Summary of Regular Board Meeting Held on March 4, 2002

Regular monthly meetings of the Board of Education are telecast live at 7:15 p.m. on the Charter cable TV system in the Madison area on channel 10 with closed-captioning for the hearing impaired. The meeting is replayed on cable channel 10 on the Tuesday evening immediately following the meeting at 9:00 p.m. with closed-captioning.

Recognition

Athletics Coordinator Chris Nelson and high school Athletic Trainers recognized the Dr. William Bartlett family and Fund Raising Chair Joe Greene for their gift to the district of sports training centers. Dr. John Olson was also recognized for his work in this area.

Public Appearances

There were 14 speakers and two written registrations in opposition to block scheduling and class restructuring at Lowell School. There were 4 speakers and one written registration in support of the Long Range Planning Committee motions relative to Leopold School. There was one additional speaker in support of better communication with parents.

Board President's Announcements And Reports

Mr. Williams reported:

• The MSCR summer activities catalog has been published and now includes summer school enrichment courses. Parents can register for both summer activities and enrichment courses through MSCR offices.
• The state Legislative Audit Bureau has released its review of the TEACH Board. The district currently receives approximately $500,000 and this is the only resource for instructional technology, meeting only 10% of needs.
• The 2002 MMSD recognition awards ceremony will be held March 18.

Superintendent's Announcements And Reports

Mr. Rainwater announced:

• The Memorial High School hockey team made it to the state playoffs. LaFollette and East will play in the WIAA Boys' Basketball State Sectional.
• The Whitehorse 8th grade drill team placed second in a regional competition at the Alliant Energy Center
• MMSD cable programs, S'NEWS - Student News and Making the Grade both received achievement awards in the Wisconsin Association of Public, Educational, and Government Access Channels' annual video festival.
• West High School social studies teacher Lorie Wesolek was the first Wisconsin woman finisher in the Birkebeiner international cross-country ski race.
• Featured presenters helped to commemorate Black History Month at Toki. The month ended with a student-led program of recitations and dramatic role-plays.
• Six high school science research interns shared their research projects at the UW Junior Science and Engineering Symposium. Of the twelve students selected to participate, Li Lin from West and Amy Marconnet from LaFollette placed third and fourth. Both will attend the national Symposium.
• Schools around the district took part in Read Across America Day.
• Local friends and dignitaries were featured readers at Gompers' "For the Love of Reading" Fun Night.
• An exceptional "Time Out for Teens" program at Jefferson Middle School helped eighth graders gain understanding and experience in overcoming obstacles.
• Hawthorne staff will present their improving results and share their recipes for success at a state DPI Title I School-wide conference in Wisconsin Dells.
• The Gateways to Literacy Project has been chosen for inclusion in a national publication documenting successful models of "results-based staff development".

Committee Reports And Action Thereon

Performance & Achievement: Recommendations from the Evaluation of Learning Materials Committee were approved. Ruth Robarts reported no meetings are currently scheduled.

Finance and Operations: Bids were accepted for roofing work at nine schools. Juan José López reported a budget workshop will be held and the committee will receive information about the Functional Analysis and Budget. The Board will be facing budget cuts and the state's budget repair bill will have an affect on the district as costs continue to rise.

Human Resources: Bill Keys reported a report was received from Eddie Thomas on a plan for staff recruitment and a copy of a newly developed brochure. Another report, including data, will be presented to the full Board on April 1.

Long Range Planning: Outposting of any grade of students from Leopold Elementary School will not continue past the 2002-03 school year. The committee supported the building of a new second facility on the Leopold site and asked the administration to provide plans, costs, and timelines. The administration will bring recommendations and estimated costs for remodeling and adding an addition to the existing Leopold facility to be available by the fall of 2003. The Definitions and Purposes of Enrollment Calculations and Elementary School Physical Plant Maximum Enrollment Capacity were approved. Carol Carstensen reported the committee's action above will appear for final approval on the Regular Board agenda this date. The extensive work of the Leopold community and the inclusion of all segments of the community in the discussion were recognized. The committee was presented with an architectural concept drawing and the committee approved moving forward with an addition and remodeling, beginning discussions with staff and parents, and beginning the process of borrowing funds.

Partnerships: Shwaw Vang reported the committee will meet in April at the Kennedy Heights Community Center.

Legislative: Ray Allen reported the committee awaits a budget plan from the legislature. There was discussion of provisions in the event the legislature does not come to resolution on the budget.

Auditing, Purchasing, Transfers & Other Financial Transactions

Auditing: Interim and School Building Fund Bills were approved.

Purchasing: The purchase of musical brass and string instruments was approved.

Transfers: There were no transfers.

Other Financial Transactions: The 2001-02 budget was increased to support the Mendota Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration program and the Emergency Immigrant Education program. All donations and grants received since February 4, 2002 were approved.

Human Resources Transactions and Reports:

All transactions and reports were approved.

Reports to the Board:

Common Council/Board of Education Liaison Committee: Ray Allen reported the City of Madison Committee on Committees is still in the process of assessing whether this committee will continue to meet in its current form.

Other Business:

--A claim was referred to the district's legal counsel and insurer for investigation and recommendation. - The titles were accepted for 24 district properties. - Twenty-three students were excused from school attendance so they could enroll in programs for high school equivalency diplomas. Fifty-seven students were granted diplomas of graduation based on completed requirements.

Old and New Business: Bill Keys commented about Staff and Organization Development department publications on Action Research. Ruth Robarts commented about budget cuts and the budget process. Juan José López offered congratulations to primary election winners.

(A complete copy of these minutes is available from the Board of Education Office, 663-1659. 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