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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
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| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Special Meeting - Open Session February 16, 2004 |
Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, Room 103 Madison, Wisconsin |
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Special Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Bill Keys at 5:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ray Allen, Carol Carstensen, Bill Clingan, Bill Keys, Juan José López (arrived at 5:20 p.m.), Ruth Robarts, Shwaw Vang (arrived 5:06 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Jane Belmore, Lucy Chaffin, Valencia Douglas, Mary Gulbrandsen, Jack Jorgensen, Doug McCrary, Bob Nadler, Malina Piontek, Roger Price, Art Rainwater, Mary Ramberg, Attorney Sherrod, Ken Syke, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
1. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Ray Allen and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve the minutes of the Special Board of Education Workshop dated January 5, 2004. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
2. Announcements
There were no announcements.
3. Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR) Department as it relates to the Budget
(Packets included the MSCR budget presentation (2/16/04). A copy is attached to the original of these minutes.)
Lucy Chaffin, Director of MSCR, gave her presentation.
Discussion: Number of school districts in the country who run a similar recreation program.
Shwaw Vang arrived at 5:06 p.m.
Discussion continued: Referees and umpires provided by contract (number depends on the season) – no longer district employees. Cost to provide the same services as MSCR in the private sector. Fees have been raised and adult programs now pay for themselves.
Juan José López arrived at 5:20 p.m.
Discussion continued: Allied has its own program. No intention to provide programming just for people who do not make varsity teams but to have drop-in sports that are after school and intramural only. Mini tournaments would be held at the end of the season. Unavailability of gym space is the biggest obstacle – YMCA is the biggest user of district gyms and they do not offer high school sports. Visually staff is well represented in terms of diversity—ethnicity is not given when hired and employees are seasonal. New computer software will allow more opportunities to gather snapshot information in the future. MSCR was asked, and does, run the new pool on the west side. MSCR is an excellent program—should be articulated more strongly.
FOLLOW UP: Total that is spent that is charged to Fund 80 for this school year (additional items that are not MSCR). Add to a special board agenda the issue of gym space and forming partnerships to serve low income and secondary school programs. MSCR administrators supervise the Community Learning Centers. The proposed Wexford Ridge Neighborhood Center would not be supervised by MSCR but could program there. Hold a Performance and Achievement Committee meeting to take up the issue of summer school extended learning programming for 10-11th grade students for a full week of exposure to the trades.
4. Authority of the Superintendent to Settle Misconduct Cases Involving District Employees
Bob Nadler indicated that the administration was looking for authority to settle particular kinds of cases in a manner that would keep the matter confidential and eliminate having to go through the legal ramifications that might occur. They were asking for up to five months of salary and benefits to get a resignation free and clear of any suit against the district.
It was moved by Juan José López and seconded by Bill Clingan to give the authority to the Superintendent, retroactive to the commencement of the 2003-04 school year, to enter into agreements with employees and their representatives which provide for resignation, a release of claims and, in exchange, continuation of salary and benefits for up to five months following the date the agreement is entered into by the parties. Any agreement reached by the District would not affect the ability of other agencies to take necessary and appropriate action as warranted by the circumstances.
Discussion: Financial worth of five months of salary and benefits. Rationale for making the authority retroactive. In rare cases, some of the administrative leave could be replaced. Some cases call for pulling an employee out of work. Issue of whether the Board should have a role in these kinds of cases. Authority could provide for more timely settlements and removal from the classroom in cases of incompetence. Publicity not as much of a concern for the employer as for the employee; further divides the parties. Board would receive documentation. Working toward using the most expedient and cost effective measures. Can bring cases of incompetence before the board but makes it public; more important to have authority for cases of misconduct. Money washes out in cases where immediate removal is necessary and person is put on administrative leave and the process runs its course. Not sure what is gained other than the Board is taken out of the process. Involves less than one case per year. All negotiations would be through the union. Avoids cost of keeping the person on the payroll and paying the attorneys. Concern about the criteria and whether there will be an increase in the number of cases without going through the process. This has been in practice for a long time but administration did not believe they had the authority, which was clarified through General Counsel.
Motion carried 4-3 with Ray Allen, Ruth Robarts, and Shwaw Vang voting no.
5. Public Appearances
There were no public appearances.
6. Other Business
No discussion.
7. Adjournment
It was moved by Juan José López and seconded by Ray Allen to adjourn the meeting at 6:34 p.m. Motion unanimously carried.
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