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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
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| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Regular Meetings February 4, 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 7:26 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: Sue Abplanalp, Steve Hartley, Frank Kelly, Pam Nash, Doug Pearson, Art Rainwater, Marcia Standiford, Ken Syke, Lisa Wachtel, Donna Williams, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
LEGAL COUNSEL PRESENT: Attorneys Frank Crisafi and Dan Mallin
Martha Vukelich-Austin, President of the Foundation for Madison Public Schools, showed a video highlighting the Foundation and the kick-off for the MMSD 2008 Employee Giving Campaign from February 4 through March 7, 2008.
II APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes for the January 14, 2008 meeting were deferred to the March meeting.
III PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Muir Mulholland, student, was against allowing military recruitment n the schools because he is nonviolent. He also did not feel safe in gym class at East where he sees the advertisements every day.
The Superintendent noted that this item is on the February 18 special meeting agenda, along with a number of other items. Administration is drafting some of the themes of the policy changes that the Board may or may not want to make.
David Miller, Memorial High School student, stated that others were opposing the military ads not because they are harmful to children but the institution itself. He said it had to do with hatred of the U.S. military that people have, that people like these do not support those that come back from the war zone, that it has nothing to do with education, and that many do not have children in the district. He added that the military is offering a job choice and should have the same access. He indicated that less people have been killed serving in the military than on Wisconsin's highways. He is old enough to make his own decisions. The military should not be censored.
Judy Leurquin, retired nurse representing Health Writers, stated that if there was no way to eliminate just the military ads, then it was time to eliminate all of the ads. Change the policies. Get rid of the recruiters.
Attorney Crisafi clarified that the No Child Left Behind act requires allowing military recruiters the same opportunity for student contact that is given to other recruiters for employment and higher education.
Lea Zeldin, editor of Health Writers, opposed military recruitment in the MMSD stating that children should not be exposed to government "branding" in the schools. The policy should be enforced and the Board has to make the same decisions about how to act toward authority figures and talk about what it means to be in the military.
Vicki Berenson was really disturbed that schools are mandated to allow military recruiting and was extremely disturbed that this school board has allowed more exposure than is mandated by law. She stated that more ads were being approved tonight and that the Board was having another meeting on the policies. She wanted to hear the Board say no more exposure than is mandated by law (a copy of her statement is attached to the original of these minutes).
Allen Ruff also opposed army recruitment ads. He said they were still here and the concern has not dissipated. He referred to taking money from the military (the same force that imposes restrictions on educational spending) as the poverty draft. He felt this was a bigger concern than violating contracts with advertisers. He was glad there was some progress but urged the Board to stop dragging its foot and end the poverty draft.
Carl Stafstrom, pediatrician and professor, wants to protect the health and well being of children. He was disappointed that the Board was allowing the ads to exist. Talked about the astounding effects of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Urged the Board to act to remove the ads from the scoreboards.
Tim Cordon, Madison teacher currently working as a nurse, talked about the many people who do not have the resources they need, that there are better ways to solve problems, and that those who have been duped/brainwashed deserve to come back whole. He wanted the least amount of exposure as what Madison expects.
Marshall Braun said that many on the Board were anti-war but that allowing the ads supports the war. The Board needed to take a stand in this town by taking down the ads at a bare minimum.
Keith Kinion wanted the ads taken down calling them toxic sludge. Stated that the military is a sick institution, he did not care about the No Child Left Behind act, that the Board could break the law (it's ok), and demanded that the ads be removed and the recruiters leave the schools.
John Carey wanted to take steps to limit the aggressive military institution. Suggested that the opt-out forms be distributed with registration and be available in the Guidance Office with handouts in the same fashion that the military information is displayed. It has to stop.
Caroline Greenwald gave an update on the number of opt-out forms that have been signed at West, Memorial, East, and La Follette High Schools stating that if parents did not fill them out, then the military has access to information on children. She urged the district to make them available and urged parents to sign them.
Will Williams stated that the schools are the number one place for military recruiters. They are not part of the educational process or the curriculum. The Board can restrict their access and still be within the guidelines of No Child Left Behind. He added that the urgency is now to protect our young people from the military. The ads should come down and the policy should be revisited to give them the same access to students and no more. He was not asking the Board to break the law.
