Approved at 6/10/2008 Board Meeting

Regular Board of Education Meeting
Central Administrative Offices Board Room
May 27, 2008

Present:  Allgaier, Gehl, Jones, Marcello, Schwei, Wartman,
              and Ziegler; Gibson
              Brookfield Central Student Representatives and Brookfield
              East Student Representative

President Meg Wartman called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. Public notice of the meeting was provided in accordance with Chapter 19.85 Wis. Stats. The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Rachel Otten Brookfield East Student Representative. Motion by Tom Gehl that the Board of Education approves the May 27, 2008 agenda. Seconded by David Marcello and carried on a voice vote.

CITIZENS' FORUM – No request to speak.

Brookfield East Student Representatives Katherine Lin and Rachel Otten reported that four boys tennis players are participating in the state tournament, that Student Council held a cookout to welcome new members, that the baseball season has begun, and that the boys track team will compete in the state tournament. Brookfield Central Student Representatives Ben Edelstein and Sarah Berka reported on teacher appreciation week and reported that Student Council received four gold medals for best project, best speech, best banner, and best scrapbook as well as two silver medals and one bronze medal at the recent Wisconsin Association of Councils spring conference.

CONSENT AGENDA – Requests for separate consideration of Personnel Matters, 2008-09 Textbooks and Materials, Date for Superintendent's Evaluation, Issuance of 2008-09 Technology Equipment Purchase Orders, 2008-09 Liability Insurance, and Contingency Requests. Motion by David Marcello to approve remaining consent items including May 13, 2008 Board Work Session minutes and May 13, 2008 Board meeting minutes; recognizing and extending congratulations to the commendations as presented; and the 2008-09 Board of Education meeting dates. Seconded by Bob Ziegler and carried on a voice vote.

Personnel Matters – Julie Burish addressed the Board concerning principal Don Galster whose release from his contract is before the Board this evening, suggesting parents/teacher team to conduct exit surveys with administrators as they leave the District. Tom Gehl recognized Don Galster's service to the District and students. Motion by Tom Gehl that the Board of Education approves contracts for Nicholas Anton for $41,358, Mindy Knippel for $47,955, Kathleen Lauritzen for $53,755 and Lindsay Sayles for $39,808; lay-off recalls for Katharine Babler, Jessica Ebert, Laura Gaskell, Chelsie Rennicke and Latasha Schwartz; and the release of Don Galster from his 2008-09 contract effective June 30, 2008 and approves a recruitment and selection process for his successor. Seconded by Steve Schwei and carried on a voice vote.

2008-09 Textbooks and Materials – Concern was expressed regarding recommendation of a new text for German 5/CAPP. Eileen Depka, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, reported that CAPP foreign language courses were approved by the Board on October 9, 2007. At that time, teaches were unaware that a textbook change would be requested. Information was received in late 2007 from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh informing German teachers that a different text would be needed for German 5 if the course was to run as a CAPP course. The current German 4 and 5 text is copyright 2004 and teacher's edition copyright 2005 would continue to be used for German 4 students. Christina Gartner addressed the Board to report that textbooks would be needed for all German 5 students. The Board discussed the number of books required for German 5 and if a student participating in CAPP can be charged for the textbook (students participating in a course offered during the school day cannot be charged for a course but can be charged for a textbook). Motion by Steve Schwei that the Board of Education approves the textbooks and materials purchases as presented. Seconded by Bob Ziegler and carried on a voice vote.

Date for Superintendent's Evaluation – Motion by Bob Ziegler that the Board of Education establishes Monday, July 14, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. for the annual superintendent's evaluation. Seconded by Tom Gehl and carried on a voice vote.

Approval to Issue 2008-09 Technology Equipment Purchase Orders – The Board requested cost for installation of SMART Boards (cost is approximately $7,000 to $12,000 per installation that is included in the 2008-09 budget). Board discussion included fundraising for SMART Boards and the goal for placement of the technology in schools (goal reported to place SMART Boards in every regular classroom at the elementary level). Motion by Tom Gehl to approve the early issuance of $126,410 in 2008-09 purchase orders for projectors, cables, mounts, and SMARTBoards. Seconded by Gary Jones and carried on a voice vote.

2008-09 Liability Insurance – Information was requested on garagekeepers coverage (liability coverage of rented or lease vehicles) and the number of vehicles to be covered (27). Motion by Glen Allgaier that the Board of Education approves the use of EMC Insurance Companies as the provider of liability insurance and United Heartland as the provider for worker's compensation insurance for 2008-09. Seconded by Tom Gehl and carried on a voice vote.

