HUDSON SCHOOL DISTRICT: 12/11/12 Board Meeting Minutes

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:

Regular Board of Education Meeting Minutes - December 11, 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 Multipurpose Room at River Crest Elementary. Members present: Brian Bell, Sandy Gehrke, Pat German, Tom Holland, Mark Kaisersatt, and Lynn Robson. 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 correction to the agenda under Topics for Action, item 7.f. Appoint Deputy Clerk for Spring 2013 School Board Election will be presented by Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten, not President Holland.

3.a. Sue Dahl and her students were recognized for their state level competition of their One Act Play: “The Real Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare.”

3.b. The Hudson School District Early Childhood Program was recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Preschool Options Projects as an exemplary program.

3.c. High School Athletic Director/Associate Principal Stephanie DeVos reported highlights of the fall athletic season and recognized the students participating in Athletes Making Progress. She also noted that Hudson athletes have received many awards and recognition from other districts for their sportsmanship.

Football Coach Adam Kowles recognized his players for their teamwork to go undefeated in conference play for the first time in 46 years, placing them in sole position for the Big River Conference (BRC) championship. The team went on to Level 4 play-offs, the farthest in school history. Ten boys received 1st Team All-Conference honors, and 3 earned 2nd team honors. Mike Hommes was named BRC Offensive Player of the Year and Alex Burgess was named BRC Defensive Player of the Year. Coach Kowles was named the BRC Coach of the Year.

Girls Golf was recognized for placing 5th at Regionals. Jill Wanner received 1st Team All-Conference honors.

Boys Soccer and Coach Steve Sollom were recognized for placing 2nd in the BRC conference and were Regional champs and Sectional runner-up. Ben Lundt, Alex Schnobrich, and Rocky Harmon were named to the 1st All-Conference Team and Henry Brose and Alek Spasic were named to the 2nd All-Conference Team. Seth Blum received Honorable Mention and Rocky Harmon was also named BRC Conference Player of the Year.

Girls Swim & Dive were recognized as Conference and Sectional runner-ups, placing 18th out of 52 teams at State. Devin Cicha, Erika Guenther, Abby Duerst, Emmie Reynolds and Natalie Woods qualified for the State Swim & Dive Meet; with Kayla Lorenz and Linsey Bedford as alternates. The team also won the BRC Sportsmanship award.

Girls Tennis was recognized for finishing 2nd in the BRC and 3rd in the 18-team Sectionals. Bailey Knight and Alex Johnson were named 1st Team ALL-BRC honors. Emily Schertz, Julia Douglas and Sydney Squires were named 2nd Team All-Conference. Bailey Knight, Alex Johnson, Sydney Squires, Julia Douglas and Kelsie Hines qualified for the State Tournament; the most girls sent to state in one season in Hudson school district history.

Volleyball was recognized for finishing in 4th place in the conference, with Mariah Hallen and Melissa Hammer receiving

All-Conference Honorable Mention and Hannah Wirth named to the Second Team.

Cross Country Coach Don Krupa reported the girls’ team placed second in Conference, second at Sectionals and 11th at the State meet. The girls individually earned 1st Team and 2nd Team conference honors. The boys placed third in Conference, fifth at Sectionals, and earned 1st Team , 2nd Team, and Honorable Mention certificates. Ryan Kromer won Conference for the second time, won Sectionals for the third time and participated at State for the fourth time. Ryan became State Champion winning by 10 seconds, making him the first Hudson student to win the individual state title.

Aaron Moen spoke on behalf of the Middle School athletic program and its impact on preparing student athletes at that level for High School success.

3.d. DeVos reported the Hudson Benchwarmers received a community service award from the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association honoring the group for its outstanding support of the Raider football program.

3.e. John Coughlin, Executive Director of the St. Croix Valley United Way, recognized the Hudson School District staff for their 2012 contribution of $22,494. He also recognized Human Resources Manager Debra Weisert for her efforts in supporting the fund raising efforts. Mr. Coughlin noted that approximately half of the money donated is returned to the District to support such programs as Peer Helpers at the High School and the Angel Fund at the elementary schools.

