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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
|---|---|---|
| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Regular Meetings October 1, 2007 |
Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, Auditorium Madison, Wisconsin |
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I CALL TO ORDER
The Board of Education meeting was called to order by President Arlene Silveira at 7:15 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Maya Cole, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Beth Moss, Arlene Silveira, Johnny Winston, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT: Joe Carlsmith
STAFF PRESENT: Mark Evans, Steve Hartley, Pam Nash, Doug Pearson, Kathy Price, Art Rainwater, Marcia Standiford, Ken Syke, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
LEGAL COUNSEL PRESENT: Attorneys Frank Crisafi and Dan Mallin
The Superintendent introduced the Mann and Sanchez Scholars who are now starting their high school careers. He described the programs, the legacy of Bernard and Kathy Mann and Professor Roberto G. Sanchez. Each of the scholars was given the opportunity to say a few words about themselves.
II APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting dated September 10, 2007. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
III PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Thomas J. Mertz indicated that people are getting listed as supporters of the Wisconsin Way Initiative proposal when they have not seen any materials. He asked that the Board support the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools.
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.
Jeannie Retelle, MMSD Enrollment Specialist, gave an on-line presentation of the Parent Portal that is part of the District's Infinite Campus system. Mr. Rainwater talked about the roll-out plan and would provide a written timeline to the Board in their next packet.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTION THEREON
A Performance and Achievement
1 It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen that the Evaluation of Learning Materials Committee adoptions be approved in the amount of $49,615.78. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
Ms. Kobza reported that the last meeting was on September 24 and started out with a brief update on the work of the Fine Arts Task Force to gather information from the community and provide recommendations on the arts education program. They will be distributing surveys and conducting community conversations. The survey instrument can be obtained through the district's web site. The committee then continued its discussion of four-year-old kindergarten and kindergarten preparedness. The Administration provided information about other preschool partnerships as well. Issues with starting a four-year-old kindergarten in the district continue around funding, labor contracts, and private child care programs. Before proceeding, the committee wants direction from the full Board at a future meeting.
2 It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen to move the discussion of Four-Year-Old Kindergarten to the full Board of Education about whether to proceed and to get direction for next steps, including gathering community input. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
The committee will continue discussion about using a growth model to measure student performance and how students are progressing from year to year and through the year. The committee had a presentation of what Value Added Measurements are and why they are use and how they are being used by other districts. The committee's next meeting is scheduled for October 15 to continue discussion of the use of growth measurements to evaluate student achievement. There would not be a specific methodology but a step towards the Board's goals and for Superintendent Rainwater toward the strategic plan. On October 22 the committee will meet as a workshop to begin discussion on different school models and how these options should fit into Madison's schools.
B Finance and Operations
Ms. Mathiak reported on the last committee meeting of September 18. Tonight's board packet contained the October financial reports. Some revenues have not come in, but the state budget is not done yet. She thought it would be useful to have a sense of where the district is on the adopted budget as different financial decisions are made throughout the year. Board members will receive the most recent monthly financial report available before the Regular meetings. The committee also finalized the Citizens' Budget. Ms. Carstensen provided a helpful overview and the committee agreed to add her suggested narrative. The committee also heard a brief presentation and had a discussion on the WAN upgrade plan that will be brought to the full Board as soon as it is ready. The committee also spent time with Lucy Chaffin from MSCR discussing MSCR programs and the revenue streams. It appears that MSCR is taking on an increasingly important social services role in the community and Ms. Mathiak wanted people to be aware of that. The committee will talk more about MSCR and the data that was requested. The next meeting is set for October 16 in Room 103 and the agenda will be announced.
FOLLOW UP: Citizens' Budget will be posted on the web site and made available to PTOs; separate communications will go out with the detailed budget book when it comes out; it will be included in monthly updates to community groups, etc., from the Board President and in the MMSD Today, etc.
C Human Resources
Mr. Winston noted that the next meeting would be on October 15 to discuss the results from the administrative pay study, an issue carried over from last year. Other items will be added as they become ready, e.g., Human Resources Annual Report, update on the revised report of historically underutilized business, and other issues within the Affirmative Action Department.
D LongRangePlanning
Ms. Carstensen noted that the committee met last Monday with the Planners from Madison and Fitchburg about what is happening over the next 5-10 years in each of their areas. It is clear that both areas are anticipating continued growth. How fast, no one willing to say, but significant areas are already plotted and have developed plans. The next meeting is scheduled for October 22 to look at the savings achieved through performance contracting. The committee will also review enrollment figures and identify any schools that may be experiencing enrollment issues. The Board received books on the East and West Facility plans. Doug Pearson will invite the architects to come and walk through the plans.
E Community Partnerships
Ms. Cole reported that the committee met twice since the last Regular meeting. On September 10, 2007 they discussed the decision making matrix for Fund 80 community partnerships. After some discussion, the committee made a recommendation to the full Board which follows.
1 It was moved by Maya Cole and seconded by Lawrie Kobza that, beginning with funding for 2008-09, Community Partnerships Fund 80 funds be awarded through a competitive grant process for all organizations except those that fall under the Schools of Hope contract.
It was moved by Johnny Winston, Jr. and seconded by Beth Moss to table this item until the Board has a discussion as a whole. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion carried 5-2 with Maya Cole and Lucy Mathiak voting no.
