BOE Meeting Minutes - March 8, 2010
by Linda Gieber
March 09, 2010
REPUBLIC COUNTY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT #109
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
March 8, 2010
President : Phillip Poppe
Vice-Pres. : Kevin Milner
Board Member: Mike Hadachek
Board Member: Layne Holmes
Board Member: Doug Jackson
Board Member: Kevin Kuhlman
Board Member: Donna Ward
Superintendent: Troy Damman
Board Clerk : Linda Gieber
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING AT 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT
All Board Members were present along with Principals Don Westphal and Julie Gottschalk, Superintendent Troy Damman and Clerk of the Board Linda Gieber.
Patrons present as registered.
CALL TO ORDER
The regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 8, 2010 by President Phillip Poppe.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
There were additions to the Agenda, under the consent agenda-Approval of Spanish Teacher Contract for Conan Shinn for the 2010-2011 school year. Two items added under Business items-Executive Session for Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel and Possible Adjustments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mike Hadachek moved to approve the Board’s Agenda with the additions and Layne Holmes seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
REVIEW AND APROVAL OF BILLS
The Board reviewed and had questions on the monthly bills totaling $104,116.63. Kevin Kuhlman moved to approve the bills as presented and Kevin Milner seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Approval of Previous Minutes of February 8, 2010.
Smoky Hill ESC Report
Mr. Damman reported that discussion was held on Virtual School options that would help member districts. Smoky Hill would be the hosting School and provide various Virtual courses at a rate of $2,000-$2,200, with more discussion at future meetings.
Information was shared about federal AYP requirements and that they would be extended beyond the 2014 date, the requirements would measure student progress toward readiness for college or a career.
He reported that demonstrations were provided on various white board technologies and how they are being used in the classrooms.
Approve-Head Boys Tennis Coach Contract for Kirk Gallion for 2010-11 Year:
Approve-School Nurse Contract for Shalene Scheuerman:
Approve-Resignation from Pam Gallion as RCJH Cheer Sponsor for the end of 2009-10 School Year:
Approve shared Spanish Teacher contract with Pike Valley for Conan Shinn for the 2010-11 School Year.
MOTION ON CONSENT AGENDA
Donna Ward moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Doug Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
COMMENTS OF REPUBLIC COUNTY USD 109 PATRONS
Jean Jensby asked about the decision of the facilities study that was done on the buildings that was previously reported from the facility committee. Mr. Poppe stated that the Board would currently stay with the committee’s recommendation for right now and leave all buildings open.
Brent Martin reported on the USD 109 CARES program and stated that they currently have $1,500 in the account. He reported on some of the fund raisers including with Mr. Goodscents and the Pizza Hut. He reported that they would like to have an adult clean up project day at the school to help the appearance of the school.
Mr. Martin asked for approval by the Board to continue with the strengthening program that he and Brad Couture did last year during the summer for the young kids. The Board unanimously agreed.
STUDENT COUNCIL REPORT
Student Council representatives Morgan Strnad and Josh Tietjen were present and gave an updated student council report to the Board.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Mr. Don Westphal, K-6 Principal:
Mr. Westphal reported that the current enrollment for grades K-4 is 175 students and 70 students in 5-6th grades. He reported that Parent-Teachers conferences had an attendance ratio of 95.42 percent at the East and a 95.71 percent ratio of attendance at the RCMS. The statewide tornado drill has been re-scheduled to March 11, due to the inclement weather. He also reported that currently next year’s kindergarten class could possibly have 47 students.
Activities Director, Doug Lull:
There was no Activities report at this time.
Mrs. Julie Gottschalk, 7-12 Principal:
Mrs. Gottschalk reported that there are currently 69 students in grades 7-8 and 155 students in grades 9-12. She reported on the current extra-curricular activities, events and achievements by the participating students.
Mrs. Gottschalk asked for approval by the Board to allow J.H. Math Teacher Brad Couture, to hold a Pilot Math program as a math incentive for the students and would also like to have this published in the school handbook. Donna Ward moved to approve Brad Couture’s request for the Pilot program and also add to the school handbook. Mike Hadachek seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
She also reported that the Site Council has set up a proposal for the “Eligibility” section of the student handbook, and would add good standing guidelines for students who wish to run for a school office or be considered as a homecoming or sweetheart candidate.
