MINUTES OF MEETING # 8 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BLACK RIVER FALLS ON DECEMBER 19, 2005 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM.

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

Board Members Absent: Lois Corey

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 December 15, 2005.

Meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Barb Sedelbauer moved to approve the consent agenda items with the addition of the gift of a Vibraphone from the Music Boosters. Paul Bohac seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Paul Bohac moved to approve the purchase of two (2) school buses, one 77 passenger Bluebird All American (transit) and one 65 passenger Bluebird Vision (conventional) bus; both units to be equipped with air brakes at a total cost of $132,185.

Don Mathews seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Gretchen Sierk, high school biology teacher, presented a report regarding the school forest. A committee has been meeting for the past couple years and they would like to submit two grants to the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board to underwrite curriculum and program development related to the use of the forest by staff members.

Ramie Bakken moved to approve the request to submit the two (2) grants to the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board. Don Mathews seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Strategic Planning:

Vision

The Black River Falls School District will be a learning environment that is known for

• High academic achievement

• Enrichment opportunities

• Fostering a love of learning, and creating respectful & productive citizens in partnership with our diverse community

Mission

Our relationships with all students will promote their educational achievement and prepare them to be life-long learners and compassionate, contributing members of our society.

• Further develop PK-12 learning community
• Create facilities for the future
• High academic expectations

Don Mathews moved to approve the vision, mission, and work plans for the three (3) priorities adopted by the board. Paul Bohac seconded the motion. Motion carried.

There are no new course proposals for the 2006-07 school year.

Dr. Richards commended the many district staff members that were involved with Project Christmas. Their help was greatly appreciated. Tomorrow night is the Forrest Street Christmas Concert at 6:30 p.m. in the Lunda Theatre. Classes will dismiss at the end of school on Thursday for the holiday break and resume on Monday, January 2.

David Roou, middle school principal, reported that he and several of the middle school teachers are attending a “Reading Strategies for the Content Areas” conference sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of Curriculum Development.

Shelly Severson, principal of Gebhardt and Third Street Elementary Schools, and a member of the elementary boundary committee, presented the final recommendations regarding the reconfiguration of the district boundaries. Jeff Walker, transportation supervisor, displayed several examples of how the transportation of the students would be handled. Ron Wirtz and Ritchie Brown, members of the elementary boundary committee, were also in attendance at the meeting.

Discussion was held on the WASB Convention Resolutions. Jeff Pugh, will be the board’s representative at the convention and was advised to use his own discretion on voting on the resolutions.

Jeff Pugh reported that the School Board Convention will be held in January and there are several dates set for Support Staff Bargaining Seminars coming up.

Dr. Richards stated that he and Jill Collins are planning to attend one of the Support Staff Bargaining seminars and will let board members know which one they will be attending if any of the board members are interested in attending with them.

Barb Sedelbauer reported that the Policy Committee is recommending four (4) policies for review by the board. The policies are as follows:

345.2 Homework

460 Student Awards and Scholarships

511 Equal Employment Opportunities

841 Staff Requests for Grants and Gifts

As there were no questions in regard to the policies they will be placed on the January agenda for final action.

Future agenda items:

Core Agenda items

Boundary Proposal

Don Mathews moved to adjourn at 7:10 p.m. Barb Sedelbauer seconded the motion.

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

Barb Sedelbauer, Bill Waughtal

Nays: None

Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.