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 March 12, 2012 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: John Krings, Larry Davis, John Benbow, Anne Lee, Sandra Hett, Katie Medina, Mary Rayome ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Colleen Dickmann, Daniel Weigand, Trudy DeSimons, Thomas Helgestad, Steve Smith, Matt Renwick, Terry Whitmore, Kelly Schaeffer MEDIA PRESENT: Jodee Boyd River Cities Community Access, 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 German students who competed at the Wisconsin Regional Speaking Contest are advancing to finals at the State Speaking Contest which will be held at Marquette University. Eleven students recently competed at the regional level of the Concours Oral of the French forensics competition, and all 11 students are advancing on to State competition. Lincoln hosted the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) regional competition at which 12 schools and 85 students competed in star events. Lincoln students earned gold, bronze, and silver ratings for projects focusing on leadership, peer education and career preparation related to Family and Consumer Science career pathways and several students earned the opportunity to compete at the State level. The Lincoln Visual Arts Classic Team competed in regional competition at UWSP, with 15 first-place honors and 8 secondplace honors received along with a number of team trophies and the opportunity to compete at State. The band, choir, and orchestra competed at solo and ensemble in Marshfield with many of the students securing first place and a chance to move on to State competition. Lincoln hosted the State gymnastics meet, which went well. German Club, National Honor Society and Student Council joined together to help in the community by painting a mural in the Boys and Girls Club. Cheerleaders recently held their annual prom dress resale event; end of the year activity planning for Lincoln students is underway; and scheduling conflicts for next school year are being worked out. Courtney also addressed the importance of the Honors coursework offered at Lincoln, stating that teachers perform a great deal of extra work, and deserve a special thank you for everything they do to help students learn and prepare for placement tests. Lastly, Courtney provided a copy of a piece of Periodic Table artwork recently installed in the Science computer lab at Lincoln. The Periodic Table artwork was created by students involved in the LHS Art program. Presentation by Rudolph and Vesper Parent Groups Tari Jahns, Lisa Benedict, and Jenni Calverley of the Rudolph Parent Teacher Society (PTS) spoke about a number of initiatives the group is involved in to support students and staff at Rudolph Elementary School. Family fun events such as swim night, skate night, and movie night are some examples of how the group brings families together. Funds raised through butter braid sales, Schwan s sales, book fairs and the Rudolph Country Christmas event help pay for things like playground equipment, teacher materials, technology equipment, and bussing costs for field trips. The group also supports teachers through meals during parent teacher conferences and portfolio nights. The group has also been working closely with staff to lend assistance in transitioning to a charter school.

2 Michelle Bean of the Vesper Community Academy Parent Student Organization (PSO) provided information about the initiatives undertaken by the group to support the school. Primarily, the group is responsible for fundraising in order to provide dollars to purchase items not able to be funded through the regular school budget. Allotments are set aside for teachers to utilize at their discretion to purchase supplies or for planned projects. Project-based learning occurring at Vesper calls for a need for many supplies. The group assists with classroom parties, family fun events such as swim nights, movie nights, student appreciation activities, yearbooks, and costs associated with field trips. The staff is supported through staff appreciation gifts at Christmas and meals during parent teacher conferences. The PSO takes its role very seriously, and does what it can to help teachers and students. Part of the charter for the school included community involvement for the school, so the PSO helps by volunteering in community activities. A new approach to fundraising the school has taken since becoming a charter school is through the establishment of a SCRIP program. This has helped scale back the number of fundraisers needing to be done by the school. A portion of the dollars raised through SCRIP were used to help pay for new playground equipment at the school. Overall, Ms. Bean stated the role of the Vesper PSO is similar to what other school parent groups are doing, which is to support teachers and students. A slight difference is the PSO s involvement with the governance board of the school to help coordinate initiatives. Ms. Bean expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share the PSO s role at Vesper. Approval of Minutes Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Larry Davis to approve of the special Board of Education meeting minutes of February 9, 2012; regular Board of Education meeting minutes of February 13, 2012; and open and closed session Board of Education