Wisconsin Rapids Board of Education

Transcription

1 Wisconsin Rapids Board of Education 510 Peach Street Wisconsin Rapids, WI (715) MINUTES REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING September 12, 2011 Mary E. Rayome, President John Benbow, Jr. Larry Davis Sandra K. Hett John A. Krings Anne Lee Katie Medina LOCATION: Thomas A. Lenk Educational Center, 510 Peach Street, Wisc. Rapids, WI Conf. Rm. A/B TIME: 6:00 p.m. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Anne Lee, John Benbow, John Krings, Sandra Hett, Katie Medina, Mary Rayome, Larry Davis ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Colleen Dickmann, Daniel Weigand, Amy Ryan, Trudy DeSimons, Kay Marks, Tom Helgestad MEDIA PRESENT: Jim Forst River Cities Community Access, Nathaniel Shuda, The Daily Tribune, Amy Van Meter VOICE of Wisconsin Rapids President Mary Rayome called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Student Representative Report Courtney Molski reported that the students at Lincoln are adjusting well to the new school year. Sports activities are well underway, with the football team off to a good start. Ms. Molski is hopeful that the compliance concerns of the Lincoln pool with respect to new WIAA regulations requiring modifications to the pool can be resolved soon. Ms. Molski reported on various student clubs and activities that are beginning, homecoming events which are being planned, the senior scholarship application process opening up, and concerns about the safety of the student parking lot at Lincoln. Presentation by LHS Football Booster Club Roxanne Mancl, Treasurer of the LHS Football Booster Club, explained how the Booster Club lends support to the football program through various fundraising activities such as concessions, raffles, program booklets, clothing sales, Raider cards, and golf outings. The funds raised help to purchase football jerseys, pants, pads, and concussion helmets. The Booster Club also pays for coaching staff, scholarships, food and bussing for players, summer camps, and an annual banquet. Most recently, the Booster Club was able to invest $7, into a telescoping tower including a winch system and camera to record game action. The Board thanked Ms. Mancl for her presentation, and for the efforts of the Booster Club to support the football program. Approval of Minutes Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Larry Davis that the regular Board of Education meeting minutes of August 8, 2011; and the special closed session Board of Education meeting minutes of August 8, 2011 be approved. Motion carried Comments from Citizens and Delegations None. Committee Reports A. Business Services Committee September 6, Report given by John Krings. Mr. Krings reviewed the following consent agenda items brought before the Board through the Business Services Committee, and asked if there were any motions to be held.

2 BS-1 BS-2 Approval of cooperative agreements with the Port Edwards School District for one student to enroll into the Wisconsin Rapids District, with the Port Edwards and Nekoosa School Districts for students leaving the Wisconsin Rapids School District, and with Nekoosa for one student to enroll into the Wisconsin Rapids Virtual program. Approval of a three-year extension to the current audit contract with Hawkins Ash Baptie & Company LLP for fiscal years 2012, 2013, and 2014, with a 0% increase for 2012 and a 2% increase for both 2013 and 2014 with a fee of $17,500 for 2012 for the standard audit and $3,100 fee for 2012 should a membership audit be required by the Department of Public Instruction. Motion by John Krings, seconded by John Benbow to approve consent agenda item BS 1-2. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. John Krings provided updates and reports on: Lincoln High School Pool - The Committee was updated by Keri Karner Siekert, Girls Head High School Swim Coach, and Phillip Bickelhaupt, Boys Head High School Swim Coach, on new safety measures adopted this school year by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) that requires in-pool starts for all pools with less than a 4 foot entry depth. This puts teams competing in the Lincoln High School pool at a disadvantage in State wide time comparisons for swim events. The Committee requested Tom Helgestad provide information at the October 3, 2011 Business Services Committee meeting on the costs for a feasibility study to provide recommendations on pool renovations that would bring the Lincoln High School Pool into compliance with WIAA competition requirements. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by Katie Medina to approve the balance of the Business Services Committee report, and minutes of the regular September 6, 2011, Business Services Committee meeting. Motion carried B. Personnel Services Committee September 6, Report given by Sandra Hett. Ms. Hett reviewed the following consent agenda items brought before the Board through the Personnel Services Committee, and asked if there were any motions to be held. PS-1 Approval of support staff resignation requests of Carmen Iwanski (Noon Duty Aide Grove) effective August 26, 2011; Connie Olsen (Noon Duty Aide Howe) effective August 31, 2011; and Nicole Stachurski (Noon Duty Aide Grove) effective August 25, PS-2 Approval of the non-union, non-represented support staff resignation request of Jeffrey Pompos (School Nurse Grant/Building Blocks/Lincoln) effective September 1, PS-3 Approval of the professional staff appointments of Amanda Dusso (Rdg Intervention/Rdg Specialist Rudolph/Vesper), Harvey Hayden (Science Lincoln), M Candyce Holbrook (EBD Lincoln), Sara Kolo (Alternative Education River Cities), Rachel Lent (F/CE Lincoln), Nina Mairs (Rdg Specialist/Rdg Intervention Woodside), Lynnette Mitchell (Grade 4 Mead), Alyssa Peterson (4K Country Tots), M Jean Stolzenburg (OT District), Jane Utnehmer (CD Lincoln). PS-4 Approval of the non-union, non-represented professional staff appointment effective August 29, 2011 of Donna Anderson (Physical Therapist District/RCHS). PS-5 Approval of the support staff appointment of Brea Bonafield (Secretary Grove). PS-6 Approval of support staff posting results of Lynn Berger (Instructional Technology Aide WRAMS), Allison Charette (Activities Clerk Lincoln), Crystal Fraundorf (Secretary Technology Dept.), Tammy Holberg (Secretary Vesper), Lisa Lee (4K Aide Grant), Sue Reinke (Library Aide Grove), Sue Zirnhelt (Volunteer Aide Lincoln), Michelle Zimmerman (Health Aide Washington). PS-7 Approval of the proposal that effective October 1, 2011, when spouses employed by the District are both eligible for dental insurance coverage, each spouse will be required to pay the premium percentage designated for their respective employee group based on the coverage they elect. PS-8 Approval of Policy 347 Student Records and Policy 347-RULE(1) Guidelines for the Control and Maintenance of Student Records, as presented, for second reading.

