SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RIVER FALLS: 3/19/12 Regular Meeting Minutes

Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes - March 19, 2012

The regularly scheduled meeting of the River Falls Board of Education was called to order on Monday, March 19, 2012, at 7:03 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, Treasurer Manville Kenney, and members Rich Gerczak, Mike Miller, and Alan Tuchtenhagen were present. Board Clerk Barbara Kolpin was absent. Also present were Superintendent Tom Westerhaus, Finance Director Chad Smurawa, and Director of Academic Services Mike Johnson.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/RECOGNITION

Acknowledgement was given to Meyer Middle School Music Teachers Janet Hanson, Mike Fuller, Marsha Pearson and Lori Moe for presenting a successful production of the Musical “The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux” on February 16 and 17, 2012.

Recognition was given to the coaches and the High School Gymnastics team for their eleventh year participating at the State Competition on March 3rd, barely missing the 1st place spot by less than two-tenths of a point.

Kyle Igou presented the usage and educational accomplishments of the district’s farm property.

SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION

Meyer Middle School Music Teachers Janet Hanson, Mike Fuller, Marsha Pearson and Lori Moe spoke about the process of creating and producing the Meyer Middle School Musical “The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux”. There were 60+ student cast and crew members from all grades – a true multi-grade level activity. Every student who auditioned was assigned a role. The four music teachers all helped with every duty (including creating the choreography), but specific responsibilities were: Mike Fuller–technical, Jan Hanson–music, Lori Moe–acting, Marsha Pearson–costumes, sets and props. Auditions were held in mid-December, followed by rehearsals held 3 or 4 days each week beginning late December. Many “rave reviews” were received from parents, grandparents, friends, MMS staff, and community members about the humorous content and quality of the production, the talent, poise, and professionalism of the cast members.

HEARING OF VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS - None

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Johnson Myers reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda. Miller moved, seconded by Gerczak, that the Board approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). The Consent Agenda included the following items:

The minutes from the regular Board meeting of February 20, 2012 were approved.

Checks numbered 152342 through 153017 had been prepared in the amount of $1,796,061.53, and there were automatic transfers of $485,312.20, and $496,379.89 for a total of $2,777,753.62. Checks numbered 152442, 152574 and 152862 were voided.

Pursuant to Board Policy which references Wisconsin Statutes Sections 111, 118, and 121, approval of the following employment recommendations: 1) a request from Stephen Trudeau, full-time Business Education Teacher at River Falls High School, for a full-time family and medical leave of absence effective April 1, 2012 through June 7, 2012; 2) employment of Emily Gilbertson as full-time long-term substitute Art Teacher at Greenwood Elementary School effective March 8, 2012 through June 7, 2012 (replaces Robin Kelley); 3) employment of Gabriel Van Pelt as full-time long-term substitute Social Studies Teacher at River Falls High School, effective February 15, 2012 through March 30, 2012 (replaces Cory Klinge); 4) employment of Rita Thorson as Homebound Tutor effective January 15, 2012. This employment is in addition to Ms. Thorson’s full-time Language Arts Teacher position at Meyer Middle School; 5) placement of the following certified teachers on the substitute teacher list:

Tracey Budworth (English, EA-A)

Stephanie Clement (Substitute Teacher, grades 1-6)

Cassandra Kelly (Mathematics, grades 9-12)

Damon Liberatore (Mathematics, EA-A)

Corey O’Keefe (Physical Education, EC-A)

License codes: EA-A Early Adolescence-Adolescence, age 10-21

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

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Building Committee from Wednesday, February 22, 2012, Wednesday, February 29, 2012, and Wednesday, March 7, 2012 as follows: received updates from the Architect and Construction Manager.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Business Affairs Committee from Monday, March 5, 2012, as follows: reviewed the 2012-2013 proposed budget reductions. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

ACTION/DISCUSSION AGENDA

High School Junior Maura Watson has been selected by Superintendent Westerhaus and High School Principal Dr. Elaine Baumann as Student Representative to the Board of Education as an Ex Officio non-voting member. Maura was introduced to the Board at the February 2012 regular monthly meeting. Kenney moved, seconded by Behnke, to approve the appointment of Maura Watson to the Board of Education as an ex officio, non-voting member. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Kit Luedtke and Mark Chapin provided information on an upcoming regional character education conference to be held August 16 and 17, 2012, at the River Falls High School.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the School District of River Falls and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls was presented to establish a partnership of mutual benefit to offer a University level Montessori teacher training program utilizing the School District’s Montessori facilities. Tuchtenhagen moved, seconded by Kenney to approve the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Montessori teaching program partnership with amended corrections to the form. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Behnke moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the second reading of policy 364, School Counseling Program. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Kenney provided a progress report on the Building Construction Process and design update including the following points:

* Construction documents for Energy Management System and equipment (District, Rocky Branch, High School) issued for bids March 12. Receive bids and review at Building Committee March 27. Recommendation to board at special meeting April 2, 2012.

