HUDSON SCHOOL DISTRICT: 6/12/12 Meeting Minutes

Regular Board of Education Meeting

June 12, 2012

Open Session

1. The regular meeting of the Hudson Board of Education was called to order by President Tom Holland at approximately 6:30 pm in the River Crest Elementary Multipurpose Room. Members present: Sandy Gehrke, Pat German, Tom Holland, Mark Kaisersatt, Lynn Robson, and Dan Tjornehoj. 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 Tjornehoj to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

4.a. River Crest Elementary students Chase Kloster, Gabby & Zeke Myers, Lily Trainer, and Erik Small, along with teacher Betsy May were recognized for creating “Discovery Trail” on the school site. The students created a 106 page study guide for teachers, along with an activity and trail guide for students.

4.b. Middle School students Marco Zink and Andrew Potter, along with teacher Christopher Deleon were recognized for competing in the NASA Explorer Schools National Student Symposium. Their project was titled: “High-Powered Rockets: Indoor Rocketry for Inclement Weather”.

4.c. Twenty Middle School students, along with teacher Cindy Landers, were recognized for competing in the 2012 Agricultural Technology Contest at UW-River Falls in the plant science competition. There were 5 teams of 4 students and the teams won 1st to 5th place. Overall winners were 1st place-George Halunen; 2nd place-Derek Bates; and 3rd place-Rachel Kadidlo.

4.d. Middle School students Maddie Zamzow, Tasha Clark and Laura Cardell, along with teacher Chris Deleon were recognized for competing in the 2012 Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge and winning at the state level. They identified an environmental issue in the community and created a green solution. The topic of their project was food waste reduction in schools. They decided that vermicomposting was a viable way to reduce the plant based food waste the school produced.

4.e. Middle School students Becca Buchholz and Madeline Zamzow were recognized for being selected by the National Council of Teachers of English as Promising Young Writers. Only 3 students from Wisconsin were selected for this award.

4.f. Athletic Director Stephanie DeVos introduced spring athletes who were recognized in the following sports: Baseball- Mike Hommes & Todd Mork earned 1st Team All Conference, Kellen Pearson, Brett Steinwagner & Miles Lewis earned 2nd Team All Conference honors, and Austin Evenson, Drew Pheneger and Stef Smith earned Honorable Mention. Boys Golf-Pat Bowers earned 2nd Team All Conference and Brody Bell & Ben Lewis earned 1st Team All Conference. David Kein & Pat Bowers received academic All Conference. Softball-Kindra Witthus earned 1st Team All Conference, Lexi Smith & Maya Triebold earned 2nd Team All Conference, and Stephanie Little earned Honorable Mention. Girls Soccer-Alyssa Claflin earned 1st Team All Conference, Molli Bichrt & McKenzie Buck earned 2nd Team All Conference, and Hannah Wirth earned Honorable Mention. Boys Tennis-Max Hawksford, Jeff Dahl & Griff Robertson went to State and all three earned 1st Team All Conference honors. Girls Track-won their 8th consecutive Big Rivers Conference & Regional title, finished 3rd in Sectionals and sent 9 girls to State. Eleven girls earned 1st Team All Conference, 2 girls 2nd Team, and 2 girls 3rd Team. Boys Track-won their 5th consecutive Big Rivers Conference title, and both Regional and Sectional titles. Several boys went to State. Members of the relay teams include Tyler Smrcina, Brandon D’Andrea, Tucker Malecha, Dan Kelly, Nick Jorgenson, Nate Kennedy & Braden Marvin. Five head coaches were also in attendance and spoke to the Board regarding their teams: Joe Behnke-Baseball; Bill Schaub-Boys Golf; Jim Revoir-Softball; Dave Dahl-Boys Tennis; and Gerry Uchytil-Track.

5.a. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported she did year-end tours of all the schools and observed teachers focused on student learning with the assistance of support staff; assessing SMART goals; planning for next year; and preparing for summer school. She congratulated Laura Love and the High School staff for a well-organized graduation ceremony and noted that the 394 graduating Seniors started with 267 in Kindergarten, with a growth of 127 students. Board members Tom Holland, Lynn Robson, and Pat German attended the graduation ceremony.

5.b. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten thanked Learning Services Director Sandi Kovatch and her staff Anita Stilwell, Annette Kelly and Bev Marion for their work in organizing summer school. There will be over 500 students attending summer school at E.P. Rock and North Hudson Elementaries; 140 students at Middle School; and 500 students at the High School during June and July.

6.a. District Deputy Director/Human Resources Director Nancy Sweet presented a report on the Guest (Substitute) Teacher System. She reviewed the goals of the system, guest teacher hiring and orientation, job selection/assignment, expectations of guest teachers, and guest teacher performance complaints. She indicated the District maintains a pool of approximately 200 guest teachers. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten recognized Nancy Sweet, Debra Weisert and Laurie Nelson-Lundell for their continual improvement of the system and the extensive training of guest teachers.