Contingency Requests – Board member questions included 1) if lighting and painting was included in the total cost to refinish the gym floor (lighting is a long range capital outlay item and painting is completed by District staff) and 2) if the air conditioning compressor is under warranty (no longer under warranty; at the time of installation, cycling controls so the compressor would not freeze when the temperature is lower were not part of the specifications but have since been added at Brookfield Elementary). Motion by Glen Allgaier that the Board of Education approves an allocation from the Contingency Fund to cover $1,000 of the total $20,000 cost to refinish the gym floor at Wisconsin Hills Middle School; an allocation from the Contingency Fund to cover the $12,048 cost to replace two air conditioning compressors at Dixon Elementary School; and an allocation from the Contingency Fund to cover the $1,632 cost to repair Brookfield East High School's tractor clutch. Seconded by Steve Schwei and carried on a voice vote.

2008-09 PROPOSED BUDGET ADOPTION – Motion by Steve Schwei that the Board of Education approves the proposed 2008-09 budget, as presented, with General Fund expenditures in the amount of $83,558,138 and $27,506,932 for all other funds; that it be presented to the electorate at the Budget Hearing; that a $76,307,609 tax levy be proposed for approval at the Annual Meeting; and that the budget be publicly noticed and presented at the Budget Hearing in the format specified in Practice Statement 3140. Seconded by Bob Ziegler. The Board discussed reductions to add an ELL teacher position, discussed looking at areas of the budget that are rapidly increasing for future budgets, and a requested to be informed when dollars are placed in fund 73. The motion carried 7-0 on a roll call vote.

HIGH SCHOOL FACILITIES SITE PLANS AND ELEVATIONS – Abie Khatchadourian and John Holz of Plunkett-Raysich Architects, provided further developments in the site plans and elevations following meetings with the High School Building Committee. Matt Gibson reported that 166th street neighbors of Brookfield Central who met with him were overall pleased with the site plan but requested that student not park on the street during building construction. The administration was requested share site plans with neighbors to the west of Central on Gebhardt Road. Motion by Glen Allgaier that the Board of Education approves the site plans and elevations for Brookfield Central and Brookfield East for submission to the City of Brookfield Plan Commission. Seconded by Tom Gehl and carried on a voice vote.

BOARD POLICY SECOND READING: POLICY AND PRACTICE STATEMENT 6154, HOMEWORK – The policy and practice statement reviewed at the February 26, 2008 Board meeting were shared at elementary, middle, and high school level parent meetings and with the Gifted/Talented Parent Advisory Board to gather input. As a result of the input, an additional responsibility "Help parents be aware of long term assignments" was added in the Teacher Responsibility section of the practice statement. The Board requested that the first sentence of the policy "Homework is deemed essential to the learning process." crossed out in the proposed revision be the first statement in the policy and "school day" in the second sentence of paragraph #1 be replaced with "classroom" so the sentence reads "Homework is defined as school related assignments that will enhance or reinforce concepts taught in the classroom and which will require time and effort outside the regular classroom for successful completion." The policy will return for action on June 10.

BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT – Meg Wartman thanked Board members who participated in the Village of Elm Grove Memorial Day parade, reported that the Elmbrook Parent Leadership Council spring breakfast is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on May 30, reported that a reception to recognize District staff is scheduled on June 3, and reported on upcoming graduations including Brookfield East at 1:00 p.m. and Brookfield Central at 4:00 p.m. on June 8 as well as Fairview South at 1:15 on
June 11.

COMMITTEE CHAIR/LIAISON REPORT – Steve Schwei reported that the Curriculum Committee will be scheduling a meeting.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Matt Gibson reported that the District was selected as recipient of the Government Transparency in Ethics award by the Public Policy Forum and that the presentation is scheduled at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, reported that a social gathering for the Board and District Administrative Team is scheduled from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19 at Matt Gibson's residence, and reported that finalist interviews for Pilgrim Park principal are scheduled on
June 4, requesting that Board members interested in participating contact Chris Hedstrom.

JUNE 10, 2008 AGENDA ITEMS AND PROCESS – Regular meeting action items are projected as Board Policy Second Reading: Policy 6154 – Homework, Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds, the Establishment of an Escrow Account with Respect to and the Defeasance of Certain of the General Obligation Refunding Bonds Dated September 15, 2002, and High School Facilities Schematic Designs (later scheduled as a discussion item); discussion items are projected to include Middle School ACE Review and Recommendations, 2008 Summer Academy Update, Concept of Long Term Leases with the City of Brookfield, and June 23, 2008 Agenda Items and Process. Projected items for the Work Session scheduled to immediately follow the regular Board meeting include Strategic Planning Update, 2008-09 Board and District Goals, 2008-09 Board Committee Goals Board, Committee, and Administrative Processes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – No announcements.

Motion by David Marcello to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Tom Gehl and carried on a voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

/s/Meg T. Wartman, President