RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT: 9/17/12 Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes

September 17, 2012

The regularly scheduled meeting of the River Falls Board of Education was called to order on Monday, September 17, 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, 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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/RECOGNITION

High School Seniors Shaleen Ziriax, Joellen Turner and Tabitha Toland volunteered their service during the accident on Cemetery Road outside the High School on September 11th.

Greenwood Teacher Anne Rasmussen provided assistance with the Middle School student during the recent bus accident.

HEARING OF VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS – none.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Johnson Myers reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda. Behnke moved, seconded by Miller, 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 special Board meeting of August 20, 2012, and the regular Board meeting of August 20, 2012 were approved.

Checks numbered 155198 through 155576 had been prepared in the amount of $1,294,945.98, and there were automatic transfers of $411,071.81, $11,750.76, and $466,286.41 for a total of $2,184,054.96. Checks numbered 155466 and 155467 were voided.

Pursuant to Board Policy which references Wisconsin Statutes Sections 111, 118, and 121, approval of the following employment recommendations: 1) request from Shelly Vold, full-time Grade 6 Language Arts Teacher at Meyer Middle School, for a full-time family and medical leave of absence effective approximately October 22, 2012 through January 3, 2013; 2) request from Olin Morrison, full-time School Counselor at Greenwood Elementary School, for a full-time family and medical leave of absence effective approximately September 19-26, 2012; 3) employment of Julie Roundtree as full-time Emotional Behavioral Disabilities Teacher at River Falls High School effective August 27, 2012 (replaces Sarah Minderman). Ms. Roundtree earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She has four years of teaching experience (two years in Goodhue, MN, and two years in Red Wing, MN). Her salary will be based on the fifth step on the BA+22 column on the salary schedule; 4) employment of Pamela McCabe as full-time School Counselor at Westside Elementary School effective August 27, 2012 (replaces Dudley Zhe). Ms. McCabe earned her Bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University, and Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She has seven years of experience (one year in Hastings, MN, and seven years in St. Paul, MN). Her salary will be based on the sixth step on the MA column on the salary schedule; 6) employment of Kelly Vetterkind as full-time Math Teacher at River Falls High School effective August 27, 2012 (replaces James Day). Ms. Vetterkind 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; 7) employment of Jacqueline Hughes as one year full-time long-term substitute Library Media Specialist effective August 27, 2012 through June 7, 2013 (replaces Darrell Anderson); 8) the one year temporary full-time reassignment of Darrell Anderson from full-time Library Media Specialist at Westside Elementary School to Teacher on Special Assignment—Educational Technology Support, effective August 27, 2012 through June 7, 2013; 9) employment of Daniel Nelson as Summer School Principal effective July 9-19, 2012; 10) placement of the following certified teachers on the substitute teacher list: George Baumgartner (Math, grades 7-12), Sue Covill (Elementary, kindergarten-grade 8), Marquita Erickson (Art, grades 7-12; Learning Disabilities, grades 7-12; Math, grades 7-12), Janet Hanson (Vocal Music, prekindergarten-grade 12), Bonnie Lynn (Learning Disabilities, grades 7-12), Laurie Moyer (School Counselor, prekindergarten-grade 12), Judi Simmer (Cognitive Disabilities, grades 7-12).

Accepted the reports and recommendations from the Building Committee from Wednesday, September 5, 2012, as follows: received updates on Architect and Construction Manager project progress.

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Business Affairs Committee from Monday, September 10, 2012, as follows: reviewed Annual Meeting information, and recommended the board approve 2013-14 Facility Rates increase in Policy 830-Rule and rounding up proposed numbers to the nearest $5.00 (removed to Action Agenda A1).

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Educational Program Committee from Monday, September 10, 2012, as follows: reviewed ACT results, received information on the DPI Report Card, and recommended the board approve the first reading of Policy 363.5-Bring Your Own Device (removed to Action Agenda A2).

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Citizen’s Academy Advisory Committee from Thursday, September 13, 2012, as follows: toured the Academy Building, reviewed existing partnerships, established an activity/timeline calendar, and reviewed reports on Legal parameters, Historical Society, and Kraus-Anderson.

ACTION/DISCUSSION AGENDA

Pulled Consent Agenda Items:

Policy 830-Rule, Guidelines and Procedures for Use of District Facilities, Grounds and Equipment (from Consent Agenda D3)

Kenney moved, seconded by Kolpin to approve the first reading of Policy 830-Rule, increasing the 2013-14 Facility Rates and rounding up the proposed fees to the nearest $5.00. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Policy 363.5 Bring Your Own Device (from Consent Agenda D6)

Tuchtenhagen moved, seconded by Gerczak to approve the first reading of Policy 363.5, Bring Your Own Device. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Policy second readings

The first reading of policy 812 Community Education was approved at the August 20, 2012 Board meeting. Kenney moved, seconded by Tuchtenhagen to approve the second reading of policy 812, Community Education. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

The first reading of policy 363.2-Rule, Internet Safety and Acceptable Use was approved at the September 20, 2010 Board meeting but inadvertently was never approved for its second reading. Tuchtenhagen moved, seconded by Kolpin to approve the second reading of policy 363.2-Rule, Internet Safety and Acceptable Use. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Building Construction Update

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

* Rocky Branch and High School complete. Punch list 95% finished. Balancing/Commissioning HVAC continuing.

* Bus garage interior complete. Building addition to be complete mid October.

* Expect to carry forward $150,000+ savings from current work to next year.

* MMS Air Conditioning: Committee consensus to plan and design for future air conditioning. A VAV energy efficient system is preferred. Price could be $1.2 million plus. Revisit after all bids received spring 2013.

* Schedule for MMS, WS and GW:

Meyer MS

CD estimate set to KA 10/1/12

CD issue set to KA 10/12/12

Bid date 11/13/12

Building committee approval 12/12/12

_________________________________

Westside ES

CD estimate set to KA 11/2/12

CD issue set to KA 11/13/12

Bid date 12/18/12

Building committee approval 1/16/13

___________________________

Greenwood ES

CD estimate set to KA 12/7/12

CD issue set to KA 12/21/12

Bid date 1/29/13

Building committee approval 2/13/13

Work begins early May 2013 for boiler removal MMS and additions at GW and WS. Work will not disrupt educational programs. Next committee meeting Oct. 10 to review MMS documents and city comments (hopefully approval) exterior WS, RB and GW.

WASB Board of Directors

Barb Kolpin has agreed to be a candidate for Region 4’s WASB Board of Directors. The district must cast a single vote at the September 26th WASB Regional meeting in Menomonie. Gerczak moved, seconded by Tuchtenhagen to approve a unanimous ballot in support of Barb Kolpin for the position of WASB candidate for Board of Directors. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Motion by Tuchtenhagen to authorize Stacy Johnson Myers to appoint a Board Rep to vote for Barb Kolpin on behalf of the School District of River Falls, seconded by Behnke. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).

Future Meetings

An Education Program Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct 1, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Business Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct 8, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Personnel Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct 8, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct 10, 2012 at 3:00 pm in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct 15, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Citizen’s Academy Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct 18, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Board/Cabinet Retreat is scheduled for Monday, November 5, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

Superintendent and Administrative Reports

Superintendent Westerhaus provided an update on pertussis/ whooping cough in the district, and the Friday, September 14th ruling by Dane County Judge Colas that many of the Act 10 provisions for school and municipal employees were unconstitutional.

Adjournment

President Johnson Myers declared the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Barbara E. Kolpin, Clerk

(Pub. 11/01/12) WNAXLP

Tags: public notices, meetings, education, k12