Regular Meeting Minutes – March 18, 2013

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, MARCH 18, 2013

6:30 P.M.

 

Community Open Forum:  6:30 – 6:45 P.M.  Cindy Dorn, W2549 Cty Rd. O, addressed the board on the issues of support of a week-long spring break and concern for the growing number of students participating in summer school physical education.  Keesha Taylor, 340 Mulberry Drive, Waldo, also addressed the board with support of a week-long spring break but commented in favor of continuing summer school physical education including freshmen.  Tammy Ison, N4401 Cty Rd. I, and Nicole Kuplic, 1136 Partridge Run, addressed the board and expressed their support of a week-long spring break.

This regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of the School District of Sheboygan Falls was held on Monday evening, March 18, 2013, in the High School Library at Sheboygan Falls High School.  Board President, John Mauer, called the meeting to order at 6:52 P.M.

 

Present:           Mr. John Mauer, President

Mr. Tom Bigler, Vice President
Mr. Peter Geise, Treasurer

Mrs. Victoria Bramstedt, Clerk

Mrs. Linda Adams, Clerk Pro-Tem

Mr. Steve Aykens

Mr. John Johnson

Mrs. Julie Hahn, Board Secretary

Roll call was taken with 7 board members present.

 

M/S/Geise/Bigler to approve the agenda as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bigler/Bramstedt to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2013, Regular Board Meeting and the March 4, 2013, Special Board Meeting, as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bramstedt/Johnson to approve the accounts for February, 2013, as prepared.  Motion Carried Unanimously.  Expenditures for February, 2013, were $1,586,861.73.  Receipts for February, 2013, were $3,037,026.94.

 

Ann Roy. Director of Special Education and Pupil Services, and Carol Harpold, Occupational Therapist/Assistive Technology Specialist, along with staff members, Erin Higgins, Jodie Van Dixhorn, Linda Henry, Tammy Ison, Liz Miller, and Karen Shircel, presented to the board on assistive technology.  During the presentation the board had the opportunity to interact with numerous assistive devices currently used in our district.

 

Administrative Reports:

 

District/Jean Born:  Topics of discussion at legislative meeting included four areas of the budget-

funding in which a $0 increase per pupil is proposed, school vouchers, special education vouchers, and the state report card and the funding associated with it.  Also discussed was teacher evaluation, the school record system, and teacher licensing.

 

Luke Goral, High School Principal; Aaron May, Associate Principal/Athletic Director, Meloney Markofski, Middle School Principal; Kellie Manning, Elementary School Principal; Ann Roy, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services; Mary Lofy, Director of Instruction, and Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services, gave their monthly reports to the Board.

Committee Reports:

 

Personnel…Geise/Adams/Bramstedt.. Nothing to report.

 

Public Relations…Adams/Geise/Aykens.. Two meetings scheduled this week.

 

Policy…Mauer/Bigler.. Nothing to report.

 

Finance…Mauer/Johnson… Nothing to report.
Facilities…Bigler/Bramstedt… Nothing to report.

 

Recreation Board…Nothing to report.

CESA #7…Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Legislative/WASB…Adams.. Nothing to report.

 

School Foundation/Geise.. Nothing significant to report.

District Administrator Jean Born and the administrative team bring to the board for approval a proposed 2013-2014 school calendar. The board previously has discussed and reviewed the proposed calendar.  M/S/Bigler/Bramstedt to approve the 2013-2014 school calendar as presented.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services, reviewed the food service, debt service and community service budgets.

M/S/Adams/Johnson to approve the resignation of Mike Kobelsky, High School Special Education Teacher and Sarah Dengel, Middle School Guidance Counselor, as presented, with regrets and gratitude.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

Luke Goral, High School Principal, requested that the board approve a FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Community Fundraiser Activity to be held on Sunday, April 7, 2013.  M/S/Johnson/Bramstedt to approve the fundraiser activity as presented.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

M/S/Bigler/Adams to approve the gift of $1500 from Sigma-Aldrich Chemical to the High School Science Department, with gratitude and thanks.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bigler/Johnson to approve the Advertising on School Property as presented by Aaron May, Associate High School Principal/Athletic Director.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

Facilities Planning: Information Nights and community events are being attended by board members and staff in attempt to inform the public on the upcoming referendum.

 

M/S/Geise/Bramstedt to adjourn.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.

 

Minutes taken by Julie M. Hahn, Board Secretary

 

Approved by the Board of Education on April 15, 2013

 

Victoria Bramstedt, Board Clerk

Regular Meeting Minutes – February 18, 2013

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, February 18, 2013

6:30 P.M.

 

Community Open Forum:  6:30 – 6:45 P.M.
Nicole Kuplic, 1136 Partridge Run, Carla Behling, 122 Menominee Drive, and Emily Rathke, W2429 Winter Court, addressed the board and expressed their support of a spring break.

 

This regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of the School District of Sheboygan Falls was held on Monday evening, February 18, 2013, in the High School Library at Sheboygan Falls High School.  Board Vice-President, Tom Bigler, called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

 

Present:           Mr. Tom Bigler, Vice President
Mr. Peter Geise, Treasurer

Mrs. Victoria Bramstedt, Clerk

Mrs. Linda Adams, Clerk Pro-Tem

Mr. Steve Aykens

Mr. John Johnson

Mrs. Julie Hahn, Board Secretary

Absent:            Mr. John Mauer, President
Roll call was taken with 6 board members present.

