Board Consent Agendafiles.ctctcdn.com/87d6fed8001/10ebafea-fb9a-481e-bc4e-a7c3d42ea… · Dr. Haws presented a report on 2016 Summer School. Major discussion points included: 9 Elementary

Board Consent Agenda

Racine Unified School District 3109 Mt. Pleasant Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53404

RACINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

Michael Frontier, President Michael Frontier, President Dennis Wiser, Vice President

Racine, Wisconsin June 20, 2016

A meeting of the Board of Education of the Racine Unified School District of Racine County, Wisconsin

was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 20, 2016.

2. ROLL CALL

The following Board members were present: Michelle Duchow, Michael Frontier, Matthew Hanser, John

Heckenlively, Julie L. McKenna, Don J. Nielsen, and Robert Wittke, Jr. Absent: Steven Hooper, Dennis

Wiser.

Also present: Lolli Haws, Superintendent of Schools; Dave Hazen, Chief of Operations; Eric Gallien,

Deputy Superintendent; Marc Duff, Chief Financial Officer; Christopher Thompson, Director of

Curriculum and Instruction; Emily Neubauer, Marketing and Communications Specialist; and Patricia

Meyer, Recording Secretary.

3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Mr. Hanser moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to approve the agenda. Mr. Nielsen requested items 11 a-c be

voted on as one unit. Hearing no objections to Mr. Nielsen’s request, the motion to approve the agenda

and voting on items 11(a-c) as one unit was approved.

4. RECOGNITIONS Ms. Neubauer coordinated the Board of Education’s recognitions of the following individuals:

For accomplishments in the WIAA State Track and Field Championships: Tanesha Davis, Dwayne Ford,

Blanca Casillas, Jamias James, Adriana Green, Cerriyah Gibbs, and Kelsi DeRosier.

For earning a 2016 Peacemaker Award: Jose Santos-Ruiz, Veronica Velazquez, Abbey Mattison, Larissa

Breit-Nicholson and Jeffrey Urquhart.

For becoming a 2016 PBIS School of Merit: Olympia Brown Elementary School, North Park Elementary

School and Roosevelt Elementary School.

For becoming a 2016 PBIS School of Distinction: Gilmore Middle School.

For their contributions to the Peacemaker Awards: Victor Frasher, Jeff Wilkin and Jeff Taylor.

5. REPORTS ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT (No Report)

6. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

a. Quarterly Contractor Employment Report

Mr. Hazen and Barb Riley from Riley Construction, presented a PowerPoint and Project Assessment

Report which detailed the employment report on the Gifford Elementary, Olympia Brown Elementary,

and Knapp Elementary School projects.

b. 2016 High School Graduation Report

Dr. Haws presented a report on 2016 high school graduations. Major points of the presentation

included:

1,194 students graduated (39 from the Racine Alternative School)

Board of Education

$5,253,150 were awarded in scholarships

c. 2016 Summer School Report

Dr. Haws presented a report on 2016 Summer School. Major discussion points included:

9 Elementary sites with 1,626 students attending

2 Middle school sites with 308 students attending

3 High school sites with 1,489 students attending

Attendance in summer school, breakfast, and lunch are provided free of charge

There are many opportunities at 14 extended partner sites for enrichment opportunities as well

including two theater productions

Summer school commencement will be conducted on July 28 for those students completing their

graduation requirements

7. BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Audit Committee

Mrs. McKenna reported that the Committee met on June 13. The Committee reviewed policies related

to the Committee’s work and District financial reports. The next meeting is set for Monday, July 18,

2016, at 5 p.m.

b. Legislative Committee Mr. Wittke reported that the Committee met and outlined the Committee’s agenda moving forward

including developing a legislative calendar to parallel with other school districts, municipalities, and

state-level representatives/legislators and they also discussed topics to be discussed with those

representatives.

c. Board Governance Committee

Mr. Hanser reported that the Committee met this evening. The Committee brings to the Board tonight

the Committee’s recommendation for a change to policy GC-2E (G) regarding filling Board

vacancies. The Committee met last week to organize and set its agenda. The next meeting is

scheduled for July 12, 2016.

d. Guiding Coalition Mr. Nielsen reported that the Guiding Coalition met on May 17. They continued their work on

definitions and the social/emotional part of North Star. They will be meeting tomorrow to work along

with the steering committee for the Studer Education Group.

8. BOARD DEVELOPMENT (No items)

9. PUBLIC INPUT Tom Fineran, 142 Perry Ave.; Mt. Pleasant, 53406

Spoke regarding the budget. He thanked board for funding cost of living and step increases for eligible

employees. He stated there was a predicted student increase for 2015-16. He handed out 2 documents: 5

Year Reserve Fund History and 2014-15 Fund 221100 Direction of Improvement of Instruction.

Dr. Haws addressed some of Mr. Fineran’s statements stating the District is not projecting enrollment to

increase at all but rather to be down by several hundred students. She said open enrollees going out are

fewer but that does not result in a projected increase in enrollment. She said the funds Mr. Fineran

referred to are for instructional materials that the District purchases. For professional development, the

District has a significant increase because teachers need and deserve training to support the kind of work

the District wants them to do. Some staff such as coaches have been shifted out to schools from Central

Office to work with teachers with the Educator Effectiveness Model. Most of increases in staffing have

come as educational assistants for special education. Building three new schools causes the money spent

toward instruction to go down and spending for vouchers has increased.

Jack Swartz, 555 13th Ave., Racine, 53403

Spoke regarding substitutes and conditions imposed on them. He stated substitutes select which classes

to substitute in but now can be assigned other classes for which they didn’t “sign up” and don’t receive

the additional pay.

Dr. Haws responded to some of Mr. Swartz’s concerns saying an increase and restructuring to substitute

teacher pay scale to make it competitive, palatable, and enticing is certainly a priority that the Board did

not direct administration to fund.

10. OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS – No Items

11. ACTION ITEMS

a. Ratification of 2016-17 Teachers’ Tentative Agreement on Base Wages and Supplemental Pay

b. Ratification of 2016-17 Educational Assistants’ Tentative Agreement on Base Wages and

Supplemental Pay

c. Ratification of 2016-17 Building Service Employees’ Tentative Agreement on Base Wages and

Supplemental Pay

Mr. Nielsen commended the pay increase respecting staff and keeping the mill rate down as promised

in the referendum.

Mr. Hanser moved, Mrs. McKenna seconded, to approve the Ratification of the 2016-17 Teachers,

Educational Assistants and Building Service Employees tentative agreements on base wages and

supplemental pay. Ayes – 7 (Duchow, Frontier, Hanser, Heckenlively, McKenna, Nielsen, Wittke).

Noes – 0. Absent – 2 (Hooper, Wiser). The motion to approve passed.

d. Approval of the FY17 Interim Budget

Mrs. McKenna moved, Mr. Hanser seconded, to approve 2016/17 Interim Budget as presented. Ayes

– 7 (Duchow, Frontier, Hanser, Heckenlively, McKenna, Nielsen, Wittke). Noes – 0. Absent – 2

(Hooper, Wiser). The motion to approve passed.

Mr. Wittke and Mr. Nielsen commended Mr. Duff and his team for their hard work on the budget.

e. End-of-Year Fund Balance Allocation

Mr. Duff presented the agenda item highlighting variances and anticipated changes to the fund

balances.

Mr. Heckenlively moved, Mr. Nielsen seconded, to approve adoption of the Fund Balance allocations

with the understanding that the amounts are projections and will be adjusted to actual numbers as part

of the year-end financial closing and audit. Ayes – 7 (Duchow, Frontier, Hanser, Heckenlively,

McKenna, Nielsen, Wittke). Noes – 0. Absent – 2 (Hooper, Wiser). The motion to approve passed.

f. Lead Turnaround Partner

Dr. Haws and Dr. Gallien presented the agenda item. This contract is a continuation of services for

Goodland and Knapp schools for one more year to turn around the academic achievement of those

schools as mandated by the state through federal funds.

Mr. Hanser moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to approve the proposed Lead Turnaround Partner –

Priority School Contract Renewal with West Ed. Ayes – 7 (Duchow, Frontier, Hanser, Heckenlively,

McKenna, Nielsen, Wittke). Noes – 0. Absent – 2 (Hooper, Wiser). The motion to approve passed.

g. 2016-17 Walden III Early Release Calendar

Dr. Haws and Dr. Gallien presented the agenda item. Walden wants to add four additional two-hour

early release professional development dates for the 2016-17 school year. Walden has the

instructional minutes necessary to support this request which will assist in development of their

calendar to allow for collaboration time for teacher teams.

