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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 March 19, 2007 |
Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, Auditorium Madison, Wisconsin |
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Special Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Johnny Winston, Jr. at 5:12 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Ruth Robarts, Arlene Silveira, Shwaw Vang, Johnny Winston, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
PRESENT: Joe Carlsmith
STAFF PRESENT: Sue Abplanalp, Lisa Black, Mary Gulbrandsen, Steve Hartley, Pam Nash, Roger Price, Joe Quick, Art Rainwater, Marcia Standiford, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
1. Announcements
There were no announcements.
2. Public Appearances
Katie Salkowski, member of Sherman Middle School staff, shared the nine elements of the "Sherman Way," their rising scores on the WKCE, how attendance has exceeded the benchmark, implementation of the standards-based curriculum, enhanced relationships and more engagement through the use of small teaching teams, etc. The consolidation plan threatens to diminish and destroy the work that has been done at Sherman.
Students who registered to speak were asked to go first.
Katekyn Bullis said that Sherman has taught them everything, that everyone has a place in the world, and everyone can get along. They have become a community that does not want to get shut down.
Lexi Owen, 6th grader at Sherman, asked if the Board really wanted to change everything that has been happening with the Sherman community and the teaching teams. They do not want it changed.
Kalley Bittman, 4th grader at Marquette, made a video that could not be shown tonight but would be copied for each of the Board members as well as some letters from the parents, students and staff asking that Marquette not be moved into Lapham.
Michael Olson, he and his family all Marquette alumni, have all benefited from what it has to offer. One super middle school would prematurely get kids into that with no time to transition into high school.
Sam Kubly, sophomore at East, went to O'Keeffe and Lowell, stated that Principal Harris is doing well and education at East is good. The Board should not increase the population over there because kids will not get the attention they need.
Follow up: Ms. Mathiak asked for information on the cost of transportation for the Marquette/Lapham pairing.
Kate Schultz, teacher at Sherman Middle School, opposed the consolidation plan stating that closing does more than shift kids around. It has a dramatic impact on the community. Sometimes Sherman Middle School people do not feel they have political finesse but they would be here.
Katie Griffiths, Lapham parent, urged the board to reject the proposal to close Sherman and Marquette. They know that school funding needs to change but she stated that much of the financial costs have not been sufficiently calculated. She gave figures for the maximum capacity for Lapham and Marquette as well as current enrollment. She concluded that consolidation would mean relocating the Early Childhood program and using the basement to accommodate the students from the other school. She thought the building would be immediately overcrowded and called it a short-sighted solution that does not make sense and takes away funding for small class sizes. She asked the board to look at the proposed cuts that were not put forward.
Darcy Huber, Lapham parent, is proud of the school system. They have attracted young parents to their area. It was important that their child walk to school with the other kids in the neighborhood and get her education without being overcrowded. There are tons of kids between one and four years old.
Carol Carstensen asked for a copy of these projections.
Laura Churn stated that some have said it is too soon for a referendum or that the political will is not there. The Board is elected to find money in the current budget and try to make cuts that make sense. She favored giving the district a little breathing room until the current problems are faced but proposed that the board would never know until the issues are put to a vote. She urged going to referendum for special education, small classes, and neighborhood schools.
Peggy Garties, Lapham/Marquette parent, understood that the budget is tight. Stated that she and their community would support the Board if it would propose a referendum. She favored small class sizes, especially at K-1, and neighborhood schools.
Benjamin Sommers, Marquette resident and member of the Neighborhood Association, no children in the school but his neighborhood is considered a great place to raise a family. Opposed any efforts to close Marquette and/or Sherman. Believed strongly in neighborhood schools.
Angela Nash, parent facilitator for African American parent group at Sherman, past and current parent of six at Sherman, knows decisions are hard. Please consider negative impact on children and families. Detrimental to their learning experiences. Look at the whole picture.
Bob Queen, event coordinator for Lapham/Marquette Neighborhood Association, talked about 18 years ago when the district threatened to close Lapham. They saved their schools 18 years ago and wanted to save their walk-in schools again. They want all the schools to thrive. They would embrace the alternative schools. Take the option to close/consolidate off the table.
Students from Shabazz - Ethan Ekabara, transition to West was hard. Tried home schooling, tried to go to West part time. This year returned to Shabazz to realize his dream of going to law school. Shabazz helped him find his motivation to do well. Principal may be lost if the cuts happen. She cares as does the entire staff. With so many schools under the same building, they would become relatively the same. Shabazz has been nationally recognized and he wanted it to stay the same as it is.
