Madison Metropolitan School District s3

Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin

Art Rainwater, Superintendent

BOARD OF EDUCATION Doyle Administration Building Minutes for SPECIAL MEETING 545 W. Dayton Street, Room 103 September 12, 2005 Madison, Wisconsin

The Special Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Carol Carstensen at 6:06 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Bill Keys, Lawrie Kobza, Juan José López, Shwaw Vang, Johnny Winston, Jr.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Ruth Robarts

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT: Connor Gants

STAFF PRESENT: Sue Abplanalp, Mary Gulbrandsen, Kurt Kiefer, Pam Nash, Roger Price, Art Rainwater, Ken Syke, Ann Wilson-Recording Secretary

1. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Bill Keys and seconded by Shwaw Vang to approve the Special Meeting minutes dated August 29, 2005 as distributed. Student representative advisory vote – aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present.

2. Public Appearances David Cohen encouraged and noted the north side supports open dialog about an equity policy. He also stated there is need for a committee, that the formula does not adapt from year to year, he wondered how baseline poverty relates to the index. He felt the policy is supportive of recruiting minority staff.

3. Announcements There were no announcements.

4. Equity Resource Formula 5. Board Policy 9011 – Equity 6. Proposed Equity Policy (Written materials provided: Questions and Answers – Equity Resource Formula and Draft Equity Policy – attached to the original of these minutes.)

Carol Carstensen noted that this topic was discussed at the previous meeting and the Board indicated it desired to establish a task force. She wished to confirm that this was still the desire of the Board, or would it be preferable to keep the discussion at the board level regarding the policy the district should have, or leave the existing policy in place recognizing it does not include a formula.

In response to Carol Carstensen’s question about how the administration deals with resources, Art Rainwater responded that it occurs through the SIP (School Improvement Planning) process and he believes this process meets the current policy except for one area. The policy states the Board will approve strategies and that part has not been done. The administration carefully analyzes strategies, including reviewing data, and makes a reasoned judgment about whether those strategies fit the needs of the school. Additional resources are sometimes provided from other sources (reading coach, CSR grants, for example).

COMMENTS/DISCUSSION:  There is already a policy in place, which just needs to be implemented.  Demographics have changed, this is not a regional issue, should not take resources from one school and give them to another, district does not have additional resources.  Because of cuts, children do not get the resources they had in the past. Should form a task force as that was the wish of the board.  All board members should be given an opportunity to be heard. The Board voted for a task force and it should continue. Minutes for Special Meeting of the Board of Education September 12, 2005 Page 2

 Poorer schools need a voice. Board review is important. Equity policy provides a framework to discuss school performance; should follow that.  Policy should be updated to meet current situation.  Role of the Board is to ensure that action is taken to assure each school is supervised and improved – but not to decide what that action is. Some issues are critical for board discussion – existing policy looks more at staffing considerations. As resources decline, will be concerned with more than staffing, but also the programs that will be maintained.  Task force is a way to get input.  Nothing on paper will make a difference in the schools, only an exercise that will stretch staff. Policy will not satisfy anyone in agreement with equity because equity does not mean equal.  Have a responsibility to educate to fullest potential – the problem is continued budget constraints.

Carol Carstensen indicated she will work to implement the task force and come back to the Board with proposed membership including two representatives and one student representative from each attendance area.

7. Other Business There was no other business.

8. Adjournment It was moved by Bill Keys and seconded by Shwaw Vang to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Student representative advisory vote – aye. Motion unanimously carried by those present. aw