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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 December 4, 2006 |
Wright Middle School 1717 Fish Hatchery Road Madison, Wisconsin |
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Special Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Johnny Winston, Jr. at 5:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Ruth Robarts, Arlene Silveira, Shwaw Vang, Johnny Winston, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Attorney June Wilson, Barbara Lehman - Recording Secretary
MEETING CONTINUED IN OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - Gym
All seven Board members were present. Student Representative Joe Carlsmith was present. Staff included Lucy Chaffin, Mary Gulbrandsen, Joe Quick, Art Rainwater, Marcia Standiford, and Barbara Lehman - Recording Secretary.
3. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Ruth Robarts and seconded by Arlene Silveira to approve the minutes of the Special meeting in open session dated November 6, 2006 as distributed. Motion unanimously carried.
4. Public Appearances
There were no public appearances.
5. Announcements
There were no announcements.
6. Report by the MadisonPartners for Inclusive Education (MPFIE) relative to:
· National Inclusive Schools Week
· MPFIE being the recipients of two grassroots grants from the Development Disabilities Council
· MPFIE as model for other groups across Wisconsin - Presentations at: Building Connections in Special Education conference / Circles of Life
· MPFIE actively involved in promoting referendum
· Information/research on benefits of inclusive education
· Dispelling of misperceptions about inclusive education
· Plans for additional partnerships between Madison Partners, the district and the community.
Representatives from the Madison Partners for Inclusive Education reported on what they have accomplished. A packet of information was distributed (copies are attached to the original of these minutes). They talked about a grant they received, serving on district committees, research and benefits of inclusive education, some myths and ways to expand their partnerships with the district, which is growing. They shared information about transition and other proven inclusive practices as well as offering resources and support to educators, administrators and parents. The presentation focused on debunking myths about inclusion by sharing personal stories of four families in the district.
HIGHLIGHTS:
o Children better prepared for the real world if they have more experience with diversity.
o Inclusion does not mean they are in the general classroom every minute.
o Information provided about the 2006 National Inclusive Schools Week focus on transition planning for all students; misperceptions about inclusive schools, "Song of our Children," online resource guide; and information from the National Middle School Association and research findings about inclusive practices.
o Objective of least restrictive environment.
o Effectiveness of collaborative teaching.
o Road block of large classes; need resources like support staff who receive training.
o Action steps - how they would like to see inclusive education in the MMSD played out—continue to think of their group as a resource, training around inclusion-based practices, reform efforts in the district high school redesign, continue to ask the Board for their help about changing the paradigm shift and have people accept diversity.
o Web site: madisonpartnersforinclusion.org.
DISCUSSION:
o Encourage continuous partnership with this group and the district.
o Research that hinders anyone else in the classroom? Research supports the fact that overall test scores for non-disabled peers is higher or at least not affected negatively by a least restrictive environment.
o Proud of the inclusion that does go on.
o Specific critics of how special education is delivered in the MMSD? Continuity among schools and the way schools deliver services can depend on where you live or the schools they are close to. In-service training is a major issue; leadership and training of staff. Ongoing support to the staff who are delivering inclusive education.
o Lack of minority faces among the group; issues of disproportionality - barriers about getting parents here of those with children with disabilities and low-income and minority parents (especially those who have disabilities themselves). Members are on a list-serv who cross the economic spectrum and families of color. There are various levels of participation. Different disabilities are represented.
o How consistently the staff carries out transitions or how individual teachers might approach working with students? It is about the resources that support academic achievement. Outcomes are number one objective.
o How the group reaches out to staff - resource fairs, newsletters, web site, timetable for another outreach of information.
o District is very accommodating.
FOLLOW UP: Please provide a summary or survey of what is offered by the MMSD or how special education is offered by the different schools to show consistency or lack of it at all levels.
7. Proposed MMSDBuildingPermit Facility Rental Fees
(Packets included proposed changes to building permit facility rental fees (11/19/06). A copy is attached to the original of these minutes.)
Each of the proposed changes was highlighted.
DISCUSSION:
· Market research was conducted in 2005 compared with other districts and what cities charge. MMSD is still below those.
· Ms. Chaffin noted what had been done to notify current renters for the upcoming changes. Next notice would go out in December with the bills. There has been no response from the paying customers.
· Difficult to notify everyone between now and then. Postpone if not possible.
· Many who use the space are not-for-profit groups.
· Could move forward and consider case-by-case those organizations that are struggling to pay the fees.
· Trying to give people a chance to plan for it.
· Would support a change over a certain number of years.
· Twenty-percent is a large increase.
FOLLOW UP: Provide list of current renters in the next packet that includes ideas of what types of groups do rent and pay fees and those who use the facilities but do not pay rent; how much we have made and what we estimate to make; who and how often and what they are paying. Include rate change item on next week's agenda to allow for public comment.
8. Other Business
There was no other business.
9. Adjournment
It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Ruth Robarts to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. Motion unanimously carried.
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Previous: 2006-11-27 || Special Meeting - Open Session || Next: 2006-12-11