SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RIVER FALLS: 2/20/12 Regular Meeting Minutes

Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes

February 20, 2012

The regularly scheduled meeting of the River Falls Board of Education was called to order on Monday, February 20, 2012, at 7:02 p.m. by President Johnson Myers in the River Falls District Office conference room, 852 E Division Street. It was ascertained that notice of the meeting had been properly posted at the appointed locations, published in The River Falls Journal and an announcement sent to WEVR Radio Station.

PRESENT

President Stacy Johnson Myers, Vice President Dennis Behnke, Clerk Barbara Kolpin, Treasurer Manville Kenney, and members Rich Gerczak and Mike Miller were present. Board member Alan Tuchtenhagen was absent. Also present were Superintendent Tom Westerhaus, Finance Director Chad Smurawa, Director of Academic Services Mike Johnson, and Director of Personnel Donna Hill.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/RECOGNITION

Three junior students submitted their application letters, resumes, and reference lists for serving on the school board. Each were interviewed by Superintendent Westerhaus and High School Principle Dr. Elaine Baumann. Maura Watson has been selected as Student Representative.

Dr. Baumann introduced Watson who will be appointed as a non-voting member beginning with the March 2012 monthly board meeting.

Three Meyer Middle School students’ artwork was chosen to be on display at the 2012 State Education Convention held at the Frontier Airlines Center in Milwaukee in January. The students are 8th grader Maxwell Elliott and 7th graders Madeline Edwards and Will Bohnert. Their work was submitted by middle school Art Teacher, Beth Kenseth.

Chris Silver coordinated a Financial Literacy Day held at the high school on Friday, January 13th, which included a parent presentation the evening before.

Laurie Moyer has received the Althea Brach Elementary Counselor of the Year Award.

Chris Silver presented a Spotlight on Education to explain the very successful Financial Literacy Day held recently at River Falls High School for all students.

HEARING OF VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS – None.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Johnson Myers reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda. Kolpin moved, seconded by Behnke, that the Board approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The Consent Agenda included the following items:

The minutes from the regular Board meeting of January 16, 2012, the Special Board meeting of January 30, 2012, the Special Board meeting of February 6, 2012, the Special Board executive session of February 6, 2012, and the Joint Board of Education and City Council meeting of February 9, 2012 were approved.

Checks numbered 151852 through 152341 had been prepared in the amount of $955,962.80, and there were automatic transfers of $483,077.18, and $457,012.07 for a total of $1,896,052.05. There were no voided checks.

Pursuant to Board Policy which references Wisconsin Statutes Sections 111, 118, and 121, approval of the following employment recommendations: 1) a request from Michelle Uetz, full-time Transition Teacher at River Falls High School, for a full-time family/medical leave of absence effective February 17, 2012 through March 5, 2012; 2) a request from Jane Webb, full-time Kindergarten Teacher at Greenwood Elementary School, for an intermittent family/medical leave of absence effective February 8, 2012; 3) a request from Kate Dulany, full-time Speech and Language Pathologist at Meyer Middle School, for a full-time family/medical leave of absence effective May 9, 2012 through September 1, 2012; 4) employment of Kathy Moody as full-time long-term substitute School Nurse effective February 15, 2011 through June 8, 2012 (replaces Melissa Kirkwood); 5) the transfer of Brittany Olson from part-time (69.1%) long-term substitute English Teacher at River Falls High School to full-time long-term substitute English Teacher at River Falls High School effective January 23, 2012 through June 7, 2012 (replaces Joe Paatalo); 6) employment of Candace Kiefer as part-time (69.1%) long-term substitute English Teacher at River Falls High School effective January 30, 2012 through June 7, 2012 (replaces Laurie Walsh); 7) placement of the following certified teachers on the substitute teacher list: Sarah Babler (Regular Education, MC-EA), Jancyn Bindman (Choral Music, EC-A; General Music, EC-A), Aaron Harker (Regular Education, MC-EA; English, MC-EA; Science, MC-EA), Kelly Hodorowski (Mathematics, EA-A), Holly Huppert (Physical Education, kindergarten-grade 12), Scott Imrie (Broad Field Science, EA-A; Biology/Life Science, EA-A; Agriculture, grades 6-12), Candace Kiefer (English, MC-EA; English as a Second Language, EC-A), Myanna Lansing (Regular Education, MC-EA; English, MC-EA), and Brooke Swanson (Regular Education, MC-EA).

