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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 April 19, 2007 |
Memorial High School 201 South Gammon Road Madison, Wisconsin |
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Special Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Johnny Winston, Jr. at 6:45 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Maya Cole, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Beth Moss, Arlene Silveira, Johnny Winston, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
PRESENT: Jacinth Sohi
STAFF PRESENT: Roger Price, Art Rainwater, Marcia Standiford, Ken Syke, Donna Williams, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
1. Public Hearing on the 2007-08 Proposed MMSD Budget
(Handout was available describing the district's 2007-09 legislative agenda; a summary of the 2007-08 budget and district profile (4/07); and the 2007-09 biennial budget issues "talking points." Copies are attached to the original of these minutes.)
Kate Zellmer, Carrie Zellmer, Anna Mickle, Zoe Koenig, Samara Lerner, and Sophia Rock (all MMSD students) played a piece on their violins in support of the elementary strings program.
Barb Schrank supported reinstating arts education and elementary strings in particular. Presented a petition supporting a vibrant, strong fine arts academic education for all Madison's school children as important for and fundamental to a student's personal and academic growth (a copy of the petition is attached to the original of these minutes). She also distributed a bar graph showing total elementary string enrollment from 2004-05 to 2006-07 breaking out low income, minority, and special education categories (a copy is attached to the original of these minutes).
Rhonda Schilling, general music teacher at Thoreau Elementary, stated that putting the arts on the chopping block has to stop and there should be no more cuts to specials. She asked if there was a scheduling plan for how this is to be implemented and what the cost would be for travel reimbursement. She supported a multi-year referendum. She would be making copies available of a letter she wrote to the district administration and school board.
Kevin Tahany opposed the removal of busing for private schools and the substitution of parent contracts. Spoke to the impact on working, single parents and low-income families who choose to send their children to private schools. Wanted to work together to devise a plan to solve this bussing issue.
Sophia Rock, student, stated that it was all about money. So much food gets thrown away from lunch. She thought it should be given to charity. The district has cut so much; she asked why they could not cut out something that kids do not really like.
Laurel Lee, teacher and taxpayer, stated that teachers should be paid as much as doctors because they save as many lives. Any monies from school programming will be paid for many times over in social services. Families are going to pay either way. Ask the voters if they, like me, feel the schools are cost effective.
Jeff Wingert, physical education teacher at Shorewood, spoke of the national epidemics of childhood obesity, children with ADHD, and adult diabetes. He has 22 students per class minimum rather than 15. They have to be more careful when they move around the gym. Students have to wait until people are done with their activities because there is not enough room for everyone to do it together. The district is instituting a Wellness Policy while the board is proposing larger class sizes. Epidemics will only get worse. Poor families with the least resources will suffer the most. Get us to referendum and get revenue caps lifted. He added that keeping SAGE for Unified Arts (specials) is equally as important as SAGE for academics.
Barbara Katz, parent at Cherokee Middle and West High, stated that the cuts to special education will effectively reduce cross-categorical teachers in the classroom and the special educational assistants as well. She is a member of Partners for Inclusive Education. All students need adequate support. Speech and language students will need help in other areas as well. They will get support regardless but at what cost. She had no alternative funding cut to offer. Thanked the board for taking a leadership role to support reform of statewide school funding mechanisms. She felt it important to connect with other districts and have more conversations.
Mark Bohm opposed cut to private school bus funding. He supports the MMSD through taxes and making Madison a better place to live. His family was notified on Thursday by their principal. He had more questions than answers, e.g., how the cost was arrived at and how the $200,000 savings was arrived at, administrative costs of parent contracts, whether First Student had been contacted, whether it would cost the MMSD more. He also commented that there will be more congestion on the roads which goes against Mayor Dave's platform. They also work to pay for their child's education.
Don Severson, president of Active Citizens for Education (ACE), stated that the district cannot change the state revenue cap or Qualified Economic Offer and underfunded mandates, etc. These constraints cause stresses and strains that have to be managed and lived within. The board has focused on more revenue with little focus regarding expenditures and mandates. He indicated that transparency is essential, that the board should evaluate and make reallocations and not cuts. He provided written information listing some areas in which the board should assess for reallocation.
Leanne Gilbertson supported special education/elementary planning time. Spoke to the cuts to special education teachers and special education assistants. Currently they include speech and language only students who are receiving support in academic areas. They have been notified that next year those children will not be included in the allocation but still receive support if they need it. She hoped the rumor was not true that principals have been told not to reopen IEPs that would qualify these students for other services. Staff will not be able to do their job as effectively; they cannot provide the same level of service.
Mark Miller lives in Fitchburg and has two children who attend St. James, both parents work and utilize bussing to get their kids to and from school. It has been a very positive experience and they are very grateful. Restructuring would take that option away and make it much more difficult to get them to school. He supports all of Madison's schools as a taxpayer which should include fully funded bussing for those who attend important private schools in our city.
