SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON

JEFFERSON, WISCONSIN

 

MINUTES

FINANCE AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

February 14, 2011

 

The Finance and Operations Committee of the Board of Education of the School District of Jefferson met on Monday, February 14, 2011, in the Jefferson High School Library.  Chairperson Schumacher called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm. with Committee members Thompson and Stoner present.  

 

Approval of Committee Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes from the January 10, 2011 committee meetings was made by Dr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Thompson.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 

 

FINANCE TOPICS:

Report on Referendum Financing – QECB Application and Final Financing Update: Mr. Brian Brewer of Robert W. Baird & Co., reviewed information with the committee on the potential of the district obtaining Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) for a portion of the final referendum financing.  He updated the committee on the projected timing of the final financing. 

 

He explained that QECBs are structured so that proceeds must go towards projects that reduce energy consumption in a public building by 20% or more.  If the district qualifies, financing for Phase IV of the financing in the amount of $8,190,000 could be obtained at a lower interest cost.

 

Ideally, the administration will know whether the district qualifies for this financing within the next couple of weeks, and the Board can finalize Phase IV borrowing at the March, 2011 Board meeting.

 

2011 Summer Pay Rates: The proposed summer pay rates for 2011 including a $0.25 per hour increase for summer teachers and a $0.10 per hour increase for swimming and support staff were reviewed.

 

A motion to forward the 2011 Summer Pay Rates as presented for full Board approval was made by Dr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Thompson. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Board members asked for a pay comparison of other districts who offer a four-hour summer school program.  This information is to be provided prior to the full Board meeting on February 28, 2011.

 

Self-Funded Insurance Status Report: Mrs. Peachey provided a review of the updated spreadsheet showing the deficit balance in the district’s self-funded insurance account as of December 31, 2010.  After running a final IBNR (Incurred But Not Reported) calculation based on past medical and prescription drug claims experience, the district’s insurance consultant has estimated that there remains $11,000 in unpaid medical claims as of 12/31/10.

 

2011-12 Budget Review: The proposed 2011-12 general fund expenditure budget along with a review of the proposed district projects, technology budget, and staffing recommendations was discussed.

 

Mrs. Peachey emphasized that the information is based on a $200 per pupil revenue limit increase, but with current legislative proposals – all could change.

 

Requests for Retirement:  Retirement letters have been received from Joan Thostenson, first grade teacher at East Elementary School, and Elizabeth Waller, second grade teacher at East Elementary School.  They have served the district for 38 and 29 years respectively.  Both are requesting the retirement provisions as outlined in the JEA Master Agreement. 

 

A motion to approve the retirement requests from Joan Thostenson and Elizabeth Waller as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Dr. Stoner. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Consideration of National Board Certification Requests: Two staff members, Megan Carstens (grade 3) and Lynda Murphy (grade 5), have begun the application process for National Board Certification.  In following the guidelines of Board Policy GCIB, National Board Certification, teachers must be approved prior to application to NBPTS.

 

A motion to approve the application for National Board Certification Process for Ms. Carstens and Ms. Murphy as outlined in Guidelines Reference Code GCIB-R and forward for full Board approval was made by Dr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Thompson.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Addition of .87 FTE Special Education Paraprofessional at East Elementary School: Mr. Nolan explained that a second grade student recently moved into the district who is in need of 1-1 adult support and supervision for the entire day at school, as stated in the student’s IEP.  The student has been placed at East Elementary School.  The cost of this 6 ½ hour per day position would be $6,038, for the balance of the school year.  The funds would come from the district’s Education Job Reform money allocation.  For 2011-12, the district would apply for a Transfer of Service exemption for the cost of the position. 

 

A motion to approve the hire of a .87 FTE Special Education Paraprofessional as presented and forward to the full Board for approval was made by Dr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Thomas. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

OPERATIONS TOPICS:

Employment(s)

None

 

Resignation(s)

None

 

OPERATIONS TOPICS:

Employment(s)

None

 

Resignation(s)

None

 

Timeline and Documentation for Evaluation of Superintendent for 2010-11: Committee members were reminded that, in accordance with Board Policy CBG – Evaluation of the Superintendent, each year the Board shall conduct an evaluation of the Superintendent’s performance. 

