RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT: 8/20/12 MINUTES

Board of Education Regular Meeting - August 20, 2012

The regularly scheduled meeting of the River Falls Board of Education was called to order on Monday, August 20, 2012, at 7:04 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 announcements sent to WEVR Radio Station, the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Eau Claire Leader Telegram.

PRESENT

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

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/RECOGNITION– None.

HEARING OF VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS – None.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Johnson Myers reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda. Behnke moved, seconded by Kolpin, that the Board approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously (7-0). The Consent Agenda included the following items:

The minutes from the regular Board meeting of July 23, 2012 were approved;

Checks numbered 154946 through 155197 had been prepared in the amount of $1,205,157.25, and there were automatic transfers of $416,562.73, and $460,523.15 for a total of $2,082,243.13. No checks were voided;

Pursuant to Board Policy which references Wisconsin Statutes Sections 111, 118, and 121, approval of the following employment recommendations: 1) employment of Kelyn King as full-time Art Teacher at Meyer Middle School effective August 27, 2012 (replaces Beth Kenseth). Ms. King earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She has one year of teaching experience (Hudson, WI). Her salary will be based on the second step on the BA column on the salary schedule. 2) employment of Abby Flynn as full-time Montessori Teacher (Children’s House) at River Falls Academy effective August 27, 2012 (new position). Ms. Flynn earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Her salary will be based on the first step on the BA column on the salary schedule. 3) employment of Anna Clark as full-time Second Grade Teacher at Greenwood Elementary School effective August 27, 2012 (replaces Chad Sova). Ms. Flynn earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She has four years of teaching experience (St. Croix Falls, WI). Her salary will be based on the fifth step on the BA column on the salary schedule. 4) employment of Marla Hawley as full-time Cross-Categorical Teacher (Learning Disabilities/Cognitive Disabilities) at Meyer Middle School effective August 27, 2012 (replaces Rebecca Krenz). Ms. Hawley earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She has one year of teaching experience (Marshfield, WI). Her salary will be based on the second step on the BA column on the salary schedule. 5) employment of Ashley Hanson as full-time Cognitive Disabilities/Severe Teacher at Greenwood Elementary School effective August 27, 2012 (replaces Judi Simmer). Ms. Hanson earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Her salary will be based on the first step on the BA column on the salary schedule. 6) employment of Jeffrey Sommerfeld as full-time English Teacher at River Falls High School effective August 27, 2012 (replaces Joe Paatalo). Mr. Sommerfeld earned his Bachelor’s degrees from St. John’s University. He has three years of teaching experience (St. Cloud, MN). His salary will be based on the fourth step on the BA+15 column on the salary schedule. 7) employment of Zachary Schwalbach as full-time Choral Music Teacher, half-time each Meyer Middle School and River Falls High School, effective August 27, 2012 (replaces Janet Hanson). Mr. Schwalbach earned his Bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College. He has one year of teaching experience (Appleton, WI). His salary will be based on the second step on the BA column on the salary schedule. 8) employment of Candace Kiefer as full-time long-term substitute English Teacher at River Falls High School effective approximately September 4, 2012 through December 3, 2012 (replaces Stacey Matter). 9) employment of Jan Gerber as Homebound Tutor as needed during the 2012-13 school year effective September 4, 2012. 10) placement of the following certified teachers on the substitute teacher list: William Forster (Technology Education and Agriculture, grades 7-12), and Sue Covill (Elementary, kindergarten-grade 8);

Accepted the reports and recommendations from the Educational Program Committee from Monday, August 6, 2012, as follows: approve the new high school Activities Handbook, approve first reading of Policy 812 Community Education, presentation on Wisconsin Improvement Program (WIP) Internship process, dissemination of Preliminary AP Test Scores, presentation of Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) for educational technology purposes, and heard an update on K-1 World Language programming;

Accepted the reports and recommendations from the Building Committee from Wednesday, August 8, 2012, as follows: heard an update from Architect and Construction Managers;

Accepted the reports and recommendations from the Academy Advisory Committee from Wednesday, August 8, 2012, as follows: Introductions/Welcome, review of role of Committee, and discussion of research necessary;

Accepted the reports and recommendations from the Personnel Committee from Monday, August 13, 2012, as follows: approve revised listed sections of the Employee Handbook for the 2012-13 school year, approve an additional 0.36 FTE Elementary Spanish teacher for year 1 of the elementary world language program, approve an additional 0.28 FTE Spanish at the high school, approve placing a teacher on special assignment during the 2012-13 school year for the purposes of educational tech support.

ACTION/DISCUSSION AGENDA

Pulled Action Items:

Kenney moved, seconded by Miller, to approve the first reading of Policy 812, Community Education. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Gerczak moved, seconded by Tuchtenhagen, to approve an additional 0.36 FTE Elementary Spanish teacher for year 1 of the elementary world language program. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Behnke moved, seconded by Kolpin, to approve an additional 0.28 FTE Spanish at the high school. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Tuchtenhagen moved, seconded by Gerczak, to approve placing a teacher on special assignment during the 2012-13 school year for the purposes of educational technology support. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Review Bond Issuance Structure

In January 2012, the district sold a portion of the bonds necessary to fund the referendum approved school improvements.  The second (and final) set of bonds necessary to fund our improvements are anticipated to be sold in September 2012. There has been a dramatic improvement (versus our original bonding plan) in the bond market over the last 8 months.  The District anticipates being able to sell the remaining bonds at a lower interest rate and pay them off in a shorter time period than originally planned.  Jeff Seeley of Ehlers shared these details and sought Board approval to alter, to district advantage, the original bond plan.

