Approved at 5/13/2008 Board Meeting

Regular Board of Education Meeting
Central Administrative Offices Board Room
April 22, 2008

Present: Allgaier, Gehl, Murphy, Schwei, Sylla, Wartman (left at 10:12 p.m.),
             and Ziegler; Gibson
             Brookfield Central Student Representatives and Brookfield East
             Student Representative

President Meg Wartman called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Public notice of the meeting was provided in accordance with Chapter 19.85 Wis. Stats. The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Paula Kuenzle, Brookfield East Student Representative. Motion by Cheri Sylla that the Board of Education approves the April 22, 2008 agenda. Seconded by Patrick Murphy and carried on a voice vote.

TOGETHER WE CELEBRATE SUCCESS: RECOGNITION OF BOARD MEMBERS PATRICK MURPHY AND CHERI SYLLA – Patrick Murphy who served on the Board from 1992-2008 and Cheri Sylla who served on the Board from 2000-2008 received commendations from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and legislative citations from Senator Ted Kanavas. Board Members, former Board President Bruce Nattinger, and Friends of Fairview South President Duane McAllister expressed appreciation to them for their service on the Board.

TOGETHER WE CELEBRATE SUCCESS: RECOGNITION OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES – President Meg Wartman presented commendations to 2007-08 student representatives including Ashley Stewart, Drew Gannon, Lacey Elbert, Brian Frank, Lee Severson, Ryan Williams, Patrick Reuteman, Samantha LaBrasca, Liz Kream, Tiffany Netzel, and Rachel Nordstrom from Brookfield Central High School; and Christina Gartner, Ben Kotek, Molly Kresl, Paula Kuenzle, Katherine Lin, Eric Reigle, Katie O'Neill, and Ishan Daya from Brookfield East High School.

TOGETHER WE CELEBRATE SUCCESS: RECOGNITION OF GIFTS TO THE DISTRICT – Tom Gehl recognized individuals and groups who generously donated gifts to the District during the 2007-08 school year including Brookfield Elementary PTO, Brookfield Elementary School Student Fund-Raising, Burleigh Elementary School PTO, Burleigh Elementary School Student Activities, Burleigh Elementary School Student Fund-Raising, Northwestern Mutual Foundation for parent volunteers Sandy Botcher and Lisa Lutz, Herb Kohl Educational Foundation, Dixon Elementary School PTO, Mark Patton, ShoreWest Realty, Goehring Family, Christopher Kidd & Associates, Hillside Elementary School PTO, Sherri Bergren, Swanson Elementary School PTO, Swanson Elementary School Parents, Swanson Elementary School Student Fund-Raising, Mr. & Mrs. Yun, Helman's Driving Range, AT&T Pioneers, Carolyn Sage, Tonawanda Elementary School PTO, Tonawanda Elementary School Student Fund-Raising, Girl Scout Troop 1884, David and Patricia Massart, Pilgrim Park Middle School PTO, Charles Marn & Kathleen Hawkins, Wisconsin Hills Middle School PTO, Wisconsin Hills Middle School Student Fundraising, Brookfield Central Athletics Fundraising Group, BC2, Frank Pasternak & Associates, Burghardt Sporting Goods, Panos, Brookfield Central Yearbook Funds, Brookfield Central Student Fund-Raising, Brookfield Junior Woman's Club, Brookfield East Media Center, Brookfield East Student Fund-Raising, Brookfield East PTO, Brookfield East Student Activities, Briggs & Stratton, East 2000 & Beyond, Spartan Athletic Booster Club, Sid Weickhardt, Beth Frasco, Dennis Equiz, Friends of Fairview South, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, West Allis Charities--Knights of Columbus, Fairview South Fundraising, Jim Haas, Milwaukee Alarm, GEDO2  Students, Wisconsin Hills Middle School Student Senate, Lake Country Charity Connections, Hydrite Chemical, John and Stephanie Todd, West Suburban Quilters Guild, Spartan Youth Football, and Elmbrook Education Foundation.

CITIZENS' FORUM – Ryan Denu and Sally Luo, co-presidents of the Brookfield Central (BCHS) Key Club, Robert Cummisford, Kiwanis advisor to BCHS Key Club, Ron Blaha, BCHS Key Club advisor, Nita Hodgson, BCHS Student Council advisor, and BCHS Student Council Executive Board members Lee Syverson, Rachel Nordstrom, Liz Kream, Samantha LaBrasca, and Tiffany Netzel addressed the Board with their concerns about the budget proposal to reduce assistant advisors for Key Club and Student Council. Warren Groff addressed the Board to volunteer assistance with development of directions and targets for the April 29 Strategic Planning work session. Bruce Nattinger addressed the Board requesting consideration of the addition of gymnasium space at Hillside and Tonawanda by using reserve funds. Katie Lemke addressed the Board to request reconsideration of the four year old kindergarten program.

