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News and information for staff members and the Madison community

Vol. III No. 2 - January 15, 2008

Board of Education Progress Report - December 2007

by Arlene Silveira, President of Board of Education

1. Security: As part of a safety/security plan, the Board approved the following positions:
   • 4 High School Engagement and Behavior Case Managers. This person would, with the assistance of Administrative and student support staff, identify, monitor and intervene with students who are clearly disengaged, truant, and capable of great disruption of their education and that of others.
   • 5 Middle School Positive Behavior Intervention System Coordinators (one each at Jefferson, O'Keeffe, Whitehorse, Blackhawk and Sherman - schools with enrollment between 300-499 and no assistant principal). This person works with staff to utilize strategies to assist in curbing harassment, bullying, out of control bus behavior and poor classroom behavior.
   • 8 additional High School Security Assistants. High School Principals identified that there is a need for more "eyes and ears" in the schools. These assistants will work with students and focus on building relationships.
2. Equity: As one of the Board priorities for the year, we started discussions on student-focused and school-focused equity issues. Our goal is to identify target focus areas, develop action plans and measurements and create an equity policy by the Spring 2008.
3. Finance/Operations: (Lucy Mathiak, Carol Carstensen, Maya Cole) The committee focused on a Fund 80 overview with the goal of gaining a better understanding of the Fund 80 budget. Items presented were limitations on expenditures, revenue streams, and historical, current and future use within the MMSD.
4. Long Range Planning: (Carol Carstensen, Lucy Mathiak, Beth Moss) The committee reviewed Plan A to address boundaries for the new school on the Far West Side and boundary changes to the Memorial Attendance Area. The plans are available at http://www.mmsd.org/topics/newschool/
5. Human Resources: (Johnny Winston Jr., Lawrie Kobza, Beth Moss) The committee reviewed the Contract Compliance 5 Year Plan and discussed participation by historically underutilized businesses and related equal opportunity measures.
6. Performance/Achievement: (Lawrie Kobza, Johnny Winston Jr., Maya Cole) The committee developed a written list of "considerations" the Board may reference when making decisions regarding the provision of educational options.
7. Community Partnerships: (Maya Cole, Lucy Mathiak, Johnny Winston Jr.) The committee received an update on the Elvehjem playground and fundraising efforts. The group is fundraising to build the first fully accessible playground in the state. The committee continued discussions on defining partnerships and the Parent Involvement policy.
8. Communications: (Beth Moss, Carol Carstensen, Lawrie Kobza) Representative Sondy Pope-Roberts spoke at the meeting to encourage the Board to join the WAES initiative, lobbying for change in the state funding system. The committee also discussed formats for future Board public forums.
9. January: The Board will be busy with the interview process for the new Superintendent. Our consultant will bring a slate of candidates to the Board on January 7. We hope to have the candidates narrowed down to a single candidate by the end of January. We will also continue discussion on equity. The Citizen Naming Committee for the new school will start meeting with the goal of providing name recommendations to the Board by February 18.

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