Miller moved, Gerczak seconded, to approve the updated Bond Sale Option as presented by Ehlers. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Kenney moved, seconded by Gerczak, to amend the original motion to accept Option 2 (see 8-20-12 Board agenda). Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Building Construction Update

Building Committee Chair Kenney presented a Building Construction update which included the following points: ATS&R and KA construction update for the high school, Rocky Branch and bus garage; ATS&R and KA proposed timeline for Meyer Middle School, Westside and Greenwood (includes possible start dates in May 2013 for additions, boiler asbestos removal and exterior work at Meyer Middle School, Westside and Greenwood); meeting with city scheduled August 22 to review plans for entry access, parent drop off, bus and vehicle parking for Rocky Branch, Westside and Greenwood (Greenwood plans expanded to accommodate the results of traffic study); expect to carry forward $150,000+ from current work to next year; and anticipating that dedication of remaining contingency/savings from Rocky Branch and some value management decisions will allow air conditioning at Westside and Greenwood, as we have done for Rocky Branch (doubtful that Meyer Middle School can be accomplished within referendum budget – discussion item for board regarding importance and funding as more information on possible options becomes available). Representatives from ATS&R and Kraus Anderson (Bill Martin, Mark Cotton, and Jim Lange) provided updates on the status of current projects and reviewed the 2012/2013 timeline for Meyer Middle School, Greenwood and Westside.

Meyer Middle School Dehumidification Project

The Board discussed options for dehumidifying Meyer Middle School beyond the referendum project and directed the Building Committee to continue the discussion and return with a Board recommendation at a later date if possible.

2012-2013 agreements between the School District of River Falls and the WCEA-River Falls Secretarial Personnel Unit, WCEA-Custodial Unit, and WCEA-Paraprofessionals Unit

The Board’s Negotiation Committee met with the WCEA-River Falls Secretarial Personnel Unit, WCEA-Custodial Unit, and WCEA-Paraprofessionals Unit on July 19th and reached a tentative agreement with each group.  The Secretarial Personnel Unit agreement includes a total base wage increase of 1.2%. The Custodial Unit agreement includes a total base wage increase of 1.5%. The Paraprofessionals Unit agreement includes a total base wage increase of 1.9%, all of which fall within the parameters the Negotiation Committee was given.

Tuchtenhagen moved, Behnke seconded, to approve the 2012 agreements between the School District of River Falls and the WCEA-River Falls Secretarial Personnel Unit, WCEA-Custodial Unit, and WCEA-Paraprofessionals Unit. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Revised high school course scheduling

In May and June, the Board requested a timeline and updates to the present 2012-13 schedule at River Falls High School.  Additions to the timeline, RtI plan for 2012-13, class size enrollments and averages were made, and were presented by Dr. Elaine Baumann, Kit Luedtke, Rollie Hall, and Jackie Steinhoff.

Kenney moved, Gerczak seconded, to approve revised high school course scheduling as presented by Baumann. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

2012-14 Superintendent Contract

The Negotiation Committee met with Dr. Westerhaus to discuss his contract on August 13, 2012.  His current contract expired June 30, 2012.

Behnke moved, Tuchtenhagen seconded, to approve the 2012-14 Superintendent contract with Dr. Westerhaus. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Approve Superintendent’s Goals for 2012-13

The Superintendent has proposed 2012-13 goals as identified through the Strategic Plan and as identified in his 2012 evaluation. Superintendent Westerhaus reviewed the goals and action steps to achieve the goals.

Behnke moved, Kenney seconded, to approve the 2012-13 goals as presented by Superintendent Westerhaus. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Approve final application for high school band field trip

Preliminary approval for raising funds for a high school Marching Band trip to St. Louis, MO on October 19-21, 2012, was given at the February 20, 2012 Board meeting.

Behnke moved, Miller seconded, to approve the final application for the RFHS Marching Band trip to St. Louis, MO on October 19-21, 2012. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Proposed/suggested items for the next regular and future Board meeting agenda(s):

- School Report Cards (Ed Program)

- Forum for Assembly and Senate candidates before election or forum for elected officials post-election

- Monitoring of energy efficiency initiatives to inform future decisions (Business Affairs)

- Phy Ed course waiver for activities involvement (Ed Program)

FUTURE MEETINGS

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept 5, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Business Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 10, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

An Educational Program Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 10, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

An Academy Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 13, 2012, 7:00 pm at the Academy Building, 211 North Fremont St.

A Special Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 17, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Conference room, 818 Cemetery Road (bond sale).

A Special Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 17, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Conference room, 818 Cemetery Road (Annual meeting review).

A Regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 17, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Media Center, 818 Cemetery Road.

The Annual District meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 17, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. in the High School Media Center, 818 Cemetery Road.

SUPERINTENDENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Westerhaus reported on the Character Ed conference held on August 16 and 17, the upcoming Administrative retreat, STEP donations, and the School Zone ordinance. Smurawa provided an update on the audit for 2011-12. Johnson provided more details on the Administrative Retreat.

ADJOURNMENT

President Johnson Myers declared the meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m.

Barbara E. Kolpin, Clerk

(Pub. 09/27/12) WNAXLP

Tags: public notices, meetings, education, k12