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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
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| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Regular Meetings December 4, 2006 |
Wright Middle School 1717 Fish Hatchery Road, Gym 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 7:53 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: Mark Evans, Mary Gulbrandsen, Pam Nash, Joe Quick, Art Rainwater, Marcia Standiford, Lisa Wachtel, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
LEGAL COUNSEL PRESENT: Attorney Clarence Sherrod
II APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Ruth Robarts and seconded by Arlene Silveira to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting dated November 6, 2006. Motion unanimously carried.
III PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Geri Girard, La Follette parent, supported the four block system. He was concerned about communications at La Follette and was experiencing difficulty with the new principal. There has been no school newsletter since The School Times went bankrupt and no other mailings. There was no budget at the PTSO meeting, phone calls are not returned by the principal, the web site was finally updated from February, no notice about scheduling changes the week of WKCE testing, the automated phone system does not work, there was no information about Go to School night, and the principal is not responding to phone calls from parents, teachers, or students.
The Superintendent responded that the Administration is aware of the communication issues and they are working on them.
Kim Knorr, La Follette parent, was concerned about the changes at La Follette. The school is well supported by its community. The recently proposed changes have come without involvement from the La Follette community. At a recent PTSO meeting, the principal stated that the four block system does not meet all the educational standards but admitted that he had not analyzed any data. Communications between school leadership and the administration are not clear.
Discussion: Superintendent could not address personnel issues in a public meeting. Redesign directions were for the high schools to stop exactly where they are for at least two years so the La Follette four block system will be there for the next two years. During that time it will be looked at like everything else. Community input will be solicited some time during the next two weeks and it is the very first thing that will happen at the school level meetings with parents and separately with staff. There is no change planned for West except to correct the situation allowing students to bypass the 9th grade core if they have sufficient evidence to show that they are advanced and cannot be served in that course.
Imru Currie, 2002 graduate from La Follette, was not aware of the process or time frame regarding the four block but endorsed it as a former student and representative of some families who were also present. She stated that the four block scheduling was very helpful in preparing him for entering a four year institution and the class time allowed him to get a better understanding of the material without feeling too overwhelmed with too many classes. It also helped him build important relationships with teachers and students in the class.
Sally Jackson, La Follette parent, also supported the many benefits of four block scheduling as do a very large group of parents who have started meeting. They went to four block scheduling to achieve higher ACT scores, better attendance, decreases in suspensions, to raise the performance levels of minority and economically disadvantaged students, to broaden the curriculum, to offer more advanced placement courses, and to allow for more personalized instruction. She stated that the distict's web site statistics appear to show that things have been increasing for the good. She liked the fact that all the high schools do not have to be the same. She was thankful that they will have parent, student, and teacher involvement.
Nicolle Hill and Siettan Parks, La Follette students, supported the four block system. It helps them get the help they need, especially with math and science. It allows for one-on-one time with the teachers. They are both in sports and carrying seven classes is easier to handle. It is also less stressful at exam time. It was clarified that this scheduling system allows for more flexibility while requiring the same academic structure as all the other high schools.
Sue Ela parent of a very successful UW student who felt that the four block system prepared her very well for college curriculum. She hoped the Board would review what is working and what is not working. She feared that the budgets were the biggest problem and the primary driver for so many things. She wanted to keep working to find new solutions to improve the schools.
There were three written registrations in support of the four block scheduling system.
IV BOARD PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
There were no announcements or reports.
A copy of the Seventh Annual Report on the Board of Education Priorities and PowerPoint presentation are attached to the original of these minutes.
Follow Up: Send to Board disaggregated population of a particular school and see how that works across the district (income level, race, etc.). Provide attendance data disaggregated by school. Provide the report on Southeast Asian attendance from last fall.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTION THEREON
A Performance and Achievement
1 It was moved by Shwaw Vang and seconded by Ruth Robarts to approve the Evaluation of Learning Materials adoptions in the amount of $45,659.12. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
Shwaw Vang reported that the committee met on November 13 and received a report from the Fine Arts Coordinator. The committee will meet again on December 11 and get a report on disproportionality in the district as it relates to special education and also a report on student credits for courses taken outside the MMSD.
B Finance and Operations
Lawrie Kobza reported that the committee met twice since the last Regular meeting. After much work, the committee has a document entitled the Citizen's Budget on which it will seek community input. A public workshop will be held in mid-January to discuss the format of the Citizen's Budget. In the meantime, Carol Carstensen will work on narrative from the district budget and on district revenues that will be included in the Citizen's Budget. She hopes to be able to use the Citizen's Budget with the next budget process.
Another meeting was held last Monday to talk about the ten ideas from the administration for potential cost savings. Some will be implemented next year, others will need further explanation. There are areas in the district's transportation budget that could be looked at further that may generate some small savings. Further clarification was given on how substitute costs are accounted for and the district's handling of the salary savings account. This accounting practice will be more consistent so the Board can more easily monitor those budgets. The committee also reviewed the monthly financial reports that will help the district stay on its budget.
C Human Resources
Ruth Robarts reported that the committee met on November 27 and received and considered information on administrator contracts, pay, and merit increases. The committee also reviewed its goals and calendar. The next meeting is scheduled for December 18 at 6 p.m.
D LongRangePlanning
Carol Carstensen reported that the committee met on November 13 and looked at actual Third Friday Enrollment data for each school as well as the five year projections. They also reviewed immediate uses in terms of enrollment capacity at the elementary schools since middle and high school total enrollments are going down a little. Chavez and Lake View Elementary Schools are over capacity currently and will be the focus of the next meeting on December 18. Each of those school communities will be given a chance to give the committee their feedback. The committee will continue discussion of the criteria for considering boundary changes on December 18.