Mr. Damman, Superintendent of Schools:
Mr. Damman reported and presented information on selected Senate and House Education Bills and other Bills of interest from the 2010 Legislative Session that was compiled by the State School Finance Section.
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
Board Member Layne Holmes presented financial information explaining the savings cost verses additional expenses of not closing the East Elementary as recommended by the Facilities Committee, and also the Administration Office/Bus Barn.
BUSINESS ITEMS AND REPORTS
D-Silt Presentation:
David Kadavy presented educational information on the 2010 Collaboration meeting held by USD 109’s Teachers.
Jean Popelka, Michelle Hubert, and Laurie Kasl reported on the MAP testing and the enhancement of the Lexile reading scale for K-12 students and how this measures a students progress in various subjects and how the students and classes are broken down by RIT and goals.
Executive Session: Discussion of Personnel Matter of Non-Elected Personnel
Layne Holmes moved to go into Executive Session from 7:45 p.m. until 8:05 p.m., for Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel and Doug Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going into Executive Session were Board Members and Superintendent Damman.
Open Session
At 8:05 p.m., Board Members and Damman returned to open session.
Board Member Kevin Milner had to excuse himself from the Board Meeting at 8:06 p.m.
Hillcrest Lease:
Mr. Damman reported that he had spoken to the Cuba City Mayor, Jay Beam about a gym lease agreement at the Hillcrest building for the 2010-2011 school year, and indicated that the City would be willing to rent out the building again for same price of $15,000. After discussion by the Board, Donna Ward moved to drop the gym lease at the Hillcrest building and Doug Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Budget Adjustments for 2010-2011 School Year:
Discussion was held on the list of budget adjustments that Mr. Damman presented for the 2010-2011 school year.
Donna Ward moved to adopt the budget cuts as listed and Doug Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. View List of Approved Budget Adjustments
School Calendar:
Donna Ward moved to approve the 2010-2011 school year as presented, with the first day of school as a half day beginning on August 17, 2010, and the last day as a half day dismissal ending on May 26, 2011. Kevin Kuhlman seconded the motion which carried 6-0.
Transportation Report:
Mr. Damman reported on the extra-curricular activities transportation report that was prepared by Transportation Director, Mark VanNortwick. The report presented comparable information on usage of school vehicles, mileage, and transportation expenses from 2006-07 through 2009-10 school years.
Review Board Policies CGI to CO-R:
The Board reviewed Policies CGI to CO-R of the School Board Policies. The Board would like to have stated that Policies CGI to CO-R were revisited on 3-8-2010 with no changes.
Executive Session: Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel:
Mike Hadachek moved to go into Executive Session from 9:45 p.m. until 10:15 p.m., for Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel and Layne Holmes seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Those going into Executive Session were Board Members, Principals Westphal and Gottschalk, and Superintendent Damman.
At 10:15 p.m., Mike Hadachek made a motion to go back into Executive Session from 10:15 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., for Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel. Layne Holmes seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Those going into Executive Session were Board Members, Principals Westphal and Gottschalk, and Superintendent Damman.
Open Session
At 10:30 p.m., Board Members, Westphal, Gottschalk, and Damman returned to open session.
Mr. Damman reported that Pike Valley would like to purchase one additional hour in the music department from Teacher Kirk Gallion
for the 2010-11 school year, which would make the sharing half time at Republic County and half time at Pike Valley for music instructor Kirk Gallion.
Mike Hadachek stated that he would like to take the Wrestling program off of the list of possible budget cuts for the 2010-11 school year. The consensus of the Board was to remove the wrestling from the list of budget cuts.
ADJOURNMENT
Donna Ward moved to adjourn the meeting and Mike Hadachek seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
FUTURE DATES
Mar. 15-19, 2010 – No School - “Spring Break”
April 2, 2010 – No School - “Good Friday”
April 12, 2010 – Regular BOE Meeting at 7:30 p.m.