 

M/S/Bramstedt/Geise to approve the agenda as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Geise/Adams to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2013, Regular Board Meeting and the minutes of the January 30, 2013, Special Board Meeting, as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Aykens/Johnson to approve the accounts for January, 2013, as prepared.  Motion Carried Unanimously.  Expenditures for January, 2013, were $1,544,327.97.  Receipts for January, 2013, were $3,884,699.96.

 

Julie Holbrook, CESA 6, presented on the Educator Effectiveness Project, a professional evaluation system, which will be implemented in our district in 2014-2015, with a pilot group beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.

Administrative Reports:

 

District/Jean Born:  Governor Walker’s budget plans for education include public school aid increase, and Wisconsin’s voucher school program would expand to nine districts across the state, including special education vouchers.  SWAT training was held at the elementary school today.

Luke Goral, High School Principal; Aaron May, Associate Principal/Athletic Director, Meloney Markofski, Middle School Principal; Kellie Manning, Elementary School Principal; Mary Lofy, Director of Instruction, and Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services, gave their monthly reports to the Board.

Committee Reports:

 

Personnel…Geise/Adams/Bramstedt.. Met and discussed educator compensation design and employee benefits.  Teacher group has filed for mediation after rejecting the last settlement.

 

Public Relations…Adams/Geise/Aykens.. Met on January 22nd and summarized and incorporated staff input that was gathered.  Also discussed on-line format with which to proceed and set up future meeting dates.  Protocol for addressing parents that bring issues to the board was also discussed.

 

Policy…Mauer/Bigler..Nothing to report.

 

Finance…Mauer/Johnson…Nothing to report.
Facilities…Bigler/Bramstedt… Nothing to report.

 

Recreation Board…Nothing to report.

CESA #7…Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Legislative/WASB…Adams.. Nothing to report.

 

School Foundation/Geise.. Nothing significant to report.

M/S/Geise/Johnson to approve the gift of $3880 to the district from Jamie and Julie Caldwell in memory of Dominick Debbink.  This donation is to be used to educate students at the high school on Reckless Driving Awareness.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

2012-2013 Calendar: Jean Born reported that Board protocol was followed and that the Board of Education and Administration strongly believe that,  improving student achievement and supporting the professional development of all staff to improve student achievement, should direct the school calendar.  Achieving this goal was the reason that three days were removed from spring break and distributed throughout the rest of the school year.  Letters were sent to the parents who shared concern at the last board meeting and administration is clarifying language in all handbooks for a consistent practice in all three buildings that is communicated to our families.  The 2013-2014 calendar will be approved at the March board meeting.

 

M/S/Adams/Johnson to approve the high school student trip to Germany from approximately June 7 – July 4, 2013.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

M/S/Geise/Bramstedt to approve the Final Reading of NEOLA Policies…Bylaw 0167.2 Closed Session (Revised), Policy 1422 Non Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity (New), Policy 2414 Human Growth and Development (Revised), Policy 3122/4122 Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity (Revised), Policy 3131/4131 Reduction in Staff (Revised), 3140 Termination, Non-Renewal and Resignation (Revised), Policy 3220 Staff Evaluation (Revised), Policy 3340/4340 Grievance Procedure (Revised), Policy 5630.01 Use of Restraint and Seclusion with Students (New), Policy 6320 Purchasing (Revised), Policy 8141 Required Reporting of Staff Conduct (New), Policy 8210 School Calendar, Policy 8330 Student Records (Revised), Policy 8405 Environmental Health and Safety Program (Revised), Policy 8462 Student Abuse and Neglect (Revised), Policy 8500 Food Service (Revised), Policy 8540 Vending Machines (Revised), Policy 9160 Public Attendance at School Events (Revised).  Motion Carried Unanimously.

Facilities Planning:  Referendum information boards have arrived; they will be distributed with the information fact sheets at various places in the community and in our schools.  March 12 and March 20 are the community referendum information nights at the middle school. Postcards have been mailed and the newsletter will go out soon.

 

M/S/Aykens/Geise to adjourn.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 

Minutes taken by Julie M. Hahn, Board Secretary

 

Approved by the Board of Education on March 18, 2013.

 

Victoria Bramstedt, Board Clerk

 

Regular Meeting Minutes – January 21, 2013

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, JANUARY 21, 2013

6:30 P.M.

 

Community Open Forum:  6:30 – 6:45 P.M.

Nicole Kuplic, 1136 Partridge Run, Carla Behling, 122 Menominee Drive, and Jay and Stacy Schreurs, 130 Crestwood Drive, all of Sheboygan Falls, addressed the board on the topics of spring break, the retention of and district ability to attract quality teachers, and the consistent interpretation of excused/unexcused absences in the district.  The board will follow-up with each concern individually.  The board then asked opinions of how to communicate topics better in our district.

This regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of the School District of Sheboygan Falls was held on Monday evening, January 21, 2013, in the High School Library at Sheboygan Falls High School.  Board President, John Mauer, called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

 

Present:           Mr. John Mauer, President

Mr. Tom Bigler, Vice President
Mr. Peter Geise, Treasurer

Mrs. Victoria Bramstedt, Clerk

Mrs. Linda Adams, Clerk Pro-Tem

Mr. Steve Aykens

Mr. John Johnson

Mrs. Julie Hahn, Board Secretary
Roll call was taken with 7 board members present.

 

M/S/Geise/Bramstedt to approve the agenda as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bigler/Adams to approve the minutes of the December 17, 2012 Regular Board Meeting and the minutes of the January 10th, January 14th, and January 17th, 2013, Special Board Meetings, as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bigler/Bramstedt to approve the accounts for December, 2012, as prepared.  Motion Carried Unanimously.  Expenditures for December, 2012, were $1,793,847.43.  Receipts for December, 2012, were $2,761,211.08.