meeting minutes of February 27, Motion carried unanimously. Comments from Citizens and Delegations None. Committee Reports A. Business Services Committee March 5, 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: BS-1 Approval of a proposal to allow Lots of Tots to rent two classrooms in the old Pitsch Elementary School building including utilities during the school year with a lease amount of $ per month. BS-2 Approval of the construction of a house by the Lincoln High School Trades House Construction class for Joe and Crystal Fraundorf on a lot located on the corner of Duck Creek Lane and Meadowlark Lane. BS-3 Approval for two cooperative agreements with the Port Edwards School District for one student from Port Edwards to enroll in East Junior High School and one student from Wisconsin Rapids to enroll in the Port Edwards School District for the remainder of the school year. BS-4 Approval of a cooperative agreement with the Nekoosa School District allowing one resident student to enroll in the Nekoosa School District for the remainder of the school year. BS-5 Approval of the proposed Food Service meal and milk prices effective for the school year. Motion by John Krings, seconded by John Benbow to approve consent agenda items BS 1-5. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Mr. Krings provided updates and reports on: District Copy Paper Six bids were received for copy paper. The order was placed with Contract Paper Group, Inc. for the low bid of $21, Washington Elementary Field Development Plans The Committee was updated on plans that Rapids Area Soccer, Inc. (RASI) has for further development of the soccer facilities at Washington Elementary School site as follows: - Spending up to $ for the renovation of the main field during the summer of Reroofing the storage garage at no cost to the School District - Starting to clear the wooded area north of the main field over the next year in preparation for development of an additional soccer field

3 USDA Changes Julie Marie, Food Services Director, explained changes required by the United States Department of Agriculture covering the quantities and types of foods the Food Service program must serve beginning with the school year. Universal Breakfast Pilot at Howe A universal free breakfast program is being piloted at Howe Elementary School for three weeks from March 5, 2012 through March 22, Motion by John Krings, seconded by John Benbow to approve the balance of the Business Services Committee report, and minutes of the regular March 5, 2012, Business Services Committee meeting. Motion carried unanimously. B. Personnel Services Committee March 5, 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 the support staff retirement request effective June 6, 2012 of Kathleen Reeve (Reading Lab Aide Lincoln). PS-2 Approval of the professional staff early retirement requests effective at the end of the school year of Sondra Galbreath (Grade 1 Howe), Roxanne Matthias (ELL Howe), and Michele Tuchscherer (Language Arts WRAMS). PS-3 Approval of the additional professional staff early retirement requests effective at the end of the school year of Cathy Anhalt (Language Arts/Reading WRAMS), Steven Baneck (Virtual Vesper), John Berg (Learning Disabilities East), Susan Bushman (Language Arts/Reading WRAMS), Erin Fitzpatrick-Schmidt (Grade 5 Washington), Diane Miller (Kindergarten Washington), Sandra Smith (Language Arts/Reading WRAMS), Jean Sorenson (Grade 3 Howe), Priscilla Kellogg (Grade 1 Grove). PS-4 Approval of the non-union, non-represented professional staff resignation requests of Debra Kipp-Graham effective at the end of the school year (School Psychologiest District/EJH), and Carol Naze effective March 1, 2012 (School Nurse Lincoln/District). PS-5 Approval of the non-union, non-represented certified staff appointment of Shannon Hill (School Nurse Grant/Lincoln). PS-6 Approval of the support staff appointment of Desirae Dolgner (Special Ed Aide Woodside), Lynsey Miller (Noon Duty Aide Mead), and Jeanna Starr (Noon Duty Aide Grove). PS-7 Approval of the support staff posting results of Cheryl Feit (Kitchen Helper Lincoln), Beth Frank (Kitchen Helper Woodside), Shana McNaughton (Special Ed Aide Lincoln), and Cynthia Milkey (Special Ed Aide Grant). PS-8 Approval of Policy 454 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting for first reading. PS-9 Approval of Policy Emergency School Closings and RULE Emergency School Closing Procedures for second reading. PS-10 Approval of Policy 381 Flag Displays and Pledge of Allegiance for second reading. PS-11 Approval of Policy Homebound Instruction for second reading. PS-12 Approval of Policy 830 Use of School Facilities and Facility Use Policy for the PAC for second reading. Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Anne Lee to approve consent agenda items PS Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Hett provided updates and reports on: Criminal History Records Check The Committee was provided information concerning criminal history records check procedures. The Administration is considering piloting the program, Keepn Track, for the remainder of this school year. At the request of the Committee, the administration will investigate the cost of licensure, as well as the accuracy of its background checks when compared to the current process.

