SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RIVER FALLS: 5/21/12 Regular Meeting Minutes

Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes

May 21, 2012

The regularly scheduled meeting of the River Falls Board of Education was called to order on Monday, May 21, 2012, at 7:19 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, Clerk Barbara Kolpin, Treasurer Manville Kenney, and members Rich Gerczak, Mike Miller, and Alan Tuchtenhagen were present. Also present were Superintendent Tom Westerhaus, Finance and Facilities Director Chad Smurawa, Director of Academic Services Mike Johnson, Information Technology Supervisor Brian Dado, and Director of Personnel Donna Hill. Board Vice President Dennis Behnke was absent.

A moment of silence was held in memory of Sara Goldbach, student at River Falls High School.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/RECOGNITION

Sharon Helmueller and Pat O’Brien have volunteered for us for the past 15 and 13 years, first at Greenwood and then at Meyer Middle School. Each has put in well over 5000 hours of volunteer time.

Jean Moelter was recognized for her work with the Forensics team.

Thanks were extended to Kit Luedtke, Chris Gottfredsen, Jessica Luther, Rick Hansen, Cory Kling and Jon Aubart for their tremendous work on the high school active shooter drill on April 12th.

Due largely to the efforts of Meyer Middle School Principal Mark Chapin, the River Falls School District has received 5 Promising Practice Awards for efforts to promote and practice character education.  Our district will be recognized at the State Character Education Conference in June and we will have the opportunity to send a team of teachers and administrators to the conference at no cost.

High School Choral Director Carrie Loney has been recognized by UWRF as the Outstanding Collaborating Teacher from the River Falls High School for 2012.

HEARING OF VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS – None.

SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION – Biztown – Westside Elementary

Nathan Jennings and his dad Tim, and Ivy Sos and her mom Sandra were in attendance to share their experience with Biztown.  Both Nathan and Ivy presented highlights of Biztown and what they had gained from the experience.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Johnson Myers reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda. Tuchtenhagen moved, seconded by Kolpin, 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 April 16, 2012, the Special Reorganizational Board meeting of April 23, 2012, and the Special Board meeting of May 14, 2012, were approved.

Checks numbered 153374 through 153824 had been prepared in the amount of $941,292.18, and there were automatic transfers of $455,982.45, and $534,437.28 for a total of $1,931,711.91. 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) resignation of Deborah Meyer as full-time Eighth Grade Social Studies Teacher at Meyer Middle School effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year; 2) employment of Becky McAleavey as half-time River Falls 4 Children Coordinator effective April 24, 2012. Ms. McAleavey earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin River Falls. Her salary will be based on Step 1 of the BA Column on the salary schedule; 3) placement of the following certified teachers on the substitute teacher list: Sarah Ainsworth (Regular Education, EC-MC); Kayla Bachmann (Regular Education, MC-EA); Jessica Belt (Regular Education, MC-EA; English, MC-EA).

License codes: EC-MC Early Childhood-Middle Childhood, birth-age 11

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

Accepted the reports and recommendations from the Building Committee from Wednesday, April 25, 2012, Wednesday, May 2, 2012, and Wednesday, May 9, 2012, as follows: Architect Updates and Construction Manager Updates were given and the committee recommends approval of bids for alterations to Rocky Branch, High School, District Office, High School Energy Management, and Alternates A1-P&P Bond, RB1-FRP Assemblies, RB3-Air Conditioning, RB4-Tackboard, RB5-Duct Cleaning.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Personnel Committee from Monday, May 14, 2012, as follows: Recommend approval of Speech and Language Client Services Agreement between Soliant Health and the School District of River Falls; recommended approval to add a 1.0 FTE teaching position at Greenwood and to add an additional 1.5 FTE teaching position at Montessori for the 2012-13 school year; Insurance Study Committee Update (recommendation acted on under Action Agenda 6H); recommended approval of District Volunteer Coordinator/STEP Coordinator Job Description as modified and the Assistant District Volunteer Coordinator job description as presented; recommended approval of the listed sections of the new Employee Handbook as amended effective July 1, 2012.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Educational Program Committee from Monday, May 14, 2012, as follows: Listened to a presentation on the 2012-13 high school scheduling; recommended approval for high school course offerings for 2012-13 with committee updates given in June and August; the presentation of Meyer Middle School NAIKU progress was postponed to the June Committee meeting; received an update on the Greenwood Elementary K-1 Spanish pilot program.

ACTION/DISCUSSION AGENDA

River Falls For Children (RF4C) Budget Revisions

The Board recently approved the RF4C program and budget.  Administration presented a budget that maintains to the bottom line budget but reallocates individual line item allocations. Gerczak moved, seconded by Tuchtenhagen to approve revisions as presented to the RF4C budget. Motion carried unanimously (5-1, Kolpin).

