[Winona Online Democracy]
Greetings,
Below is Dr. Bartleson's "From my Perspective" summary of last night's
school board meeting.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
-Steve Kranz, Board Member
-Winona Area Public Schools
--------------------------
Board Meeting Highlights
Board Meeting
1.22.04
from my perspective....
Eric Bartleson
BOARD TO APPEAL DAKOTA CHARTER APPROVAL
APRIL STUDY SESSION CHANGED FROM APRIL 1 TO APRIL 6
The Study Session was called to order at 6:08 p.m.
STUDENT/STAFF/COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
Governor Tim Pawlenty has proclaimed this week as para recognition week to
salute the exceptional service of Minnesota's 27,000 education
paraprofessionals. We could not agree with him more that this group is
well-deserving of our thanks and kudos. In Winona Area Public Schools
there are 110 paraprofessionals who are found in our general, special, and
Title I educational settings. They serve students PreK through Grade 12. No
one can argue the contributions they make to enhance student performance
and achievement, classroom climate and school safety, and curriculum
delivery.
The Champions for Children Award recognizes the efforts of area business,
groups, organizations or an individual to support the children of our
district, our staff and our programs.
Our recipient this month is the Winona Sunrisers Kiwanis club. President,
Dorothy Ruppert and her husband were present to receive the award.
The Kiwanis organization has children at the heart of their mission:
"Kiwanis working in fellowship and service to our community with projects
emphasizing children."
For several years now, this club has sponsored Kiwanians Care About
Kindergartners. Sunrisers Kiwanians select one of our elementary schools
each year. From January through May, members visit the kindergarten
classrooms each month. After reading a book to the young students, each
student receives a book of their very own to keep. So by the end of their
book project each student has 5 new books.
In addition to the kindergarten project, the Sunrisers Kiwanis donate
monies for the purchase of socks, underwear, breakfast bars and juice to
have on hand in our elementary schools for children who have maybe gotten
wet on the playground or missed breakfast because of a morning dental
appointment.
This group also supports the Special Athletic Competition, formerly known
as Special Olympics, which not only our students with special needs but
students from around southeastern Minnesota participate in each spring.
Larry Laber was also presented a plaque from the Minnesota School Board
Association for completing Phases I,II, and III of their school board
training program.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO WERE RECOGNIZED THIS EVENING.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Darin Shepherdson of the Dakota Area Community Charter School discussed the
charter approval that was received from the state of Minnesota. He
indicated that they desire to begin negotiations for the lease of the
Dakota Elementary School for the charter school program.
Dave Nutter addressed the board and encouraged them to continue to provide
bus service for his children to attend Ridgeway Charter School
Rich and Lisa Peterson addressed the board to request continued bus
transportation for their children who attend Ridgeway charter and WAPS
schools even though they live outside the district boundaries.
STUDENT MEMBER REPORT
Stephanie Fix reported on the following activities at the high school:
End of the semester
New classes starting next week
Musical Brigadoon rehearsals are starting
She also narrated a video of the recent band trip to Florida.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL REPORT
The board requested that a member of the student council at Winona Middle
School be invited to a meeting each month to provide an update on middle
school student council activities. This month the update was provided by
Shauna Fenske. She reported:
6154 pounds of food had been collected for the 10 Days of Giving
program
Spirit Days were a great success this year
Hat Day netted $420 which was donated to the Humane Society
Fun Night on Jan 30th
50 students are in the middle school musical production "Rock Around
the Block"
INFORMATION
WSHS Four-Period Day Committee Report Susie Fox and Bruce Ramsdell
presented the Four Period Day Committee final report. It has been
presented to the WSHS Site Team and the Curriculum Committee. The Site team
approved and endorsed the report. Board members asked a variety of
questions related to class size, teacher load, sequencing of classes, and
amount of time spent in music programs. Board thanked the committee for
their hard work in putting the report together.
