HARTFORD UNION HIGH SCHOOL

                                                                        BOARD MINUTES

                                                                      September 18, 2006

 

Board President, William T. Priegel, in the Library, at Hartford Union High School, called a regular meeting of the Hartford Union High School Board of Education to order at 7:01 PM on September 18, 2006.

 

                                           CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, ADOPTION OF AGENDA

                                                              AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

PRESENT:        Crystal A. Berg, David A. Kling, William T. Priegel, Shirley A. Reis, Mary Koehl, Principal/Director of Curriculum and Michael L. Kremer, Ph.D. District Administrator.

           

EXCUSED:        Tracie L. Black

 

Reis/Kling, to call the meeting to order and approve the agenda as presented.  Roll Call:  4  -  0.  Motion unanimously carried.

 

Mr. Priegel led the Board and Administration in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

                                                APPROVAL OF UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA

 

Berg/Reis, to approve the unanimous consent Agenda as presented as follows:

 

Minutes:  Regular meeting minutes of Annual Meeting August 31, 2006 and the Regular Meeting, August 31, 2006 as printed.

 

Vouchers:  Payroll vouchers in the amount of $235,444.48 and General Vouchers in the amount of $481,588.30 and Total Vouchers of $105,666.94 for a Grand Total of $822,699.72.

 

Treasurer’s Report:  The Treasurer’s Report for the period ending August 31, 2006 in the amount of $4,985,931.27.

 

Acceptance of Gifts:  As presented.

 

Acceptance of Budget Transfer Request:  None

 

Bid Acceptance: None

 

Personnel Recommendations:  Resignations: Kayleigh Dlapa, Kyle Seavecki and Danny Wojciechowski, Student Workers-Birdhouse, effective 2006-07 school year; Mitch Gehring, effective 9/25/06; Sheilah Krebs and Carol Rousseau, Substitute Support Staff, effective 9/11/06; Ellen Ryan, Substitute Support Staff effective 8/29/06; Ellen Ryan, Student Supervisor, effective 9/18/06, 3.75 hr/day, 180 days; David Siegler, Substitute Teacher, effective 10/2/06; Crystal Witzlib, Substitute Teacher, effective 9/1/06; Other: Susan Bates, Student Supervisor increase hrs from 3.75 hr/day to 33 hrs in an 8 day period; Kathleen Buchanan, Student Supervisor, increase from 33 hours in an 8 day period to 5.75 hr/day, 180 days; and Kateri Keller, Art Teacher, revised from a limited term employee to a regular employee. Roll Call:  4 - 0.  Motion unanimously approved.

 

                                                  COMMITTEE AND BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Legislative Report

Mrs. Berg reported that a separate committee has been organized and is looking at the State Aid Formula and school funding.  Senate Bill 68 was passed but vetoed by Governor Doyle as was Senate Bill 84 changing School Days to Hours. 

 

Facility/Construction Update

Mr. Kling reported that classes started on time with a small punch list remaining.  111 change order items were just reviewed and an audit will be coming up shortly.  Currently the project is approximately $981,000 including some additional expenses of data cabling and phones.  The remodeling of room120 for special education cost approximately $111,000 and came in higher due to some additional costs to replace an outside wall.  There are a few items that might yet be needed, counters and cabinets that would have to come out of maintenance budget.  The project is complete and contractors have left the site.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

1st Class Activities – None       

 

Announcement of Acceptance of Gifts – Mr. Kling presented the gifts as listed in the unanimous consent agenda. Thank yous should be sent by administration if it hasn’t already been done.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

None

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Start of School

Ms. Koehl reported that the beginning of school was smooth.  Thank you to Mr. Dobner and to everyone who helped with  Freshman Orientation.  Over 1,000 people were served with the pot luck.  Thank you to staff and administration who worked on last minute changes due to medical leaves.  Thank you to the technology staff and maintenance workers who worked very hard getting everything ready.

