Board of Education Activity in 2006-07

A few weeks ago, the Madison BOE received a summary of what the board and its committees had done in its meetings during the past year. I am posting the entire document as an extended entry as community information. It provides a lot more detail, a good overview, and a glimpse at the pieces that didn’t make it into the print and broadcast media.


Common Council/Board of Education Liaison Committee – 2006/07
Members: MMSD – Lucy Mathiak (chair), Lawrie Kobza, Mary Gulbrandsen
City – Alders Isadore Knox, George Twigg, Cindy Thomas
Liaison: Mary Gulbrandsen
Meeting Date/Agenda

June 21
– Plan for Allied Drive and impact on surrounding neighborhoods
– Communication about polling place accessibility
August 16
– City requirements for mowing fields
– City and MMSD cooperation on forestry and pest control
– Demographic changes affecting neighborhoods & schools, focus on economic & linguistic changes, comparison between Allied Drive and other parts of Madison
– Changes in crossing guard staffing
– Planning for changing traffic patterns in school zones
September 27
– Traffic Safety in School Areas – changes in crossing guard staffing
– Demographic changes affecting neighborhoods and schools
October 18
-Demographic factors affecting school populations
-Traffic safety in middle and high school zones
November 15
-School safety challenges and responses panel discussion with MMSD and MPD staff
-Measures of poverty as related to school and city services planning
December 13
-School Safety presentation on disciplinary process being developed to keep children in an educational setting
-Demographic changes affecting neighborhoods and schools
January 17
-Program to increase student safety in walking or biking to school
-Traffic safety in school areas
February 28
-2005-06 Municipal Court Truancy Report
-Structure and function of the Liaison Committee
March 28
-City of Madison-MMSD Cooperation to Support Neighborhood Schools
-Structure and Function of Liaison Committee

Communications Committee – 2006/07
Members: Arlene Silveira (chair), Lucy Mathiak, Ruth Robarts
Citizen Members –
Liaison: Ken Syke
Meeting Date/Agenda

July 10
-Desired outcomes for committee
– Ways for citizens to communicate about federal and state funding to schools
August 28
Meeting cancelled – no quorum
September 11
– Communications Goal – provide information about community values, concerns, goals for school system; encouraging a sense of community ownership, responsibility for the district.
– Next Steps for the First Step of the Cycle of Engagement – coming together, moving forward, sustaining momentum
-How school board members engage in conversations about MMSD with different community members and soliciting feedback from such community members.
-Engaging the public in MMSD funding issues.
September 25
-Engaging the public in dealing with MMSD funding issues
-Modification of communications goal
-Community Conversations program
October 23
-Resolution supporting moving Security expenditures outside the Revenue Cap
-Statewide Superintendents’ response to Revenue Caps
-Resolution re: Educational Leadership for All Students
-Next steps for Community Conversations
November 27
-Update on planning for and structure of Community Conversations
-Communications to the community during a crisis
-Presentation of information to the community
January 9
-Madison Legislative Delegation
-Statute 118.24(1) Clarification
January 16
-Progress on new web page for citizens wanting to get involved
-2007-09 Legislative Agenda
February 26
-MMSD Legislative Agenda
-Analysis of Governor’s Proposed State Budget
-Planning for meeting with citizens interested in advocating for district on state budget and legislative issues
March 29 – (Special Meeting – Workshop)
-Wisconsin K-12 Public Education Funding
-Key K-12 Provisions in Governor’s Proposed Budget
-Tips for Legislative Communications
-Communication with Other Wisconsin K-12 School Districts
Community Partnerships Committee – 2006/07
Members: MMSD – Lucy Mathiak (chair), Arlene Silveira, Shwaw Vang
Citizen Members –
Liaison: Lisa Black
Meeting Date/Agenda