4.a. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reviewed the Board approved community engagement process regarding secondary space for learning needs. Members of the community were invited to sessions held on November 29 and December 6 at YMCA Camp St. Croix. About 25 people attended the first session and 20 at the second. The sessions were facilitated by Pete Kling from St. Croix County UW-Extension. Mr. Kling summarized the conversations in response to four questions: (1) What does Hudson’s Strategic Vision (HSD2025) and 21st Century Education mean to you? (2) What types of facilities best support the Hudson Middle School house concept and the High School Learning for the Future and 21st Century Learning? (3) What do you see as the best long-term 21st Century Learning solution for Hudson’s students in grades 6-12? (4) What else does the school board need to know?

4.b. Student Services Director Cory McIntyre reported regarding 2011-12 special education referrals and placements. There are currently fewer students in special education programs than in 2008-09 which means students with special needs are being more successful in mainstream programs. Initial special education referrals were down 31% and placements down 40% since 2008-09.

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

7.a. High School Principal Laura Love reviewed the four components for High School Learning for the Future: Transitioning Middle School Students; Small Learning Communities in 10th thru 12th grades; Project Based Learning in grades 9-12; Advisories for Grades 9 & 10; and the Freshmen Academies. High School Dean of Students Josh Halvorson further explained the Freshmen Academy component and shared a sample academy team schedule, which provides small group learning experiences in core subject areas.

Kaisersatt moved, with second by German, to implement Freshmen Academies for the 2013-14 school year. Motion carried on a voice vote.

7.b. Superintendent Bowen-Eggebraaten reviewed the long-term secondary space for learning solution criteria approved by the Board. Communications Coordinator Tracy Habisch-Ahlin reviewed fifteen options to provide long-term secondary space for learning solutions (Options A-O) for Board consideration. Options were gathered from the 2004 Facilities Task Force recommendations, community members via emails and on-line feedback, World Café community conversations, and Board of Education October, 2012 Long-term Secondary Space for Learning work session.

President Holland recommended that the Board consider each Option and make a motion whether or not to move it forward for further study. Gehrke requested a roll call vote on each motion.

Option A: Construct a 4 Year High School. Divide Middle School into two schools, located at current High School and Middle School.

Robson moved, with second by German, to move forward for further study. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: German-yes, Kaisersatt-no, Robson-yes, Holland-yes, Gehrke-no, Bell-no. Motion failed due to a tie vote.

Option B: Construct a 4 Year High School. Current High School converted to Grades 7-8. Current Middle School converted to Grades 5-6.

Bell moved, with second by Robson, to move forward for further study. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: German-yes, Kaisersatt-yes, Robson-yes, Holland-yes, Gehrke-no, Bell-yes. Motion carried 5-1.

Option C: Construct a 3 Year High School Grades 10-12. Current High School converted to Grades 8-9. Current Middle School converted to Grades 6-7.

Option D: Construct a Grade 8-9 School. Current High School converted to Grades 10-12. Current Middle School converted to Grades 6-7.

Bell moved, with second by German, to move forward for further study. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: German-yes, Kaisersatt-no, Robson-no, Holland-no, Gehrke-no, Bell-yes. Motion failed 4-2.

Option E: Construct a Grade 6-7 School. Current High School converted to Grades 10-12. Current Middle School converted to Grades 8-9.

Gehrke made a motion to move forward for further study. Motion failed for lack of second. Option failed to move forward.

Option F: Build a 6-12 School for 700 students (STEM). Current High School remains Grades 9-12. Current Middle School remains Grades 6-8.

Gehrke moved, with second by Robson, to move forward for further study. On a roll call vote, the Clerk recorded the following: German-no, Kaisersatt-no, Robson-yes, Holland-yes, Gehrke-yes, Bell-yes. Motion carried 4-2.

Option G: Construct an Elementary School K-5 to relocate Hudson Prairie Elementary. Current High School converted to Grades 10-12. Current Middle School converted to Grades 8-9. Current Hudson Prairie Elementary converted to Grades 6-7.