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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 June 20, 2007 |
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 Arlene Silveira at 5:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Maya Cole, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Beth Moss, Arlene Silveira, Johnny Winston, Jr.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
PRESENT: Laura Checovich
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Susan Abplanalp, Mary Gulbrandsen, Steve Hartley, Pam Nash, Art Rainwater, Lisa Wachtel, Ann Wilson-Recording Secretary (All staff members except the recording secretary left at 7:40 p.m.)
1. Announcements
There were no announcements.
2. Superintendent's Implementation of MMSD Strategic Plan
(Written materials provided for the minutes: PowerPoint Presentation - attached to the original copy of these minutes.)
Based on discussion during a Board Officers meeting, it was requested that the Superintendent share his perceptions of what has occurred in the district while he has been Superintendent and clarify his beliefs about education. This would be valuable information during the process for the selection of a new superintendent and discussions about future direction. In the presentation, Art Rainwater shared his personal beliefs about education, the challenge, how good thinkers respond, how good superintendents lead the response, and superintendent/board of education relations.
DISCUSSION:
· How to reach a shared vision with the community.
· Organization culture - there has been change. Occurs slowly; need to "stay the course."
· Task forces - tighten charges when asking for community input.
· Important for a superintendent to understand how children learn. "Non-traditional" (no education background) leaders. Have to be both manager and leader.
· What is unique about Madison? (Rainwater) Media scrutiny, truly collaborative nature (more of a university than a K-12 culture), care and expectations of the community, incredibly talented staff.
· What can MMSD offer a new superintendent? (Rainwater) A great reputation (inclusive special education, constructivist education), University of Wisconsin and its resources, wonderful place to live.
The Board of Education will schedule time on July 16 to discuss issues of leadership and management by the Board of Education.
There was a break from 6:40 p.m. until 6:50 p.m. All staff members except the recording secretary left at this point.
3. Setting Board Priorities for 2007-2008
(Written materials provided in advance: E-mail message from Arlene Silveira dated 6/19/07 re: BOE Priorities with attached Board and Committee Goals for 2007-2008. Written materials provided at the meeting: Board and Committee Goals for 2006-2007, Superintendent Goals for 2006-2007 and Strategic Plan Projects 2005-2006 - all attached to the original copy of these minutes.)
Arlene Silveira and Board members began the discussion by reviewing progress made on the four goals identified as Board priorities for 2006-2007:
a. Budget process
b. Attendance, dropouts, truancy, expulsions
c. Math and literacy curriculum
d. Equity
It was determined that three of these goals would be included on the list of possible priorities for the next year. They were identified as:
√ Develop specific, measurable goals regarding strategic priorities
√ Attendance, dropouts, truancy, expulsions, bullying
√ Equity discussion - follow through/implementation.
Work will continue in areas that were not identified as priorities. There was discussion about how each of these potential priorities connects with other board and district priorities - the Educational Framework, the Strategic Priorities, and the Board of Education priorities.
Other priorities added to the list of possibilities were:
√ hiring a new Superintendent
√ considering/weighing options for a possible referendum, and
√ a strategic communication plan.
It was moved by Lucy Mathiak to adopt the identified priorities as the Board of Education Priorities for 2007-2008:
- Develop specific, measurable goals regarding strategic priorities
- Attendance, dropouts, truancy, expulsions, bullying
- Equity discussion - follow through/implementation
- Hiring a new Superintendent
- Considering/weighing options for a possible referendum
- Strategic communication plan.
Lawrie Kobza moved to amend the motion by removing from the list the last item - a strategic communication plan. Lucy Mathiak accepted the amendment as friendly. Lawrie Kobza seconded the motion. Student representative advisory vote - aye. The motion as amended was unanimously carried.
Several topics were identified for further discussion, perhaps outside of committees. Johnny Winston, Jr. indicated he would lead a discussion about expungement of student records. Other topics were evaluation of the superintendent, a consent agenda, an overall look at alternatives (including the high school redesign and charter schools), and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten. The strategic communication plan would be better addressed when a decision has been made about a referendum and coordinated with other events, including the search for the superintendent.
There was discussion about topics to be taken up by committees. It was recommended that committee chairs use their first meetings to identify topics and set priorities for the year.
DISCUSSION:
· Work will continue on many topics, not just those identified as the priorities.
· Some priorities will be addressed by the board as a whole, some delegated to committees.
· Membership of committees allows more than one meeting to occur at the same time. Would be wise to reserve some non-Monday dates for meetings.
· Need to be conscious of staff time.
· Develop a list of presentations or topics the board would like to receive information about.
· When communicating with the public, would be good to coordinate and ask as few times as possible.
4. Other Business
There was no other business.
5. Adjournment
It was moved by Johnny Winston, Jr. and seconded by Lucy Mathiak to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Student advisory vote - aye. Motion unanimously carried.
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