REGULAR MEETING WAUKESHA BOARD OF EDUCATION June 8 ...

REGULAR MEETING 

WAUKESHA BOARD OF EDUCATION 

June 8, 2011 

The regular meeting of the Waukesha Board of Education was held on June 8, 2011 in the board room of the 

Lindholm Building, 222 Maple Avenue, Waukesha, WI. President Daniel Warren called the meeting to order at 

7:03 p.m. with the following in attendance: 

Board Members Administrators 

William Baumgart Patricia Madden Jack Bothwell 

Barbara Brzenk Patrick McCaffery Lauri Clifton 

Joseph Como Karin Rajnicek Todd Gray 

Steve Edlund Daniel Warren Jen Wimmer 

Ellen Langill Dana Monogue 

I. General Business 

A. Pledge/roll call: The pledge to the U.S. flag was conducted followed by roll call. 

B. Verification of meeting posting: S. Ettinger verified the posting of the meeting agenda/notification of the 

media. 

C. Bright Lights: The VEX Robotics Team from Saratoga STEM presented on their world competition in 

Orlando, Florida 

D. Recognitions: D. Warren recognized Ellen Langill for her many years of service on the Waukesha 

Education Foundation Board. Joseph Como was appointed as the new Ex-Officio member for WEF. 

E. Report by student representatives: None. 

F. Opportunity for citizens to speak: 

� Jensen Mollet and her father, Jim Mollet, 3835 Valley Creek Drive, Waukesha, WI, 53189, read a 

letter regarding the Rivers Crossing children moving from Butler Middle School to Central. 

� Tariq Akmut, 2032 Empire Drive, Waukesha, WI, 53186, addressed the board regarding program cuts 

� Matt Lowe, 2226 Deer Path, Waukesha, WI, 53189, spoke to the board about sibling admission to 

STEM school 

G. Minute approval: Minutes presented for approval were: 

� May 11, 2011 Regular Board Meeting 

� May 11, 2011 Executive Session 

B. Brzenk moved to approve the minutes as presented; seconded by E. Langill. Motion carried 9-0 in a 

roll call vote. 

H. Communications: One letter was received regarding the bussing situation for Rivers Crossing. 

I. CESA #1 Report: None 

J. Safety Committee Report: W. Baumgart reported that the Accident Reports were reviewed and accepted; 

compensation injuries were down, employee injuries involving an interaction with students continue to be 

frequent. We are still waiting for the proposal on an additional means of egress from the Waukesha South 

boiler room. Next meeting: August 10, 2011 

II. Consent Agenda 

Patricia Madden presented the Consent Agenda for approval. The Human Resources Committee met this

Regular Board Meeting 


Page 2 

evening and approved 3 resignations and 34 full time contracts. 

P. Madden moved to approve the Consent Agenda as amended; seconded by J. Como. Motion carried 9-0 in 

a roll call vote. 

A. Finance & Facilities Committee 

1. General disbursements 

a. Accounts payable $2,866,635.12 

2. May 2011 payroll $10,017,449.02 

3. Student activities 

a. North $ 84,202.16 

b. South $ 68,514.85 

c. West $ 131,451.65 

B. Human Resources Committee 

1. Resignations: 

� Alli Rudich, Principal at Lowell Elementary School, requests to be released from her contract 

effective June 30, 2011. 

� Sarah Allen, ELL/Bilingual Teacher at Horning, requests to be released from her contract 

effective at the end of the 2010-11 school year. 

� Debra Schrader, Hearing Impaired Teacher at Lowell, requests to be released from her 

contract effective at the end of the 2010-11 school year. 