July 10
– Committee goals and activities
– Regular meeting schedule; establish agenda
August 21
– Strengthening partnerships with parents and caregivers
– Developing standard process for administering grants to community partners
September 11
– Parents as Partners – information gathered through SIP, communities to target for feedback, schedule for feedback sessions, ways to engage administration and school staff in feedback sessions.
– Fund 80
October 9
-Principal Panel on Best Practices for Parent Participation
-Community Service Fund grants
-Timetable and Plan for Parent Input Sessions
November 13
-Update meeting schedule for Community Listening Sessions
-Amount of funds expended for MMSD partnerships
-Review annual report African-American Ethnic Academy
January 22
-Community Organizations funded out of 2006-07 Fund 80 Budget
February 12
-Organizations and programs funded out of the Fund 80 part of the MMSD 2007-08 Budget
-MSCR student functions, supervision and operations
March 12
-Organizations and programs funded out of Fund 80 part of the 2007-08 Budget – African American Ethnic Academy, Centro Hispano, Urban League of Greater Madison
April 9
-UW Foundation Development Presentation
-Funding for Community Partners currently funded through Fund 80
-Future funding of Community Partners through Fund 80
Proposed changes to Board Policy 6491 – Use of School Buildings and Facilities
Finance & Operations Committee – 2007-07
Members: Lawrie Kobza (chair), Carol Carstensen, Lucy Mathiak
Liaison: Roger Price
Meeting Date/Agenda

July 10
– People’s Budget
– Monthly finance report
– Shared savings energy
– Energy Program re: computer shutdown project
– Making East High Field House more accessible
– Upgrading Kelliher Field
– Financing East Field House and Kelliher Field
– Leopold addition update
August 14
– Citizen’s Budget Summary
September 25
– Citizen’s budget summary
– Transportation budget analysis
– Athletics Transportation Procedures, policies, costs
– Budget calendar 2007-08
October 16
-Citizens Budget Summary
-Transportation Budget Analysis
October 30
-Citizen’s Budget Summary
November 21
-Citizen’s Budget Summary
November 27
-Process for getting feedback on the Citizen’s Budget
-Analysis of the 2006-7 Transportation budget
-Salary savings account in the 2006-7 budget
-2006-7 budget related to substitute employees
-Monthly financial report relative to the 2006-7 budget
November 29
-Citizen’s Budget Summary
-Process for getting feedback on the Citizen’s Budget
January 16
Jt w/LRP
-Considerations when redrawing boundary lines for elementary schools
-Elementary school class size
January 22
-Forecast for proposed 2007-08 budget
January 22
Jt w/LRP
-Elementary school class size
January 24
-Citizens Budget (input)
February 19
-Athletics
-Extracurricular Programs
-Citizens Budget
-Issuance of bonds and refinancing outstanding debt related to those bonds
-Impact of Governor’s proposed budget
March 7
-Citizen’s budget
Human Resources Committee – 2006-07
Members: Ruth Robarts (chair), Lawrie Kobza, Shwaw Vang
Liaison: Bob Nadler
Meeting Date/Agenda

August 21
– Committee goals and activities
– Regular meeting schedule
September 25
– WASB Presentation on Impacts of Current Health Insurance Plans
October 23
-Report on status and impact of increasing health insurance costs
-Recommendations re: district approach to health insurance costs
-Handling parent complaints about teachers, principals, or other administrators
November 27
-Review of administrative contract renewal and merit pay for administrators
-Report from Administration on
Administrative positions covered by statute governing renewal, non-renewal
Timeline for administrative lay-off, non-renewal, and renewals later in 2006-7
Policies and procedures pertaining to lay-off, non-renewal or renewal for administrative positions covered by statute
List of positions not covered by statute for administrators, supervisors, non-union professionals
Timeline for lay-off, non-renewal later in 2006-7 for administrators, supervisors, non-union professionals not covered by statute
Policies and procedures pertaining to merit pay for administrators, supervisors, non-union professionals
-Proposal to review goals and calendar for Human Resources Committee
December 18
-Recommendations re: merit pay and contract renewal of administrators
January 29
–Salary survey for administrative staff
March 5
-Annual report on minority recruitment/retention
Long Range Planning Committee – 2006/07
Members: Carol Carstensen, chair; Lawrie Kobza, Arlene Silveira
Liaison: Mary Gulbrandsen
Meeting Date/Agenda