License codes: MC-EA Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence, age 6-approx 12-13

EA-A Early Adolescence-Adolescence, age 10-21

EC-A Early Childhood-Adolescence, birth-age 21

Accepted the reports and recommendations from the Building Committee from Wednesday, January 25, 2012, as follows: recommended approval of the ATSR architectural agreement; recommended approval of the Kraus Anderson Construction Management at risk agreement; and received an Architect update; from Wednesday, February 1, 2012, as follows: received an update of the ATSR architectural agreement; received an update of the Kraus Anderson AIA contract; and received an update on the referendum project; from Wednesday, February 8, 2012, as follows: recommended approval of the ATSR agreement; recommended approval of the Kraus Anderson agreement; and received an Architect and Construction Manager update; and from Wednesday, February 15, 2012, as follows: recommended approval of the ATSR architectural agreement; recommended approval of the Kraus Anderson Construction Management at risk agreement; and received an Architect and Construction Manager update.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Educational Program Committee from Monday, February 6, 2012, as follows: received an update from the Food Service Advisory Committee on snack guidelines; heard a School Counseling Program update, reviewed the attendance procedure, Ski Club Field Trip request was cancelled due to lack of interest, and reviewed new Open Enrollment laws.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Personnel Committee from Monday, February 13, 2012, as follows: Approved Patti Kuenzie’s request for a three week unpaid Leave of Absence, added a half time (0.5 FTE) RF4C Coordinator Position, referred the RF4C Coordinator Job Description to administration for further review prior to action at the February 20th Board meeting, approved Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty, Pay Periods, Sick Leave, Uniformed Service Leave and Workers Compensation sections of the new Employee Handbook that will become effective July 1, 2012, the executive session of the Personnel Committee was held for the purpose of Final Nonrenewal of Certified Staff for Layoff Purposes, and affirmed action taken in executive session. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

ACTION/DISCUSSION AGENDA

Kolpin moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the first reading of policy 364, Guidance and Counseling Program. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

A new position has been created to support the District’s RF4C program. Behnke moved, seconded by Kenney, to approve the revised RF4C Coordinator Job Description. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Approval of the ATSR contract was tabled at the February 8th Building Committee meeting with anticipation the contract would be presented for approval at the February Board meeting. Kenney moved, seconded by Gerczak to approve the ATSR Architectural Agreement. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Approval of the Kraus Anderson agreement was tabled at the February 8th Building Committee meeting with anticipation the agreement would be presented for approval at the February Board meeting. Kenney moved, seconded by Kolpin to approve the Kraus Anderson Construction Management at risk agreement. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

The following building construction update was given by Kenney:

* ATS&R and Kraus Anderson contracts resolved;

* Summer 2012: Rocky Branch interior; High School EMS, Safety and Security; Bus Garage remodel. Expect to let bids March/April 2012. Committee to receive and award bids April/May 2012. Substantial completion August 17, 2012.

* Addressing district wide standards for Energy Management System and Security (including keyless entries). EMS to be part of Rocky Branch remodel; implement at High School from building capital budget (not referendum money). EMS at remaining three schools 2013.

* Bundle Rocky Branch exterior (parent drop off area) with other lot and road changes at Westside and Greenwood summer 2013. Potential savings. Allows more planning and collaboration time with city.

* Discussing scheduling changes with Architect and Construction Management concerning Middle School, Greenwood and Westside. Do all work 2013. Avoids expense of two phases at MMS and winter construction at Greenwood and Westside. Potential savings and less disruption during majority of school year. Allows better collaboration with City for traffic flow and Storm Water Management considerations. Likely schedule: Bids for MMS, GW and WS prepared and issued Nov/Dec 2012. Bid awards Jan/Feb 2013. Takes advantage of traditional optimum time for lowest bids. Construction begins May 1, 2013, August 16, 2013 substantial completion.

