Summary of Regular Board Meeting Held on August 20, 2001

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

East High School teacher and reading specialist, Doug Buehl, was recognized for his skills in translating reading theory into classroom strategies to help students become literate learners. Among his accomplishments are Classroom Strategies for Interactive Learning, a best selling textbook for the International Reading Association, and his forthcoming book, Reading and the High School Student.

Five Special Education Assistants were recognized for their selection into the EA Teacher Development Program - Linda Weber-Rhode, Kari Saunders, Anne Sicher, Susan Hess and Janice Muehlenberg. They are attending universities to become licensed special education teachers and will receive up to $5,000 each toward tuition reimbursement throughout the 2000-01 school year. They have made a commitment to work in the MMSD upon certification if offered a contract.

Public Appearances

There were no public appearances.

Board President's Announcements And Reports

Mr. Williams announced:

The district is in the process of completing the installation of a new phone system.
Everyone is invited to a Back to School Rally sponsored by the school district, MTI and its affiliates and AFSME Local 60.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Lussier Stadium is scheduled for August 23. Donations are needed to cover the remaining costs of the new facility which started with an initial donation of $750,000 from Evjue Foundation President Jack Lussier.

Superintendent's Announcements And Reports

Mr. Rainwater announced:

For the 14th consecutive year, Madison students have outperformed their state and national peers with composite scores 8% higher than Wisconsin students and 14% higher than students nationally. Three of the nine Wisconsin students who recorded the highest possible scores on the exam are from Madison. Po-Ru Loh, Liana Prescott and Mike He all attended Memorial High School. Liana and Mike also received perfect scores on both the ACT and the SAT. Seth Meyer of East received a perfect score on the SAT.
Approximately 5,300 students in 4th, 8th and 10th grade took the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts exams. In nearly every portion of the test, at every grade level, Madison students again outperformed their state and national peers at the proficient and advanced levels.
On the Wisconsin Reading Comprehension Test, Madison 3rd graders continue to show improvement with dramatic gains made by African-American students over the last four years. In 1998, 31 percent of African-American students scored at the "proficiency" or "advanced proficiency" level. In this year's test, that figure has risen to 54 percent.
The Schools of Hope Literacy Project brought the district 20 additional VISTA volunteers for the summer.
MSCR celebrated its 75th anniversary with festivities at LaFollette High School.
Ron Holzhueter is the winner of the award for Distinguished High School Mathematics Teaching from the Mathematical Association of America. World history teacher Monica Bond-Lamberty won the World History Association Teaching prize for the best lesson.
New and transferring principals were announced.
Lowell Principal Susan Abplanalp will be taking a new position with the district as Elementary Lead Principal for the next two school years. She will be working under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent Jane Belmore and will provide support to elementary principals in the areas of data analysis and interpretation, school improvement planning, and administrative tasks and evaluations.
Cesar Chavez Elementary School will open as the district's newest school in 30 years, one week ahead of schedule.

Committee Reports And Action Thereon

Performance & Achievement: Recommendations from the Evaluation of Learning Materials Committee were approved. There was no committee report.

Finance and Operations: A bid was approved for energy management systems at eight schools and the Doyle building. The Food Services Long-Term Capital Equipment Plan was approved. Juan José López reported the committee discussed the 2001-02 budget implementation plan relative to one-time funding and approved budget cuts. The Food Services Capital Needs Plan was reviewed and an update received on the installation of the new phone system. There were briefings on the summer building projects around the district and changes in the Wisconsin Retirement System. There was discussion of the budget adjustment relative to part time and full time custodial staff.

Human Resources: Bill Keys reported the committee discussed a compromise plan for custodial workers going from part time to full time. Upcoming discussions are scheduled for the Superintendent's evaluation proposals and an appraisal instrument.

Long Range Planning: No report.

Partnerships: Shwaw Vang reported a new citizen member has been chosen to fill the one vacancy.

Legislative: Ray Allen reported the state budget is still in discussion. Vetoes will be finalized by the end of this month. The Superintendent sent a letter to the Governor reaffirming the district's position on items of concern, e.g., revenue controls, funding for four year old programming and the change to school starting dates after September 1. The Governor indicated he would maintain funding for SAGE. Everything is on hold until the budget is signed. A new citizen member will be confirmed by the next meeting to fill the one vacancy.

Auditing, Purchasing, Transfers & Other Financial Transactions

Auditing: Interim and School Building Fund Bills were approved.

Purchasing: No items.

Transfers: No items.

Other Financial Transactions: Authority was given to administration to approve, through October 30, 2001, the expenditure of $273,312 from the Reserve for Contingencies for up to six FTE teacher positions, including educational assistants, to accommodate fall enrollment changes within the equity formula process. The positions would only be used if unallocated positions within the regular budget have been utilized.

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 Mayor has appointed a committee to review the city committees and one of those under scrutiny is this committee.

Other Business:

A resolution was approved authorizing a governmental lease purchase agreement with TEACH Wisconsin regarding wiring projects. -- There was consent to the assignment of regular education transportation contracts held by School Services and Leasing Inc to Durham School Services and by Verona Bus Service Inc to First Student Inc of any and all pupil transportation contracts presently existing between the district and the contractors. -- Mary Ellen Johnson was appointed a citizen member to the Partnerships Committee. - A claim against the district was referred to the district insurer for investigation and recommendation. - Four students were excused from school attendance for the purpose of allowing them to enroll in programs for high school equivalency diplomas. - Thirteen students were granted diplomas of graduation based on completed requirements.

Old and New Business: Juan José López made closing/congratulatory comments.

(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