Policy 423 second reading

The first reading of revised policy 423 Public School Open Enrollment was held at the April 16, 2012 Board meeting. Kolpin moved, seconded by Gerczak, to approve the second reading of policy 423, Public School Open Enrollment. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

2012-2013 Teacher Contract

On Monday, April 30th the Board’s Negotiation Committee met with teachers and reached a tentative agreement for 2012-13.  Menomonie voted to approve the agreement on May 9th and our teachers voted to approve the agreement on May 10th. Kenney moved, seconded by Kolpin to approve the 2012-2013 Tentative Agreement between the School District of River Falls and WCEA-Teachers Unit. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Appoint Academy Committee

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. A proposal to create the Academy Citizen’s Advisory Committee was approved at the April 16, 2012 Board meeting. Kolpin moved, seconded by Miller, to appoint the Academy Citizen’s Advisory Committee as follows: Mike Miller, Co-Chair; Elaine Baumann, Co-Chair; Jeanne Zirbel, Buddy Lucero, Lisa Ziebarth, Leslie Batt-Lutz, Rolly Janetski, Jim Miller, Mike Stifter, Don Richards, Cedric Ellingson, Faith Cook, John Heuschele and Carole Mottaz. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Marketing Committee Presentation and Proposal

Dale Bohnert, Samantha Bluhm and Jennifer Quayle have led the District Marketing Committee during the past year and presented final recommendations for a concept of a district-wide logo. An action step in the Strategic Plan calls for stronger marketing of the School District of River Falls.  To that end, a marketing plan was established last year.  One step of that plan was to create a district logo that markets to stakeholders who we are and our promise for students.  A committee has met all year and has finalized its proposal for a new district logo which will NOT replace the athletics Wildcat.  Samantha Bluhm, Dale Bohnert, and Jennifer Quayle presented the committee’s recommendation for approval. Kenney moved, seconded by Miller to approve the concept of the District’s logo. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Review updates to River Falls Leads: 2010-15 Strategic Plan

The Strategic Planning Team met to update our Strategic Plan on May 3rd. Superintendent Westerhaus presented the revisions being recommended to the Board for action. Tuchtenhagen moved, seconded by Gerczak to approve the revisions to the Strategic Plan as presented by Superintendent Westerhaus, Information Technology Supervisor Brian Dado, and Director of Academic Services Mike Johnson. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Dental Insurance Plan

The Insurance Study Committee has been reviewing dental bids from Delta Dental, Health Partners and WEA.  It is their recommendation that the district move to the Health Partners $2,000 maximum plan for all employee groups effective July 1, 2012. Miller moved, seconded by Tuchtenhagen, to approve moving to Health Partners $2,000 Dental plan effective July 1, 2012. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Determine date for 2012 Annual Meeting

At the April 23rd Board Reorganization meeting, Kenney was asked to review options for holding the District Annual Meeting in either August or September, 2012. Kenney moved, seconded by Johnson Myers, to hold the 2012 Annual Meeting on Monday, September 17, 2012 at 8:00PM or immediately following the regular monthly Board meeting. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Review Open Enrollment Requests

Open enrollment requests for the 2012-13 school year have been completed and approval was given to accept Administration’s recommendation at the March 19th monthly Board meeting. The Open Enrollment Count by Year, Transfers by grade TO River Falls, and Transfers by grade FROM River Falls were presented for review.

The Superintendent Evaluation was tabled.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

A progress report was given on the Building Construction Process and design update by Building Committee Chair Kenney as follows: Bids have been awarded for construction projects this summer at Rocky Branch, High School and Central Office. Projects to begin immediately following the end of the school year. All well within budget allowing additional work at Rocky Branch. KA representatives reviewed the process and selection with Smurawa and Kenney confirming successful bids were in the best interest and value for the district; Committee approved four add alternates for Rocky Branch: Air Conditioning for all areas (except gym), Entry doors upgraded from painted shell to Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester Aluminum Door Assemblies with aluminum frames (matches existing doors to reduce maintenance), Classroom tack boards, Duct cleaning of existing ductwork (to enhance energy efficiency). With these additions we are $10,288 below budget (this does not include contingency which may result in additional savings). Savings will go toward air conditioning other buildings next year (as previously determined by Board); River Falls area contractors were among the successful bidders. All successful bidders are within a 50 mile radius; met with city reps and have tentative OK regarding hard surface changes at Rocky Branch and Westside (parent drop off, bus corral, parking alterations, sidewalks) pending final plan submittals including storm water management considerations; more work and further discussion with city required for driveway at Greenwood. Traffic study must be performed prior to the end of May which will help determine next step; moving forward with bid preparation for Bus Garage (restrooms, breakroom and small addition), bids this summer with construction complete in the fall.

2013-2014 School Calendar

The 2012-13 School Calendar was approved at the May 16, 2011 Board meeting. The calendar meets all state required guidelines for days and hours. Specific dates not available at that time (early release, in-service, parent/teacher conferences) were now presented for approval along with the 2013-14 School Calendar.

Kenney moved, seconded by Miller to approve specific dates for the 2012-13 School Calendar, and all dates for the 2013-2014 School Calendar as amended. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

FUTURE MEETINGS

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

An Educational Program Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 4, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Business Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 11, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

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

A Regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 18, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

SUPERINTENDENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Westerhaus provided updates on the School Forest land swap closing held on Friday, May 18th; the Wisconsin 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey; Handbook updates; End-of-year Breakfast to be held on Thursday, June 7th - $8000 in grants will be distributed from FORWARD, the Education Foundation; the Optimist Club grant to benefit the STEP program; and the District Retirement party.

ADJOURNMENT

President Johnson Myers declared the meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Barbara Kolpin, Clerk

(Pub. 08/02/12) WNAXLP

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