Alice Water, senior at Shabazz, never found a school where she fit in with the students and teachers. Even small classes did not work for her. Shabazz service learning gives back to the community. It is a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, questioning safe school; no harassment. If all other alternatives are moved, how do we know they will do that? Every locker is unlocked.
Ross Bauman, came to Shabazz as a sophomore and is now a senior, would not have gotten through high school at any other school. Would like it to stay the way it is.
Mandy Bodo, junior at Shabazz, started out at East but did not fit in there. They have an amazing administrator in Sally Schultz. The students would not have that time with her if there is only one administrator.
Nancy Kathman, parent of adult Marquette graduates who are very successful adults, asked the Board to go back to the drawing board; not saving enough money for the cost of closing and consolidating. They would be too crowded. She was ready to do another campaign. She did not feel good about a large middle school at O'Keeffe and wanted to keep their walk-in neighborhood. She felt they were being held hostage to go to referendum but they have other ideas. Look at real costs and other items.
Wayne Sigelko, parent of Marquette and East students, stated that the Board has been hearing about five excellent schools because they are surrounded by a community that has supported that school. So-called efficiencies are illusory. Board does need to go back to the drawing board and go to referendum and he was willing to work for that.
Jim Schuetz, resident of Village of Maple Bluff in the Sherman Middle School attendance area, completely supported keeping Sherman open. They have not always had a neighborhood middle school. There would be a great domino effect that will go on from these decisions. He asked the Board to please consider that they would never save as much money as they think and never have enough to spend on the remodeling that it will take. They have been looking at the plans, which have changed--there are 5-6 plans out there. If Sherman is closed and a referendum is not successful, they would support some going to Black Hawk or O'Keeffe. Just for reasons of proximity, O'Keeffe would make the most sense to them. He hoped it would not be necessary and that it would never happen. He had a letter from the Village and a copy of the plan they would support.
Sue Arneson, parent at Lapham/Marquette, said that no one has the cost of the change; remodeling, transportation, etc. They wanted to disrupt as few children as possible and keep class sizes small. This consolidation will cost the district and create a mega middle school. There is research to deter the making of a large middle school. Take consolidation proposal off the table.
Shari Entenmann, parent, committed to three things: downtown schools (consider details carefully, e.g., TEP, alternatives, etc.), larger middle schools too big for this population, and limited resources. Need an open process with community. Have not heard about extracurriculars or sports being on the table and there is money coming in over the next couple of months.
Faye Kubly said she had experience as a neighborhood designer, Mayor Dave supports neighborhood schools, talked about her children's experiences. She supported a referendum proposal to maintain the schools as they exist right now. She asked for an appeal to the governor asking him to make a decision about public education funding. She was really tired of crisis management.
Written registrations included 87 in opposition to the closing/consolidation plans, 18 in opposition to the proposed cuts to Shabazz, 2 opposed to increasing specials class sizes, 1 in support of going to referendum for budget issues, and 1 opposed to the proposed cuts to TAG programming.
Mr. Winston stopped the public appearances at this point with ten speakers left in order to begin the public hearing which was noticed to begin at 6 p.m. Their written registrations were added to the tallies if they were so indicated. There would be opportunities related to this agenda item on the 28th or people could stay.
3. Public Hearing on Suggested Names for the New School at LindenPark
(Packets included a list of submitted, eligible names for the school at Linden Park. A copy is attached to the original of these minutes.)
Pahoua Thao, UW-Madison senior, select Vang Pao Elementary as the name. Please refer to the proposal. Time for Madison to have greater enhancement, great addition. General Vang Pao was a war hero and prominent model who is committed to successful learning side by side. Hmong will feel inclusion and importance, others will appreciate diversity.
Jeanette Vang, 8th grader at De Forest Middle School, supported naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao--because of him she has a better future.
Cheng Vang, 7th grader at De Forest Area Middle School, supported naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao who made it possible for him to have a chance to attend school like other children and have a better future.
Ryan Blythe, 4th grader at Van Hise, thought the new school should be named after Henry Aaron who played baseball for the Milwaukee Braves and would be an excellent role model. One of the finest African American baseball players and helped integrate baseball, a man of great character and class, great team player. Great historic Wisconsin person.