4 Open Enrollment Space Limitations The Committee was updated on Wisconsin Act 114 (Senate Bill 2). Open Enrollment has been extended from a three-week period to three months. Each year the Board is required to establish the number of regular and special education spaces available should the Board anticipate denying any open enrollment applications. Historically, the Wisconsin Rapids School District has not denied any applications. Therefore, no limits have been set for the school year. In the future should there be a concern regarding enrollment and spaces available, the Administration would make a recommendation to the Board in January. Anne Lee requested a correction to the draft Personnel Services Committee meeting minutes of March 5, 2012 to remove Director of Instructor Amy Ryan s name since she was not present at the meeting. Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Larry Davis to approve the corrected minutes of the regular Personnel Services Committee meeting of March 5, Motion carried unanimously. C. Educational Services Committee March 5, Report given by Anne Lee. Ms. Lee reviewed the following consent agenda items brought before the Board through the Educational Services Committee, and asked if there were any motions to be held: ES-1 Approval of the Mead Elementary Charter School requests to Marshfield Clinic for five AmeriCorps Member positions for the Club Mead before-school, after-school, and summer school programs for the school year. ES-2 Approval of the 21 st Century Community Learning Center grant request for Mead Elementary Charter School in the amount of $100,000. ES-3 Approval of the United Way grant request for before-school Club Mead for the school year in the amount of $21,000. ES-4 Approval of the United Way grant request for summer Club Mead in the amount of $15,000. Motion by Anne Lee, seconded by Larry Davis to approve consent agenda items ES 1-4. Anne Lee abstained. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Lee provided updates and reports on: WRPS/Renaissance Learning Amy Ryan, Director of Instruction, along with a number of members from the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools/Renaissance Learning, Inc. Resolution Committee, spoke to Committee members about the evolving partnership the District and Renaissance has shared since the WRPS/RLI Committee convened in An overview of Renaissance Learning products currently being utilized in the District was provided. Renaissance Learning has sent representatives to district schools to work with staff on professional development, to observe students working with products, and to listen to suggestions regarding the products and their implementation. The relationship between teachers and RLI staff was described as exciting and collaborative. Jon Byom, Vice President of Product Development at Renaissance Learning, Inc., stressed that the initial meetings of the WRPS/RLI Resolution Committee were somewhat strained. Mr. Byom explained that he began a Contact Log to document the exchanges between the District and the company; however, the relationship has become so natural that the Contact Log was discontinued two years ago. Mr. Byom told Committee members that the feedback RLI receives from teachers and other District staff is helpful. The company also brings in prototypes for teachers, staff, and students to use and comment on before products go on the market. He also shared that RLI worked with Mr. Kolbeck during the printer consolidation process within the District. John Steele, Chairman of the WRPS/RLI Resolution Committee, told Committee members that he has remained in contact with Larry Nash, keeping him up-to-date on the work of the Committee and progress of the relationship. He indicated that Mr. Nash is pleased. Mr. Steele explained that the WRPS/RLI Resolution Committee began meeting weekly, then twice a month, then twice a year, and then annually. He stated that the Committee is recommending the Board of Education discharge the community members from committee participation. Educational Services Committee members expressed

5 thanks for the work of the Committee over the last six years. It was decided to place the recommendation for dissolution of the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools/Renaissance Learning, Inc., Resolution Committee on the March 12, 2012, Board of Education agenda. Motion by Anne Lee, seconded by John Krings to approve the balance of the Educational Services Committee report and minutes of the March 5, 2012, Educational Services Committee meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Agenda Referrals/Information Requests Anne Lee suggested that a letter of appreciation be sent to members of the WRPS/RLI Resolution Committee for their service. Board members expressed support for the suggestion. Legislative Agenda Ms. Medina shared updates and reports on: The Wisconsin Legislature will conclude its session by the end of the week. Any bill not passed by March 15 th will need to be reintroduced in January, 