Board Minutes – January 25, 2017

MEETING MINUTES…WHITEHALL BOARD OF EDUCATION…January 25, 2017

The January 25, 2017 meeting of the Whitehall Board of Education was held at Whitehall Memorial Conference Room. President, George Everson called the meeting to order at

7:00 pm. Roll was called and a quorum established. Other Board members present: Byron Fields, Jason Molis, Kristen Carroll, Julie Dokkestul and Dan Koxlien. Absent: Leah Johnson. Others present: Superintendent/9-12 Principal, Mike Beighley; Elementary Principal, Damon Lisowski; MS Principal/Improvement of Instruction Director, Beth Lisowski; Special Education/Pupil Services Director, Vickie O’Dell; Assistant HS Principal/Athletic Director, Jamie Youngbauer; Finance Manager, Cheryl Maug; Reporter, Scott Schultz; Aaron Rittenhouse, Johnson Controls Inc. (via telephone).

Molis moved to approve vouchers as presented. Koxlien seconded. Aye – All members. Motion carried.

Fields moved to approve the following items of the Motion Calendar:

  1. Approve minutes of December 21, 2016 Regular Meeting
  2. Approve minutes of December 21, 2016 Executive Meeting

Carroll seconded. Aye – All Members. Motion carried.

Aaron Rittenhouse, Johnson Controls Inc., updated Board on the progress of the lighting project and lease financing. Financing (lease) term is 15 yrs. At 3.46% in the amount of $783,162 and includes updating lighting to LED and 1971/1991 building boiler updates.

Koxlien moved to approve Resolution Authorizing and Approving the Master Lease Agreement with Huntington Public Capital Corporation and Related Project Scope and Equipment Schedule. Fields seconded. Aye – All Members. Motion carried.

Due to the number of closure days in January discussion was held regarding make up days/school calendar revisions. Dokkestul moved to change the last student day to June 6th (12:30 dismissal) with a teacher in-service until 8:30 pm to designate February 17th and April 17th as snow make up days. Also, moved to adjust the High School instructional start time to 8:00 am beginning with the 4th quarter. Koxlien seconded. Aye – All Members. Motion carried.

Molis moved to approve unlimited open enrollment requests for regular education and zero request for special education due to no open spaces with an exception for families with siblings currently open enrolled in special education for 2017-18. Dokkestul seconded. Aye – All Members. Motion carried.

Discussion held regarding the use of 2-hour late starts due to weather. The Board has opted to cautiously and sparingly use the two-hour late start option, if there is an absolutely clear cut example of a day that we can “save” but cannot run at normal time.

Research drilling will begin soon to rectify any under-floor water damage in the 1971 high school area. Small holes will be drilled and a camera inserted in the holes to locate any areas where mud jacking may be necessary to re-support floors due to gaps that may be beneath resulting from the water leak. Also, working on running water lines overhead for ease of locating any possible leaks in the future.

Things continue to go well with the Trempealeau Valley Co-op plans. The Boards will explore the possibility of using a facilitator to create a 2-5 year strategic plan and vision statement for the co-op. The Superintendents will meet on Friday, January 27th to discuss this option as well as finalize a daily schedule for 2017-18. WTC is very interested in being involved with a STEM Academy and will continue with broader discussions with the possibility of involving Viterbo or UW-L as well.

Administrative Reports:

B. Lisowski –

Just finished with Access testing for the English Language Learners (ELL).

The juniors will take the ACT test at the end of February.

The Forward Exam for grades 3-8 & 10 will begin in April

Aspire test for grades 9-10 will be taken at the end of April/early May.

O’Dell –

Explained the difference in a 504 Plan and an IEP. A 504 Plan is for all persons, not just students. People cannot be discriminated against due to a disability in school or the workforce. Students with a 504 Plan may not require special education, just special accommodations based on their disability.

An IEP states the type of individualized special education instruction accommodations that are necessary based on the individuals disability.

D. Lisowski –

Summer school will run the last two weeks of June with the week of July 3-7 off and resume for the next two full weeks in July. Summer school was a great success last year. Hoping to focus on more STEM offerings.

Betsy Peterson and Becky Brouillet are offering a workshop “Positive Solutions for Families” for parents to discuss how to build relationships with their children.

Youngbauer –

Girls Basketball participants went from 17 to 15. JV games were suspended for one week. Plans are to play JV games for the rest of the season. Players can only play for three ½’s per night. All girls get to suit up for Varsity due to the number of players.

Everson recessed to Executive session pursuant to S.S. 19.85 (1)(c) to discuss staffing models for 2017-18 and performance evaluations for 2016-17. Time: 8:19 pm.

Cheryl Maug

Recording Secretary