Chimeng Xiong, 7th grader at Cherokee, supported naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao. Many schools in Madison are named after other ethnic groups. It would give him a sense of belonging and ownership and a sense of his own identity so people will understand him better.
Chai Thao, second year student at MATC in elementary education, wants to work in Madison in the future. She is Hmong and supported naming the new school with a Hmong name. The City of Madison is a home for Hmong people. Other schools have names after other ethnic people and those groups have ownership and a sense of belonging. She wanted to relate to this school so others can know who she is. Please name it after Gen. Vang Pao.
Pakou Vang, senior at UW-Madison and attended Madison schools, had a petition for the new school to be named after Gen. Vang Pao, a very important person to the Hmong community. Hmong people have been in the U.S. for a little over 30 years and some people do not know about them; their rich history is still missing in the schools. With the recent racial tensions, it is obvious that there are still some misconceptions. This opportunity would open the door and lesson the misunderstandings among everyone. By naming the school, Madison can take the first step toward including Hmong history in school.
Ru Lor, senior at Memorial, took great pride in knowing that Gen. Vang Pao has been recommended to have a school named after him. He has given the Hmong people hope to live on and will inspire so many young people.
Leng Yang, junior at La Follette, supported Gen. Vang Pao who has done many great things to support Hmong people and who is still helping them back in Thailand. Without him, none of the Hmong people would be here.
Berta Hildner, senior at UW-Madison, went to West, proposed the new school be named after Ilda Thomas, an inspirational figure who created real impact and who founded Centro Hispano. She had spirit and had a dream of creating an organization, not about petty fights about people's national pride. Latinos are creating some real change.
Elia Armacanqui, professor at UW-Stevens Point but lives here on Whitney Way, supported naming the new school after Ilda Thomas. As a graduate student, Ms. Maconkey witnessed Ms. Thomas' devotion and leadership at UW-Madison. She had charisma, founded Centro Hispano and was its first executive director. She united all Latinos in Madison and the surrounding areas, contributed greatly to education as the only way for young Latinos to advance and get out of poverty. Her community service started in Uruguay fighting against human rights violations and in Bolivia. She finally settled in Madison. She would be a great role model.
T. J. Mertz, suggested Kate Abel Sabin as the first woman on the MMSD School Board and Dane County Superintendent of Schools. She was an educator and the first female UW Regent. Important to recognize her.
Bill Keys, Hmong name Wa Kee Vang, noted Madison's changing student population with people from all parts of the world. He asked to name the new school Gen. Vang Pao Elementary School because the Hmong are vital to our community, enrich our lives and force us to confront our own prejudices. He noted their many accomplishments in the performing and visual arts, story cloths as historic records, the Kajsiab House, why they are here and how they became involved in the Viet Nam war to protect us. Everyone suffered something. They feel lucky to be here. He asked the board to Honor the Hmong past, present and future. Gen. Vang Pao is living, naturalized American hero.
Jim Olson, Madison resident and product of school system and parent, proud son of Paul J. Olson spoke to why he thought the new school should be named after his father. Paul Olson had a unique career and served 46 years in the Madison school system;, 22 years as a teacher, 22 as a principal of Midvale, member of the school board his final 3 years. As a teacher at West, he started the first union in public schools, the first health insurance program, started many programming at the new school at Midvale (sewing, recreation, etc.). He helped found the Madison School Forest program (very involved in ecology), became a member of the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, and did all this despite the fact that he was a polio victim and was paralyzed his entire life.
Daycy Maly used to know Ilda Thomas personally who she said was an amazing woman. She demonstrated great leadership and it said it would be very nice to have a school named after her. There were many things she wanted to share but did not want to take up the time. She hoped the board would consider her name and what she stood for; a kind leader.
Sandy Wolens worked with Ilda Thomas as well who she felt was very humble and saw the good in every individual. Brought the Latino community up wherever she lived and helped everyone in need.
Sonya Worner (Thomas), from Plymouth, Minnesota, daughter of Mrs. Thomas, described her as an amazing person who would proudly represent the City of Madison. She died 13 years ago but was instrumental in the lives her daughter continues to hear about. She came from South America to Wisconsin and provided social service and leadership to the Latino community in Wisconsin. It would be an amazing testimony to the power of education to name the new school after a woman of Ms. Thomas' integrity.
Doua Vang, Madison resident, asked the Board to support Gen. Vang Pao as the name for the new school. He described the life of the General.
Recessed at 7:18 p.m.
Reconvened at 7:35 p.m.