2013 unless a special session is convened before that time. Assembly Bill 110 creating a statewide program to give parents of children with disabilities taxpayer funded special education vouchers is expected to be voted on. The proposal defunds public schools to pay the full cost of private school vouchers for special education students without requiring private schools who accept the taxpayer funded vouchers to have special education and related services professionals on staff in order to provide the special education services. Senate Bill 461/Assembly Bill 558 relates to implementing the recommendations of the Read to Lead Educator Effectiveness Task Force. The legislation requires teachers to demonstrate the ability to teach Reading to a variety of learning styles, and provides for a universal Kindergarten screener to measure specific components of Reading readiness. The Governor has pledged that the state will pay for this new mandate. The legislation also sets forth a new system by which to evaluate teachers which will allow principals, in part, to consider student performance including the test scores of students taught by the teacher. Senate Bill 375/Assembly Bill 473 concerning the one year extension through July, 2014 for WiscNet to separate itself from the UW system has not yet been scheduled for any floor action. Bills Motion by Sandra Hett, seconded by Larry Davis to note February, 2012 receipts in the amount of $7,394, and approve February, 2012 disbursements in the amount of $3,332, Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. New Business Professional Staff Early Retirement Request Motion by Anne Lee, seconded by Larry Davis to approve of the professional staff resignation request effective at the end of the school year of Mary Trautschold (Business/Computer Education WRAMS). Motion carried unanimously. WRPS/Renaissance Learning, Inc. Resolution Committee Dissolution As discussed at the Educational Services Committee meeting, the work of the WRPS/Renaissance Learning Resolution Committee is complete. While the work of the committee has been very successful, Mr. Steele is recommending that the committee be disbanded at this time. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by John Krings to approve the request of Mr. Steele for dissolution of the WRPS/Renaissance Learning Resolution Committee. Motion carried unanimously. Rudolph Charter School Implementation Grant The Board tabled this item. AmeriCorps Positions for Terry Whitmore, Principal of Vesper Community Academy and Rudolph Elementary School provided information concerning the District s history of collaboration with Marshfield Clinic to secure AmeriCorps volunteers. Recently, the United Way of Inner Wisconsin and Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach held a listening session in Wisconsin Rapids in which all local schools were invited to participate. The parties hosting the meeting expressed an

6 interest in helping schools raise funds for AmeriCorps volunteers. Matching grant funds of $6,000 each for Grove, Rudolph, Howe, Washington, and Vesper schools are available, and no District funds would be utilized for this endeavor. United Way is willing to assist the schools in raising the funds. Motion by Larry Davis, seconded by John Krings to approve of the request for AmeriCorp positions, funded as presented, for the school year. Motion carried unanimously. 21 st Century Learning Grant Howe Elementary Superintendent Dickmann explained that the grant funding requests being presented on behalf of Howe Elementary are very similar to the funding request by Mead Elementary to get Club Mead started. Matt Renwick, Principal of Howe Elementary stated that Howe previously had a grant through the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) which was serviced through CESA 5 and is slated to run out this school year. Howe is interested in applying for a 21 st Century Learning Grant through the DPI in an amount up to $100,000. The grant would provide enrichment opportunities for students before and after school, and provide intervention to students with high needs and varied skill levels. Grant money would help to fund staffing, materials, and professional development. Motion by John Krings, seconded by John Benbow to approve of the 21 st Century Learning Grant request for Howe Elementary School in an amount up to $100,000. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. United Way Grant Howe Elementary Mr. Renwick stated that approval is being requested to apply for a United Way Grant in the amount of $15,000 to assist with before and after school supervision at Howe. This will help to continue providing a safe, organized environment for students as they participate in before and after school activities. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by Larry Davis to approve of the Howe Elementary grant request to the United Way in the amount of $15,000 for before and after school programming in the school year. