[Winona Online Democracy]
Greetings,
Below is Dr. Bartleson's "From my Perspective" summary of last
Thursday's school board meeting.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like me to
email you a copy of any document listed as an "attachment" within the
Highlights.
-Steve Kranz, Board Member
-Winona Area Public Schools
--------------------------
Board Meeting Highlights
Board Meeting
12.18.03
from my perspective....
Eric Bartleson
HEADLINES
SUPERINTENDENT FINALIST CANDIDATES:
Paul Durand, currently on sabbatical leave from South St. Paul School
District where he served as High School Principal and Assistant to the
Superintendent
Scott Hannon, Principal of Winona Middle School
Bob Lowe, Associate Director of Management Services, Minnesota School Boards
Association
George Maurer, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Teaching
Susan Vaughn, Regional Sales Manager of a technology curriculum company in
Galveston, Texas
Christine Weymouth, Educational Consultant and previously Superintendent of
Howard Suamico School District, Wisconsin
2002-2003 Audit Shows Significant Financial Gains for School District
Jim Walch of McGladery & Pullen presented the audit report for the
2002-2003 fiscal year. He complimented management on the improvements that
had been implemented, particularly in the area of financial reporting. He
also commended the board and management for progress achieved in improving
the financial condition of the district. The District's General Fund
unreserved fund balance increased by about $2 million dollars from a deficit
to $1.4 million. The Food Service Fund also improved and shows a fund
balance of representing 12% of annual expenditures.
Mr. Walch encouraged the board to continue down this fiscal path and
increase the unreserved fund balance in the general fund to meet their goal
of one month's operating expenditures. This would require an unreserved fund
balance of approximately $2.8 million.
An electronic copy of the final audit and the management letter will be
posted on the District's website as soon as they are available.
BOARD LEADERSHIP TO CHANGE IN JANUARY
Steve Kranz has announced that he intends to step down as Chair of the
school board at the end of the year. Susan Brown commended Steve for his
excellent leadership as Chair during challenging times. She also indicated
that she is interested in serving as board Vice Chair, and would support
Larry Laber as Chair, and Natalie Siderius as Clerk/Treasurers. Larry and
Natalie both indicated they would be honored to serve in these leadership
roles.
THANKS TO STEVE FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND EFFORTS TO BRING HARMONY TO BOARD
RELATIONS AND STABILITY TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
Significant Board Action:
Board votes to sell Lincoln School to WSU if their offer of $700,000 is
resubmitted.
********************************
The board met in closed session at 5:30 p.m.to discuss negotiations
strategy.
The regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
The Champions for Children Award is to recognize the efforts of area
business, groups, organizations or an individual to support the children of
our district, our staff and our programs.
Our recipients this month are Country Market and Midtown Foods.
Owner/managers Tom Thompson and Ernie Gorman were given plaques for this
recognition
These businesses are tireless supporters of Winona Area Public
Schools---prime examples of local business giving back to their community.
Last year, these two grocery stores initiated a receipt refund campaign for
all area schools. The stores gave a percentage of the receipt total for
every Country Market or Midtown Foods receipt submitted for a school.
Through their generosity and community support-Winona Area Public Schools
received $22,000 in this campaign!
Also, during our 2001 referendum campaign, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Gorman used
portions of every weekly ad to promote community support for the passage of
the referendum. They also let campaign workers set up tables in each store
to distribute referendum information.
When our marching band goes on tour-Country Market and Midtown Foods are
there-donating treats and videos for the long bus ride to Florida and back.
This past November, these grocers provided, through their store vendors a
hot dog roast picnic at Clearwater Florida's Sand Key Park for all the
students and chaperones.
Early Childhood Family Education receives donations for Breakfast with
Santa. The After the Prom party is supported by Country Market and Midtown
Foods, and our district is always offered a discount when making purchases.
THANKS ERNIE AND TOM!!!
STUDENT MEMBER REPORT
Student member Stephanie Fix reported on:
Holiday spirit at WSHS
2300 # of food collected during the 10 Days
of Giving
Giving Tree-170 gifts made available to
local children
Holiday Concerts
Garrett Heath finished in 10th place at the National Footlocker High School
Cross Country race
PUBLIC COMMENT
Maureen Gerson addressed the board with the following comments:
1) The board needs to revamp the system as a whole and change how we
deliver education. Need to look at the district and analyze as a whole
system, not parts of the system
2) Opposes closing Lincoln, at this time, and supports keeping ECFE and
ECSE programs together. Expensive to move out of Lincoln and also opposes
levying for revenue to lease office space outside the school district.
3) Our most important asset is our staff and we should keep cuts in
staff to a minimum
4) The district should not place a lot of emphasis on the number of
students in a particular building at any one time. The district has the
ability to change attendance boundaries and control enrollment in a
building.
