RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, December 13, 2001
Regular Meeting (#49)
Middle School Library
8:00 p.m.

Board Members present: Anderson, Limmex, Pitts, Caraway, Nelson, Peach, Roske, Smith, Pronold
Board Members absent: None
Administrators present: Benson, Richardson, Wermuth, Hoffman, Mahoney, Kaukl, Palm-Leis, Golden
Others present: Dr. Tom Nelson, Scott Davis, Mike Christen, Willie Knaack, Ross Bogenschneider, Arron Sullivan, Jim Kloth, Andy Kureck, David Giffey (Home News), Paula Wedige (Administrative Assistant)

President Anderson opened the meeting. He noted that the meeting had been properly noticed and provided to the appropriate media and each School Board Member. Pitts moved to proceed with the legal meeting. Peach seconded. Motion carried.

Traffic and Safety Study (UW Platteville Students)
Three UW-Platteville students and their advisor outlined a traffic and safety study with proposals for improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety on the Spring Green campus, specifically at the crosswalk between the high school and middle school and in front of the Spring Green Elementary. Five options were outlined--one involved doing nothing, two involved improving the crosswalk area using either an additional crossing guard or additional signage, and two involved improving the car and bus congestion at the Spring Green Elementary using either an alternate pick up/drop off point for parents or creating a lane for buses only.

2000-01 Audit Report
Mahoney summarized the 2000-01 audit. Per the audit done by Virnig and Associates, the general purpose financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the River Valley School District as of June 30, 2001, and the results of its operations for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The combining financial statements and schedule have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the general purpose financial statements and, in the auditor’s opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the general purpose financial statements taken as a whole.

Board Training Opportunities
Nelson stated that the January WASB convention is coming up soon.

Set Policy Committee Meeting
A Policy Committee meeting was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, at the Central Office.

District Goals - Final Review
A final review of district goals resulted in a few additions pertaining to increased guidance for high school student career and post-secondary decisions and an increase in advanced placement course offerings. A final district goals document is available at the district central office.

Three-Year Budget Forecast
Mahoney projected a three-year budget forecast that includes a $850,000 deficit over the next three years ($150,000 in 2002-03; $300,000 in 2003-04; and $400,000 in 2004-05). Administration recommends we use fund balance to cover the $150,000 deficit in 2002-03 and continues to develop plans for forthcoming years.

Consent Agenda: Open Session Meeting Minutes: November 1 and 27, 2001; Checks, Invoices, Receipts from November 2001
Roske moved to approve the consent agenda items as submitted. Pitts seconded. Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Policy Committee Recommendations
The Policy Committee recommends eliminating the "honesty clause" from the Athletic Handbook, which allows for a student to report a violation (e.g. vandalism, battery, tobacco, theft, alcohol, drugs, etc.) within 48 hours which may result in having the suspension lessened because of honesty. Roske moved to eliminate the honesty clause from the Athletic Handbook. Pronold seconded. Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Budget/Maintenance/Transportation Committee Recommendations
The Budget/Maintenance/Transportation Committee recommends commencing negotiations with First Student in July 2002 to discuss terms of a possible renewal contract. We are exploring opportunities for cost savings and the financial interests of the district may be better served by negotiating a successor contract since a bid process could drive up costs. If negotiations do not come out favorable, the district could still implement a bid process. Limmex moved to proceed with negotiations with First Student in July 2002 to discuss terms of a possible renewal contract. Roske seconded. Limmex moved to amend the motion to commence discussions with First Student pertaining to terms for a possible renewal contract. Roske seconded the amended motion. Motion carried with Nelson abstaining.

Consideration & Action on WASB Convention Resolutions
Limmex moved to give Board support of the WASB Convention resolutions as proposed. Roske seconded. Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Appointment of Medical Advisor
Peach recommends the appointment of Kay Balink as the school district’s medical advisor. Pitts seconded. Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Ratification of Revised 2000-03 RVEST Negotiated Agreement
Pronold moved to approve the memorandum of understanding for revisions to the 2000-03 RVEST Negotiated Agreement, which includes the RVEST members receiving the same wage for 2001-02 as they did in 2000-01 and an hourly wage increase in 2002-03 of $.20 with the possibility of changing the drug card plan if the health insurance rates increase more than 15%. Savings from a rate increase less than 15% will go to the district up to $9,300. Savings beyond $9,300 will go to the RVEST for additional wage increases for 2002-03. Roske seconded. Motion carried with Limmex opposing.

Consideration & Action to Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 and 111.70 to discuss 2001-2003 RVEA Collective Bargaining Update and RVEST Collective Bargaining Update; and 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of preparing for the Superintendent Evaluation in January
Smith moved to adjourn to closed session at 9:42 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 and 111.70 to discuss 2001-2003 RVEA Collective Bargaining Update and RVEST Collective Bargaining Update; and 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of preparing for the Superintendent Evaluation in January. Limmex seconded. Polled vote was 9-0 in the affirmative. Motion carried.

Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk

08/22/06 pw