Administrative Reports:

 

District/Jean Born: Topic discussions included:  School Vouchers, waiver to No Child Left Behind-math/science standards, school funding; education is one of the five state priorities, and the additional topics of medicare and small business committees.

Luke Goral, High School Principal; Meloney Markofski, Middle School Principal; Kellie Manning, Elementary School Principal; Ann Roy, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services; Mary Lofy, Director of Instruction, Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services, and Aaron May, Associate Principal/Athletic Director, gave their monthly reports to the Board.

Committee Reports:

 

Personnel…Geise/Adams/Bramstedt.. Compensation/performance based strategy model is being addressed to maintain and attract the best teachers.

 

Public Relations…Adams/Geise/Aykens.. Met and are working, with the teachers/staff, on the vision and mission branding statement.

 

Policy…Mauer/Bigler.. Met and discussed NEOLA policies, will address later in the meeting.

Finance…Mauer/Johnson.. Will report later in the meeting.

Facilities…Bigler/Bramstedt… Will discuss later in the meeting.

 

Recreation Board…Nothing to report.  Meeting on Feb. 13th.

CESA #7…Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Legislative/WASB…Adams.. Nothing to report.

 

School Foundation/Geise.. Nothing new to report.

M/S/Geise/Bigler to approve the Final reading of NEOLA Policy 5113: Open Enrollment.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Johnson/Bigler to approve the First Reading of NEOLA Policies…Bylaw 0167.2 Closed Session (Revised), Policy 1422 Non Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity (New), Policy 2414 Human Growth and Development (Revised), Policy 3122/4122 Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity (Revised), Policy 3131/4131 Reduction in Staff (Revised), 3140 Termination, Non-Renewal and Resignation (Revised), Policy 3220 Staff Evaluation (Revised), Policy 3340/4340 Grievance Procedure (Revised), Policy 5630.01 Use of Restraint and Seclusion with Students (New), Policy 6320 Purchasing (Revised), Policy 8141 Required Reporting of Staff Conduct (New), Policy 8210 School Calendar, Policy 8330 Student Records (Revised), Policy 8405 Environmental Health and Safety Program (Revised), Policy 8462 Student Abuse and Neglect (Revised), Policy 8500 Food Service (Revised), Policy 8540 Vending Machines (Revised), Policy 9160 Public Attendance at School Events (Revised).  Motion Carried Unanimously.

M/S/Geise/Aykens to approve the resignation of Gwen Pribek, High School Mathematics Teacher, as presented with regrets and gratitude, upon payment of the contractual liquidated damage fee of $805.00.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

Jean Born informed the board that a long-term substitute has been secured for the high school mathematics opening that will occur.
M/S/Geise/Adams to accept to accept the retirement letters from Anne Bilgo, Speech and Language Pathologist, Judith Hittman, Grade 5 Teacher and Kristine Williams, Grade 1/2 Teacher, as presented.   Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

Personnel Committee showed interest in conducting exit interviews with the retiring teachers seeking feedback on how the board is doing in regard to their role in the district.

 

Under Act 114 and BOE Policy 5113, school boards must determine the number of available spaces for regular and special education open enrollment students at their January board meeting.  M/S/Adams/Geise to approve 12 spaces for 4K, 5 for 5K, 10 for Grade 1, 9 for Grade 2, 8 for Grade 3, 5 for Grade 4, 14 for Grade 5, 3 for Grade 6, 0 for Grade 7, 0 for Grade 8, 10 for Grade 9, 10 for Grade 10, 10 for Grade 11, 10 for Grade 12, 0 special education spaces for Grades 4K – 12, and 2 special education spaces for EC (early Childhood/4 year old), for the 2013-2014 school year.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

The Personnel Committee has been working on compensation for the professional staff employees and at this time are not ready for board approval.

 

M/S/Adams/Aykens to accept the donation of $1000 to the Finance Park Program from F.K. Bemis Family Foundation, with thanks.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Geise/Johnson to accept the donation of $3,493.05 toward maintenance of the weight room in the High School from The Athletic Booster/Falcon Fit Clubs, with thanks.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

Ken Liebenstein, High School Fishing Club Advisor, is requesting the board’s approval of the annual summer fishing club trip to Ontario, Canada, July 26 – August 3, 2013.  M/S/Geise/Adams to approve the fishing club trip to Canada next July, 2013 as presented.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

M/S/Geise/Bramstedt to approve the proposed changes to the 2012-2013 budgets as presented by Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

Mary Blaha also provided information for discussions regarding the upcoming 2013-2014 budget.

M/S/Geise/Adams to approve the contract between the School District of Sheboygan Falls and C G Schmidt, Inc.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

The Board of Education will need to officially approve the resolution that will appear on the ballot for the spring election on April 2, 2013.  The deadline for this wording, which has to be to the county clerk’s office, is Tuesday, January 22, 2013.  M/S/Bramstedt/Bigler to approve the Initial Resolution Authorizing General Obligation Bonds in An Amount Not to Exceed $33,800,000.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bramstedt/Bigler to approve the Resolution providing for a Referendum Election on the question of the approval of an Initial Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $33,800,000.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Aykens/Geise to adjourn.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

 

Minutes taken by Julie M. Hahn, Board Secretary

 

Approved by the Board of Education on February 18, 2013.

 

Victoria Bramstedt, Board Clerk

 

Regular Meeting Minutes – December 17, 2012

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, DECEMBER 17, 2012

6:30 P.M.

 

Community Open Forum:  6:30 – 6:45 P.M.

This regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of the School District of Sheboygan Falls was held on Monday evening, December 17, 2012, in the High School Library at Sheboygan Falls High School.  Board President, John Mauer, called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

 

Present:           Mr. John Mauer, President

Mr. Tom Bigler, Vice President
Mr. Peter Geise, Treasurer

Mrs. Victoria Bramstedt, Clerk

Mrs. Linda Adams, Clerk Pro-Tem

Mr. Steve Aykens

Mr. John Johnson

Mrs. Julie Hahn, Board Secretary
Roll call was taken with 7 board members present.

 

M/S/Geise/Bramstedt to approve the agenda as printed with the exception of item #9, adding the wording “and Support Staff” following the existing wording, Compensation for Non-Represented Employees.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bigler/Geise to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2012 Regular Board Meeting and the minutes of the November 29th, December 7th, and December 13th, 2012, Special Board Meetings, as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bigler/Geise to approve the accounts for November, 2012, as prepared.  Motion Carried Unanimously.  Expenditures for November, 2012, were $1,569,194.03.  Receipts for November, 2012, were $318,108.17.

Administrative Reports:

 

District/Jean Born: Background information on vouchers was sent to board members as requested.  Discussion this morning at legislative meeting included vouchers, regulation reform-administrative rules which includes 56 chapters, state funding linked to school performance/accountability, career readiness folders and youth options, apprenticeship programs, Sheboygan county mental health options, and FMLA at federal and state levels.  District Leadership team has been discussing the calendar for the 2013-2014 school year, survey data will be collected at some time and approval will be brought to the board at the February meeting.  School and educator effectiveness models are being looked into.  We have two choices- CESA 6 and DPI model.  Physical education policy- WIAA sport in lieu of PE .5 credit-policy committee will look at tomorrow.

 

Kellie Manning, Elementary School Principal; Ann Roy, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services; and Mary Lofy, Director of Instruction, gave their monthly reports to the Board.

Committee Reports:

 

Personnel…Geise/Adams/Bramstedt.. Met and discussed personnel compensation.  Will discuss later in the meeting, item #9.  Have come to an agreement with the support staff and non-represented employees, still working with the teachers.

 

Public Relations…Adams/Geise/Aykens.. Vision/Mission/Branding- committee will go back and get the teacher’s input at this point.

Policy…Mauer/Bigler.. Meeting tomorrow.

Finance…Bramstedt/Mauer.. Nothing to report.

Facilities…Bigler/Bramstedt… Nothing to report.

 

Recreation Board…Nothing to report.

CESA #7…Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Legislative/WASB…Adams.. Nothing to report.

 

School Foundation/Geise.. Nothing significant to report.

 

In response to recent Board conversations and changing student demographics, Mary Lofy, Director of Instruction, and Ann Roy, Director of  Pupil Services and Special Education, presented information on the update and implications of poverty in our school community and specific data on local prevalence.

 

The Personnel Committee discussed their recommendation for compensation for the non-represented and support staff employees and seeks Board approval to move forward. The proposed recommendation is aligned with the 2012-13 budget and BOE compensation guidelines.  M/S/Geise/Bramstedt to approve the personnel committee’s recommendation of a non-base building compensation, $960 pro-rated according to Full Time Equivalency, divided into 2 payments, to be paid to all non-represented and support staff employees for the 2012-2013 school year. Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services, presented in board packets the provisional updates to the 403(b) plan and seeks approval of these updates.  M/S/Bramstedt/Adams to approve the provisional changes to the 403(b) plan as presented. Motion Carried 6/0, Aykens/Abstained.

As the administration begins to determine open enrollment seats for January Jean asked that the BOE discuss their feelings about class sizes in the District.  Board policies were reviewed and there are no specific number guidelines identified. In grades 5K-3 the SAGE grant determines the class size, 18 to 1.  Prior to that the BOE kept class sizes in the low 20’s in those grades.  In grades 4-8 the class sizes have ranged from 24–30 and in grades 9-12 they have ranged from 24-35.  There are some exceptions to that range including music and PE which may have 40+ students in the class or in courses where larger numbers of students may create a safety concern such as welding or lab science courses.  With the changing demographics of our students and the increasing accountability measures in place from the state the administration would certainly recommend that the BOE stay within the guidelines we currently support, 5K-3 (currently SAGE), 4-8 (22-25), 9-12 (24-35).  Administration continues to explore alternatives for instruction that are less dependent on class sizes with the use of technology tools.  John Mauer expressed concern with the high end of 35 at the high school level.  Jean reminded the board that when numbers have gotten high in the past, it is brought back to the board for possible solutions including staff additions.
Facilities Planning:  The board approved the resolution of necessity, results of the traffic study have been reviewed and EUA has been working with administration with necessary spaces in the new building as we proceed with programming.  Appraisals are in process.  Resolution deadline is January 22nd.  Next meeting is scheduled for January 10th,  when they hope to have a footprint and flow of traffic for the potential site.  The cost of bleachers was brought up by Tom Bigler.  He expressed concern of the cost that has been estimated.

M/S/Geise/Bigler to adjourn.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

 

Minutes taken by Julie M. Hahn, Board Secretary

 

Approved by the Board of Education on January 21, 2013.

 

Victoria Bramstedt, Board Clerk

 

 

Open Enrollment 2014-2015

CLICK LINK BELOW
A message from Superintendent Jean Born

How to Apply For Open Enrollment

For the 2014-2015 School Year

 

The Open Enrollment Application Period for the 2014-2015 School Year
is from February 3, 2014 – April 30, 2014

The Department of Public Instruction recommends that parents apply for Open Enrollment through the on-line application process.

