RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Regular Meeting
Middle School Library
7:00 p.m.                                                                      

Board: Nelson, Peach, Ferguson, Caraway, Roske, Pronold, Taylor, Cates (arrived 7:10 p.m.)
Absent:  Pitts
Admin: Benson, Hayek, Hoffman, Hegland, Radtke, Briehl, Palm-Leis
Others:  Sue Sadler, Herman Kaldenberg, Bev Smigielski, David Giffey (Home News), Aaron Joyce (WRCO), 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.   Roske moved to proceed with the legal meeting.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Legislative Update
Taylor shared information about the March 14 “Day at the Capitol.”  Governor Doyle proposed to provide two-thirds funding but to repeal the QEO.   

Board Training Opportunities
Nelson noted that WASB will be hosting gatherings around the state for new Board members.  The Region 10 gathering is on April 17 at Portage High School.  The Spring Academy for Leadership in Public School Governance will be held on May 5 at the DeForest Area Middle School.

Student Council Report
No report.

Virtual School Update
The virtual school committee met and discussed ideas and potential financial impact of implementing a new virtual school in River Valley.  There are presently four other options in the state for virtual schooling, and only nine River Valley students are currently attending a virtual school through open enrollment.  It was noted that it is important to create a “niche” to attract students when marketing a virtual school.  When asked about grant monies available, Roske noted that there are monies for charter schools, but not specific to virtual schools.

Academic Support Program for 4th and 5th Grade Students (2007-08)
While the district has services in place for K-3rd and 6th-12th at-risk students, a need for services for at-risk 4th and 5th grade students has been identified.  An estimate of $9,700 in special education monies will be spent annually for a program coordinator and a 10 hour per week support staff instructional assistant that will rotate between all four elementary schools. 

Public Comments/Open Forum
Herman Kaldenberg stated that he would like to see our district be on the front end of the virtual school revolution.

Benson reported that the recent need for 1.5 special education instructional assistants at the middle school has lessened to 1.0 since a high needs student has moved out of the district.  Coincidentally, the half time special education instructional assistant resigned, so no layoff is needed.

Consent Agenda:  Checks, Invoices, Receipts – February 2007; February 8, 2007, Minutes
Pronold moved to approve the consent agenda items as submitted.  Roske seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Revision to 2006-07 School Calendar
The conditions of the 2006-07 calendar state that the third cancellation date due to inclement weather during the school year will be made up with students and staff.  We now have had three cancellation dates, but the administration is recommending that students not attend an extra day of school at the end of the year, but instead cancel the “early release” that was to occur on June 8 and have students attend a full day on June 8.  Staff, however, would attend an additional day on Tuesday, June 12, as a combination inservice/workshop day.

Ferguson moved to cancel the early release for students on Friday, June 8, and have students attend a full day and to have staff attend an additional day on Tuesday, June 12.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Ratification of 2007-08 and 2008-09 School Calendars
Pronold moved to ratify the 2007-08 School Calendar.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.  No action was taken on a 2008-09 calendar.

Consideration & Action on Second Reading of New and Revised Policies
Roske moved to approve the second reading of Policy #347-Exhibit 2 – Request for Non-Disclosure of Student Directory Data.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Ferguson moved to approve the second reading of Policy #421-Rule – Guidelines for Early Admission to Kindergarten/First Grade.  Roske seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on CESA #3 Services Contract
Roske moved to approve the 2007-08 CESA #3 Services Contract at a cost of $62,791.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on CESA #5 Services Contract
Pronold moved to approve the 2007-08 CESA #5 Services Contract at a cost of $12,467.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Human Resources Specialist Retirement
Cates moved to approve the retirement of Marlene Carmody, Human Resources Specialist, effective April 27, 2007.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Resolution Accepting Gifts
Roske moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of five copies of the book, “Long Shadows: Veterans Paths to Peace,” compiled and edited by David Giffey, and five copies of a 30-minute DVD of the same name to River Valley High School from Veterans for Peace, Chapter 25, with a total value of $150.  Cates seconded.  Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with 1 absent.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action to Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(f) for the  purpose of contemplating a student bus suspension and deliberating and acting thereon; and 19.85(1)(c) for 2007-09 RVEA Collective Bargaining Update, 2007-09 RVEST Collective Bargaining Update, Discussion of Non-Union Support Staff Employee Severance Plan, Discussion of Open Enrollment Applications for 2007-08 School Year, and Discussion of Administrator Evaluations                   
Cates moved to adjourn to closed session at 8:45 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(f) for the  purpose of contemplating a student bus suspension and deliberating and acting thereon; and 19.85(1)(c) for 2007-09 RVEA Collective Bargaining Update, 2007-09 RVEST Collective Bargaining Update, Discussion of Non-Union Support Staff Employee Severance Plan, Discussion of Open Enrollment Applications for 2007-08 School Year, and Discussion of Administrator Evaluations.  Pronold seconded.  Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with 1 absent.  Motion carried.

The Board reconvened in open session at 10:20 p.m.

Consideration & Action on Non-Union Support Staff Employee Severance Plan
Roske moved to approve a severance plan payment of $5,000 to Marlene Carmody, upon her retirement after 30 years employment as a non-union support staff.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Open Enrollment Applications for 2007-08 School Year
Ferguson moved to approve 9 new open enrollment applications into the district and 33 new open enrollment applications out of the district for 2007-08.  Pronold seconded.  Motion carried.

Roske moved to adjourn at 10:25 p.m.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

 

Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk

05/11/07 pw