SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RIVER FALLS: 6/18/12 Board Meeting Minutes

The regularly scheduled meeting of the River Falls Board of Education was called to order on Monday, June 18, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. by Vice-President Behnke 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

Vice President Dennis Behnke, Clerk Barbara Kolpin, Treasurer Manville Kenney, and members Rich Gerczak, Mike Miller, and Alan Tuchtenhagen were present. Board President Stacy Johnson Myers 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

Seventy-eight staff members were recognized for years of service given to the school district. Members completing five years of service are: David Betlach, Aaron Boche, Jim Day, Brad Ducklow, Caralyn Duerkop, Jacqueline Garin, Christina Krueger, Matt Kumershek, Jana Ladd, Lisa Larson, Tonya Maier, Eryn Maloney, Maria McLain, Olin Morrison, Ann Nelson, Eric Peters, Alan Rothamer, Susan Rothberger, Andrea Schramm, Kyle Stapleton, Kristine Swanson, Ben Toppel and Steve Trudeau. Members completing ten years of service are: Linda Beeman, JoAnne Brager, Jacqueline Cobian, Joe Coughlin, Bobbi Ekman, Elwood Elliott, Peggy Gantt, Holly Kaeder, Beth Linehan, Bob Maier, Stacey Matter, Melina Papadimitriou, Jim Parslow, Karen Rodewald, Deb Sorenson, Janell Swenson, Jim Tatzel and Rita Thorson. Members with fifteen years of service are: Susan Boyer, Joan Brathol, Taryl Graetz, Sarah Kaminski, Sue Kapping, Paula Klacan and Sue Popelka. Twenty year members are: David Gunnes, Amy Hafeman, Rita Hanson, Maria Kinneman, Jessica LeCapitaine, Joanne Maier, Lori Moe, Jeannie Mulhern, Doug Steinbronn and Mary Waters. Serving twenty-five years are: Mary Andersen, Darrell Anderson, Mary Cernohous, Ann Dusek, Karl Erickson, Becky Glade, Mary Hopp, Debbie Keller, Beth Kenseth, Nancy Lindquist, Mary Linehan, Laurie Viney, Kim Wagner, Mary Whitemarsh and Lesley Williams. Members with thirty years of service are Kathy R. Nelson and Debbi Ver Burg. Two members were recognized with thirty-five years of service: Rich Hudacek and Cindy Kusilek. Bonnie Lynn was recognized with forty years of service.

Congratulations were extended to the High School staff for their continued participation in the Advanced Placement program from UW-Madison and College Board. Kolpin requested that the Educational Program Committee review Advance Placement offerings at the high school to expand offerings, particularly in the Science areas.

HEARING OF VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS – None.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

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

The minutes from the regular Board meeting of May 21, 2012, the Special Board meeting of May 21, 2012, and the Special Board executive session of May 21, 2012, were approved.

Checks numbered 153825 through 154411 had been prepared in the amount of $1,331,073.64 and there were automatic transfers of $455,982.45, and $534,437.28 for a total of $2,321,493.37. Check numbered 154206 was voided.

Pursuant to Board Policy which references Wisconsin Statutes Sections 111, 118, and 121, approval of the following employment recommendations: 1) resignation of Chad Sova, full-time Third Grade Teacher at Greenwood Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year; 2) request from Jim Day, full-time Math Teacher at River Falls High School, for a full-time family and medical leave of absence effective approximately March 30, 2012 through April 13, 2012 and May 14, 2012 through June 1, 2012; 3) request from Mike Birenbaum, full-time English Teacher at River Falls High School, for a full-time family and medical leave of absence effective approximately May 14, 2012 through May 21, 2012; and 4) placement of the following certified teacher on the substitute teacher list: Cory Mulhollam (Regular Education, Early Childhood-Middle Childhood, birth-age 11).

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Building Committee from Wednesday, May 23, 2012 and Wednesday, June 13, 2012, as follows: reviewed the project status and received Architect and Construction Manager updates.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Educational Program Committee from Monday, June 4, 2012, as follows: reviewed the Naiku Pilot progress at Meyer Middle School; reviewed the survey and recommendations for the World Language Pilot; recommended approval of elementary, Meyer Middle School, and River Falls High School handbook revisions, and Renaissance Academy with the provision that the names in their document change from “Linda Berg” to “Renaissance Academy Director”; recommended Policy 447, Seclusion and Restraint, for a first reading; removed High School scheduling to the Board Action Agenda for review; recommended approval of the Fall 2012 High School Youth Options requests; reviewed the itinerary of the June 11-14, 2012 Meyer Middle School 8th grade field trip to Washington DC, and recommended approval for the June 10-14, 2013 Washington DC 8th grade field trip.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Business Affairs Committee from Monday, June 11, 2012, as follows: recommended approval of the 2011-12 budget with the addition of approximately $200,000 to the Unassigned Fund Balance account; recommended approval of the 2012-13 budget (removed to Action Agenda); reviewed the 2012-13 Business Affairs committee meeting calendar; reviewed the Fund Balance policy (removed to Action Agenda); approval of the 2012-13 meal rates was tabled and moved to the Action Agenda.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Personnel Committee from Monday, June 11, 2012, as follows: recommended approval of the listed sections of the new Employee Handbook as amended effective July 1, 2012; recommended approval of the Superintendent’s determination of individual administrator percentages of performance-based pay for 2011-12. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

