January 9, 2017 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Shortly before Thanksgiving, 425 letters arrived in the Wisconsin State Journal offices from kids and teens all over the region. Those letters described how the students would use $200 to help someone in need.  

The newspaper’s Helping Hands program gives students the opportunity to reflect on the holiday spirit of giving by requesting financial assistance for those whose seasons could be a little brighter.

Some students wrote about friends in emotional distress, fellow students who needed food or clothing, while others wrote about people they knew battling various illnesses.

Five student's and a sixth letter were selected from Ms. Bennett's fifth-grade class.  Students selected raised $2,000 for the Helping Hands program and were:  Grace Wersal, Bryce Vamstad, Morgan Lee, Addison Ryser, and Regan Schuette.

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/students-epitomize-the-holiday-season-with-their-helping-hands/article_e95f5de4-c490-517b-ad8e-6195f9b33093.html

Description:  Matt Nevers and Liftka Bennett

Description:  Mineral Point ranked number 13 overall.  

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/12/14/database-these-are-wisconsins-best-middle-and.html#g14

Description:  Peter Grender, financial forecast consultant, shares assumptions made and forecast of revenues and expenditures.  Pete's projections include a baseline zero dollar increase, a possible revenue limit increase of $100 suggested by the governor, and the inclusion of a facility project.  

Description:  In February of 2016 the board selected Nexus to assist with the development of a 10-year facilities plan and related performance contracting for energy efficiencies.  The board received a report of all possible improvements a regular board meeting in fall, further discussed projects at a special board meeting that followed, participated in a building tour, hosted an open house, and received community feedback via survey.  

The first reading of a facility plan was discussed in December and the second reading is before the board as an agenda item in January and scheduled as an action item.

Description:  Recently a proximate School District shifted board policy to reduce the thresh hold for cold temperatures that would subject schools to closing using more lenient temperatures.  The school day policy is before the board for review with Superintendent recommendations to reduce actual temperatures from 25 to 20 degrees and wind chill temperatures from 35 to 30 degrees included.

Description:  Board decision regarding any long-term project to be implemented.

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 attached voluntary retirement benefit is a one-time opportunity for qualified staff to retire with a $30,000 403b benefit not offered in other years.  The benefit could be used toward retirement or purchasing health insurance on the exchange.  Qualified employees must be certified staff with ten years of experience in the district and notify the district of intent no later than March 1, 2017.  

Description:  Every two years the district convenes a calendar committee to review and recommend changes to the school calendar.  The 17-18 school calendar is year 2 of 2.  Second Reading of the school calendar is before the board and mirrors the calendar put forth by the calendar committee last year.  

Description:  The administrative team reviewed the attendance policy and offers the following policy and rule as an update to the current policy as a second reading. 

Description:  The fiscal year end of June 30, 2016 is before the board for approval.

Description:  Annually the board gives direction to the WASB delegate on how to vote on WASB positions at the annual convention held in Milwaukee.

Description:  Proposed language for an employee handbook update on a future agenda further defines normal hours of work in a work day.

Description:  In response to recent events, the school district will convene a school safety committee to study and make recommendations for procedures and protocols for students, families, and guests entering and exiting the building during the school day, special events, and after school events.  

Description:  Recently the district concluded a survey in search of why families open enrolled in or out of the district. 

The significant factors for why families open enrolled into Mineral Point were in rank order:  had better teachers, better communications/transparency, had a safer learning environment, had better principals/administrators, had fewer discipline problems, offered smaller class sizes, offered more courses/programs.

The only significant factor for open enrolling out of the Mineral Point district is that the respondent or their spouse worked near the other school district.

Description:  The field is set for the Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Mineral Point School Board election as the deadline to file for candidacy was January 3 at 5 pm.  

Four candidates will vie for two seats. They are: Jeff Basting (incumbent), Kelly Gundlach, Glenn E. Kinch (incumbent), and Mike Thousand.  The term of office for the two winners will be three years beginning Monday, April 24.

The District will again be hosting a Candidate Forum, likely sometime in March, where voters can ask questions of the candidates. 

Description:  Convene to Closed Session Wisconsin State Statute 19.85 (1) (c)  Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility." Wis. Stat. § 19.55(l)(e).