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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 October 30, 2006 |
West High School 30 Ash Street, LMC and Auditorium Madison, Wisconsin |
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Special Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Johnny Winston, Jr. at 5:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Ruth Robarts, Arlene Silveira, Shwaw Vang, Johnny Winston, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
PRESENT: Joe Carlsmith
STAFF PRESENT: Sue Abplanalp, Mary Gulbrandsen, Steve Hartley, Doug Johnson, Duane McCrary, Pam Nash, Roger Price, Art Rainwater, Ken Syke, Donna Williams, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
OPEN SESSION - Library Media Center
1. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Arlene Silveira and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting in open session dated September 25, 2006. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
Item 3 was taken up out of order.
3. Announcements
Mr. Winston announced that, in June, the Board voted unanimously to go to referendum. The $23.5 million referendum is a single question with three parts. It allows for building a new school at Linden Park on the far west side; financing for more classroom space at Leopold Elementary School; and, providing revenue cap relief via refinancing. The referendum is Tuesday, November 7. Information is available on the District's Web site: www.mmsd.org.
2. Public Appearances
Barbara Lewis referred to a document she distributed entitled, "Guidelines for Coursework Outside MMSD" (a copy is attached to the original of these minutes). She was opposed to what she indicated was a sudden policy change not allowing credit for required coursework unless they were taken through the Youth Options program.
The Superintendent explained that Board policy has not changed and that there was some misunderstanding about the guidelines and the policy. He distributed copies of information related to credit and tuition for University of Wisconsin courses, including Board Policy 3547 and Board Procedure 3547, Youth Options Guidelines for 2005 and 2006, and two years of data for Youth Options for "At Risk" Students (copies are attached to the original of these minutes).
FOLLOW UP: Place this policy and procedure on a future Board agenda for review.
4. Resolution Supporting Moving Security Expenditures Outside of the Revenue Cap
(Packets included the language proposed by Representative Spencer Black. A copy is attached to the original of these minutes.)
It was moved by Arlene Silveira and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve Appendix 1 which outlines the resolution to move security measures outside the revenue limits. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
5. Resolution relative to Educational Leadership for All Students
(Packets included a proposal for the 2007 Delegate Assembly and a position paper entitled, "One Voice, One Future." Copies are attached to the original of these minutes.)
It was moved by Arlene Silveira and seconded by Shwaw Vang that the Board adopt Appendix 2 which is the proposal entitled "Educational Leadership for All Students."
DISCUSSION:
· Result of the "One Voice, One Future" document from the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators trying to address educational issues that are inherent in the current revenue cap. It talks about what children should know and be able to do when they graduate and what resources need to be in place to reach those state standards. "One Voice" is urging the state to adopt an adequacy model. Dr. Allen Odden has just advanced a model. It is the idea of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to get all major educational groups, and all other interested groups, together in one voice moving forward before the Legislature. The position paper takes an educational standpoint rather than financial.
Lawrie Kobza amended the motion, accepted as friendly by mover and seconder, as follows: Delete first sentence after "Rationale." Also, third paragraph, second sentence, change to: "We should forge a united front and work for change." Lastly, change the date adopted at the bottom. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion, as amended carried unanimously.
6. Finalization of the 2006-07 Budget and Adoption of the Tax levy
(Packets included budget amendments and tax levy adoption for 2006-07; annotations to Page 4, Expenditure Budget Amendments; and replacement pages for 2, 4, and 15. Copies are attached to the original of these minutes.)
Roger Price presented the 2006-07 budget highlights (a copy of the presentation is attached to the original of these minutes). Each of the specific adjustments was reviewed: Board approved adds, salary budgets to reflect actual staff assigned to positions, known changes since June 2006, contingency; the tax levy, mill rate, and a 17‑year tax history (1990-2007). The presentation also included two proposed resolutions to balance the budget for 2006-07.
QUESTIONS/ANSWERS:
Ø Liquidation of Chavez building fund. Out of the $900,000, some is liquidating the Chavez building bond that has to come in as an expenditure but revenue pays down the tax levy.
Ø Why revenues and total funds not the same as in May.
Ø Equity.
Ø Shift in revenues and expenditures as indicated in Resolution #1.
Ø Having to go much deeper into the reserve than was predicted.
