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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
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| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Regular Meetings January 14, 2008 |
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 7:27 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Maya Cole, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Beth Moss, Arlene Silveira
MEMBERS ABSENT: Johnny Winston, Jr.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT: Joe Carlsmith
STAFF PRESENT: Sue Abplanalp, Mark Evans, Steve Hartley, Jack Jorgensen, Pam Nash, Doug Pearson, Art Rainwater, Candie Steffen, Donna Williams, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
LEGAL COUNSEL PRESENT: Attorney Frank Crisafi
II APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Lawrie Kobza to approve the minutes of the Regular meetings dated November 5, 2007 (revised) and with one change to the December 10, 2007 minutes under the Finance and Operations Committee correcting the word to "assess." Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried with Johnny Winston, Jr. absent.
III PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Todd Kummer opposed to army advertising on school property adding that the policy is very inconsistent and in need of full review. He asked that the ads be removed.
David Wasserman, teacher in the district, stated that he was learning about the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act and wanted to engage the Board in dialogue, particularly the "failing" list. He was encouraged to use the group e-mail and to indicate what it was he wanted the Board to do.
Gary Stout was also opposed to NCLB and said the Board had to say no because it is inappropriate and devastating to the students. Every day the schools go backwards complying with this act.
Dave Hoppe spoke about the picket at East High School and the question he receives from many parents about why the military people are talking to their children at lunch when they have signed the opt-out form. No one else is allowed into the commons area. He indicated that 2308 parents have said no and that the district needs to be fair and protect the kids from getting all these mailings.
Bill Keys also addressed military recruiting on the district's web site stating that all materials shall be identified and labeled according to policy. He also indicated that the Board members and the Administration have been silent on this issue and must move on.
Will Williams, Vets for Peace, felt responsible for the picket at East High School because a student called him who wanted to set up a table next to the military recruiters and the principal denied this request. Mr. Williams refuted that the decision made by the prinicipal. Students are now allowed to have a table but not in the same area.
David Miller stated that the military should have the same access as any other perspective employers and provided a schedule from Memorial High School. With regard to advertisements, he indicated that a poll done by Channel 3 showed that many said it was okay. He reiterated that they should be given the same access and that the ads are not hurting anyone.
Caroline Greenwald said that people are protesting the military's carte blanche at East High School. She wanted to work with the Board on its guidelines.
Ms. Silveira indicated that the Board was waiting for the Administration's report on what is currently happening within the schools, which they did receive in the last couple of days. The Board will look at that and the policy with the caveat that they would probably not be addressing anything on this issue until February.
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.
Renee Messing, CPA, and Partner in the Clifton Gunderson firm, presented the five different components of the 2007 audit results. A copy of the 2006-07 MMSD Financial Audit Report is attached to the original of these minutes. She noted that the district is taking care of all the issues that were raised now and have looked at some of the new issues coming up. It is an ongoing process. She added that it was a very positive year for the district; it continues to enjoy very positive financial indicators, the books are in excellent order, the information given is accurate and of very high integrity and the audit is a reflection of all of these efforts.
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 $78,717.28. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
Ms. Kobza reported that the last meeting was December 17 on school models (charter, magnet, alternative, specialty). The goal was to come up with a written list of considerations when making decisions regarding educational options (a draft of that list was included in the packet the committee worked off of). At the end of the meeting, they asked the Administration to make some changes. They will schedule a full Board meeting on this issue in the future after the committee has more in-depth discussion. The next meeting is January 28 for the second discussion on the Youth Options policy and revisions to the charter school policy. It will be open for public comment and she encouraged people to come. The goal is to move these two issues from the community to the full Board.
B Finance and Operations
Ms. Mathiak reported that the committee met on December 11 where they took up two topics. One was the purchase of a document management system within Educational Services as the primary initial application. She explained it as a data storage system from a paper base to an electronic system and electronically searchable. The process will include scanning documents so it is also a conversion of documents. It does not impact budget decisions.
