Board: Anderson,
Nelson, Pitts, Pronold, Taylor, Caraway, Roske, Limmex (arrived at 7:50 p.m.)
Absent: Peach
Admin:
Benson, Hoffman, Hayek, Kaukl, Briehl, Palm-Leis
Others: Todd Miller, Misty Fredrick, Mike Fredrick, Barb Ferguson, Jillene
Haas, Jeanene King, Cyndie Mark, Linda Kettner, Dan Kettner, Jamie Licht, Joyce
Portz, Joannie Harrington, Debbie Stafford, Bridget Roberts, Shari Graffunder,
Joanne Finn, Amy Peterson, Dee Swenson, Sue Sadler, Deb Miller, Jacky Graves,
Cindy Haag, Sister Paulynn Instenes, Jason Hollenberger, Jan Anderson, Mike
Miller, Tony Cavagnetto, Cindi Manske, Phil Manske, Julie Kuhse, Susan Kilmer,
Dawn Goers, Jamie Haas, David Giffey (Home News), Paula Wedige (Administrative
Assistant)
Anderson opened the meeting. He noted that the meeting had been properly noticed and notice had been provided to the appropriate media and each School Board Member. Pitts moved to proceed with the legal meeting. Taylor seconded. Motion carried.
Board Training
Opportunities
Nelson noted that the WASB Convention
is being held in Milwaukee next week. Taylor and
Pitts will be attending.
Legislative Update
Taylor noted that the WASB is
encouraging school board members and community members in Wisconsin to contact
Governor Doyle’s Education Policy Advisor to ask for the Governor’s support of
four education funding priorities: 1) Support a 2.5 percent increase in general
equalization aids; 2) Support an increase in special education categorical aid
to reimburse districts for 30 percent of their costs and provide an additional
$5 million for high-cost special education services; 3) Support a $21.1 million
increase in transportation aids to double the reimbursement rate for all
districts and to provide a higher rate for districts transporting the farthest;
and 4) Support increasing the current bilingual-bicultural aid program to
reimburse districts for 30 percent of their costs. Todd Miller noted there are
postcards available that can be sent to the Governor for the same purpose.
Miller also distributed a report from the “Institute for Wisconsin’s Future”
entitled “Exposing the Wisconsin “Tax Hell” Hoax: Why Spending Caps on State
and Local Government are Wrong for Wisconsin.
Student Council Report
No student council representatives
were present at the meeting.
Analysis of “Snowman” Bus
Route
It was noted that the “snowman” bus
route was reviewed by bus company management and school administration because
of long ride times. However, the decision was made by administration to not
change the route at this time.
Review Administrative
Recommendation for 2005-06 and 2006-07 Budget Cuts
The Board discussed an administrative
budget deficit proposal for 2005-06 and 2006-07. Benson noted that budget
deficit projections are based on the status quo state funding and that TABOR or
other legislative tax freeze measures could cause additional future deficits.
For 2005-06, administration reluctantly recommends $261,000 in program and
staffing cuts and the use of $247,960 from fund balance. The proposal for
2006-07 is to close an elementary school. Benson pointed out that it is
recommended that because of the reduction of one administrator in 2005-06, the
remaining elementary principal position be an elementary director overseeing all
four elementaries. In addition, new student enrollment and high special
education needs may require the hiring of an additional CD teacher at the high
school for 2005-06.
There were specific comments and questions on some items listed as proposed budget cuts. When asked about athletics, Benson noted that fees tripled for this year, the athletic budget was decreased by 10%, the majority of open enrollment applicants for this year stated that the threat of athletics was the reason for application, and the slight majority of respondents to a community survey said “don’t cut athletics.”
Administration is requesting that the Board take action at its February 10 meeting for 2005-06 budget deficit solutions and that future discussion will evolve around 2006-07 budget cuts, including debate over whether or not to close one elementary building.
Review of Policy #423 –
Public School Open Enrollment
This policy is reviewed annually prior
to the open enrollment application period. It was noted that there were no
recommended changes when reviewed by administration.
Consent Agenda: Checks,
Invoices, Receipts – December 2004; Open Session Meeting Minutes – December 6,
2004
Roske moved to approve the consent
agenda items as submitted. Pitts seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Ad Hoc School Forest Committee
Recommendation
The Committee recommends the sale of
parcel #16, split into four lots, of the Lone Rock School Forest #4 at $10,000
per lot. Administration requests the use of a local real estate agency for the
sale of these lots. Limmex moved to give administration the authority to work
with a local real estate agency to sell parcel #16, split into four lots, of the
Lone Rock School Forest #4 at $10,000
per lot. Pronold seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Resolutions Accepting Gifts
Taylor moved to adopt five separate
Resolutions Accepting Gifts for a total of $1,100 to be deposited in Fund 21 to
be used by needy students and their families as follows: 1) $100 from James and
Kelly Phelps; 2) $100 from Derrick and Janet Gee; $500 from Keith and Mary
Louise Symon; $300 from Big Hollow Bears 4-H Club; and $100 from Vi Finet.
Roske seconded. Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with 1 absent. Motion
carried.
Consideration & Action
on WASB Convention Resolutions
Pitts moved to direct Taylor to vote
as she sees fit while attending the convention as the Board’s delegate. Roske
seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action to
Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c)
for 2005-07 RVEA Collective Bargaining Update and Superintendent Performance
Evaluation
Roske moved to adjourn to closed
session at 9:00 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin
Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for 2005-07 RVEA
Collective Bargaining Update and Superintendent Performance Evaluation. Caraway
seconded. Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with 1 absent. Motion
carried.
Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk
03/10/08 pw