Black River Falls

October 16, 2006

Meeting # 5  

MINUTES OF MEETING # 5 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BLACK RIVER FALLS ON OCTOBER 16, 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

Board Members Absent:       Bill Waughtal

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 October 12, 2006 .  

Meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Don Mathews moved to approve the consent agenda.  Lois Corey seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Barb Sedelbauer moved to approve policy 345.1 Graduation Requirements.  Don Mathews seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Jill Collins, Director of Business Services, explained the 2006-07 budget modifications.  The 2006-07 budget revisions and tax levy amendments have now been finalized with the actual tax levy and equalization aid amounts.  The final total tax levy is $65,246 lower than the 2005-06 tax levy.

Barb Sedelbauer moved to approve the 2006-07 tax levy of $4,746,480 with a tax rate of $6.57 per $1,000 and the budget modifications are approved as presented.  Lois Corey seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Dr. Richards reported that the 3^rd Friday enrollment count was down 50 students from last year as had been predicted.  A Wellness Project has been started in the district with a grant through the hospital.  Hart Tie & Lumber Company, D & S Manufacturing and the school district are participating in the project.   Brad Simonson, architect from HSR, met with the principals last week to discuss what they see as future needs in regard to the district facilities.  Brad is putting together a plan to share with the board in the near future.

Students will be taking the state mandated tests next week.  The district is hoping that the students will score well on the tests compared to the state averages.

Articles about Professional Learning Communities and the MAPS program were recently featured in the prominent Phi Delta Kappa professional magazine.  Both of these programs are in place in the district.

Jill Collins, director of business services, explained AESOP, the new substitute calling system the district started this fall.  It is an automated system for getting substitutes instead of having someone call the subs to see if they are available.  The substitutes are able to check online and through the telephone lines to see if there are positions available that they can fill.  The system is being used for teacher and aide substitutes at this time.

Nick Brylla, music department head, presented a comprehensive music department program review.   

Ruth Swenson, physical education department head, presented a comprehensive physical education program review  

June Johnson and Shelly Severson presented an overview of the changes to the gifted and talented program.

Sherri Torkelson, director of curriculum & instruction, presented the C& I committee report.  The committee is reviewing the early graduation situation at the high school. Sherri and Dr. Lecheler will research this further and bring information back to the committee.

Lois Corey commented on the WASB Fall Regional Meeting that she and Jeff Pugh attended.

Jeff Pugh presented the WASB report.  There are several seminars coming up in the next couple of months and if any board members are interested in attending they should contact Barb Prochaska at the district office to register.

Lois Corey moved to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.   Don Mathews seconded the motion.

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

Nays:   None

Motion carried.  The meeting was adjourned.