Woodland Park School District Re-2
                       BOARD OF EDUCATION                           
Regular Board Meeting – December 14, 2011

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Amy Nieman at 7:03 p.m. with the following members present: Bill Blackburn, Carol Greenstreet, Rob Hunt, Rick Wetzel, and Mrs. Nieman.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION Hunt, second Blackburn, to approve the agenda as presented.  MOTION CARRIED; Voting Aye – Blackburn, Greenstreet, Hunt, Nieman, Wetzel.

HIGH SCHOOL STUCO REPORT
STUCO Representative Peyton Ashcraft reported the Drive Smart campaign went very well and the Harvest of Love food drive collected 1200 cans of food for the Community Cupboard.  STUCO is currently working on a 'Pay It Forward' project and the theme for the Spring Spirit Week Dance is 'Alice in Wonderland'.

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR REPORT
High School Activities Director Brian Gustafson reported at the Middle School:  Boys basketball season ended with the 8th grade team in a tie for 4th place in the league, the 7th grade team finished 2nd in league; Girls basketball started this past Monday and games will begin in January; Forensics had their first meet at Russell Middle School last Saturday with 16 pieces making it to finals.  Following is a summary of students that placed in the top three: 3rd Place: Interp of Drama: Olivia Ostendorf, Poetry: Hannah Hobson; 2nd Place: Duet-Serious: Jenni Anna/Becca Mijares, Interp of Humor: Jordan Maki, Impromptu: Jenny Lau, Poetry: Alli Busby, Readers’ Theatre: Zak Hess/Jenny Lau/Cheyenne Hellman/Michelle Cruse; 1st Place:  Interp of Drama: Jordan Hernandez. 

Musical happenings this Friday and Saturday – ‘Lady Pirates of the Caribbean’ will be performed both Friday and Saturday evening at 7:00 as well as a Saturday matinee at 2:00.  All shows are at the Middle School. 

High School Report: 2011-12 Athletic/Activities Accomplishments in Football:  Louie Neil - All Conference 1st Team Punter, All Conference 1st Team Wide Receiver, All Conference 1st Team Defensive Back; Jacob Censner - All Conference  1st Team QB; Jacob Schaller – All Conference 2nd Team Offensive Line; Tyler Casey - All Conference Honorable Mention Wide Receiver; Hunter Gunneson - All Conference Honorable Mention Running Back.  In Soccer:  Jake Sells - CSML 1st Team Soccer; Phil Simon - CSML HM Soccer, Riley Youngman - CSML HM Soccer.  In Cross Country: State Qualifiers - Joe Hopfe, Cienna Hopkins, Annie Woods, Savanah Ebhert, Megan Dillinger, Anne Fisher, Kelly Johnson, Lexi Harrison.  In Softball:  Allie Cunningham - CSML 1st Team, Mallory Trichell - CSML 1st Team, Kelee Suggs - CSML 2nd Team, Michaela Huntington - CSML 2nd Team, Danni Lopez - CSML 2nd Team, Elsa Huber - CSML HM, Lexi Comer - CSML HM.  In Volleyball:  Elin Saxon - CSML Honorable Mention, Carli Vahsholtz - CSML Honorable Mention.  Band placed 3rd in State Competition.

Wrestling - one first place individual at Conifer Invite was Cameron Arias 138 lbs; the 2nd Mountain Madness Invitational concluded last week with 9 varsity boys games and 9 varsity girls games contested over a three day period - Girls went 3-0 (4-2 overall), Boys went 1-2; and Winter Sports league play will begin after the Winter Break.

CONVERSATION
This month's conversation was about energy resources. Superintendent Bowman gave a PowerPoint presentation on our natural gas, electricity, and water usage in the District over a four year period.  He also reviewed fuel costs.
 
After presenting the information, discussion took place on ideas and future energy resource planning:  perhaps in front of Middle School the lawn could be replaced with xeriscaping to save on water; look into geo-thermal and wind; with our current light fixtures that hold 4 bulbs - reduce to 3 bulbs; install more light sensors in our buildings; install rain sensors so sprinkler systems do not water when it is not necessary.  Superintendent Bowman has charged his members of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council to gather ideas from their peers and will report back their findings to the Board of Education at a future meeting.
 
The Board of Education thanked Dr. Bowman for the information and thanked those who participated in the conversation.

CONSENT CALENDAR/Blanket Motion
MOTION Greenstreet, second Wetzel, to accept administrative recommendation and approve action on the following items:
 
VII.a. Minutes – Board Meeting November 9 and Board Work Session November 16, 2011

VII.b. Bills & Financials (Addendum A)

VII.c.1. Personnel – New Contracts – Certified:  Roger Duroux, HS Math, Second Semester Only; Co-Curricular:  Laurel Nard, Girls Asst. Softball Coach; Guest Teacher List:  As Presented.

VII.c.2. Personnel – Resignations – Certified:  Darlene Hunera, Speech Language Pathologist, resignation effective December 21, 2011; Sarah Kaka, HS Social Studies, resignation effective January 5, 2012; Classified:  David Taylor, GES Night Custodian, resignation effective December 8, 2011.

VII.d. Monitoring Report EL-7, Financial Administration

VII.e. Board Governance Policy BS/R-4

VII.f. Mill Levy Certification (Addendum B)

VII.g. 2011-2012 Specific Budget Resolution #1 (Addendum C)

MOTION CARRIED; Voting Aye – Blackburn, Greenstreet, Hunt, Nieman, Wetzel.

