RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, January 11, 2001
Regular Meeting (#28)
Middle School Library
8:00 p.m.

Board Members present: Caraway, Peach, Nelson, Pitts, Limmex, Murphy, Anderson, Rademaekers (arrived 8:04 p.m.), Smith (arrived 9:10 p.m.)

Administrators present: Benson, Mahoney, Larson, Palm-Leis, Hoffman, Golden

Others present: Jeanne Patenaude, Lynn Breunig, Carolyn Zignago, Karen Coyle, 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. Murphy seconded. Motion carried.

Social Worker and School Nurse Progress and Update
Jeanne Patenaude, school nurse, talked in support of the district’s decision to have a social worker. While Patenaude deals with students’ health concerns, she finds that some parents don’t have the ability, finances, knowledge, etc. needed to help their children. Lynn Breunig, district social worker, noted that she is currently involved with 25 families in the district to help find resources for food, clothing, and shelter and to work on parenting skills and problems interfering with children learning. She added that it is a pleasure to work in such a proactive district.

Renaissance Program – Community Service Recognition
High school English teacher Karen Coyle spoke of the community service program (Renaissance) at the high school. Students who perform a certain number of hours of community service during their high school careers will wear a gold medallion at graduation and have a seal placed on their diplomas. About 90 students have been involved in the program since April. Benson thanked Coyle for her time and effort given for this program.

Overview of K-12 Planet Software - Student Records Software Program
Hoffman described a software program that would allow parents to access students records via the Internet. The middle school wants to do a pilot project yet this school year. The software is part of current software already used by the middle school to record grades, attendance, etc. for students and would not cost anything. Security is top priority--parents would choose a security code only they know. Before the program would be used, there are some policies that need to go through the Policy Committee.

Board Representation on Elementary Principal Screening Committee
Anderson, Peach, and Pitts expressed interest in serving on the elementary principal screening committee that will screen applications and choose applicants to interview. The full Board will interview applicants in closed session on February 19 and 20. The agenda for the Board’s special meeting on February 22 will include hiring a new elementary principal for Arena, Lone Rock, and Plain.

Consent Agenda - Checks, Invoices, Receipts from December 2000; Minutes of Special Meeting – Open Session, December 7, 2000; Minutes of Regular Meeting – Open Session, December 14, 2000
Peach moved to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Pitts seconded. Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Budget/Maintenance/Transportation Committee Recommendations
The Budget Committee recommends the approval of a proposal from the high school student council for a new high school sign, signs directing visitors to the Spring Green schools, and an etching of a hawk on the east wall of the high school. The estimated cost of the project is $5,000. Mahoney stated that there is $78,000 left from the high school bond and that it must be spent by May 4, 2001. Remaining dollars would be used to offset the tax levy. Limmex moved to approve the proposal for a new high school sign, direction signs, and etching of a hawk at the high school. Murphy seconded. Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Policy Committee Recommendations
Peach moved to approve the first reading of Policy #722.3-Rule - Procedure To Be Followed For Emergency Conditions to include language that states that if late buses are cancelled, then all after school activities and practices will also be cancelled. Murphy seconded. Motion carried.

The Policy Committee is in favor of the middle school K-12 Planet project and will discuss related policies prior to the start of the pilot project. The Committee will also further discuss policies related to graduation requirements and 4^th and 8^th grade promotion at its next meeting on February 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Consideration & Action on WASB Convention Resolutions
The Board asked Pitts, as their delegate, to use his discretion when voting on resolutions at the WASB convention.

Smith arrived at 9:10 p.m.

Consideration & Action to Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 and 111.70 to discuss 2001-2003 RVEA Collective Bargaining; and 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of conducting the Superintendent’s Evaluation and discussing administrator performance evaluations
Peach moved to adjourn to closed session at 9:11 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 and 111.70 to discuss 2001-2003 RVEA Collective Bargaining; and 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of conducting the Superintendent’s Evaluation and discussing administrator performance evaluations. Rademaekers 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