Curriculum Update
Sue Roehrich updated the board on legislative changes that will change
graduation requirements for students entering high school next fall and
thereafter. This is the document she used to guide the discussion:
Graduation Requirements
Discussion document 1-22-04
2004-2005 School Year- no changes from previous year
Seniors, Juniors, and Sophomores diploma requirements:
58 credits
2 standards
MN Profile of Learning Academic Standards in Technical Reading
and Space, Shape and Measurement
3 tests- MBST reading, mathematics and writing
2004-2005 School Year- changes based on legislative action on laws and
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) changes in rules.
Freshman (class of 2008) diploma requirements:
At least 21.5 credits
Minnesota Academic Standards for Language Arts 9-12
Minnesota Academic Standards for Mathematics 9-12
Minnesota Academic Standards for The Arts 9-12
Analysis and Interpretation through participation in
dance, media arts, music, theater or visual arts
Creation and Performance through participation in
creative writing, dance, media arts, music, theater or
visual arts
3 tests- MBST reading, mathematics and writing
Credit Requirements for freshman 2004-2005:
MDE Current WSHS New WSHS
English 4 4.5 ?
Social Studies 3.5 4 ?
Health and PE 0 1.5 ?
Science 3 2 3*
Mathematics 3 2 3*
Arts 1 0 1*
Electives 7 15 ?
Total 21.5 29 ?
* required changes for compliance with new laws and MDE rules
Considerations for class of 2008
� Reduction of .5 credits in English
� Reduction of .5 credits in Social Studies
� Retain 1.5 credits in Health and PE
� Number of electives offered
� Total number of credits required for graduation
Future considerations:
� Accept middle school credit on a high school transcript
Transfer grade and GPA to high school transcript
Transfer pass/no pass and credit to high school transcript
Retain current system- allowing credit but no transfer to high
school transcript
� Allow students to test out of a class for academic credit
Assign a grade and GPA and add to high school transcript
Assign a pass/no pass and add to high school transcript
Retain current system ? not testing out of classes permitted
� Allow students to accrue credits and graduate early
Ex. PSEO, On-line learning, no study halls, credits from
middle school
Assign alumnae status or retain senior standing
Retain current system- no early graduation
Timeline:
Information review January 22, 2004
Feedback and discussion February 5, 2004
Board decisions February 26, 2004
For 2004-2005 there will be two WSHS course description guides.
There will be one guide for sophomores, juniors and seniors with no changes
in their
graduation requirements.
There will be an updated course description guide for freshman ( class of
2008) with the new credits, new standards and current state testing
requirements.
Sue also took time to recognize a donation and express our thanks to:
Mr. Bruce Schott of Schott Distributing in Goodview, MN
Mr. Chris Livingston of The Book Shelf, Huff and Sarnia, Winona
Mrs. Lindalee Soderstrom, Lewiston, MN ? an adoptive mom
Through the combined efforts of these people Winona Area Public Schools has
received a donation of books related to the subject of Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders (formerly known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome).
Booklist of the Bruce Schott Family Donation for the Prevention of FASD
-The Broken Cord- Michael Dorris
-Fantastic Antone Succeeds ? Judith Kleinfeld with Barbara Morse and Siobhan
Wescott
-Our FAScinating Journey- Jodee Kulp
-Families at Risk: a Guide to Understand and Protect Children and Care
Givers Involved in Out-of-Home or Adoptive Care- Jodee Kulp
-The Best I Can Be: Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Effects ? Liz Kulp
and Jodee Kulp
-Fetal Alcohol Syndrome- a Guide to Families and Communities- Ann
Streissguth
-The Challenge of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome- Overcoming Secondary Disabilities-
Ann Streissguth and Jonathan Kanter
The books will be in the on-line catalogue and available for check out
through the Winona High School Media Center. Copies will also soon be
available for teachers, parents and community members through the WAPS
Curriculum Library located in the Lincoln Building on the corner of Huff
and Sarnia.
MSBA Conference Report
School board members who are attended the MSBA
conference January 14-16 reported on the highlights of the conference.
Comments related to :
Staff development and teacher training sessions
Financial information sessions
Legislative advocacy
School violence issues
Harry Wong was a great general session speaker
All agreed that it was a great conference.
