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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 14, 2008 |
La Follette High School 702 Pflaum Road Room C17 and Auditorium Madison, Wisconsin |
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Special Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Arlene Silveira at 5:09 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Maya Cole (arrived 5:11 p.m.), Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak, Beth Moss, Arlene Silveira, Johnny Winston, Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
PRESENT: Joe Carlsmith and Laura Checovich
BOARD MEMBERS-ELECT: Ed Hughes, Marjorie Passman
STAFF PRESENT: Sue Abplanalp, Steve Hartley, Kurt Kiefer, Julie Koenke, Pam Nash, Art Rainwater, Marcia Standiford, Ken Syke, Lisa Wachtel, Barbara Lehman-Recording Secretary
WORKSHOP - Room C17
1. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Beth Moss and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve the minutes of the Special meetings in open session dated March 24 and March 31, 2008as distributed. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
2. Announcements
This year's election of Student Representative to the Madison Board of Education is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2008. There are two students seeking the Student Representative position: Sarah Maslin of West High School and David Miller of Memorial High School. Due to the fact that less than three individuals are seeking this position, there will be no primary election. Running unopposed is the candidate for Alternate position, Chelli Riddiough of West High School. Students were reminded to please vote at their school.
Maya Cole arrived at this time.
3. It was moved by Arlene Silveira and seconded by Johnny Winston, Jr. to approve an expenditure totaling $23,839 for the purchase of 22 computers from Dell Computers for the Affiliated Alternatives. These computers will be used for curriculum development for Affiliated Alternatives students. Funding is through the 2007-08 Affiliated Alternatives budget. Joe Carlsmith advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
4. Measurement and Assessment of the Strategic Priorities Established by the School Board
(Packets included a draft of the targets and measures and information about the Evaluation of Learning Materials process. Copies are attached to the original of these minutes.)
Mr. Rainwater explained that the Board had already approved this document with the exception of the priority relative to offering challenging, diverse, contemporary curriculum and instruction. The specific target was: "All core learning materials will reflect contemporary, research-based instructional practices and culturally relevant perspectives." The Management Team reviewed it in detail and the proposal provided simpler measures and methodology for this particular target. The Evaluation of Learning Materials process was also provided as the primary means of ensuring that materials are challenging and diverse. The materials included checklists that are used in the ELM process (the one provided was specifically for science). He added that this kind of document would be available for each of the pieces of material the district purchases. The second target under this priority: "Each high school will offer a comprehensive range of courses" would be measured through an annual report indicating the courses offered, disaggregated by high school, by content area, and by level (introductory or advanced).
Discussion:
§ Was their discussion about using the WKCE for science and social studies and/or the ACT in combination? Have not made the leap that because scores are high that the curriculum is good. It says that they are learning the standards they are supposed to learn. Other factors are also involved.
§ Details were provided on how materials are reviewed and how often, how it is determined whether to adopt a new curriculum in a particular subject area, district-wide process for evaluation and school-based.
§ The annual report would indicate what materials have been adopted, including the analysis and process used.
§ Comprehensive range of courses - need something that says how they are aligned to post-educational workforce options. We can give the overall range of what MMSD offers and how that is organized.
§ New Superintendent has an interest in reviewing the strategic plan. This would form a starting point for that review. Question the need to get too specific since it is likely things will be changed.
§ Other issues raised: addressing the quality of instruction/attending to teaching to a diverse community of learners and having a measurement for the extent to which Madison schools are chosen by Madison residents, what happens as a district becomes more diverse.
§ Dealing with people's perceptions regardless of whether the education their children are receiving is above average and/or getting more value at that school vs. other schools. Value-Added piece will allow the Board to do that.
It was moved by Maya Cole and seconded by Johnny Winston, Jr. not to adopt the targets and measure except for the suggestion made about adding that high schools will offer a comprehensive range of courses that are aligned with the state standards.
Discussion continued:
o Where does equity process fit in as a target? There are other things in place that address equity for courses. May want to develop a strategic plan priority around equitable access.
o Interest in adding some language about offering a multicultural curriculum.
Lucy Mathiak made a substitute motion, seconded by Carol Carstensen, to defer finalization of the Strategic Priorities - Targets and Measures until the new Superintendent is in office. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
5. Student Senate Proposed Cell Phone Policy
(Packets included the Student Senate's report to the Board (4/14/08); "Legal Comment" from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards' publication entitled, Wisconsin School News, (11/06—Appendix A); and cell phone/electronic communication device acceptable use policies form other Wisconsin school districts (Appendix B). Copies are attached to the original of these minutes.)
A copy of the presentation was distributed (a copy is attached to the original of these minutes). Student presenters included:
Jeff Eruhig, La Follette Laura Checovich, West
Kate Gurke, Memorial Joe Carlsmith, West
Kate Rifken, Memorial Chelli Riddiough, West
Sarah Maslin, West Maggi Leduc, West
Presentation highlights: current policies (Board policy and Student Code of Conduct); legal history; Student Senate process; issues to be addressed (possession vs. use, potential disruptions, benefits of cell phones, responsible use, Code of Conduct); Student Senate's recommendations (recommended policy, guidelines for responsible use, enforcement and disruptions); issues yet to be addressed; next steps.
Discussion:
v Believe that vast majority of students carry their cell phones with them through the day; hard to quantify. No one leaves them in their locker; fear of theft.
v How to keep "bleeding" from cafeteria into the halls. Enforcement by teachers.
v Students made a distinction between passing time as time to get to class and lunch time as the students' time.
v Inclusion of middle schools by the Board.
v Students felt the proposed policy would be as enforceable as the current policy or even easier. Student perception is that enforcement level drastically decreases before and after school and during lunch because it appears less disruptive.
v Very good report; good start.
It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Johnny Winston, Jr. to accept the report from the Student Senate relative to cell phones and request the Secondary Administrators to review it and give feedback to the Board on the proposed policy, as well as recommendations as to what might be appropriate for middle and elementary schools. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried.
Ø Clarified that something could be included in the handbooks for next year.
Ø Also get feedback from teachers about the current policy and this one. Can do a survey during the ½ day in-service on April 16.
6. Other Business
There was no other business.
Recessed at 6:35 p.m.to the auditorium
Reconvened at 7:11 p.m.
AWARDS CEREMONY - Auditorium
7. School DistrictAwards Ceremony
Nominees and winners of the Joe Thomas Community Service Award, the Kohl Teacher Fellowship Award, and the Distinguished Service Award were recognized by the Board of Education (a copy of the program is attached to the original of these minutes).
8. Adjournment
It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Carol Carstensen to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Student Representative advisory vote was aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
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Previous: 2008-03-31 || Special Meeting - Open Session || Next: 2008-04-21