RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Regular Meeting
Middle School Library
7:30 p.m.

                                                                                                      

Board: Nelson, Taylor, Peach, Pitts, Cates, Ferguson, Caraway, Roske, Pronold, Christina Schmidt (Student Council Rep), Mariah Schmidt (Student Council Rep)
Absent:  N/A
Admin: Benson, Hayek, Hoffman, Kaukl, Radtke
Others:  Mary Lampman, Harley Lampman, Bob Neuheisel, Warren Hoyer, Sue Sadler, Deb Miller, Tracy Frosch, 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.   Pitts moved to proceed with the legal meeting.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Legislative Update
Taylor provided an update and noted the upcoming 2007 WASB Day at the Capitol on March 14.

Board Training Opportunities
Nelson reminded the Board of the upcoming WASB School Board Convention in Milwaukee on January 17-19, 2007.  Caraway, Taylor, and Nelson will be attending.

Student Council Report
Student council representatives Christina Schmidt and Mariah Schmidt were present.  The student council recently sponsored a “Random Acts of Kindness” campaign where treats/acts of kindness were offered by student council members to high school students at random.  They are also planning a Snowball Dance for high school students in February.

Virtual School
Benson, Hayek, Roske, and the district’s network administrator, Shawn Duren, visited the Monroe School District to learn about their virtual school program.  Monroe’s program serves 350 students.  This initiative is still in the investigation stage and there are many questions pertaining to process and cost that will be further investigated.

Best Friends of South Central Wisconsin, Inc.
Benson provided information about a non-school organization that is offering mentoring services to children in our district.  Best Friends of South Central Wisconsin, Inc. is similar to a Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.

Set February Policy Committee Meeting Date
A Policy Committee meeting was set for Thursday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m.

Army Medical Training Exercise on School Property
Benson noted that an Army medical training exercise will take place on the middle school soccer fields on May 4-5, 2007.  There will be no recruiting or weapons on site during this medical exercise.

Discussion of Proposals and Options for Revising the District Plan of Apportionment
Caraway provided data on past School Board elections and pointed out that many races are uncontested.  Several options for school board apportionment, proposed by different individuals, were discussed.  Many options included “at large” seats.  To change apportionment, a petition meeting specific requirements must be filed 30 days prior to the annual meeting.

Public Comments/Open Forum
Harley Lampman asked about the school lunch program and suggested prices be raised to offset the deficit in this program.  Pronold noted that the Budget Committee is currently discussing this issue.  Hayek noted that this topic was discussed at the annual meeting and that an RVEST arbitration settlement further impacted the deficit in this program.  Meal prices, salary and benefits, and cost for supplies are all being reviewed.

Consent Agenda:  Checks, Invoices, Receipts – December 2006; December 14, 2006, Minutes
Roske moved to approve the consent agenda items as submitted.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Second Reading of New and Revised Policies
Pronold  moved to approve the second reading of Policy #423 – Public School Open Enrollment and Policy #423-Rule - Public School Open Enrollment with no changes.  Pitts seconded.  This policy must be reviewed annually.  Motion carried.

Roske moved to approve the second reading of Policy #443.6 – Student Use of Two-Way Communication Devices with a minor revision to state the electronic device will be returned to the parent unless it is confiscated by police.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Cates moved to approve the second reading of Policy #443.7-Rule – Procedure for Dealing with Gang-Related Activities to include the possibility for Board action.  Pronold seconded.  Motion carried.

Pitts moved to approve the second reading of Policy #445 – Student Searches to allow for the search of students and their belongings, including the use of a metal detector.  Roske seconded.  Motion carried.

Peach moved to approve the second reading of Policy #446.2 – Student Suspensions/Expulsions to add a cross reference to Policy #443.4 – Dangerous Weapons in the Schools.  Roske seconded.  Motion carried.

Ferguson moved to approve the second reading of Policy #724 - Harassment to allow the district to pursue court action to prevent harassment on school grounds.  Pronold seconded.  Motion carried.

Roske moved to approve the second reading of Policy #831 – Public Conduct on School Property to include a minor revision and cross reference to Policy #860-Visitors to the School.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Pitts moved to approve the second reading of Policy #860 – Visitors to the School to reflect the current sign-in practice in place for visitors to our schools.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Resolutions Accepting Gifts
Taylor moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of a TV and DVD player valued at $300 from Joyce Christian to the high school CD classroom.  Pronold seconded.  Polled vote was 9-0 in the affirmative.  Motion carried.

Cates moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of $40 from Community 1st Bank to Fund 21.  Pitts seconded.  Polled vote was 9-0 in the affirmative.  Motion carried.

Taylor moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of an anonymous gift of $100 to Fund 21.  Pitts seconded.  Polled vote was 9-0 in the affirmative.  Motion carried.

Cates moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of $1,000 from Cardinal Glass to the phy. ed. department.  Pronold seconded.  Polled vote was 9-0 in the affirmative.  Motion carried.

Roske moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of $300 from Cardinal IG to the gymnastics team.  Taylor seconded.  Polled vote was 9-0 in the affirmative.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Addition of 1.5 FTE Special Education Instructional Assistants
After discussion of the need for 1.5 special education instructional assistants in the middle school CD classroom, Cates moved to approve the addition of 1.5 FTE special education instructional assistants.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action to Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for:   2007-09 RVEST Collective Bargaining Update; 2007-09 RVEA Collective Bargaining Update; Annual Superintendent Performance Evaluation; and 19.85(1)(f) for Employee Request for Leave of Absence
Roske moved to adjourn to closed session at 9:00 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for:  2007-09 RVEST Collective Bargaining Update; 2007-09 RVEA Collective Bargaining Update; Annual Superintendent Performance Evaluation; and 19.85(1)(f) for Employee Request for Leave of Absence.  Taylor seconded.  Polled vote was 9-0 in the affirmative.  Motion carried.

The Board reconvened in open session at 9:59 p.m.

Consideration & Action on Employee Request for Leave of Absence
Roske moved to approve a one-year leave of absence (2007-08) for Tracy Frosch, middle school special education teacher, dependent on finding a suitable replacement.  Peach seconded.  Motion carried.

Peach moved to adjourn at 10:00 p.m.  Pronold seconded.  Motion carried. 

Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk

 

04/18/07 pw