HUDSON SCHOOL DISTRICT: 6/14/09 Regular Board of Education Meeting Minutes

(Pub. Aug. 20)

July 14, 2009

1. The regular meeting of the Hudson Board of Education was called to order by President Daniel Tjornehoj at approximately 6:30 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room, River Crest Elementary, 535 County Road F. Members present: Brian Bell, Tom Holland, 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 Cory McIntyre, and Director of Financial Services Tim Erickson.

President Tjornehoj welcomed Director of Student Services Cory McIntyre to his new position with the District.

2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3. Kasiersatt moved, with second by Robson, to approve the Agenda. Motion passed on a voice vote.

4. Director of Learning Services Sandra Kovatch introduced Melissa Olson, Coach of the Hudson Prairie Destination Imagination Team (DI), who took 5th place in the Global Competition. Team members included Kenzie Drace, Sigrid Ellingson, Mady Haines, Kelly Holm, Maiya Koch, Emma Olson, and Sarah Potter. The team performed one of their competitive DI activities. Kovatch introduced Roger Davis, Coach of the Middle School Destination Imagination Team. Team members included Erin Coyer, Ty Davis, Abby Duerst, Seana Greene and Kevin Pelzel. Coach Davis gave the team a topic and several small props and five minutes to prepare a presentation, as an example of what they performed in competition. President Tjornehoj presented each coach and team member with a certificate of recognition for their excellence in DI competition. Wisconsin State Senator Sheila Harsdorf and Representative Kitty Rhodes presented the teams with a proclamation congratulating them on their achievements in DI competitions.

5. The Board viewed a video tapped recording of Colin Courtney’s comments and apology regarding his involvement in the vandalism of school property.

6. Holland moved, with second by Robson, to approve the June 9, 2009 regular and closed session Board of Education meeting minutes. Motion passed on a voice vote.

7.a. Kovatch presented the test results from the Wisconsin Knowledge & Concepts Examination (WKCE) and the Measures of Academic Performance ( MAP) from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). She reported that all District schools met annual progress goals for No Child Left Behind.

7.b. Kovatch presented the K-12 music curriculum report, which included best practices, based on national standards that were utilized in developing the music curriculum.

7.c. Kovatch and members of the world language department, presented the secondary world language report. They presented rational as to why students need to learn languages and explained the phases of the world language curriculum development; and identified enhancements to the curriculum.

7.d. Erickson presented a summary of State budget bill changes, which included elimination of the Qualified Economic Offer (QEO) and related changes to arbitration and bargaining law. He reported, according to the latest information received from the State, the reduction in aid to schools could result in approximately a $900,000 to $1,000,000 loss in aids to the Hudson schools in 2009-10.

8.a. Three citizens spoke to the Board regarding the 2009-10 staffing at Houlton Elementary. Sweet presented the 2009-10 elementary section planning status report and the 2009-10 elementary school section planning administrative recommendations which included: (1) Adding .6 FTE teacher and up to 1.5 hours per day educational assistant to grade 5 at Houlton; (2) contingent upon enrollment numbers increasing, adding .5-.6 FTE teachers to grade 4 at E.P. Rock and River Crest; and (3) continuing to monitor all grade levels at all buildings that are at or near maximum guidelines for possible teacher addition; continuing to monitor all grade levels at all buildings that are under minimum enrollment guidelines and if those grade levels were to further decline, consider a teacher/section reduction and transfer to an over-enrolled grade level. A Board discussion followed. Kaisersatt moved, with second by Holland, to approve the 2009-10 elementary staffing plan as recommended by the administration. Motion passed on a voice vote.

8.b. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten presented the 2009-10 District goals as follows:

HSD 2025 Implementation and 6-12 Space for Learning: Long term planning - Research, with a representative study team, future-focused high school organization, program and space for learning to further implement the HSD 2025 strategic plan. Short term planning - Extend the Middle School short-term space for learning plan to address enrollment that exceeds building capacity.

HSD 2025 Implementation: Implement, monitor and adjust the first year plan for Graduate Learning Outcome: Global Literacy; implement, monitor, and adjust the first year plan for the Graduate Learning Outcome: Environmental Sustainability; develop HSD 2025 commitment/action statements from building administrators, ASC administrators, and Board of Education.

2010-11 Budget Planning: Develop a decision-making process that aligns financial resources with District vision, goals, and initiatives and addresses anticipated state aid and other revenue source reductions.

Kaisersatt moved, with second by Robson, to approve the 2009-10 District goals as presented. Motion passed on a voice vote.

8.c. Kovatch, along with staff members Rachel Mueller, Elsa Brettingen, Judy Wyatt-Schlei and Melisa Hansen, presented 5-year Action Plans for implementation of HSD 2025 Environmental Sustainability and Global Literacy, starting with the 2009-10 school year. Bell moved, with second by Holland, to approve the HSD 2025: 5 Year Action Plans for Environmental Sustainability and Global Literacy as presented. Motion passed on a voice vote.

8.d. Bell moved, with second by Kaisersatt, to approve the consent items which included the personnel report [Attachment A]; expenditures in the amount of $1,839,200.61; receipts in the amount of $9,857,503.61; payroll in the amount of $2,094,309.33; EFT/ ACH payments in the amount of $2,367,758.93; early entrance to kindergarten requests for seven students; award of bread bid to Sara Lee Bakery Group; and renewal of FamilyMeans Employee Assistance Program contract.

Holland excused himself from the meeting.

8.e. Kaisersatt moved, with second by Bell, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $4,588.00 to the YMCA and Camp St. Croix. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Holland rejoined the meeting.

9.a. Holland read a letter from Van Loenen and reported that on 6/18/09, the Learning & Program Development Committee reviewed the HSD System for Learning: K-8 Literacy Plan; the 2009-10 Music curriculum; the 2009-10 World Language curriculum; the HSD 2025 Action Plans for Environmental Sustainability and Global Literacy; and heard an update regarding an on-line ACT preparation opportunity for high school students.

9.b. Bell reported that on 6/22/09, at the Finance Committee meeting, attorney Mick Waldspurger presented a review of liability insurance coverage for Board members. The Committee members interviewed BBE Community Investment Partners LLC; discussed 2009-10 school lunch prices; and adjourned to Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 (1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating about the investment of public funds.

9.c. Holland reported that on 7/8/09, the Facilities & Grounds Committee discussed usage of the varsity baseball fields and partnerships with other groups; and were updated regarding energy conservation; the Camp St. Croix ravine; summer projects; and River Crest water management.

9.d. Kaisersatt reported that on 7/8/09, the Personnel & Negotiations Committee reviewed the 2009-10 elementary enrollment update, class sizes, and staffing recommendations; the 2009-10 elementary media staffing; and the elementary collaborative planning time for art, music, & phy. ed. The Committee held a Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of considering employment and compensation of non-union employees and (e) for the purpose of deliberating to prepare for negotiations with all union employee groups.

10. Three citizens spoke to the Board.

11. Board members and administrators responded to the citizens’ concerns.

12. Robson moved, with second by Kaisersatt, to adjourn to Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 (1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating about the investment of public funds and deliberating to prepare for negotiations with all Union employee groups. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: Bell-yes, Holland-yes, Kaisersatt-yes, Robson-yes, and Tjornehoj-yes. Motion passed 5-0.

Tom Holland, Clerk

Tags: public notices, hudson school district, minutes