2. Retirements: None 

3. Leaves of Absence: None 

4. Full-Time Contracts: 

� Jennifer Balzer, 5 th Grade Teacher at Bethesda, 100% BA, 1 

� Christopher Del Ponte, Business Education Teacher at Saratoga STEM (80%) and West High 

School (20%), 100% BA+30, 3 

� Taylor Gudates, Spanish Teacher at West High School, 100% BA, 4 

� Thomas Haynes, 4 th Grade Teacher at Prairie, 100% BA+30, 1 

� Jason Huber, Technology Education Teacher at South High School, 100% MA+45, 9 

� Amanda Kellner, 4 th Grade Teacher at Meadowbrook, 100% BA, 4 

� Robert Larew, 8 th Grade Teacher at Butler Middle School, 100% BA, 1 

� Jordan Leider, FCE Teacher at South High School, 100% BA, 1 

� Ashley Mankowski, Social Studies Teacher at South High School, 100% MA, 2 

� Erica Maurer, 1 st Grade Teacher at Meadowbrook, 100% BA, 2 

� Jessica Natter, 8 th Grade Teacher at Butler Middle School, 100% BA, 1 

� Anna Reedy, 4 th Grade Teacher at Heyer, 100% BA, 1 

� Matt Olejniczak, Social Studies Teacher at Horning Middle School, 100% BA, 1 

� Christine Reinders, 4 th Grade Teacher at Prairie, 100% BA+30, 5 

� Vincent Ricco, English Teacher at West High School, 100% BA, 1 

� Lisa Tessman, 5 th Grade Teacher at Heyer, 100% BA+15, 5 

� Tiffany Witt, FCS Teacher at North High School (83%) and West High School (17%), 100% 

BA,0 

� Carla Bauer-Gonzales, Bilingual Title I Teacher at Blair, 100% MA+30, 9 

� Michelle Creasey, 3 rd Grade Teacher at Prairie, 100% BA, 0



Page 3 

� Jill Davis, Reading Specialist at West High School, 100% MA+45, 5 

� Heather Ertl, Special Education Teacher at Randall STEM Academy, 100% MA, 8 

� Andrea Harmon, 6 th Grade Readers/Writers Workshop at Central Middle School, 100% MA,2 

� Hugh Hermann, Technology Education Teacher at North High School, 100% BA+30, 9 

� Christine Herro, Bilingual S/L Pathologist Districtwide, 100% MA+15, 12 

� Stacey Jankausky, 6 th Grade Readers/Writers Workshop at Central Middle School, 100% 

MA+15, 7 

� Theresa Kappes, 3 rd Grade Teacher at Whittier, 100% BA+30, 1 

� Elizabeth King, 1 st Grade Teacher at Randall STEM Academy, 100% BA, 0 

� Randi Leslie, 3 rd Grade Teacher at Randall STEM Academy, 100% BA, 5 

� Erin Misfeldt, 1 st Grade Teacher at Whittier, 100% MA, 5 

� Stephanie Owens, 5 th Grade Teacher at Randall STEM Academy, 100% BA, 0 

� Beau Schur, Special Education Teacher at Central Middle School, 100% BA, 1 

� Kayla Shimel, 7 th Grade Readers/Writers Workshop at Central Middle School, 100% BA,0 

� Lindsay Vidal, 3 rd Grade Dual Language Teacher at Banting, 100% BA, 3 

� Jill Wickham, Elementary Library/Media Coordinator, 100% MA+45, 19 

Part-Time Contracts: None 

C. Public Gifts to the Schools: 

� None 

D. Expulsion Panel Action: None 

III. Superintendent’s Report: 

Superintendent Gray’s report included the following: 

� Still waiting for information from the state on the governor’s budget. L. Clifton provided some 

projections. 

� Information came out today on No Child Left Behind results. There are three schools that have areas that 

need improvement. We will be talking about those at future C&I and other meetings. 

� We have two state track and field champions, Waukesha South junior, Leah Quadracci, was the first 

female to compete as a wheel chair athlete in the state competition and she took first place in the shot put, 

breaking a state record. Christine Heckel took 1 st place in the triple jump. 

� iQ Academy will have 170 students in their graduating class this year, their largest to date. These students 

are receiving over 24 state and national scholarships. 

� West High School English department students were in a competition for Ford Motor Company and their 

very clever commercial entry was played for the board. 

� Washington Post did a ranking of high schools and all three of our high schools made the top 25 in the 

state of Wisconsin. Congratulations to the students and staff! 

IV. Human Resources Committee 

Patricia Madden, Chair 

A. Action Items: 

1. Approval of recommended candidate for the position of Assistant Superintendent for Human 

Resources: Pat Madden reported that the administration is recommending Christine Hedstrom for the 

position of Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. 