September 18
– Overview of development for next 5-20 years and how that will impact the MMSD
October 23
-Third Friday Enrollment Counts and Districtwide Enrollment Projections
-Enrollment Projection Methodology
-Socioeconomic Status by School
-Considerations with Redrawing Boundary Lines
-Dealing with Overcrowded Elementary Schools
-Elementary Schools with Declining Enrollment
November 13
-Enrollment history and projections by school
-Elementary school potential maximum physical capacity
-Actual vs projected enrollment by school
-2007 enrollment projections and maximum physical plant capacity by attendance area
-MMSD Elementary School Boundaries in the West/Memorial attendance areas
December 18
-Considerations when redrawing boundary lines for elementary schools
-Dealing with overcrowded elementary schools
-Elementary schools with declining enrollment
-Dealing with two elementary schools that are currently overcrowded and will continue to be for the 2007-08 school year
January 10
-Ideas to address overcrowding at Lake View Elementary School
January 16
Jt w/Fin & Oper
-Considerations when redrawing boundary lines for elementary schools
-Elementary school class size
January 18
-Ideas to address overcrowding at Chavez Elementary School
January 22
Jt w/Fin & Oper
-Elementary school class size
January 29
-Dealing with overcrowded elementary schools
-Elementary schools with declining enrollment
-Proposed solutions for overcrowding at Chavez and Lake View
January 31
-Ideas to address overcrowding at Lake View Elementary School
-Long range facility use planning process, and next steps
February 6
-Ideas to address student overcrowding in the East Attendance Area
-Long range facility use planning process, and next steps
February 12
-Report on Northeast Area meetings
-Options to address overcrowded schools in the East Attendance Area
March 19 (Special BOE Meeting)
-Budget impacts of Long Range Planning re: Options to address overcrowded and underenrolled schools in the east attendance area and budget deficits
March 25 (Sunday) Warner Park
-Ideas to address the use of elementary school facilities in the East Attendance Area
-Long range facility use planning process and next steps
March 27 (Tuesday) Black Hawk
-Ideas to address the use of elementary school facilities in the East Attendance Area
-Long range facility use planning process and next steps
April 12 (Thurs) Kennedy Heights
-Long Range Facility Use Planning Process
-Ideas to Address use of elementary /middle school facilities in East Attendance Area in relation to proposed 2007-08 Budget Reductions and next steps
Community Partnerships Committee – 2006/07
Members: MMSD – Lucy Mathiak (chair), Arlene Silveira, Shwaw Vang
Citizen Members –
Liaison: Lisa Black
Meeting Date/Agenda

July 10
– Committee goals and activities
– Regular meeting schedule; establish agenda
August 21
– Strengthening partnerships with parents and caregivers
– Developing standard process for administering grants to community partners
September 11
– Parents as Partners – information gathered through SIP, communities to target for feedback, schedule for feedback sessions, ways to engage administration and school staff in feedback sessions.
– Fund 80
October 9
-Principal Panel on Best Practices for Parent Participation
-Community Service Fund grants
-Timetable and Plan for Parent Input Sessions
November 13
-Update meeting schedule for Community Listening Sessions
-Amount of funds expended for MMSD partnerships
-Review annual report African-American Ethnic Academy
January 22
-Community Organizations funded out of 2006-07 Fund 80 Budget
February 12
-Organizations and programs funded out of the Fund 80 part of the MMSD 2007-08 Budget
-MSCR student functions, supervision and operations
March 12
-Organizations and programs funded out of Fund 80 part of the 2007-08 Budget – African American Ethnic Academy, Centro Hispano, Urban League of Greater Madison
April 9
-UW Foundation Development Presentation
-Funding for Community Partners currently funded through Fund 80
-Future funding of Community Partners through Fund 80
Proposed changes to Board Policy 6491 – Use of School Buildings and Facilities
Performance and Achievement Committee – 2006/07
Members: Shwaw Vang (chair), Carol Carstensen, Ruth Robarts
Liaison: Lisa Wachtel
Meeting Date/Agenda