3 Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Larry Davis to approve consent agenda items PS 1-8. Motion carried Committee members were provided additional information concerning the five professional staff positions that have been filled for the school year with former employees recently retired from WRPS. Each of the vacant positions were in areas that have been extremely difficult to secure quality candidates, even when a full-time position has been offered. Four of the five positions filled were less than full-time, with the full-time position being a special education position. Ms. Marks indicated that in these instances the District was fortunate to have the retired WRPS members experience and expertise to bring back in order to support our students. Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Anne Lee to approve minutes of the regular Personnel Services Committee meeting of September 6, Motion carried Ms. Hett explained that the Personnel Services Committee met in special closed session on September 6, 2011 to consider the employment status of a staff member. Following the closed session, in open session the Committee approved the termination of a support staff employee, and requested Board action to approve the termination. Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Larry Davis to approve the termination of the support staff employee as discussed in closed session by the Personnel Services Committee on September 6, Motion carried Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Anne Lee to approve the special closed session Personnel Services Committee meeting minutes of September 6, Motion carried C. Educational Services Committee September 6, Report given by Anne Lee. Ms. Lee explained that no consent agenda items are being brought before the Board through the Educational Services Committee in September. Ms. Lee provided updates and reports on: Grade 3 Survey Results Amy Ryan, Director of Instruction, presented a summary of the results of the Grade Three Survey. Committee members learned that 196 of 344 third grade families completed the survey, for a 57% completion rate. Nine new questions were added to the survey. The results were positive, indicating that parents feel the school environment is welcoming, teachers and staff care about the welfare of their children, and children feel safe at school. One hundred percent of respondents agree that classrooms are clean and in good condition. While the Grades 3 and 6 Exit Survey results identified two-way communication as the greatest area of concern for parents, the results from the survey indicate that schools are addressing this. One question new to the survey, The school menus provide nutritious food choices for my child(ren), was discussed by members as being open to interpretation. The question will be revised if it is included in the survey. District Strategic Plan Colleen Dickmann, Superintendent, shared that during the school year, the administrative team had a number of discussions regarding development of a strategic plan for the District. During the discussions, community focus group information was reviewed. From these discussions, four areas of focus were developed: Facilities, Student Achievement, Student Programming, and Technology. Groups of administrators were assigned to each of the areas, and charged with the task of generating one or more goals and objectives for the area. Each group was to create a plan for achieving the goals along with a tentative timeline for the plan. Representatives from each group were present to share information with Committee members. Three goals developed by the Facilities group include: 1) Analysis and identification of necessary upkeep and maintenance at each building 2) Creation of a maintenance budget cycle to address ongoing facility needs 3) Exploration of the pros and cons of further restructuring in the District Needs specific to each building have been identified by the Facilities group, and the costs and priorities of each building were recorded. The Facilities group is discussing the creation of a cyclical maintenance budget. The Student Achievement group has set the goal of establishing a common assessment vision and framework to measure student achievement, evaluate curriculum and measure and improve individual student growth through progress monitoring, and direct District resources through The group s discussions included a district framework for the Response to Intervention (RtI) process. Implementation of the RtI process has started at the