Mr. Heckenlively moved, Mrs. McKenna seconded, to approve the proposed 2016-17 Walden III

Early Release Calendar. All were in favor. The motion to approve passed.

h. School Start & End Time Schedule for Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 School

Dr. Haws and Dr. Gallien presented the agenda item. The basis of this request is to unify Jerstad-

Agerholm with the rest of the K-8 schools’ end and start times. Elementary students will start later

but end at the same time as the middle school students.

Mr. Wittke moved, Mr. Hanser seconded, to approve the proposed start and end time changes for

Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 school. All were in favor. The motion to approve passed.

i. Referral #7-2015: Policy for Selection of Board Members in the Event of Vacancy

Mr. Hanser reviewed the state legislature requirement for this policy explaining that, by law, there

must be a procedure in place by July 1, 2016, to address the filling of Board vacancies. The

Governance Committee met this evening and presented its recommendation for approval by the

Board. The new policy would add two new subsections, 8 and 9, that state:

8) The Board president will not vote for a candidate to fill a vacancy unless the votes of the

remaining Board members result in a tie vote between candidates.

9) If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, the two candidates with the greatest number

of votes will proceed to a next round of voting. In the case of ties, more than two candidates

can advance.

Mr. Hanser moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to approve the modification to Governance policy GC-

2(E)(G). All were in favor. The motion to approve passed.

12. BOARD CONSENT AGENDA

a. Board Meeting Minutes of May 16, 2016

b. Executive Session Minutes of May 16 and June 6, 2016

c. Special Board Meeting Minutes of June 6 and 13, 2016

d. Work Session Minutes of May 26 and June 6, 2016 (Attachments A and B)

e. Audit Committee Minutes of April 11, 2016 (Attachment C)

f. Governance Committee Minutes of March 14, 2016 (Attachment D)

g. Legislative Committee Minutes of March 7, 2016 (Attachment E)

h. Amendment to Mathematics Resource Adoption for New Elementary Series

Mr. Nielsen moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to approve the Board Consent Agenda Items 12 (a-h). All

were in favor. The motion passed.

13. SUPERINTENDENT CONSENT AGENDA

a. Personnel Changes

b. Monthly Financial Statements for May 2016

c. Overnight Field Trips

d. Incidents by Students to Staff for May 2016

e. Approval of Foreign Exchange Program for 2016-17

f. Administrative Regulation 5127.1 (Diversity)

g. Youth Options Applications, Fall 2016-17

h. Odysseyware Online Software Program for High School Credit Recovery

i. 2016-17 Administrative Salary Schedule

j. 2016-17 Secretaries/Clerks’ Salary Schedule

k. 2016-17 Carpenters’ Salary Schedule

l. 2016-17 Painter Salary Schedule

m. 2016-17 Technical Support Salary Schedule

n. 2016-17 Confidential Secretaries’ Salary Schedule

Mr. Hanser moved, Mr. Nielsen seconded, to approve the Superintendent Consent Agenda Items 13

(a-n). All were in favor. The motion passed.

14. REFERRALS – No Referrals

15. ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Nielsen moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to adjourn. All were in favor. The motion to adjourn the

meeting passed at 7:37 p.m.

BOARD DEBRIEFING OF THIS EVENING’S MEETING

There was no debriefing conducted this evening.

Signed: ___________________________________________

Robert Wittke, Jr., Clerk

Signed: ___________________________________________

Lolli Haws, Secretary

ATTACHMENT A


WORK SESSION

Michael Frontier, President Dennis Wiser, Vice President

Racine, Wisconsin May 26, 2016

On Thursday, May 26, 2016, the Board of Education of the Racine Unified School District of Racine

County, Wisconsin, called to order a Board Work Session at 3 p.m.

The following Board members were present: Michelle Duchow, Michael Frontier, Matthew Hanser (Left

from 6:30 – 8:33 p.m.), John Heckenlively, Steven Hooper, Julie L. McKenna (Arrived at 3:37 p.m.), Don

J. Nielsen, Dennis Wiser (Left from 5:19 – 6:21 p.m.), and Robert Wittke, Jr.

Also present: Eric Gallien, Deputy Superintendent; Dennis Cheesebrow, Founder, TeamWorks

International; and Darlene Gallup, Recording Secretary.

Guest: County Executive Johnathon Delagrave addressed the Board regarding support of the County for

the Board of Education and its partnership and collaboration with the County.

Welcome, Introductions, Overview of the Day

Dr. Frontier welcomed everyone, introductions were made and Mr. Cheesebrow reviewed the overview

of the meeting’s focus.

Major points of Mr. Cheesebrow’s facilitation of the meeting and major discussion points were as

follows:

Excellence in Governance, Management, and Consultation

An Overview of the Educational Leadership System (ELS)

ELS is about: Excellence in governance, management and consultation:

Aligning the six groups of adults (Board of Education, Office of the Superintendent,

Administration, Staff, Parents, and Public around the mission and Mission Delivery Point; the

daily relationship between students, staff, and parents.

Roles, responsibilities and relationships

Strategic planning, performance management, and public engagement

Page 2 of the Education Leadership System Guidebook:

o Management (superintendent and administration)

o Board’s authority or rights outside of quorum in a publicly held and posted meeting

o Staff, parents and public have the authority and role of consultation on key decisions of

the district, but not all decisions, so the process and protocol of consultation must be

clear how that happens

o There is no such thing as community consensus in the public. There is always a wide

variety of views. Consultation is used to determine what those are

o Governance policies are clear about how to operate and the Board’s authority

o Governance is the land of “why and what”. Management is the land of “how and what.”

o The Board should no vote on something they participated in creating

Board of Education

Partnership

Trust in management

Page 16 of the Guidebook (Effective Practice #2) Issue

o Board’s role is to assure policies and practices, goals and expectations are set. Board

sets the direction and administration implements. Board monitors whether it fits into

those and monitors its assessment. Board doesn’t design it but states what must be

abided by, e.g., the law and budget. Operational Expectations (OEs) must be examined

to determine if they are aligned to what the Board really wants. There should be a

continuous refinement of the OEs based on what is seen in the results. Re-evaluate what

the Board measures to make sure the alignment to values is correct.

Mr. Wiser left the meeting at 5:19 p.m.

FIVE PRIMARY ROLES OF THE BOARD

o Set District policy (for district not for itself, mostly for employees)

o Operational Performance Oversight (not intervention)

o Board governance policy (self-governance)

o Superintendent (and Cabinet) Relations (engaged in communication, no surprises)

o Public engagement, community relations, and advocacy of public education

For complex issues – Suggestion - Have a learning session to discuss with superintendent, 1-2

administrators and 2-3 Board members (non- quorum number) at a time. Board members ask

questions, those are recorded and then shared with the full Board prior to a work session.

Mr. Wiser re-entered the meeting at 6:21 p.m. during the discussion of complex issues and learning

sessions.

Additional Comments by Mr. Cheesebrow:

Clarify for the public – What is Governance and what is a Board?

Recommendation – List on your website all the kinds of things legislators have/plan to put in place

and how it affects the District.

Governance is structured in law, yet legislators believe the Board manages

Principals’ role is to manage and guide change and culture at the school level. Administrators should

be asking them, what do you need to accomplish that?

Mr. Hanser left at 6:30 p.m.

Cheesebrow comments (continued):

You always have the freedom of speech. Unity of Voice applies after you take a vote. When you have

a motion made on the floor - that is when you have the time to voice individual disagreement and

personal view. Once you vote, it is a mandate for the district. This is different than for a council

where you walk out of the meeting as an individual.

Keep proper protocols during meetings (law, policy, relationships, behaviors, etc.)

Sample of Issues/Concerns the Board dealt with and example ideas for process protocol:

Effective Tools in the Process

Trust

Engagement

Keep it simple (ask what is the purpose and what do you want as an outcome)

o Vehicle to work with the staff is gone. Nothing in place.

o Underlying problem is lack of trust not the document

o Engagement must be ongoing

o Keeping the communication loop open

o Keeping roles and responsibilities clearly defined

Key Elements of a Robust Planning and Prioritization System

a. 3 Year Operational Plan and 3 Year Board Agenda

Mr. Cheesebrow briefly talked about the StuderEducation Group model for a District Operational

Plan (key initiatives and strategies)

Management (District Operational Plan)

Governance (3-Year Board Agenda). What does the Board need to advance (policies) in order

to allow management’s operational plan to happen (policies, oversight, budget, self-

governance-annual appraisal, board development plan, superintendent relations,

superintendent succession planning, public engagement needs)?