CONSENT AGENDA – Requests for separate consideration of minutes and 2007-08 budget adjustments. Motion by Tom Gehl that the Board approves the remaining consent items including contracts for Lynn Bartos for $49,817, Ashley Bohanan for $46,717, Anthony Christian for $39,808, and Tina Werderman for $52,917; the lay-off recalls for Steven Holm, Katie Matter, and Monica Mecha; contract modifications of Stephanie Cieciwa from 50% to 60%, Kristi Haanstad from 100% to 50%, Jenny Hendricks from 100% to 40%, Marina Kane from 100% to 80%, Molly Mathia from 80% to 100%, Micah Nelson from 90% to 100%, Kelley Schreiber from 100% to 60%, Leanne Weid-Brusky from 100% to 80%, and Mary Weinand from 100% to 80%; recognizing and extending congratulations to the commendations as presented; the payment of March checks from All Funds in the amount of  $1,277,228,66; Net Amount checks issued by Midwest Security in the amount of $889,092.95;  Payroll check numbers 227186 through 227212 in the amount of $4,697.08; Payroll Direct Deposit check numbers 272081 through 274815 in the amount of $2,977,194.95; Wire Transfers - WRS payment in the amount of $438,886.14; Wire Transfers – TSA's in the amount of $33,728.99; ACH DEBIT - State Withholding in the amount of $230,279.11; ACH DEBIT - Federal Withholding in the amount of $1,126,810.20; ACH DEBIT – Fund 38 in the amount of $420,552.50; ACH DEBIT – Fund 39 in the amount of $1,462,675.63;  ACH DEBIT – Delta Dental in the amount of $78,752.56; ACH DEBIT – Commercial Card in the amount of $127,585.46;  for a total of $9,067,484.23; per the check register dated March 31, 2008; and let the record show that the Board of Education has examined Receipts numbered 00595 through 00680, 31814  through 31817, 31819, 31826 through 31832, 31835 through 31839, 31845 through 31936, 31951 through 31953, 31957 through 31968; in the amount of $1,759,766.88; and the authorization to place orders totaling an amount not to exceed $1,048,000 of the 2008-09 proposed unit budget allocations for items such as supplies and materials, media and textbooks. Seconded by Cheri Sylla and carried on a voice vote.

2007-08 Budget Adjustments – Steve Schwei requested an explanation for the amount of $123,088 transferred to function 250000 – Business Administration. Bob Borch explained that the 2008-09 long range capital outlay and roof repair pre purchases approved by the Board are for operations and maintenance that fall under the 250000 function. Motion by Steve Schwei that the Board of Education approves transfers of appropriations in the 2007-08 General Fund expenditure budget in the amounts of $37,000 from Function 110000 – Undifferentiated Curriculum, $40,000 from Function 120000 – Regular Curriculum, $7,000 from Function 240000 – School Building Administration, $10,000 from Function 270000 – Insurance and Judgments, $20,000 from Function 290000 – Other Support Services, and $9,088 from Function 400000 – Non-Program Transactions, with all $123,088 going to Function 250000 – Business Administration; and that in accordance with Wisconsin Statute 65.90(5)(a), notice of the budget adjustments be published in the District's official newspapers. Seconded by Bob Ziegler and carried on a voice vote.

Minutes – The end of paragraph #2 in April 8, 2008 Board minutes regarding Human Growth and Development Outcomes and Next Steps was revised as follows "…and looking at a research-based or off the shelf alternative to developing a curriculum from scratch." Motion by Steve Schwei to approve revised April 8, 2008 Board minutes and April 15, 2008 Board Work Session minutes. Seconded by Cheri Sylla and carried on a voice vote.

2008-09 KINDERGARTEN SECTIONS – The Board has been supportive of a half-day kindergarten program since beginning full-day five year old kindergarten. For the 2008-09 school year interest was expressed by parents of ten students from among the six elementary schools for separate half-day kindergarten. Of those families seven expressed interest in AM half-day kindergarten and five in PM half-day kindergarten at Swanson, and six families expressed interest in AM half-day kindergarten and seven in PM half-day kindergarten at Burleigh.

Libby Wistrom requested that the Board consider separate half-day five year old kindergarten program for the 2009-2010 school year. Motion by Cheri Sylla that, based on class size guidelines, projected enrollments and budgetary considerations, the Board approves not offering a separate half-day five year old kindergarten for the 2008-09 school year. Seconded by Bob Ziegler and carried on a voice vote.

