Much Discussion, Few Decisions

The Ad Hoc Committee recommended that the district research 6^th grade programming to determine the proper content and location. The administrative recommendation is to continue middle school programming in 6th grade and to re-locate Monona 6th graders to Glacial Drumlin. Principals Renee Tennant and Ann Schroeder support this recommendation because it would provide efficiencies in scheduling and cost savings.

MOTION: Lionel Norton moved that we accept the administration recommendation to continue middle school programming for our 6th graders. Jessica Ace seconded and the motion carried.

Discussion occurred on where our 6th graders will be located. The Board asked for a legal opinion relative to the 2006 referendum. In addition, they feel it very important to continue to keep the community informed. Additional information will be sent home with students this week regarding this subject along with an explanation of the budget process.

President Susan Fox read the Administrative recommendation regarding the consolidation of Maywood and Winnequah. It is possible to consolidate the buildings prior to the 2010-2011 school year. Superintendent Gerlach shared that it would save approximately $265,000 per year and cost approximately $180,000 for one-time remodeling costs at Winnequah to accommodate the students from Maywood.

The Board had some additional questions on the process and the recommendations presented. The Board had continued discussion on this issue, stating that we need to look at all options, including the use of Nichols. There will be further discussion at the next Board meeting.

The Ad Hoc Committee recommended the use of modular units as needed in Cottage Grove. Superintendent Gerlach stated that we do not add modular units this time. He recommended that we continue to monitor the situation. Further information will be presented to the Board at the next meeting.

The Board discussed the proposed budget reduction and process.

President Susan Fox indicated that revisions are needed to a few Board Policies in the 100 Series. It is difficult to write policy during a board meeting, so a subcommittee was suggested. Superintendent Gerlach mentioned that this is fallout from not having standing committees on the Board this year (standing citizen committees were eliminated based on a request by Susan Fox on July 8, 2009).

President Fox stated that given the many pressing items the Board is dealing with, she preferred not to take Board time to develop policy, but to have Board members give input when the suggested changes are brought forward. Susan Fox, Susan Manning & Jessica Ace volunteered to work on policy revisions.

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.

Herald-Independent Article:

http://heraldindependentonline.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=1536&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&S=1

Another Lengthy Discussion of Budget Reductions

The Board approved the Preliminary Notice of Non-Renewal of Administrators Contracts for the Diversity Coordinator, Aquatics Director, Assistant Principal and Food Service Director. These positions are on the list of potential budget cuts and per the contract must be given notice by February 1 or they are automatically renewed.

Superintendent Gerlach has spoken with local real estate agents about the Nichols property. The building is considered a Monona Landmark. Currently, the building is not being used to capacity. The City of Monona has an ordinance that ties into local landmarks where the city has first right of refusal. The superintendent will continue to monitor the situation.

The Board agreed to keep the current structure of educating all 7^th & 8^th grade students in one building as per the study it is not feasible nor fiscally responsible to separate them. There was an update on the status of all six Ad Hoc Committee recommendations.

Public hearing dates for budget reductions will be:

Tuesday, February 9^th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Glacial Drumlin School

Thursday, February 11^th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Monona Grove High School

Saturday, February 20^th, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. at Winnequah School

Superintendent Gerlach went through in detail the rankings of reductions being recommended by Administration. Board members will receive additional information on the Maywood and Winnquah Schools consolidation issue, along with the athletic budgets at the next Board meeting. The Superintendent and the Board had lengthy discussion on the list of possible reductions. Superintendent Gerlach reiterated that this is a very difficult process and the reality remains that our district needs to cut $1 million a year for five years.

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.

Herald-Independent Article:

http://heraldindependentonline.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=1511&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&S=1

Extensive Budget Discussion

McKinstry reported that the Energy Service Projects are 75% complete and the district saw a savings of approximately $30,000 in energy costs in three months. This is on track with the annual projected savings of $108,000.

President Susan Fox indicated that the Board would discuss the 4K-8 Grade Configuration Study, but would not take action on it at this meeting. It will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

Superintendent Gerlach presented a process for the Board and administrators to rank budget reduction items based on impact to district goals. The Board had extensive discussion on the details of each item included in the list of potential reductions.

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.

4K-8 in Each Community Will Cost Over $1 Million

This year’s Enrollment Projection report is posted on the district website at www.mononagrove.org.

Superintendent Gerlach gave an update on the “Race to the Top” program. Our district may only be eligible for $277,000. To participate, we must sign a Memorandum of Understanding, which the Board approved.