E Community Partnerships
Lucy Mathiak reported that the committee met on November 13 to discuss the community listening sessions that may start some time in January. They also talked about funding community partners and the issue of annual reports and what types of information would be needed from those groups. They spent time looking at a detailed report from the African-American Ethnic Academy. There may be some consultations with the Finance and Operations Committee regarding the process of awarding funds. The December meeting is canceled in order to schedule other Board items. The next meeting is January 8.
F Communications
Arlene Silveira reported that the committee met on November 27 and discussed planning for and structure of the Community Conversations, communications to the community during a crisis through an automated phone system available in the middle and high schools, and also looked at potentially using the district web site and Channel 10 for getting information to the community and to get feedback on things the Board is evaluating. The web site will house things like the Citizen's Budget and different topics on which the Board is seeking feedback. Community members will be able to comment on the site; that project is in development right now. The next meeting is scheduled for January 9 to meet with the Legislative Delegation and the agenda will be forthcoming.
VII AUDITING, PURCHASING, TRANSFERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
A Auditing
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Arlene Silveira that interim bills be approved amounting to $27,158,865.09 and covering the period of October 30, 2006 through November 29, 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 proposal of $29,025 from Carrico Aquatic Resources be approved for an ultraviolet pool filter, ETS SP-25-8 UV, for the Memorial High School pool, with funding from the 2006-07 General Operating Budget, Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR), and the Memorial Booster Club (estimated at $25,000).
There was some discussion about reimbursing West High School for the pool filter they purchased through fund raising. The Superintendent will find out the specifics about the pool at West and will propose an equitable solution.
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 $21,445.00 from Becker Boiler for boiler repairs at West High School be approved with funding from the 2006-07 General Operating Budget, in accordance with BOE policy 5000.2.a.2, "Exigent Circumstances." Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
3 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Arlene Silveira that Sports Image, Inc. be contracted to act as the District's agent to sell and manage all paid advertising on District-owned equipment located at athletic venues within the District.
There was some discussion about the estimated costs in the revenue plan and the incentive to keeps costs low.
Lawrie Kobza amended the motion, accepted as friendly by mover and seconder, that any renewals will be subject to Board approval. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
C Other Financial Transactions
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Arlene Silveira that the Board accept a donation through the Madison Community Foundation from Webcrafters-Frautschi Foundation, Inc. in the amount of $10,000 to provide funds for consultants, pupil travel, classroom materials, non-capital and capital equipment, and site improvement at Mendota Elementary School. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
2 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Arlene Silveira that the Board accept a donation from the Madison Community Foundation in the amount of $12,500 to support the Lapham/Even Start Early Childhood Program. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
3 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Arlene Silveira that the Board accept the reimbursement of salary and benefits, plus summer school for one teacher, not to exceed $100,000, and to approve the collaboration of the District, Dane County Department of Human Resources and St. Charles Youth and Family Services in the implementation of The Focus Program. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
4 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lawrie Kobza that all grants and other donations received by the MMSD since November 6, 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 1-240 in its entirety with the exception of any item a board member may wish to have separated out. There were no separations. Student Representative vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
IX REPORTS TO THE BOARD
A Common Council/Board of Education Liaison Committee
Lucy Mathiak reported that the committee met on November 15 and had a panel discussion on school safety challenges that started out as a response to the first lock down at East High School. They talked about how schools are changing and issues that are being seen. There will be ongoing discussion on these changes and how they are affecting the MMSD and Dane County. They also discussed pedestrian vehicle safety issues around the schools. That issue will be coming up on the meeting scheduled for December 13 in Room 100A of the Doyle Building.
B Student Representative Report
Joe Carlsmith reported that the Student Senate met twice, once on November 7 and heard a presentation on the food policy and its implementation so far. They talked about a proposal from Shabazz with regard to their lunch program and not having time to get their lunch in the cafeteria which they share with Sherman Middle School and there are no vegetarian options. The proposal would allow Shabazz students on every Friday to donate some money and cook lunch and serve it. They are excited about this proposal. Frank Kelly, Food Services Director, met with both the principals and this item will be taken up again at the next meting.
The Student Senate also met on November 21 and heard a presentation by Mary Gulbrandsen on the expulsion policy and had a brief discussion on the idea of was happens post-expulsion and how students could continue to learn from the district. They will talk more about this topic as well. They also talked about homogenous grouping. There was no consensus on this. Further research will be reviewed. The Student Senate will be looking to make recommendations to the High School Redesign task force. The next meeting will also cover a presentation by Joe Quick on the legislative process, the district's web site, and election of officers.
C WisconsinAssociation of School Boards 2007 Resolutions
Carol Carstensen will be attending the annual meeting in Milwaukee as the MMSD delegate to vote on the resolutions. The item was not starred for action so the resolutions will be included on the January agenda for voting.
X OTHER BUSINESS
A It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Ruth Robarts that students residing in the Hawks Creek development attend Huegel Elementary for the 2007-08 school year, Toki Middle, and Memorial High School and, beginning with school year 2008-09, attend the Linden Park school, Jefferson Middle, and Memorial High School. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
B Administration withdrew the following recommendation: It is recommended, to more effectively coordinate the delivery of the information technology support services in the District and to avoid hiring additional Administrative staff, that the Board, pursuant to Human Resources Policy 3.01, directs the Superintendent to fill the newly created Chief Information officer position from within the existing Administrative staff. No action taken.
C It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Ruth Robarts that 26 students be granted diplomas of graduation based on completed requirements. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
D Old and New Business
There was no old or new business.
XI ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:37 p.m. by unanimous consent and the Student Representative voting aye.
Respectfully submitted,
Roger Price
Secretary to the Board of Education
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Previous: 2006-11-06 || Regular Meetings || Next: 2007-01-08