At the regular monthly meeting of the School Board Monday night, following closed session, the Board unanimously approved the hiring of Matt Austin to be the next Mineral Point High School Principal, commencing with the 2019-20 school year. (Scroll past the video for more article text)
Mr. Austin has been a science teacher at Mineral Point High School since 2012. In August 2016, he finished his Master’s in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He earned his undergraduate degree from UWP with majors in Biology and Broadfield Science with minors in Chemistry and Physics.
“As a Principal, my greatest aspiration is to create a school culture where I am visible to staff and students, helping develop an educational program that is advantageous for student learning through a well-rounded curriculum that includes vibrant co-curricular offerings. My professional goal is to support staff growth and development, as well as encourage teamwork and collaboration through using Professional Learning Communities or other means. Along with this goal, I am committed to students making connections with the community through service learning opportunities.”
Other business:
— The meeting began with recognitions of State Senate Scholar, State Future Business Leaders of America, State Forensics, State Honors Choir, State Solo & Ensemble, State Skills USA, and State FFA Career Development Events.
— The Board voted unanimously to keep the same set of officers as last year — Jeff Basting, President; Nate Chambers, Vice President; Everett Lindsey, Clerk; and Larry Steffes, Treasurer.
Nate Chambers was voted CESA 3 Delegate and Aaron Dunn is WASB Delegate.
Angie Schubert was again voted Board Secretary.
There was some discussion around the meeting dates and times. Traditionally, the school has held its meetings on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. Some Board members suggested the school changing the meetings to avoid a conflict with the City Council, whose meetings begin at 5:30 pm, also on the second Monday of the month.
Given some recent changes at the city level, the Board requested to find out more information before changing its meeting time. A decision will be made at the June 10 meeting.
The Board voted unanimously to keep its salaries the same as last year at $600 per member annually.
The Board also voted unanimously to keep its committee structure the same as last year.
Finance Committee: Chair Andy Busch, Vice Chair Larry Steffes
Operations Committee: Chair Nate Chambers, Vice Chair Aaron Dunn
Personnel Committee: Chair Tony Dahl, Vice Chair Jeff Basting
Policy Committee: Chair Everett Lindsey, Vice Chair Andy Busch
(Go to the 23 minute mark)
— Lisa Voisin from Baird Financial was present to answer questions and get approval for the bonds to be borrowed for the elementary renovation/addition.
The Board unanimously approved both the resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of a $10,000,000 bond anticipation note, as well as the resolution authorizing the issuance and establishing parameters for the sale of not to exceed $10,000,000 general obligation refunding bonds,
At last month’s meeting, the Board discussed whether it wished to borrow all $11.92 million at once, or whether it wished to break it into two. It decided to not borrow all at once.
Voisin stated interest rates are great right now and are still coming down.
(Go to the one hour, 27 minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved CGC to perform the geotechnical site borings for the elementary school site, as well as aSmith to perform a 3D scan of the building to make better a determination of the movement of the elementary building foundation.
Superintendent Wainwright said the number one question everyone has about the elementary renovation has to deal with the foundation, and these studies should help with answers.
(Go to the three hour, 27 minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the second reading of therapy dog policy. Denise Gorgen, 2nd grade teacher at the elementary, will have a dog in her classroom in the near future. The policy is available here and will likely be part of the student registration process in the fall: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=44417051
(Go to the one hour, 41 minute mark)
— Senior Zoe Hay and Student Government Advisor Kristin Staver presented a re-cap of the first High School Social Awareness Day. (Go to the 48 minute mark)
— Director of Pupil Services Angela Klein presented a slideshow to the Board regarding special education funding, which can be found here: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=44413807
(Go to the 56 minute mark)
— Superintendent Wainwright and Finance Committee Chair Andy Busch shared a 2019-20 Preliminary Budget Report.
Wainwright stated the goal is to bring a balanced preliminary budget to the Board in June. The preliminary budget currently has no additional state aid built in, but it does factor in the $350k recurring operating referendum from November.
The comparison can be found here: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=44449883
(Go to the one hour, 17 minute mark)
— Superintendent Wainwright provided a brief update on Taher Food Service’s year to date review. (Go to the one hour, 23 minute, 45 second mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the District’s Library Policy, as required by the state, and presented by Kris McCoy and Micki Uppena. (Go to the one hour, 46 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the 2019-20 Teacher Contracts, Summer Contracts, and Additive Contracts as presented. (Go to the one hour, 52 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the Southwest Health Athletic Trainer contract for the 2019-20 school year at an increase of 2.1% over this school year. (Go to the two hour, four minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the CESA 3 contract for the 2019-20 school year. The contract is a reduction in cost from this year without changing any services. (Go to the two hour, 12 minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the transportation contract renewal with First Student. Three bids came in and First Student’s was in the middle, but other factors than just cost were considered. (Go to the two hour, 15 minute, 15 second mark)
— Unanimously approved the HSR architect contract for the elementary renovation/addition project. (Go to the two hour, 31 minute, 15 second mark)
— Unanimously approved the Gordon Flesch contract to lease copiers and printers. The lease represents a reduction in monthly payments from the prior five year agreement. (Go to the two hour, 36 minute mark)
— Approved by a 6-0-1 vote with Dunn abstaining the Dean Health Insurance renewal at a 5% increase for the 2019-20 school year. (Go to the two hour, 39 minute mark)
— Unanimously approved the fee schedule as proposed for the 2019-20 school year, except for the Macbook insurance, which will be discussed at a later meeting. The fee schedule is the same as for this school year.
Fee schedule: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=44428286
(Go to the two hour, 41 minute mark)
— The Board tabled the open enrollment in and out requests for the 2019-20 school year to an upcoming special meeting, until more clarity can be obtained regarding the possibility of altering the special ed enrollment caps put in place during January’s meeting, as mandated by the state. (Go to the two hour, 53 minute mark)
— Approved by a 6-0-1 vote with Basting abstaining the credit card statement and bills payable. (Go to the three hour, 34 minute, 30 second mark)
— Following closed session, approved 7-0 a CPI increase for non-certified staff, approved 7-0 a CPI increase for the elementary principal, and approved 6-0-1 with Dahl abstaining a CPI increase for the middle school principal.
— The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, June 10 at 6:30 pm.