation of TIF District #32 and recused herself. Ms. Mathiak also recused herself. Mr. Vang recused himself from TIF District #37.
It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Shwaw Vang to approve the resolution to create an amendment to TIF District No. 29, City of Madison. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Arlene Silveira to approve the resolution to create an amendment to TIF District No. 32, City of Madison. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion carried 4-1 with Shwaw Vang voting no and Lucy Mathiak and Ruth Robarts recused.
It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Arlene Silveira to approve the resolution to create TIF District No. 27, City of Madison. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion carried 4-2 with Lucy Mathiak and Ruth Robarts voting no and Shwaw Vang recused.
B It is recommended to approve the resolution approving the creation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District No. 7, City of Fitchburg.
Tom Clauder, Mayor of Fitchburg; Tony Roach, City Administrator; and Michael Zimmerman, Community Economic Development manager for Fitchburg gave of an overview of TIF District No. 7. The Joint Review Board would be meeting on September 27.
It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang to approve the resolution approving the creation of TIF District No. 7, City of Fitchburg. Student Representative advisory vote was nay. Motion carried 4-3 with Lawrie Kobza, Ruth Robarts, and Shwaw Vang voting no.
C It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Shwaw Vang that students residing in the Garfoot development attend Stephens Elementary (if new school is built) or Muir Elementary (if no new school is built), Jefferson Middle, and Memorial High Schools. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
D It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Shwaw Vang that students residing in the Pellett development attend Stephens Elementary, Jefferson Middle, and Memorial High Schools. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
E It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Shwaw Vang that students residing in the Pine Hill Farm development attend Crestwood Elementary then Linden Elementary (if new school is built), Jefferson Middle, and Memorial High Schools. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
F It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Shwaw Vang that students residing in the Dean/Reif development attend Crestwood Elementary then Linden Elementary (if new school is built), Jefferson Middle, and Memorial High Schools. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
G It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Shwaw Vang that students residing in the Southern Ridge development attend Stephens Elementary, Jefferson Middle, and Memorial High Schools. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
H It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Shwaw Vang that students residing in the Miller-Krantz-Shalkhalm development attend Chavez Elementary, Toki Middle, and Memorial High Schools. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
I It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Shwaw Vang that students residing in the Bachman Stillman development attend Crestwood Elementary then Linden Elementary (if new school is built), Jefferson Middle, and Memorial High Schools. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
J It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Shwaw Vang that 33 students be granted diplomas of graduation based on completed requirements. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
K Old and New Business
There was no old or new business.
XI ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Ruth Robarts and seconded by Shwaw Vang to adjourn the meeting at 10:48 p.m. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Roger Price
Secretary to the Board of Education
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