HUDSON SCHOOL DISTRICT: 7/10/12 Regular Meeting Minutes

Regular Board of Education Meeting Minutes - July 10, 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: Brian Bell, 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 Bell to approve the agenda. Gehrke moved to amend the motion to eliminate any discussion involving Board Policy 2300. Motion failed for lack of second. Gehrke called for a roll call vote on the original motion. The Clerk recorded the following: Bell-yes, Gehrke-no, German-yes, Holland-yes, Kaisersatt-yes, Robson-yes, Tjornehoj-yes. Motion carried 6-1.

4.a. The Middle School and High School Destination Imagination Teams were recognized for their participation in the Global Competition in Knoxville, Tenn. The Middle School seventh-grade team of Elliot Wareham, Andy Richardson, Kate Malanaphy, Emily Schlepp, Jack Johnson, Ethan Kepulis and Grace Kazak, managed by Kathy Kepulis and Tom Wareham, competed against 70 teams and placed 7th. The High School team of Ty Davis, Erin Coyer, Kevin Pelzel and Seana Greene, managed by Roger Davis, competed against 25 teams and placed 16th.

5.a. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported the District received a gift of $1,272.44 from the Hudson Knights of Columbus. The money will be used to support students with severe disabilities. She thanked the Knights of Columbus for their continued financial support to the District.

6.a. Sweet reported regarding the elementary, middle school and high school class sizes. She noted the numbers represent “a point in time” and will continue to change prior to the start of school in September. Board of Education guidelines for elementary class sizes are K-2: 18-22 and Gr. 3-5: 22-27. Sweet reported there are 2502 students registered in the elementary schools, with six sections slightly over the guidelines, 10 sections under, and no capped grade levels to date. Kindergarten registrations have increased by 70 students since February. Board of Education guidelines for secondary (Gr. 6-12) course/class enrollments are 22-27 students. Sweet reported the Middle School has 1,314 registered students. Forty-four (18%) of the 246 core subjects are over class size guidelines. At the High School, seventy-four (30%) of the 250 core subjects are over class size guidelines

6.b. Erickson reviewed the 2012-13 preliminary budget and noted it is based on estimated state aids which will not be finalized until October. He summarized the major budget assumptions which included: level student membership aid units; decrease in federal grants of $1,100,000; increase in equalization aid of approximately $1,500,000; increase in total tax levy of 3.30%; and loss of additional state aid of approximately $275,000 due to the District’s under levy projection of over $16,000,000.

6.c. Erickson introduced Paul Johnson, of Nova Consulting, a certified Industrial Hygienist, who presented a report on the condition of the mold contamination in the St. Croix Meadows building. The report concluded that the mold issues can be successfully remediated during the renovation process. Johnson confirmed that the removal of all porous building materials and finish materials throughout the building, followed by cleaning of all substrates, is expected to remediate mold. Confirmation testing could be conducted prior to rebuild activities to demonstrate mold remediation was successful.

7. President Tom Holland referenced Board Policy #7600 in regard to the manner in which speakers address the Board. He stated that the Board welcomes respectful comments on issues but that the Board will not tolerate demeaning comments and personal attacks. One staff member and one citizen spoke to the Board.

8. Board members responded to the comments.

9. Middle School Principal Dan Koch and Willow River Elementary Principal Peg Shoemaker spoke on behalf of the Principals; District Administrators Cory McIntyre, Sandi Kovatch, Tim Erickson and Nancy Sweet; and Board Members Tom Holland, Mark Kaisersatt, Pat German, Brian Bell, Lynn Robson, and Dan Tjornehoj, spoke in support of Superintendent Mary Bowen-Eggebraaten and her leadership of the District.

10.a. Attorney Mick Waldspurger reported on the findings from his independent investigation into allegations related to the hiring of Communications Coordinator Tracy Habisch-Ahlin; the removal of April Simmons from the substitute teacher call list; and the conduct of Board Member Sandy Gehrke.

10.b. Attorney Waldspurger presented legal opinions on matters affecting school district operations, including open enrollment, the authority of school officials, referendum questions, conflict of interest, and defamatory statements.

