RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Regular Meeting
Middle School Library
7:30 p.m.                                                                                                               

Board: Nelson, Taylor, Peach, Pitts, Cates, Ferguson, Caraway
Absent:  Roske, Pronold
Admin: Benson, Hayek, Palm-Leis, Kaukl, Briehl, Hegland, Radtke, Hoffman
Others:  Chief Wilkins, Officer Kurek, Officer Havlik, Todd Miller, Colleen McQuade, Wanda Esch, Dennis Crowley, Aaron Joyce (WRCO), David Giffey (Home News), Paula Wedige (Secretary) 

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.   Cates moved to proceed with the legal meeting.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Legislative Update
Taylor noted that there currently is a nationwide effort to promote a “Safe Routes to School” initiative.  The program encourages kids to walk or bike to school and works with districts to ensure safe transportation routes.  Hegland recently attended a workshop regarding this topic.

Board Training Opportunities
A video conference regarding bargaining goals will be aired by WASB on November 15 and 16.  Taylor, Caraway, and Nelson will be attending the WASB Convention in Milwaukee in January.

Student Council Report
No discussion.

Public Comments/Open Forum
Todd Miller asked if comments would be allowed on action items.  Caraway noted that they would.

Consent Agenda:  Checks, Invoices, Receipts – October 2006
Taylor moved to approve the consent agenda items as submitted.  Pitts seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Budget Committee Recommendations
The Budget Committee recommends the increase of the elementary guidance counselor position from 80% to 100% and the reinstatement of a Police School Liaison Officer (PSLO) in the district for 20 hours per week.  Pitts moved to approve a 20-hour PSLO at an annual cost of $8,640.  Cates seconded.

Todd Miller stated that while he has no reservations about the quality of service we would receive from Officer Kurek from the Village of Spring Green Police Department as the PSLO, he is concerned about the financial implications to the district.  He feels the Village of Spring Green should fund the PSLO since this service could be funded by an outside agency, unlike other prior budget cuts (such as libraries, technology, maintenance, administrative costs, late buses, and teaching staff) that would have to be funded by the district in the event of reinstatement.  Taylor suggested that costs could be shared across all four villages since the PSLO would serve students in the entire district and all villages would reap the benefits.  Wilkinson reiterated that the district would receive a well trained officer while only paying for a part time position.  Currently, the Village of Spring Green budget and time constraints of the current police force limit this type of arrangement.

Benson noted that for the administration, safety is the number one priority.  After continued discussion of the benefits of this position vs. the financial implications, Pitts amended the motion to include education of the public on PSLO duties and to seek support from all four villages, either financial or other.  Cates seconded the amendment.  Motion carried.

Ferguson moved to increase the elementary guidance position to 100% at a cost of $8,300.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on District Goals - Final Review and Acknowledgement
Taylor moved to adopt the district goals for 2006-07 as follows:  1) Create new and different learning opportunities for all students and staff; 2) Examine instructional methods and resources to increase innovation in how we teach student Reading/Literacy Skills (K-12); and 3) In accordance with state law, River Valley School District will utilize the contract negotiations process to work with RVEA and RVEST to seek a more cost effective health insurance program.  Pitts seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on First Reading of New and Revised Policies
Taylor was elected by the Policy Committee to serve as chairperson.

Pitts moved to approve the first reading of Policy #151.2 – Policy Dissemination to keep only one hard copy of the Policy Manual in the central office and maintain the policies on our district website with notification of changes sent to Board members, administrators, school staff, RVEST and RVEA Presidents, School District Legal Counsel, WASB Office, and the Spring Green Police Department and to delete Policy #151.2-Exhibit – Official Board Policy Manual Locations.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Peach moved to approve the first reading of Policy #722 –Emergency Plans with minor changes and the addition of several policies to the cross reference section.  Pitts seconded.  Motion carried.

Cates moved to approve the first reading of Policy #722.6 – Emergency Code Signals for Use in River Valley School District with a few revisions to the Code Red portion to include improvements in the lock down protocol of each classroom.  Benson noted that after the initial implementation of a Code Red, information will be shared with staff and students regarding the impending danger.  Pitts seconded.  Motion carried.

Peach moved to approve the first reading of Page 16 – School Safety Plan (Code Red) to reflect the same changes as Policy #722.6 above.  Pitts seconded.  Motion carried.

Cates moved to approve the first reading of Page 58 – School Safety Plan (Weapons on School Grounds) to include a statement about the need for people to react/respond to circumstances using sound judgment.  Peach seconded.  Motion carried.

Peach moved to approve the first reading of Policy #722.67 – Public Access Defibrillation Program to note that all six of our schools now have defibrillation units on site.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Ferguson moved to approve the first reading of Policy #751.3 – Bus Rules and Regulations to add language to ensure that no child of kindergarten age (or younger) is dropped off at home without a parent to greet and meet them upon arrival.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Pitts moved to approve the first reading of Policy #347 – Student Records to include a reference to safety.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Peach moved to approve the first reading of Policy #443.4 – Dangerous Weapons in the Schools to totally rewrite this policy at the advice of general counsel.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

The Committee also reviewed Policy #420 – School Admissions; Policy #420-Rule – Procedures for Entry/Reentry Into The Public School System From Other Public Schools, Private Schools and Home-Based Private Educational Programs; Policy #424 – Admission of Students Expelled from Other Districts; and Policy #443 – Code of Classroom Conduct but no changes were recommended.

Consideration & Action on Resolution Accepting Gifts
Taylor moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of $310 from M&I Bank to the middle school to be used for student supplies.  Cates seconded.  Polled vote was 7-0 in the affirmative with 2 absent.  Motion carried.

The Policy Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 14.  The Budget Committee will also meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 14.

Peach moved to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk

04/18/07 pw