Board: Anderson,
Nelson, Pitts, Caraway, Pronold, Taylor, Peach, Limmex (arrived at 7:35 p.m.)
Absent: Roske
Admin: Benson, Hoffman, Kaukl, Palm-Leis, Briehl, Hayek
Others: David Reichenberger, Tim Stieve, Philip Raab, Mike Crook, Timm Zumm,
David Giffey (Home News), Paula Wedige (Administrative Assistant)
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. Taylor seconded. Motion carried.
Board Training
Opportunities
Nelson reminded
the Board that the WASB website outlines upcoming training opportunities
sponsored by the WASB. There is a bargaining goals workshop on November 3 at
CESA #3 in Fennimore and a legislative issues workshop on November 13 in
Wausau. Also, the next issue of “School News” will be a special issue regarding
the January WASB Convention in Milwaukee.
Legislative Update
Taylor reminded the Board to complete
the online survey on the WASB website. Taylor attended the WASB District 10
meeting on October 13 and provided an update in her legislative report. Benson
attended a legislative meeting through the School Administrators Alliance (SAA).
Both Taylor and Benson reported similar findings between the WASB and SAA
regarding current issues important to both groups, such as QEO, health
insurance, special education costs, declining enrollment, and transportation.
Benson also provided a briefing on PI-34, which is mentoring and teacher
standards.
Student Council Report
Adam Crook noted that four officers
from student council attended leadership training two weeks ago. There is also
a SWAL Leadership Conference in Platteville next week. The student council
sponsored a fundraiser for high school student, Eric Nachreiner; held several
50/50 raffles; and will hold a Halloween costume contest.
Possible Sale of District
Land for Sauk County
Emergency Communications
Tower
Tim Stieve and Philip Raab from Sauk
County Emergency Management Buildings and Safety made a presentation to the
Board outlining the possibility of purchasing land from the district (behind the
Spring Green Elementary) to erect a 250-foot communications tower. The land
could still be used by the district, except for a fenced-in area surrounding the
tower base. Stieve and Raab noted that there has been objection to a previously
suggested site at Thuli Road outside of Spring Green. Timm Zumm from Friends of
the Lower Wisconsin Riverway voiced his preference for the school district site
instead of the Thuli Road site because he feels a tower at the Thuli Road site
would blemish the view from the Wisconsin River.
Update Related to
Possible Future Changes to SWAL I and SWAL II Athletic Conference Alignments
Benson noted that three options for a
conference realignment are being proposed at a meeting on October 15. River Valley coaches recommend the
option which is similar to the old “Southern 8.”
Consent Agenda: Checks,
Invoices, Receipts – September 2004; Open Session Meeting Minutes – September 9,
2004
Pitts moved to approve the consent
agenda items as submitted. Caraway seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Development of New Practice Football Field
Mike Crook requested that an area
north of Spring Green Elementary be developed as a full 100-yard football
practice field. All time, equipment, and costs would be donated and there would
be no cost to the district. Pronold moved to approve the development of a
practice football field north of the Spring Green Elementary parking lot. Pitts
seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action
on Teacher Hiring
Limmex moved to hire Dede Holverson
as a 50% High School English Teacher. Taylor seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Budget Committee Recommendations
Hayek noted that enrollments are down
more than projected at the annual meeting on May 17. Therefore, there is an
additional deficit of $23,000 for 2004-05. It was suggested that this
additional deficit be covered by fund balance.
There was some discussion of the impact of budget cuts that were made for the 2004-05 school year. The impact of cutting late buses seems to be minimal and there has been great community support to fund the school fair. However, the absence of an elementary librarian has been difficult and one bus route is now very lengthy. The Budget Committee is recommending the addition of a shuttle bus route to alleviate the length of the Spring Green #17 (snowman) bus route as well as to address parental concerns about an upcoming road closure on that route, which would lengthen the route even more.
Limmex moved to approve the use of a shuttle bus at a cost of $6,000 annually to begin January 1, 2005, or at the time the Hwy. 23 bridge closes for construction, to shorten the Spring Green #17 (snowman) route. Taylor seconded. Motion carried with Nelson abstaining.
Consideration & Action on
Special Meeting Date – Thursday, October 21, 2004
Pitts moved to set a special meeting
on Thursday, October 21, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. for tax levy certification. Caraway
seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action
on Second Reading of New and Revised Policies
After some discussion of
#830-Rule – Facilities Use Regulations, the Board
deferred this policy back to the Policy Committee to clarify that all groups
using facilities will be charged a fee. Taylor moved to approve the use of the
fee schedule outlined in the policy although the policy language will be
reviewed by the Policy Committee. Pronold seconded. Motion carried.
A Policy Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, October 21, at 6:45 p.m.
Consideration & Action to
Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for a Level
IV Grievance Conference and 2005-07 RVEA
Collective Bargaining Update and 19.85(1)(f) for
Discussion of a Teacher Leave Request
Limmex moved to adjourn to closed
session at 9:25 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for a Level IV Grievance
Conference and 2005-07 RVEA Collective
Bargaining Update and 19.85(1)(f) for
Discussion of a Teacher Leave Request. Caraway seconded. Polled vote was 8-0
in the affirmative with 1 absent. Motion carried. Anderson noted that the
Board will reconvene in open session to take action on a leave request.
The Board reconvened in open session at 9:47 p.m.
Consideration & Action on
Teacher Leave Request
Caraway moved to approve a 4-week
leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act for James Radtke. Taylor
seconded. Motion carried.
Pitts moved to adjourn at 9:48 p.m. Caraway seconded. Motion carried.
Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk
03/10/08 pw