January 11, 2016 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 Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) provided Mineral Point Schools with a survey tool to learn which areas of government the board is in agreement with and which areas require more discussion at a local level.  The survey tool was distributed to board members at no cost to the district at the last board meeting.  A check in toward completion of the survey will be done with additional survey codes made available for board members not completing the task.

Description:  Per state statutes, the nonresident school board shall determine the number of regular education and special education spaces available within the school district in the January meeting of the school board.  

Description:  The board received the Financial Audit for 2014-2015 for review as prepared by Johnson Block.  The audit is now placed on the January board agenda for final approval.  Representatives from Johnson Block will be on hand to share the findings of the audit and answer board member questions.

Description:  The board requested qualifications to continue work with a vendor to receive a detailed long-term facilities plan to include performance contracting.  The district recommends selecting a date for vendors to return to meet with the board for interviews.

Description:  Three calendar proposals for the 2016-2017 school year were brought forward for consideration.  All three options were presented to staff and families of students for input on a preferred calendar.  The board will review the findings of the survey and determine a course of action to include approve, modify, or reject any of the three options presented.

Description:  Vickie Dahl requests prior approval for reimbursement of 1 credit for attending the AWSA Principal's Convention through Viterbo College.  The cost of the credit is $220.  Per Ms. Dahl's contract board approval is needed prior to reimbursement.  The District recommends approval.

Description:  The board passed a motion to draft a resolution to advocate for the allowance of an authorized person other than an on-duty or off-duty officer to legally carry a concealed weapon on school grounds.  The board can accept, reject, or modify the resolution.

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.

An Overview of the Inverted Pyramid - In this video, RTI expert Mike Mattos guides us through the inverted pyramid response to intervention. We learn that different areas of the pyramid are color-coded to designate the different teams that lead particular interventions.

https://globalpd.com/search/content/42

Description:  Mineral Point School Board elections are April 5.  Two seats will be available with three candidates on the ballot: Larry Steffes (Incumbent), Andy Busch, Glen Pilling.  Incumbent Matt Lindsey is not seeking another term.

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

Description:  Chapter 3 explores the need for effective communication and collaboration between the board and its constituents—administration, staff, parents, students, and the community.  The board needs to communicate with individuals in differing roles so they can understand, relate to, and carry out the board’s strategic direction. The authors suggest collaborative structures a board can use to listen and respond to needs and requirements, share interests, and elicit feedback. 

Question 1:  What are the pros and cons of operating as a board of the whole? What tools, strategies, and data help the board operate as a whole?

Question 2:  Why is it imperative that the board establish and reflect upon ground rules to guide its behaviors and actions? What are the ground rules of your board, and how do you enforce them? 

Question 3:  What are the pros and cons of operating as a committee? What is the relationship between a board committee and the board as a whole?

Question 4:   Examine the Communication Structures and Processes chart on page 132.  What communication structures and processes does your board use?

Question 5:  How does your board policy address the procedure for registering a complaint?  How effective is your board in following the appropriate “chain of command” in addressing the complaint?