 

Each Board member was asked to complete a tally sheet and forward it to Board President Buth by Friday, February 25, 2011.  A compilation of the results will be completed by President Buth and shared with the Board during closed session at the March 21, 2011 Board meeting.

 

H.S.E.D. Contract(s) with M.A.T.C.: The High School guidance department has identified two additional students in need of H.S.E.D. services for the period of January 24 through May 27, 2011.  The anticipated cost for these services is $3,138. 

 

A motion to approve the H.S.E.D. Contracts with M.A.T.C. as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Dr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Thompson. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Council for the Performing Arts (CPA) Articles of Accord: Annually, the Board renews the agreement between the School District and the Council for the Performing Arts. 

 

A motion to approve the Council for the Performing Arts Articles of Accord as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Dr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Thompson. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

2011-12 Job Share Request(s): Committee members reviewed the job share agreement extension request for the 2011-12 school year from Mrs. Karissa Paar and Mrs. Kristin Rousseau, East Elementary kindergarten teachers.   

 

A motion to approve the extension of the job share agreement as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Dr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Thompson. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

2011 Summer Swimming Program Agreement with Johnson Creek School District: The Johnson Creek School District has approached Mike Howard, summer school director, with a request to continue the Summer Swimming Program Agreement for the 2011 summer session.   This agreement has been in place for a number of years and provides swimming lessons for their students during summer school.  The only changes to the agreement were revisions to the program dates to reflect this year’s summer school.  All other components, including the fee, remain the same.  The fee is sufficient to cover costs and overhead for the use of the pool.

 

A motion to approve the 2011 Summer Swimming Program Agreement with Johnson Creek School District as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Dr. Stoner. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

2011-12 Lease Agreement Between the School District and Jefferson County Head Start – CESA #2: Now that K-4 and 5K registrations have taken place for next year, the administration is comfortable that there will be space available at East Elementary to continue with the lease agreement with Head Start for the 2011-2012 school year.  This collaboration has worked very well for all parties involved.

 

A motion to approve the 2011-2012 Lease Agreement between the School District of Jefferson and Jefferson County Head Start/CESA #2 as presented and forward to the full Board for approval was made by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Thompson. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

FACILITY TOPICS:

Jefferson High School Facilities Project Update:  Mr. Swartz noted that the project is on schedule.

 

Discussion on Long-Term Study of Outdoor Facilities: Mr. Swartz explained that the district has received a proposal for developing a master plan for the remaining green space at West Elementary and the Middle School.  Point of Beginning, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was contacted and asked to submit a proposal that would focus on a softball field, practice football fields, space for physical education, potential building additions, an agriculture lab, and a possible driveway between West Elementary and the Middle School. This firm is familiar with district facilities as they did some of the survey work on the current building project.  Their proposal, at a cost of $2,900, was presented for committee review. 

 

Committee discussion included concerns over additional costs, soccer field(s), softball field(s), and future use of the land for a driveway.  

 

A motion to approve the engineering and surveying services proposal by Point Of Beginning as presented at a cost not to exceed $2,900 as presented was made by Dr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Thompson.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Review of Roof Design Services Bid: The proposal from Roofing Consultants, Ltd., to provide design, bid process management, project management and quality assurance oversight for the roof replacement project at Sullivan Elementary School was provided for committee review.  The total cost of the proposal is $7,500.

 

Mr. Schroedl explained that the services proposed are identical to a previous estimate the district received from Specialty Engineering.  Committee members asked Mr. Schroedl to contact some of the school districts listed as references on the proposal.  Discussion on the need for a roof design when the funding for the roof replacement is unknown followed. 

 

A motion to move the proposal for a complete roof replacement at Sullivan Elementary School as received from Roofing Consultants, Ltd. to the full Board, contingent upon the receipt of acceptable references, was made by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Dr. Stoner.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Discussion of Possible Topics for Future Meetings:

Curriculum budget (5 years)

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Dr. Stoner. The motion passed on a voice vote. 

                                                                    

ADJOURNMENT 8:46 p.m.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Pati Fitzgerald, Board Secretary