Board meeting agendas set according to the District Operational Plan and mergence with the

3-Year Board Agenda

b. 10 Year District Model, 1 Year School and Department Improvement Plans, Monitoring

Reports

Includes enrollment estimates

Everyone knows for 10 years out what funds will be spent on so they know what the district

can afford

10 Year Model gets adjusted every few months

Investment line – all District Operational Plan costs go into this line (What money should be

spent to increase student achievement?). This is Governance work.

Fund balances at the bottom

This is a model not a plan

Mr. Hanser rejoined the meeting at 8:33 p.m.

Board of Education Structure, Work Flow and Communications

Mr. Cheesebrow shared and briefly discussed a handout, Board of Education Structure and Work

Flow which provides a guide for Board committees and meetings. Additional comments:

Mr. Cheesebrow recommended using the 10 Year Model as the Board’s Whole Committee.

Mr. Cheesebrow recommended the Board’s committees not sunset every year.

Work Sessions – Allows a deeper discussion of items so the Board has a better understanding.

Send presentations in advance so Board can study them ahead of time including an executive

summary. This way there can be discussion and learning. Could have public speak for 2 minutes

or less if they speak only regarding the topics discussed that evening.

Business meetings – public speakers – Board should not engage or respond to them.

Key Next Steps and Key Messages Topics of interest (Mr. Cheesebrow will weave into the next few sessions):

Community Engagement as Consultations (Strategies and Processes)

Oversight Processes

Best practices in Performance Measurements

Building Better Relationships Strategies

Managing Trust/Mistrust (layered into the organization)

Succession Planning at the Board Level

Guiding Change

Board Committee Work Clarification

Mr. Cheesebrow will provide communications on 3X2s meetings.

Mr. Cheesebrow recommended:

Look at committee structure and work

Look at the OEs

Mr. Cheesebrow’s next two sessions with the District will be July 14 and August 31, 2016, from 3-9 p.m.

Adjourn

The session ended at 9:08 p.m.

ATTACHMENT B


WORK SESSION



Following a special Board meeting on Monday, June 6, 2016, the Board of Education of the Racine

Unified School District of Racine County, Wisconsin, called to order a Board Work Session at 6:06 p.m.

The following Board members were present: Michelle Duchow, Michael Frontier, Matthew Hanser, John

Heckenlively, Julie L. McKenna, Don J. Nielsen, Dennis Wiser, and Robert Wittke, Jr. Absent: Steven

Hooper (Arrived at 6:53 p.m.).

Also present: Lolli Haws, Superintendent of Schools; Julie Landry, Chief of Human Capital; Marc Duff,

Chief Financial Officer; Rosalie Daca, Chief Academic Officer; Dave Hazen, Chief of Operations; Tim

Peltz, Chief Information Officer; Stacy Tapp, Chief of Communications and Family Engagement; Keri

Hanstedt, Executive Director of Employee Relations; and Darlene Gallup, Recording Secretary.

Employee Compensation Discussion

Mr. Wiser opened the meeting noting that this meeting is for discussion purposes only.

Dr. Haw provided a brief overview of the agenda item and its relationship to the timeline of the budget

development. The current budget ends on June 30 but in order for the District to continue to operate, the

preliminary budget needs to be in place. At the end of October the final budget comes to the Board.

Having a work session on parts of the preliminary budget prior to accepting it allows administration to

hear from the Board their thoughts in general and to provide an explanation of where the District sits with

the budget. She noted that this meeting was to focus on all employee compensation as opposed to just

teacher compensation, options, and effects on the budget.

A PowerPoint presentation was provided and explained. Ms. Landry and Mr. Duff. Major answered

questions from the Board. Major points of discussion included:

Current Salary Schedule (Salary Increases = Base Wage plus Supplemental Pay)

o Current Steps and Levels increases for all employee groups would be $3.2M

RUSD Full Time Employment Steps and Levels as of June 6, 2016

o 2015-16; 2016-17; Difference

o All special education assistant costs are aidable by the state at 26% as long as they are

certified. That number has gone down over a long time from 60 something percent.

FY17 Staffing Changes Summary

o New Positions

o Certified Administrators

o Eliminated Positions

RUSD/State Comparison Charts

o Analysis of Wisconsin District Salaries (RUSD is in the middle third range)

Board of Education

o Analysis of Wisconsin District Benefits (RUSD is in the highest third range)

o Benefit Compensation Comparisons (2016)

Health plan costs (out of pocket, single; out of pocket family)

o Analysis of Wisconsin District Salaries and Benefits (RUSD is in the highest third)

o Analysis of Peer District Salaries – Bachelors

15-16 Benchmark Salary Rankings Bachelor’s Degree (RUSD is in the middle range)

o Analysis of Peer District Salaries – Masters

15-16 Benchmark Salary Rankings Master’s Degree (RUSD is in lower portion)

Mr. Hooper arrived at 6:53 p.m.

o Analysis of Peer District Increases for FY 17 – What We Know So Far

o Average RUSD Teacher Salary Increase

o Trend: Salaries are increasing faster than State’s per pupil funding

o Since 2012-13, RUSD teachers’ total wages increased by 10.96%. CPI total wages have

increased by 6.7%

Educational Assistant Salary with .12% (hourly) Cost of Living Increase

Educational Assistant Rate Increases

FY2016-17 Interim Budget Status (Structural Deficit)

o Budget Forecast 2016-17: Revenues

o Budget Forecast 2016-17: Expenses

o Additional Budget Priorities

o REA has requested funding for an additional step for top of teacher schedule (1%)

Option A (Cost = $184,035): Balanced Budget + Priorities (CPI Increase Only)

o .12% increase for all employees

o No increase of step (year experience) and levels

o Does not recognize level changes (i.e., BA to MA)

FY 17 Budget - Balanced

$600K for substitute teacher pay increase

$300K increase to maintenance budget (promised in referendum)

Allows hiring of three additional elementary counselor/social worker positions to

ensure full coverage at all schools

Allows for increase in instrumental music staff

Option B (Cost = $3.4M): Budget Deficit of $1.4M (Increase Similar to previous 3-5 years)

o .12% cost of living increase to all salary schedules

o Step increase – acknowledges additional year of experience

o Level increase – acknowledges attainment of additional coursework/degrees

FY 17 Budget - Deficit

Budget shortfall $1.4M

No increase to substitute teacher pay exacerbates substitute shortage

No increase to maintenance budget fails referendum commitment

No adds to elementary counselor/social worker staff

No instrumental music staff increase

Option C (Alternative) Option (Cost = $1,003,590): Balanced Budget,

o .12% cost of living increase to all staff

o Level increases only for teachers & assistants

o No step increases

o No additional staff

FY 17 Budget - Balanced

Provides moderate substitute teacher pay increase ($400K)

Fulfills commitment to increase to maintenance budget as promised in

referendum ($300)

COMMENTS:

Substitute Pay discussion:

Comparison: RUSD’s is the lowest range

Fill rate is a challenge (Currently at a low 80%). Substitutes can work in multiple districts and

choose to work where the pay is higher when they have an opening there to do so.

Board would like to know the cost for paying an internal teacher to be a substitute and what it

does to the ($8M) substitute budget and other employee costs/professional development time

Professional Development suffers when substitutes are not available or time has to be reduced

There appears to be a morale problem due to not filling substitute positions

There is a substitute shortage across all the urban districts

Having a class size cap is a draw for RUSD. Most districts don’t have one.

Areas such as bilingual education, math/sciences, and Career Tech Ed are especially difficult

to fill

Comments on potential direction of the Board

Cuts would need to be made

Might have to back to staffing to the max instead of what is recommended (10-20 position cut)

Maybe cancel Montessori school, not do PCOC

Using police officers and Violence Free Zone staff working in the community and schools to

provide a bridge from home to school; using Cop Houses and community centers differently,

moving budget fund over to community fund but that would result in a tax increase in the

community fund

Maybe take out the Mental Health Clinic expansion

Would like to see the $300 that get in for the referendum because we owe that to the community

if it was a promise we made

All three of the items (substitute pay - $600K; $300K for facilities; and additional staff for social

workers/counselors/music) directly affect the classroom so it has to benefit our staff and students.