P. Madden moved to approve the appointment of Christine Hedstrom for the position of Assistant 

Superintendent for Human Resources; seconded by B. Brzenk. Motion carried in a 9-0 roll call vote.



Page 4 

2. Approval of recommended candidate for the position of Banting Elementary Principal: Pat Madden 

stated the administration is recommending Brian Babbitts for the position of Banting Elementary 

Principal 

P. Madden moved to approve the appointment of Brian Babbitts for the position of Banting 

Elementary Principal; seconded by E. Langill. Motion carried in a 9-0 roll call vote. 

3. Approval of recommended candidate for the position of Butler Middle School Assistant Principal. Pat 

Madden reported the administration is recommending Chvala Brown for the position of Butler Middle 

School Assistant Principal. P. Madden moved to approve the appointment of Chvala Brown for the 

position of Butler Middle School Assistant Principal; seconded by W. Baumgart. Motion carried 9-0. 

4. Approval of recommended candidate for the position of South High School Assistant Principal 

Pat Madden reported the administration is recommending Richard Lehman for the position of South 

High School Assistant Principal 

P. Madden moved to approve the appointment of Richard Lehman for the position of South High 

School Assistant Principal; seconded by J. Como. Motion carried 9-0. 

5. Approval of recommended candidate for the position of South High School Assistant Principal 

Pat Madden reported the administration is recommending Timothy Joynt for the position of South 

High School Assistant Principal. 

P. Madden moved to approve the appointment of Timothy Joynt for the position of South High 

School Assistant Principal; seconded by S. Edlund. Motion carried 9-0. 

B. Information 

1. Wellness Presentation: Jack Bothwell gave a presentation on the Employee Wellness program; 

Discussion followed. 

C. Discussion Items: None 

V. Policy Committee 

Ellen Langill, Chair 


1. Potential New Policy #1240 – Volunteers and #1240G – Guidelines for Volunteers: E. Langill 

reported that currently, we do not have any Board policy on volunteers. The potential new policy 

provides a statement about the District’s position on volunteers in the schools. The potential new 

guideline provides definitions of the different types of volunteer opportunities as well as criteria 

for having a background check. This item had a first reading in May. 

E. Langill moved to approve Policy #1240 – Volunteers and #1240G – Guidelines for Volunteers; 

seconded by B. Brzenk. Motion carried 9-0. 

2. Policy #1312G – Guidelines for the Processing of Citizen Complaints: E. Langill reported that a 

citizen complaint advances to the Board President and a board hearing is automatically held under 

current policy language. The proposed revisions will allow the Board President and the Board 

Officers to review the request and decide if a hearing will be held or not. A majority of the Board 

could also vote to request that the hearing be held if the Board President and Board Officers 

decide not to hold a hearing. This item had a first reading in May. 

E. Langill moved to approve Policy #1312G – Guidelines for the Processing of Citizen 

Complaints; seconded by S. Edlund. Motion carried 9-0. 

3. Potential New Policy #4108 – Employee Wellness: E. Langill stated that we currently do not



Page 5 

have any Board policy on employee wellness. The potential new policy provides a statement 

about the District’s position on employee wellness and details the District’s responsibilities in this 

area. This item had a first reading in May. 

E. Langill moved to approve New Policy #4108 – Employee Wellness; seconded by B. Brzenk. 

Motion carried 9-0. 

4. Revisions to Policy #5135 – Anti-Bullying and #5135G – Anti-Bullying Guidelines: These 

policies were implemented in April 2010 due to changes in state law. The revisions to the policy 

and guidelines provide more clarity for staff to decide which situations are bullying and which are 

not. This item had a first reading in May. 

E. Langill moved to approve Revisions to Policy #5135 – Anti-Bullying and #5135G – Anti- 

Bullying Guidelines; seconded by W. Baumgart. Motion passed 9-0. 

5. Revisions to Policy #6150 – Technology Acceptable Use Policy and #6150G – Guidelines for 

Technology Acceptable Use: E. Langill reported that revisions to policy #6150 add criteria for 

students to bring personal technology into school buildings. Revisions to the guidelines, #6150G, 

include updating and consolidating the student expectations for acceptable technology use to be 

more in line with bringing personal technology to school as well as taking district-owned 

technology home. To have this policy in effect for the 2011-12 school year, we are asking that 

policy #9310G – Guidelines to By-laws of the Board Formulation, Adoption and Amendment of 

Board Policy requiring two readings be waived. 

