Board Approved 1/11/2011
Regular Board of Education Meeting
Central Administrative Offices Board Room
December 14, 2010
Present: Allgaier, Gehl, Jones, Lambert, Wartman, Wilson and Ziegler; Gibson
Brookfield Central and Brookfield East Student Representatives
President Tom Gehl called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Public notice of the meeting was provided in accordance with Chapter 19.85 Wis. Stats. The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Brookfield Central Student Representative Katy Norton. Motionby Bob Ziegler to approve the revised December 14, 2010 agenda, removing National School Boards Association Conference Attendance since no Board members will be attending. Seconded by Meg Wartman and carried on a voice vote.
TOGETHER WE CELEBRATE SUCCESS – David Frank, President of Elmbrook Education Foundation, and Amy Hodges, Grant Chair, expressed appreciation to all donors including leadership donation/pledges, acknowledged two memorial funds established in honor of retired District staff members, and reported that five innovative grants were approved in a total amount of $16,677 for Dixon Elementary, Brookfield East, Swanson Elementary, Fairview South, and Pilgrim Park Middle School.
CITIZENS’ FORUM – JP Murray and Greg Cornell presented information on a potential partnership they would like to establish between schools in Rwanda and Elmbrook. David Marcello addressed the Board to encourage the Board to start a charter school in the District.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT – Brookfield Central Student Representatives Katy Norton and Nick Holland reported on donations of more than $3,000 collected for three adopted families and hats and mittens that were collected for the Christmas Clearing House. Brookfield East Student Representatives Andie Catterson and Hannah Leverson reported that Brookfield East was an ACT testing site, approximately 40 children took part in Kids Night on December 10 sponsored by Student Council, the musical “Mame” was performed December 3-5, and Student Council is sponsoring “Secret Santa” for teachers during the week of December 13.
CONSENT AGENDA – Request for separate consideration of minutes. Motion by Bob Ziegler to approve the following consent items: a contract for Eric Pendowski and recalling Sarah Reedy; recognizing and extending congratulations to the commendations as presented; revised policy 9414 – Curriculum Committee; that the superintendent mid-term evaluation occurs at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4; and the 66.03 agreement-Waukesha County Special Education Cooperative for the 2011-2012 school year. Seconded by Meg Wartman and carried on a voice vote.
Minutes: A question was asked about the negotiated change in health insurance plan listed under the 2009-2011 Teacher Contract Ratification. It was confirmed that the information listed in the minutes was correct. The time of the December 7, 2010 Work Session was corrected to 6:03 pm. Motion by Jean Lambert to approve minutes of the November 13, 2010 Board Meeting and December 7, 2010 Work Session. Seconded by Bob Ziegler and carried on a voice vote.
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM EARLY RETIREMENT PLAN RENEWAL – The District Administrative Team Early Retirement Plan is in force through June 30, 2011 and is currently under consideration for renewal and revision. On November 30, the Personnel Committee recommended extension of the current plan for another year through June 30, 2012 to complete due diligence prior to plan renewal. Motion by Meg Wartman that the Board of Education extends the current DAT early retirement benefit through June 30, 2012. Seconded by Kathryn Wilson and carried on a voice vote.
2011-2012 BUDGET PARAMETERS/CALENDAR – Motion by Glen Allgaier that the Board of Education approves the proposed 2011-2012 budget development calendar and the 2011-2012 budget parameters and considerations. Seconded by Bob Ziegler and carried on a voice vote.
2011-2012 COURSE PROPOSALS – Motion by Meg Wartman that the Board of Education approves the slate of course proposals for 2011-2012. Seconded by Kathryn Wilson and carried on a voice vote.
FRIENDS OF FAIRVIEW SOUTH SCHOOL UPDATE – Fairview South Program Director Tanya Fredrich and Friends of Fairview South President Wendy Heyer reported that fifty-seven students are enrolled at Fairview South this school year, SMARTBoards have been installed in all classrooms, an outdoor recreation/leisure area is being created, a final check in the amount of $25,915 was presented to complete fundraising for the shared cost of renovations, fundraising will begin for the purpose of replacing windows (this would not be a shared cost with the District).
20110-2012 CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE (CAO) CLOSING AND RELOCATION TIME AND OPTIONS – Keith Brightman reported that the Finance and Operations Committee has examined seven options and cost analyses to address the District’s potential relocation of CAO. The options have included variations of staying the current building, moving to existing District facilities, leasing space, or building a new facility with the objective of ensuring that the solution would be long term, flexible for future needs and able to provide financial savings. A report was made on an eighth option to distribute departments currently at the Hope Street building to the North Avenue building, Fairview South, Burleigh and Wisconsin Hills, and partnering with the City of Brookfield to hold regular Board meetings in the City Council Chambers. The Finance and Operations Committee will be continuing discussion of the options.
ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT UPDATES, DUE DILIGENCE, AND DECISION MAKING TIMELINE – Ben Fong representing Hillside parents presented data compiled following a census survey of the attendance area. The results showed agreement with the District’s enrollment projections through 2010-2011, however, data collected by the team indicated a greater increase in K5 population from 2011 through 2015 from the District’s enrollment projections. The presentation will be shared with Applied Population Laboratory for review during their development of new enrollment projections. Christine Hedstrom provided information on how a larger school such as Burleigh Elementary operated a six section school per grade level in the past. Eileen Depka presented non standardized assessment data from the current second grade class, many of whom participated in the District’s 4K pilot.