I would like to see all three of them funded which means that we would have to find money

elsewhere

Other areas would need to be considered e.g., health insurance premiums being the same across

the district. If everyone bumped up, could result in approximately a $400,000 savings

Concerned about our not employees getting compensated for professional growth

REA recommendation: steps and levels. That footnote has been included– fund additional step for

top of teacher schedule

Health insurance premiums and out of pocket costs might need to be addressed including

everyone paying the same amount. What would the impact be on the budget?

Need to determine what direction the Board wants to go

Board members were encouraged to let Dr. Frontier, Mr. Wiser and Dr. Haws know their

thoughts about what they feel they support or don’t support

If we don’t fund steps and levels, we have to change policy

Standard health premium change (approximately $25 increase per month).

Starting to look at evaluating staff and programs. Are there savings there in funding the budget?

Are there savings in condensing buildings? Too many to look at for this year. Need to look at all

the options (e.g., busing under 2 miles). Don’t short change our staff.

Would like to have had another meeting (not a work session) so Board members could have

expressed their desire by vote before the vote on the budget in two weeks.

The District has in the past no funded steps and levels.

Preliminary budget has to be approved in a couple weeks so the District can continue to pay

people beginning July 1 and continue spending monies for things like curriculum materials but

we will have more budget information before the final budget vote in 3 months

Concern – we don’t have a contingency fund for things like fuel costs, increased enrollment, etc.

We could delay increases (freeze wages) until RUSD has a better picture of its budget and

funding

Reality is we are not going to get additional funding so we have to look internally for savings

Next week when we have a work session on the whole budget and you will see a bigger picture of

the budget and culmination of the whole year

Not implementing a step and level increase until later in the year has been done in the past

We need to figure out how we can take care of our employees. This is a priority

We need to make hard decisions on difficult questions

We have made difficult decisions in the past. We have come a long way (e.g., new buildings).

We send $7M to other districts. We need to do things to keep students and families here

We have used creative things on the facilities side (energy savings, Fund 80, referendum)

Trust and transparency with the REA. Want to put to rest the question in the past about hidden

funds. This is a sincere budget

Steps and levels are important. Experience matters. Experience teachers need to be compensated.

Keeping the commitment to education is important and should be rewarded. Possibly have to

delay increases implementation until we look at other options?

We don’t want to have any employee group feel like they are carrying a burden for others

Adjourn


ATTACHMENT C

Racine Unified School District

3109 Mt. Pleasant Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53404

BOARD OF EDUCATION

AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES

April 11, 2016

The Board of Education Audit Committee meeting of Monday, April 11, 2016, was called to order at 5

p.m.

3. Approval of Audit Committee Minutes of March 14, 2016

The minutes of the March 14, 2016, Committee meeting minutes were approved as presented.

4. Monthly Financial Update

Mr. Duff provided copies of the Monthly Financial Update packet. Major points of discussion

included:

o All Governmental Funds Review Monthly Budget and expense report for March

There was nothing remarkable regarding the report

Business and Operations line item on the report shows the March Month

to Date as $42,842.664. This was an error. It is being adjusted and should

read $6,682,186. This was probably a calculation error. Mr. Duff will

work on this report so it is accurate by the time it comes to the Board.

Debt Payments – $6,087,688

Pupil Services – mostly payments to salaries and benefits

Non-program transactions includes payments to county for Alternative

Programs (such as TEP, TPA, & SEP)

o General Fund Report

Nothing remarkable to report

Debt payments is zero since done in a different fund

o Special Education

Mostly staff costs and transportation services

o Food Service

$8.2M of $10.6M is federally aided

5. School Financials Report

Mr. Duff reported on the School Financials Report. Discussion points included:

School Financials Received – All have been received, balanced, and reconciled with the

bank

6. 2014-15 Comparative Cost and Revenue

Mr. Duff shared information that is collected by the state annually and explained how that

information must be formatted. The District’s report, auditors’ report and DPI’s report all have to

match. That information is used to formulate the amount of aid all districts receive. It is also used

for normalizing the data submitted state-wide by school districts for comparative purposes. Both

comparative revenue and cost were reviewed. Mr. Duff shared state comparative data in multiple

formats (Excel, pie charts) comparing RUSD with other school districts. Comparative data was

reviewed in multiple areas including:

Board of Education

Operations

Federal Revenue

Aid per student

Property Taxes

Detailed Comparison: Audited Annual Report Comparative Cost (2007-2015)

Mr. Goodremote shared and members discussed information regarding his database and graphs

(Detail Cost/Member to State Average]) on RUSD longitudinal cost data and differential

comparison over 8 years broken out by Instruction, Pupil/Staff/Support,

Operation/Administration/Other, Transportation, Facility Cost, Food & Community Service, and

Total District Cost (2007-2015). He said this can be used as a tool to compare trends, stabilities

and fluctuations each year and as a tool for developing budget strategies and creating a long term

plan.

Mr. Goodremote showed the same tool/format on revenue comparison details as well.

Additional discussion followed on:

The Board providing administration with guiding principles for what they want to see in

the budget

These tools being used to determine what portion of funds need to go where, strategies

based on urban comparables, state averages, projections, etc.

7. Board Budget

Mr. Duff reviewed the budget. He said most of the budget will remain the same. Discussion

points included:

Election districts determination cost has been removed

Attorney Fees/Options and whether part should be removed from the Board budget

Financial Audit (Schenck)

Professional Development for Board Members (may need to be more because of the new

members)

Equipment (Reduced)

WASB and CESA Fees for memberships

This will all need to be discussed in a work session. Mr. Goodremote will provide in his Audit

Committee Report that the format needs to be discussed in a work session

8. Other Concerns

No other concerns were addressed.

9. Adjourn

Mr. Nielsen moved, Mr. Goodremote seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. All were in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m.

Others Present: Respectfully submitted,

Marc Duff, Chief Financial Officer Charles Goodremote, Chair (Present)

Darlene Gallup, Executive Assistant Pamala Handrow (Absent)

Don J. Nielsen (Present)

Melvin Hargrove, Ex Officio (Not Present)

ATTACHMENT D



BOARD OF EDUCATION

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

March 14, 2016

MINUTES

1. Call to Order

The Racine Unified School District Board of Education Governance Committee meeting of Monday,

March 14, 2016, was called to order at 5:30 p.m.

2. Approval of Governance Committee Minutes of February 22, 2016

Mr. Nielsen moved, Mr. Goodremote seconded, to approve the minutes of the February 22, 2016,

Governance Committee meeting. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.

3. Recommendation for Approval – Continued Work with Dennis Cheesebrow

Ms. Plache referenced the February, 2016 proposal from Dennis Cheesebrow regarding his work

with the District after the April elections for continuing his consultant work with the Board, Dr.

Haws and her Leadership Team.

Ms. Plache reviewed a list of what was agreed upon, completed, and still remaining to occur. The

first three sessions scheduled prior to April were rearranged to accommodate the superintendent’s

evaluation.

The Committee reviewed what has already been covered and paid for and what is remaining to be

covered.

PACKAGES ALREADY COMPLETED November 18, 2015

Pre Session One: Work Session to consider the Board’s PD needs (see A-C)

Conducted at the Lochnaaire location with Board

A. Introduction to the Education Leadership System (ELS) for the Office of the

Superintendent

B. Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships for those who govern and those who manage

C. Comparing and contrasting current assumptions, expectations, practices, and preference

with ELS

Pre Session for Administration, January 14, 2016

Conducted at WFHC with Dr. Haws and Leadership Team to help administration get

acclimated with what was discussed at the Pre-Session on November 18, 2015

Session I, January 15, 2016

Conducted at WFHC with Board, Haws and Cheesebrow

A. Managing Trust and Mistrust; Effective Partnership Practice #1 through the use of the

Leadership Choices Framework

B. Effective Appraisal Practices for the Superintendent and the Board of Education

Board of Education

C. Effective Communication Practices and Protocol for the Board of Education and the

Office of the Superintendent

Session II, March 10, 2016, Revised to include the Superintendent Evaluation.