During the application period, the on-line applications can be found at the following DPI web site location: http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/sms_psctoc

What is Public School Open Enrollment?

Wisconsin’s inter-district public school open enrollment program allows parents to apply for their children to attend school districts other than the one in which they live.

Who may participate in open enrollment?

Students in 5-year-old kindergarten to grade 12 may apply to participate in open enrollment.

Open enrollment for pre-kindergarten, 4-year-old kindergarten and early childhood education is limited. Parents should call their resident school districts to find out if their preschool-aged children qualify for open enrollment.

How and when may parents apply?

The open enrollment application period for the 2014-2015 school year is from February 3-April 30, 2014. Late applications will not be accepted for any reason.

Parents may apply in one of two ways:

  • On-line application at http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/sms_psctoc
    (NOTE: this site will close on April 30th at 4:00 p.m.) The Sheboygan Falls District Office, located at 220 Amherst Ave., will have a computer available between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for parents who are applying to open enroll their students to Sheboygan Falls. Help will also be available for completion of the on-line application.
  • Although completion of the on-line application is recommended by DPI, paper applications may be printed from the Department of Public Instruction web site or can be picked up at your school district office. Paper copies must be returned to the nonresident school district (the district that your student is applying to attend) before February 24th at 4:00 P.M. It is recommended that paper applications be hand delivered to the nonresident district office.

Can applications be submitted to more than one school district?

Applications may be submitted to up to three nonresident school districts.

Can I apply to a virtual charter school under open enrollment?

Yes. It is strongly recommended that applications to attend virtual charter schools be submitted on-line. Other important things to know about applying to virtual charter schools:

  • A virtual charter school is not home-schooling. Students attending virtual charter schools are public school students.
  • You must know the nonresident school district in which the virtual charter school is located. If you have any questions about this, call the virtual charter school.
  • You must know your resident school district in order to apply.
  • State law limits the number of students that may attend virtual charter schools under open enrollment. You may be placed on a waiting list.

Can an application be rejected?

Yes. Nonresident school districts may deny an application if regular or special education space is not available for the student, if the student has been referred for a special education evaluation but has not yet been evaluated, or if the student has been expelled during the current or preceding two years for certain violent conduct.

If there are more applications than spaces, students must be selected randomly, after giving preference to students already attending school in the nonresident school district and siblings of currently-attending students.

Some school districts establish waiting lists to fill unused spaces, but others do not.

Can a resident district prevent a student from leaving?

A resident school district may prevent a student from leaving the district if the tuition charge for the student’s special education in the nonresident school district is an undue financial burden for the resident school district.

If you have further questions about open enrollment for children with disabilities, contact the resident or nonresident school district or the DPI.

Can parents appeal if an application is denied?

Parents whose applications are denied may appeal to the DPI within 30 days of the denial. State law requires the DPI to uphold the school district’s decision unless DPI finds that the decision was arbitrary or unreasonable. The DPI’s decision may be appealed to circuit court.

Must students reapply every year?

Once a student is accepted into a nonresident school district, the student may continue to attend that district without reapplication except that:

  • The nonresident district may require a student to reapply one time—at the beginning of middle school, junior high or high school. Sheboygan Falls does not require anyone to reapply once they have been approved. If your student is currently attending school in Sheboygan Falls under open enrollment, DO NOT SUBMIT ANOTHER APPLICATION.
  • Under certain circumstances, a student who needs special education may be required to return to the student’s resident school district.

Is there a cost to parents for open enrollment?

There is no tuition cost to parents for participation in open enrollment. Parents of open enrolled students may be charged the same fees as resident students.

Who is responsible for transportation?

Parents are responsible for transporting their children to and from school.

If transportation is required in the individualized education program (IEP) for a child with a disability, it must be provided by the nonresident district.

School districts may provide transportation to open enrollment students if they wish. Usually, if transportation is provided, parents must transport the student to a location in the nonresident district.

Low-income parents may apply to the DPI for partial reimbursement of their transportation costs.

Can a parent select a specific school in the student’s resident school district?

The state’s open enrollment program applies only to transfers from one school district to another school district. It is up to each individual school board to decide whether or not to allow transfers from one attendance area to another attendance area in the same school district.

Can an open enrolled student participate in sports and other extra –curricular activities in the nonresident school district?

Open enrolled students have the same rights and responsibilities as resident students.

Inter-scholastic athletics are governed by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA), which has recently adopted new rules concerning transfer students. Parents should check with the WIAA or the school district’s athletic director about eligibility.

The Entire Open Enrollment Brochure for the 2014-2015 School Year Can Be Found At

The Department of Public Instruction Website: http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/sms_psctoc

Regular Meeting Minutes – November 19, 2012

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, NOVEMBER 19, 2012

6:30 P.M.

 

Community Open Forum:  6:30 – 6:45 P.M.

This regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of the School District of Sheboygan Falls was held on Monday evening, November 19, 2012, in the High School Library at Sheboygan Falls High School.  Board Vice-President, Tom Bigler, called the meeting to order at 6:31 P.M.

 

Present:           Mr. Tom Bigler, Vice President
Mr. Peter Geise, Treasurer

Mrs. Victoria Bramstedt, Clerk

Mrs. Linda Adams, Clerk Pro-Tem

Mr. Steve Aykens

Mr. John Johnson

Mrs. Julie Hahn, Board Secretary

Absent:            Mr. John Mauer, President

Roll call was taken with 6 board members present.