Charter School Discussion
The board engaged in a lengthy discussion on the future of charter schools
in the state and in the Winona Area Public Schools. It was noted that the
state seems to be creating two public school systems and we need to compete
with charters or possibly disband. Should we be looking at chartering all
of our elementary schools? Will we be facing more charter schools if we
continue to close buildings?
The discussion begin to focus on lease arrangements that will be negotiated
with Ridgeway and Dakota charter schools. Board members seemed to agree
that lease costs should cover our excess costs for transportation and
special education services provided at the charter site. The lease should
also be structured to create a 'sinking fund" to allow for capital needs of
the buildings.
The Finance Committee will meet with Jeff Seeley and the charter
representatives to begin lease negotiations.
The board also voted to appeal the Commissioner of Education decision to
charter Dakota when it had been slated for closure. The law includes a
statement that "this section does not provide a means to keep open a school
that otherwise would be closed. Applicants in these circumstances bear the
burden of proving that a conversion to a charter school fulfills a purpose
specified in this subdivision independent of the school's closing". The
appeal would also note that three other charter schools are located in the
school district.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were approved with a single motion and no discussion:
Board Meeting Minutes
November 20, 2003 - Regular Meeting
December 4, 2003 - Study Session
December 8, 2003 - Joint Meeting with Bluffview Charter
December 18, 2003 - Closed Strategy Session
December 18, 2003 - Regular Meeting
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 licensed persons are recommended for employment in
the Winona Area Public Schools:
Anne Joria is recommended for employment as a Long-term Substitute
Science Teacher at Winona Senior High School. This assignment began
January 5, 2004. Her placement on the salary schedule will be II BA.
The first 24 days are at $85.00 and $161.15 thereafter.
Margaret Marklowitz is recommended for employment as a Long-term
Substitute LD Teacher at Jefferson School. This assignment began
December 15, 2003. Her placement on the salary schedule will be II
MA. The first 24 days are at $85.00 and $185.92 thereafter.
Carol Wilant is recommended for employment as the Annual Yearly
Progress Consultant for Washington-Kosciusko School. She will be
employed 10 hours per week from January 20, 2004, through March 9,
2004. For this assignment she will be paid $16.00 per hour.
Approval of these positions is subject to Minnesota Statute 125.12,
Subdivision 2, which requires a unanimous vote of the full board if the
teacher is related by blood or marriage, within the fourth degree, computed
by the civil law, to a Board member.
The following non-licensed persons are recommended for employment in the
Winona Area Public Schools:
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS:
Katherine Bain is recommended for employment as a Special Ed
Educational Assistant at Central and Washington-Kosciusko Schools.
She will be employed 6-1/2 hours per school day. The beginning date
for this assignment was December 11, 2003, and the hourly rate of pay
is $9.69.
Peggy Przybylski is recommended for employment as a Special Ed
Educational Assistant at Winona Area Learning Center. She will be
employed 3 hours per school day. The beginning date for this
assignment was December 15, 2003, and the hourly rate of pay is
$9.69. This is an internal transfer.
Nancy Schwein is recommended for employment as a Special Ed
Educational Assistant at Jefferson School. She will be employed
6-1/2 hours per school day. The beginning date for this assignment
was December 15, 2003, and the hourly rate of pay is $10.18.
Heidi Warnken is recommended for employment as a Special Ed
Educational Assistant for ECSE at Lincoln School. She will be
employed 6-1/2 hours per school day. The beginning date for this
assignment was December 10, 2003, and the hourly rate of pay is
$10.91.
Sara Wisecup is recommended for employment as the HOT Club
Educational Assistant at Jefferson School. She will be employed
1-3/4 hours per day on Tuesday and Thursdays from December 11, 2003,
through April 29, 2004. For this assignment she will receive $11.97
per hour.
MAINTENANCE:
Kim Hundt is recommended for employment as a Custodial Engineer at
Winona Middle School. She will be employed 8 hours per day. The
beginning date for this assignment was January 8, 2004, and the
hourly rate of pay is $11.17. This is an internal transfer.