SENATE BILL 191 UPDATE
Superintendent Bowman shared the draft rules were approved by the Colorado State Board of Education and the rules will now be forwarded to state legislation for further action.  We will complete our internal audit in early January prior to the next meeting of the District Evaluation Council later in the month of January.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Superintendent Bowman gave an update to the Board of Education on potential bills the state legislation may act upon:  student count date change of looking at average daily attendance rate vs. a one day physical count; CSAP elimination; On-line accountability; pro-voucher; anti-voucher; discipline – zero tolerance; and PERA reduction to name a few.  The 2012 Colorado legislation session starts January 11.

Superintendent Bowman also shared the results of the Lobato Case.  He distributed and reviewed highlights and key findings in the Lobato vs. State trial court decision.   Although the judge ruled that K-12 education is severely underfunded, the state is allowed to continue using their current funding formula for now.  The state most likely will appeal this decision.

GP-4 REVIEW FOR JANUARY APPROVAL
Superintendent Bowman reminded the board to review board policy GP-4 as it will be up for approval at the January Regular Board meeting.

DURHAM SERVICES UPDATE
John Thomasson of Durham Services gave a presentation to the Board of Education on the services they provide our District and reviewed the operations, equipment, safety, community, and employees.  Mr. Thomasson shared they have a great working relationship with the District.  The Board of Education complimented Durham Services for their service and how good a job the drivers are doing.

2011-2012 REVISED BUDGET APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION
Director of Business Services Brian Gustafson reviewed the 2011-2012 revised budget with the Board of Education (Addendum D).  MOTION Blackburn, second Greenstreet, to approve the 2011-2012 revised budget appropriation resolution as presented.  MOTION CARRIED, Voting Aye – Blackburn, Greenstreet, Hunt, Nieman, Wetzel. 

WPEA REPORT
WPEA President Lois DeVaux reported an all-member meeting was recently held; an officer’s meeting was held since Vice President Sarah Kaka has resigned from the District; and on Friday, December 16th at 7:00 a.m. they are hosting a farewell breakfast at the high school for three staff members that are leaving.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Bowman thanked and recognized all parent volunteers in our school system.  We have deep gratitude and appreciation for the countless hours they contribute to student learning and support of our staff.

Superintendent Bowman reviewed dates for the board to mark on their calendars:  December 22 – January 5 – Holiday Break; Wednesday, January 11 School Board Meeting.

Superintendent Bowman shared we participated in the Lighter Side of Christmas Parade and focused on the ‘trail to success’ theme and we are appreciative for the great picture that was in the online Courier View.

Superintendent Bowman shared we are working on a plan to send a WPSD Highlights postcard to our communities.  The costs have been established and we need to determine our messaging and timelines.

Superintendent Bowman shared we have begun initial planning for the 2012-2013 budget.  We conducted an exercise using a 4% reduction as a starting point.  Whatever we do, it will have negative impact on our families and most importantly our students.  We will engage with School Accountability Committees in January and these meetings will be the primary point for community input for the budget development.

Superintendent Bowman shared we finalized our insurance broker selection and chose Benefit Solutions.  We had a highly competitive process where 5 companies submitted to our RFP.  The decision was difficult and we appreciated that so many people were vying to serve our District.  We will conduct similar RFPs in the near future in most areas where we can possibly seek ways to reduce our expenditures.

Superintendent Bowman shared that despite a challenging budget time, he has a passion for education and his family is grateful to be a part of this amazing community.  He is impressed with our staff and the exemplary job they are doing to educate the children of WPSD Re-2.  The partnership between staff, parent(s)/guardian(s) and students is evident as we do our best to educate our students to thrive in the 21st Century.

Superintendent Bowman reported to the Board of Education that a total of 98 students are enrolled in Home-Based Education Programs. 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT
Board of Education Secretary Carol Greenstreet shared information about a recent article in The Gazette about accreditation and how interesting it is that the schools that recently passed mill levy elections have accreditation with distinction - so money does matter; she also highlighted the sessions she attended at the CASB convention.

Board Director Rick Wetzel shared the Madrigal dinner was well attended and a wonderful performance.

Board President Amy Nieman praised Superintendent Bowman and his boys for shaving their heads to raise funds for student Garret Niles who has cancer; she also praised Hot Heads Salon for providing free services to Columbine Elementary staff and to Joanie’s Bakery for providing the food.  Hot Heads Salon will be providing a day for the other schools as well.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION Blackburn, second Hunt, to adjourn to executive session at 8:42 p.m. for a personnel matter C.R.S. §24-6-402(4)(f).  MOTION CARRIED; Voting Aye – Blackburn, Greenstreet, Hunt, Nieman, Wetzel.

MOTION Wetzel, second Hunt, to adjourn from executive session at 9:15 p.m. MOTION CARRIED; Voting Aye – Blackburn, Greenstreet, Hunt, Nieman, Wetzel.

ADJOURN
MOTION Wetzel, second Greenstreet, to adjourn the meeting at 9:16 p.m.  MOTION CARRIED; Voting Aye – Blackburn, Greenstreet, Hunt, Nieman, Wetzel.

    Attest:
 
    
    Board of Education Secretary

    Board of Education President
 

ADDENDUM A
 
ADDENDUM B
 
ADDENDUM C
 
ADDENDUM D