Summary of Regular Board Meeting Held on January 8, 2001

Regular monthly meetings of the Board of Education are close captioned. They are shown again on Tuesday evenings with captions for those unable to watch on Monday evenings.

Recognition

O'Keeffe Middle School teacher Suzanne Folberg was presented a plaque in recognition for receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Students Arcella Esparza and Adedaya Lesi presented a report of their experiences and what they learned at the Minority Student Achievement Network's National Student Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. Minority Student Achievement specialist Choua Her accompanied the four students. Dalon Blackwell and Samantha Golden were not able to be present.

Public Appearances

Two people spoke in support of the Hawthorne addition, including a multi-purpose room. The addition should be adequate to address student capacity now and in the future. One person submitted a written statement in support of the addition.

Board President's Announcements And Reports

Mr. Williams announced:

• MIS Director Mark Evans and Coordinator of Library Media Services Madge Klais are preparing a report estimating potential costs to the district as a result of an amendment passed by Congress in mid-December that mandates internet filtering software be installed in most schools and public libraries. The Legislative Committee is monitoring progress of the mandate.
• The DPI Common School Fund allocation for library aid is higher than estimated for this year at $17.68 per child. Madison's share of the Common School Fund this year is estimated at nearly $600,000. This state trust fund is used to purchase library materials.
• School boards are noting with interest the nominations of Governor Tommy Thompson as Secretary of Health and Human Services and Rod Paige as Education Secretary for the Bush Administration. Important education related issues were discussed during the campaign, including accountability, school vouchers, charter schools and funding for special education.
• Board members Ray Allen and Ruth Robarts will run unopposed in their bid for re-election. Joann Elder will not run for re-election; two individuals have filed for her seat.
• Seven candidates are seeking election to the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The primary election is February 20.
• The DPI has initiated the observance January 8-12 of Crossing Guard Recognition Week. Board members salute the work of these very important people who keep our children safe.

Superintendent's Announcements And Reports

Mr. Rainwater announced:

• La Follette High School students donated $3350.55 to charities raised during their Homecoming Spirit Link Competition. Benefactors included the Salvation Army, Humane Society, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Battered Women's Shelter.
• Jefferson Middle School held its 12th annual winter clothing drive and the student organization hosted a holiday party for elementary students from the Wexford Ridge Neighborhood after school program.
• In November, students from all of Madison's high schools participated in a Gay/Straight Alliance state-wide leadership event at Middleton High School. Students talked about issues; Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin spoke and answered questions.
• Emerson Elementary's new monthly tradition, pasta nights for their families, have been hugely successful in building the school community. The Emerson Student Council held a food drive and collected over 600 items for the Bashford Food Pantry in their neighborhood.
• Hamilton Middle School's eighth grade student council collected over $1,000 as a result of a homeroom " change" drive. The money was donated to the Chris Farley Foundation.
• Van Hise Elementary students collected 122 towels and blankets for all the animals at the Dane County Humane Society.
• The work of MMSD art students, Young At Art, is featured in an exhibit currently on display at the Madison Art Center.
• The Souper Bowl, a city-wide fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, will be held January 27 at Van Hise Elementary. Art students from five area high schools are making pottery and will sell bread and delicious hot soup in their hand-made works of art.
• Wright Middle School music teacher Jack Pingel was named as an outstanding music teacher by the National Association of Music Educators in Teaching Music magazine.
• The Rennebohm Foundation has given the district a $375,000 grant to develop and implement innovative instructional programs. Teachers can apply for funds to explore and study new approaches to teaching and learning. A district "think tank" will be created to evaluate and implement successful programs, facilitated by some of our most creative teachers.

Committee Reports And Action Thereon

Performance & Achievement: Evaluation of Learning Materials Committee adoptions were approved. The committee will hear Summer School reports on January 22.

Finance and Operations: There was no report.

Human Resources: Bill Keys gave a report on a conference Emerging Issues of Cultural Competence. He attended four workshops, most dealing with mental health issues. A written copy of the report was shared with Board members.

Long Range Planning: Boundary Change Options were approved that result in no boundary change for Franklin and Randall Elementary Schools but include remodeling the locker rooms at Franklin; that create the Hawthorne addition and boundary changes for Hawthorne and Sandburg; that reject Option 1 as a programmatic change for Lindbergh and Mendota Schools; that allow Gompers and Emerson ESL children to attend their neighborhood schools; and to remove from consideration all current boundary change options presented by the Administration for the Memorial Area. The administration will report back on cost information for the Hawthorne addition.

The committee identified options still under consideration and outlined options to be considered for Leopold and Thoreau, Memorial Area elementary schools, and the TEP program placement.

Partnerships: Boys gymnastics was reinstated as a varsity sport with the existing arrangement maintained. A revised recruitment plan will be submitted to the Board at the time of the annual progress report.

Legislative: The Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools held a series of public forums to get input on the impact of state revenue limits. The Alliance will hold a rally at the Capitol on January 24 followed by a public hearing on the report and input that was gathered. Madison students will testify.

The committee met with Madison's legislative delegation in early December to discuss issues including budget issues that affect the school district. The committee meets again in February after the Governor has introduced the biennial budget for 2001-03.

Auditing, Purchasing, Transfers & Other Financial Transactions

Auditing: Interim bills and school building fund bills were paid.

Purchasing: No items.

Transfers: Funds were transferred from the Reserve for Contingencies to fund 5.5 special education teachers for second semester 2000-2001.

Other Financial Transactions: The Technology for Educational Achievement in Wisconsin (TEACH) Resolution was approved. The proposal from Strand and Associates for consulting services for TEACH wiring projects was approved. All donations and grants received since December 5, 2000 were approved.

Human Resources Transactions and Reports:

All transactions and reports were approved.

Reports to the Board:

Board of Education/Common Council Liaison Committee: No report.

Wisconsin Association of School Boards 2001 Resolutions were voted on.

Other Business:

All of the policies in Chapter 5000 of the Board of Education Policy Manual were amended as presented. Seven students were granted diplomas of graduation based on completed requirements.

Old and New Business: Principal Gary Sisler and staff and students at Spring Harbor were commended for their proactive efforts in dealing with issues of harassment and language.

(A complete copy of these minutes is available from the Board of Education Office, 261-9000. This summary may have been published before the minutes were approved by the Board of Education. Please call to check on any changes.)

Regular Meeting Summaries