Sue Gould asked the Board to consider the materials and limit them to the Guidance Office and to take down the ads.
David Koene hoped the ads could be removed in a civil manner. Stated that the community needs to fully fund its schools so the Board is not forced to resort to these extreme tactics. He asked if it was really worth the $17,000. Hoped this could be brought to a successful conclusion because it could not be both ways. There is a distinction between materials and access. Asked the Board to implement its own policy that has been clearly identified by these ads. They need to come down now. No more excuses.
Steve Blank believed the ads to be in violation of Board policy but, beyond that, having the military in the schools was reprehensible. He talked about the military as an anti-social institution and the dichotomy it creates in the schools.
David Hoppe said that the Board did not have to approve the new ads. He indicated that there are questions about lawsuits and pulling out. He asked the Board to consider tabling this until the controversial issues policy and other policies are on the agenda. He said it was costing so much money for the Board to fight this, that the military will do whatever it has to recruit, including disregarding the restrictions. He added that no one was saying that the military is taking over and that teachers do run the schools. He cautioned that the Board has to be very careful. He was glad it was on the February 18 agenda. He said that the presence of the military in the high schools has gotten better but that it needs to be consistent across the high schools.
Bill Keys was glad the Board was taking up the issue publicly. He heard the board was concerned about legal retaliation and asked how much they would sue for. He said the policy violates no law. They have to be confined to the Guidance office. They are anti-gay and anti-lesbian. He asked the Board to make the same decision as the university did and that the choice was the Board's.
Senn Brown opposed the proposed charter school policy stating it has an extra legal procedure about giving a "thumbs up or down" decision about a proposal. It is unfair and the draft negatively and unfairly limits boards and superintendents and people. Added that the Performance and Achievement Committee recommended that it be forwarded to the full Board for further discussion but did not recommend it. He hoped the Board and the new superintendent and newly elected board members would push charters to better serve the children in their districts and urged the Board members to educate themselves about charter school policies.
Aaron Hess just moved here from New York City. He said that people should recognize that other institutions across the country are not allowing military recruiters because they are an openly anti-gay employer. He was not sure what kind of message that sends to the children who are discovering their identities. There was an important lesson from Viet Nam that took a movement of citizens committed to peace to make sure the war is brought to an end. The military preys on young kids.
There were three written registrations in opposition to military recruitment in schools and placement of military ads in sports venues and other public areas.
IV BOARD PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
A copy of the report is attached to the original of these minutes.
No report.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTION THEREON
A Performance and Achievement
1 It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Beth Moss that the Evaluation of Learning Materials Committee adoptions be approved in the amount of $41,014.01. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
Ms. Kobza reported that the committee met on January 28 and talked about a revision to the current charter school policy and the committee moved that the draft be forwarded to the full Board for further discussion. This will be on a future agenda of the Board. They also discussed creation of a Youth Options policy that sets forth what is already required under the law and that the district provides. The Committee approved it.
2 It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Maya Cole to approve the draft Youth Options Program a policy dated 11/20/07. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for February 25 to take up the next piece which is credits outside the MMSD. The committee could also address at that meeting the dissemination of materials on these different programs. If there is a draft of the policy relative to credits outside the MMSD ahead of time, public comment would be taken at the February 25 meeting so something could be acted upon in March.
B Finance and Operations
Ms. Mathiak reported that the committee met on January 15. The first item was review and approval of a computer purchase form the technology referendum and Common School Fund. It was approved with some additional language about the way in which the computers are distributed. They also addressed some follow-up questions on the financial audit and changes that are taking place in the report about how audits are conducted. And finally there was an update on the 2005-06 maintenance referendum and, because of the timing of the work over the summer and the nature of the contracts, it is often necessary to allocate part of the expenditure for the next year now so that contracts can be locked in and the work done during the summer. These expenditures are primarily for materials and supplies and presents an opportunity to get cost savings on those purchasing contracts.
