May - Spooner Area School District

UNOFFICIAL
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Spooner Board of Education held on Monday, May 19, 2003 in the middle
school cafeteria.
Call to Order
Philip Markgren called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in accordance with the printed notice of May 15, 2003.
Roll Call
Members present:
Members absent:
Also present:
Mike Gudenschwager, Bill Hoyt, Dave Kafura, Kurt Krueger,
Tony Lombard, Philip Markgren, Bill Stewart
None
8 Administration
1 Spooner Advocate
7 Staff
27 Students
11 Citizens
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Since there were no corrections to the minutes of the April 21, 2003 regular Board meeting, they were accepted as
received.
Visitors’ Comments
A citizen voiced concern over proposed budget cuts. It was suggested that the Board seek financial and volunteer
support from parents to keep programs running. Also, a referendum to exceed the revenue limit was suggested as
a means of covering the amount of the budget shortfall. Phil Markgren responded that the Board feels the same
way, however, did not believe a referendum for additional money would pass at this time.
Information Item
Rube Goldberg Contest team demonstration. High school students Chad Sova, Kevin Wuebben, Josh Solofra,
Mike Gilbertson, and Sam Hodgett were present to demonstrated their State award winning machine designed to
select, crush, and recycle aluminum cans. A video created by Jeremiah Johnson with help from Dick Rubesch
explained the process. Under the direction of high school teacher Walt Hungerbuhler, Spooner High School
students have competed in the competition for four years, placing second last year and first place this year.
Demonstrations of the machine were also given at Spooner Elementary School and the Department of Natural
Resources.
School Board Organization
Don Haack opened nominations for Board President. Tony Lombard moved to nominate Dave Kafura, second by
Mike Gudenschwager. There being no further nominations, the nomination for Board President was closed. The
motion to elect Dave Kafura as Board President carried with a unanimous vote.
Dave Kafura opened nominations for Board Vice-President. Kurt Krueger moved to nominate Tony Lombard,
second by Mike Gudenschwager. There being no further nominations, the nomination for Board Vice-President
was closed. The motion to elect Tony Lombard as Board Vice-President carried with a unanimous vote.
Dave Kafura opened nominations for Board Treasurer. Tony Lombard moved to nominate Mike Gudenschwager,
second by Dave Kafura. There being no further nominations, the nomination for Board Treasurer was closed. The
motion to elect Mike Gudenschwager as Board Treasurer carried with a unanimous vote.
Dave Kafura opened nominations for Board Clerk. Mike Gudenschwager moved to nominate Kurt Krueger,
second by Tony Lombard. There being no further nominations, the nomination for Board Clerk was closed. The
motion to elect Kurt Krueger as Board Clerk carried with a unanimous vote.