5) Asked the board to not make a decision based on threats to leave the
district . She supports the district no matter where her children attend
school
Ross Douglass addressed the board with his concerns about communication in
the district especially with custodial/maintenance personnel. He wanted to
know how to bring forward concerns and problems that he is aware of in the
district concerning such items as boiler maintenance and other problems
related to building operations that he feels relate to health and safety
issues.
Note: We will be meeting with Ross in the very near future to discuss his
concerns regarding communication and health and safety issues.
INFORMATION
Susan Roehrich, Curriculum Director presented the board with a decision
timeline related to implementing No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and new
Minnesota Standards.
Winona Area Public Schools
Curriculum Timeline- NCLB and MN education standards
December 18, 2003 Board update on progress
Reading/Language Arts
standards embedding and pathway at WSHS
Math standards embedding and
pathway at WSHS
K-12 Fine Arts- embedding,
credit requirements
Beginning discussion- middle
school credits on high school transcript
testing out of
high school classes
WSHS Vocational program
information
Classes of 2004, 2005, 2006,
2007- status and requirements
January 8, 2004 Board update on progress
Information on WSHS
credits-English, Social Studies, Science,
Mathematics, PE/Health,
Arts, electives
January 22, 2004 Board approval of class of 2008
graduation requirements
Credits, tests, standards
Testing information
February Board progress update on
curriculum work
And compliance
with requirements
March Board progress update on
curriculum work
And compliance
with requirements
April Board progress update
Curriculum work on standards
embedding
Update on Houghton-Mifflin
reading program
May Board approval of standards
embedding
K-12 Reading/Language Arts
K-12 Mathematics
K-12 Fine Arts
Self-study report from K-12
Math Team
Follow-up from Voc Ed and
Foreign Language
June Board review of legislative
action on
New Minnesota standards in
social studies and science
Note: Other documents that were distributed to the board are attached in
PDF format.
CONSENT AGENDA-the following items were all approved in one motion:
Minutes-minutes of the following meetings
November 6, 2003 - Closed Session
November 6, 2003 - Study Session
November 18, 2003 - Joint Board Mtg w/Ridgeway Community School
These minutes can be found on the district website at www.winona.k12.mn.us
Follow the links..District Wide > Superintendent & School Board > School
Board
Personnel
The following non-licensed persons are recommended for employment in the
Winona Area Public Schools:
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS:
Chelsea Selleck is recommended for employment as a Special Ed/Classroom
Educational Assistant and Supervisor at Dakota School. She will be employed
3 hours per school day as a Special Ed Educational Assistant, 1.75 hours per
school day as a Classroom Educational Assistant, and 1.75 hours per school
day as a Supervisor. The beginning date for this assignment was December 1,
2003, and the hourly rates of pay are $9.69 (SpecEd), $8.34 (Classrm), and
$7.36 Supvr).
FOOD SERVICE:
Marsha Korneta is recommended for employment as a Cook at Winona Middle
School. She will be employed 7.5 hours per school day. The beginning date
for this assignment was December 15, 2003, and the hourly rate of pay is
$11.88.
NON-GROUP:
Diane Brown is recommended for employment as a Substitute Custodian at
Dakota School. She will be employed 4.5 hours per school day. The
beginning date for this assignment was November 24, 2003, and the hourly
rate of pay is $8.39.
Robbie Brown is recommended for employment as an Information Systems
Specialist for the district. He will be employed 8 hours per day. The
beginning date for this assignment was December 15, 2003, and the hourly
rate of pay is $13.45.
Hong Ying Zhong is recommended for employment as a Chinese Interpreter at
Winona Middle School. She will be employed as needed. The beginning date
for this assignment was November 25, 2003, and the hourly rate of pay is
$10.99.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION:
Request approval of the Community Education Staff/Instructors for December
2003. See attached list.
The following person has completed additional training and is recommended
for a December 1, 2003, lane change:
Name
>From To
Tracy Dahl BA+45
(MA) MA
The following persons are recommended for coaching assignments by Mark
Winter, Athletic Director:
Yrs. Exp. Total
Name Activity
Units Exp. Units Units Increment
Jeremiah Jackson WSHS .5 Dive 35
1 0 35 $1,435.00
Coach
Jared Johnson WSHS Co-Head 82.5
0 0 82.5 $3,382.50
Boys
Swimming Coach
Joseph Kosmann WSHS Co-Head 82.5 0 0
82.5 $3,382.50
Boys
Swimming Coach
The following licensed persons are recommended for an extra assignment
during the 2003-2004 school year:
Angela Birk is recommended for employment as Co-Multicultural/Diversity
Advisor at Winona Senior High School for the 2003-2004 school year beginning
October 22, 2003. She will be sharing this assignment with two other staff
members. For this assignment she will receive $307.50.
Connie Bodas is recommended for employment as the Houghton Mifflin
Technology Coach for the district. For this assignment she will receive
$450.00.
