HUDSON SCHOOL DISTRICT: 3/13/12 Board of Education Meeting Minutes

Regular Board of Education Meeting Minutes - March 13, 2012

Open Session

1. The regular meeting of the Hudson Board of Education was called to order by President Barb Van Loenen at approximately 6:30 pm in the River Crest Elementary Multipurpose Room. Members present: Pat German, Tom Holland, Mark Kaisersatt, Lynn Robson, Dan Tjornehoj, and Barb Van Loenen. Administrators in attendance included Superintendent Mary Bowen-Eggebraaten, District Deputy Director/Human Resources Director Nancy Sweet, Learning Services Director Sandra Kovatch, Student Services Director Cory McIntyre and Financial Services Director Tim Erickson.

2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3. Robson moved, with second by Holland, to approve the Agenda. Motion carried.

4.a. The Wisconsin 2012 Herb Kohl Education Foundation Fellows Cindy Mitchell, High School STRIVE Program Coordinator and Teacher, John Amann, High School History Teacher, and Michael Yell, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, were recognized.

5.a. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported, based on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s days and hours of instruction requirements, with the weather-related late start on January 23 and the full day cancellation on February 29, should another day of school be cancelled, it would be necessary for the High School to make-up the day, but the Middle School and elementary schools would not. She thanked District Deputy Director Nancy Sweet for her early-hour efforts to gain up-to-date information to determine school closures.

5.b. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported there had been two community information presentations held on February 27 and March 8 regarding the secondary space for learning land purchase of the St. Croix Meadows dog track and that a third would be held on March 27 at 7:00 pm in the Multi-purpose Room at River Crest Elementary.

5.c. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported that, as directed by Wisconsin Statute 5.60(1)(b), the order by which candidates’ names appear on the ballot is determined by the drawing of lots and the order for the April 3 School Board Election is as follows: Brian P. Bell, Tom Holland, Cathy Leaf, John A. Burtis, Liz Bruch, and Sandy Gehrke.

6.a. Middle School Principal Dan Koch, Literacy Coach Kristin Conrad, Gifted & Talented Coordinator Michelle Miller, 9th grade US History Teacher, Jaclyn Smith and 8th grade students Chloe Halverson and Kate Knott, presented a report on the Hudson Middle School S.M.A.R.T. Goal Strategy-Student Goal Setting. They explained how the goal is met through the creation of student action plans, with individual student conferencing, where goal setting and individual progress is monitored and discussed with each student. All Middle School students set learning goals, create action plans, and track the results.

6.b. High School Principal Laura Love and Middle School Principal Dan Koch reported to the Board regarding the need for secondary space for learning in their respective buildings. Love reported space issues in the crowded hallways and cafeteria; that one-third of the classrooms in core areas are above class size guidelines and many classrooms are below recommended square footage; the media center was originally built for half the number of students that currently utilize the space; there are inadequate computer labs for the student population; a lack of adequate space for science labs, art, music, and athletics; crowded hallways and cafeteria. Koch reported there are 16 teachers without classrooms (14 on carts); the “houses” were designed for 125 students and have 148 in 6th grade, 142 in 7th grade and 148 in 8th grade; there are 100 students using the band and choir areas which were designed for 60 students; and there are inadequate computer labs for the student population. In addition, the Middle School is utilizing three classrooms in Hudson Prairie Elementary.

6.c. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reviewed preliminary drawings of how the St. Croix Meadows dog track could look as a secondary school site.

7.8. One citizen spoke to the Board.

9a. Financial Services Director Tim Erickson explained the class action lawsuit against the WEA Trust and that approximately $170,000 of federal funding was retained by the Trust that they have refused to pay. Tjornehoj moved, with second by Robson to approve the resolution as follows: Pursuant to the authority bestowed upon it by section 120.13(9m) of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Hudson School District Board of Education hereby resolves to retain the law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP to provide the Board with legal services and representation pursuant to the attached letter of engagement dated March 12, 2012. Motion carried.

9.b. Robson moved, with second by Kaisersatt, to approve the consent items which included the February 14, 2012 Board meeting minutes; the personnel report including hires, changes, retirements, resignations/non-renewals/terminations, and leaves [Attachment A]; expenditures in the amount of $1,643,467.53; receipts in the amount of $17,195,614.63; payroll totaling $1,634,117.92; and EFT/ACH payments totaling $878,392.27; the Early Childhood/Head Start Collaboration Agreement; and the St. Croix County Dept. of Health & Human Services Agreement for Evaluation Services. Motion carried.

10.a. Tjornehoj reported that on 3/5/12, the Finance Committee discussed student school activity accounts; separation of District and booster organizations finances; 2012-13 preliminary budget funding; health insurance plan design; and adjourned to Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel with respect to litigation in which the District is likely to become involved.

10.b. Van Loenen reported that on 3/5/12, the Learning & Program Development Committee heard reports on the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program and trend data; the Gifted/Talented Program; the District Goal of on-line learning; and the Elementary & Secondary Education Act State Waiver.

10.c. Holland reported that on 3/6/12, the Facilities & Grounds Committee discussed the County Hwy UU property waste water treatment limitations; and a Phase I study, security, utilities, maintenance, and a preliminary drawing of the St. Croix Meadows dog track.

10.d. Kaisersatt reported that on 3/6/12, the Personnel Committee discussed the addition of High School monitors to increase safety and security; heard a report on 2012-13 staffing and enrollments; reviewed exceptions to Policy #6153: Scheduling of School Sponsored Events and Activities on Wednesday Afternoon & Evening; discussed conference attendance by administrators; endorsed a comparison study of employee compensation; and adjourned to Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(b)(c)(f) to consider disciplinary data ad personnel problems of specific employees which, if discussed in public would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon any person referred to in such data; and preliminary notice of non-renewal.

11. Kaisersatt moved, with second by Robson, to adjourn to Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(b)(c)(f) to consider disciplinary data and personnel problems of specific employees which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon any person referred to in such data, and preliminary notice of nonrenewal. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: German-yes, Holland-yes, Kaisersatt-yes, Robson-yes, Tjornehoj-yes; Van Loenen-yes. Motion carried 6-0.

Closed Session

Kaisersatt moved, with second by German, to issue preliminary notices of non-renewal to specific teachers. Motion carried.

The Board considered disciplinary data and personnel problems of specific employees.

Holland moved, with second by Robson, to adjourn. Motion carried.

Dan Tjornehoj, Clerk

(Pub. April 19, 2012)

WNAXLP

Tags: public notices, meetings, education