RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Regular Meeting
Spring Green Elementary Library
7:30 p.m.

Board: Nelson, Taylor, Roske, Pronold, Cates, Peach, Ferguson, Caraway
Absent: Pitts
Admin: Benson, Hayek, Hoffman, Palm-Leis, Kaukl, Briehl
Others:  Alan Green, Derrick Gee, Jan vonStein, James Radtke, Jaime Hegland, 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.  Roske moved to proceed with the legal meeting.  Pronold seconded.  Motion carried.

Legislative Update
Taylor noted that the DPI plans to make changes regarding alternative assessment guidelines in order to continue receiving federal funds.  Also, there is major interest around the state regarding adequacy funding for public schools and Professor Odden of UW-Madison has been awarded $500,000 from the Rockefeller Foundation to do a study on this issue.  Final recommendations are expected in July 2007.

Board Training Opportunities
The WASB Regional Meeting will be held in Baraboo on September 28.  There is also an upcoming Personnel Management Workshop to be held in both Brookfield and Wausau.  Nelson asked Board members to check the WASB website for the point system used to earn recognition for attending WASB workshops.

CESA #3 Annual Meeting Report
Taylor attended the CESA #3 annual meeting on August 3 where the main topics of discussion were school funding and health insurance.  She offered the CESA #3 annual report for the Board to review at their leisure.

Discussion of Future Board Meeting Agenda Formats
The Board discussed the idea of having a routine information item on regular Board meeting agendas for public comments, ideas, and suggestions related to our school district.

District Partnership with the Center for Creativity
The district theme for 2006-07 is “Creativity and Innovation.”  The Center for Creativity (C4C), a branch of the Spring Green Area Arts Coalition, and the district have created a partnership with the goal of expanding learning opportunities for students using community resources.  Federal funds will be used to hire a half time “Creativity Coordinator” who will restore Odyssey of the Mind in our district.  Private funds, collected through C4C, will also be used to increase the role of this position to serve as a liaison between the district and the community.

Consent Agenda:  Checks, Invoices, Receipts – July 2006; June 8 and June 20, 2006 Minutes
Roske moved to approve the consent agenda times as submitted.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Future of AODA Program
Benson noted that grant funding for our AODA Program has been discontinued.  Brenda Jennings, our AODA Coordinator, has since accepted a new position outside of our district.  After determining that area schools do not have funds to invest in a shared coordinator and that Sauk and Iowa Counties do not have funds available, the administration is recommending continuing only the top priorities previously fulfilled by an AODA Coordinator.  Benson provided a handout and discussed the listing of these priorities that will be continued on a limited basis.  Grant monies in the sum of $5,000 from an alternate source will be used to continue these select programs.

Consideration & Action on Adoption of Student, Staff, Activity Code, and At-Risk Handbooks
Elementary, middle, and high school principals reviewed any changes to their respective handbooks.  Cates moved to adopt the student, staff, activity code, and at-risk handbooks.  Taylor seconded. Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Resolutions Accepting Teacher Resignations
Taylor moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Teacher Resignation of Cora Dillin, Athletic Director/Phy. Ed. Teacher.  Ferguson seconded.  Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with Pitts absent.  Motion carried.

Pronold moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Teacher Resignation of Karen Steindorf, Middle School Guidance Counselor.  Roske seconded.  Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with Pitts absent.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Teacher Hirings
Roske moved to approve the hiring of Jennifer Ring as the 6^th Grade Language Arts Teacher.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Pronold moved to approve the hiring of Kevin Digman as a half time High School Phy. Ed. Teacher.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Roske moved to approve the hiring of Ann Nelson as a High School Spanish Teacher.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried with Nelson abstaining.

Taylor moved to approve the hiring of Alyssa Brewer as the Elementary Music Teacher.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on River Valley School District/St. Luke’s Hold Harmless Agreements
Pronold moved to approve the two hold harmless agreements between River Valley School District and St. Luke’s to use each other’s equipment and grounds.  Roske seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Appointment of Medical Advisor
Peach moved to appoint Kay Balink as our medical advisor for the 2006-07 school year.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action to Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for Discussion of Elementary Director Position and Administrator Contracts
Peach moved to adjourn to closed session at 9:21 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for Discussion of Elementary Director Position and Administrator Contracts.  Roske seconded.  Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with 1 absent.  Motion carried.

The Board reconvened in open session at 10:12 p.m.  Administration, Jaime Hegland, James Radtke, and David Giffey rejoined the Board, Benson, and Wedige.

Consideration & Action on Elementary Director Position
Roske moved to hire Eric Briehl as half time Elementary Directory/Arena Principal; James Radtke as Associate Principal at Lone Rock and Plain, while retaining his role as High School Dean of Students; and Jaime Hegland as Associate Principal at Spring Green Elementary, while retaining his role as Spring Green Elementary 4^th Grade Teacher.  Taylor seconded.  Benson noted that external and internal candidates were interviewed and various administrative realignment options were reviewed before coming to this decision.  Several Board members and administrators voiced their positive outlook on this arrangement.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on 2006-07 Administrator Contracts
Pronold moved to approve a 3.8% increase in the salary/benefits package for administrators for the 2006-07 school year, with salary increases distributed evenly among the administrators.  The 2006-07 total salary cost for administrators will be less than the previous year due to savings in the newly created administrative realignment plan.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried with Peach opposed.

Roske moved to adjourn at 10:24 p.m.  Peach seconded.  Motion carried.

Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk

04/18/07 pw