10.c. Attorney Waldspurger responded to unfounded statements and rumors regarding the District.

11.a. McIntyre reviewed the reasons for proposing the new policy and the content of the policy. Bell moved, with second by Robson, to approve new Board Policy #6137: English as a Second Language Program Eligibility and Exit Criteria. Motion carried.

11.b. Erickson explained that the Federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, Section 205-Paid Lunch Equity Rule requires that schools participating in the National School Lunch Program must gradually increase prices to equal the federal reimbursement rate of $2.51 for the 2012-13 school year. Peggy Eller, Nutrition Services Coordinator proposed raising the meal prices by $.10. Bell moved, with second by Kaisersatt, to approve the increase in school lunch prices by $.10. Motion carried.

11.c. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reviewed the 2012-13 District Goals, endorsed by the Learning & Program Development Committee. The goals are as follows:

High School Learning for the Future & 6-12 Space for Learning

* Advance the High School Learning for the Future implementation plan for the current year and further develop the multiple year plan for future implementation.

* Make progress toward a long-term solution for grades 6-12 space for learning needs.

HSD 2025 Implementation

* Plan to integrate to the full extent possible the District’s strategic vision HSD 2025 with the implementation of multiple state mandated program, effectiveness, and accountability changes that begin in 2012-13 and culminate in 2014-15.

Sandi Kovatch, Cory McIntyre, and Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reviewed some of the mandates that would be addressed. Bell moved, with second by Tjornehoj, to approve the 2012-13 District Goals as presented. Motion carried.

11.d. Sweet reviewed proposed 2012-13 additional staffing requests, as recommended by the Personnel Committee. They included High School Math Teacher (.60 FTE); High School Family & Consumer Science Teacher (.20 FTE); High School Instructional Coach (1.0 FTE); Willow River Elementary School Psychologist (.20 FTE); and an Elementary Instructional Coach (1.0 FTE). Kaisersatt moved, with second by Bell, to approve the additional staffing requests as presented. Motion carried.

11.e. Tjornehoj moved, with second by Robson, to approve the consent items which included the June 12, 2012 Board meeting minutes; the personnel report including hires, changes, retirements, resignations/ non-renewals/terminations, and leaves [attached]; expenditures in the amount of $2,046,444.05; receipts in the amount of $8,506,151.85; payroll totaling $2,063,456.44; and EFT/ACH payments totaling $1,086,790.59; awarding the 2012-13 bread bid to Sara Lee Bakery Group; approve revisions to Policy #5142: Student Medication; renewal of the lease agreement with BRIDGE for Hudson Youth, Inc. for the community work site; and renewal of the lease agreement with BRIDGE for Hudson Youth, Inc. for Claiborne House. Motion carried.

12.a. Bell reported that on 6/25/12, the Learning & Program Development Committee heard a report on Peer Helper data; reviewed revisions to Policy 5142: Student Medication; and discussed the 2012-13 proposed District Goals.

12.b. Tjornehoj reported that on 6/25/12, the Finance Committee was updated regarding the 2011-12 financials, the 2012-13 preliminary budget; financing update for purchase of St. Croix Meadows, and merging of Funds 80 & 81. On 7/9/12, the Finance Committee was updated on the 2012-13 state aid estimates and the 2012-13 preliminary budget adjustments.

12.c. Holland reported that on 6/26/12, the Facilities & Grounds Committee reviewed residual construction funds from River Crest; architect consultant criteria to provide information for the District and citizens prior to a construction referendum; a request for a proposal for the High School plant assessment; was updated regarding preparation for the St. Croix Meadows re-zoning request to the City of Hudson; and the progress of summer projects.

12.d. Kaisersatt reported that on 6/26/12, the Personnel Committee was updated regarding 2012-13 enrollments and staffing; supported continuation of a head lifeguard/pool monitor position and the High School campus monitor positions; and affirmed final notice to support staff members due to reductions. Holland reported that on 7/9/12, the Personnel Committee affirmed the proposed 2012-13 additional staffing recommendations.

13. Bell moved, with second by Tjornehoj to adjourn. Motion carried.

Mark Kaisersatt, Clerk

(Pub. August 30, 2012) WNAXLP

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