 

M/S/Aykens/Bramstedt to approve the agenda as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Adams/Aykens to approve the minutes of the October 22, 2012 Regular Board Meeting and the November 12, 2012, Special Board Meeting, as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bramstedt/Aykens to approve the accounts for October, 2012, as prepared.  Motion Carried Unanimously.  Expenditures for October, 2012, were $1,687,854.14.  Receipts for October, 2012, were $156,072.88.

Bemis Manufacturing was honored as part of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) 2012 Business Honor Roll program.  Linda Verfuerth, Bemis employee, accepted a certificate on their behalf.  The program recognizes school districts and local businesses that have partnered to provide additional learning opportunities or support for students, staff, and their local communities.

Ed Hughes, High School Technology Education Teacher, the Robotics Mentor Team, and Sheboygan County Robotics Team Members Brian Schlagenhaft and Cameron West, presented to the board on the First Robotics Program.

 

Administrative Reports:

 

District/Jean Born: Reminder State Convention is January 23-25, 2013.  Early bird registration is December 14th, 2012.  Seemed to be agreement with legislators that a per pupil increase may be a possibility; vouchers for private schools and special education are still in discussion.  Strategies continue on the skills gap.  WASB Certificates of appreciation for achievement in member recognition were presented to Tom Bigler and Victoria Bramstedt.

 

Aaron May, Associate Principal/Athletic Director, Meloney Markofski, Middle School Principal, Kellie Manning, Elementary School Principal; Ann Roy, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services; and Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services, gave their monthly reports to the Board.

Committee Reports:

 

Personnel…Geise/Adams.. Met on November 5th and discussed personnel compensation.

 

John Mauer joined the meeting.

 

Public Relations…Adams/Geise/Aykens.. Met on November 15th and discussed Phase I of CESA 6’s Communication Plan- the internal examination of our school’s communication.

Policy…Mauer/Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Finance…Bramstedt/Mauer.. Nothing to report.

Facilities…Bigler/Bramstedt…Possible discussion later in the meeting.

 

Recreation Board…Nothing to report.

CESA #7…Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Legislative/WASB…Adams.. Nothing to report.

 

School Foundation/Geise.. Nothing significant to report.

 

Technology team, Barry Ludvik, Joshua Schuren and Phil Marr, presented to the board on their technology plan and what is happening in the district.  Items included Citrix/Infrastructure, Chromebooks-Chromeboxes, Increased Google Apps Usage, BYOD(Bring Your Own Device), Data Warehouse, BIRTS (on-line bullying reporting program), 4K-12 internet safety curriculum and document cameras.

 

There was no discussion on facility planning.

 

M/S/Mauer/Aykens to Convene into Executive Session per Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c)(e) for discussion on the development of negotiating strategies with regard to potential acquisition of real estate and discussion on negotiation strategy.  Geise/Yes, Mauer/Yes, Bramstedt/Yes, Bigler/Yes, Adams/Yes, Aykens/Yes, Johnson/Yes.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

The board discussed negotiating strategies with regard to potential acquisition of real estate.

The board discussed negotiation strategy.

 

M/S/Adams/Johnson to return to open session.

 

The board returned to open session.

 

M/S/Adams/Geise to adjourn.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:46 p.m.

 

Minutes taken by Julie M. Hahn, Board Secretary

 

Approved by the Board of Education on December 17, 2012.

 

Victoria Bramstedt, Board Clerk

 

Regular Meeting Minutes – October 22, 2012

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, OCTOBER 22, 2012

6:30 P.M.

 

Community Open Forum:  6:30 – 6:45 P.M.

This regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of the School District of Sheboygan Falls was held on Monday evening, October 22, 2012, in the High School Library at Sheboygan Falls High School.  Board President, John Mauer, called the meeting to order at 6:31 P.M.

 

Present:           Mr. John Mauer, President
Mr. Peter Geise, Treasurer

Mrs. Victoria Bramstedt, Clerk

Mrs. Linda Adams, Clerk Pro-Tem

Mr. Steve Aykens

Mrs. Julie Hahn, Board Secretary

Absent:            Mr. Tom Bigler, Vice President

Roll call was taken with 5 board members present.

 

M/S/Bramstedt/Aykens to approve the agenda as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Geise/Aykens to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2012 Regular Board Meeting and the October 18, 2012, Special Board Meeting, as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bramstedt/Adams to approve the accounts for September, 2012, as prepared.  Motion Carried Unanimously.  Expenditures for September, 2012, were $1,518,519.14.  Receipts for September, 2012, were $1,506,637.65.

 

Administrative Reports:

 

District/Jean Born:  Legislative Breakfast consisted of discussion including the state wide report cards to be released on October 22nd, P20 Committee-Career Preparedness would like to see Grade 6-12 career portfolios, State surplus-more dollars into education, and Act 10-no stay declared.  Diana Woodworth, Family and Consumer Education Teacher, attended the Culinary Arts Institute in Sheboygan last week and two of our students are involved.  Bemis Manufacturing was nominated and has been named to the 2012 WASB Business Honor Roll for its support of our school.
Luke Goral, High School Principal; Kellie Manning, Elementary School Principal; Ann Roy, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services; Mary Lofy, Director of Instruction, Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services, and Aaron May, Associate Principal/Athletic Director, gave their monthly reports to the Board.

Mary Lofy, Director of Instruction, walked the board through the School Report Cards that were issued by DPI today.  All three of our schools received a score in the “meeting or exceeding expectation” level.  Congratulations to all for this accomplishment.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Personnel…Geise/Adams.. Met and discussed compensation for this school year.