1 it was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve the expenditures related to maintenance referendum projects identified in Appendix JJJ-8-9 that will allow timely summer completion of the project and allow the district to take advantage of owner-direct purchasing and saving sales tax, with estimated total costs of $2,676,350. Although these costs will eventually be assigned as 2008-09 maintenance referendum projects, the District will utilize Fund 10 Equity to immediately fund these projects during the 2007-08 fiscal year. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
The Superintendent noted that this was always the practice of the district. In the audit there was a finding about the way the district handles items that fall between two fiscal years and this accounting change meets the requirements.
Ms. Mathiak further reported that the committee discussed Fund 80 programs and budgeting. She was trying to start some discussion about how the Board approaches that piece of the annual budget. The committee did not have time to get to this and deferred it to another date. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 19, in Room 103 of the Doyle Building. At that time they will be receiving the plan for how to deploy the computers that are being purchased that were approved previously. They will also take up the Fund 80 MSCR business plan and fee review and the Lawson upgrade.
C Human Resources
No report.
D LongRangePlanning
Ms. Carstensen reported that the committee is dealing with the issue of creating boundaries for the new school on the far west side. They met on January 28 and the meeting was taken up with speakers expressing views on four plans that have been put forth A-D. The committee did not have time for discussion. They met again this evening and, as a result, the committee voted to remove plans C and D from consideration and focus on Plan B. They discussed various tweaks to Plan B and will look at a revised Plan B next week. They also looked at three different options in terms of middle school attendance. They will continue to look at how these impact the middle schools and make that decision as well. The committee will meet again on February 11 and February 25. On the 11th, the committee will review a revised Plan B and a formulate a list of issues they would like the committee to think about and get feedback on. A timeline will be created for reaching decisions and a time will be identified for holding a community forum for affected communities.
E Community Partnerships
Ms. Cole noted that the last meeting was canceled due to other Board agenda items. Next Monday they will have a workshop in Room 103 of the Doyle Building to begin work on the parent involvement policy.
F Communications
Ms. Moss noted that this committee meeting was also canceled. There was a motion from the December 10, 2007 meeting:
(1) It was moved by Beth Moss and seconded by Carol Carstensen that the Board pay membership dues in the amount of $6,514 for the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools and continue support of their state-wide efforts. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
The next meeting will be held on Monday. She invited all the Board members to attend and talk about possible ways of engaging the community differently in addition to public appearances toward more of a give-and-take with the community.
VII AUDITING, PURCHASING, TRANSFERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
A Auditing
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lawrie Kobza that interim bills be approved amounting to $5,120,666.48 covering the period from January 10, 2008 through January 30, 2008. 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 Beth Moss to approve an expenditure totaling $450,450 for purchase of second semester student bus passes and ticket booklets from Madison Metro Transit System. The district provides bus passes to high school and middle school students who meet transportation requirements for indigent students. Purchase was funded through the 2007-08 Transportation Services budget (reference requisition #74638).
There was some discussion about the subsidy the district pays for Metro bus passes. Next year the district will be paying full fare. Other questions were: what was spent for first semester this school year, district cost for next year, cost to the students per semester, same fare for access 24/7.
FOLLOW UP: Provide an update of the data sheet for last year and this year.
Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
2 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Beth Moss to approve a contract with Golden Guernsey Dairy for milk and dairy products in the amount of $690,000 per fiscal year. This contract covers the remainder of 2007-08 and the following three years with an option to renew for two additional one-year periods. This contract award is based upon our Bid #3122. Golden Guernsey was the only vendor to respond to this bid. Funding for the dairy products comes through the regular Food Services Operating budget. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
C Transfers
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Johnny Winston, Jr. to transfer $45,000 from the Fund 80 Reserve for Contingencies to the Fund 80 Security Assistant Salary Account for the purpose of creating two additional Security Assistant positions to be located at La Follette High School and Memorial High School for the purpose of providing support for the evening programs scheduled in the building. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
D Other Financial Transactions
1 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that the Board accept a donation from the Lake View PTA in the amount of $15,000 to support the Lake View SMART SCHOOLS Initiative. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
2 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Johnny Winston, Jr. that the Board accept a donation from an anonymous donor in the amount of $30,000 designated for use in the computer lab at Jefferson Middle School. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
3 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Beth Moss that the Board approve two proposals for advertising contracts received by the MMSD as of February 4, 2008 and accept $3,900 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. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
4 It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Beth Moss that all grants and other donations received by the MMSD since January 14, 2008 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 1-99 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.
