Meeting # 3  

MINUTES OF MEETING # 3 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BLACK RIVER FALLS ON SEPTEMBER 18, 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 September 14, 2006. 

Meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Several of the new staff members were at the meeting and were introduced to the board.  They are as follows: 

Jen Bolger, Amy Yaeger, Melanie Simones, Denise Eddy and Royce Wiersma 

Barb Sedelbauer moved to approve the consent agenda with the addition of the employment of Cheri Zahasky as LMC department chair.  Don Mathews seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

One of the priorities of the strategic plan is “Creating facilities for the future”.  The first steps in this process are to conduct a facility study and a community survey.  A planning/informational session regarding the facility study will be held at special meeting on Monday September 25 at 3:30 p.m.  

Work is continuing on the other priorities, High Academic Expectations and Professional Learning Communities. 

Discussion was held on the possibility of changing the name of Forrest Street Elementary School.  The possibility of changing the names of all the elementary schools was also discussed.   

Lois Corey moved to change the name of Forrest Street to Forrest Street Early Learning Center and to allow the administration to consider changing the names of the other elementary schools.  Barb Sedelbauer seconded the motion.  Motion carried with a 6-1 vote.  Don Mathews cast the nay vote.  Motion carried. 

Dr. Richards reported that the transition of elementary schools went quite well.  There were a few problems with the new transportation guidelines but they have been worked out.  Enrollment is about what was expected.  There was no significant drop or gain in the number of students. The District is very pleased with all the new staff members.  Don Mathews and Dr. Richards met with Charter Communications in regard to the possibility of more local programming on Channel 4.  Homecoming will be held the week of September 25. 

Al Barczak, alternative education coordinator, reported on the various at-risk services and providers that are available to the students of the district. 

The semi-annual Board Self-Assessment document was given to the board members and they were asked to complete the checklist and return it to Jeff Pugh. 

WASB Report:  Jeff Pugh reported that the WASB Regional Meeting will be held on September 27 in Onalaska.  CESA # 4 is sponsoring a Legal Seminar on September 28 in West Salem.  There is a Personnel Manager conference on October 6-7 and a Law Conference on October 20^th in Madison.  If anyone is interested in attending any of these conferences, they should contact Dr. Richards or Barb Prochaska. 

Jeff Pugh and Lois Corey plan to attend the WASB Regional Meeting on September 27. 

Don Mathews reported on the discussion and action taken at the Policy Committee meeting held on September 11.  The High School Graduation Policy (345.5) was revised and is presented to the board for 1^st reading.  The existing policy contains references to the High School Graduation Test (HSGT), which was never actually implemented by the state.  There were no other revisions requested so the policy will be brought to the Board in October for final approval of the revisions.  Discussion was also held on the amounts charged for use of the Lunda Theatre. 

Lois Corey moved to adjourn to executive session under Wis. Stats. 19.85 1 (e) to discuss the receipt of a gift that may involve bargaining with a third party at 6:40 p.m.  Barb Sedelbauer 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 executive session.