Ms. Maya continued with her report on the October 1 meeting. The committee came to two decisions based on Board goals: 1) defining types of partnerships within the district; and 2) reviewing Board Policy 4500 regarding parent involvement. The committee will look at Board goals making sure they are clarified and that they reflect legal requirements and current Board views on issues of partner involvement and for those mostly affected, mainly parents. She scheduled another meeting on October 17 at noon in Room 103 to catch up on these two things.
F Communications
Ms. Moss reported that the committee met earlier in the evening and had a legislative update from district lobbyist Joe Quick. They also had a presentation on the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools from Tom Beebe. The committee discussed goals for the coming year. Ms. Moss will be making some changes to those for the next meeting. They also started discussion on the possibility of supporting the Wisconsin Way Initiative organization, an effort of a large number of groups in Wisconsin. The committee heard a presentation from them last month. That discussion will continue on to the next meeting. On November 5 the committee will continue with the Wisconsin Way Initiative discussion about whether or not the Board would like to become a dues-paying member of any organized groups. They would not be taking up Item "g" on the agenda until the committee finishes its discussion.
VII AUDITING, PURCHASING, TRANSFERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
A Auditing
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that interim bills be approved amounting to $11,991,270.77 covering the period of September 6, 2007 through September 26, 2007. 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 Lawrie Kobza that the proposal from Madison Cellular Telephone Company to install and operate a cellular telephone antenna on the roof of Franklin Elementary School be approved.
Discussion: Principal notified parent group (no comments received), alder is aware; there will be more opportunities for the city to speak. New antennas are just barely visible.
Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
2 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Johnny Winston, Jr. that the proposal of $16,400 from Lohaus Covers for a pontoon boat canopy at Tenney Park be approved with funding from Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR). Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
3 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lawrie Kobza to approve renewing with Novell, Inc. the Novell School License Agreement software maintenance contract for the Open Enterprise Server, ZENworks Desktop Management, and GroupWise bundle License under State of Wisconsin contract #18-20837-401 at an estimated cost of $48,718 during the 2008 fiscal year with funding from the 2007-08 Technical Services Division budget. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
C Transfers
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lawrie Kobza to transfer $361,360 from Teacher Salaries to the Reserve for Contingencies because such amount was set aside for potential staff that did not need to be used to accommodate fall enrollment changes. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
D Other Financial Transactions
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lawrie Kobza to approve a Lease Purchase Financing Agreement with LaSalle Bank for a total of $266,000 (interest cost $36,180.28) for replacement of gym lighting. Student Representative advisory vote was aye.
2 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that all grants and other donations received by the MMSD since September 10, 2007 be approved. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
VIII HUMAN RESOURCES TRANSACTIONS AND REPORTS
It was moved by Johnny Winston, Jr. and seconded by Lawrie Kobza to approve Item VIII 1-138 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
Ms. Mathiak reported that the next meeting would be held on October 11 at 4:30 p.m. The location and agenda are not definite yet.
B Student Representative Report
Mr. Carlsmith reported that the Senate has not yet met for this school year. They did have a few members participate in the development of the Superintendent Leadership Profile. Their first meeting is tomorrow at 6 p.m. in Room 103. They will be receiving a presentation from Board President Arlene Silveira and discussing their plans for the year.
X OTHER BUSINESS
A It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve a modification of Board Policy and Procedure 1031 concerning the definition of a "quorum" for the meeting of a standing committee.
Discussion: Must have a majority of Board members; only one Board member is not a quorum. There was a suggestion to, at some future point, amend paragraph 4 with regard to the annual appointment of citizen members by the Board President. There was also some question about the application of members to the committee in paragraph 6 and the requirements for who would be eligible in the district. Administration will bring recommendations on these items.
Clarified that for the Community Partnerships Committee, three people would be required for a quorum, two of which would have to be elected Board members. For the Communications Committee, four members would be required for a quorum, and 2 of the 3 elected Board members would be required.
Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
B It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve entering into a contract with Dovetail Computing, Inc. (Dovetail) in an amount not to exceed $13,800 for migrating the District's web page structure to the Drupal content management system with funding from a vacant Full Time Equivalent (FTE) position in the Public Information Department. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
C It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve a contract with the Dane County Parent Council (DCPC) in the amount of $121,944 for services pursuant to the Even Start Family Literacy Collaborative Grant which was awarded to the District and DCPC by the Department of Public Instruction. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
D It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve an agreement with United Way of Dane County (UWDC) in which UWDC will pay to the District $19,080 ($5,000 of the total amount was already approved/accepted by the Board via the Dane County Coalition for Neighborhood Child Health (DCCNCH) agreement wherein participating agencies pay the District for the coordinator's salary). An additional $5,000 is earmarked for contribution toward the salary of another District employee who acts as a Family Advocate Coordinator for DCCNCH. The remainder of the funds are for various Neighborhood Child Health Clinic activities such as payment for dental care for those children who would not otherwise receive such care. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
E It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve the list of graduates granted diplomas from the start date of the 2006-07 school year through the start date of the 2007-08 school year. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
FOLLOW UP: Breakdown by race.
F It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that, pursuant to the provision of Section 118.15 of State Statutes, 21 students be excused from school attendance for the purpose of allowing them to enroll in programs for high school equivalency diplomas. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
G It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that 33 students be granted diplomas of graduation based on completed requirements. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
H Old and New Business
There was no old or new business.
XI ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Johnny Winston, Jr. to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Hartley
Secretary to the Board of Education
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Previous: 2007-09-10 || Regular Meetings || Next: 2007-11-05