Hudson School District: 11/13/12 Board Meeting Minutes

Regular Board of Education Meeting Minutes - November 13, 2012

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 Multipurpose Room at River Crest Elementary. 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.

President Holland noted a change in the order of Topics for Action under topic 8a. Secondary Long-Term Space for Learning, moving Planning Process: Initial Steps before Community Advisory Committee.

3.a. National Merit Scholarship students David Kocik, Andrew Dickerson and Grant Starr were recognized.

3.b. Middle School 8th grade student Nick Persinger was recognized for his video promoting the Sustain Hudson group and their concept of environmental sustainability practices in the Hudson community.

3.c. High School Yearbook staff members Miranda Faughn, Sara Reams, Trisha Wood, and Jordan Mlinar and staff advisors, Debbie Lee and Stephen Kennedy, were recognized for state and national awards received on the 2011-12 yearbook from the Chippewa Valley School Press Association Conference; the National Scholastic Press Association; and the Columbia University Scholastic Press Association.

4.a. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported the District has been nationally recognized for the third year in a row by the College Board on the Advanced Placement Honor Roll. Only two other Wisconsin districts, Kimberly and Green Bay, have been named to this honor roll and only 44 districts in the United States have been selected for this honor three years in a row like Hudson.

4.b. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported that Houlton Elementary has received the Healthier US School Challenge Silver Award from the United State Department of Agriculture for meeting rigorous standards for nutritious school meals and student physical activity. Houlton Principal Ann Mitchell recognized Kristie Faust, Child Nutrition Head Cook, Ashley Magee, Phy. Ed. Teacher, the school’s Wellness Team and students Camryn Robson and Piper Leeson for their efforts in achieving this recognition.

4.c. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported that High School Principal Laura Love and AODA Coordinator Dana Krahenbuhl will be presenting at the 2013 State Education Convention in Milwaukee in January. The presentation is called “Flip It Forward-Transform School Culture” which is a program to transform the school culture by breaking down barriers to promote trust among students.

4.d. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reported that every few years the District reviews Board policies to make sure they align with current practice, with current legal requirements, and update language for clarity. Revised policies will be reviewed by Board Committees and brought to the Board for adoption over the next year.

5.a. Willow River Principal Peg Shoemaker, North Hudson Second Grade Teacher Diedre Bloemers, Houlton First Grade Teacher Tara Zinck, E.P. Rock Special Education Teacher Sherri Hole, and Associate Director of Learning Services David Grambow presented a report on Teacher Leaders: Building for Capacity for Instructional and System Success. Principal Shoemaker explained the goal is to create a comprehensive learning system where every teacher, every classroom, every school engages in high quality literacy instruction every day and to focus on teacher practice and applying best practice in every classroom. A team of 18 Elementary Literacy Facilitators (ELF) are teacher leaders who model effective literacy practices and work with teachers in classrooms in all six Hudson elementary schools at all grade levels and in special education classrooms.

5.b. Jim Fox of Fox Lawson and Associates presented the results of an Administrative Comprehensive Salary Study. Fox Lawson & Associates conducted an independent salary and benefits survey to determine the competitiveness of compensation for 11 administrative positions: Superintendent of Schools, District Deputy Director/Human Resources Director, Financial Services Director, Student Services Director, Learning Services Director, Learning Services Associate Director, High School Principal, Middle School Principal, Elementary School Principal, Associate Principal, and Athletic Director/Associate Principal, similar to the comparability studies for all other employee groups. The purpose of the study was to ensure that employees are paid competitively within the appropriate market in order to attract and retain a highly qualified staff. Twenty-three school districts were included in the survey; comprised of Wisconsin districts and twin cities metro districts with similar characteristics such as location and enrollment, as well as those districts that were comparable in terms of comprehensive assessments and ACT comparisons to Hudson.

5.c. President Holland reported regarding the Board Work Session on October 30, 2012. The purpose of the work session was to develop a plan to move forward in determining a long-term secondary space for learning solution. Work of the previous Task Force was reviewed. The Board developed a plan that incorporates a broad spectrum of community participation and input that will be discussed later in the meeting under Topics for Action.

6.-7. No citizens spoke to the Board.

8.a. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reviewed the criteria for long-term space for learning that was discussed at the Board Work Session and was developed from the Facilities Task Force criteria; and criteria that has previously been used by the Board. The criteria focuses on addressing the areas of enrollment and maintaining class size guidelines; the program/system for learning that aligns with the district’s strategic vision for 21st Century learning HSD 2025; investing financial resources to balance the learning needs of current and future students; retaining the structural integrity and usability of current facilities; and providing a significant community engagement in the decision making process.

Robson moved, with second by Tjornehoj, to approve the long-term secondary space for learning solution criteria as presented. Motion carried.

Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten and Communications Coordinator Tracy Habisch-Ahlin reviewed the secondary space for learning long-term planning process and timeline. The process is designed to provide multiple opportunities for community members to contribute to the process and provide ideas and input. There will be two large community engagement sessions on November 29 and December 6. Community input will also be available through the District website, as well as other opportunities. The process includes formation of a Community Advisory Committee. Suggestions for potential solutions will be reviewed and possibly narrowed by the Board at the December meeting.

