Wisconsin Rapids Board of Education 3 510 Peach Street · Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 · (715) 424-6701 MINUTES John A. Krings, President John Benbow, Jr. Larry Davis Sandra K. Hett Anne Lee Katie Medina Mary E. Rayome June 13, 2016 REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING LOCATION: Thomas A. Lenk Educational Center, 510 Peach Street, Wisc. Rapids, WI 54494 Conf. Rm. A/B TIME: 6:00 p.m. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: John Krings, Mary Rayome, John Benbow, Anne Lee, Larry Davis, Katie Medina ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Colleen Dickmann, Daniel Weigand, Ryan Christianson, Glenn Haupt, Phil Bickelhaupt, Ed Allison MEDIA PRESENT: Jesse Austin – River Cities Community Access President John Krings called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Special Award Presentation Adam Jacobi, Executive Director of the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association presented a special recognition award and thanked teachers Cathy Tritz and Abbi Wills-Phillips for their leadership and efforts in the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association. President Krings thanked Mr. Jacobi for presenting the awards, and congratulated Ms. Tritz and Ms. Wills-Phillips. Approval of Minutes Motion by Mary Rayome, seconded by Katie Medina to approve regular Board of Education meeting minutes of May 9, 2016; and special Board of Education meeting minutes of May 12, 2016. Motion carried unanimously. Comments from Citizens and Delegations None. Committee Reports A. Business Services Committee – June 6, 2016. Report given by John Benbow. Mr. Benbow reviewed the following consent agenda items brought before the Board through the Business Services Committee, and asked if there were any motions to be held. BS-1 Approval to purchase 124 HP 650 G2 laptop computers and 100 HP G2 UltraSlim docking stations from PDS at a total cost of $109,648.00, to be funded from the District Technology Referendum budget and the 20162017 District Technology budget. BS-2 Approval of a proposal to .purchase 30 HP 450 G2 laptop computers at a total cost of $13,800.00 to be funded from the Virtual Program budget Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools Regular Board of Education Meeting – June 13, 2016 Committee Reports (continued) BS-3 Approval of a proposal from Current Technologies to replace lighting in the East Junior High corridors at a cost of $49,990.00. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by Katie Medina to approve consent agenda items BS-1-3. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Mr. Benbow provided updates and reports on:  The Committee reviewed purchase orders to Current Technologies for an East Jr. High School lighting project and to Follett School Solutions for media services.  The Committee was updated on the USDA Summer Feeding program to be offered at both Lincoln High School and Mead Elementary Charter School buildings during the summer of 2016. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by Larry Davis to approve the balance of the Business Services Committee report and minutes of the regular June 6, 2016 Business Services Committee meeting, and special closed session Business Services Committee meeting minutes of June 6, 2016. Motion carried unanimously. B. Personnel Services Committee – June 6, 2016. Report given by Mary Rayome. Ms. Rayome reviewed the following consent agenda items brought before the Board through the Personnel Services Committee, and asked if there were any motions to be held. PS-1 Approval of the professional staff appointments of Robyn Lochner (Mathematics – East Jr. High), Kristin Scheunemann (Speech/Language Clinician – Woodside), Anita Lehman (Cross-Categorical – WRAMS), Danica Ashbeck (School Psychologist – Mead), William Dally (Science – East Jr. High), and Charles Duerr (Mathematics – Lincoln). PS-2 Approval of support staff appointments of Charles Stebbins (Relief Custodian – District), Curt Mitchell (Night Custodian – Lincoln; summer technology support staff appointments of Joshua Peplinski and Jake Joosten; and summer buildings and grounds support staff appointments of Cody Schara, Morgan Sole, Austin Capella, Sadie Rucker, Reed Fredrick, and Tanner Hauke. PS-3 Approval of the support staff retirements of Delores Coenen (Noon Aide – THINK), and early retirements of Lorraine Walloch (Special Ed Aide – Lincoln), Virginia Raddatz (Study Hall/AV Aide – Lincoln), Linda Clark (Special Ed Aide – Lincoln), and Kristine Wetterau (Special Ed Aide – WRAMS). PS-4 Approval of the professional staff resignation requests of Kellyn Colby (Occupational Therapist – District), Michael Close (Language Arts – East Jr. High), Jodi Renwick (Grade 2 – Grove), and Sarah Javenkoski (Grade 1 – Mead). PS-5 Approval of the support staff resignation requests of Shelly Siems (Special Ed Aide – Woodside), Maxwell King (Special Ed Aide – Lincoln), and Robin Jacobson (Noon Aide – Grant). PS-6 Approval of changes to the liquidated damages language found under the “Employment Policies” section of the Professional Staff Employee Handbook. Motion by Mary Rayome, seconded by Anne Lee to approve consent agenda items PS 1-6. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Rayome provided updates and reports on:  The Committee received an update on proceedings with the staff assignment placements of current teaching staff and the hiring of new professional staff for the 2016-17 school year, including a review of anticipated professional staff reductions in 2016-17.  The Committee reviewed current and potential entry-level and supplemental pay rates utilized for wage offers while hiring new professional staff. The wage update included discussion on the use of supplemental pay increases as a means to retain existing professional staff employees. Wage offer trends for hiring hard to fill professional staff positions were also discussed. Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools Regular Board of Education Meeting – June 13, 2016 Committee Reports (continued) Motion by Mary Rayome, seconded by Anne Lee to approve regular Personnel Services Committee meeting minutes of June 6, 2016. Motion carried unanimously. C. Educational Services Committee – June 6, 2016. Report given by Anne Lee. Ms. Lee reviewed the following consent agenda item brought before the Board through the Educational Services Committee, and asked if there were any motions to be held: ES-1 Approval of the changes to the WRPS Code of Conduct set out in Attachment A and as discussed and noted. Motion by Anne Lee, seconded by John Benbow to approve consent agenda item ES 1. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Lee provided updates and reports on:  Ronald Rasmussen, Principal of Lincoln High School, provided an update on the implementation of the Lincoln High School trimester schedule in 2015-16. Overall observations and feedback from staff were positive. Results of a student survey sent out at the end of the year were shared. It was noted that professional development offerings and efforts of the Educator Effectiveness coach were instrumental in the success of the trimester schedule in its first year.  Kathi Stebbins-Hintz, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, reviewed steps that the Academic & Career Planning (ACP) Committee has taken to establish their vision for ACP and to set goals for the 2016-17 school year. ACP will be implemented beginning with the 2017-18 school year. Motion by Anne Lee, seconded by John Benbow to approve the balance of the Educational Services Committee report and minutes of the regular June 6, 2016 Educational Services Committee meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Agenda Referrals/Information Requests None. Legislative Agenda Mr. Benbow shared legislative information on:  The Wisconsin Supreme Court preserved the powers of the State’s School Superintendent by finding a law unconstitutional that the Republicans passed in 2011 as applied to the State Superintendent and DPI that requires state agencies to seek approval from the governor before creating new administrative rules to carry out policies, regulations, and laws.  School leaders are considering the effects of the Statewide Voucher Program as it impacts July 1 General Aid distribution estimates for the first time.  Wisconsin has joined Texas and nine other states in challenging the Obama Administration’s Title IX guidance on gender identity and use of facilities by transgender students. Under the guidance, schools must allow transgender students access to bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.  Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac), Assembly Education Chair, and Rep. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon), Senate Education Chair, are holding listening sessions to discuss public education K-12 issues. Supt. Dickmann explained that she recently contacted federal legislative representatives with concerns about a bill circulating that would reduce food service reimbursement. Another area of concern she has become aware of is the potential for eliminating all possibility of seclusion and/or restraint in schools. Lastly, the DPI recently sent out letters to all districts inviting them to participate in piloting the reporting of crime incidences occurring on public school property which she believes the District should forego given the number of pilot programs it has been involved in within the past few years. Lastly, Dr. Dickmann expressed concern about how the State transportation budget will get balanced and the potential impact it could have on public education funding. Bills Motion by Mary Rayome, seconded by Larry Davis to note May, 2016 receipts in the amount of $1,800,680.64; and approve May, 2016 disbursements in the amount of $3,177,808.53. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools Regular Board of Education Meeting – June 13, 2016 New Business Employee Appointments, Resignations, and Retirement Requests Ryan Christianson, Director of Human Resources, recommended approval of the following professional staff appointments effective at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year: Lisa Scheunemann Location: Position Salary: District Occupational Therapy (1.0 FTE) $60,000.00 Steven Luedtke Location: Position: Salary: Lincoln High School Cross-Categorical (1.0 FTE) $57,500.00 Motion by John Benbow, seconded by Larry Davis to approve of the professional staff appointments of Lisa Scheunemann and Steven Luedtke as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds Pursuant to Section 65.90 of Wisconsin Statutes Daniel Weigand, Director of Business Services, explained that the District has an opportunity to pay off Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds. Mr. Weigand presented a proposed Resolution to authorize the transfer of funds in the amount of $831,810 from the General Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the $6,460,000 Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds dated August 27, 2012 in order to accomplish the defeasance and redemption of the 2012 Bonds. The Board had an opportunity to ask questions. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by Larry Davis to approve the Resolution authorizing the transfer of $831,810 from the District’s general fund to the Debt Service Fund Account for the $6,460,000 Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds dated August 27, 2012 to accomplish the defeasance and redemption of the 2012 Bonds pursuant to Section 65.90 of Wisconsin Statutes. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Resolution Providing for the Defeasance of a Portion of Outstanding District Debt Mr. Weigand explained that the transfer approved by the Board provides enough funding in the budget to pay off outstanding debt in the amount of $2,830,000.00. This defeasance will save the District $264,665 in interest payments on 2012 Bonds. A Resolution providing for the defeasance of a portion of the outstanding debt of the District was presented. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by Larry Davis to approve of the Resolution providing for the defeasance of the remaining portion of the outstanding debt of the District in the amount of $2,830,000.00. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Update and Possible Action on the 2016-17 Budget Deficit Dr. Dickmann explained that a $2.2 million budget deficit is anticipated for the 2016-17 fiscal year. The shortfall and proposed reductions in order to balance the budget for 2016-17 were identified as follows: SHORT-FALL: Declining Enrollment Less Revenue Limit Exemption ........................ $62,578.00 Health Insurance Premium Increase ................................................ $1,821,872.00 WREA Supplemental Pay (credits) .................................................... $217,742.00 Wages ................................................................................................. $105,985.00 TOTAL: ................................................................................ $2,208,177.00 REDUCTIONS: Per Pupil Categorical Aid ................................................................... $514,000.00 Snow Day Transportation ..................................................................... $17,000.00 Staff Retirements/Resignations .......................................................... $778,500.00 Reduced Costs – OPEB ...................................................................... $420,000.00 HRA Savings ...................................................................................... $500,000.00 TOTAL: ................................................................................ $2,229,500.00 Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools Regular Board of Education Meeting – June 13, 2016 Dr. Dickmann explained that a number of teaching and special education aide positions are not being filled for 201617, and staff are being shifted within the District in accordance with their expertise and District need. The $778,500 figure for staff reductions tends to fluctuate, depending upon the rehires and the cost for experience. While there is a final amount of $21,323 anticipated to be surplus based upon the proposed reductions, this doesn’t factor in any additional transportation expenses or staff hires during the summer. The Board questioned how class sizes will be impacted, and Dr. Dickmann explained that an attempt is being made to maintain an 18:1 ratio in Kindergarten through Grade 3; however, there will be cases of 19:1 or 20:1 in these levels. The middle school class sizes are ranging anywhere from 26 to 29 per class. Mr. Christianson explained that there could be as many as up to 28 students in Grades 4 and 5 as the upper grade levels are targeted to absorb higher student numbers as opposed to Grades K-3. Boundary exceptions continue to be reviewed carefully. At the secondary level there are many variables in deciding which classes will run based upon scheduling. Twenty students per class is being used as a targeted minimum for a class to be scheduled. Core classes are averaging 24-30 students. The staffing process continues as teachers have until June 15 to return their signed contract for 2016-17. Everything is based upon projected student numbers for the upcoming year, which makes staffing decisions in April and May somewhat difficult. Yet, these decisions are necessary in order to get contracts issued by May 15 as required by law. Staffing may be affected if a significant number of students enroll or leave by the beginning of the year. Teacher shortages also impact the process as fewer candidates apply for positions. The Board had an opportunity to ask questions. Motion by John Benbow, seconded by Larry Davis to approve of the measures taken by administration to meet the anticipated 2016-17 budget deficit of $2,208,177.00. Motion carried unanimously. Calendar Calendar items were reviewed. President Krings adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. John A. Krings – President Maurine Hodgson – Secretary Larry Davis – Clerk