* Addressing issues concerning air conditioning of elementary schools and middle school. Referendum estimates included air for those areas being updated for heating and ventilation. That amounts to 70-80% of elementary schools and less than 40% of middle school. See Air Conditioning Study (posted under School Board on district website). Committee consensus is this should be the number one consideration for project savings and contingency money.

* Estimated cost to air condition elementary schools is $513,300 to $603,300 (higher number includes gymnasiums/lunchrooms).

* Estimated cost to air condition middle school is $475,000 to $1,057,800 (higher number includes individual room controls, auditorium, gymnasium, gymnastics room and lower level).

* Board will be asked to decide major budgetary adjustments.

No action was taken.

Ehlers Investment Partners, a division of Ehlers, will be working with the district to maximize interest earnings on the referendum bond funds. Kenney moved, seconded by Behnke to adopt a Resolution certifying that the President, Vice President and the Treasurer of this corporation, or any one of such officers, are hereby fully authorized and empowered to open a brokerage account, transfer, endorse, sell, assign, set over and deliver any and all shares of stocks, bonds, debentures, notes, evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including short sales) now or hereafter standing in the name of or owned by this corporation, to purchase stocks, bonds, debentures, notes, evidences of indebtedness and other securities (on margin or otherwise), and to make, execute and deliver, under the corporate seal of this corporation, any and all written instruments necessary or proper to effectuate the authority hereby conferred. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). A copy of the resolution is attached to these minutes.

2011 Act 114 Wisconsin (Senate Bill 2) was signed into law February 1, 2012. The new law requires school boards to determine the number of regular and special education spaces at January Board meetings. Since that date was past prior to the signing of the bill, the board should designate the number of spaces available as soon as possible. While this was introduced at the Educational Programming Committee on February 6, Mike Johnson addressed the Board with newer information for a future recommendation after compiling data from Director of Student Services Jackie Steinhoff, the Department of Public Instruction, and other area districts to determine how the district should proceed. No action was taken.

Each year, the district must notify CESA of its intent to purchase services for the upcoming school year.  CESA requires that the shared service agreement be approved by our school board by March 1 of each year. Kolpin moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the 2012-13 CESA 11 Shared Services Agreement as presented. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Behnke moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the second reading of policy 532.1, Personnel Negotiations. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

The high school sought preliminary approval for raising funds for an October Marching Band trip;  Marsha Pearson submitted the attached application for her yearly spring Jazz Band trip. This year, she is traveling with her Jazz Band to Fridley, MN.  Gerczak moved, seconded by Kenney, to approve the Preliminary application for the high school Marching Band trip to St. Louis, MO on October 19-21, 2012. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). Gerczak moved, seconded by Kolpin, to approve the Final application for the Meyer Middle School 8th Grade Jazz Band Trip to Fridley, MN Middle and High Schools on May 4-5, 2012, for an exchange concert. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Proposed/suggested items for the next regular and future Board meeting agenda(s): Paperless board meetings for the possible future.

FUTURE MEETINGS

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Business Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 5, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 19, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Community Budget Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Media Center, 818 Cemetery Road.

SUPERINTENDENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Superintendent Westerhaus provided an update on the budget reduction process and RF4Children.

Hill reported on the work of the Insurance Study Committee (RFP), the Food Service Advisory Committee, and the Handbook Committees (teachers and support staff).

Johnson discussed the RF4Children program, the Elementary Foreign Language Pilot program, WKCE Test Scores and NAEP Testing (4th and 8th grades), and the Wisconsin Waiver for No Child Left Behind.

Smurawa reported on the State Enrollment audit.

ADJOURNMENT

President Johnson Myers declared the meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

Barbara Kolpin, Clerk

(Pub. 04/05/12)

WNAXLP

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