 

Open House – September 20

Mr. Dan Dobner, Public Relation Director/Associate Principal reminded everyone of the Open House for parents on Wednesday evening, September 20 from 7:00 – 8:31 PM.  7 minutes classes will be gone through, periods 1 – 8, an opportunity to meet and greet your student’s teacher. 

 

District Goals

Ms. Koehl indicated that the District Goals haven’t been updated since last October.  They’re far reaching goals and that the Instructional Team reviewed them last week.  She expressed that these goals are ongoing and are as follows:

 

Goal 1:  We will increase the graduation rate by 1% each year over the next five years by increasing student achievement in all subject areas of our comprehensive high school.  We will work on using our own data to work on our graduation rate.

 

Goal 2:  We will increase the achievement of all students by guiding them to enroll and find success in more rigorous programs of study and more challenging courses, including advanced placement and other higher level courses. 

There are two groups from Instructional Team that are working on two goals under District Goals.  Goal 1 – Freshman Transition and Goal 2 – Rigor Coursework. 

 

Motion by Reis, with a second by Kling, to continue these goals and work to achieve them.   Motion unanimously approved.

 

Environmental Scan – District Goals – Board Goals & Dr. Kremer’s Goals

The Board presented Goals they want Dr. Kremer to work on and Dr. Kremer presented his Goals to work on.  The Board  presented Goals the Board recognized as important and Dr. Kremer provided the board with a list of goals he felt they should work on.  After discussion the following draft goals list are:  Superintendent’s Goals (not necessary in order of importance) 1) Improved Communication – Internally and Externally a shared governance model; 2) Improve School Wide Morale/Trust; 3) Initiate Planning to Renew the District Strategic Plan; 4) Implement District Goals and Action Plans; 5) Build a True A-Team assessing roles and responsibilities; 6) Assist Board to function effectively as a team; and 7) Budget 2007-2008 and involve a committee/School Finance. 

 

Board Goals: (also not necessarily in order of importance) 1) Team building, including elimination of micro-management, to reestablish community trust); 2) Focus on Policy Decisions; 3) Monitor Implementation of Climate Study & Climate Assessment; 4) Budget 2007-2008; and 5) Chats with K-8 Administrators and Boards meet for round table discussions on specific areas, potential areas, K-12 District, Data Retreat K-12 schools, common items.

 

Dialogue Surrounding Administrators’ Roles – Climate Survey

Dr. Kremer asked the board for direction on the Climate Survey areas of concern.  Administrators have been assigned to the various areas as follows:  First-Class Behavior, Joe Frinzi & Doran Timmer; Decision Making Process          - Mary Koehl & Dawn Maxwell; Communication, Ron Schlitt and Dan Dobner; External Communication, Dan Dobner and Procedures and Policies, Paul Cappoferri & Mike Kremer.  The administrators are looking for direction from the board in these areas.  First-Class Behavior requiring First Class behavior of all HUHS employees is the foundation for Recommendations 1 & 2.  Decision Making Process the focus should be on #1 and #2 of the recommendations: 1) Review current decision making processes and document these processes.  Provide clear channels of communication, descriptions of paperwork and timeframe in which a decision should be made.  2)  Communicate the current decision making processes to all HUHS employees, basically the roles and responsibilities of administrators and rationale for decisions.  Communications who delivers communication dovetailed with roles and responsibilities.  External Communications this area was covered with Dan Dobner at the August 31 meeting and listed external communications.  Procedures and Policies are currently being reviewed through NEOLA’s drafts and board and administration.  Policy reinforcement and cover all issues.  Performance reviews of staff.  The teaching staff have three different models that they’re working from, this will be clarified and simplified.  Support Staff will continue to use prior evaluation methods.  The recommendations from the Climate Study will be reviewed as well.  All administrators were thanked for their presence at the meeting so work can move forward on the Climate Committees.  Dawn Maxwell was excused as she wasn’t feeling well.  A plea for staff, parents and community members to come forth and get involved in committees of interest was again expressed.

