ALTOONA BOARD OF EDUCATION Regular Meeting Altoona Commons Addition December 5, 2005 6:30 p.m. Unofficial Minutes 1. The Regular Meeting of the Altoona Board of Education was called to order by Board President, Edward Bohn, at 6:30 p.m. in the Altoona commons addition. 2. Roll call was taken and the following members were present: Edward P. Bohn, President Robert A. Hanks, Vice President Helen S. Drawbert, Treasurer Kristen G. Dexter, Clerk Sheila M. Lehnen, Member Gregory J. Fahrman, Superintendent Joyce M. Orth CPS, Board Secretary 3. Reading of Public Notice was presented. All posting places are noted: Altoona City Hall, Altoona Post Office, school district office, high school office, middle school office, and elementary school office. 4. Pledge of Allegiance 5. Approval of Minutes. a. November 17, 2005 Special Meeting. Motion by Hanks to approve the November 17, 2005 minutes, as presented, seconded by Dexter. Hanks, yes; Drawbert, yes; Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 5-0. b. November 21, 2005 Regular Meeting. Motion by Dexter to approve the November 21, 2005 minutes, as presented, seconded by Lehnen. Drawbert, yes; Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Hanks, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Public Participation. a. Non-Agenda items - public comment and concern. None. b. Agenda items - public comment and concern. None. 7. Treasurer's Report. a. Approval of checks for payment. Motion by Hanks to approve the checks for payment, as presented, seconded by Dexter. Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Hanks, yes; Drawbert, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 5-0. 8. Referendum. a. Recommendation Regarding Referendum Amount and Length. Stella Pagonis presented the recommendation on behalf of the Educational Finance Advisory Committee. The committee recommends that the board pursue a spring referendum in the amount of $975,000 a year for three years. Committee member Peter Atkinson read a letter asking citizens to support the referendum. b. Review of Focus Group Input. Input from the focus group sessions held on November 2 and 9 for staff, and November 9 and 15 for community, was reviewed. Community focus group participants were asked to indicate their level of support for the referendum and to provide ideas regarding ways to inform the community about the referendum and financial issues. Seventeen out of 27 participants indicated that they fully support the referendum, four indicated that they do not support it, and six were undecided or leaning toward support. c. Proposed Timeline. The proposed referendum timeline was also reviewed. Board discussion regarding the finance committee's recommendation followed. While board members are comfortable with the proposed amount, $975,000 each year, they are not all supportive of the recommendation to limit the referendum length to a three year period. Ed Bohn asked the board to consider a recurring referendum without an enddate. Most other board members support a three to four year referendum length. Red Hanks asked that the administration prepare of breakdown of expenses for all areas.the board will take action relative to the referendum amount and length on December 19, 2005. 9. Information. a. Administrative Reports. (1) Middle School Signage Project. Jack Wagener, middle school principal, reviewed a proposal for new school-name-signage for the main entrance of the middle school. The project, which is financially supported by the middle school student council, would provide for 18 inch lettering to replace the current smaller lettering (8 to 10 inches). If the student council proceeds with the project, they will publicize that it was funded by the student body. b. Committee Meeting Update. None. c. General Information. None. d. President Report.(1) WASB Employment Seminar. Ed Bohn reviewed the session he attended in Madison on December 2, 2005. Red Hanks is registered for the December 9, 2005 session in
Wausau.(2) State Education Convention. Ed Bohn, Red Hanks, Helen Drawbert and Kristen Dexter will attend the State Education Convention, January 18-20, 2006 in Milwaukee. (3) Consider Appointment of Community Member to Finance Committee. Ray Henning was appointed as community representative to the Educational Finance Advisory Committee. e. Superintendent Report. (1) CESA 10 Building Project. Plans for a CESA 10 building addition to house Focus on Energy were reviewed. This building project does not reflect a financial obligation to our school district. (2) Reminder of the Deadline Relative to Administrative Contract Extensions. Greg Fahrman reminded the board of the January 31, 2006 deadline relative to administrative contract extensions. 10. Board Action After Consideration and Discussion. a. Consider Additional Special Education Aide Position. Motion by Dexter to approve the additional special education aide position, as recommended, seconded by Drawbert. Lehnen, yes; Hanks, yes; Drawbert, yes; Dexter, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 5-0. b. Consider Employment Recommendation to Fill Food and Nutrition Position. Motion by Drawbert to approve the employment of Louise Partlow, food service worker effective immediately as recommended, seconded by Dexter. Hanks, yes; Drawbert, yes; Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 5-0.c. Consider Recommendation for Early Graduation. Motion by Lehnen to approve the recommendation for early graduation on January 20, 2006 for senior Patrick Walter, as presented, seconded by Drawbert. Drawbert, yes; Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Hanks, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 5-0. d. Consider Approval of IGDF-R - Student Fundraising Activities. Motion by Hanks to approve IGDF-R, as presented, seconded by Lehnen. Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Hanks, yes; Drawbert, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 5-0. e. Consider Approval of IGDK-R - Altoona School District Activities Code. Motion by Drawbert to approve IGDK-R, as presented, seconded by Dexter. Lehnen, yes; Hanks, yes; Drawbert, yes; Dexter, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 5-0. f. Consider Side Letter of Agreement with the Altoona Education Association Regarding Stipend for Early Notice of Retirement. Motion by Lehnen to approve the Side Letter Agreement with the AEA Regarding Stipend for Early Notice of Retirement, as presented, seconded by Dexter. Hanks, no; Drawbert, no; Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 3-2. g. Consider Side Letter of Agreement with the Altoona Clerical Unit Regarding Stipend for Early Notice of Retirement. Motion by Dexter to approve the Side Letter Agreement with the Clerical Unit Regarding Stipend for Early Notice of Retirement, as presented, seconded by Lehnen. Drawbert, no; Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Hanks, no; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 3-2. h. Consider Side Letter of Agreement with the Altoona Custodial/ Maintenance Unit Regarding Stipend for Early Notice of Retirement. Motion by Lehnen to approve the
Side Letter Agreement with the Custodial/Maintenance Unit Regarding Stipend for Early Notice of Retirement, as presented, seconded by Dexter. Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Hanks, no; Drawbert, no; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 3-2. i. Consider Side Letter of Agreement with the Altoona Bus Drivers Regarding Stipend for Early Notice of Retirement. Motion by Dexter to approve the Side Letter Agreement with the Bus Drivers Unit Regarding Stipend for Early Notice of Retirement, as presented, seconded by Lehnen. Lehnen, yes; Hanks, no; Drawbert, no; Dexter, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 3-2.j. Consider Side Letter of Agreement with the Altoona Food and Nutrition Employees Regarding Stipend for Early Notice of Retirement. Motion by Lehnen to approve the Side Letter Agreement with the Food and Nutrition Employees Regarding Stipend for Early Notice of Retirement, as presented, seconded by Dexter. Hanks, no; Drawbert, no; Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 3-2. k. Consider WASB Resolutions. Motion by Drawbert to give the delegate discretion to vote on the resolutions based on Altoona school board input and discussion at the delegate assembly, seconded by Lehnen. Drawbert, yes; Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Hanks, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 5-0. 11. Adjournment. Motion by Hanks to adjourn at 7:35 p.m., seconded by Dexter. Dexter, yes; Lehnen, yes; Hanks, yes; Drawbert, yes; Bohn, yes. Motion carried 5-0. The next regular meeting of the Altoona Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, December 19, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the Altoona commons addition. Joyce Orth CPS, Board Secretary Our Mission: The Altoona school district is committed to providing quality education in a safe environment where all students have the opportunity to prepare for today's challenges and realize tomorrow's dreams.