August 21
– Goals and Activities 2006-07
– Meeting schedule
– ESL Program
October 9
-Schedule for 2006-2007
November 13
-Report on MMSD Fine Arts Program
December 11
-Disproportionality in Special Education
-Credits for Courses Outside the MMSD
December 18
-Creation of Fine Arts Task Force
January 8
-Math Masters Grant Program
February 12
-2006 Summer School Report and 2007 Budget Recommendations
-Nuestro Mundo Proposed Expansion
March 5
-Alternative Programs
-Student Services

Special Meeting of the Board of Education – 2006/07
Members: All Board Members
Liaison: Art Rainwater, Mary Gulbrandsen, Roger Price
Meeting Date/Agenda

July 17
– Proposed Wellness policy
– Schedule, Process for Supt’s Evaluation
– Waiver to change number of days of school
August 7
– Financial Transactions
– Proposed policy – Animals on School Premises
– Modification to Policy re: Pets on School Premises
– Supts Goals Report
– Supt’s Performance Evaluation (Exec)
August 14
– Granting Supt authority to use internal promotion procedure
– Purchase of land for a school (Exec)
– Negotiations (Exec)
– Supt’s Performance Evaluation (Exec)
August 28
– Plan CP2a boundary changes if Linden Park elementary school referendum fails
– Plan CP3a boundary changes if Linden Park elementary school referendum passes
– Negotiations (Exec)
September 11
– Negotiations strategy for SEE, EA, Sec Assts, Trades, FS, Local 60, Administrators (Exec)
– Supt’s Performance Evaluation (Exec)
September 18
– Equity Task Force Interim Report
– Expulsion Process, Expungements, Early Readmission Procedure, Special Education Procedure
– Supt’s Performance Evaluation (Exec)
October 2
– Supt’s Performance Evaluation (Exec)
October 16
-Superintendent’s Goals Report (Open)
-Superintendent’s Goals for 2006-7 (Open)
-Superintendent’s Performance Evaluation (Exec)
October 23
-Expulsion
-Negotiations strategy re: SEE, EA, Security Assistants, Trades, Food Services, and Custodial Collective Bargaining units
-Compensation for administrators and other non-union represented employees
October 30
-Student Recognition
-Finalization of the 2006-07 Budget and Adoption of Tax Levy
-Resolution re: Educational Leadership for All Students
-Resolution supporting moving Security Expenditures Outside the Revenue Cap
-Ratification of Custodial contract
-Superintendent’s Performance Evaluation (Exec)
November 6
-Presentation from MATC representatives re: serving MMSD students (Pres. Betsy Barhorst and Board Member Carousel Bayrd)
-Food Service Ratification
-Play and Learn Program
-Positive Student Behavior in Safe and Secure Schools
-Superintendent’s Performance Evaluation (Exec)
November 13
-Expulsion (Exec)
-Supt’s Performance Evaluation (Exec)
-Amendments to balance the 2006-07 Budget
November 20
-Negotiations strategy re: MTI Teachers Collective Bargaining Agreement (Exec)
-Change of health insurance options for administrators, non-represented employees, security assistants (Exec)
-Options relative to the Board making health insurance contributions to administrators (Exec)
-Impact administrative salary schedule modifications on administrator salaries (Exec)
-2006-7 Goals for the Superintendent (Open)
November 27
-Movement of administrators and non-represented employees to the three HMO Plan on 7/1/07
-High Schools of the future
-Increase in building permit fees
-Waiver of requirements for hiring administrators relative to filling a newly created administrative position
-Annual salary increase for non-represented employees relative to adoption of new salary schedule (Exec)
-Negotiations strategy regarding the MTI Teachers Collective Bargaining Unit (Exec)
December 4
-Expulsions (Exec)
-Report by Madison Partners for Inclusive Education
-Increase in MMSD Building Permit Fees
December 11
-Financial Transaction
-Annual salary increase for NUP and salary increase re: adoption of new NUP salary schedule (Exec and Workshop)
-Negotiations strategy re: MTI Teachers CBA (Exec)
-Increase in MMSD building permit fees
-Positive student behavior in safe and secure schools
-Student code of conduct – Board Policy 4502
December 13
-Public Hearing re: installation of cell towers – Memorial and West High Schools
December 18
–2007-8 Budget Preparation
-2005-6 Audit Report
-Expulsions (Exec)
December 20
-Public hearing re: Studio School
-Proposed Studio Charter School
January 8
-Employment status of two administrative employees
January 16
-Positive student behavior in safe and secure schools and impact on student Code of Conduct
-Timeline for naming the new school at Linden Park Site
-Hiring a consultant to assist the Board in selecting a new superintendent
January 22
-Proposed Studio Charter School
-Superintendent’s Math Goal
January 29