PILGRIM PARK HVAC STUDY: FINAL REPORT – Bob Borch, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, reported that Pilgrim Park Middle School's heating and ventilating system is original equipment that was installed when the building was built in 1958. The system is recognized as approaching its useful lifespan and will need to be replaced. In preparation for its replacement, the Board approved an engineering study to provide direction and cost estimates.  Following this presentation, the Finance and Operations Committee will use the study in developing a recommendation on replacement of the heating and ventilating system. Tom Posko, President of Posko Associates, provided answers to several questions including the need for replacement of the system, can the current steam system be made more efficient, projected electric cost of air conditioning, and the schedule.

HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT NEXT STEPS – Tom Pelkey, Joseph Kogelmann, , Cheri Mastel, Anne Franczek, Lindy Simons, Lindalayne Holiday, Charlene D'Amato, and David Marcello addressed the Board concerning the Human Growth & Development Advisory reviewing lessons, promoting abstinence only curriculum, using a purchased curriculum and lessons, the need for strong parent input. The Board will hold a work session at 6:00 p.m. on May 13 to discuss the Human Growth and Development policy, and process for review of curriculum outcomes and selection of materials to deliver the outcomes.

The meeting recessed at 10:12 p.m. and reconvened at 10:25 p.m.

PROJECT LEAD THE WAY AND AGREEMENT CONSIDERATION – Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a series of high school courses designed as a student pathway to engineering. The intent is to assist in making math and science increasingly relevant for students. The approach is problem based and students are highly engaged in the learning process. Marvin Bollman from MSOE and Kathy Eidsmoe of CESA #1 provided background on Project Lead the Way. Board request for additional information included total cost of each section for each course, the parent company for PLTW, certification necessary to teach courses, and potential enrollment. The Board will take action on May 13.

HIGH SCHOOL FACILITIES NEXT STEPS – A Board Work Session was as scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 6 for the purpose of reviewing preliminary site and elevations as well as preliminary schematic designs and to further define the time and date and gain information on possible membership for a team for oversight of the building construction.

2008-09 PROPOSED BUDGET REVIEW – Christine Hedstrom, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources reviewed the staffing component of the proposed 2008-09 budget. Ms. Hedstrom spoke of the competing values to provide staffing for schools, class size guidelines, 2008-09 staffing, criteria for recommended speech/language pathologist increase, criteria for recommended English Language Learner teacher increase, criteria for recommended music (band, orchestra, choral) increase, and criteria for recommended reduction of assistants for Student Council and Key Club. The Board requested additional information on the cost of DARE, police liaison officers, and criteria for supporting student council and key club.

LONG TERM FINANCIAL PLANNING – Deferred to a future agenda.

2008-09 BOARD COMMITTEE AND LIAISON POLICY – Deployment Team Liaison will be added to the policy. The Board discussed alignment of committees to the Baldrige criteria, the role of committees, and the possible addition of a high school facilities oversight committee. The Board will act on Committee and Liaison positions for 2008-09 at a special meeting on April 29.

BOARD POLICY: SECOND READING OF POLICY AND PRACTICE STATEMENT 6154-HOMEWORK – Deferred to a future May agenda.

BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT – Tom Gehl thanked groups and individuals who donated gifts to the District during the past school year.

COMMITTEE CHAIR/LIAISON REPORT – Cheri Sylla reported that the Curriculum Planning Committee has scheduled a meeting at 4:30 p.m. on April 23 with agenda items of textbook adoptions and class rank among others.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Matt Gibson reported that handouts from the April 17 Board Orientation will be provided to all Board members in the April 25 delivery, and asked Board members who are interested in participating in the May 5 Tonawanda Principal final interview process to contact Chris Hedstrom.

MAY 13, 2008 AGENDA ITEMS AND PROCESS – Projected action items include 2008-09 Board Committee and Liaison Appointments, Annual Meeting Location and Agenda, Project Lead the Way Contract. Projected discussion items include 2008-09 Proposed Budget Review, 2008-09 Textbooks and Materials, High School Facilities Next Steps, 2008 Summer Academy Update, Long Term Financial Planning, 2007-08 and 2008-09 Board Goals, Board Policy Second Reading for Policy and Practice Statement 6154-Homework, 2008-09 Board Meeting Schedule, and May 27, 2008 Agenda Items and Process.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – No announcements.

Motion by Glen Allgaier to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Patrick Murphy and carried on a voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 12:39 a.m.

/s/Meg Wartman, Board President