A. Decision Making in the Public Setting through the use of the Decision Making and the

Guiding Change FrameWorks

B. Managing the Governance – Management Line; Effective Partnership Practice #2

C. Effective Structures and Practices for Managing Board Workflow

a. Board Meetings

b. Board Committees

c. Superintendent Councils

d. Task Forces

Session III - This is scheduled for March 23, 2016. Session will with the Board, Dr. Haws and the

Leadership Team

A. Effectively Managing the Leadership Paradox between Relationships/Personality/Politics

with Data/Performance/Accountability

B. Key elements of a robust planning and prioritization system

a. Strategic Roadmap and VisionCard

b. 3 Year Operational Plan and 3 Year Board Agenda

c. 10 Year District Model, 1 Year School and Department Improvement Plans,

Monitoring Reports

Mr. Cheesebrow’s proposal (February 10, 2016) suggests, after the April elections to extend the

professional development in the areas of:

A. Re-engage in an orientation to and a discussion of the Education Leadership System (ELS)

B. Board of Education and Superintendent Evaluation (Completed, March 10, 2016)

C. District 10 Year Operational Model with direct links to the District Strategic Plan and key

initiatives

D. Board of Education 3 Year Agenda in parallel with the District 3 Year Operational Plan

E. Monitoring Reports to the Board of Education and the linkage to Board and Superintendent

evaluation (Bridging the why, what and how between Governance and Management)

F. Developing Board Consensus that is not full agreement, and moving forward

G. Power and Authority; Managing Cultural Capital in a Public Setting

H. Performance Management Structures and Systems

Already spent:

Approximately $8,860 so far (3 sessions – including the March 23 session)

Was set for $2,500 per session plus expenses for travel and accommodations.

Continued sessions with Mr. Cheesebrow were discussed. Discussion comments included:

Administration and Board needs to work with Mr. Cheesebrow to put on calendar 3 dates

past April to accomplish items a-h in his proposal.

Mr. Duff mentioned the Board’s budget shows $35,000 set for professional development.

Some of that was for working with Dr. Lee. $6,700 has been spent (including money spent

for Dr. Lee). Approximately $18,000 is left in the budget.

Keep the March 23 meeting to work as planned so we can begin the 3 year and 5 year

alignment and getting down the planned direction of the Board as a launch pad including for

the new Board members

The 3, 5, 10 plan will probably require more than one session and involve outside session

work

Need to look at beginning in May for the next sessions (will need to work also with new

Board members)

4 engagements needed to cover (c-h) beginning in May. 2 sessions (not to exceed $6,200)

before June 30 and 2 after July 1 (not to exceed $6,200).

Concern – making decisions for new board members.

Prefer to schedule how many sessions we want for each fiscal cycle

Prefer to get all 4 sessions on the calendar for continuity. New Board can always change it

later

All four of the meetings will need to include Dr. Haws, Leadership Team and the Board

Need to consider cash flow management of the four meetings being split over two fiscal

budget years (2 per fiscal year)

An action item for the March 21, 2016, Board Meeting:

Mr. Koets moved, Mr. Nielsen seconded to recommend the Board approve contracting with Dennis

Cheesebrow of TeamWorks International for four (4) professional development sessions with the

payments structured to align with our financial calendar (2 pre June 30, 2016 and 2 post July 1,

2016) encompassing items “A” and “C-H” of the TeamWorks proposal as presented and discussed in

an amount not to exceed $3,250 per session. All were in favor. The motion passed.

4. Referral #2-2016 (OE-6 Financial Administration) Deletion of OE-6.5

The referral was discussed at length. Mr. Duff interpreted OE-6.5 to say the District shouldn’t have

deficit spending and OE-6.6 is that it shouldn’t allow spending of fund balances without Board

approval. Mr. Duff suggested incorporating Sections 6.5 into 6.6 since Section 6.5 already

incorporates not being able to spend reserve funds unless authorized. The details in 6.5 are preferred

wording. He will re-do the interpretations.

Mr. Nielsen moved to recommend the Board remove OE-6.6 from the OE-6 and renumber all

sections accordingly.

Ms. Plache said that in discussion with legal counsel, it was recommended that the original referral

be brought forth to the Board and dealt with. Then move forward with a new referral that says what

they want to have happen.

Mr. Koetz made a friendly amendment to Mr. Nielsen’s motion, to reject Referral #2-2016 and

remove OE-6.6 from the OE-6 and renumber all sections.

Mr. Nielsen moved, Ms. Plache seconded, to recommend the Board not delete OE-6.5 and approve a

substitute amendment to Referral #2-2016 to delete Section 6.6 and renumber the other items

accordingly. All were in favor. The motion passed.

This will be placed on the agenda for March 21, 2016, as an Action Item: Consideration of Referral

2-2016

5. Referral #3-2016 (OE-5 Financial Planning) Revise Monitoring Calendar

Mr. Duff explained this is a recommendation to include OE-5 in the November budget document.

OE-5 would then be listed as compliant by meeting all of the District’s budget requirements.

Mr. Nielsen moved, Ms. Plache seconded, to recommend the Board reject the recommendation in

Referral #3-2016. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Explanation: The OE-5 Monitoring Report will be placed in November on the 2016-17 Annual

Planning and Monitoring Calendar for monitoring at a work session. The OE-5 Monitoring Report

will then be placed on the Board Consent Agenda for approval the following month.

6. Governance Cost/Budget Recommendations

Governance Committee discussed the Board’s budget.

Mr. Koetz moved, Ms. Plache seconded to approve Governance consulting funds in an amount not to

exceed $30,000 for the next fiscal year. All were in favor. The motion passed.

The Audit Committee will work to incorporate this into the District budget.

7. Set Next Meeting Date and Agenda

The next meeting of the Governance Committee will be determined at a later date. Agenda items

will include:

Approval of the March 14, 2016 Committee Meeting Minutes

Filling Board Vacancies Policy (GC-2E(G)

8. Adjourn

Mr. Koetz moved, Mr. Nielsen seconded, to adjourn. All were in favor. The session ended at 6:43

p.m.


Lolli Haws, Superintendent Kim Plache, Chair (Present)

Marc Duff, Chief Financial Officer Charles Goodremote (Present)

Darlene Gallup, Executive Assistant John M. Koetz (Present)

Don J. Nielsen, (Present)

Melvin Hargrove, Ex Officio (Not Present)

Governance Committee

ATTACHMENT E



LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

March 7, 2016

Administrative Service Center, Franklin Room

MINUTES

The Racine Unified School District Board of Education Legislative Committee meeting of Monday,

March 7, 2016, was called to order at 5 p.m.

3. Approval of Legislative Committee Minutes of Minutes of November 16, 2015

4. Approval of Legislative Committee Communication Session Minutes of December 15, 2015 and

February 16, 2016

Dr. Frontier moved, Pastor Hargrove seconded, to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2015

Legislative Committee meeting and the December 15, 2015 and February 16, 2016 Legislative

Committee Communication Sessions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.

5. Review Objectives, Goals, Strategies and Measures (OGSM)

OGSM topics were discussed throughout the meeting. Also discussed:

It was noted it is important that congratulatory letters be sent out to state legislators and local

municipality representatives after the elections.

It was recommended that the Legislative Committee keep itself appraised of the items on the

local municipalities’ meeting agendas so that RUSD representation can be in attendance.

6. Debriefing of February 16, 2016 Legislative Conversation with Sturtevant Village Board

The Sturtevant conversation session was reviewed. Comments included:

Went well and they were to us being there

They asked some good questions

They were satisfied that we came to them

Interesting the way Sturtevant is expanding and developing

Heard them wanting K-8 in Sturtevant (Would need about 100 at each grade level)

Nice to learn about the history of the Village Board members

Was good to have administration there to answer questions and add their technical input

Need to reach out to the smaller municipalities as well (maybe combine them)

7. Planning Future Meetings with State Representatives, Caledonia, Sturtevant, and Other

Municipalities

Discussion comments included:

The Board needs to reach out to the other municipalities (Wind Point, Elmwood Park, North

Bay, Mt. Pleasant, City of Racine) Pastor Hargrove will contact presidents.

Caledonia session reschedule – maybe get it on the calendar and then reschedule if necessary

Need to also schedule another meeting with state representatives (Board should contact

them. Now would be a good time since they are out of session.)

Board of Education

Recommend polling the state legislators now for a possible May conversation date and also

ask if they have any listening sessions the Board might be interested in attending as well

(Ms. Gallup will contact them)

Dr. Haws will coordinate a June or July session again like last year with all local

representatives

8. Review WASB Updates for Possible Actions or Communications for Upcoming Legislation

No WASB Updates were discussed.

9. Set Next Meeting Date

The next meeting will be April 18, 2016, at 5 p.m.

10. Public Comments

There were no members of the public present.

11. Adjourn

Dr. Frontier moved, Pastor Hargrove seconded, and with no objections heard, the meeting adjourned

at 5:30 p.m.