Discussion of the suggested timetable for topics and discussion/action on each topic included 1) Chapter 220: the 2011-2012 decision was made on October 26 and will discuss nonresident enrollment in along with Open Enrollment; 2) Open Enrollment: requested costing of resources spent on educating open enrollment students for January discussion/action; 3) Four Year Old Kindergarten: discussion and action currently scheduled in February.
David Lewcock and Marla Kalfayan addressed the Board concerning capacity of larger elementary schools using current curriculum needs, requesting that Burleigh and Swanson be included in the study of school closing, the current feeder system, and core values of the District concerning education of students.
2011 SUMMER SCHOOL – Mary Washbush provided an overview of the Summer School and Extended Year proposal to include moving all kindergarten to grade 8 classes to Pilgrim Park Middle School except pre-first concepts and kindergarten number worlds that will be held in an elementary school, holding all kindergarten to grade 8 classes for 20 days and classes at the high school level for 24 days, modifying class times to 75 minutes and start time to 8:00 am for the kindergarten to grade 8 level, modifying high school level classes to 2.5 hours, removing recess from the elementary schedule, expanding bus service to students in grades 5-8, addition of a health room assistant at each site, retaining student supervisors as classroom helpers although recess has been discontinued, modifying summer school administrative assignments, Park & Recreation is working on an aftercare program for students in grades 5-8, and not offering high school AP prep courses. The estimated total cost of the 2011 summer school and extended school year program is $255,988.
Discussion included the cost of transportation for students and where nonresident students are enrolled. This will be an action item on January 11.
BOARD POLICY: FIRST READING – Policy 5127-Graduation/Separation has been revised to include a minimum of 24 credits for graduation and a phase in schedule. Discussion included a request to review the number of students who fulfilled graduation requirements by the end of their junior year, number of 2010 graduates who took three math credits, and the number of 2010 graduates who took three science credits; the educational value of increasing graduation requirements; request for graduation requirements of academic and geographic benchmark districts; and the number of FTEs required for staffing the increased graduation requirements. This will be an action item on January 11.
Patrick Coffey addressed the Board to support increasing graduation requirements.
2011-2012 HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE – Eileen Depka reported that the following has occurred: 1) A parent letter was sent with report cards to provide basic information about the schedule; 2) Administrators and schedulers spent 1.5 days with David Williams, the scheduler from Hopkins High School in Minnesota. The purpose of this time was to ask questions, get suggestions, iron out details, and create plans for implementation; 3) Teacher representatives from each school and each department met with Mike Rettig to develop a process and template for the creation of pacing guides. Dr. Rettig also spent time talking about class structure; 4) Each high school teacher identified a book of their choice dealing with block scheduling. Books were ordered. With the exception of two titles all have been received and distributed; 5) Teachers are in the process of visiting schools and classrooms where block scheduling is currently being used. The purpose is to observe and talk with teachers in their content area who are teaching in the block; 6) Teams of teachers met in various work groups to discuss various components and implications of the schedule. They are providing guidance and giving input about scheduling impacts including topics like conferences, exam schedules, and policies 7) Updates have been made to the course offering guide to reflect schedule changes; 8) Polices including Policy 5127-Graduation and Separation, Policy 5113-Attendance and Excuses, Policy 5124.2-Weighted Grades, Policy 5131.7-Student Possession and Use of Two-Way Communication Devices, Policy 6153-Field Trips, and Policy 5124-Reporting to Parents are at different stages of the review process. Input is being sought from administrators, teachers, and students. Policies are being discussed at the Board Curriculum Committee as well; 9) Principals have conducted parent chats, staff meetings, and written communications to relay information about the schedule to parents, students, and staff; and 10) Communication plans are being updated.
Discussion included the need to review the exam exemption policy, suggestion to limit the number of courses that can be taken during the 2011-2012 school year, and a request for financial data on cost savings.
BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Tom Gehl provided a reminder that the Fairview South Winter Program is scheduled at 1:00 p.m. on December 15.
COMMITTEE CHAIR/LIAISON REPORT – Jean Lambert reported that, on December 13, the Legislative and Resource Development Committee reviewed resource development, discussion to begin defining an Elmbrook education prior to development of the 2011-2012 budget, and preparing for a meeting with legislators in January.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Matt Gibson reported that two orientation meetings were held for Board candidates on December 8 and 9, reported that Central Offices will be open through December 23, on December 28 and beginning January 3 for additional residents wanting to become a Board candidate, and that a long-term plan has been developed for payment of BC2 debt.
JANUARY 11, 2011 AGENDA ITEMS AND PROCESSES – Projected action items include Board Policy: Second Reading of Policy 5127-Graduation/Separation, 2011 Legal Counsel, 2011 Bond Counsel, 2011 Summer School, 2011 Wisconsin Association of School Board Delegate Assembly Resolutions. Projected discussion items include 2011-2012 Open Enrollment Seats, 2011-2012 Enrollment Management Due Diligence and Decision Making Timeline, Special Education Compliance Audit Report, Verification of Candidacy Declarations for Board of Education. A closed session will follow the regular meeting for the purpose of preparing for teacher and administrative assistant negotiations.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – No announcements.
Motionby Meg Wartman to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Glen Allgaier carried on a voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
/s/Thomas D. Gehl, President