BUS/NOON SUPERVISOR & CROSSING GUARD:
Lindsey Hanson is recommended for employment as a Lunch Supervisor at
Winona Middle School. She will be employed 2 hours per school day.
The beginning date for this assignment was December 8, 2003, and the
hourly rate of pay is $7.36.
Mark Lee is recommended for employment as a Lunch Supervisor at
Winona Middle School. He will be employed 2 hours per school day.
The beginning date for this assignment was December 8, 2003, and the
hourly rate of pay is $7.36.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION:
Request approval of the Community Education Staff/Instructors for
January 2004. See attached list.
OTHER:
David Arnoldy is recommended for employment as the Technical Director
for the All-School Musical at Winona Senior High School. The
beginning date for this assignment was January 5, 2004. For this
assignment he will receive $1,353.00.
Daniel Barr is recommended for employment as Musical Orchestra
Director for the All-School Musical at Winona Senior High School.
The beginning date for this assignment was January 5, 2004. For this
assignment he will receive $922.50.
Sandra Todd Barr is recommended for employment as Musical Orchestra
Director for the All-School Musical at Winona Senior High School.
The beginning date for this assignment was January 5, 2004. For this
assignment she will receive $922.50.
The following persons are recommended for extra assignments during the
2003-2004 school year:
Michael Culloton is recommended for employment as Vocal Director for
the All-School Musical at Winona Senior High School. The beginning
date for this assignment was January 5, 2004. For this assignment he
will receive $2,132.00.
Kimberly Grote is recommended for employment as Director of the
Elementary School Musical at Rollingstone School during the 2003-2004
school year. For this assignment she will receive $410.00.
Bruce Ransdell is recommended for employment as Director for the
All-School Musical at Winona Senior High School. The beginning date
for this assignment was January 5, 2004. For this assignment he will
receive $2665.00.
Carol Ramsdell is recommended for employment as Director of the
Elementary School Musical at Washington-Kosciusko School during the
2003-2004 school year. For this assignment she will receive $656.00.
The following person is recommended for a coaching assignment by Mark
Winter, Athletic Director:
Name Activity Units Exp.
Units Units Increment
Jaqueline Severson WSHS Asst. Dance 44 0 0
44 $1,804.00
The following person has requested a leave of absence in the district:
Gene Pelowski , Social Studies Teacher at Winona Senior High School,
has requested a leave of absence to participate in the Legislative
Session for 2004 beginning February 2, 2004, to extend approximately
until the end of April.
The following persons have resigned from their positions in the district:
Judy Beck, Special Ed Educational Assistant at Washington-Kosciusko
School, has resigned effective December 8, 2003.
Theresa Kuehn, Cook Helper at Washington-Kosciusko School, has
resigned effective January 13, 2004.
Contract Amendment:
As a result of contract negotiations, certain benefits of retiring
employees are now placed into a Post Retirement Healthcare Account
under the supervision of the Minnesota State Retirement System. This
contract amendment allows retirement dollars due to the
superintendent to be placed in the same account. In making this
change, the district will incur no additional cost.
Approval of 401(A) Plan
In December of 2002 the Winona Public School Board entered into an
employment agreement with Dr. Eric Bartleson. That agreement allows
the participation of Dr. Bartleson in a 401(A) plan and states that
the school board will adopt a 401(A) Special Pay Plan during the term
of this employment contract. Participation in such a plan will save
tax dollars for the retiring employee as well as the district.
Contributions into the plan will be compensation due to the employee
and will create no additional expense to the district. I am
requesting authorization to enter into an agreement with AIG Valic
for participation in the Bencor 401(A) plan.
Donations
Approved the following donations: Received from Watlow, computer equipment
donation to students in our schools; Madison PTA donated to the school 9 CD
boom boxes and 4 tape recorders, total of $521; Lauri Stauffer's donation
of a vehicle to the SHS Industrial Arts Department; a bench to be placed at
the WMS dedicated in "memory of Jean Blaisdell" former staff member, from
her family; $2,000 from Winona National Bank to Project Compass.
