SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON

JEFFERSON, WISCONSIN

 

MINUTES

FINANCE AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

June 6, 2011

 

The Finance and Operations Committee of the Board of Education of the School District of Jefferson met on Monday, June 6, 2011, in the Jefferson High School Library.  Chairperson Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. with committee members Dwyer and Hollenberger present.  

 

Approval of Committee Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes from the May 9, 2011 committee meetings as presented was made by Mr. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Hollenberger.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 

 

FINANCE TOPICS:

Breakfast, Lunch, and Milk Prices for 2011-12: Student Nutrition Director Rebecca Blyth and Laura Peachey presented the proposed lunch, breakfast, and milk prices for the upcoming school year.  It was noted that an increase in full paid elementary lunches and semester milk is recommended.  Mrs. Blyth explained that the price increase is due to a new law (Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act 2010) changing the proposed meal requirements that will drive district costs up.

 

A motion to approve the Breakfast, Lunch, and Milk Prices for 2011-2012 as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Hollenberger, seconded by Mr. Dwyer.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

2011-12 School Lunch and Nutrition Program Agreements: Mrs. Peachey explained that the current arrangements with Jefferson County Head Start and St. Peter’s Lutheran School have worked well. 

 

A motion to approve the 2011-2012 School Lunch and Nutrition Program Agreements with Jefferson County Head Start and St. Peter’s Lutheran School as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Hollenberger, seconded by Mr. Dwyer. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

2011-12 Transportation Contract with Jefferson Bus Service: The proposed 2011-12 transportation contract with Jefferson Bus Service, with no increase in rates from the 2010-11 contract, was provided for committee review.  Discussion included:

 

·       Section 8(G) – average age of bus fleet  “not more than 9.0 years per route bus”

o       The average age of the fleet will be verified

·       Section 10(A) – cost of fuel set at market price using “8 miles per gallon”

o       Is there any way to lock in gas costs? 

o       The average mpg of current fleet will be verified

·       Section 10(B) – route mileage

o       Set at 1,303 miles; this will be verified

·       It is a four year contract that automatically renews each year unless both parties agree to discontinue the contract “on or before March 1 of any year”

 

A motion to approve the 2011-2012 Transportation Contract with Jefferson Bus service as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Hollenberger, seconded by Mr. Dwyer.  The motion passed on a voice vote with Mr. Thompson dissenting.

 

District Business Insurance Proposals and Recommendation: Mrs. Peachey explained that proposals have been solicited, received, and evaluated for the district’s business insurance policies.  A summary of the proposals was presented for committee review.  The administration is recommending the low proposal from R&R Insurance with Indiana Insurance as the carrier.  The recommended plan is the coverage currently endorsed by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and is comparable to the district’s current coverage.  The total cost of the coverage (net of the workers compensation dividend) is $87,350.00.

 

A motion to accept the bid from R&R Insurance in the amount of $87,350 for Business Insurance Services through Indiana Insurance for the period of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Hollenberger, seconded by Mr. Dwyer.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

CESA #2 2011-12 Contract: Mrs. Peachey has reviewed the contract together with appropriate district staff and the services as marked are appropriate for the 2011-12 school year. 

 

A motion to approve the CESA #2 2011-2012 Contract as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Dwyer, Hollenberger.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Positions Funded with Education Jobs Money: A listing of the positions funded with the Education Job Reform funds was reviewed. 

 

OPERATIONS TOPICS:

Employment(s):

Simone McKinney – High School English as a Second Language

 

A motion to approve the employment of Simone McKinney as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Hollenberger, seconded by Mr. Dwyer. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Resignation(s):

None

 

Adoption of Resolution Implementing School District Pick-Up of Employee Retirement Contributions Pursuant to IRC Section 414 (h)(2): Committee members reviewed a resolution that would provide for employee pension contributions to be made on a pre-tax (federal and state taxation only – not FICA) basis.  The template for this resolution was forwarded to the district by Barry Forbes of the WASB.  According to a legal opinion reviewed by Attorney Forbes, such employer contributions are possible as long as the district has a resolution in place.  It was noted that until the Budget Repair Bill is signed into law, the district pays both the employee and the employer portions of the Wisconsin Retirement System contributions.

 

A motion to approve the adoption of Resolution Implementing School District Pick-Up of Employee Retirement Contributions Pursuant to IRC Section 414 (h)(2) as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Hollenberger, seconded by Mr. Thompson.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

K-4 Jefferson Kids Program Agreements for 2011-12: The 2011-2012 agreements between the school district and Jefferson County Head Start and St. Mark’s/Small World Preschool were presented for committee review.  Other than date modifications, the only other revisions made to the contracts include an increase in the payment amount ($2,100 to $2,200) and the language addition of “per classroom” under computers. 

 

A motion to approve the 2011-2012 K-4 Jefferson Kids Program Agreements for Jefferson County Head Start and St. Mark’s/Small World Preschool as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Hollenberger.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

2011-12 Use of Facilities Agreement with City of Jefferson Recreation Department: The 2011-2012 Use of Facilities Agreement with the City Recreation Department was provided for committee review.

 

A motion to approve the 2011-2012 Use of Facilities Agreement with the City of Jefferson Recreation Department as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Hollenberger.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

2011-12 Youth Football Agreement: A motion to approve the 2011-2012 Youth Tackle Football, Inc. Agreement as presented and forward for full Board approval was made by Mr. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Hollenberger.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

FACILITY TOPICS:

Point of Beginning Site Study Report: Updated site drawings from Point of Beginning were presented for committee review and discussion.  The cost estimates and color renderings for these two options can be available for the July committee meeting. 

 

Following extensive review, the committee requested cost estimates so that discussion on these areas can continue at future meetings.  Committee members agreed that there is no action necessary at this time and the district is in no hurry to move forward with any project of this magnitude.

 

Jefferson High School Facilities Project Update: Mr. Swartz explained updates related to the high school project.  His update included committee discussion on potential skylights, a third stairwell, and SmartBoard relocation costs.

 

A discussion followed on the potential for skylights in the new library.  Skylight concerns included:

·       The potential to darken the room for presentations

·       Impact on heat load

·       Cost: approximately $6,000/each

·       Effect of the ceiling “clouds” on natural light

·       Site visit potential – committee members would like to see this concept somewhere else

·       Ad hoc committee to meet prior to an upcoming construction meeting - 6/15/11 or 6/29/11

 

Discussion of Possible Topics for Future Meetings: Facility use will be an agenda item for a future Policy and Community Engagement Committee meeting, and committee structure will be an agenda item for a future full Board meeting.

 

A motion to move into Closed Session pursuant to Section 19.85(1)(c) Wisconsin Stats. for the purpose of  Personnel Consideration – Administrator Compensation for 2011-2012 and Personnel Consideration – Non-Unit Employee Compensation for 2011-2012 was made by Mr. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Hollenberger.  The motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

 

CLOSED SESSION:

Personnel Consideration – Administrator and Non-Unit Compensation for 2011-2012: Committee members discussed various costing methods for the 2011-12 compensation of the superintendent, administrator, and non-unit employee groups.  Committee members also reviewed the evaluation scores that were provided for the administrators.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Hollenberger, seconded by Mr. Thompson to recommend to the full Board a 4% salary increase for 2011-12 for the superintendent, administrators, and non-unit employees.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Hollenberger, seconded by Mr. Dwyer. The motion passed on a voice vote. 

                                                                    

ADJOURNMENT: 9:34 p.m.  

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Pati Fitzgerald, Board Secretary