James Chang, senior at UW-Madison, tutor at Northport Community Center and Glendale, supported naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao. He was military but would support building schools in the pursuit of civil service jobs and the integration of Hmongs in American society. Supported the MMSD's commitment to working with the elementary school students.
Pahoua Xiong, junior at UW-Madison and La Follette graduate, supported the new school to be named after Gen. Vang Pao to spread Hmong culture and history. Half of the middle school students he attended school with who are Hmong were married and did not go to high school. Only two went on to high school. They should believe in themselves and can succeed.
Johnny Ly, senior at UW-Madison and West graduate, supported naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao, who helped the Hmong to have the power to change from adequate to marvelous. The Hmong are part of Wisconsin culture. This would show that they do not have to question who they are and that they do not have to just do their jobs. The board needed to embrace the crucial step to keeping the Hmong culture intact and thriving. His father served and died under the General.
Chongjeh Vang supported Gen. Vang Pao. He has been working with him since 1960. The General would be welcomed in his home any time. He is a very good person and a hero. Helps everyone who needs it. Built schools for all children.
Ying Vang, ESL Bilingual counselor at Memorial High School, recognizes the diversity of the Madison population. He was on the school naming committee. He gave a brief overview of the responses to the questions in the proposal to name the new school after a Hmong prominent figure, Gen. Vang Pao. He spoke of the General as the most recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world who inspired people beyond a meager upbringing and who has not stopped helping people at 77 years old. He had additional information he would e-mail to the Board.
Dena Moua, Lincoln parent, supported naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao. Stated that many Hmong people have lived in Madison for the past 30 years, many are graduates of the MMSD and contribute to Madison Schools by paying taxes. This would benefit Hmong children and families would feel pride. It would give the children a role model and a foundation for all children to learn about their history and would promote diversity in Madison. She added that there is a place for Hmong students in school history and this would be a chance to remove the misunderstandings and let people know about their sacrifices as loyal allies of the U.S.
Nao Vang was one of the soldiers with Gen. Vang Pao during the Viet Nam war in Laos. He asked to name the new school after Gen. Vang Pao because they worked very closely with the U.S. fighting in the war and, as minority group in Laos, lost over 30,000 people in the war. Because of the war, several of their leaders were put in prison. Only some of them escaped to survive in this country to become part of this school community.
Teng Lee asked the Board to help honor Gen. Vang Pao's name. He indicated that a lot of Hmong young people do not understand why they are here and are getting married at a very young age. In 1989, the General came and played with the little kids, he told them how to live in this country, he emphasized education. Now crime is slowing down. The General would be a good role model and leader for everyone. Three million people in Laos do not speak the same language but the General understands everyone. He is respected and he respects everyone. He accepts everyone regardless of race and wants everyone to do right. He is good for the children who need someone who understands them today and for their future.
Xao Her Xiong supported naming the new school after the General. He was also a soldier under Gen. Vang Pao in the 60s until the mid-70s. Many soldiers were killed during that time. There are many schools named after other races in Madison already. He asked the Board to consider naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao.
G.A. Dietz, one of the women of veterans, our husbands served in the war and were killed. They survived and came to the U.S. Their leader left the country to come here and many followed him. They wanted the Board to please consider making it possible for them to have ownership in the community so they can be part of it. They would like the District to open their door to each of us. It was a very risky part of their lives to survive to get here. We would like you to consider us part of your community and give us something; we would appreciate it.
Pedro Albiter, graduate of UW-Madison from the School of Education, not teaching now but very proud to be part of the educators in this country. Madison is one of the best districts nationwide. Came here 20 years ago as part of the district; very proud. Mrs. Thomas respected the Hmong community. So much testimony here tonight but Ms. Thomas worked at the Job Center and made a difference here locally with so many programs and her leadership. Very proud to support her name. Please consider her name for this school.
Koua Vang, resident of Sun Prairie and Christian minister, wished the district would not have to identify any buildings at all. He has been part of Madison for many years. His children went to school here until they moved to Sun Prairie. He was the first Hmong lawyer in Wisconsin for many years and talked about his many services to the community for refugees in this country. Indicated that Hmong youth here have lost their identity--American or Hmong. This naming after a Hmong prominent person would help all this. They are encouraging Hmong to participate in this community as much as possible. He believed they are going to live here for many years and this would help everything.