Also Present: Respectfully submitted:

Lolli Haws, Superintendent Julie McKenna, Chair (Present)

Darlene Gallup, Executive Assistant Michael Frontier (Present)

Kim Plache (Absent)

Melvin Hargrove Ex-Officio (Present)

Legislative Committee






A special meeting of the Board of Education of the Racine Unified School District of Racine

County, Wisconsin was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 20, 2016, with the

following members present: Michelle Duchow, Michael Frontier, Matthew Hanser, John

Heckenlively, Julie L. McKenna, Don J. Nielsen, and Robert Wittke, Jr. Absent: Steven Hooper

and Dennis Wiser.

Also present: Lolli Haws, Superintendent; Andrea Rittgers, Director of Student Services; and

Patricia Meyer, Recording Secretary.

The Board of Education met in open session for the sole purpose of considering a motion to

adjourn to Executive Session per Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(f) and 120.13(1)(c)4.d for the

purpose of Student Suspensions and Expulsions.

Mr. Nielsen moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to adjourn to Executive Session. Ayes – 7 (Duchow,

Frontier, Heckenlively, Hanser, McKenna, Nielsen, Wittke). Noes – 0. Absent – 2 (Hooper,

Wiser). The motion passed. The meeting adjourned to Executive Session.

Student Suspensions and Expulsions

Dr. Haws reviewed the Glossary of Terms: Suspensions & Expulsions document which was

distributed to the Board present. This document will be handed out each meeting with the

suspensions and expulsions reports to be used for reference.

Student suspensions and expulsions were reviewed.

Mr. Heckenlively moved, Mr. Hanser seconded, to approve the student suspensions and

expulsions reports as presented. All were in favor. The motion to approve passed.

Mr. Heckenlively moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to adjourn the executive session. All were in

favor. The motion to adjourn the meeting passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.

Signed: __________________________


Signed: __________________________


Board of Education





Racine, Wisconsin July 11, 2016

A special meeting of the Board of Education of the Racine Unified School District of Racine County,

Wisconsin was called to order at 6:04 p.m. on Monday, July 11, 2016.

2. ROLL CALL

The following Board members were present: Michelle Duchow, Matthew Hanser, John Heckenlively,

Steven Hooper, Julie McKenna, Don J. Nielsen, Dennis Wiser, Robert Wittke, Jr. Absent: Michael

Frontier.

Also present: Lolli Haws, Superintendent; Julie Landry, Chief of Human Capital; and Darlene Gallup,

Recording Secretary.

3. ACTION ITEMS

a. Overnight Field Trip

Mr. Heckenlively moved, Mr. Nielsen seconded, to approve the Overnight Field Trip as listed.

All were in favor. The motion to approve passed.

4. ADJOURN

Mr. Heckenlively moved, Mr. Nielsen seconded, to adjourn the special Board meeting. All were in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:06 p.m.

Signed: ___________________________________________


Signed: ____________________________________________


Board of Education


WORK SESSION



On Wednesday, June 15, 2016, the Board of Education of the Racine Unified School District of Racine

County, Wisconsin, called to order for the purpose of a Board Work Session at 6 p.m.

The following Board members were present: Michelle Duchow, Michael Frontier, John Heckenlively,

Steven Hooper, Don J. Nielsen, and Robert Wittke, Jr. Absent: Matthew Hanser, Julie McKenna, Dennis

Wiser.

Also present: Lolli Haws, Superintendent; Marc Duff, Chief Financial Officer; Dave Hazen, Chief of

Operations; Julie Landry, Chief of Human Capital; Stacy Tapp, Chief of Communication and Community

Engagement; Dan Thielen, Chief of Secondary School Transformation; Tim Peltz, Chief Information

Officer; and Darlene Gallup, Recording Secretary.

1. Energy Efficiency Performance Contract

Mr. Hazen presented the Energy Efficiency Performance Contract agenda item. This contract will

be used to do energy projects outside the revenue cap. The District has use Johnson Controls and

Trane for its performance contracts in the past. Major points of Mr. Hazen’s PowerPoint

presentation included:

Performance Contracts – What are they?

District’s Past Use of Performance Contracts

Impact on the Referendum and General Budget

Impact on Taxes

Board Direction on Utilizing a Performance Contract for Jerstad-Agerholm School’s

HVAC

Additional Discussion Comments

Jerstad-Agerholm is a sound facility and the energy savings with this contract would be a

worthwhile consideration

Air conditioning will be considered as part of the contract or as with a bundled funding

Vendors have to guarantee the energy savings in order to do the work

2. FY17 Preliminary Budget

Mr. Duff and Dr. Haws presented an overview of the Preliminary Budget in preparation for the

Board to approve on Monday, June 20, 2016. Major topic headings of the PowerPoint

presentation included:

Budget Development Process (What and when of the process)

Board of Education

o From now until October the budget gets more and more detailed

o August, Annual Budget Hearing

o October-November, Final Budget and Levy Approval by the Board

Preliminary Budget – All Funds Revenues

FY17 Preliminary Budget Revenues

FY17 Projected Levy Comparison of Peer Districts

FY17 Budget Expense Projections (New Expenses, Increases/Savings,

Decreases/Savings)

Preliminary Budget – All Funds Expenditures (Instructional Spending)

Planning needs to take place for technology updates

Preliminary Budget – All Funds Expenditures (Support Services, Non-program

transactions)

All Fund Expenditures FY17 by Function Chart

FY17 Expenditures by Object Chart (Spending 77.1% on people-Salaries & Benefits)

Preliminary Budget – Unmet Priorities (Teacher subs, additional social workers and

counselors, continuation of school furniture replacement, Digitizing records and archives,

additional Educator Effectiveness/Teacher Coaches, Technology support staff in schools,

Phone handsets for all schools)

Budget Highlights with Significant Property Tax Decrease

o School/classroom behavior needs:

Intensive Needs classroom expansion (2 ES, 1 MS, 2 HS)

Mental health clinic expansion (Fratt & Knapp)

Re-vamped police support model with VFZ coordination

o New Montessori and expanded P-COC

o New K-algebra II Math Curriculum

o Expanded PD, especially AP teachers

o Launch the Academies of Racine

o Expansion of Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

o Parent engagement & communication enhancements

o Compensation increased CPI/Steps/Levels

o Class sizes maintained at a lower level

o Sportsplex build out for REAL School

o Possible Jersstad-Agerholm Performance Contract

o Three newly constructed and furnished schools opened

o Technology Upgrades for Schools (Copy machine lease renewal, enrollment

kiosks at schools, etc.)

o $1M referendum set aside for technology & Career Academy Equipment

o Reduced open enrollment costs

Final Comments:

Dr. Haws said that the District will still have a $1M deficit

Would like to see more ownership at the Board level in making prudent decisions

Appreciate the work on this budget

Unmet priorities concern – of them, which are a higher priority? (Response - they are pretty much

in order of priority on the list presented)

Mr. Peltz talked about a potential application process for resolving technology issues at the

school level

Concern - There is more need for social workers at the high school level. (The current planned

increase is meant to have a social worker at all schools all the time)

Might be worthwhile to see over the next year if we can set up a contingency fund for handling

extra costs like steps and levels

Instead of looking at one particular method, we need to look at the ways of keeping our best staff

here (salary schedules and recognitions)

The District is in the process of switching to a new budget process

Recommend keeping the last page of the PowerPoint to use as talking points when talking to

people about the budget

Board has an opportunity to make this an even stronger budget

Adjourn



WORK SESSION


Racine, Wisconsin July 11, 2016

WORK SESSION

Following a special meeting of the Board of Education of the Racine Unified School District of Racine

County, Wisconsin, a Board Work Session took place at 6:06 p.m. on Monday, July 11, 2016.

The following Board members were present: Michelle Duchow, Matthew Hanser, John Heckenlively,

Steven Hooper, Julie McKenna, Don J. Nielsen, Dennis Wiser, Robert Wittke, Jr. Absent: Michael

Frontier.

Also present: Lolli Haws, Superintendent; Julie Landry, Chief of Human Capital; Dave Hazen, Chief of

Operations; and Darlene Gallup, Recording Secretary.

5. Work Session

a. Staffing Update

Ms. Landry briefly reviewed the statistics on staffing including:

i. Administrative Staffing

There have been 13 administrators resigned this year

Have hired a number of principals, assistant principals and program administrators

Have done a lot of hiring from within for leadership positions

All school based administrator positions have been filled and will be ready to start

July 11, 2016

Special education supervisors have been hired

New Alternative Education administrator has been hired and is already working

ii. Teacher and Other Vacancies

Current vacancies (resignations, retirements, and filling of vacancy processes.