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Employee Handbook/Teacher Performance Assessment Document Dr. Dickmann explained that the Teacher Performance Assessment document has been updated to include recommended changes discussed at the last Board workshop. The assessment document will continue to be utilized until further information is available from the State on changes being implemented concerning evaluation and assessment. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by John Krings to approve of the Teacher Performance Assessment document as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Dr. Dickmann reviewed the Teacher Section of the Employee Handbook and explained there were slight modifications made to lend additional clarification as follows: Section 2.05 The word on-site was added to paragraph B.1, and in paragraph C the second sentence changed from The total hours worked to state The minimum hours worked Section 5.01 The last sentence in paragraph B changed from Insofar as possible, consideration shall be given these requests, to Consideration shall be given to such requests, but the final determination will be made by the Superintendent or his/her designee. Section 5.02 The second sentence in the first paragraph will change to read Should a teacher breach his/her individual teaching contract or any provision thereof, liquidated damages in the respective amount set forth below shall be either paid or forfeited by the teacher at the option of the Board. Section 6.02 The second sentence will be changed to replace the word non-renewed with displaced. In paragraph (d), the term Non-Renewal will be replaced with Reduction in the heading. The last paragraph of Section 6.02 will be changed to read: Although length of service in the District will be considered when reducing positions, it will not be the sole deciding factor in any decision regarding who will be displaced. Employees who are displaced do not have any right to displace or bump another employee. Section 8.01, 8.02, 8.04, and 8.05 The first sentence under the various insurance sections will change to read: The Board shall provide (dental, health, life, long-term disability) insurance to eligible employees as described in Appendix X. Sections (A), (B), and (C) in each Section 8 will be moved to an Appendix page so that in the event the eligibility

7 or premium information changes, only the Appendix would need to be modified and re-disseminated as opposed to the entire handbook being revised. Section 9 New wording has been drafted concerning voluntary early retirement benefits, and is included in Section 9. The wording reflects action taken by the Board in recent meetings. The Board discussed the modifications being recommended. The language in Section 6.02 concerning reductions in force will be monitored closely during the first year of implementation. Should revisions or concerns be brought forward as a result of the language, the Board will address those concerns at that time. Dr. Dickmann again reiterated that the decisions made relative to reductions in force cannot be done haphazardly or arbitrarily, and a systematic method would be utilized in the process. She explained that many other districts are adopting similar language, or no language, meaning that no parameters are defined in cases where no language exists. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by Larry Davis to approve the Teacher Employee Handbook Section as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Professional Staff Payment for Credits/Degrees Dr. Dickmann explained that she had the Human Resources Department collect information from teachers who acquired enough credits last spring or had earned a Master s degree either last spring or last summer which would result in lane movement on the former salary schedule. Dr. Dickmann is recommending payment to the staff who has earned it through their coursework since they would have been well underway in their studies when Act 10 occurred. The total cost is calculated to be $66,532 and covers 27 individuals. Funding for the payment is plausible through savings from lower utility costs and lower costs associated with recent administrator hirings. Dr. Dickmann recommends forming a small committee to discuss the future of credit payments and the salary schedule for professional staff. Motion by Larry Davis, seconded by John Krings to approve payment of credits and degrees earned by professional staff during the spring semester of the school year and during the summer of 2011, in the amount of $66,532 to cover the 27 individuals discussed. Mr. Weigand requested clarification on whether the payment would be retroactive to the beginning of the school year. It was clarified that the payment would apply to the employee s salary beginning with their first day back in August, Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Calendar Calendar items were reviewed. Mary Rayome adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Mary E. Rayome President Maurine Hodgson Secretary John A. Krings Clerk