RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Monday, May 12, 2008
Regular Meeting
Middle School Library
7:00 p.m.

Board: Crowley, Taylor, Pronold, Peach, Cates, Caraway, Nelson, Cummings, Ferguson
(arrived 7:05 pm)
Absent:  N/A
Admin: Benson, Hayek, Kaukl, Radtke, Hegland, Briehl

Others:  Michelle Weiss, Linda Kettner, Sue Sadler, Eileen Adams, Jean Alt, Andrea Kinney, Karen Wilkinson, Jamie Haas, Heather Meixelsperger, Jan Anderson, Mary Gutknecht, Sharon Jeardeau, Tara Johnson, Mary Zavada, 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.  Taylor seconded.  Motion carried.

Legislative Update
Taylor provided a legislative update to include that a series of changes to Title I regulations in the No Child Left Behind Act are being proposed by the U.S. Department of Education.  Also, per pupil revenue limits will rise by 4 percent in 2008-09, to total $274.68 per pupil.

Board Training Opportunities
Nelson distributed a WASB training calendar which includes a July President’s conference.  More training opportunities will start again in the fall with the new school year.

Student Council Report
Kaukl reported that the student council has been busy with Earth Day and “Go Green” activities.

Multiage Classroom Model at Elementary Schools
Many options were explored for addressing projected elementary class size issues in 2008-09.  Factors that led to discussion were the need for the district to progress toward 15:1 student/teacher ratio at the elementary level in order to continue receiving SAGE funding and the projected large Arena kindergarten class size of 27.  The most feasible option may be to shift SAGE teachers to become classroom teachers and to have some multiage classrooms.  Some teachers from Plain were present to express their desire to keep the Title I teacher at Plain instead of that teacher being shifted to a multiage classroom.  Pronold concurred.  The main factor is determining where there is the most need.

Discussion of Late Bus Reinstatement
No discussion.

Caraway left at 8:15 p.m.

Charter School Grant Application Update
Benson noted that the charter grant application will be postponed to March 2009, due to a new funding cycle and the need to explore and examine if more interest exists with parents and community to establish a new charter.  Also, Benson stated that the concern exists that no grant monies can be used to pay for a teacher position.  We need to utilize existing staff and be sure to not compromise our existing at-risk/alternative education programs while examining a possible charter school.

Public Comments/Open Forum
No discussion.

Consent Agenda:  Checks, Invoices, Receipts – April 2008; Open Session Meeting Minutes – April 7, 2008 and April 15, 2008
Cates moved to approve the consent agenda items as submitted.  Crowley seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Multiage Classroom Model at Elementary Schools
Pronold moved to adopt the relocation of SAGE teachers in the district and to utilize them to have some multiage classrooms at Arena (grades K-1), Spring Green (grades K-1), and Lone Rock (grades 2-3) in 2008-09.  Peach seconded.  There was discussion about the desire to have future conversation regarding the hiring of another teacher.  The Board directed administration to bring back another proposal to include the possible hiring of an additional teacher.  Benson noted that outside of special education, we have not hired any new staff over the past several years due to the district’s financial condition.  Pronold called the question.  Motion carried.

Board Organizational Meeting
President – In Caraway’s absence, Benson noted that Caraway expressed interest to remain Board President.  Nelson nominated Caraway.  Cates seconded.  Pronold moved to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Caraway.  Cummings second.  Motion carried with Caraway as President.

Vice President – Pronold nominated Taylor.  Ferguson seconded.  Peach moved to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Taylor.  Crowley seconded.  Motion carried with Taylor as Vice President.

Clerk – Crowley nominated Nelson.  Cates seconded.  Pronold moved to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Nelson.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried with Nelson as Clerk.

Treasurer – Cates nominated Pronold.  Peach seconded.  Ferguson moved to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Pronold.  Cummings seconded.  Motion carried with Pronold as Treasurer.

Meeting Date, Time, and Place – Pronold moved to hold regular Board meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the Middle School Library.  Cummings seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Second Reading of New and Revised PoliciesCrowley moved to approve the second reading of Policy #743 - Acceptable Use of Networked Computers, Internet, and Electronic Mail to comply with nondiscrimination and CIPA laws, to add to the list of prohibited use of district computers, and to clarify who oversees district computer use.  Nelson seconded.  Motion carried with Ferguson opposed.

Consideration & Action on Revisions to 2008-09 School CalendarCrowley moved to approve the revised 2008-09 school calendar.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Teacher Transfer
No discussion due to action taken on prior agenda item pertaining to multiage classroom model.

Consideration & Action on Pupil Nondiscrimination Self Evaluation
Ferguson moved to approve the Pupil Nondiscrimination Self Evaluation report for submission to DPI.  Crowley seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on Teacher Hirings
Peach moved to approve the hiring of Rebecca Schinker as the High School Vocal Music Teacher.  Cates seconded.  Motion carried.

Crowley moved to approve the hiring of Whitney Medo as a High School Math Teacher.  Ferguson seconded.  Motion carried.

Consideration & Action on High School Group to Paint Crosswalks
No discussion.

Consideration & Action to Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for Discussion of Administrator Evaluations and Contracts
Peach moved to adjourn to closed session at 9:04 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for Discussion of Administrator Evaluations and Contracts.  Pronold seconded.  Polled vote was 8-0 in the affirmative with 1 absent.  Motion carried.

Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk

07/10/08 pw