E. Langill moved to waive the two reading requirement; seconded by W. Baumgart. Motion 

carried 9-0. 

E. Langill moved for the approval of the changes to Policy #6150 and #6150G as presented; 

seconded by J. Como. Motion carried 9-0. 

B. Information Items: None 


VI. Legislative Committee 

Barbara Brzenk, Chair 

A. Action Items: None 



VII. Technology Committee 

A. Action Items: None 



VIII. Finance and Facilities Committee 

Joseph Como, Chair 


1. Approval of the CESA 1 Consortium Contract: J. Como reported that the District participates in a 

consortium with CESA 1 as the fiscal agent for the purpose of providing coordination and oversight 

for the vocation education program funded through Carl Perkins. Waukesha and fifteen other 

districts pool their federal grant in order to provide the most efficient use of the funding. The 

consortium has been in existence for 20 years and the District would like to continue our participation 

in the program. The contract being presented for approval is for the three-year period from July 1,



Page 6 

2011 to June 30, 2014. 

J. Como moved to approve the contract for participation in the Carl Perkins vocational consortium 

with CESA 1 as the fiscal agent for the period of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2014; seconded by 

B. Brzenk. Motion carried 9-0. 

2. Approval of Resolution authorizing the District to require Pre-tax Employee Contributions to WRS. 

J. Como reported that the Board has been provided with a resolution that would make any employee 

funded contributions that might be required, either contractually or as mandated by legislation to the 

Wisconsin Retirement System to be paid as a pre-tax contribution. This would save employees any 

state or federal income taxes on those contributions. There would be no financial impact to the 

District as a result of this resolution. There is legislation pending at the State level that would require 

most public sector employees to pay one-half of the required contribution to the State pension plan. 

Without a resolution any required payments would have to be paid with after-tax dollars. By adopting 

the resolution at this time, it puts the District in the position of being able to provide the pre-tax 

contribution should such legislation become law. 

J. Como moved to approve the resolution authorizing the District to require pre-tax employee 

contributions to the Wisconsin Retirement System; seconded by P. Madden. Motion carried 9-0. 

B. Information Items: 

1. Monthly Budget Report (February, 2011) J. Como reported that the committee received the monthly 

budget report for General Fund activity through the month of May, 2011. Revenues received for the 

month totaled $359,229 and expenditures were $9,848,294. For year to date totals, revenues were 

$105.2million and expenditures were $98.9 million, resulting in a surplus of $6.3 million. 

IX. Curriculum and Instruction Committee 

William Baumgart, Chair 


1. Revision of Numerical Grading in Lieu of Letter Grades at the Middle School: W. Baumgart reported 

that at present, during each learning period (trimester), students receive in-class feedback on 

assignments and assessments using the 4-3-2-1-0 system where each mark corresponds to a specific 

learning target (knowledge or skill). These numeric marks are posted on the online grading system, 

Standards Score. In addition, letter grades are automatically calculated and also used in progress notes 

and report cards, which can be confusing to parents and students. Letter grades are not part of the 

daily business of the classroom and not used during teacher and student interactions. Eliminating the 

letter grades from the system will help our teachers, parents and students focus their discussions and 

efforts on the specific knowledge and skills we want our kids to master. 

W. Baumgart moved to approve the revision of numerical grading in lieu of letter grades at the 

Middle School; seconded by B. Brzenk. Motion carried in a 9-0 roll call vote. 


D. Discussion Items: None 

X. Other Business 

W. Baumgart moved to adjourn to executive session per Wisconsin statutes 19.85 (1)(e) for the purpose of 

discussing teacher negotiation strategies; seconded by B. Brzenk. Motion passed in a 9-0 roll call vote. 

Time: 9:30 p.m.



Page 7 

Patricia Madden, Clerk 

Sue Ettinger, Secretary 

se

REGULAR MEETING WAUKESHA BOARD OF EDUCATION June 8 ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?