4 elementary level, and will continue into the secondary level. The goal is to have the RtI process fully implemented district-wide by the school year. Dr. Dickmann informed Committee members a team of administrators will attend a Training of Trainers series of sessions on classroom assessment, offered by the Wisconsin Assessment Consortium. The team will in turn provide training for the other administrators in the District. A common understanding will be shared by the administrative team, and the team will be prepared to work cooperatively with teachers and staff in the District on effective classroom assessment. The Student Programming group agreed to begin an audit-like process in order to identify course offerings, improve efficiencies, and explore alternative delivery formats for courses offered in grades This process will include the creation of an outline of what courses are currently being offered in the district, cross-referencing the courses with DPI requirements, and exploring ways to streamline what is being delivered. The group believes this will be helpful in all areas of programming, including special education. The group s proposal will be brought to the CII Chair Committee for discussion and the CII Committee to obtain feedback before proceeding further with the plan. The Technology group took a visionary approach to define how WRPS stakeholders will work together to bring content, technology, and pedagogy together to build 21st Century learners. Three goals were set by the Technology group as follows: 1. WRPS stakeholders will adopt a technology integration continuum framework to support 21st Century learning 2. WRPS stakeholders will identify areas on the continuum and assess and develop goals to further advance on the continuum 3. WRPS stakeholder goals will be documented and submitted to the state of Wisconsin in the Combined Information and Technology Literacy Plan The continuum framework will be used as a self-assessment tool in the areas of leadership, curriculum content, professional development, assessment, connectivity, support, learning devices, community, and investment. Dr. Dickmann concluded by explaining to Committee members that the administrative team will meet to discuss the work of the four groups and create a consistent format for the strategic plan before presenting it to the Board for formal adoption. Motion by Anne Lee, seconded by John Benbow to approve the balance of the Educational Services Committee report and minutes of the September 6, 2011, Educational Services Committee meeting. Motion carried Agenda Referrals/Information Requests Dr. Dickmann apprised the Board that a future agenda item may be forthcoming with regard to CESA 5 requesting local school boards to approve a bid for a new alternative school location in Pardeeville, Wisconsin, due to the fact that the current location is outgrown and no longer suitable. More information will be forthcoming as it becomes available. Mr. Benbow requested that the Board be updated on the progress of the development of the District Employee Handbook at a future meeting. Legislative Agenda Ms. Medina provided information on the following: Wisconsin has been identified as one of the hardest hit in terms of dollars being spent on education when compared to other states. Ms. Hett shared that she just became aware through ETF of a change in the requirement to provide insurance for dependent children 27 years of age. She understands that the requirement will now be changed back to 26 years of age. Bills Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Larry Davis to approve August, 2011 disbursements from June, books in the amount of $282, Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

5 Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Larry Davis to note August, 2011 receipts in the amount of $6,419,450.82; and to approve August, 2011 disbursements in the amount of $2,083, from August, books. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. New Business Employee Grievance Procedure Ms. Kay Marks, Director of Human Resources, provided a recommended grievance procedure to be adopted by the Board as part of the Employee Handbook, which continues to be developed. The District is required under law to adopt a grievance procedure by October 1, The proposed grievance procedure may be utilized by employees for disputes surrounding discipline, termination, or workplace safety. Ms. Marks described the four steps which would be followed to process grievances. The steps begin with the employee s immediate supervisor, then move to the Superintendent if not resolved, then to an Independent Hearing Officer (IHO), and lastly to the Board of Education for final ruling. No appeals are able to be filed once a decision has been made by the Board. Options for determining who districts might consider for the role of IHO are still being investigated and clarified. For a stipend, the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission is offering a service to fulfill the role of IHO. Costs associated with hiring an IHO are borne solely by school districts. When questioned about whether the selection of a hearing officer can be different for each case, Ms. Marks stated that each case may be handled differently. The Board questioned why there are no required timelines connected with Step 3 of the process. Dr. Dickmann stated that the lack of timelines lends more flexibility in securing an IHO. The ability to schedule a hearing may rely heavily on the availability of the IHO. Should the Board adopt the Grievance Procedure, it will be placed in the Employee Handbook and can be revised by the Board in the future, if changes become necessary. Items in the Employee Handbook will be able to be changed by the Board without having to go through first and second reading. The handbook will differ from Board policy in terms of protocol to be followed to make changes. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by Larry Davis to accept the employee Grievance Procedure as presented. Motion carried Calendar Calendar items were reviewed. Mary Rayome adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m. Mary E. Rayome President Maurine Hodgson Secretary John A. Krings Clerk