Patti McGinnis presented the results of the 4K-8 in each community study. There is a 121 page report on the district website. First year costs are estimated to result in increased district expenses of approximately $1.1 million. On-going costs are estimated to result in increased district expenses of $150,000-$200,000 depending on how many buses are needed. The report will be placed on the Board agenda in January for action.

The Board modified the Open Enrollment Policy $425, but the minutes do not reflect those changes.

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.

Harassment Policy Finally Approved

Study on 4K-8 in each community will be presented to the board on December 22, 2009.

Discussion on class sizes, especially at the high school where last year the district spent $135,000 on overload pay for courses above the district guidelines. The administration suggests increasing some high school class size guidelines because they are smaller than middle school size guidelines. This is being discussed as a budgetary issue and an equity issue.

Board Policy #114 – Harassment – School Board Members, Volunteers, and Other Community Members of the MGSD. The board approved new language for this policy. (Susan Manning voted nay, and requested that the minutes reflect her continued concern with the conflict of interest she believes is created for the Superintendent under this version of the Administrative Rule.)

Superintendent Gerlach laid out the timeline and process for budget discussions. The board will meet on December 16, 2009 for a budget workshop. There will also be public hearings and staff meetings relative to the budget.

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.

Study Commissioned on Ad Hoc Recommendation

Set the date for next year’s Annual Meeting for Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Monona Grove High School.

Discussed President Susan Fox’s newly created website update. The Board would like to have a disclaimer on these updates which indicate that they are not official approved reports of the full board and are not intended to take place of the official minutes. In addition, if there are any opinions within the reports, they are opinions of the President, not the full Board of Education.

Reviewed draft implementation plan of the district goals relative to improvement of student performance.

Budget Deficit – Superintendent Craig Gerlach asked the Board about priorities when making budget cuts. The Board indicated that all things are up for discussion at this point.

Board Policy #114 – Harassment – School Board Members, Volunteers, and Other Community Members of the MGSD. Discussion was tabled for the second time and will be discussed at a later date.

Patti McGinnis has been hired to study whether it is possible to provide 4K-8 education in each community. This was one of the six recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee to Study 4K-8 Grade Configuration. She will present the results of her research in December or January.

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.

Citizen Committees Eliminated

Susan Fox requested a motion that the Board would not establish standing committees for this year. MOTION: Susan Manning moved and Jessica Ace seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 5-1.

Susan Fox thanked the 12 citizens who applied for the committees, but it was not necessary to appoint any of them after they were eliminated.

Board directed the administration to draft language in the transportation policy to allow transportation to a daycare provider at no cost to the district.

The Board voted to accept recommendations 1-6 of the Ad Hoc Committee on 4K-8 Configuration (see previous post for details).

Superintendent Craig Gerlach requested that the district hire a part-time director of human resources. MOTION: Peter Sobol moved and Jason McCutchin seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.

Report from Ad Hoc Committee

Report from Ad Hoc Committee to Study 4K-8 Grade Configuration from Jennifer Pickel & Jennifer Jindrich

Six Recommendations:

1. Add modular units to Cottage Grove Elementary Schools to accommodate enrollment growth, as a temporary solution to a potential long-term problem.

2. Research 4K-8 programming in both communities. Report findings at a School Board Meeting by the end of the 2009-2010 school year.

3. Research sixth grade programming/curriculum. Report findings at a School Board Meeting by the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Temporarily keep sixth grade Monona students at Winnequah.

4. Research 4K-4 grade schools at Taylor Prairie and Cottage Grove Elementary. Report findings at a School Board Meeting by the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

5. Maintain Winnequah and Maywood Schools until 4K-8 program in each community is determined, or until it is fiscally not feasible to operate both buildings.

6. Research real estate options district wide.

Received 14 applications from community members to serve on Board committees. Susan Fox will interview each applicant individually.

Discussion about transportation of students from Cottage Grove School to Kid’s Safari. Will be discussed further at next Personnel & Policy Meeting.

Update on Athletic Field Use Ad Hoc Committee.

Budget will be presented in December.

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.

Newly Elected Board Selects Officers

Newly elected school board elected a new slate of officers:

• President – Susan Fox
• Vice President – Peter Sobol
• Treasurer – Susan Manning
• Clerk – Lionel Norton
• Members – Jessica Ace, Jill List & Jason McCutchin

Seeking citizen applications for the Personnel & Policy Committee and Curriculum Committee by June 1, 2009.

Superintendent Craig Gerlach stated that the district has a $750,000 budget deficit. The district is hoping to use stimulus money (ARRA) to balance the budget.

The Ad Hoc Committee to Study 4K-8 Grade Configuration will make recommendations in June.

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.