 

Public Relations…Adams/Geise/Aykens.. Met and discussed Phase I of CESA 6’s Communication Plan- the internal examination of our school’s communication.

Policy…Mauer/Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Finance…Bramstedt/Mauer.. Met and discussed the 2012-2013 budget.

Facilities…Bigler/Bramstedt…Will discuss later in the meeting.

 

Recreation Board…Nothing to report.

CESA #7…Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Legislative/WASB…Adams.. Nothing to report.

 

School Foundation/Geise.. Nothing significant to report.

 

M/S/Geise/Adams to approve the Recreation Department and Aquatic Center Wednesday and Sunday programs/events as submitted by Bryan Hansen, Recreation Director.  In his absence, Mr. Bigler asked to express his concern for these activities in conflict with family time.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Geise/Adams to approve the resolution authorizing the issuance of Individual Procurement Cards as presented.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

M/S/Geise/Bramstedt to approve the renewal of the Kohler/Sheboygan Falls girls’ swimming co-op agreement for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bramstedt/Geise to approve the elementary, middle school and high school handbooks as presented.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

The board furthered their discussion on facility planning.  Site and cost reduction remain the top priorities in the next stage of the process.  The Facility Committee has decided that until we are further in the process we will be waiting to do site visits.

 

Mary A. Blaha, Director of Business Services, outlined the 2012-2013 budget which is being brought to the Board for final adoption tonight.  M/S/Geise/Adams to adopt the 2012/2013 budget as presented.  A roll call vote was taken.  Mauer/yes, Bramstedt/yes, Aykens/yes, Geise/yes, Adams/yes. Motion Carried 5/0.

 

M/S/Adams/Aykens to certify the 2012/2013 levy in the amount of $8,652,395.00 as presented in the 2012/2013 budget.  A roll call vote was taken.  Mauer/yes, Bramstedt/yes, Aykens/yes, Geise/yes, Adams/yes. Motion Carried 5/0.

 

M/S/Adams/Aykens to adjourn.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

Adjournment @ 7:50 P.M.

 

Minutes taken by Julie M. Hahn, Board Secretary

 

Approved by the Board of Education on November 19, 2012.

 

Victoria Bramstedt, Board Clerk

 

 

Regular Meeting Minutes – September 17, 2012

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, September 17, 2012

6:30 P.M.

 

Community Open Forum:  6:30 – 6:45 P.M.

This regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of the School District of Sheboygan Falls was held on Monday evening, September 17, 2012, in the High School Library at Sheboygan Falls High School.  Board President, John Mauer, called the meeting to order at 6:33 P.M.

 

Present:           Mr. John Mauer, President
Mr. Tom Bigler, Vice President

Mr. Peter Geise, Treasurer

Mrs. Victoria Bramstedt, Clerk

Mrs. Linda Adams, Clerk Pro-Tem

Mr. Steve Aykens

Mrs. Julie Hahn, Board Secretary

Roll call was taken with 6 board members present.

 

M/S/Bigler/Adams to approve the agenda as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Geise/Bigler to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2012 Regular Board Meeting and the August 21, 2012 and August 27, 2012, Special Board Meetings, as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bramstedt/Geise to approve the accounts for August, 2012, as prepared.  Motion Carried Unanimously.  Expenditures for August, 2012, were $1,109,550.32.  Receipts for August, 2012, were $293,525.71.

 

John Mauer announced the resignation of Kari Riddell from the Sheboygan Falls school board.

Administrative Reports:

 

District/Jean Born:  Legislative Breakfast this morning.  A judge recently issued an opinion on Act 10 collective bargaining that has caused some discussion on state and national levels.  Jean will be gone this week to state convention and more discussion will be held on this ruling at convention.  Some topics discussed were fair funding for schools, ACT Proposal by Tony Evers, state budget surplus, and the work force development group.

Luke Goral, High School Principal; Meloney Markofski, Middle School Principal; Kellie Manning, Elementary School Principal; Ann Roy, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services; Mary Lofy, Director of Instruction, Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services, and Aaron May, Associate Principal/Athletic Director, gave their monthly reports to the Board.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Personnel…Geise/Adams.. Met and discussed the district administrator evaluation tool and 2012-2013 compensation plans.

Public Relations…Adams/Geise/Aykens.. Will discuss later in the meeting.

Policy…Mauer/Bigler.. Met and reviewed revised NEOLA policies.

Finance…Bramstedt/Mauer.. Met and discussed cash flow, procurement cards, and reviewed the status of the 2012-2013 budget.

Facilities…Bigler/Bramstedt.. Nothing to report, will address later in the meeting.

 

Recreation Board…Nothing to report.

CESA #7…Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Legislative/WASB…Adams.. Nothing to report.

 

School Foundation/Geise.. Met and discussed the umbrella structure for organizations which may expand to other groups to help with the coordination and prioritization for soliciting funds.

 

Doreen Dembski, CESA 6 Director of Communications and Public Relations for school districts, presented to the board a proposal she has put together for next steps as a result of the communication and school public relations needs of our district.  M/S/Adams/Geise to the complete the proposal, amending from Part 1 to ALL parts of the proposal, and put into action as presented.  Motion Carried Unanimously.  The public relations committee will evaluate each step before moving to the next, as three separate payments will be made over time.

 

M/S/Geise/Bramstedt to approve the contract for Janet Brandt, High School Business Education Teacher, as presented.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

Mary Lofy, Director of Instruction, presented to the board on the School District Safety Plan.

