RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Regular Meeting
Middle School Library
7:00 p.m.
Board: Crowley, Taylor,
Pronold, Cates, Caraway, Nelson, Cummings, Ferguson
Absent: Peach
Admin: Benson, Hayek, Kaukl, Radtke, Hegland
Others: Linda Kettner, Jamie Haas, David Giffey (Home News), Paula Wedige
(Administrative Assistant)
President Caraway 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. Crowley moved to proceed with the legal meeting. Cates seconded. Motion carried.
Legislative Update
Taylor provided an update noting that
Senator Dale Schultz is now on the bandwagon to do something with school
funding. Governor Doyle used his line item veto to eliminate the proposed $125
million increase in delayed general school aid payments. He also eliminated the
provision that would have protected general and categorical aids from any cuts
as the state seeks to close its $652 million budget deficit for the 2007-09
biennium. The final budget adjustment bill also includes a policy item that
will allow districts currently phasing in four-year-old kindergarten programs to
have until the 2013-14 school year to make them universal as opposed to the
September 1, 2008, cut off date required by the state superintendent.
Board Training
Opportunities
Nelson noted a July 18 and 19
conference for Presidents and Vice Presidents. The WASB Convention will be held
in Milwaukee in January.
2008-09 Event Dates
The following event dates have been
set for 2008-09: Homecoming/School Fair, Friday, October 3, 2008; Scholarship
Awards Night, Wednesday, May 20, 2009; and High School Graduation, Friday, May
29, 2009.
Youth Risk Behavior
Survey
Two student surveys will be conducted
in the fall to gain information on healthy and unhealthy choices being made by
students. One survey will be for 6th-8th grade students
and one for 9th-12th grade students. The surveys will be
created by pulling questions from a list of potential questions provided by the
DPI. Some sensitive questions will be included in the survey (regarding alcohol
and drug use, sexual activity, suicide ideation, etc.) and a parent letter will
be sent home in advance of the survey.
Teacher of Deaf/Hard of
Hearing to Replace Two Vacated Positions
A new position of Teacher of Deaf/Hard
of Hearing will be created using funds from two vacated positions—Teacher
Assistant with Signing Skills and Signing Interpreter—that will not be replaced
due to changes in student needs, enrollment, and overall program changes.
Public Comments/Open
Forum
There were several comments regarding
the district’s role in the recent relief efforts for flood victims in our area
and the cancellation of the last days of school. Board members commended
administration and staff on their response to the flooding.
Consent Agenda: Checks,
Invoices, Receipts – May 2008; Open Session Meeting Minutes – May 12, 2008
Taylor moved to approve the consent
agenda items as submitted. Crowley seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Multiage Classroom Model at Elementary Schools to Include SAGE Compliance and
Possibly Hiring Additional Staff
Pronold moved to approve the
administrative recommendation to utilize one teacher from grade 2 and one from
grade 3 at Spring Green Elementary to have two multiage classrooms for grades 2
and 3 for 2008-09 and to move forward with a special needs assistant layoff and
hire an instructional assistant to work in these two multiage classrooms. Cates
seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Board Committee Assignments
Ferguson moved to approve the Board
committee assignments as proposed by President Caraway with no changes from last
year. Crowley seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Resolution Accepting Teacher Resignation
Taylor moved to adopt the Resolution
Accepting Teacher Resignation for Jacob Gehrke, 8th Grade Math
Teacher. Cummings seconded. Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with 1
absent. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Budget Committee Recommendations
The Budget Committee recommended a 25
cent per meal lunch price increase. Cates moved to approve lunch prices for
2008-09 as follows: K-5, $2.50; 6-12, $2.75; and adult, $3.50. Taylor
seconded. Motion carried.
The Budget Committee recommended a pavement project which includes the Spring Green Elementary circle drive pavement removal and replacement. Crowley moved to approve the pavement removal and replacement at Spring Green Elementary circle drive at a cost of $33,212. Taylor seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Resolutions Accepting Gifts
Taylor moved to adopt the Resolution
Accepting Gifts of 5 Gateway Laptops from the United States Department of
Agriculture to the district technology department valued at $1,520 each for a
total value of $7,600. Pronold seconded. Polled vote was 8-0 in the
affirmative with 1 absent. Motion carried.
Cates moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of $75.00 to Fund 21 from Sue Quale for the Creative Kids Lighthouse Summer Workshop. Ferguson seconded. Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with 1 absent. Motion carried.
Crowley moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of electrodes valued at $400 from Ed Jedlicka to the high school tech. ed. department. Cummings seconded. Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with 1 absent. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Adoption of Student Handbooks
Changes to the middle school student
handbook were outlined to include detailed language additions under the dress
code section. Crowley moved to adopt changes to the middle school student
handbook. Taylor seconded. Motion carried.
Changes to the elementary student handbook were outlined to include the addition of AODA policies. Pronold moved to adopt changes to the elementary student handbook. Crowley seconded. Motion carried.
Changes to the high school student handbook were outlined to include reference to Wisconsin Comprehensive Counseling Guidelines. Pronold moved to adopt changes to the high school student handbook. Cates seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action to
Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for
Discussion of Administrator Contracts
Taylor moved to adjourn to closed
session at 8:45 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for Discussion
of Administrator Contracts. Crowley seconded. Polled vote was 8-0 in the
affirmative with 1 absent. Motion carried.
Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk
07/10/08 pw