* Documents and bids for construction at Rocky Branch, High School and District related technology to be issued and received in early April 2012. Construction begins following last day of school (June 6), substantial completion August 17, 2012. Bus Garage schedule TBD.

* District standards for Energy Management System established.

* Security review ongoing (including controlled entries, camera and phone system). Discussion regarding Montessori secure entry. Final scope of construction, extent of possible alterations and cost estimates to be determined.

* Exterior concepts for Rocky Branch (parent drop off, new walk to Jefferson Street ), Westside (bus corral, parking, sidewalk) and Greenwood (parent drop off with parking and new drive) to be discussed with city regarding approval for traffic concerns and storm water management requirements. Likely schedule to submit drawings to city is June 2012.

* Scheduling changes have been decided with Architect and Construction Management concerning Rocky Branch exterior, Middle School, Greenwood , and Westside. Construction begins May 1, 2013, substantial completion August 16, 2013.

After the November referendum, the Board expressed interest in proceeding with efforts to divest itself of the Academy because the referendum question had not passed.  Board President Stacy Johnson Myers, Building Committee Chair Kenney, and Superintendent Westerhaus presented a proposal for discussion for a Citizen’s Advisory Committee to recommend an alternative owner to develop and maintain the 1926 portion of the Academy building. Action will be requested at the April 16, 2012 monthly Board meeting.

According to the new DPI Open Enrollment guidelines approved in February, districts were directed to establish the number of Regular and Special Education OE spaces annually in January. The DPI and Legislature acknowledged this in a Feb. 2, 2012 memo to all school districts, stating that since the deadline had passed, school boards should establish these spaces in their next possible board meeting in February or March. In February, administration recommended that we postpone decisions until the Kindergarten round-up was complete, budget reduction forecast was clear, and new open enrollment applications stabilized. Kenney moved, seconded by Gerczak, to approve administration’s recommendation to follow the “Special Education Staffing Guidelines” document, and to declare the regular education student Open Enrollment spaces “unlimited” for each grade level preK-12 for the 2012-13 school year. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

As directed by the Personnel Committee, the Board President and Superintendent have met to formulate updates to the current Superintendent Evaluation form.  Behnke moved, seconded by Tuchtenhagen, to approve revisions to the Superintendent Evaluation form as presented. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Wisconsin Open Meeting laws require that public board and committee meeting notices are posted at three locations.  The current designated locations are the Public Library, 1st National Bank and Econo Foods.  Due to the Nash Finch construction process at Econo Foods, they are undecided if their bulletin board will remain within their facility.  To comply with open meeting laws, an alternate location should be designated. Dick Rinehart at Dick’s Fresh Market is willing to create a “School Board Notices” section specifically for the school district on the bulletin board at the entrance to his store at 1121 South Main Street, River Falls. Kenney moved, seconded by Gerczak, to designate Dick’s Fresh Market as one of three locations for posting Board and Committee meeting notices. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

PROPOSED/SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR FUTURE BOARD

AGENDAS:

Johnson Myers requested board and administration to submit ideas for Wildcat Pride. Two suggestions were Elementary BizTown and the Renaissance Wolf Ridge trip.

FUTURE MEETINGS

A Special Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 2, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division,

An Educational Program committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 2, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. (or immediately following the 6PM Special Board meeting) in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division,

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division,

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division,

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division,

A Public Budget Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Meyer Middle School Media Center, 230 North 9th Street,

A Special Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10, 2012 immediately following the Public Budget Hearing (approximately 7:30p.m.) in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division,

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 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, April 16, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division,

A Special Board of Education Reorganization meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 23, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division,

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

SUPERINTENDENT, ADMINISTRATION AND

HIGH SCHOOL REPORTS

Westerhaus provided updates on the Marketing Committee progress on the creation of a District logo, Professional Development School, Morale Committee meetings, RF4Children program and a Strategic Planning update.

Johnson shared information on WKCE, curriculum and the calendar committee.

Student representative Watson reported on the High School Mock Trial, Focus times for 2012-13, Forensics competition, the Mr. RFHS pageant for the Relay for Life Fundraiser, the upcoming high school play, band concert, spring sports, the ACT date and School start times.

ADJOURNMENT

President Johnson Myers declared the meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.(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. 04/26/12) WNAXLP

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Tags: public notices, meetings, education, k12