Designation of:
Bill Stewart moved to appoint incumbent School Attorney: Weld, Riley, Prenn, & Ricci; incumbent School
Newspaper: The Spooner Advocate; and incumbent School Depository: Community First Bank, second by Mike
Gudenschwager, motion carried.
Old Business
A. 2002-03 budget report. John Will reported that revenues and expenditures are normal for this time of year. A
memo detailing a revised budget had been distributed to Board members. Dave Kafura moved to approve the
revised budget for 2002-03, second by Tony Lombard, motion carried. Mr. Will explained that, based on
current projections, the District will need to short term borrow $150,000 to cover cash outflows between June
6 th and June 16 th . This is normal procedure for this time of year that results from the delayed receipt of state
equalization aide (paid on June 16) and a large cash outflow related to teachers’ summer payroll checks. The
borrowing is expected to cost approximately $11.00 per day. Bill Hoyt moved to authorize short term
borrowing not to exceed $150,000 for ten days in the month of June, second by Mike Gudenschwager, motion
carried.
B. Personnel.
1. Dave Kafura moved to reluctantly approve lay-off notices for Jill Johnson, Heather Huebner, and Jessica
Markgren, second by Mike Gudenschwager, motion carried.
2. Mike Gudenschwager moved to approve the recommendation to reassign Dick Rubesch from his current
60% district audio-visual position and a one semester 40% high school advanced video production class to
full-time high school science or eighth grade mathematics, second by Dave Kafura, motion carried.
3. Roger Noe reported that two applicants for the middle school vocational education positions were
interviewed from candidates’ formal application through the District. Five additional candidates were
interviewed at the UW-Stout Career Fair. Dave Kafura moved to accept the recommendation to hire
Brian Jerry, second by Bill Hoyt, motion carried.
4. Bill Hoyt moved to approve Dan Rosenbush as high school girls basketball coach, second by Dave Kafura,
motion carried.
5. Mike Gudenschwager moved to accept resignations from Chris Walker as middle school wrestling coach,
and Jody Gibson and Chris Poradish as middle school volleyball coaches, second by Dave Kafura, motion
carried.
C. Long Range Planning Committee report. Bill Stewart reported that the Committee met on April 25 for the
purpose of interviewing a possible strategic planning facilitator. Representatives of the Parent Teacher Assoc.
(P.T.A.) and the Spooner Education Foundation (S.E.F.) were in attendance for the interview.
A recommendation for a facilitator will come before the full Board in June.
D. Buildings and Grounds Committee report.
1. Mike Gudenschwager reported that stucco work will proceed on the north and south wall of the small
gym.
2. Dave Kafura moved to accept the low bid of $8,036 from Johnson Controls for a replacement
condensation tank for the boiler room, second by Tony Lombard, motion carried. The tank is a crucial
piece of equipment for the steam heating system.
3. Mike Gudenschwager explained a request by the City of Spooner for easement rights for utilities on the
school district property located on County Rd. H. Dave Kafura moved to allow easement for 33’ on the
south side to the 66’ easement on the west side, second by Mike Gudenschwager. Discussion arose
regarding future plans by the County and City. Board members felt more information was needed before
making a decision. Dave Kafura moved to withdraw his motion, Mike Gudenschwager removed his
second.

E. Prior Service Liability report. John Will reported that a resolution was passed at a special board meeting on
May 12 th authorizing the Board to refinance up to $1,550,000 of the District’s Wisconsin Retirement System
unfunded liability. Mr. Will explained that repayment will be at a lower rate and will have a minimal impact
on the budget over the term of the loan.
F. Vocational building update on bids. John Will explained that Jay Cornell’s Construction Tech. class would
like to build a storage shed behind the vocational building as a school project. The shed will be 24’ x 46’ and
will be utilized by the vocational and art departments, for custodian storage and garage, and for ski club
grooming equipment. Mike Gudenschwager moved to proceed with the project, second by Dave Kafura,
motion carried. Mike Gudenschwager moved to accept the low bid from Arrow Building Center in the amount
of $6,275 for materials for the project, second by Bill Stewart, motion carried.
New Business
A. CESA 11 Board of Control report. Tony Lombard reported on the CESA Board of Control meeting held on
May 15 th . Topics at the meeting included school district funding and shared service contract.
B. Representative to CESA #11 Annual Convention. Don Haack explained that a delegate must be appointed as
representative to the CESA #11 Annual Convention to be held on June 2 nd at 7 p.m. Dave Kafura was named
delegate. Tony Lombard will also be in attendance.
C. Acceptance of donations.
1. Dave Kafura moved to accept a donation of $1,000 from the Indianhead Rifle and Pistol Club for
Wilderness Challenge, second by Tony Lombard, motion carried.
2. Bill Stewart moved to accept an anonymous donation of $425.00 for students to attend the opera
“Marriage of Figaro”, second by Mike Gudenschwager, motion carried.
3. Tony Lombard moved to accept a donation of $10,000 from Artic Cat Enterprises of Thief River Falls,
Minnesota to be used toward the purchase of a snowmobile and a four wheeler, a value of approximately
$12,000, to be used by the vocational education department, second by Mike Gudenschwager, motion
carried.
D. Principals’ reports.
Jane Eaton, Roger Noe, and Robert Kinderman reported on current events of their respective schools. Tony
Lombard moved to approve Ms. Eaton’s request for a fund raiser selling gift wrap, etc. as in the past, second
by Bill Stewart, motion carried.
E. Director of Special Education report. Lynnea Lake reported on the special education program.
Approval of Vouchers
Bill Hoyt moved to approve District vouchers #65728 through 65967, second by Tony Lombard, motion
carried.
Adjourn
Mike Gudenschwager moved to adjourn the meeting at 8 :50 p.m., second by Tony Lombard, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Kurt C. Krueger, Clerk
Board of Education