Typically hire about 150 teachers a year

Attendance clerks have all be assigned places

b. Update on Readiness of New School Facilities

Dr. Haws and Mr. Hazen presented an update on school readiness. Mr. Hazen commented:

All schools are on schedule to open on time

O. Brown

o will be open this or next week

Board of Education

o Groundbreaking is scheduled

Gifford

o Scheduled to open in August and are on schedule

o There will be a traffic signal on the east entrance (the one used by parents)

Knapp (a little ahead of schedule)

o Already occupied

o Old building is already starting to be dismantled

Furniture schedule (Finished deliveries near the end of July and put in place in August)

Will include the parents within the school boundaries for the dedication ceremony

Budget is on track

c. Criteria for School Closure Decisions

Discussion centered on long term building issues and criteria/guidelines for potential facility

closures for savings purposes. Specific schools were not considered. Comments included:

o Enrollment has decreased yearly and cost of keeping schools open is costly

o Are there facilities (programs) that could be considered for closure based on things like

age, location, maintenance, etc.

o Mr. Hazen provided a possible process for determine criteria to do find possible

savings

o Previously there was a committee that created a set of criteria for possible school

closures (Rubric for Right-Sizing/Closure of Schools). This kind of rubric could be

used for the same work now. The list included:

1. Alternatives uses for school building (instructional)

2. What is physical condition of building (10= good/1= poor)

3. How large of attendance area is needed to populate school (10= less sq. miles/ 1=

more sq. miles)

4. What is the condition of the security system and controlled access?

5. What is the state of technology infrastructure (wireless and electrical outlet

capacity)?

6. What is the state of ADA compliance (10= elevator, ramps, single floor/ 1=

multi-story, no elevator)

7. How many students will be disrupted will there be of children who will switch

their schools?

8. Is there impact on SAGE program?

9. Will 220 aid be Impacted?

10. Will competitiveness of RUSD with voucher and open enrollment schools be

improved?

11. What is the ease of transitioning staff? (10= easiest/1= most difficult)

12. What is the cost transporting students? (sidewalks, hazardous conditions, density

of walking population)

13. What amount of facility improvements due to change? (10= most versatile)

14. What is the current level of student achievement (10= highest)

15. Is the school in a growth area?

16. How accessible is school for parent/guardian involvement (attendance, bus

routes, parking lot, walking distance)

17. Is there a positive school climate based on the climate survey?

18. What is the readiness of the school leadership team (data/payday) to implement

innovations?

Boundary questions

19. Assess building capacity - (schools ability to absorb additional students)

determine/project classroom capacities

20. Will Impact on SES (Title 1a funding impact)

21. Assess costs of moving and related needs

o Building on Strategic Directions (PowerPoint slide of things to be considered from

the Facilities Committee)

o Maintain property with consideration for location and capacity for 10 years

out

o Maintain Capacity for current enrolled population with consideration for 5

years out

o Move to renew condition of school facilities to a “facility condition index” of

no greater than 20%

o Move to size elementary buildings to function with a minimum of three

sections at each grade level.

o Move to house 4K at all elementary schools

o Maintain least one competition sanctioned sports facility in the district for the

major sports of football, soccer, track and field, volleyball, basketball and

swimming

o Maintain infrastructure that supports relevant operational and educational

technology

o Safety

o Board responses to the questions - What does the board want to include as

considerations for closing of schools/programs?

o Cost per pupil at each site (including transportation and staffing, is there

room for students to go elsewhere?)

o What are we looking at in terms of growth assumptions

o What grade levels are decreasing (tracking by levels and by buildings)

o Review SEWRPC (Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission)

information

o Which schools/programs have waiting lists? (Could we separate a program

from a building – are parents choosing programs over buildings?)

o Do any buildings need changes to fit new changes/needs/services in mental

health, early childhood, special education, etc.?)

o Projection of technology needs (might only have an 18 month projection

available because it all changes so quickly)

o Are there buildings that could be converted into a 3 section schools?

o Burden to close schools should not fall on any one particular group. Must be

done in an equitable fashion

o Basing it on school performance would be difficult (unless due to decreased

enrollments or because of environmental issues that you can link to

academics – e.g., going up and down stairs). Mr. Hazen will send out a

previously constructed condition report.

d. Next Steps for Performance Contract for HVAC Work at Jerstad-Agerholm

Dr. Haws talked about the performance contract saying t is technical and it is important the

Board understands it. The boiler at Jerstad is huge and costly. This appears to be the best way

to take care of this issue because taxes are going down right now, there is $5M available from

the referendum and $2M available in the budget but there is not enough to do all the

maintenance needed in the district.

Mr. Hazen provided a brief review of performance contracts. Major sections of his

PowerPoint included:

o What performance contracts are (what they can do, what they can’t do, what is

required to qualify)

o Past use of performance contracts (Johnson Controls and Trane)

o Impact on the Referendum and General Budget

o Impact on Taxes

o Board Direction on Utilizing a performance Contract for Jerstad-Agerholm School’s

HVAC

o Next Steps

o Use the existing contracts with Johnson Controls or Trane

o Ask Trane and Johnson Controls to prove a Project Development agreement,

include air conditioning as an alternative scope of work

o Bring recommendation to the Board for vote on which contract to proceed

with

o Schedule work – possible 2 year contract, summer of 2017 and 2018

o Energy savings are guaranteed over time. The energy savings do not pay for the

projects completely but does allow the District to keep funds separate and available

for other projects. It is important to know that this funding does not have to fit under

the budget cap.

o A downside to using performance contracts is that because the vendor has to

guarantee an energy savings, that gets included in the cost of the contract

o Need to think about whether the District wants to add the air conditioning option and

consider if it the most prudent thing to do?

o Doing a full blown RFP instead could result in timing issues. Johnson Controls and

Trane have done these before and are familiar with the process. They will give fair

pricing and look at local and minority hiring.

o Be sure to ask Mr. Hazen any additional questions prior to this being on the Board

agenda

o Johnson Controls and Trane will present their contracts to the Board

e. Budget Update

Dr. Haws and Mr. Duff provided an update on the budget. A handout, “FY17 Budget

Assumptions Tracking Report” was shared and reviewed. The document includes information

regarding enrollment, expenses, revenues, staffing, voucher levy, property valuation, state

general aid, tax levy changes and performance contract levy, budget balance to date, property

tax rate estimate and dedicated carryover funding. This is a draft document and will continue

to be updated so the Board can see how it changes each month and more and more accurate

information is included. Mr. Duff’s presentation comments included:

o We will be well into the school year before final numbers get filled in

o A continued tax decrease is projected or stabilized but that will depend on legislation

o We are currently at a $1.175M deficit

o August 15, 2016, will be the public hearing on the budget (there is flexibility on

when that is done)



BOARD OF EDUCATION

AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES

June 13, 2016

The Board of Education Audit Committee meeting of Monday, June 13, 2016, was called to order at

5:05 p.m.

3. Approval of Audit Committee Minutes of April 11, 2016

Mr. Hooper moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2016,

Committee meeting. All were in favor. The minutes were approved as presented.

4. Review and Provide Recommendations on GC-5 Board Audit Committee Policy

Mrs. McKenna reviewed the GC-5(a-c) Audit Committee policy (Purpose/Charge, Reporting

Schedule and Authority over Resources). Mr. Duff reviewed the budget timeline.

GC-5(5) Audit Committee

a. Purpose/Charge as per BOE Policy GC-5

1. Auditor selection completed a couple months ago

2. Next financial audit completion scheduled for October or November, 2016

3. No auditor reported allegations of fraud or violations noted for a long time

4. No auditor reported concerns pending

5. Financial oversight conducted each month with the chief financial officer

b. Financial oversight conducted each month

c. No action needed

Dr. Haws talked about possibly dropping School Financial Reports from the monthly Audit

Committee agenda since they have greatly improved.

Dr. Haws and Mr. Duff briefly explained the items that typically administration brings to the

Committee related to the budget including budget development, status, and potential need for

communications with legislators.

5. Monthly Financial Update

Mr. Duff provided copies of the Monthly Financial Update packet and reviewed the reports’

components (line items). Major discussion and report points included:

Review of the standard reports and the various funds that are provided each month

(General, Special Education, Food Service, Maintenance, Taxes, etc.)

All Governmental Funds (Revenues and Expenditures by categories)

Fund 10 – General Fund

Fund 27 – Special Education Fund

Fund 50 – Food Service Fund

Mr. Wittke asked for Mr. Duff to consider putting in an over/under percentage (tolerance level)

when something looks off and needs to be brought forward to the Committee.