1 It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Carol Carstensen that the Board approve the proposal to purchase an electronic document management system with a recommendation of approval from the committee with the cost, vendor, and other details as specified in the memorandum dated December 11, 2007. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
The committee also talked about Fund 80 regrouping, what the restrictions are, and how to use revenue streams and how the Board might look at them in the future. At some point, the committee will talk about setting priorities for property tax funding and some other management questions related to that fund. The next meeting is tomorrow, January 15, at noon in room 103 to take up a proposal for computer purchases from the technology referendum and common school fund and they may have some follow-up on the financial audit. They will then turn to the priorities and principles for Fund 80 budgeting.
C Human Resources
Mr. Winston was working this evening. Ms. Kobza reported that the committee had not met since the last Regular meeting and no new meeting is currently scheduled.
D LongRangePlanning
Ms. Carstensen reported that the committee met on December 17. Plan A was presented to the committee to look at the design of the attendance boundaries for the new school and the way in which that will impact other schools in the Memorial and West attendance areas. This was a presentation and it was meant to begin the discussion. There were a number of questions and suggestions raised. The discussion will continue at the next meeting on January 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.
E Community Partnerships
Ms. Cole reported that the committee's last meeting was December 10 and one was scheduled for tonight but was postponed until February 11 at 6 p.m. She covered the report from that meeting at the last Regular meeting. The committee will be taking up the parent involvement policy in February and partnership funding for athletics.
F Communications
Beth Moss reported that the committee was also scheduled to meet tonight but was postponed until February 11. The last meeting was son December 10. She invited all the Board members to come so that a discussion could take place in committee on the formats for alternative means of gathering public input. She asked that everyone bring 2-3 ideas for topics for forums and important issues for the committee to go to the public.
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 $32,445,708.08 covering the period from December 6, 2007 through January 9, 2008. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
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 Buckstaff in the amount of $93,375.52 for LMC furniture at the new elementary school be approved with funding from the referendum funds under UW-Madison contract #07-5665. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
2 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Beth Moss that the Board authorize the payment of $21,600 to Oracle USA, Inc. for the purpose of paying the annual maintenance and license fees that are required as part of the Hyperion Budget Software package to support the District budgeting software as purchased and approved by the Board in 2003 as part of the Human Resources/Business Solution through a competitive bid process with funding from the 2007-08 operating budget. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
C Transfers
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lawrie Kobza that the Board modify the 2007-08 MMSD budget to authorize the transfer of $14,280 from the Reserve for Contingencies for substitute release time and/or extended employment as further outlined in the December 18, 2007 Superintendent's memorandum addressing Transition and Scheduling Issues related to the scheduling of specials classes in the elementary schools. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
FOLLOW UP: The Administration was asked to report out after the planning sessions are done.
D Other Financial Transactions
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that the Board accept a donation from the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools in the amount of $97,020 to support implementation of Project Lead the Way in the district.
FOLLOW UP: The Administration was asked to send a complete list of donors and for more information on the Community Partnership Team and how it works. It was suggested that a presentation be scheduled, including how many students are participating.
Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
2 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that the Board approve the Declaration of Conditions and Covenants for the Sprecher Road development obligating the Board to pay the City of Madison a $55,000 deposit for school flashers and signing with funding from the Fire Department land sale proceeds and the La Follette Trades House(s) sale equity.
Mr. Pearson distributed an updated version of the supporting materials. He noted that the City is requiring a roundabout in front of the fire station.
FOLLOW UP: Mr. Pearson was asked to provide information on how much would be allocated to the lot and how that compares to the sale price, how the district is going to make out on this sale and whether or not approval of the lot is contingent on the sale of that lot and roundabout. Mr. Pearson noted that the land cannot be sold until the plat is recorded and the sale to the fire department has already been approved. He was also asked to provide a copy of the agreement with the fire department.
The motion was withdrawn by mover and seconder and deferred until January 28, 2007.
3 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that the Board approve two proposals for advertising contracts received by the MMSD as of January 8, 2008 and accept $4,725 in gross proceeds related to such web-based advertisements, with such gross proceeds to be subject to a 20% commission to be paid to Sports Image, Inc. for arranging the contracts.
