HUDSON SCHOOL DISTRICT: 12/9/08 Regular Meeting Minutes

Regular Board of Education Meeting

December 9, 2008

1. The regular meeting of the Hudson Board of Education was called to order by President Daniel Tjornehoj at approximately 6:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room, River Crest Elementary, 535 County Road F. Members present: Brian Bell, Cindy Crimmins, Mark Kaisersatt, Lynn Robson, and Daniel Tjornehoj. Administrators in attendance included Superintendent Mary Bowen-Eggebraaten, District Deputy Director Nancy Sweet, Director of Learning Services Sandra Kovatch, Director of Student Services Barbara Rebhuhn, and Director of Financial Services Tim Erickson.

2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

President Tjornehoj appointed Lynn Robson as Acting Clerk.

3. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten requested that item 9.g.-Expenditures to YMCA-Camp St. Croix, be moved to the Consent Items as 9.f.4. Kaisersatt moved, with second by Bell to approve the amended Agenda. Motion passed on a voice vote.

4.Bell moved, with second by Kaisersatt, to approve the November 11 Regular and Closed Session Board of Education meeting minutes. Motion passed on a voice vote.

5. Robson reported receipt of thank-you notes from Becky Lee and Tom Stiles for memorials and a letter from the Hudson School District World Language Department.

6.b. Kovatch introduced Athletic Director Stephanie DeVos who recognized student athletes from the following Fall sports teams who spoke about season achievements: boys soccer, cross country, football, girls golf, girls swimming and diving, girls tennis, and volleyball.

6.a. Sue Dahl introduced three students who performed an excerpt from the One Act Play. The play will be performed for the public at 7:00 pm on January 10, 2009.

7.a. Athletic Director Stephanie DeVos presented an athletic department update. Highlights included instituting a student ambassador program for greeting opposing teams and officials and providing student assistance in the athletic office; creating a coaches and parent advisory group to review the athletic handbook; establishing an “Academic Wall of Pride” to recognize student scholar athletes; revamping of the athletic fields at the south-end of the High School and installing more permanent scoreboards.

7.b. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reviewed the advantages of paperless Board meetings and reported that a committee consisting of herself, Tim Erickson, Nancy Sweet, Sandi Kovatch, Nancy Toll, Jerrud Rossing and Diane Radle was established to preview several software programs for paperless Board meetings. The committee recommended Diligent Boardbooks to the Board for consideration. Mark Daniels from Diligent Boardbooks presented a web cast demonstration of the software program at the meeting.

8.a. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten announced that Cory McIntyre had been hired as the new Director of Student Services, replacing Barbara Rebhuhn, effective July 1, 2009. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten thanked Dr. Rebhuhn for her willingness to continue her employment for this school year, her contributions and service to the Hudson School District students, parents and staff.

8.b. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported the date of the Spring election is April 7, 2009 and the seats held by incumbents Brian Bell, Tom Holland and Barb Van Loenen are up for election. Declaration of Candidacy papers must be filed no later than 5:00 pm on January 6, 2009.

9.a. Sweet reviewed the process, guidelines/criteria and timeline to determine a multi-year boundary adjustment between E.P. Rock and River Crest to relieve/ manage River Crest enrollment growth. The Board will hold a listening session prior to the January Board meeting to hear input from citizens regarding the proposed plan. Crimmins moved, with second by Robson, to approve the process and timeline presented to determine a multi-year boundary adjustment between E.P. Rock and River Crest to relieve/manage River Crest enrollment growth. Motion passed on a voice vote.

9.b. Crimmins moved, with second by Bell, to appoint Tim Erickson as Deputy Clerk for the Spring election. Motion passed on a voice vote.

9.c. President Tjornehoj reminded Board members of the State Education Convention in Milwaukee on January 20-23, 2009 and distributed copies of the WASB resolutions for Board members to review prior to the January Board meeting. President Tjornehoj also indicated that a delegate and alternate needed to be selected to attend the Delegate Assembly to vote on the resolutions. Crimmins moved, with second by Bell, to appoint Lynn Robson as the delegate and Barb Van Loenen as the alternate to the WASB Delegate Convention on January 21, 2009. Motion passed on a voice vote.

9.d. Kovatch presented the criteria and rationale utilized to select a world language; the process for the addition a secondary world language course; and the initial 3-year plan for implementation. Mandarin Chinese was the language proposed. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten read a letter from Board Member Van Loenen, Chair of the Learning & Program Development Committee, indicating her support for the addition of Mandarin Chinese. Two staff members spoke to the Board regarding this topic. Bell moved, with second by Robson, to approve the addition of Mandarin Chinese at the High School and Middle School for 2009-10. Motion passed on a voice vote.

9.e. Kaisersatt moved, with second by Crimmins, to approve an agreement with MidAmerica Administrative and Retirement Solutions, Inc. for a 403(b) (tax sheltered annuity) compliance services agreement. Motion passed on a voice vote.

9.f. Bell moved, with second by Crimmins, to approve the consent items which included the personnel report including the hiring of Cory McIntyre as Director of Student Services [Attachment A]; expenditures in the amount of $2,177,283.31, receipts in the amount of $673,031.12 payroll in the amount of $1,664,144.06, and EFT/ACH payments in the amount of $1,039,157.38; and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction special education model policies and procedures. Motion passed on a voice vote.

10.a. Tjornehoj reported that on 11/18/08, the Governance & Policy Committee was updated regarding paperless board meeting software programs, discussed the process and criteria to determine a multi-year boundary adjustment to relieve River Crest enrollment; reviewed the special education policies & procedures handbook; and set a schedule of future meeting dates.

10.b. Robson reported that on 11/19/08, the Facilities & Grounds Committee discussed a request for fund raising banners at the baseball field; was updated on the E.P. Rock secure entrance; discussed Gateway fund raising; and reviewed proposals for elementary security cameras.

10.c. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported that on 11/20/08, the Learning & Program Development Committee discussed multi-year goals for increasing student participation in High School on-line courses; reviewed graduate survey results; were updated on the global literacy progress; and considered a High School world language recommendation.

10.d. Kaisersatt reported that on 11/25/08, the Personnel & Negotiations Committee held a Closed Session to consider employment and compensation of a public employee and to deliberate in preparation for employee negotiations with all represented groups.

11. One staff member spoke to the Board.

12. Board members and Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten responded to the staff member’s concerns.

13. Crimmins moved, with second by Bell, to adjourn to Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 (1)(c) for the purpose of considering employment and compensation of a public employee; and (e) for the purpose of preparing for employee negotiations with all represented groups. On a roll call, the Clerk recorded the following: Bell-yes, Crimmins-yes, Kaisersatt-yes; Robson-yes; Tjornehoj-yes. Motion passed 5-0.

Lynn Robson, Acting Clerk

(Pub. Jan. 22)

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