SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RIVER FALLS: 4/16/12 Regular Meeting Minutes

Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes

April 16, 2012

The regularly scheduled meeting of the River Falls Board of Education was called to order on Monday, April 16, 2012, at 7:05 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 Mike Miller and Alan Tuchtenhagen were present. Board member Rich Gerczak was absent. Also present were Superintendent Tom Westerhaus, Finance and Facilities Director Chad Smurawa, Director of Academic Services Mike Johnson, and Director of Personnel Donna Hill.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/RECOGNITION

Recognition was given to Meyer Middle School student Jari Zoller for finishing 11th out of 142 sixth graders at the NW Wisconsin MathCounts Competition in Eau Claire on February 9th, and for participating at the State Competition on March 3rd, 2012.

Congratulations were given to the following students for participating in the Regional Spelling Bee: Westside-Calla Dexheimer, Greenwood-Aleah Nelson, Rocky Branch-Abbey Markey, and Meyer Middle School-Katherine Field.

Appreciation was extended to the following who were chosen as Volunteers of the Year as part of National Volunteer Week (April 15-21): Diane Olson-Greenwood Elementary School (introduced by Greenwood Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Karras), Jackie Cobian-Meyer Middle School (introduced by Middle School Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Swenson), Kara Therriault and Karen Lunzer-Rocky Branch Elementary School (introduced by Rocky Branch Volunteer Coordinator Tara Albores), Teresa McCready-Westside Elementary School (introduced by Westside Volunteer Coordinator Cortney Hauschildt), and Laurel Langford-River Falls Public Montessori Elementary (introduced by Montessori Volunteer Coordinator Chantel Mitchell).

SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION

Renaissance students Stephen Cook, Shannon Bark and Brandon O’ Brien along with Renaissance Coordinator Linda Berg presented a short DVD and a summary of the Renaissance Academy February 22-24 Wolf Ridge Environmental field trip and two day conference on diversity and social justice.

HEARING OF VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS – none.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Johnson Myers reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda. Item 5C, Approval of Recommended Employment, was pulled to the Action Agenda. Tuchtenhagen 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 March 19, 2011, the Special Board meeting of April 2, 2012, the Public Budget Hearing of April 10, 2012, and the Special Board meeting of May 10, 2012, were approved.

Checks numbered 153018 through 153373 had been prepared in the amount of $1,049,643.76, and there were automatic transfers of $500,592.58, and $598,556.02 for a total of $2,148,792.36. Checks numbered 153353 and 153354 were voided.

Pursuant to Board Policy which references Wisconsin Statutes Sections 111, 118, and 121, approval of the following employment recommendations: 1) the resignation of Judi Simmer, full-time Cognitive Disabilities/Severe Teacher at Greenwood Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Ms. Simmer will retire after 24 years of service with the school district; 2) the resignation of Bonnie Lynn, full-time Learning Disabilities Teacher at River Falls High School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Ms. Lynn will retire after 40 years of service with the school district; 3) the resignation of Marquita Erickson, full-time Learning Disabilities Teacher at River Falls High School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Ms. Erickson will retire after 28 years of service with the school district; 4) the resignation of Dudley Zhe, full-time School Counselor at Westside Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Mr. Zhe will retire after 29 years of service with the school district; 5) the resignation of Laurie Moyer, full-time School Counselor at Rocky Branch Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Ms. Moyer will retire after 33 years of service with the school district; 6) the resignation of Mary Whitemarsh, full-time Sixth Grade Math Teacher at Meyer Middle School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Ms. Whitemarsh will retire after 25 years of service with the school district; 7) the resignation of Teri Murphy, full-time Art Teacher at Westside Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Ms. Murphy will retire after 26 years of service with the school district; 8) the resignation of Sue Covill, full-time Sixth Grade Social Studies Teacher at Meyer Middle School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Ms. Covill will retire after 34 years of service with the school district; 9) the resignation of George Baumgartner, full-time Math Teacher at River Falls High School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Mr. Baumgartner will retire after 29 years of service with the school district; 10) the resignation of Beth Kenseth, full-time Art Teacher at Meyer Middle School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Ms. Kenseth will retire after 25 years of service with the school district; 11) the employment of Kayla Zimmerman as full-time long-term substitute Business Education Teacher at River Falls High School effective April 1, 2012-June 7, 2012 (replaces Stephen Trudeau); 12) the employment of Kelly Hodorowski as full-time long-term substitute Math Teacher at River Falls High School effective March 30, 2012 through April 13, 2012 and May 14, 2012 through June 1, 2012 (replaces Jim Day); 13) the placement of the following certified teachers on the substitute teacher list: Adam Koger (Adaptive Physical Education, EC-A; Physical Education, EC-A), and Adam Sumser (Regular Education, EC-MC). License codes: EC-A Early Childhood-Adolescence, birth-age 21, EC-MC Early Childhood-Middle Childhood, birth-age 11.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Building Committee from Wednesday, March 21, 2012, Wednesday, March 28, 2012, Wednesday, April 4, 2012, and Wednesday, April 11, 2012 as follows: received updates from the Architect and Construction Manager; recommended approval of the following bids: a subcontract agreement with NAC Mechanical & Electrical Services for the amount of $233,772.00; for Rocky Branch RTU Supply from Schwab Vollhaber Lubratt, 4600 Churchill St, Shoreview, MN, in the amount of $161,595.00; and for a District Office Generator from Cummins NPower, LLC, 1600 Buerkle Rd, White Bear Lake, MN in the amount of $20,446.00.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Educational Program Committee from Monday, April 2, 2012, as follows: reviewed preliminary 2011 WKCE results, received an update on UWRF Montessori teacher training program Memo of Understanding, recommended approving a new middle school Fitness Training summer school course, recommended revisions to the Open Enrollment policy, and recommended approval of Middle School Naiku pilot program guidelines.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Personnel Committee from Monday, April 9, 2012, as follows: recommended moving to the Health Partners $500/$1,000 deductable plan with an HRA effective July 1, 2012, recommended administration send letters offering continued employment to teachers, and recommended approving the listed sections of the new Employee Handbook which will go into place on July 1, 2012.

Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

ACTION/DISCUSSION AGENDA

Pulled Consent Agenda Items:

1. An update on UWRF Montessori teacher training program Memo of Understanding was given by Mike Johnson. No action was taken.

2. Miller moved, seconded by Tuchtenhagen to approve the first reading of policy 423, Public School Open Enrollment. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

3. Insurance consultant, Breanna Helenbrand from M3 Insurance, presented the insurance review process, which resulted in significant reduction in health insurance premiums. Behnke moved, seconded by Tuchtenhagen, to approve moving to the Health Partners $500/$1,000 deductible plan with an HRA effective July 1, 2012. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Other Pulled Consent Agenda Items:

Approval of recommended employment. Names of retiring staff were read. Kolpin moved, Miller seconded, to approve administration’s employment recommendations. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

APPROVE ACADEMY CITIZEN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROPOSAL

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.  A proposal for a Citizen’s Advisory Committee was discussed at the March 19, 2012 Board meeting recommending an alternative owner to develop and maintain the 1926 portion of the Academy building. Kenney moved, seconded by Tuchtenhagen, to approve the Academy Citizen’s Advisory Committee proposal. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

SPRING BOARD ELECTIONS

Johnson Myers reported on the results from the 2012 Spring School Board Elections for the re-election of members Barbara Kolpin, Mike Miller and Alan Tuchtenhagen. Certificates of Election were given to the three re-elected members.

APPROVE BUDGET REDUCTIONS FOR 2012-13

The Board reviewed budget reductions recommended by administration at the Board workshop held after the public hearing on April 10, 2012. Rollie Hall presented further information on reductions in extracurricular activities. Tuchtenhagen moved, seconded by Johnson Myers to approve the 2012-13 Budget Reductions as presented. Motion by Kenney, second by Behnke, to amend the budget reduction motion by reinstating the Extra-curricular teams as follows: 5th team Boys Basketball and Girls Volleyball, 4th team Boys Baseball, 3rd team Girls and Boys soccer, for $6,500. Motion carried (4-2, no-Johnson Myers and Tuchtenhagen). Original motion amended to approve $594,100 in reductions carried unanimously (6-0).

SUPERINTENDENT REVIEW OF 2011-12 GOAL ATTAINMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

The Board requested that the Superintendent’s Goals and professional development activities for 2011-12 be reviewed prior to the Superintendent evaluation in May. Superintendent Westerhaus presented his goals and professional development activities. Behnke moved, seconded by Kenney to approve the Superintendent goal attainment as presented. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

APPROVAL OF FINAL HIGH SCHOOL FIELD TRIP APPLICATION TO COSTA RICA

Preliminary approval for the high school Spanish trip to Costa Rica was given at the October 17, 2011 monthly Board meeting. Kenney moved, seconded by Miller to approve the final application for the eight day high school Spanish trip to Costa Rica beginning June 22, 2012. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

A progress report was given on the Building Construction Process and design update by Building Committee Chair Kenney.

HONORS CONVOCATION PLANNING

Johnson Myers asked for Board member participation in helping with the Honors Convocation to be held at the high school on Sunday, April 29, 2012.

FUTURE MEETINGS

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.

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Personnel Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 14, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the River Falls High School Media Center, 818 Cemetery Road.

An Educational Program Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 14, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. in the River Falls High School Media Center, 818 Cemetery Road.

A Regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 21, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

SUPERINTENDENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Student Board Representative Maura Watson provided updates on testing schedules, the high school shooter drill, and spring sports schedules.

Westerhaus reported on plans for the District retirement party to be held on May 16th from 3-5PM at the High School Commons, the Annual Strategic Planning Team update to be held at the Public Library on Thursday, May 3rd from 1-7PM, the School Forest closing meeting scheduled for Friday, May 18th, and he provided updates on River Falls For Children and the Marketing Committee.

Hill provided information on the Farm-to-School grant application for AmeriCorps.

ADJOURNMENT

President Johnson Myers declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Barbara E Kolpin, Clerk

(Pub. 06/14/12)

WNAXLP

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