 

M/S/Geise/Bigler to accept the gifts of $192.00 to the Elementary School from St. Paul Lutheran Church for their Hunger Project for purchasing winter outerwear, school supplies and food, and a book, A Home of Their Own: The Story of Ohio’s Greatest Orphanage, donated to the High School Library from Ed Michael, on the orphanage he grew up in, with gratitude and thanks.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

The board continued their discussions as it relates to facilities planning.  Discussion centered around visiting two schools built within the last decade to see what those districts got for their dollars spent and see what they like and what they might do different given the chance.  The board decided that while they wait for the results of the survey to come in, the facilities committee will develop the criteria of what kind of schools they want to see and a potential list of possible schools to visit.

 

M/S/Adams/Bramstedt to approve the change of the October board meeting from October 15th to October 22nd to provide more time to finalize the budget.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Geise/Aykens to approve the resolution approving a line of credit for $1,400,000 for cash flow needs.  For the past several years, we have opted for a line of credit for short term borrowing needs.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bigler/Aykens to adjourn.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

Adjournment @ 8:46 P.M.

 

Minutes taken by Julie M. Hahn, Board Secretary

 

Approved by the Board of Education on October 22, 2012.

 

Victoria Bramstedt, Board Clerk

 

Regular Meeting Minutes – August 20, 2012

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

AUGUST 20, 2012

6:30 P.M.

 

Community Open Forum:  6:30 – 6:45 P.M.

This regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of the School District of Sheboygan Falls was held on Monday evening, August 20, 2012, in the High School Library at Sheboygan Falls High School.  Board President, John Mauer, called the meeting to order at 6:29 P.M.

 

Present:           Mr. John Mauer, President

Mr. Peter Geise, Treasurer

Mrs. Victoria Bramstedt, Clerk

Mrs. Linda Adams, Clerk Pro-Tem

Mr. Steve Aykens

Mrs. Julie Hahn, Board Secretary
Absent:            Mr. Tom Bigler, Vice President
Ms. Kari Riddell

 

Roll call was taken with 5 board members present.

 

M/S/Geise/Adams to approve the agenda as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bramstedt/Aykens to approve the minutes of the July 23, 2012 Regular Board Meeting, the July 23, 2012, Budget and Annual Meeting, and the August 13, 2012 Special Board Meeting, as printed.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Geise/Adams to approve the accounts for July, 2012, as prepared.  Motion Carried Unanimously.  Expenditures for July, 2012, were $968,436.78.  Receipts for July, 2012, were $252,206.97.

Sarah Kemp, Associate Researcher of the Applied Population Laboratory UW-Madison, reported to the board the results of the recently conducted population study along with the models used to project enrollment.

 

Administrative Reports:

 

District/Jean Born:  WASB will be sending a lot of workshop information out as it is the start of the school year.  New copy of the community facility survey in your emails, please view and let Jean know your availability of a special meeting tomorrow night.
Luke Goral, High School Principal; Meloney Markofski, Middle School Principal; Kellie Manning, Elementary School Principal; Ann Roy, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services; Mary Lofy, Director of Instruction, Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services, and Aaron May, Associate Principal/Athletic Director, gave their monthly reports to the Board.

 

 

 

Committee Reports:

 

Personnel…Geise/Adams/Riddell.. Compensation will be finalized August 28th, along with the district administrator evaluation tool.  The committee is also developing a 360 evaluation tool for the board to evaluate itself.

Public Relations…Adams/Geise/Aykens.. Proposed community feedback plan in place will be addressed later in the meeting.  Branding statement still being worked on along with auditing the communication plan in the district.

 

Policy…Mauer/Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Finance…Bramstedt/Mauer.. Nothing to report.

Facilities…Bigler/Bramstedt/Riddell.. Nothing to report.

 

Recreation Board…Riddell.. Nothing to report.

CESA #7…Bigler.. Nothing to report.

Legislative/WASB…Adams.. Nothing to report.

 

School Foundation/Geise.. Meeting this Wednesday, August 22, 2012.

English 12 Staff, Kimberly Johnson and Amy Harter, presented to the board for approval a community event to be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2013.   M/S/Aykens/Geise to approve the English 12 Community Event to be held on May 1, 2013, as presented.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

Emily Vetting, Project Specialist for the Nonmotorized Transportation Grant, presented to the school some background and information on school siting, safe routes to school, and school location.

 

Mary Lofy shared with the board what it means for the District and more specifically the Middle School to be a Focus School.  She also discussed some reassigning of duties and the addition of a .5 FTE RtI support position funded by Title 1 monies.  This position will allow for increased instructional support for the implementation of the Focus School plan.

M/S/Geise/Bramstedt to approve the contract for Amber Large, Grade 2 Teacher, as presented.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Adams/Bramstedt to approve the resignation of Elizabeth Jesse, High School Science Teacher, as presented, with regrets and gratitude, upon payment of the contract release fee of $805.00.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Bramstedt/Geise to approve the administrative contract rollover protocol as presented.  Motion Carried Unanimously.
Mike Nikson, Summer School Coordinator, presented to the board on the 2012 Summer School Program.  New procedures and cost saving measures were implemented and discussed in this year’s program along with recommendations/changes for summer school 2013.

 

The Public Relations Committee brought to the full board their proposed Community Feedback Response Plan. M/S/Adams/Geise to approve the proposed plan, as presented, with the elimination of  the word “Interested” in the second column action line.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

M/S/Adams/Geise to adjourn.  Motion Carried Unanimously.

 

Adjournment @ 8:22 P.M.

 

Minutes taken by Julie M. Hahn, Board Secretary

 

Approved by the Board of Education on September 17, 2012.

 

Victoria Bramstedt, Board Clerk