Board of Education

Mr. Wittke asked for consideration of providing a descriptive chart of accounts that is more

reader friendly to an outside reader of the accounts.

Mr. Duff and Dr. Haws provided an explanation of special education and Medicaid expenses

and reimbursements.

Balance Sheet (summary and detailed) explanation

o Mr. Duff is working on a month to month comparison report)

o Cash flow management and receipts that come in after the fiscal year is over)

o Categories that get reported to the Board

Utilities Report (explanation of new chart and table version)

6. School Financials Report

Mr. Duff reported on the School Financials Report. Again it was noted that the reports have

greatly improved with schools now reporting in a timely manner.

7. Other Concerns

Mr. Duff said the Medical Report was just received. The report shows cost trends. Currently, the

District is at 93% of projected expenditures. Remaining final payments will be in this month.

The Dental Report shows the District is running higher than expected (101%).

8. Public Comments

There were no public comments.

9. Adjourn

Mr. Wittke moved, Mr. Hooper seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. All were in favor. The

meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m.


Marc Duff, Chief Financial Officer Julie L. McKenna, Chair (Present)

Lolli Haws, Superintendent Steve Hooper, (Present)

Don Nielsen, Board Member Robert Wittke, Jr. (Present)

Darlene Gallup, Executive Assistant Michael Frontier, Ex Officio (Present)

John Heckenlively, Board Member

Michelle Duchow, Board Member


BOARD OF EDUCATION


June 14, 2016

MINUTES

1. Call to Order

The Racine Unified School District Board of Education Governance Committee meeting of Wednesday, June

14, 2016, was called to order at 5:04 p.m.

2. Selection of Committee Chair

Mr. Wiser nominated Matthew Hanser as chair of the Governance Committee. Mr. Heckenlively seconded the

nomination. All were in favor. Mr. Hanser took his place as chair of the Governance Committee.

3. Approval of Governance Committee Minutes of March 14, 2016

Mr. Wiser moved, Mr. Heckenlively seconded, to approve the minutes of the March 14, 2016, Governance

Committee meeting. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.


The next meetings of the Governance Committee will be Monday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m., and Tuesday, July 12,

2016 at 5 p.m. Agenda items for the June 20 meeting will include:

Approval of the June 14, 2016 Committee Meeting Minutes

Recommendation: Policy for selection of Board members in the event of vacancy

Recommendation to Board for Approval of Three Work Sessions with Dennis Cheesebrow

5. Public Comments

There were no comments made by the public.

6. Adjourn

Mr. Hanser moved, Mr. Heckenlively seconded, to adjourn. All were in favor. The session ended at 5:11 p.m.


Lolli Haws, Superintendent Matthew Hanser, Chair (Present)

Tom Fineran, Director of Member Services & Representation, REA John Heckenlively (Present)

Darlene Gallup, Executive Assistant Dennis Wiser, (Present)

Robert Wittke, Jr. (Absent)

Michael Frontier, Ex Officio (Present)


Board of Education


BOARD OF EDUCATION


June 20, 2016

MINUTES

1. Call to Order

The Racine Unified School District Board of Education Governance Committee meeting of Monday, June 20, 2016,

was called to order at 5:31 p.m.

2. Approval of Governance Committee Minutes of June 14, 2016

Mr. Heckenlively moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to approve the minutes of the June 14, 2016, Governance Committee

meeting. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.

3. Recommendation Policy for Selection of Board Members in the Event of Vacancy

The Committee discussed the proposed language in Referral #7-2015-Corrected Page 2. Mr. Hanser recommended that

the statement in subsection #8, “…two final candidates” be struck. Instead, the following changes were presented and

discussed by the Committee for replacing Sections 8 and 9 of the revision proposed on October 19, 2015 with the

following:

8) The Board president will not vote for a candidate to fill a vacancy unless the votes of the remaining Board

members result in a tie vote between candidates.

9) If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, the two candidates with the greatest number of votes will

proceed to a next round of voting. In the case of ties, more than two candidates can advance.

Mr. Heckenlively moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to recommend the Board adopt the language as proposed for GC-

2E(G)(8 and 9) as presented. All were in favor. The motion passed.

This recommendation is on the agenda for tonight’s Board business meeting agenda (Action Item #11(i).

4. Recommendation: Approval of Three Work sessions with Dennis Cheesebrow

Mr. Wittke moved, Mr. Heckenlively seconded, to recommend the Board approve continued work sessions with Dennis

Cheesebrow for an additional 3 sessions (September 22, October 5 and October 19, 2016). All were in favor.


The next meeting of the Governance Committee will be July 12. Agenda items will include:

Coordinate with Dennis Cheesebrow on agendas for work sessions on July 14, August 31, September 21 and

22, and October 5 and 19.

Board Budget

6. Adjourn

Mr. Heckenlively moved, Mr. Wittke seconded, to adjourn. All were in favor. The session ended at 5:45 p.m.


Lolli Haws, Superintendent Matthew Hanser, Chair (Present)

Don Nielsen, Board Member John Heckenlively (Present)

Pat Meyer, Executive Assistant Robert Wittke, Jr. (Present)

Tom Fineran, REA Director of Member Services and Representation Dennis Wiser, (Absent)

Michael Frontier, Ex Officio (Present)

Julie McKenna arrived at 5:45 p.m.


Board of Education



LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

June 6, 2016

Administrative Service Center, Franklin Room

MINUTES

The Racine Unified School District Board of Education Legislative Committee meeting of Monday, June

6, 2016, was called to order at 5:32 p.m.

3. Selection of Committee Chair

Dennis Wiser nominated Robert Wittke and John Heckenlively nominated Julie McKenna. By show

of hands, Mr. Wittke received 3 votes and Mrs. McKenna received 2 votes. Mr. Wittke assumed his

place as chair of the Legislative Committee.

4. Approval of Legislative Committee Minutes of March 7, 2016

Mr. Wiser moved, Mr. Nelson seconded, to approve the minutes of the March 7, 2016, Legislative

Committee meeting. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.


The next meeting will be July 11, 2016, at 5 p.m. Future agenda items will include:

Approval of the June 6, 2016, Minutes

Discuss Meeting with Caledonia Board

Discuss Establishing a Committee Working Calendar Aligned With Board Calendar

Discuss Inventory of State Representative Contacts

Election Cycle (Short term lobbying issues; Urban District Task Force, local business and

community stakeholder interests)

Mr. Hanser joined the meeting at 5:40 p.m.

Ms. Duchow arrived at 5:41 p.m.

6. Public Comments

Dr. Haws reported a meeting with local legislators is being arranged at Wingspread similar to what

was done in previous years.

7. Adjourn

Mr. Heckenlively moved, Mr. Wiser seconded, and with no objections heard, the meeting adjourned

at 5:42 p.m.

Also Present: Respectfully submitted:

Lolli Haws, Superintendent Robert Wittke, Chair (Present)

Dave Hazen, Chief of Operations John Heckenlively (Present)

Michelle Duchow, Board Member Julie L. McKenna (Present)

Matthew Hanser, Board Member Don J. Nielsen (Present)

Darlene Gallup, Executive Assistant Dennis Wiser (Present)

Michael Frontier, Ex-Officio (Present)

Legislative Committee

Board of Education

BOARD OF EDUCATION June 25, 2007

BOARD OF EDUCATION

July 25, 2016

AGENDA ITEM: Continued Professional Development – Dennis Cheesebrow, TeamWorks Int’l.

PRESENTING: Matthew Hanser, Governance Committee

DESCRIPTION: At the June 20, 2016, Governance Committee meeting, future professional

development sessions with Mr. Dennis Cheesebrow from TeamWorks

International were discussed. The Committee felt it advisable to schedule

sessions as soon as possible in order accommodate the calendars of the Board,

Mr. Cheesebrow and administration.

FISCAL NOTE:

RECOMMENDATION: The Governance Committee recommends the Board approve contracting

with Dennis Cheesebrow of TeamWorks International for professional

development sessions (Sessions I-III) on September 22, October 5, and

October 19, 2016 in an amount not to exceed $3,250 per session.

Racine Unified School District 3109 Mt. Pleasant St., Racine, Wisconsin 53404 (262) 635-5600

Board of Education


Documents

Board Consent Agendafiles.ctctcdn.com/87d6fed8001/10ebafea-fb9a-481e-bc4e-a7c3d42ea… · Dr. Haws presented a report on 2016 Summer School. Major discussion points included: 9 Elementary