May 15, 2006

Meeting # 14

MINUTES OF MEETING # 14 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BLACK RIVER FALLS ON MAY 15, 2006 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM.

Board Members Present: Ramie Bakken, Paul Bohac, Lois Corey, Don Mathews, Jeff Pugh, Barb Sedelbauer, Bill Waughtal

Board Members Absent: None

The meeting was called to order by President Jeff Pugh at 6:00 p.m.

Notices of the meeting were delivered to the Banner Journal, WWIS Radio Station and Jackson County Chronicle and posted in three (3) public places on May 11, 2006.

Meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The following were elected as officers of the Board:

President: Jeff Pugh

Vice President: Lois Corey

Clerk: Barb Sedelbauer

Treasurer: Don Mathews

Public Comment:

Dave Kellen, parent of a choir student, member of Music Boosters, and a physician recruiter, addressed the board with concerns regarding possible changes to the High School music department.

Don Delebo thanked the board for removing the soda machines from the schools. He would like to have the junk food machines also removed. He also feels that staff should not be allowed to have soda at their desks.

Ramie Bakken moved to approve the consent agenda items with the addition of the employment of Jennifer Bolger, 3 rd grade teacher and the resignation of Jim Rufsholm as middle school wrestling coach. Bill Waughtal seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Ramie Bakken moved to approve the request of Darin and Kristi Hudson for a tuition waiver for up to nine weeks for their child to attend school in Black River Falls as they are planning to move into the Black River Falls School District within the next few months. Bill Waughtal seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Don Mathews moved to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE PARTIAL DEFEASANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BUILDING REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 1997A, DATED JULY 1, 1997

WHEREAS, Black River Falls School District, Jackson, Clark and Monroe Counties, Wisconsin (the “District”) has outstanding its General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 1997A, dated July 1, 1997 (the “1997 Bonds”):

WHEREAS, the District intends to use funds of the District on hand to provide for the payment of the principal of and interest on a portion of the 1997 Bonds which mature in the year 2014 (the “Outstanding Obligations”).

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Black River Falls School District, Jackson, Clark and Monroe Counties, Wisconsin that the officers of the District, along with the District’s Director of Business Services, the District’s financial advisor, and the District’s bond counsel, are authorized and directed to take such actions as are necessary to accomplish the defeasance of the Outstanding Obligations. Among the actions that are authorized to be taken are the following:

The execution of an Escrow Agreement with a bank or trust company approved by the President and District Clerk and the establishment of an escrow fund to provide for the payment of the Outstanding Obligations pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.

The purchase of U.S. government securities with the monies deposited in the escrow fund.

Adopted, approved and recorded this 15th day of May, 2006

Barb Sedelbauer seconded the motion.

Ayes: Ramie Bakken, Paul Bohac, Lois Corey, Don Mathews, Jeff Pugh, Barb Sedelbauer, Bill Waughtal

Nays: None

Motion carried with a 7 to 0 vote.

Budget Development – Jill Collins presented a comprehensive overview of the budget as it presents itself at this time. The deficit has essentially been eliminated with a reduction in technology purchases, fewer staff members and other items. The consensus of the board was agreement with the budget reductions as presented. Final budget action will take place in June. The Functional Analysis process will be ongoing.

Jay Severence spoke in regard to the areas of Art & Music being reduced through the Functional Analysis process.

Bill Wilcox would like to have the athletics looked at along with the Art & Music areas.

Discussion was held on the Core Agenda. No changes were suggested at this time.

Barb Sedelbauer moved to approve policy 458 School Wellness as presented. Don Mathews seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Track Bids – Action was tabled on the track bid at this time as only one bid was received and it was over budget.

Dr. Richards reported that the Renaissance Dedication Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 19 at 12:00 noon. The student Baccalaureate Program will be held on Wednesday, May 24 and graduation will be held on Sunday, May 28th.

The strategic plan is progressing consistent with the goals and objectives developed to support the plan. The three (3) priorities are:

Further develop PK-12 Professional Learning Communities

Create facilities for the future

High Academic Standards

The Board has three standing committees; Policy, Business Services, and Curriculum & Instruction. The current members of each committee are listed below:

* Administrative staff

** Teaching staff

*** Community member

The Board president is authorized to appoint committee members within two (2) months of taking office, subject to a majority approval of the full board. All board members expressed interest in staying on the committee they are currently serving on.

The Board was given a copy of the Board Assessment Survey Results. There was very low participation in the survey and it was noted that when the survey was distributed via the “Insights”, the participation rate was also very low.

Jeff Pugh reported that the WASB will be sponsoring a Finance Conference and the District’s “Foreign Exchange Student” policy was featured as a “sample” policy in the WASB publication The Focus.

The policy committee discussed Policy 811.1 Native American Parent Involvement and Policy 830 District Facilities at their most recent meeting. No action was taken but administration was directed to follow-up on several points and report back to the committee at the next meeting.

Ramie Bakken reported on the CESA #4 Legislative Night meeting she attended on May 1, along with Lois Corey, Barb Sedelbauer and Dennis Richards.

Future agenda items:

CORE agenda

Discussion on student reporting at meetings.

Don Mathews moved to adjourn to executive session under Sec. 19.85 (1(c) Wis. Stats. to discuss the status of negotiations with the BRFESPA and to act on compensation for administrators and non-represented employees at 7:40 p.m. Lois Corey seconded the motion.

Ayes: Ramie Bakken, Paul Bohac, Lois Corey, Don Mathews, Jeff Pugh,

Barb Sedelbauer, Bill Waughtal

Nays: None

Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned to closed session.