Waseng Vang, resident of De Forest, one of the former soldiers who worked closely with Gen. Vang Pao and fought in the Viet Nam war in Laos for U.S. By 1975, the U.S. told the Hmong leaders there was no future opportunity for them to fight and that everyone should leave the country. The General left and everyone followed him. He is a very honorable person, he loved everyone, gave them pride and freedom. They were here because of this relationship and wanted the Board to honor this relationship and name the new school after Gen. Vang Pao and to show ownership with the community.
Faang Vang, De Forest resident, has been in U.S. for over ten years, graduated from MATC and still continuing with his education, stated that many Hmong kids have attended the UW. He supported naming of the new school after Gen. Vang Pao. He indicated that many in the community do not know who he is but the veterans do. He is an educated man who encouraged Hmong kids to attend more school and the UW is one of the best in the nation.
Choua Vang here on behalf of the Hmong community, asked the Board to consider naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao. Described the General as a war hero but also spoke to his legacy that should be shared with all Americans to let everyone know who the Hmong are and that they belong in the "melting pot" the same as everyone else.
Cher Pao Xiong, Madison resident and war veteran, also supported naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao. It would make everyone very proud.
Stephanie Lowden supported naming the new school after Senator Gaylord Nelson. He lived in Madison, served as Governor of Wisconsin, and served in the U.S. Senate. He is best known as the Father of Earth Day. He died in 2005. His support for issues such as these in government would qualify him. Contributions are many - Earth Day ceremonies, protector of the environment for all living creatures, battle is still not won. His legacy can only be carried on by teaching future generations. Sen. Nelson would be proud.
Cheng Xainou Vang, parent, stated that the Hmong people have voted many years to bring many here and without Gen. Vang Pao, none of them would be here today. The General is one of the few people they look up to. Their family has been living here since 1983, graduated from East, taught their children who they are and where they are from. She strongly asked the board to name the new school after Gen. Vang Pao for those who were in attendance but cannot speak English--their hearts are here. This would help the community ease their pain and carry their community into the future.
Tsiong Chue Meva also one of the vets in Madison, he is working with people who have illnesses and he treats them. He knew the General very well as a leader of many minority groups in Laos who sacrificed much of his time with his family and visits communities around the country. He asked the Board to consider naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao—it would create an opportunity for everyone to know the General and for the Hmong community to be part of this community.
Tong Lou Kou Thao supported naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao because: 1) he led the Hmong people in the war; 2) all Hmong people will learn that they have rights; 3) he sets a good example as a leader. He hoped the Hmong children would study hard for better lives in the future.
Chia Vang supported naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao. Mr. Vang is currently a district employee and was a member of the task force last year. He is a bilingual resource specialist who supports Hmong kids in the classroom and does interpretation for Hmong parents. When he learned about the named to be considered, he talked to many Hmong students and parents who are pretty happy about it. This would symbolize history for the Hmong community for generations to come. The General is like father to everyone and he helped to contain Communism from spreading. Kids will move here form other places because of the school and what it would symbolize.
Lucretia Ghastin, taxpayer and resident of Madison, has seen the Latino community mushroom over the years. She supported naming the new school after Ilda Thomas who fought for Latino woman and was a local leader. She was a builder of bridges in the community and was also an educator. She would be a good role model for girls and young women.
Berta Franciscan stated that politics are everywhere but did not want the squeaky wheel to get the grease. She supported naming the new school after Ilda Thomas who she knew personally as a woman of solid integrity and clear vision whose name should carry on through a new school. Ms. Thomas did many things in Wisconsin and in Madison. She asked the board to read and weigh very fairly what is the best and how that name will impact all the students. She indicated that the community needed to look for peace.
Written registrations included 147 in support of naming the new school after Gen. Vang Pao.
Superintendent explained that there is an administrative committee that will look at the names and narrow them down to four or five. They will come forward with recommendations that are purely advisory. The board is not restricted to these; they can pick any name they choose. The final vote is scheduled for April 16.
Recessed at 8:52 p.m.
Reconvened at 9:06 p.m.
Items 4 and 5 taken up together.
4. Impact of 2007-08 Proposed MMSD Budget on MMSD's Long Range Plan regarding Options to Address Overcrowded Schools and Under-enrolled Schools in the East Attendance Area and Budget Deficits related to the 2007-08 Proposed Budget
5. 2007-08 Proposed MMSD Budget
(Packets included a presentation, enrollment projections for East Attendance Area elementary and middle schools, and an analysis on the Doyle Administration Building (from last year). Copies are attached to the original of these minutes.)