Janet Bridwell is recommended for employment as Knowledge Bowl Advisor at
Winona Middle School for the 2003-2004 school year beginning September 2,
2003. For this assignment she will receive $615.00.
Nancy Brown is recommended for employment as Director of the Elementary
School Musical at Goodview School during the 2003-3004 school year. For
this assignment she will receive $820.00.
Sarah Goff is recommended for employment as Co-Multicultural/Diversity
Advisor at Winona Senior High School for the 2003-2004 school year beginning
October 22, 2003. She will be sharing this assignment with two other staff
members. For this assignment she will receive $307.50.
Susan Larsen is recommended for employment as Co-Multicultural/Diversity
Advisor at Winona Senior High School for the 2003-2004 school year beginning
October 22, 2003. She will be sharing this assignment with two other staff
members. For this assignment she will receive $615.00. Last month it was
reported that she would be doing the entire assignment.
Sue Smith is recommended for employment as the Houghton Mifflin Reading
Coach for the district. For this assignment she will receive $450.00.
Gary Urness is recommended for employment as Jazz Band Director at the
Winona Middle School for the 2003-2004 school year beginning September 2,
2003. For this assignment he will receive $1,394.00.
The following person has requested a leave of absence in the district:
Kristin Bergaus, English/Language Arts Teacher at Winona Senior High School,
has requested an unpaid medical leave beginning approximately November 24,
2003, to extend until January 5, 2004.
The following persons have resigned from their positions in the district:
Susan Leipart, Educational Assistant, Clerical, and Supervisor at Winona
Middle School has resigned from her supervisory position at Winona Middle
School effective December 5, 2003.
Lyle Sauer, Science Teacher at Winona Senior High School on Disability
Leave, has submitted his resignation effective March 8, 2004.
Donations- Approved a $500 donation to the kindergarten milk program from
the Winona Eagles Club. THANK YOU EAGLES
Payroll, Bills
November Payrolls (gross 1,896,663.38) (net)
1,279,440.87
November Bills
1,071,775.59
November 15 MN State Withholding Tax
33,838.51
November 30 MN State Withholding Tax
34,892.38
November 15 WI State Withholding Tax
3,681.50
November 30 WI State Withholding Tax
3,912.92
November 15 Fed/FICA/Med Withholding Tax
218,070.78
November 30 Fed/FICA?Med Withholding Tax 224,455.71
Blue Cross Blue Shield Payment
282,274.50
Total
3,152,342.76
Contracts with Chileda- The board approved contracts for Day Service
Agreement for two students placed at the Chileda Habilitation Institute in
La Crosse, WI.
BUSINESS
2002-2003 Audit Report
Jim Walch of McGladery & Pullen presented the audit report for the
2002-2003 fiscal year.
The board approved the audit as presented.
2003 Payable 2004 Tax Levy Adoption and Certification - Final
School boards are required to adopt the final tax levy no later than
December 26, 2003 and to certify the levy to the county auditor by December
29, 2003.
The 2003 Payable 2004 Tax Levy represents a 9.18%, or $437,482, increase
over the prior year levy. The increase is a direct result of legislative
changes that reduced the district's state aid and placed additional funding
obligations on the local taxpayers. The state shifted the funding
responsibility for certain revenues from the state to the local tax levy.
I have attached a PDF file of the levy summary.
A copy of the documents that were distributed at the Truth in Taxation
Hearing on December 17th will be posted to the district website.
Lincoln Building Bid Review and Sale Consideration
Jeff Seeley reported that no bids were received regarding the sale of the
Lincoln building. This resulted in a motion to sell the Lincoln School to
WSU if their offer of $700,000 would still be available
2004-2005 Budget Assumptions-
The board approved the following assumptions to be used in developing the
2004-2005 Budget Assumptions
Kindergarten enrollment of 245
Probable increase in average class size
Enrollment projections based on cohort survival ratios (model is
SchoolFinances.Com ENPRO)
Loss of Dakota students due to building closure = 50%
Balanced budget: Revenues = Expenditures
No increase in state aid
3% decrease in federal entitlements
Labor contracts settled at similar costs as teacher contract
Budget will have a built in staffing contingency
Reserved fund balance will be the only available funds to support staff
development
2004-2005 School Calendar Revisions
Two student contact days were deleted from the calendar because of the
teacher bargaining agreement. Staff approved by a vote of 142-116 a
calendar that allowed them shorten the winter break by one day and place
those three days in the last week of March so that there could be a full
week of spring break. The break is also tied into the Good Friday holiday.
A copy of the revised 2004-2005 calendar is attached as a PDF file.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 p.m.
JANUARY 2004 BOARD MEETINGS
January 8, 2004 6:30 P.M.* School Board Study
Session
January 22, 2004 6:00 P.M. Regular Board
Meeting
*Note time change
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