Summary of Regular Board Meeting Held on November 1, 1999

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

Health Services Supervisor Freddi Adelson recognized the partnership among the Madison Central Lions Club, the Lenscrafters Corporation, and the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics that has provided eye care for Madison children in need. Certificates of appreciation were given to representatives of these organizations.

Public Appearances

None.

Board President's Announcements And Reports

Mrs. Carstensen announced:

• the grand opening for the MMSD Observatory for the public is Wednesday, October 27 from 6-10:00 pm at Memorial High School. The Observatory was financed through several grants and numerous donations.
• Shabazz students in the Student Technology Leadership Program in partnership with DANEnet and Leotha Stanley are participating in a "Link to the Motherland" video letter project. Shabazz students and youth project teams in Namibia are creating and exchanging videos on culture, special activities and general youth issues.
• Shabazz received $1000 from the Madison Children's Museum to support their Barrio Schools Project. Staff and students will learn about MesoAmerica in all aspects of the Shabazz curriculum.
• the state budget has been passed and commented on special education funding, the requirement that schools begin after September 1 and the high school graduation test.

Superintendent's Announcements And Reports

Mr. Rainwater announced:

• Public Information and administrative staff are preparing for the referendum on November 9. Informational meetings are scheduled to explain the questions to citizens at Memorial and LaFollette High Schools. Information packets are available from Public Information or on the website. Cable Channel 10 is telecasting related programs every evening.
• the District has joined a coalition including the city and county aimed at maximizing energy efficiency savings as part of a national initiative called "Energy Star Buildings." This is a voluntary partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The partners have committed to reducing energy waste through the installation of energy-efficient lighting, ventilation, heating and cooling technologies in their buildings.
• the state Public Defender's Office has chosen Shabazz City High School to receive their "Wisconsin Cares About Kids" Award in recognition of the schools' numerous efforts to help children.
• MSCR joined with the City of Madison Parks Department to open the new Warner Park Community Recreation Center where the two organizations will provide recreational programming.
• Mendota Elementary School principal Sandy Gunderson was named to receive the 1999 Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Association for Children with Behavior Disorders.
• retired teacher Lynn Lautz was named to receive the Wisconsin Art Educator of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Art Education Association.
• the SPARC reading program was introduced at Sandburg Elementary School. SPARC is the School and Parents Reading Connection, a program that emphasizes the importance of families and children reading together to promote early literacy. This is one of several new strategies designed to help meet the third grade reading literacy goal set for the district.

Committee Reports And Action Thereon

Performance & Achievement: Selection of Program Materials Committee adoptions were approved. Ruth Robarts reported the last meeting was postponed and a new date will be scheduled. Summer school recommendations will be on an upcoming agenda.

Budget and Finance: Purchase of a refrigerated van was approved. Juan José López reported the budget was finalized on October 25 and approved by the full board. No committee meetings are currently scheduled.

Human Resources: Ray Allen reported the board and district continue negotiations with the substitute teachers' bargaining unit.

Long Range Planning: Deborah Lawson reported the committee continues to study the effect of enrollment decline and a policy for the use of school buildings. The committee hopes to have recommendations ready in December or January.

Partnerships: Calvin Williams reported a meeting is not currently scheduled. An upcoming topic will be the Communities Aligned project.

Legislative: Joann Elder reported the state budget has been approved. Special education was recognized as a key issue at both the state and federal level. Increased SAGE funding will have an impact on the district. A meeting was held with Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin to discuss federal funding for special education.

Auditing, Purchasing, Transfers & Other Financial Transactions

Auditing: Interim and Building Fund bills were paid.

Purchasing: A bid was awarded for software for the Applied Technology departments at East, Memorial and West High Schools. A request was approved for educational software and playstations for Glendale, Lowell and Mendota Elementary Schools.

Transfers: Funds were transferred to support additional allocations: 3.0 Special Education teachers, .57 Special Education Assistant, 1.0 Deaf/Hard of Hearing Interpreter, and .50 English-as-a-Second Language/Bilingual Teacher.

Other Financial Transactions: All donations and grants received since October 4, 1999 were approved.

Human Resources Transactions and Reports:

All personnel items were approved.

Reports to the Board:

Board of Education/Common Council Liaison Committee: Deborah Lawson reported the committee will discuss a resolution before the City Council about truancy. The city is aligning its ordinance with changes in the law.

Other Business:

In accordance with Wis Stat section 6.28, the board authorized the appointment of a secretary at each high school to act as a special school registration deputy, permitted students and staff members to register at their respective high school on any day that classes are regularly held and directed each high school principal to annually notify their students and staff members of the ability to register to vote at all schools by providing elector registration information to students and staff members.

Quantum Learning Dynamics was approved as the contractor for Strategic Planning and Functional Analysis services to be completed within the 1999-2000 budget year.

Linda Hass was appointed to serve on the MSCR Advisory Committee. Four students over the age of 20 were allowed to continue enrollment for purposes of graduation. Seven students were granted diplomas of graduation.

Old and New Business: Carol Carstensen reminded the referendum will be held on November 9 and reviewed the three questions. Information is available at schools and from the central office, and it is important that everyone remember to vote. Juan José López indicated he would like the board to review its procedures for discussion of issues in a more public setting. The once-monthly televised board meetings give only a very brief review of topics that are before the board.

(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