7. Four citizens spoke to the Board.

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

9.a. High School Principal Laura Love, Associate Principal Kevin Moore, Dean of Students Josh Halvorson, English Teacher Kim Powers, and Music Teacher Ryan McCarthy presented a report on the 2011-12 progress on the District Goal: High School Learning for the Future (HSLF) in the areas of transition, project-based learning, small learning communities, and advisory. They also reviewed the 2012-13 HSL Plan and related costs. Robson moved, with second by Tjornehoj, to approve the 2012-13 High School Learning for the Future plan as presented. Motion carried.

9.b. Student Services Director Cory McIntyre introduced High School Principal Laura Love, who reviewed the proposed changes to the Hudson Activities Code of Conduct. Kaisersatt moved, with second by German, to approve the revisions as presented. Motion carried.

9.c. Learning Services Director Sandi Kovatch explained the reasons for adding the Food Science Equivalency Course, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) process, and the course concepts. Tjornehoj moved, with second by Robson, to approve the addition of a Food Science Equivalency Course, subject to DPI approval. Motion carried.

9.d. Sweet reviewed personnel restructuring/reallocation for the Community Education Coordinator, School Age Care Coordinator, Communications Specialist, Community Education Program Secretary, and Athletics/Activities Secretarial Assistant. She noted there is a $0 dollars net cost for the restructuring due to reallocation of funds for salaries and wages. The Personnel Committee recommended the restructuring plan. Kaisersatt moved, with second by Gehrke, to approve the personnel restructuring/reallocation as presented, effective July 1, 2012. Motion carried.

9.e. Financial Services Director Tim Erickson reviewed an agreement with Stantec Consulting for services related to the St. Croix Meadows rezoning. Erickson noted that the owners of St. Croix Meadows have agreed to pay 50% of consultant costs up to $25,000. Tjornehoj moved, with second by Kaisersatt to approve the agreement with Stantec Consulting Services. Gehrke requested a roll call vote. The Clerk recorded the following: German-yes, Kaisersatt-yes, Robson-yes, Tjornehoj-yes, Holland-yes, Gehrke-no. Motion carried 5-1.

9.f. Robson moved, with second by Gehrke, to approve the consent items which included the May 8, 2012, May 19, 2012, & May 29, 2012 Board meeting minutes; the personnel report including hires, changes, retirements, resignations/non-renewals/terminations, and leaves [attached]; expenditures in the amount of $2,001,589.15; the 2012-13 Agreement with Prescott School District for Vision Services; the 2012-13 Agreement with WITCH for Driver Education; and the 2011-12 Parent Transportation Agreements. Motion carried.

10.a. Tjornehoj reported that on 5/21/12, the Finance Committee reviewed the St. Croix Meadows Purchase Agreement to extend the dates for the rezoning contingency and closing; authorized the District to obtain professional services to support the St. Croix Meadows rezoning request; discussed the District’s health insurance program and a high deductible option; approved an increase in school lunch prices for 2012-13; and reviewed a commercial insurance rate increase.

10.b. Kaisersatt reported that on 5/29/12, the Personnel Committee reviewed a proposed revision to Policy #7600: School Board Meetings; reviewed proposed personnel restructuring/reallocation for the Community Education Coordinator, School Age Care Coordinator, Communications Specialist, Community Education Program Secretary, & Athletics/Activities Secretarial Assistant; and were updated regarding enrollments and staffing.

10.c. Tjornehoj reported that on 6/4/12, the Learning & Program Development Committee discussed moving the 2012-13 High School Prom location to a river boat; heard a report on the District Goal: High School Learning for the Future 2012-13 Plan; discussed proposed revisions to the athletic/activities code; reviewed a proposed Food Science Equivalency course; and discussed District website redesign proposals.

10.d. Holland reported that on 6/5/12, the Facilities & Grounds Committee reviewed criteria for selection of an architect consultant to support conceptual planning for a secondary school once the St. Croix Meadows property has closed; were updated on the St. Croix Meadows rezoning preparation; reviewed summer capital projects and 2012-13 capital projects; and adjourned to Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate regarding the sale of public property for competitive reasons.

11. Robson moved, with second by Kaisersatt, to adjourn to Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate regarding the sale of public property for competitive reasons. Gehrke questioned whether consideration of the sale of property qualifies as criteria for Closed Session. The administration explained how disclosure of information to be discussed would give an unfair advantage to potential buyers and would impact negotiations and has the potential to financially harm the district and taxpayers. A discussion followed. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: German-yes, Kaisersatt-yes, Robson-yes, Tjornehoj-yes, Holland-yes, Gehrke-no. Motion carried 5-1.

Closed Session

Board members present: Sandy Gehrke, Pat German, Tom Holland, Mark Kaisersatt, Lynn Robson, and Dan Tjornehoj.

Administrators present: Mary Bowen-Eggebraaten, Tim Erickson, and Nancy Sweet.

The Board deliberated regarding the sale of public property for competitive reasons.

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

Mark Kaisersatt, Clerk

(Pub. July 19, 2012)

________________________________________ WNAXLP

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