Special Meeting - Open Session - January 5, 2004

Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Special Meeting - Open Session January 5, 2004		Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, Room 103 Madison, Wisconsin

The Special Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Bill Keys at 6:13 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ray Allen, Carol Carstensen, Bill Clingan, Bill Keys, Shwaw Vang

MEMBERS ABSENT: Juan José López, Ruth Robarts

STAFF PRESENT: Jane Belmore, Valencia Douglas, Mary Gulbrandsen, Sharon Hennessy, Bob Nadler, Roger Price, Joe Quick, Art Rainwater, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary

1. Approval of Minutes

It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Shwaw Vang to approve the minutes of the Special Board of Education Workshop dated December 15, 2003. Motion unanimously carried by those present.

2. Announcements

There were no announcements.

3. Update on District Health Insurance Programs

Mr. Allen noted that this portion of the meeting was to focus on district benefits and to address the concerns raised by Ms. Robarts.

Bob Nadler presented information about eligibility, open enrollment, health insurance choices by unit, employee premiums, designated family partners, annual choice, comparison data, and recent changes to reduce insurance costs (a copy of the presentation is attached to the original of these minutes).

Discussion: WPS keeps track of the deductibles. Employees with WPS have always paid 10% and the other two plans have always been free for the employees. Rate increase per year--Group Health small at 6-8%; WPS spiked one year 36% and is now about 12-15% per year. District's cost for WPS are now almost the same as with the Alliance. Sick time accumulates year to year and is handled differently by unit. There has been a movement to go with unlimited rather than year-end pay outs upon retirement. Five units will open this spring. Plans are very competitive with any of the local plans, options are good, district has done well to offer excellent choices and keep costs down. Controversy over getting the message out to the public about employee benefits picture. Waiting time is one month.

FOLLOW UP: Provide the board with copies of the presentation. Provide additional comparison data with other schools districts (e.g., Middleton, Sun Prairie, Milwaukee). Provide the number of employees in each plan.

4. Human Resources Department as it relates to the Budget

(Packets included the Human Resources report. A copy is attached to the original of these minutes.)

Mr. Nadler referred to the salary and benefits budget detail attached to the report noting that much of it is either contractual or legislated; the remaining portion is for the operation the Human Resources Department (a copy of the presentation is attached to the original of these minutes).

Discussion: Requirement of physical exams for those applying for strenuous jobs. Lean budgets. Minority teacher recruitment difficulties and strategies; great strides made in this area over the past five years. Overall pool is down to 9% and by 2008 will be at 5%. Suggestion to augment annual administrative training with information about administrative contracts, teacher contracts, and the Human Resources Department.

5. Public Appearances

Don Severson, Active Citizens for Education, made suggestions (in the form of questions) in the Human Resources area with respect to preparing next year's budget (a copy of the questions is attached to the original of these minutes).

The Superintendent invited Mr. Severson to meet with him and some of the district staff to find out how some of these issues raised are being addressed.

6. Other Business

No discussion.

7. Adjournment

It was moved by Ray Allen and seconded by Shwaw Vang to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 p.m. Motion unanimously carried by those present.

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