November 9, 2015 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  If interested in addressing the School Board during the Communications portion of the meeting, please stand and state your name when the Board President requests communications from the citizens.

Description:  The District recommends approval of amending the budget to properly code revenue (savings) from the energy efficiency project from fund 38 to fund 10.  Doing so corrects an inconsistency found in bookkeeping.

Description:  Scott Gralla, PMA Financial Services, will present the board with a financial forecast for the Mineral Point School District.

Description:  After final aid estimates and property valuation was known the district has approximately a $208,000 surplus.  The surplus has yet to be allocated.  The board could choose to allocate the surplus to salary and benefits, non-capital instructional needs and services, capital projects, existing debt, fund balance, or a combination thereof.  

The board has the opportunity to discuss what to be done with the surplus.  Recommendations are forthcoming from the Superintendent along with action scheduled for the December board meeting in conjunction with the long range facility planning report by Nexus.

Description:  Legal counsel has advised that the motion to not rehire the PreK/EC assistant be redone.

Description:  This is the second reading of proposed changes to the Wellness Policy 457 - Rule

Description:  In conjunction with a Cummins grant to replace playground equipment, the district installed shredded rubber in the spring of 2012.  To date the District has received three persons sharing concerns regarding the use of shredded rubber as a base on the elementary playground.  The two most recent concerns followed a report in the media regarding crumb rubber being dangerous for students.  The District does not use crumb rubber on any sites.

The District contacted EMC, our liability insurance carrier, for guidance on the question to remove or not remove the shredded rubber.  EMC recommends schools first use shredded rubber as it is the safest as a playground base, followed by shredded bark, followed by pea gravel.  EMC also supplied the district with a safety report on effects of shredded rubber as a playground material.  (See attached)

Roger Palzkill, Director of Buildings and Grounds contacted Ivey's Construction and Waste Management for the cost to remove shredded rubber and install shredded bark.  Ivey's price to remove an estimated 60 ton of material and replace with 20 to 25 loads of bark was estimated not to exceed $13,500.  Waste Management's quote to dispose of the shredded bark was estimated not to exceed $3,400 noting the cost would be much more if the material were hazardous.  Shredded rubber is not considered a hazardous material.  The total amount to remove, dispose, and replace the shredded rubber is estimated not to exceed $17,000.

Given the low frequency of concern, the District's insurance carrier recommending shredded rubber as a base, the lack of research and evidence that shredded rubber is harmful, and the significant cost of removal and replacement, the District does not recommend removal of shredded rubber as a base material on the elementary playground.

Description:  The District has investigated using the Madison Community Foundation for commencing an endowment fund.  Information learned to date will be shared with the board and a discussion regarding the board's desire for the future direction of the endowment will follow.  

Description:  Board Members expressed interest in learning more about Professional Learning Communities (PLC) through video resources.  A short vignette of PLC's will be shared with the board throughout the year to give the board a better understanding of the work being conducted by staff in a PLC environment.

Description:  Joelle Doye, Communications Director, received recognition at the fall conference of the Wisconsin Schools Public Relations Association luncheon.

Description:  The District received a $5,000 donation toward the stadium project from Cummins.  Cummins is a valued partner in education and Mineral Point Schools.

Description:  Former Principal Ted Evans presented the MPSD with a check for $30,000 as a gift toward the stadium project.  The funds will be used to make the annual payment of the note for the stadium secured by the school district.  The District personally thanks Mr. Evans for his efforts on behalf of the stadium project.

Description:  The School Board FieldBook will be distributed with a timeline for completion and discussion agreed upon and book study questions distributed.

Description:  Chapter 2 defines the board's role and separates the functions of that role from other organizational roles.  The authors state that role perspectives are defined through expertise, time, and access, and argue that actions that deviate from one's proper role result in micromanagement.  Examine Table 2-1 and 2-2:  Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Definitions and Roles.

Question:  How do expertise, time, and access shape these roles?  How can a board determine if changes are actually occurring in the classroom without micromanaging?  What self-imposed guidelines would the board consider to avoid micromanaging?

The authors present a five-step decision-making process that aligns the three roles in making, implementing, and assessing school district decisions.

Question:  What do you think are essential components of a board charge that provides both strategic clarity and guidance while avoiding assigning tactics?  

Question:  Do you think the decision making process provided by the authors allows for sufficient board authority?  Why or why not?  If a board is not satisfied with the tactical outcome, what are its strategic responsibilities and its proper limits in providing correction?

Description:  Regular meeting 10/12: http://mineralpointschools.org/mpsd/blogs/news/october-school-board-meeting/

Special meeting 10/26: http://mineralpointschools.org/mpsd/blogs/news/special-school-board-meeting-1026/