Ø Differences from the forecast presented earlier in the year by PMA.
Ø Confusion with new documents. Work done in June is different due to year-end activity and commitments. Some things are not known until the books are closed out.
Ø Accounting people went through every employee to make sure they are charged to the right place and to get the right total.
Ø Carryover that is dedicated but not expended goes into equity first then, if spent in 2006-07, shows up as an expenditure without a balancing revenue.
Ø Instead of building equity or creating budgets with built-in surplus, the District now budgets very tightly. Where there is a miss, either revenue (most often) or expenditure, it is adjusted through the balance sheet from equity. The recommendation was made when it became known that there would be a special education revenue shortfall. The cuts were made to cover the shortfall. The next budget will not get built as tightly. The budget approved by the Board in the spring is a profit and loss statement; year-end activity always changes that.
Ø Need explanation from Administration that Board members can explain to the public and make a vote.
Mr. Price reviewed the documents in detail.
QUESTIONS/ANSWERS:
Ø Impact of logs required for psychologists and social workers documenting who they serve.
Ø How the estimated sum total is set for MSCR's use of facilities. Fees are set according to Board policy. Administration is working on a proposed fee change now.
Ø Correcting entries were explained, e.g., athletic budget.
Ø Making up the $2 million loss in revenue from special education (professional development, pupil travel, district insurances, use of contingency fund).
Ø Alternative ways will be used to deliver professional development and save money.
Ø Balance of Reserve for Contingency fund.
Ø Maintenance will be cut. They will take a reading on the bottom line in the spring. Have to make adjustments throughout the budget.
Analysis of Revenues:
Ø State aid goes up, property tax goes down, special education went down but can spend above the revenue limits.
Ø Interest on investments. Gifts and contributions. Miscellaneous revenue. Student fees - not experiencing the collection projected (not just tied to free and reduced lunch).
Ø Computer values down - not being replaced timely.
Resolution Language:
Ø Adjustments if made individually would require 5-2 vote. Not all; probably half. Not broken out this way.
Ø New software system allows a level of detail that is deeper than ever before.
Ø Interfund transfer is a clearing account.
Ø What needs to be done by the end of this October to certify the tax levy and make budget adjustments tied to that (Resolution #2).
Ø If adjustments are not made but the tax levy is approved, the budget will have to equal the tax levy at some time.
Ø Much time spent in April and May on the budget. Cannot vote. Appreciate all the discussion but have to figure it out again. Numbers may be fine but Board members not prepared enough.
Ø Tax levy must be certified in order for the district to get its money. Cannot come back later and reduce the levy. Total amount of the tax levy makes the decision about reducing the Fund 80 levy and includes closing out the Chavez bond and state aid changes.
Ø General fund amount is the most the district could have under the revenue limits. Choice is what it is spent on or to levy less.
Ø Administration can come back with Resolution #1.
Ø Timing issue in the fall dependent on when the district finds out from the other entities. Could do some things a little earlier in pieces and adjust the budget as it goes along.
Ø $2 million loss made this more complicated.
Recessed at 6:58 p.m.
OPEN SESSION - Auditorium
8. Student Recognition Ceremony
The Board of Education and Superintendent recognized the National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists, National Achievement Scholarship Program Semi-Finalists, and the National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar Finalists. The Superintendent introduced the members of the Board and talked about the competition involved in this program. Pamela Nash, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary schools, provided an overview of the National Merit qualifying process and the finalist programs. One student from each of the four high schools was given the opportunity to respond.
Each of the students were introduced (a copy of the program is attached to the original of these minutes). Superintendent Rainwater gave some closing remarks and invited everyone to the reception.
Reconvened at 7:58 p.m.
OPEN SESSION - Library Media Center
Ms. Kobza reconvened the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
Board members present: Carol Carstensen, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Ruth Robarts, Arlene Silveira, Shwaw Vang, Student Representative Joe Carlsmith.
Staff present: Doug Johnson, Duane McCrary, Bob Nadler, Roger Price, Art Rainwater, and Donna Williams.
Item 6 continued
6. Finalization of the 2006-07 Budget and Adoption of the Tax levy
Mr. Price consolidated the budget adjustments that needed to be made to set the tax levy (presented on screen). They require five votes.