Robson moved, with second by Tjornehoj, to approve the secondary space for learning long-term planning process as presented. Motion carried.

President Holland reviewed the recommendation of establishing a Community Advisory Committee to be co-chaired by community members Paul Bourget and Paul Moen. The purpose of the committee would be to review information regarding secondary long-term space for learning potential solutions and feedback from the community. The committee would consist of Paul Bourget, Paul Moen and 10 others to be selected through an application process. Board President Tom Holland and Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten would serve as advisors.

Robson moved, with second by German, to approve establishing a Community Advisory Committee. Motion carried.

Financial Services Director Erickson reviewed the process and timeline to hire an architect firm for pre-referendum support.

Bell moved, with second by Robson to approve the hiring of an architect firm for pre-referendum support. Motion carried.

8.b. District Deputy Director/Human Resources Director Nancy Sweet reviewed updates to the salary/benefit comparability executive summary. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reviewed teacher salary compensation as compared to other Wisconsin and Minnesota districts. Board Member Kaisersatt reported the Personnel Committee endorsed the concept of using the combined salary group and the goal of the median salary to be the target for all employee groups.

Kaisersatt moved that the Board consider a salary plan that uses the combined salary groups from Wisconsin and Minnesota with the median salary as the target for all employee groups. Robson seconded the motion.

Gehrke called for a roll call vote. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: Bell-no, Gehrke-no, German-yes, Holland-yes, Kaisersatt-yes, Robson-yes, Tjornehoj-yes. Motion carried 5-2.

8.c. President Holland reported that at the Committee of the Whole meeting held on November 7, 2012 , the Board reached consensus on a group of Board policies which were tabled at the October Board meeting.

Bell moved, with second by Tjornehoj to approve the revisions to Policies 7600: School Board Meetings; 7601: Board Use of Electronic Communications; 2300: Board-Staff Communications; 7800: School Board Expectations & Ethics; 1125: Public Suggestions and Complaints; 1230: Loitering or Causing Disturbance; and Procedure 1310.1: Complaints: School Personnel.

Gehrke called for a roll call vote. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: Bell-yes, Gehrke-no, German-yes, Holland-yes, Kaisersatt-yes, Robson-yes, Tjornehoj-yes. Motion carried 6-1.

8.d. Gehrke requested Policy 7200: Board Policies and Procedure 7200.1: Policy Development, Revision, Adoption and Dissemination be removed from Consent Items and moved to a separate Action Item.

Bell moved, with second by Kaisersatt to approve the revisions to Policy 7200: Board Policies and Procedure 7200.1: Policy Development, Revision, Adoption and Dissemination. Gehrke called for a roll call vote. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: Bell-yes, Gehrke-no, German-yes, Holland-yes, Kaisersatt-yes, Robson-yes, Tjornehoj-yes. Motion carried 6-1.

Tjornehoj moved, with second by Robson, to approve the consent items which included the October 9, 2012 Board meeting minutes; the personnel report including hires, changes, retirements, resignations/non-renewals/terminations, and leaves [attached]; expenditures in the amount of $2,167,421.90; receipts in the amount of 456,335.73; payroll totaling $1,675,661.33; and EFT/ACH payments totaling $1,216,837.2; and the 2012-13 second semester Youth Option applications. Motion carried.

9.a. Bell reported that on 10/29/12, the Learning & Program Development Committee reviewed revisions to Policy 7200: Board Policies and Procedure 7200.1: Policy Development, Revision, Adoption and Dissemination; heard an update regarding the proposed secondary math curriculum; and reviewed Hudson’s DPI school report card.

9.b. Tjornehoj reported that on 10/29/12, the Finance Committee discussed the use of residual funds for some projects at River Crest, with the balance designated to reduce the levy; and reviewed a legislative proposal from the National School Boards Association to ask Congress to stop sequestration.

9.c. Holland reported that on 11/6/12, the Facilities & Grounds Committee reviewed the proposed long-term secondary space for learning process; the proposed process to select an architect for pre-referendum planning; discussed whether to have additional testing done on the UU site; and reviewed capital projects.

9.e. Kaisersatt reported that on 11/6/12, the Personnel Committee heard a report from Fox Lawson and Associates regarding an administrator salary and benefit comparability study; were updated on all employee salary/benefits comparability studies; moved to recommend to the Board that the administration come back with a salary plan for consideration that uses the combined salary comparison groups from Wisconsin and Minnesota with the median salary as the target for all employee groups; moved to support additional staffing for the Middle School instrumental music program; and adjourned to Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) to prepare for negotiations with WCEA-Hudson Teachers Union.

10. Robson moved, with second by Gehrke, to adjourn to Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) to prepare for negotiations with WCEA-Hudson Teachers Union. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: Bell-yes, Gehrke-yes, German-yes, Holland-yes, Kaisersatt-yes, Robson-yes, Tjornehoj-yes. Motion carried 7-0

The Board discussed strategy in preparation for negotiations with WCEA-Hudson Teachers’ Union. Bell moved, with second by Robson to adjourn.

Mark Kaisersatt, Clerk

(Pub. December 20, 2012)

WNAXLP