It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Lucy Mathiak to modify the chart to say, "As shown below." Student Representative advisory vote was nay. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
FOLLOW UP: Administration was asked to find out who prepares the chart and to modify the chart with the copies of the ads to say, "As shown below."
4 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that all grants and other donations received by the MMSD since December 10, 2007 be approved. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
VIII HUMAN RESOURCES TRANSACTIONS AND REPORTS
It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Lucy Mathiak to approve Item VIII 1-41 in its entirety with the exception of any item a Board member may wish to have separated out. There were no separations. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
IX REPORTS TO THE BOARD
A Common Council/Board of Education Liaison Committee
Ms. Mathiak reported that the committee last met in November. There has been no date or agenda for the next meeting and the City canceled the meetings that were set in December and January.
B Student Representative Report
Mr. Carlsmith reported that the Senate last met on December 18 and talked about the safety and security proposal that had been reviewed by the Board. They discussed their experiences in the schools and those appear to have evolved from middle school through high school and the transition of disciplinary problems and bullying by different kids at different stages in student development. It was a very interesting discussion. They also continued their discussion on cell phone policies. The senators were sent out to the schools to talk to students and teachers on how they see their role in the future and their place. That information will be compiled at the next meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m. A more in-depth discussion of the cell phone policy will take place at that time.
C WisconsinAssociation of School Boards 2008 Resolutions
Ms. Cole reported that the annual meeting would be happening next week at the same time that the Board will begin the process of interviewing the candidates for the Superintendent. Her attendance at the Asemly would, therefore, be dependent on weather conditions and the timing of the interviews. The district is entitled to one vote as a member but she was looking for a vote by each school Board member. There were 14 propsosed resolutions, including 2 that came in late from Milwaukee. Each of the resolutions was reviewed by Joe Quick and Carol Carstensen as well with no objections.
It was moved by Maya Cole and seconded by Beth Moss that the Board's delegate to the annual assembly vote in support of all 14 resolutions as presented. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
X OTHER BUSINESS
A It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Beth Moss that the Board approve a contract in the amount of $35,245 with the Dane County Department of Human Services (DCDHS). The contract provides for payment to DCDHS as fiscal agent for an AmeriCorp grant which is also paying a matching amount for AmeriCorp members assigned to six district middle schools, plus one assigned to the high school level, to assist with tutoring, coordination of tutoring volunteers, and after-school programs during the 2007-08 school year with funding sources from the 2007-08 MSCR Fund 80 middle school program budget and the AmeriCorp grant. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
B It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Carol Carstensen that the Board approve a contact with the Urban League of Greater Madison in which the district pays a maximum of $125,000 toward the salary and benefits for up to 20 hours /week for each of six Youth Resource Center managers at six district middle schools during the 2007-08 school year with funding from the 2007-08 MSCR Fund 80 budget. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
The new high school positions will be called Coordinators of Student Interventions (CSI). The Administration is creating Memoranda of Understanding and is also in consultation with DPI to clarify certification issues. They were hoping to move forward this week. It was also confirmed that the guidelines are extremely clear about what the positions would be doing.
C It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Carol Carstensen that the Board approve a .5 Positive Behavior Intervention System Coordinator to Cherokee, Toki, and Sennett Middle Schools with funding from the Reserve for Contingencies in the amount of $52,500. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
D It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen that a claim against the district alleging that a citizen's property was damaged due to a ball from Franklin Elementary School lodging in a drain basin blocking drainage and causing an ice dam be referred to legal counsel and the district's insurer for investigation and recommendation. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
E It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen that, pursuant to the provision of Section 118.15 of State Statutes, two 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 by those present.
G It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that seven students be granted diplomas of graduation based on completed requirements. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
H Old and New Business
There was no old or new business.
XI ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lucy Mathiak to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Hartley
Secretary to the Board of Education
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Previous: 2007-12-10 || Regular Meetings || Next: 2008-02-04