RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Regular Meeting
Middle School Library
7:30 p.m.
Board: Nelson, Pitts,
Taylor, Peach, Caraway, Limmex, Anderson, Roske, Pronold
Absent: N/A
Admin: Benson, Hayek, Briehl, Kaukl, Hoffman, Palm-Leis
Others: Todd Miller, Eileen Roeder, David Roeder, Andy Ringelstetter, Jody
Noble, Mary Lampman, Herman Kaldenberg, Tim Harrington, Sue Sadler, Jill Reimann,
Amanda Reimann, Eric Ferguson, Julie Fleming, Kayla Fleming, Deb Miller, Nikki
Henkel, Lisa Roelke, David Giffey (Home News), Paula Wedige (Secretary)
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. Roske seconded. Motion carried.
Benson noted that this would be the last meeting for Board members Anderson and Limmex since their terms are expiring at the end of April. Benson thanked Anderson for his 12 years and Limmex for his 9 years serving on the Board.
Referendum Update
The referendum passed and the final
tally, after the recount, was 1,700 “yes” and 1,660 “no.” Some background was
given regarding the earlier reporting of unofficial referendum election
results. A verbal miscommunication incorrectly reported ward 1 of Town of
Spring Green as receiving only 85 “yes” votes. The actual number, confirmed at
the official canvassing meeting and later by the recount, was 185 “yes” votes
for this ward. Therefore, an unofficial tally on the night of the election
showed that the referendum had failed when actually it had passed. Benson
emphasized the importance of honesty, integrity, and trust and the need to
alleviate any shadow of mistrust regarding the referendum election and that the
final recount may solidify the results. He thanked Clerk Deb Nelson and
volunteer community members Warren Hoyer and Marsha Grant for their time and
excellent work during this time-consuming and laborious recount process.
Benson noted that the passage of the referendum avoids critical action by the Board. He thanked the community for its investment in kids, schools, and the River Valley area communities. Anderson asked those present to keep pressure on Madison regarding the school funding problem. Langer responded that it is a management problem and a union problem.
Legislative Update
Taylor reported that a listening
session in Lone Rock with Senator Schultz did not provide any new information on
school funding. Schultz felt that southwestern Wisconsin schools were doing
well since they are passing referendums. Those in attendance discussed the idea
of higher sales tax as a way to fund schools. Schultz responded that there will
be no new taxes.
Benson expressed his desire for us to take advantage of the public’s awareness regarding school funding problems and to work together as a community and with other districts to continue to push Madison (legislators) for changes. Langer asked that the Board work with the “No” people. Anderson responded to Langer by asking him to work toward legal and positive efforts for change.
Harrington expressed his desire for the community to work simultaneously with the district but doesn’t believe it should be a joint venture. He doesn’t want community groups speaking for the district and vice versa.
Board Training
Opportunities
Nelson asked Board members to watch
their mail for upcoming training sessions for new Board members.
Student Council Report
No report.
Board Members to Hand Out
Diplomas at Graduation – June 2, 2006
Kaukl noted that all Board members are
welcome to be on stage for graduation. Those interested in handing out diplomas
should contact Kaukl.
Review 2005-06 School
Year Calendar
Benson noted that there were three
days of school cancelled due to bad weather during this 2005-06 school year.
Normally students would make up the third day at the end of the school year as
an instructional day. After discussion of the potential savings of $4,000 in
transportation costs and the confirmation that state required instructional
minutes would still be met, the Board agreed to not have an additional
instructional day added to the calendar. Instead, students will report to
school for the entire day on May 3, which was originally scheduled as a delayed
start. Staff, however, will report for an additional work day at the end of the
school year. The general consensus by the Board was that this additional day
would be a district-planned inservice day for staff.
Review Date of May
Regular Board Meeting
Because of scheduling conflicts, the
Board changed the date of the May regular meeting to Monday, May 8. (The
meeting was subsequently rescheduled to May 15.)
Consent Agenda: Checks,
Invoices, Receipts – March 2006; Open Session Meeting Minutes – February 8, 2006
Roske moved to approve the consent
agenda items as submitted. Peach seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Second Reading of New and Revised Policies
Roske
moved to approve the second reading of Policy #342.2 – Gifted and Talented
Program with minor revisions as a result of state technology plan requirements.
Taylor seconded. Motion carried.
Pitts moved to approve the second reading of Policy #361 (Rule) – Selection Guidelines with minor revisions as a result of state technology plan requirements. Roske seconded. Motion carried.
Roske moved to approve the second reading of Policy #362.1 – Interlibrary Loan of Materials which is a new policy as a result of our state required technology plan requirements. Pitts seconded. Motion carried.
Taylor moved to approve the second reading of Policy #362.2 – Fines, Loss, or Damage to Materials which is a new policy as a result of our state required technology plan requirements. Pitts seconded. Motion carried.
Pronold moved to approve the second reading of Policy #362.3 – Disposal of Library Instructional Materials which is a new policy as a result of our state required technology plan requirements. Caraway seconded. Motion carried.
Peach moved to approve the annual review of Policy #423-Public School Open Enrollment and #423-Rule. Taylor seconded. Motion carried.
Peach moved to approve the second reading of Policy #452.4-Rule - Procedure for Administering Medications to Students at School with revisions to adhere to a change in the law which no longer allows verbal permission for students to receive acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Caraway seconded. Motion carried.
Peach moved to approve the second reading of Policy #480 – Class Fund Disposition with revisions to allow up to $300 of unspent money remaining in a class account to be placed in a private checking account for future class reunion expenditures. Roske seconded. Motion carried.
Caraway moved to approve the second reading of Policy #763 - Wellness Policy on Nutrition and Physical Activity which is a new wellness policy required by federal law. Peach seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Resolutions Accepting Gifts
Peach moved to adopt the Resolution
Accepting Gifts of $2,600 from the Spring Green Lions Club to the middle school
athletics program. Limmex seconded. Polled vote was 9-0 in the affirmative.
Motion carried.
Roske moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of defibrillators and cabinets from the Plain and Spring Green Lion’s Clubs and the Plain, Arena, and Spring Green PTO groups valued at $5,610. Peach seconded. Polled vote was 9-0 in the affirmative. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Resolution Accepting Teacher Resignation
Limmex moved to adopt the Resolution
Accepting Teacher Resignation of Melissa Maas effective at the end of the
2005-06 school year. Pronold seconded. Polled vote was 9-0 in the
affirmative. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
WIAA Agreement for Joining Hockey Co-op
Peach moved to approve a two-year WIAA
agreement for joining a four-team hockey co-op with area schools at no cost to
the district. Roske seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant Application
Phy ed. teachers Nikki Henkel and Lisa
Roelke outlined the details of a grant for the phy. ed. department for a
possible total of $800,000 over three years. Roske moved to approve application
for a PEP grant. Peach 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; 2005-07 RVEST Collective Bargaining Update;
and Discussion of Administrator Evaluations and Contracts
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; 2005-07 RVEST Collective Bargaining Update; and
Discussion of Administrator Evaluations and Contracts. Peach seconded. Polled
vote was 9-0 in the affirmative. Motion carried.
Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk
03/10/08 pw