 

Educator of the Year

Mr. Timmer, administrator in charge of Educator of the Year had a dialogue with the Board on the Educator of the Year award.  A committee will review the criteria as well as the definition of educator, and then bring back to the board.   Members of the committee are Mr. Timmer, Mr. Priegel and Mr. Berg.   

 

                                                              CITIZENS AND DELEGATIONS

Julie Allen asked how people would know what committees were available and the list is available on the huhs homepage with information and directions.  She also wanted more information be available on the huhs homepage for upcoming Board meetings.  Agendas are posted as well as minutes once they have been approved.  Handouts are available at the meeting as well. She also made a comment that the SHUHS Committee isn’t sure where it is going at this time.  She will encourage members to become involved in HUHS committee work.   Brenda Olson suggested that perhaps the Herb Kohl criteria be reviewed to clarify criteria for the Educator of the year award.

 

(NO FURTHER AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION)

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Proposal #06-1536a – First Reading/Discussion of Policies #3122 & 4112 Professional and Support Staff Communications Revision.   Board discussion, no action, the policies will be revised and brought back.

 

Proposal #06-1571 – First Reading of Policies.  The board discussed the policies and 0170 Pg 4 of 6 will check the Law on 0174.2 concerning the School Performance Report timelines.  These policies will be brought back for a second reading and approval at the next meeting of the Board scheduled for October 30, 2006.  No formal action was taken.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Proposal #06-1572 – District Appointed Representative on Professional Development Plan.  Reis/Berg, to approve the District Appointed Representatives on the Professional Development Plan of Mary J. Koehl, Dawn L. Maxwell and Doran E. Timmer.  They have been trained.  Other administrators are encouraged to go through the two day training and the next training session is November 20.  The passing of this proposal will make us in compliance with PI 34 Ruling.  Roll Call:  4  -  0.  Motion unanimously approved.

 

Proposal #06-1573 – FFA National Convention.  Kling/Berg, to approve the FFA National Convention trip for 5 students and advisor to travel to the National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis Indiana, Tuesday, October 24 – 28, 2006.  Mr. Ehrenberg will accompany the students on the bus with other area students and advisors.  The students gain valuable leadership training by attending leadership workshops as well as attend a large career show, tour agricultural business and attractions.  Students will miss 4 days of school, expenses will be covered through the FFA Activity Account.  Students pay for their own meals.  The cost to the district will be for a substitute teacher.   Roll Call:   4  -  0.  Motion unanimously approved.

 

Proposal #06-1574 – NSBA Convention Attendance.  Kling/Berg, to approve one Board member to attend the NSBA National Convention in San Francisco, April 14 – 17, 2007, due to budget constraints.  Board members are asked to report back after attending conventions or workshops and share their valuable information with the rest of the board.  Mrs. Reis, Mrs. Black and Mr. Kling are the only board members eligible to attend this year.  

 

                                                             ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEETINGS 

September 20, 2006              7:00 – 8:31 PM – Open House

September 25, 2006              5:00 PM Tentative Student Discipline Hearing - Library

September 26, 2006              7:00 PM Key Communicators Meeting – Rm 89

October 17, 2006                   6:30 PM – WASB Region 15 Dinner Meeting – Country Inn

October 30, 2006                   7:00 PM – Regular School Board Meeting – Library

 

Agenda items for next meeting: There were none.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION

 

                        “Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.”  WI Stats. 19.85(1)(c)

PERSONNEL ISSUES

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Kling/Reis, to adjourn to closed session.  Meeting was adjourned at 9:26 PM.

 

Roll Call:  4  -  0.  Motion unanimously approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

William T. Priegel, President

Michael L. Kremer, Ph.D.

District Administrator

 

Approved:  October 16, 2006       

 

/s/ Crystal A. Berg                     

Crystal A. Berg, Clerk