-Financial transaction
-Charter school proposal date change
-Negotiations Strategy- MTI Teachers and SEE (exec)
February 19
-Professional development
-RFP/Qs for consultants to conduct Superintendent search
-Regular education transportation contracts
-Expulsions (Exec)
February 26
-Studio Charter School
-Special Education Services
-RFP/Qs for consultants to conduct Superintendent search
-Negotiations Strategy – MTI Teachers (Exec)
-Contributions for administrators for insurance (Exec and Open)
March 12
-2007-08 Proposed Budget
-Health insurance contributions for administrators
-RFPs/RFQs for consultants to conduct a superintendent search
-Potential Boundless Playground at Elvehjem
-Expulsions (exec)
March 19
-Public hearing on suggested names for the new school at Linden Park
-Budget impacts of Long Range Planning
-2007-08 Proposed MMSD Budget
March 26
-Recognition Ceremony
-Virtual campus
-Financial transactions
-Proposal to hold a referendum
-Referendum to cover the costs of 2007-08 Proposed Budget Cuts
-Impact of Budget on LRP re: Options to address overcrowded and underenrolled schools in East Attendance Area and Budget Deficits
-Joint swim team sponsorship
-Girls hockey cooperative sponsorship
March 28 (Weds)
-Public hearing re: consolidating or closing schools and moving students
-Cooperative team sponsorships
March 29 (Thurs)
-Wisconsin K-12 public education funding
-Key K-12 Provisions in Governor’s Proposed Budget
-Tips for Legislative Communications
-Communication with other Wisconsin K-12 school districts
April 2
-Expulsions
April 9
-Virtual Campus
April 16 10:30 and Noon
-Introduction of Math Task Force Members
-Charge and Expertise of the Math Task Force
-Research, surveys, analysis, resources, etc. the Math Task Force
May use
-Introduction of Proposed Oversight Committee relative to proposal requesting funding from the National Science Foundation
-Proposal requesting funding from the NSF
April 16
-Recognition of retiring Board members
-Superintendent’s Goal on Mathematics Program Evaluation
-Appointment of Math Task Force Members
-Process and Procedure the Math Task Force
May use to reply to its charge
-Equity Task Force Report
-2007-08 Proposed Budget
April 17 (Tues) LaFollette (Exec)
-Negotiations re: SEE Unit
April 17 (Tues)
LaFollette
-Public hearing on 2007-08 Proposed Budget
April 19 (Thurs)
Memorial
-Public hearing on 2007-08 Proposed Budget
April 23 Workshop
-Swearing in of newly elected Board members
-Superintendent’s Goal on Communications
-Proposed 2007-08 MMSD Budget
April 25 Workshop
-Update on legislative activities
-Planning for long-term legislative advocacy to change the revenue limit law
-Identification of people who would continue to lead the process of advocating and next steps
April 30 Workshop
-Expulsions (Exec)
-Finalization of 2007-08 Budget
May 7
-Negotiations Strategy re: Madison Teachers (Exec)
-Acquiring Land for a School (Exec)
-Proposed Contract Compliance Plan
-Summer Scheduling
May 14 Workshop
-Reconsideration of Lapham/Marquette Consolidation
-Reconsideration of Cut to Small School Allocation for Spring Harbor
-Reconsideration of the 2007-08 Budget
May 21
-Expulsions (Exec)
-Financial Transactions
-2007-08 Layoffs of employees in the MTI Teacher Collective Bargaining Unit
-Public Hearing re: Waiver of certain SAGE Requirements to continue to provide alternative SAGE block schools design
-SAGE Resolution
-Proposed Contract Compliance Plan
-Proposed changes to Board Policy 4502 Student Code of Conduct
-Reconsideration of 2007-08 Budget to complete restoration of the Lapham/Marquette pair
May 22 Workshop
-Interviews with consultants to conduct a Superintendent Search
May 23 Workshop
-Interviews with consultants to conduct a Superintendent Search
May 29
-Evaluate consultants to conduct a Superintendent Search (exec)
-Select consultant to conduct a Superintendent Search
-Establish topics the Board will consider for 2007-08
June 4 Exec and Open
-2007-08 Proposed salary increases for administrators
-Negotiations strategy re: MTI Teachers
-Wexford Ridge Neighborhood Center Financing Extension (exec and open)
-Evaluating consultants to conduct Superintendent search (exec and open)
-Expulsions
June 11 Exec and Workshop
-Negotiations strategy re: MTI teachers (exec)
-Progress on MMSD High School Redesign
-Smaller Learning Communities Grant Opportunity
June 18 Workshop
-Ratification of MTI Teacher contract
-Renaming Vang Pao Elementary
-Alternative school locations
-Transportation for Spring Harbor and Wright Middle Schools
June 20 Workshop
-Superintendent’s Implementation of MMSD Strategic Plan
-Setting Board priorities
June 27 Workshop and Exec
-Financial transactions
-Expulsions (exec)