DISCUSSION:
v Top 5 items - no judgment necessary. Numbers from the state are plugged in. There were no questions.
v Next 4 items - covers the movement of liquidating the Chavez bond.
Theoretically could put these off for one year and reduce the tax levy for next year. Cannot be used for anything except Chavez.
v Last 3 items - covers the reduction in Fund 80 to reduce the tax levy.
What is balance of the reserve left in Fund 80 ($98,000). Carryover will sit in the reserve for contingency. Lapham came from MSCR capital budget.
It was moved by Shwaw Vang and seconded by Arlene Silveira to approve the following budget adjustments:
Reduction in Revenue Fund 10 Property Tax -------------------------- ($1,234,844)
Reduction in Revenue Fund 10 Property Tax Chargebacks ---------- ($1,594)
Reduction in Revenue Fund 10 Integration Aid ----------------------- ($26,254)
Increase in Revenue Fund 10 General State Aid ---------------------- $1,372,031
Reduction in Revenue Fund 10 Computer Aid ------------------------- ($310,184)
Reduction in Revenue Fund 39 Property Tax -------------------------- ($959,000)
Increase in Revenue Fund 39 Interfund Transfer --------------------- $959,000
Increase in Expenditure Fund 40 Interfund Transfer ----------------- $959,000
Reduction in Fund 40 Equity --------------------------------------------- ($959,000)
Reduction in Revenue Fund 80 Tax Levy ------------------------------- ($588,415)
Reduction in Expenditure Fund 80 Reserve ---------------------------- ($338,415)
Reduction in Fund 80 Equity --------------------------------------------- ($250,000)
Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried with Johnny Winston, Jr. absent.
The Superintendent stated that they were now in a position to consider Resolution #2. The remaining part of Resolution #1 could be done at a later date.
It was moved by Arlene Silveira and seconded by Shwaw Vang that the Board approve the tax levy for the 2006-07 school year in the amount of $209,206,079 and a mill rate of $10.02 per $1,000. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
FOLLOW UP: Mr. Price will organize the remaining actions to balance the budget and include them on a Board agenda before December 1, 2006 (fall report due to Department of Public Instruction).
Doug Johnson and Donna Williams left at this time.
Johnny Winston, Jr. arrived at 8:07 p.m.
7. Ratification of Contract of the Local 60 AFSCME Custodial Collective Bargaining Unit
(Packets included a summary of the settlement of the 2006-08 agreement (10/26/06) and a black-lined copy of the entire agreement for 8/13/06 through 8/9/08. Copies are attached to the original of these minutes.)
Bob Nadler distributed a costing sheet representing the final settlement (10/30/06) (a copy is attached to the original of these minutes). He reported that the negotiations with the custodians stands except for wages. He reviewed the summary memorandum.
Item 7, Memorandum of Understanding - Retirement Sick Leave - Mr. Nadler was uncomfortable putting this in the contract because it would bind the district long term. It is more akin to TERP (Teacher Emeritus Retirement Plan) than a contractual section. They clarified this by a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) just like TERP so the district can either renew or not renew it.
DISCUSSION:
· If the parties do not renew this MOU at the end of 2008, then they will get a .5% increase. This sort of provision does not appear with the rest of the contract. The District was advised a few years ago by the Lead Negotiator, Bob Butler, not to include these items because, over time, they get considered as part of the contract. The MOU will include a statement that it expires when the contract expires.
· Other items were cleaned up.
· This was the first unit to go with the insurance proposal. There were great to work with and they understood that the Board would get 15%.
· Part that went to them was several times that. Gives them 1% per year as long as they are with the district 20 years. People in GHC will stay there and people who move from The Alliance will go to the other three (Health Maintenance Organization) HMO options.
· Allows the Board to move the administrators.
· Board is scheduled to ratify the contract next Monday along with the Food Service agreement.
It was moved by Shwaw Vang and seconded by Ruth Robarts to ratify the contract for the Local 60 AFSCME Custodial Collective Bargaining Unit for the period August 13, 2006 through August 9, 2008. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
FOLLOW UP: Administration will work with AFSCME to do a joint press release regarding the settlement.
9. Other Business
There was no other business.
The meeting continued in executive session.
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