[Winona Online Democracy]
Greetings,
Below is Dr. Bartleson's "From my Perspective" summary of last
Night's school board meeting.
The supporting documents will be available on the School District's website
later this afternoon. Because I knew people might be anxious to see the
"Master List of Reduction Options" (which is the complete list of potential
cuts to reach $2.4) and "Elementary Option Comparison" (which describes
several options for reconfiguring the elementary buildings), I have made
these available on my website for those that are interested. They will be
available on the school district website soon . . . and district staff are
looking into ways to allow people to comment on the master list of cuts
online.
Master List of Reduction Options
www.civicideas.com/reductions.pdf
Elementary Option Comparison
www.civicideas.com/elementaries.pdf
Please let me know if you have any questions.
-Steve Kranz, Board Member
-Winona Area Public Schools
--------------------------
Board Meeting Highlights
Board Meeting
1.08.04
from my perspective....
Eric Bartleson
NEW OFFICERS FOR 2004?.The board chose new officers to lead them in 2004.
Larry Laber was elected Chair, Sue Brown was elected Vice-Chair, and
Natalie Siderius was re-elected as Clerk-Treasurer. Other routine
organizational business was conducted during the 6:00 p.m. Organizational
Meeting.
The Study Session was called to order at 6:47 p.m.
STUDENT MEMBER REPORT
Stephanie Fix reported that Student Council members would be working with a
committee from the High School Site Team to develop a new dress code for
WSHS.
COMMUNITY COMMENT
Steven James, representing the Community Bible Church of Winona addressed
the board regarding their desire to have the board consider a bid to
purchase the Lincoln school property for $800,000. Mr. James acknowledged
that this bid was late and that the board had approved a motion to sell
the building to WSU.
Bill Baker addressed the board regarding his concerns with selling the
Lincoln building. He indicated that once sold, the building is forever
lost to the district. He proposed an option where he would purchase the
building and then lease it back to the district for current and future
uses.
UPDATE ON SALE OF LINCOLN TO WSU
I reported that we had received a letter from the Community Bible Church of
Winona that had been addressed by Mr. James. I read the letter in its
entirety.
Please be advised that the Community Bible Church, Inc. of Winona, MN,
wishes to be given consideration for submission of a bid with intent to
purchase the Lincoln School Building and property.
Based on recommendation of our Long Range Facility Committee, it would be
our intent, if you remain open to potential buyers, to proffer a bid of
eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000).
If you are willing and able to consider our serious desire to purchase the
Lincoln property, our Board of Directors will, at a legal meeting scheduled
for Monday, January 19, 2004, seek necessary approval of our membership and
proceed immediately to formalize and submit a bid.
I commented that the board had agreed to sell the building to WSU if they
were willing to meet their previous offer of $700,000. WSU had verbally
accepted this offer and we are waiting for formal acceptance. Board
members asked that we contact WSU and give them 30 days to provide this
formal acceptance.
First Reading of Transportation Policies
Jeff Seeley presented three policies for a first reading. The Business and
Transportation Offices have updated two transportation policies and drafted
a new policy. They are:
?Inclement Weather and Emergency School Closing ? Policy #: 430.2 (See
attached file: School Closing Policy.pdf)
(Revised)
?Bus Travel on Public Roads ? Policy #: 470.3 (Revised)(See attached file:
Bus travel on public roads policy.pdf)
?Transportation for Non-Resident Students ? Policy #: 470.4 (New)(See
attached file: Transportation of out of district students policy.pdf)
The Transportation Committee has reviewed these policies and adoption is
recommended. . The policies will be presented for adoption at the January
22 board meeting.
The most significant change in the school closing policy is that we would
now be authorized to utilize a late start and to establish certain
geographic areas where students would not be transported by bus under
certain hazardous road/weather conditions. Copies of all three policies
are included in PDF format.
Administration Presentation on Budget Reduction Options
The administrative staff and I presented budget reduction options for the
board to consider. A PowerPoint presentation providing comparisons to a
cohort of nine similar districts, and detail on the budget reduction
options was used as the presentation format. Copies of this PowerPoint
presentation are available in each building this morning. We also plan to
place the presentation on the website today or this weekend. Also included
on the website will are documents just related to the budget reduction
options.
A copy of the master list of options is attached as a PDF file.(See
attached file: Master List of Reduction Options.pdf)
A central piece of the list of options was elementary school organization.
We presented five different options for the board to consider. These five
options and the projected savings for each are attached as a PDF file.(See
attached file: Elem Option Comparison.pdf)
Board members had numerous questions throughout the presentation. Board
members were also encouraged to review the options in depth and get back to
us for further information where needed.
The next step in the process is to hold two community listening sessions
during February and to get information regarding these options into the
hands of the public in a variety of ways.
Legislative Platform
I reviewed the draft of the 2004 Legislative Platform that was developed
by the Legislative Committee. A copy of the draft is attached in PDF.(See
attached file: Draft 2 legislative priorities 2003-2004.pdf)
Dates for Community Listening Sessions.
Board members requested that the two listening sessions be scheduled on
Monday evenings in February. One will be held at the high school and one
at the middle school. The meetings are planned to run from 5:00 p.m.- 7:00
p.m. More information will be forthcoming once details have been worked
out.
Crucial Conversations Workshops
Board members expressed interest in registering for a two day seminar on
"Crucial Conversations" at Winona State University. The seminar will take
place on February 10 and 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost of the
seminar is $550 per person. The seminar will allow participants to absorb
and apply new skills between sessions. Attendees will learn how to talk to
others about tough or controversial topics and solve problems before they
grow bigger. People who are skilled at mastering crucial conversations are
able to help teams and organizations improve: productivity, teamwork,
accountability, diversity, safety, and individual influence.
Outside funding is being sought to offset some or all of the cost of
participating.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Next Regular Meeting: January 22,2004
_______________________________________________
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