Jim Knishler concerned about providing school transportation. It would not affect him greatly because his children are in middle and high school but will affect a great majority of families he knows. He questioned what it would cost the MMSD to have private school children come to the public schools.
Jeanette Paulson, Anita Simansky, Audrey Lesondach, Dea Larson, and Susan Stern, indicated that they are forming a group of parents and Madison students to support a multi-year operating referendum next year. She distributed copies of a letter written by this group and signed by 149 petitioners (a copy of the letter is attached to the original of these minutes). The same letter was shared with the media. They represent neighborhoods across the city that are interested in maintaining neighborhood schools, reduced class sizes, academic support and enrichment programs, arts and extracurricular activities, etc. She asked the board to keep these assets in mind and make no cuts that cannot be restored or repaired in a better budget climate. They will join with many other Madisonians over the coming year to engage the community in conversation about what kind of school system we want and to build the public will to make the necessary investments.
Susan Stern, teacher, parent and Madison resident, taught in Oakland, California. Stated that Madison's quality schools cannot be maintained. She felt a number of people all over Madison will support a referendum until bigger state changes are made.
Audrey Lesondach, parent and teacher and former urban planner, has seen people come to and stay in communities because of the services they provide and for the great schools. She said people would come together to preserve that, that there is support, that people believe in the schools, and no cuts should be irreversible. They need a sense of hope.
Anita Simansky, parent and counselor at Shabazz, indicated that a referendum could allow addressing state funding. Instead of year after year listening to this divisive process, she wanted to go to referendum next February and save the whole district.
Dea Larson, parent Marquette/Lapham, is very proud of the MMSD. Every year things are being cut. She suggested that there is not enough long-term planning, that a multi-year referendum is needed, and that the board should take this seriously and support their effort.
Michelle Reynolds wanted to address the press and the community but there were no press people present. The budget cuts have put the district in a dire place. She said the media needed to communicate differently than they are now in order for the state to understand what is gong on. The state legislators are the only ones who can help. But despite all this children are learning and teachers are still teaching well under these conditions. The bigger miracle is that bright young children are still choosing education as a career. The community needs to communicate this to everyone.
Jeanne Dally-Steele, computer technology teacher at Muir and Shorewood, stated that REACH is K-5 computer literacy instruction. She mentioned the specific things students learn. Do not cut REACH. It is a prerequisite for Virtual Campus. Exacerbates the "haves vs. have nots" situation. The 21st century requires computer literacy.
Bill Rettig, librarian at Huegel Elementary, also heard the rumor about REACH. Favored keeping REACH intact. It is valuable learning time for students. It was a hard negotiation getting this one hour. Teacher morale needs to be maintained. Teachers are working harder than ever. REACH time is an important issue.
Kate Munns got very late notice about the restructuring of private school transportation. They have three children and pay for public education through their taxes. They also pay for private school tuition. She is very impressed with the public schools and also with how they work in partnership together. Her concern is having buses taken away. Her issues were safety, convenience, very busy intersections, biking is worse into the sun, environmental basis about being green, and keeping that one advantage she gets daily by having a bus.
Charles Monroe-Kane, moved to Marquette neighborhood on purpose and the schools were one of the reasons. To consolidate the schools is a fundamental flaw for what Madison stands for. Keep class sizes small. People are fickle and they can leave. Look long term. Keep those class sizes small.
Erika Monroe-Kane east side parents of children who are not yet in school but will enter soon. They are worried about the schools if the cuts continue. They are aware of the district work with United Way Schools of Hope project. They are extremely proud of the schools and efforts to reduce the racial achievement gap. School size is incredibly important to that ability and some students are falling behind in the schools that the administration is looking at to close. They hate to see those efforts reversed.
Jess Shampo, parent of two who go to Queen of Peace, described their choice as a close call because the public schools are so good. His concern was private school bussing - many of us work and are single parent families. He did not understand the numbers given for those that would truly be affected and the estimated amount of savings. He was also concerned about the additional traffic congestion from parents having to drive their kids to school.
Marianne Paker private school parent, said it is important to have safe and reliable transportation. It is so important from a safety issue that she pays more to get her middle school child on the bus as well. She likened this to Spring Harbor parents having to pay extra for transportation. She continues to support her choice to send her kids to parochial school and to support Madison schools every time she votes. She indicated there are serious problems facing Madison schools. She would love to see revenue caps lifted and no school closings and this divisive process in place now eliminated.
Greg Jones private school parent, stated that some families choose the values that private schools offer in addition to academics. Their family contributes by way of taxes. He indicated that kids attending private schools play a role in the MMSD pupil-teacher ratios. It also means having more cars on the road during busy times and making the point of delivery more unsafe around the schools. There is no energy benefit. More kids will be on the street. If the students have to walk, it places them in a difficult situation. No safety benefit. He indicated that the district did not have a fully developed plan and they received very short notice on this. He said they could sit down and talk about this and resolve it for the benefit of all.