Bills, Payroll December Payroll (gross $1,891,844.36)
(net) $1,278,344.54
December Bills
769,909.00
December 15 MN State Withholding Tax
33,539.80
December 31 MN State Withholding Tax
35,753.44
December 15 WI State Withholding Tax
3,439.23
December 31 WI State Withholding Tax
3,998.68
December 15 Fed/FICA/Med Withholding Tax
214,593.06
December 30 Fed/FICA/Med Withholding Tax
229,206.87
Blue Cross Blue Shield Payment
280,498.00
Total
$2,849,282.62
BUSINESS
HVED Appointment
The board appointed Todd Rasmussen to serve on the HVED board.
Retirements
The board accepted retirement requests from:
Margaret Kiihne, English/Language Arts Teacher at Winona Middle
School, has submitted her formal request for retirement effective at
the end of the 2003-2004 school year. Margaret has served the
district for 25 Years. We extend our appreciation and best wishes
for a happy retirement.
Lyle Laturno, Music Teacher at Winona Middle School, has submitted
his formal request for retirement effective June 7, 2004. Lyle has
served the district for 35 years. We extend our appreciation and
best wishes for a happy retirement.
Doug Rosendahl, Science Teacher at Winona Middle School, has
submitted his formal request for retirement effective June 7, 2004.
Doug has served the district for 36 years. We extend our
appreciation and best wishes for a happy retirement.
THANK YOU MARGARET, LYLE AND DOUG FOR YOUR 96 YEARS OF DEDICATED
SERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY.
Transportation Policies
The board approved three policies related to student transportation.
The major change is that the policies now allow for a "late start' as
one of the options available to district administrators when faced
with changing inclement weather conditions. Each of the policies is
attached as a PDF file. The following procedures were developed for a
two hour late start.
Procedures for School Operation
with a two hour late start.
The decision to close school or to have a 2 hour late start will be made
between 5:30 -5:45 a.m.
If we have a late start the decision to cancel will be made between
7:30-7:45 a.m.
School Day with a 2 hour late start
Elementary 9:45 a.m.-2:10 p.m.
MS and HS 11:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
Morning Athletic Practices
All regularly scheduled morning athletic practices will be moved back two
hours.
Elementary Buildings
No Breakfast Program
Lunch at regular time
Modified schedule determined at the building level
Winona Middle School
No Breakfast Program
Modified schedule
Report to 1st hour class
First lunch shift starts at 11:10
WSHS
No Breakfast Program
No Period 1-Students to report to Period 2 class (this may be modified
depending on how often we have a late start)
Normal serving time for lunch
Community Education
All morning preschool cancelled- Lincoln, Dakota and Rollingstone
No Morning ECFE classes
No morning Adult Literacy Classes
Early Childhood Screening will cancel appointments scheduled between 8:30
a.m. and 10 a.m. All appointments scheduled from 10 a.m. and on will go as
planned
Adult Enrichment, Project Compass and Afterschool Activities will go as
scheduled.
Key Kids will offer care to families enrolled in snow care on late start
days. Students will be bussed from the Lincoln site to their schools.
Policy # 430.2 - Inclement Weather and Emergency School Closings
Policy # 470.3 Bus Travel on Public Roads
Policy # 470.4 Transportation for Non-Resident Students
2004-2005 Budget Reduction
Listening Sessions ? The board has scheduled "Listening Sessions" for
public comment on the options for budget reduction. The sessions will be
held as follows:
Monday, February 2, 2004
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Winona Middle School Auditorium
Monday, February 16, 2004
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Winona Middle School Auditorium
Each session will begin with a short presentation on the options.
Board Information Requests Related to Budget Reduction Options
Board members requested additional information on a number of items
related to the options presented to the board at the last meeting. Some
new elementary configurations were requested, along with a closer look at
special education expenditures and an "across the board" reduction for all
areas of the budget.
The board changed the April Study session from April 1 to Tuesday, April 6.
Next Meeting: February 5, 2004
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
_______________________________________________
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