Mary Gulbrandsen gave a presentation covering the long range review for 2006-07; issues in the Memorial, West, and East Attendance Areas; Board of Education direction; range of ideas reviewed by the Long Range Planning Committee; Administration recommendation to balance low income percentages; considerations and ideas for consolidating or closing schools; Ideas A-F with accompanying educational pros and cons; and various data elements (e.g., enrollment projections, building square footage).
DISCUSSION:
§ Transfers in and out were verified. Question was asked whether the definitions could be changed that affect transfers based on allocation, not building capacity. Answer was yes, Board can control the criteria.
§ Explained the building capacities slide (p. 18 of the presentation) with reduced class size and without. Capacity situation specific to Lapham and quality of rooms.
Ms. Gulbrandsen handed out changes in middle and high school capacities (a copy is attached to the original of these minutes).
§ How the academic blocks are currently scheduled at the middle schools.
§ Assignment of students who are currently attending Sherman from near East Towne Mall area.
§ Configuration of Sennett; only two middle schools in that area.
§ Extent to which transfers in and out affect capacities.
§ Benefits for Alternative Programs (library, cafeteria, gym, etc.)
§ Benefits to having larger middle schools (more efficient programming and scheduling, offering range of exploratories, more flexibility, larger number of teachers, larger allocations, handles reductions more easily, easier to keep class sizes smaller, increased support staff, etc.)
§ Cost of two additional bus runs $90,000 (tried to stay with educational and not city planning).
§ Convenience of walking or biking for those students who live near Marquette; no boundary changes are planned there.
§ Long Range Planning Committee did not make a recommendation but asked the Administration to make a recommendation. Became a Board level decision. Fraught with community concerns. Combines long range planning with budget issues which the Board has to address. Held joint meetings between the two committees.
§ Ideas include moving the Alternatives either to Marquette or Lapham.
§ Number of students in the Alternative Programs and how they would be separated.
§ Long range plan for Lindbergh - sell it for development. It is a very small building.
§ Approach was to have all the students go to either Lapham or Marquette; all transported.
§ Administration is in conversation with MTI about how the consolidation would work.
§ Idea G put together today as a compilation of many people's thoughts. Gets most cost savings and helps the Northeast Area stay viable long term. It has not been analyzed yet by Management Team.
§ If Nuestro Mundo is expanded, it would take more space from Allis because it is fully imbedded and would require a change in the way enrollment would occur. If it stays the same size and stays imbedded, it would be restricted to 168 students. Lindbergh not very dense area of Spanish speaking students. This is not part of the current ideas. Tend to lose Spanish speaking students as they move into the upper grades.
§ Calendars issues: Administration is currently in the process of surplussing. Vacancies are posted by the end of March. Waiting for Board decision about consolidation. Families need to be notified.
§ Referendum discussion will have to be legally noticed. Leaving the issue open turns the meeting on March 28 into a rally for a referendum and not a serious discussion about the kinds of decisions that need to be made and does not allow for discussion about the plans as they are. Insufficient time to put together a referendum—need discussion over the summer on programs, charter schools, more defined plan. Timing for input from departing board members. Issue is strategy, not the numbers. Need for community input. Impossible to have an election before June 15. Timing of the discussion around the election and spring break and before a public hearing and decision on consolidation.
§ Keeping children in their neighborhoods, sharing a principal between two schools, eliminating transportation costs.
It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Ruth Robarts to hold a public hearing on the consolidation issue on April 11, 2007.
Discussion on the Motion:
o Final vote on the recommendation is currently scheduled for April 16. Can talk about options on March 28 as a workshop.
o Hold public hearing on April 11 rather than March 28 but depends on what happens on the 26th. Could discuss referendum briefly and these plans.
Student Representative advisory vote was nay. Motion failed 2-5 with Lucy Mathiak and Ruth Robarts voting aye.
FOLLOW UP: Print hard copies of revised numbers for Ideas A and B. Plan G will be part of the next packet. Provide costing information if class sizes are not reduced at Lapham and Marquette (base staffing)---K-5 at Lapham, K-5 at Marquette in their own attendance zones, no reduced class size and shared principals.
6. Other Business
There was no other business.
7. Adjournment
It was moved by Ruth Robarts and seconded by Lucy Mathiak to adjourn the meeting at 11:33 p.m. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
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