Jim Sampson urged the board to reconsider the cut to private school transportation for the safety and welfare of children. Kids need a safe, reliable bus ride to school and home. It creates stress for children and parents, reduced job performance, and reduces student achievement. The district should be thankful that all parents have been saving the district money for years. If they sent their children to public school, it would be an additional cost to the MMSD. The only thing they are receiving is that bus service. It is like a slap in the face.
Lisa Kirby-Mangas, speech and language clinician, indicated that the district is taking the largest proposed cut from one area and it is an appalling choice that will affect students. Changing the reallocation formula so speech and language only students are not counted will increase case loads and level of intervention as a whole. These kids are no less disabled. These students are receiving additional instruction in reading, writing, and math. Many who access services will be diagnosed at a later reevaluation. They will continue to present the same needs. She asked the board not to approve this reduction.
Georgette Lucey-Durrani, parent of private schools students, said that her children need a bus. They cannot walk. It is a matter of life or death because of they live on a dangerous highway. It is too much to ask. She did not know about this until late and had no time to prepare. She was asking on behalf of the lives of others on the bus as well.
Recessed at 8:16 p.m.
Reconvened at 8:31 p.m.
Dayna Dalton, MMSD parent, begged the board not to close neighborhood schools. It will have a huge negative impact on the north side. Lindbergh has a high poverty and high ESL and high Hmong population. Kennedy Heights Community Center has worked hard to get parents involved and it has worked. Middle school is a very difficult time for children and families and there have been so many principal changes. People will lose their faith in the MMSD and will leave or pull their children out. Closings could cause irreversible damage.
Jackie Kaplan, speech and language therapist about to retire, was very concerned about what is happening in the schools. Students will still be able to access services but will not be counted. They cannot have a full class list as a special education teacher of 10-12 students then add 3-4 more kids on top of that. It is $2 million budget cut. There will be at least 225 students that will be affected by this. These are kids with large impairments who almost always have academic problems. Teachers have to provide these services; the question is how. Downtown calls this "supersizing" and acting like these are not real kids, but they are. What will happen if they are not serviced; they will be set up for failure. They have to have services or the board can wait for the lawsuits.
Tracy Elmes, private school parent, stated that transportation has to be provided according to state statute in the form of a contract only. She wanted to know how the cost was evaluated and was concerned about safety and directly impacting parents' livelihood. They may have to reduce work by ten hours per week and this could qualify them for non-health insurance. They were given very short notice. She asked that this issue be opened up for discussion and that parents be allowed to audit the numbers. School transportation is a right and privilege that they have under Wisconsin's statutes.
Kate Zirbel, MMSD parent, indicated that a group of parents are trying to educate themselves about the budget crises. They are looking for appropriate actions both short- and long-term. They have considered organizing across different schools. They want to maintain small class sizes and choose cuts that do not affect kids, put resource teachers back into classrooms, sell the Doyle building, not shift staff around who work directly with children, evaluate the effectiveness of programs and make them public so parents can decide which cuts to make. They support a referendum and lifting the revenue caps. Teachers say the number one priority is small class size.
Patty Hay-Chapman, parent and speech and language therapist at Memorial, said this has to stop. It is very dangerous. We as a city, society and state need to give boards the money. This room should be filled with people. We can change this law. We can educate the city. We can pass a referendum. We are cutting into the fabric of our schools. No one understands the special education cuts; they have nothing to do with effectively delivering services to kids, only to save money. Teachers will stress out. There will be more referrals to special education and more teacher burn-out.
Donna Friedsam, MMSD parent and activist, supports referenda and state level changes. She was distraught at the approach of the current budget. Please consider less destructive alternatives. In order for us to pass a referendum next year this district has to demonstrate that you are making serious evaluations of all the programs. Every child should have a small class size. Special education services, TAG, etc., are all important. She did not want people to leave the district. Other things should be reduced way before class size increases.
Sandy Wildenborg please continue to offer bus services to private schools. It is convenient and safe we pay for the services.
Lisa Momar, private school parent, busing paid through taxes allows her to go to work. Issues are safety, traffic, and after school programming. These hearings were not widely publicized. They could offer an alternative if a task force is allowed to be formed and come up with a good proposal.
Jenny Sheahan, private school parent, sympathized with the budget woes but stated that the public schools have changed. They take away religion. Busing helps her make that choice. They live in Hawks Landing and their children have to be bussed somewhere because there is no school there yet and no city buses. There are no car pooling possibilities. The cost is confusing. She cannot pick her children up or drop them off. She works part-time. They pay substantial money to the MMSD. She asked the board to provide safe transport to their school.
