Summary of Regular Board Meeting Held on November 5, 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

The State of Wisconsin recently implemented a program granting high school diplomas to veterans over the age of 65 who left high school to serve in the military. Two of the twelve veterans who received diplomas under this program were present and were recognized - Robert Bergman and Charles Parisi.

Public Appearances

One person asked that the Performance and Achievement Committee postpone and reconsider implementation of the recommendations related to Algebra and Geometry and making Pre-Algebra an elective.

Board President's Announcements And Reports

Mr. Williams reported:

• The UW School of Education is sponsoring a free lecture by noted author and activist Parker J. Palmer on November 12. This event kicks off American Education Week activities sponsored by the School of Education.
• Cesar Chavez Elementary School was selected by the Associated Builders and Contractors as a "2001 Projects of Distinction" award winner. The award is designed to elevate awareness of quality construction and recognizes the most distinctive construction projects in Wisconsin.
• Madison school children and families and school and district staff have raised over $25,000 in school-based and district-wide fundraising service campaigns in response to the events of September 11. The money was donated to both local and national social service organizations.

Superintendent's Announcements And Reports

Mr. Rainwater announced:

• Rob Hetzel, O'Keeffe Middle School Math Teacher, received a $25,000 Milken Family Foundation Award. The award was presented by State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster at an all-school assembly.
• Sennett Middle School Choral and Orchestra Teacher Kathy Punwar was commissioned by the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra to compose a piece for full orchestra. Ms. Punwar has also composed and arranged music used in the Madison String Festival.
• David Mericle and Franda Li, Memorial High School graduates from the Class of 2001, were named Wisconsin's 2001 Advanced Placement Scholars by The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) Program.
• The Hawthorne Elementary Literacy Program was featured in a presentation at the recent Department of Public Instruction "Showcase for Literacy" conference.
• Elvehjem's Family Literacy Night for parents of kindergarten and first grade students was a major success. Twenty-one Elvehjem teachers are participating in the Gateways to Literacy professional development program.
• The Pleasant Company's Fund for Children has granted $17,500 to the Path of Voices Project. West High School will be the site of the next permanent installation; the first was at East High School.
• Gompers and Shorewood Elementary Schools and Jefferson Middle School held events tied into curriculum leading up to and during the Week Without Violence.
• Cultural understanding and community building were fostered by programs at Toki Middle School: the ESL Multicultural Potluck Dinner, recreation nights, and trips to the School Forest Ropes Course.
• After-school programs for middle school children are continuing thanks to monetary grants, committed volunteers and staff, and leadership from MSCR. The co-ed Flag Football and Volleyball seasons ended with a play-off and tournament. The volleyball tournament was videotaped by middle and high school students in a program coordinated by Rob Hecimovich of Media Production. The games will be telecast on MMSD channels 10 and 19.
• The West High School boys soccer team competed in the state tournament last week.

Committee Reports And Action Thereon

Performance & Achievement: Recommendations from the Evaluation of Learning Materials Committee were approved. Ruth Robarts reported that the Superintendent presented the annual report on priorities, a five-year student achievement plan, and recommended policy for graduation and promotion. The committee will continue discussion of the policy for graduation and promotion on November 19 and receive an update on English-As-A-Second Language programming.

Finance and Operations: Juan José López reported the committee has not met but in a special meeting approved the functional analysis process and contract. On November 26, the committee will receive an update and review the decision weighting factors for the functional analysis. The budget adjustments and tax levy were approved in a special meeting on October 29.

Human Resources: The report of the Madison Metropolitan School District/Madison Teachers, Inc. Joint Committee on Family Community Liaisons dated July 27, 2001 was accepted. A review of RISE funding expenditures was requested, including a breakdown by school and race.

Long Range Planning: The definition and process for determining Elementary School Physical Plant Maximum Enrollment Capacity as presented on October 8, 2001 was adopted. Carol Carstensen reported the committee met at Leopold and asked the Administration to provide scenarios in three areas: boundary changes, facility expansion, and program changes. Since that meeting, the Oregon school board has begun discussions about exchanging land (9 Springs Development) with action not expected until July of 2002. No committee meeting is scheduled now, but discussion of options needs to continue.

Partnerships: Shwaw Vang reported the committee met this evening and discussed potential topics to address. He thanked the citizen members for their service to the committee and noted the committee may meet at other locations such as community centers. The next meeting is scheduled for December 10.

Legislative: Ray Allen reported the committee will meet on November 19 to receive an analysis of the 2001-03 state budget and look at future state education issues.

Auditing, Purchasing, Transfers & Other Financial Transactions

Auditing: Interim and School Building Fund Bills were approved.

Purchasing: A bid was approved for refurbished desktop computers.

Transfers: There were no transfers.

Other Financial Transactions: All donations and grants received since October 1, 2001 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 a committee of the City Council is in the process of assessing whether this committee will continue to meet in its current form.

Comprehensive School Reform Grants: Hawthorne and Mendota Elementary Schools are applying for grants. Franklin and Lowell have completed their three years of funding. Lowell has since gained national recognition as a model site. Both schools applying for the October competition are also involved in the school-wide Title I improvement process. Other district schools are interested in participating in another round of competition in March.

Other Business:

--Thirty-two students were excused from school attendance for the purpose of allowing them to enroll in programs for high school equivalency diplomas. --Nine students were granted diplomas of graduation based on completed requirements.

Old and New Business: Juan José López commented about Leopold and RIF funding and the decisions made by the Board relative to the Pledge of Allegiance. Carol Carstensen and Bill Keys recognized the National Merit Semifinalists and their parents and teachers.

(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