IX REPORTS TO THE BOARD
A Common Council/Board of Education Liaison Committee
No report.
B Student Representative Report
Mr. Carlsmith reported that the Senate last met on January 15 and finalized the initial draft of a cell phone policy that the Board directed the Senate to examine and is in the process of gathering concrete feedback. Attorney Crisafi met with Mr. Carlsmith and discussed the legal implications of the Student Senate language, how it should apply to different electronics and at different levels. They are still in the process. Last week's meeting was canceled due to weather. They will meet next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Doyle to talk about the second half of the cell phone policy and electronic device policy within the Code of Conduct section, and how to deal with those in reference to each other. They also had a brief discussion about military advertising.
C WisconsinAssociation of School Boards 2008 Resolutions
Ms. Cole reported that the resolutions were included in the packet for the Board's perusal as the ones that were adopted and not adopted at the Assembly meeting.
X OTHER BUSINESS
A It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Lucy Mathiak to approve the 2008/09 Summer School Budget and Program plan as detailed in the 2007 Summer School Executive Summary and 2008 Summer School Recommendations and Budget Report dated February 2008. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
B It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Johnny Winston, Jr. that the Board approve all nine applications pursuant to the terms of the Administrators' Retirement Plan. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
C It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve the granting of an easement to AT&T-Wisconsin on the MMSD's West High School Property in exchange for AT&T's commitment to pay the MMSD a one-time fee of $5,000. The easement shall be recorded in the real estate records. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
D Opportunity for property owners to meet with the School Board to present reasons in favor of or against a proposed detachment of territory from the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District and attachment of the same territory to the Madison Metropolitan School District. This opportunity is provided pursuant to Wisconsin Statute §117.13.
A letter was submitted from The Gallina Companies on behalf of Mineral Point Holdings, LLC (a copy is attached to the original of these minutes) acknowledging the detachment from the MCPASD and attachment to the MMSD and accepting the alternative to have this parcel attend the new elementary school on the far west side.
E It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen that, pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 117.13, the School Board adopt the written Resolution identified as Appendix JJJ-8-13 in its entirety and without modification, said Resolution ordering the territory identified therein detached from the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District and attached to the Madison Metropolitan School District, effective July 1, 2008. The specific description of the territory as found in the Resolution and in City of Madison Attachment Ordinance No. ORD-07-0080, Legislative File No. 06580, has been certified by the Madison City Clerk's Office. The Clerk of the Middleton-Cross Plains School Board has certified that there are no pupils residing in the territory affected by the reorganization who were enrolled in school as of the 2nd Friday of January, 2008. This attachment of property to the MMSD is pursuant to a standing school district boundary agreement between the MMSD and the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
F It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that the Board set aside and refrain from applying those provisions of Board Policy 4025 and Board Procedure 4025 that establish the maintenance of racial balance, or the avoidance of racial imbalance, as criteria applicable to decisions to grant or deny individual applications for Open Enrollment. Said racial balance/imbalance provisions shall not be enforced in granting or denying applications for Open Enrollment that are received during the 2008 Open Enrollment period for Open Enrollment during the 2008-2009 school year. The remainder of Board Policy 4025 and Board Procedure 4025 shall remain in full force and effect and shall be enforced in making decisions to grant or deny applications for Open Enrollment. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
G It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Lucy Mathiak that the Board approve the revisions to School Board Policy 1222 and School Board Policy 1220 as identified in Appendix JJJ-8-6; said revisions affecting public appearances at board meetings, committee meetings, public hearings, and other meetings.
Motion was withdrawn by mover and seconder.
Direct specific questions to Attorney Mallin. Put it on the calendar for February 18.
H It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen that, pursuant to the provision of Section 118.15 of State Statutes, the Board excuse 15 students 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.
I It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen that two students be granted diplomas of graduation based on completed requirements. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
J Old and New Business
There was no old or new business.
XI ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Lawrie Kobza to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 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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