I hope your school year is going well. Below is the October BOE update. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact myself at asilveira@madison.k12.wi.us or the entire board at comments@madison.k12.wi.us.

Arlene Silveira

Superintendent Search: Our consultants presented a summary of the community input sessions on the desired characteristics for a new superintendent. The entire report is linked: www.mmsd.org/topics/supt/. The desired superintendent characteristics approved by the BOE are also available at this site. The consultant firm is recruiting and screening candidates and will bring a slate of candidates back to the BOE in January.

Fine Arts Task Force (FATF): The FATF is seeking community input on their goals for Fine Arts education. The survey is available at www.mmsd.org/boe/finearts/.

Referendum: The District will receive an approximate $5.5M windfall from the city as a result of closing 2 tax incremental districts (TID). The BOE voted to use this money to close our projected budget gap for the '08/09 school year. Because we will use the money to close the projected gap, we also made the decision that we will not go to referendum in the Spring '08. In the summer of '08, the BOE will begin discussions of a possible operating referendum to cover the gap for the '09/10 school year and beyond.

Performance and Achievement Committee: (Lawrie Kobza, Johnny Winston Jr., Maya Cole). The committee started discussions on different school models (charter, magnet, neighborhood, etc.). Discussions will continue in committee. The committee reviewed a plan/proposal to expand our Play and Learn program by making the program "mobile". Further discussion will continue at full BOE. The committee began the discussion of updating district performance goals to make them more measurable and relevant. The first goal being evaluated is focused on improving student achievement.

Human Resources Committee: (Johnny Winston Jr., Lawrie Kobza, Beth Moss). The committee reviewed the results of a study that had been requested by the BOE to determine how the MMSD Administrator pay and benefits structure and related policies compare to other selected school districts in Wisconsin. Discussion will continue in committee.

Communications Committee: (Beth Moss, Lawrie Kobza, Carol Carstensen). WAES (Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools) made a presentation on state funding. A legislative update on the state budget was also provided.

Finance and Operations Committee: (Lucy Mathiak, Carol Carstensen, Maya Cole). The committee took the lead at analyzing the TID and referendum options and making recommendations to the full BOE for vote (above).

Long Range Planning: (Carol Carstensen, Lucy Mathiak, Beth Moss). There was a presentation on all of the initiatives in the District's Energy Management Program. There are many exciting programs in place across the District. Since our program was put into effect, we have decreased consumption rates and expenditures. Had we continued to consume at 1997 consumption rates, our utility expenditures would have been $4,400,000 more.

Community Partnerships: (Maya Cole, Johnny Winston Jr., Lucy Mathiak). The committee is in the process of defining "Partnerships". They are also reviewing the policy on parent involvement in the schools.