ACTION/DISCUSSION AGENDA

Pulled Consent Agenda Items:

Policy First Reading

Tuchtenhagen moved, seconded by Kolpin to approve the first reading of policy 447, Seclusion and Restraint. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Review Future Timeline for High School scheduling:

SEP 26, 2012 Deadline for new course proposals for the October Ed Program meeting

OCT 2012 Ed Program Committee/BOARD – approval of new courses

OCT 2012 Ed Program Committee/BOARD – rationale and recommendation for future High School Scheduling

NOV 12, 2012 Parent evening meeting on courses

NOV 13, 2012 Counselors visit FOCUS rooms to discuss courses/scheduling

NOV 26-30 FOCUS scheduling done – MMS students hand-scheduled

DEC 2012 1st week, examination of MMS Grade 8 selections/enter data in STI

DEC 17, 2012 Knowledge of requests to present for FEB Ed Program Committee meeting

FEB 2013 Present at Ed Program Committee meeting

APR 30, 2013 Preliminary non-renewal notices to staff for layoff

Tuchtenhagen moved, seconded by Miller to approve the revised timeline for high school scheduling for 2013-14. Motion carried 6-0.

Recommend approval of the 2012-13 budget

Miller moved, seconded by Gerczak to approve the 2012-13 budget as presented by Director of Finance and Facilities Smurawa. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Reviewed Fund Balance policy

The fund balance policy was presented for its annual review. No action was taken.

Approval of the 2012-13 meal rates

A 10 cent meal rate increase for the 2012-13 school year is being proposed for two reasons: The federal government is requiring schools that charge less than $2.46 per meal to increase meal prices over the course of the next several years until the average meal price in the district is equal to, or greater than, $2.46; and food inflation necessitates an increase in meal prices. Without the proposed increase, the food service program would end the 2012-13 school year with a deficit. Proposed increases are as follows: Guest Meal from $3.10 to $3.20, Secondary Meal from $2.20 to $2.30, Elementary Meal from $1.90 to $2.00. Kolpin moved, seconded by Kenney to approve a 10 cent meal rate increase for the 2012-13 school year. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Other Pulled Consent Agenda Items:

Item D11, Business Affairs Calendar

Kenney updated the Board on a revised Business Affairs Committee calendar.

Review Police Liaison Annual Report

District Police Liaison Office Chris Gottfredsen provided the Police Liaison annual report.

Approve Non-union Support Staff agreements

All non-union agreements expire on June 30, 2012 so it is necessary to determine these employees’ salaries for the 2012-2013 school year.  These agreements will no longer exist and these employees will be covered under the Employee Handbook.  Tuchtenhagen moved, seconded by Kenney to approve the non-union Support Staff salary schedules for Accounting, Administrative Assistants, Food Service, Kids’ Club, Mechanics, Technology and Supervisors for the 2012-13 school year. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Approve Central Office and Principal Administrative Team agreements

Administrators (Central Office Administrative Team and Principals’ Administrative Team) are in the second year of their 2 year contract.  Salaries need to be set for the 2012-2013 school year.  Some additional revisions in the area of health and dental insurance have also been made to align with the provisions for all employees within the Employee Handbook. Kenney moved, seconded by Gerczak to approve the Central Office and Principal Administrative Team agreements. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Approve Lease agreement extension with Chippewa Valley Technical College

Each year, the school district has entered into a continuing education rental agreement with CVTC for the use of school facilities for the adult education program. This is a routine, on-going procedure. Usage has been minimal this past year. Kenney moved, seconded by Miller to approve the Continuing Education Rental Agreement between the School District of River Falls and the Chippewa Valley Technical College. Motion carried unanimously (6-0).

Building Construction Update

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

* Construction began Monday June 11 at Rocky Branch, Wednesday June 13 at the High School, and Thursday June 14 at Central Office. We are off to a good start.

* Bids are out for the Bus Garage. This includes the interior remodeling of break area and restrooms and the addition on the north side of the garage. The Building Committee will meet June 27 to review and approve bids.

* The traffic study with the city for Greenwood has been completed. The determination that parent drop off must accommodate up to 65 vehicles (includes drop off, parking and “stacking”) requires a design change. Committee is discussing options with ATS&R.

* There is discussion/consideration being given to accomplishing some asbestos abatement in other buildings this summer. Removal of asbestos containing tile, pipe insulation, etc. in areas that will be remodeled next summer would help the schedule for summer 2013. Further discussion at the June 27 meeting.

* Would like to propose a board meeting July 16 to review progress with ATS&R and KA representatives. Meet at the High School for a site visit at 6 PM and move to Rocky Branch immediately following. Is there board interest for this?

The committee is considering secure entries for Montessori and Renaissance.

Proposed/suggested items for the next regular and future Board meeting agenda(s): None.

Future Meetings

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Special Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 16, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the River Falls High School, 818 Cemetery Road.

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

Superintendent and Administrative Reports

Director of Academic Services Mike Johnson provided an update on Summer School beginning on June 18th, and Elementary Teacher training in the new reading program on June 8th, 2012.

Board member Kolpin reported on CESA trainings for alternative teacher compensation models.

ADJOURNMENT

Vice-President Behnke declared the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Barbara Kolpin, Clerk

(Pub. 08/09/12) WNAXLP

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