Rebecca Kemble stated that the budget is a bewildering process. She was deeply concerned about the erosion of public trust in the board's leadership. She told the board to give direction to the administration and not have it the other way around. Board members are scrambling to respond without time to evaluate these 11th hour proposals. Stress levels, bullying, and acting out have increased. They cannot talk about this in their classrooms. Letters were thrown away at the direction of staff. Just do it and please stop dragging us through this year after year. Strategic planning process gives administration clear guidance. Stop organizing task forces then dismissing their recommendations. Board should be dedicated to education for all children and pushing for changes in state laws.
Julie Schmitt, parochial parent, was not sure where the numbers came from and wanted to review them to make sure the $200,000 is correct. Some of the numbers are incorrect already. She was concerned about the safety of all kids if all that traffic is added. She supports Madison schools at the polls. She asked the board to reconsider this cut and support them. The buses provide opportunity for families to work.
Martie Cody, private school parent, said her kids cannot walk to school and cannot take the Metro system because they are too young. This leaves driving as the only way, which is a hardship. Please consider that. If schools are closed, the district will have to bus more kids to various schools. She asked if the numbers are correct and if the district would be breaking state law. Please consider. She sees value in all the schools.
Ann Lacy, graduate of West and east side resident, said there were no good budget cuts to make; no fat in the budget. The same thing is happening across the state. It is necessary to have hope that a spring referendum would provide. Please do not close or consolidate schools. Need a change in long-term funding.
Matt Logan commissioner on bike transportation and parent, asked to maintain neighborhood schools and not to consolidate. Walking and biking is a quintessential experience. Keep neighborhood schools and pair the smaller schools to save transportation costs.
Julie Logan, former special education teacher in Madison and Los Angeles and rural, supported keeping all schools open and keeping them small. No Child Left Behind is financially punitive. Closures and consolidations are not the right options for the long term. She would support a referendum and asked the board to advocate for change at the state level.
Sr. Leonius Skaar, principal of St. Dennis School (the only Catholic school on the east side of Madison), said that busing is a safety issue and they have a wide area and a large number of parents. Many could not come tonight because they work two and three jobs in order to have their children attain the education they choose. These parents have the right to transportation because they are dependent on the safety and security that buses have provided them. They had late notice on this. She suggested that maybe there is some double backing and maybe there are solutions and thanked the district the wonderful service.
Megan Brown, MMSD parent and very active in the community, had ideas to relieve some budget crises. Despite these efforts, she felt like the ship is sinking and cannot be rescued. There are less and less services from the government, no increase in taxes but fewer services. This is a disaster. People need to change their attitude about taxes as the cornerstone of democracy. Property taxes are limited by revenue caps. State funding is limited by funding caps and legislative pressure not to raise taxes. Only way to fix the problem is to create a revolution. Do not accept current proposals.
Stacy Schultz, Madison graduate and a junior at UW-Madison, said she has become who she is today because of the schools in Madison. One of her favorite classes was REACH. She did not think she would have been prepared enough without it. Teachers are not expecting as much as when she went to school. She hoped the program would not be cut.
Mark Durussel, Crestwood Elementary parent, spoke in support of SAGE as very beneficial for his children and the biggest beneficiaries are low-income children. He hated to see that program disappear for a number of reasons because wonderful things are happening in the REACH program. He cared about the special education cuts. He indicated that there is a lot of momentum in favor of a referendum. Word can get out in time.
Gail Borchers, Library media Specialist at Lake View Elementary, was very concerned about the proposed cuts to specials classes. Students will receive less personal time and instruction from her. Students will lose personal value, be less successful and become frustrated. There will be less access to librarians and materials. Studies have shown that this affects student achievement. They have taken big hits. The amount of time has been drastically cut. Librarians play an important role. Next year the library will be open four days a week as a result of budget cuts. She has been surplussed and will not be at Lake View. She hoped the board could find funds to prevent further cuts.
Gail Arneson helps the librarian at Lake View and it is quite difficult even with two people. The east side schools work. They are community schools. This will create a lot of animosity. Please consider not doing that. Please do not make the changes. There are other ways to save money. Plan for the next five years instead of just one year.
Written registrations included:
· 2 opposed to closing Lindbergh Elementary
· 2 opposed to increasing class size
· 1 opposed to budget cuts that increase student-teacher ratios, school consolidations, and specials
· 4 opposed to closing or consolidating schools
· 3 in support of SAGE retention at Crestwood for 2007-08
· 6 opposed to cutting 5th grade strings
· 5 in support of going to referendum
· 3 opposed to cuts to special education
· 13 opposed to cutting transportation to private schools
· 13 opposed to cutting library services and computer instruction
Total of 52 completed registrations
2. Adjournment
It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Arlene Silveira to adjourn the meeting at 9:39 p.m. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
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