7 thoughts on “Board of Education Activity in 2006-07”

  1. Lucy thank you for the posting. I noticed the citizen positions are rarely filled. Is this due to the lack of interest or the lack of persuit?

  2. Actually, they are filled. They just weren’t listed on the materials that we were sent (not sure why). That said, it is increasingly difficult to get citizens to serve on committees. We currently have at least one opening on the Partnerships Committee (Barb Schrank is co-chairing the Arts Task Force and decided not to do both when her appointment came up for renewal).
    The citizen members are vital participants in the committees, so it would be great if we had tons of people clamoring to fill those spots.

  3. That is a good question Mary. I know a parent who volunteered for the math task force and never heard back – either yay or nay. That position hasn’t been filled to my knowledge. I don’t think the teacher position on the math task force has been filled either. Maybe the application process is cumbersome.

  4. There’s a difference between formal board committees and board task forces. That said, I asked a few weeks ago when the citizen members would be named and was told that they were working on it. If the citizen members have been selected for the math review, the board has not been told who they are.
    As for the committees, I’m not sure what the issue is. It is possible that the positions could be advertised differently/more effectively. It also is possible that the timing – committee leaders and membership changes in May – falls at the time of year when most families are very busy with end of the year school stuff. In any event, surprisingly few people step forward as prospective committee members.

  5. I emailed Maya Cole on July 14th expressing my own interest (as well as another person’s) in serving on the Partnerships Committee. I just emailed her about it again but now I wonder if she is the correct person to contact. Could someone please advise as to what the protocol is for offering to serve on a committee?

  6. Maya Cole is, indeed, the chair of the Partnerships Committee. Emailing her or BOE President Arlene Silveira to express your interest in being on the Committee is the appropriate first step. They should be able to send you whatever form you need to fill out.

  7. Good morning, below is the information describing how to apply for citizen positions on either the Communications or Community Partnerships committee. This ad will be running in the papers for 2 weeks.
    Arlene
    Madison Board of Education Seeks
    Citizen Members for Two Committees
    District residents, including high school students, are encouraged to apply for membership on the following committees:
    Communications Committee: Meets as needed (two vacancies)
    Focuses on: 1) development of a system to foster public engagement and on-going communication; 2) development of a framework that increases public understanding of legislative policy, and supports community engagement, in legislative policy.
    Community Partnerships: Meets as needed (one vacancy)
    Focuses on community partnerships and Madison School & Community Recreation.
    Terms: Terms vary from 1 to 3 years.
    Application Deadline: Tuesday, July 31, 2007
    Send name, address, telephone number and a statement of no more than 500 words explaining qualifications and interest to:
    Arlene Silveira.
    Madison School Board President
    545 W. Dayton St.
    Madison WI 53703
    Email: asilveira@madison.k12.wi.us

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