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MMSD Today

News and information for staff members and the Madison community

Vol. III No. 1 - November 7, 2007

Board of Education Progress Report - November 2007

by Arlene Silveira, President of Board of Education

  1. Expulsion Process: The Board has had a series of meetings on the topic of expulsions, reviewing the process to ensure fairness and equity. In November, the Board had a dialogue with Hearing Examiners over student discipline and the expulsion process. The Board also approved a standard of review that we will use when reviewing expulsion information.
  2. High School Redesign: The Assistant Superintendent and 5 high school principals gave a progress report on the high school redesign process [PDF File].
    Next opportunity for public involvement will be after the holidays.
  3. School Security: The Board received a presentation from the Administration and 3 principals on safety and security-related issues and plans in the schools. Administration will come back to the Board with requests for additional resources to address related issues.
  4. New School Name: The Board approved a 13 member Citizens Naming Committee, selected to review feedback on the names for the new school and make a recommendation of a minimum of 4 names for consideration to the Board.
  5. Play and Learn: The Board approved the expansion of the Play and Learn program to include "mobile" Play and Learn Groups for caregivers and children (i.e., the district will purchase 2 vans allowing Play and Learn to become "mobile" and work with a multitude of neighborhood centers).
  6. Finance/Operations: (Lucy Mathiak, Carol Carstensen, Maya Cole)
    The committee met in executive session for discussions related to possible sale of district property. The committee continues to focus on initiatives to incorporate community service funds into long-term budget planning, and efforts to provide current and comprehensive information to the Board before votes affecting district spending.
  7. Long Range Planning: (Carol Carstensen, Lucy Mathiak, Beth Moss)
    The committee started the review of current enrollment projections, identification of schools with potential space problems and work on defining the attendance area for the new school.
  8. Human Resources: (Johnny Winston Jr., Lawrie Kobza, Beth Moss)
    The committee reviewed the Human Resources annual report. They reviewed the Administrative pay study and made recommendations to the full Board for consideration.
  9. Performance/Achievement: (Lawrie Kobza, Johnny Winston Jr., Maya Cole)
    The committee reviewed information on School Climate Surveys and also started preliminary discussions on the Youth Options Policy and Charter School Policy. The committee is spearheading the development of a new Board policy chapter, "Educational Options".
  10. Community Partnerships: (Maya Cole, Lucy Mathiak, Johnny Winston Jr.)
    The committee is working on defining partnerships and is looking at the Parent Involvement policy.
  11. Communications: (Beth Moss, Carol Carstensen, Lawrie Kobza)
    The committee is discussing formats for future Board public forums. The committee also is encouraging attendance at Community Conversations held as part of the Wisconsin Way Initiative.

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