McFarland, WI
53558-9216
(608) 838-4500
McFarland School District News
5-21-12 School Board Minutes
Minutes of the School Board Meeting Held May 21, 2012
Meeting called to order by School Board President Arlyn Halvorson at 5:55 p.m. in the School Board Room, McFarland District Office 5101 Farwell Street McFarland, WI 53558.
Present: Arlyn Halvorson, Tom Allen, Craig Howery, and Kelly Cheramy.
Absent: Jen Perfetti.
Administrators Present: Scott Brown, Jeff Mahoney, Penny Simmons, Jim Hickey, Dave Witte, Aaron Tarnutzer, Sue Murphy, and Tom Mooney.
Budget Work Session and On-site Special Education Bus Test Drive – Jeff Mahoney led a work session to review the 2011-12 budget. Board Members also toured a 64 Passenger Lift Bus and heard a presentation from Nelson’s Bus Service representatives.
Motion by Howery, second by Cheramy to approve the following consent agenda items:
- Minutes of the May 7, 2012 School Board Meeting
- General Fund Vouchers #154756 through #155060, #283441 through #283505, and Purchasing Card Transactions dated 3/21/12 through 4/20/12
- Professional Staffing Recommendations:
* Resignations: John Feldner, 1.0 FTE MHS Guidance Counselor
* New Hires: Janice Gerlach, 1.0 FTE MHS Guidance Counselor
Josh Johnson, 1.0 FTE IMMS 8th Grade Reading and Language Arts Teacher
Stephanie Schmikla, 1.0 FTE IMMS 7th Grade Math Teacher
- Co-Curricular Staffing Recommendations:
* New Hires: Amy Case, WIS 1% 3rd Grade Student Council Advisor
Lisa Jondle, MHS 5% Special Education Team Leader (50%)
Sharon Mischio, WIS 1% 4th Grade Student Council Advisor
- Summer 2012 Extended Contracts
Motion carried 4-0.
Student Council Report – none.
Board Comments – Craig Howery mentioned that the WI State Journal published an article on online education in Wisconsin, and specifically, the WIVA schools. He also commended the custodial staff, Arlyn Halvorson, and all involved in helping to clean the graffiti that was found at MHS this past week. The staff was impressive in its ability to cover the graffiti before the students arrived for the day.
Arlyn Halvorson added his gratitude and pride for the MHS student body for their response to the graffiti incident. Students have shared their disappointment and Halvorson was impressed that this incident is not representative of our student body.
Public Comments – none.
Superintendent’s Report –
- McFarland’s Best Award – Presented to Jeanne Sterken for her work with Special Connections, a regular gathering of parents and community members in support of the families involved in the McFarland special education program.
- Recognition Celebration – May 23, 2012
- Important Dates
- Recent District Photos and Events
Action Items:
Action on recommended approval and denial of exceptions to the open enrollment period – no exceptions requested.
Motion by Howery, second by Cheramy to approve action on recommended Act 222 WIVA student transfers to resident districts effective 5/7/12.
Scott Brown provided a brief review of how the enrollment and return process works for students who are returned to their resident districts.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Cheramy, second by Howery to approve action on Professional Staff Handbook.
Kelly Cheramy asked for clarification on the sick leave incentive. Scott Brown explained that this is a small incentive to encourage the lesser use of sick leave. She also commented that simplicity is good from a public, employee, and budget perspective and we could potentially look at simplifying the handbook language, specifically in the leave section.
Scott Brown gave a brief update on changes to the language. Tom Allen pointed out a few typo corrections, and Brown noted that the links will be corrected once the McFarland policies are online and available. Cheramy asked for clarification on insurance wording to ensure that it was not an issue with retiree contract language. Jeff Mahoney responded that he does not believe that the wording is a problem. Allen shared that during this past year, he has been impressed with staff and students throughout the statewide turmoil. He is happy to see that we are carrying through with that same spirit in the creation of the employee handbooks.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Howery, second by Allen to approve action on 2012-13 IMMS, WIS, and Elementary Campus Student Handbooks.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Cheramy, second by Howery to approve action on 2012-13 CESA #2 contract.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Howery, second by Cheramy to approve the recommended action on approval of the students requesting attendance at McFarland School District. Approval of all special education students is contingent upon both districts agreeing to financial terms.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Cheramy, second by Howery to approve the recommended action on denial of the students requesting attendance at McFarland School District.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Howery, second by Allen to approve the recommended action on approval of the students requesting attendance outside the McFarland School District. Approval of all special education students is contingent upon both districts agreeing to financial terms.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Allen, second by Cheramy to approve the recommended action on denial of the students requesting attendance outside the McFarland School District.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Howery, second by Cheramy to approve the recommended action on approval of the students requesting re-approval to continue attending the McFarland School District.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Cheramy, second by Howery to approve action on Open Enrollment reversal process.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Howery, second by Cheramy to approve action on proposed special education purchase.
Amended motion by Howery, second by Cheramy to approve action on proposed special education purchased conditional upon DPI information and funding.
Motion carried 4-0
Motion by Cheramy, second by Allen to approve action on summer 2012 roofing recommendation.
Jeff Mahoney thanked Bill Foust for all of his work on this recommended roofing project.
Craig Howery asked Jeff Mahoney if there are tangible differences between the bids to account for the bid amounts. Mahoney responded that the companies each adjust their bids based on their projects and workforce. We also follow prevailing wage with the state on the project to prevent low wages.
Motion carried 4-0
Notation was made of the following personnel items:
Employment Ended: Abrahm Haesemeyer, MHS Special Education Teaching Assistant
Change in Hours: Trish Bailey, 180 hrs/year, 4 hrs/day to 183 day/year, 6 hrs/day District Substitute Coordinator
Upcoming Reports: June 4th - Budget Review
McFarland Cares Prevention & Positive Youth Development Report
August 6th - Human Growth & Development Report
Motion by Howery, second by Cheramy to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0 and meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Allen
District Clerk
TA/as
