RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Regular Meeting
Middle School Library
7:00 p.m.                                                                                

Board: Nelson, Ferguson, Caraway, Taylor, Cates, Crowley, Cummings
Absent: Peach, Pronold
Admin: Benson, Hayek, Hoffman, Radtke, Palm-Leis, Kaukl, Briehl
Others:  Heather Terrill Stotts, Todd Miller, Herman Kaldenberg, Paula Caraway, January Walton, David Giffey (Home News), 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.    Crowley moved to proceed with the legal meeting.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Legislative Update
Taylor urged Board members to contact legislators about the consequences of a $100 per pupil revenue limit increase instead of a $265 increase.

Board Training Opportunities
Nelson noted an upcoming Board Presidents seminar.

Creative Learning Facilitator Survey Results
Heather Terrill Stotts gave an update on the number of staff and community on-line surveys that have been completed—78 staff; 74 community.

“Get Real” Life Skill Financial Program
Heidi Radel, High School Business Ed. Teacher, provided an overview of a “Get Real” Life Skills Financial Program that was attended by 85 of our high school students at UW-Richland.  This simulation assigned students random “incomes” which they added to or subtracted from when given various “financial life situations.”

2007-08 Event Dates
Scholarship Awards Night will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, and High School Graduation will be held on Friday, June 6, 2008.

WKCE Student Standardized Test Score Results
Benson reported the results of 2006-07 standardized testing for 3rd-8th and 10th grade students.  River Valley met or exceeded state averages in 19 of 23 tests.  He clarified that an earlier report from DPI of River Valley not meeting “Adequate Yearly Progress” (AYP) in one area was in error.  We are appealing to DPI to correct this error.  Benson also noted that River Valley students taking advanced coursework have scored higher than the state average on the ACT for 7 of the last 8 years.

Public Comments/Open Forum
Herman Kaldenberg noted that the Capitol Sound Drum and Bugle Corps will be performing at the high school on Sunday, July 15, at 2:00 p.m.

Consent Agenda:  Checks, Invoices, Receipts – May 2007; Open Session Meeting Minutes –
May 10, 2007
Ferguson moved to approve the consent agenda items as submitted.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Board Committee Assignments
Crowley moved to approve the Board committee assignments as proposed by President Caraway.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Reciting Pledge of Allegiance at Board Meetings
Crowley moved to begin Board meetings by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  Motion failed with lack of a second.

Consideration & Action on Teacher Hirings
Cates moved to approve the hiring of Terri Smith as a 5th Grade Teacher at Spring Green Elementary.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Cummings moved to approve the hiring of Jacqueline Kalscheuer as a High School Spanish Teacher, pending release from her current contract at Belmont.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Establishment of Annual Meeting Date
Crowley moved to set the annual meeting for Thursday, August 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Little Theater.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Resolution Accepting Gifts
Taylor moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting Gifts of $800 from an anonymous donor to purchase a notebook computer for the alternative education department.  Cummings seconded.  Polled vote was 7-0 in the affirmative with 2 absent.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Budget Committee Recommendations
Taylor moved to add a special education instructional assistant position for the ED program at the middle school at a cost of $45,000.  Crowley seconded.  Motion carried.

Crowley moved to add a signing interpreter position and to fund the position by shifting existing dollars that are currently being spent in another way to serve the needs of hard of hearing/deaf students.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action to Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for 2007-09 RVEA Collective Bargaining Update, 2007-09 RVEST Collective Bargaining Update, and Discussion of Administrator Contracts
Ferguson moved to adjourn to closed session at 8:28 p.m.  Crowley seconded.  Benson noted that the Board will not need to reconvene in open session.  Polled vote was 7-0 in the affirmative with 2 absent.  Motion carried.

Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk

07/17/07 pw