RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT: 10/15/12 Meeting Minutes

Board of Education Regular Meeting - October 15, 2012

The regularly scheduled meeting of the River Falls Board of Education was called to order on Monday, October 15, 2012, at 7:00 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, Treasurer Manville Kenney, and members Rich Gerczak, Mike Miller, and Maura Watson were present. Board member Barbara Kolpin arrived at 7:20 p.m. Also present were Superintendent Tom Westerhaus, Finance and Facilities Director Chad Smurawa, Director of Academic Services Mike Johnson, and Director of Personnel Donna Hill. Board members Dennis Behnke and Alan Tuchtenhagen were absent.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/RECOGNITION

Brian Pechacek was recognized for volunteering his time to clear debris and the old, broken-down environmental center from the School Forest property this past summer;

Ann Dusek, District Secretary, was recognized for her knowledge and attention to detail of the State Open Enrollment program;

Assistant High School Principal Rollie Hall will be among 19 inductees in the 33rd enshrinement into the WFCA Hall of Fame on March 23, 2013;

Karen Sizemore and Debbi Verburg are recipients of a $5000 Student Achievement Grant from the NEA Foundation; and

Teacher Barb Anderson presented a spotlight on the Lead 21 reading program recently adopted and implemented for elementary students.

HEARING OF VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS – none.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Johnson Myers reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda. Kenney moved, seconded by Miller, that the Board approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). The Consent Agenda included the following items:

The minutes from the Special 6:00pm Board meeting of September 17, 2012, the Special 6:30pm Board meeting of September 17, 2012, the Regular Board meeting of September 17, 2012, and the Annual District meeting of September 17, 2012, were approved.

Checks numbered 155577 through 156078 had been prepared in the amount of $913,022.62, and there were auto-matic transfers of $449,975.42, $433,134.66 and $9,125.85 for a total of $1,860,258.55. Checks numbered 155943/4, 155903 and 155814-155817 were voided.

Pursuant to Board Policy which references Wisconsin Statutes Sections 111, 118, and 121, approval of the following employment recommendations: 1) a request from Sara Liesener, full-time School Psychologist at Meyer Middle School, for a full-time family and medical leave of absence effective approximately January 28, 2013 through April 29, 2013; 2) increased employment of Christine Engel from part-time (44%) to part-time (72%) Spanish Teacher at River Falls High School effective August 27, 2012 (reflects 28% increase due to scheduling needs); and 3) placement of the following certified teachers on the substitute teacher list: Becky McAleavey (Elementary, prekindergarten-grade 8), and Elizabeth Read (Regular Education, Early Childhood-Middle Childhood, birth-age 11).

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Business Affairs Committee from Monday, October 8, 2012, as follows: recommended approving a bus purchase from Nelson Bus Service for a Rear Engine Bus in the amount of $106,279.00; recommended approval of the first reading of revised policies 611 Fiscal Management, 671.2 Expense Reimbursement, and 830 Use of School District Facilities, Grounds, and Equipment (removed to Action Agenda Item A1).

Accepted the report and recommendations from the Educational Program Committee from Monday, October 8, 2012, as follows: recommended approval of French 1; heard a presentation on special education initiatives; recommended approval of adjustments made to the master schedule as presented to enable improvements for RtI, achievement and flexibility; and reviewed the upcoming DPI report cards to be released October 22nd for all schools in the State.

Accepted the reports and recommendations from the Building Committee from Wednesday, October 10, 2012, as follows: recommended approval of the Summer 2013 Construction Management Fee; and received updates on Architect and Construction Manager Project progress.

ACTION/DISCUSSION AGENDA

Pulled Consent Agenda Items:

Kenney moved, seconded by Gerczak to approve the first reading of revised policy 611 Fiscal Management. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Miller moved, seconded by Kenney to approve the first reading of revised policy 671.2 Expense Reimbursement. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Kenney moved, seconded by Kolpin to approve the first reading of revised policy 830 Use of School District Facilities, Grounds, and Equipment. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Approve Select High School Courses

New course offerings were brought to the October 8th, Educational Program Committee meeting for approval, but more information was requested prior to approval. RFHS Principal Baumann presented information on all proposed course additions for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years.

Kolpin moved, seconded by Miller to approve the new course offering of AP Biology. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Kolpin moved, seconded by Kenney to approve the new course offering of AP Chemistry. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Miller moved, seconded by Gerczak to approve the new course offering of Vietnam War History. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Kolpin moved, seconded by Miller to approve the new course offering of Television Broadcasting. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Gerczak moved, seconded by Miller to approve the new course offering of Computer Programming II. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Kolpin moved, seconded by Kenney to approve the new course offering of Family and Consumer Survey (Exploratory). Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Policy 2nd Readings

Kolpin moved, seconded by Gerczak to approve the second reading of revised policy 830-Rule, Guidelines and Procedures for Use of District Facilities, Grounds and Equipment. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

Gerczak moved, seconded by Miller to approve the second reading of revised policy 353.5 Bring Your Own Device. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

2012-13 Tax Levy

The Board of Education reviewed the proposed annual tax levy for the 2012-13 budget year. Director of Finance Smurawa reviewed the proposed levy and rationale for the tax levy decrease of 1.8% for the coming year in the amount of $17,576,603.00. Kolpin moved, seconded by Kenney to approve the tax levy for 2012-13 as presented by Smurawa. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). (A copy is attached to these minutes).

Deputy Election Clerk

Kenney moved, seconded by Kolpin, to appoint Darlene MacBride, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, as the Deputy Election Clerk for the 2013 school board elections. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).

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 lists complete. Testing and Balancing HVAC continuing with changeover to heating season.

• Bus garage interior complete. Working on punch list for Building addition.

• Closing out 2012 projects. Expecting $175,000+ under budget to carry forward to 2013 projects.

• ATS&R posted the Meyer MS Alterations project drawings and specifications to Kraus Anderson on Oct. 12 for the Construction Management General Conditions and bid specifications.

• Kraus Anderson intends to issue the project for bids this week. Bids are due to KA on November 13.

• Committee has approved construction supervision for 2013 including a May 1 start date. KA will provide a supervisor at each site (MMS, GW and WS). This is an additional 5 months supervision and will be handled within budget.

• Plans have been submitted to the City of River Falls regarding driveway entries, parking, bus and parent drop off at Greenwood, Westside and Rocky Branch. Awaiting response.

• Next committee meetings are Oct. 24 to review city comments (hopefully approval) exterior WS, RB and GW and Nov. 14 to approve bids for MMS.

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

Ed Program Committee – Bullying policy, and review procedure for course development.

Future Meetings

An Academy Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

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

A Personnel Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 19, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

A Joint Board of Education/Community Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 29, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the District Administrative Office Building, 852 East Division.

Superintendent and Administrative Reports

Westerhaus provided updates on the WASDA Drive-In meeting and ACT 10; Johnson discussed the School Report Card and AdvanceEd presentations in the buildings; Smurawa reviewed the Building Bond sale, and Hill gave updates on Teacher Compensation, Alternative Compensatory Educator Effectiveness.

ADJOURNMENT

President Johnson Myers declared the meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.

Barbara E. Kolpin, Clerk

(Pub. 11/29/12) WNAXLP

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