FRIESS LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Towns of Richfield and Erin
MINUTES
March 31, 2008
Regular School Board Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ann M. Otto, President
Tom Wolff, Vice-President
Bob Bilda, Treasurer
Mary Jo Humpal, Clerk
Craig Baker, Member at Large
I.
The regular meeting of the School Board of the Friess Lake School District was called to order by Board President, Ann M. Otto, at
4:30 P.M. The meeting was posted at Friess Lake School, Richfield Town Hall, Erin Town Hall, Hartford Times Press, WTKM
Radio Station, and the Journal/Sentinel-Cedarburg Office.
II.
Roll call was taken. A quorum was verified. Staff members present: John Engstrom, Denise Howe, Steve Mork and Tracy Hennes.
Also present, see attached.
III.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Steve Mork.
IV.
Bob Simandl of Simandl & Murray, S.C. presented a 403(b) compliance proposal for the Board’s consideration.
V.
No one was present for the Open Forum.
VI.
Recognition, Appreciation, Awards
A.
John Engstrom thanked the staff and students involved in the student leadership program.
VII.
Group Reports
A.
Paul Amberg reported that the golf outing organized by the Athletic Committee was scheduled for September 20, 2008.
B.
No one from FLAG was present to report.
VIII.
Approval of Minutes
A.
The February 25, 2008 Regular School Board meeting minutes were tabled.
B.
Tom Wolff made a motion to approve the March 10, 2008 Special School Board meeting minutes as amended, Craig Baker
2nd; Motion carried unanimously.
C.
Craig Baker made a motion to approve the March 10, 2008 Executive Session minutes as presented, Bob Bilda 2nd; Motion
carried unanimously.
IX.
Approval of Financial Reports and Bills Payable
A.
Mary Jo Humpal made a motion to approve the February 29, 2008 Financial Reports as presented, Tom Wolff 2nd; Motion
carried unanimously.
B.
Denise Howe reported that Debbie Heppe is currently being trained in some aspects of payroll.
C.
Tom Wolff made a motion to approve the 403(b) and 457(b) compliance proposal of Simandl & Murray, S.C. as presented,
Craig Baker 2nd; Motion carried unanimously.
D.
John Engstrom reported that the purchase of a warming oven for food service has been looked into at the request of FLAG.
He further reported that bids have been received and that he is in the process of discussing with FLAG and possibly the
Athletic Committee how the cost of the oven may be shared with the District.
E.
Denise Howe reported that the new bus contract requires the District to reimburse Riteway for the net cost of diesel fuel
that exceeds $2.50 per gallon. She further reported that a fuel account should be added to track this new expense. Fiscal
year to date fuel costs were reviewed and a fuel account was added to the transportation budget.
F.
Denise Howe reviewed with the Board the current and historical interest earnings in the Local Government Investment
Pool. She further reported that significant monthly declines in interest earnings may result in a revenue shortfall in interest
earnings for 2007-2008.
G.
Denise Howe updated the Board on the District’s long term debt. She reported that the District is one day away from paying
off the $760,000 building addition borrowing from 1997 and that the $2,600,000 building addition borrowing from 2001 is
scheduled to be paid off in five years. She further reported that there may be refinancing opportunities next year as well as
an ability to use interest earnings to slightly reduce the debt service levy.
H: Denise/033108 Regular School Board meeting minutes 1
X.
Personnel Items
A.
Tom Wolff made a motion to accept the resignation of the part time library aide as presented, Craig Baker 2nd; Motion
carried unanimously.
B.
Mary Jo Humpal made a motion to accept the retirement of Kris Reilly, elementary teacher, effective June 11, 2008 as
presented, Tom Wolff 2nd; 4 aye, Ann Otto abstained and the motion carried.
C.
John Engstrom reviewed with the Board the FTE increase as of 2008-2009 for the technology coordinator/teacher based on
an agreement from a previous year.
D.
Tom Wolff made a motion to approve the evaluative instrument of the Business Manager as amended, Craig Baker 2nd;
Motion carried unanimously.
XI.
Board Reports and Updates
A.
There were no general Board communications.
XII.
Clerks Report
A.
Mary Jo Humpal reported that the School Board election will be held tomorrow and that Julia Perley, Brian Rick and Paul
Amberg were running for the two 3 year terms. She further reported that Nancy Baumhardt and Kathy Tennessen will be
assisting her with the canvassing of the election results.
XIII.
Student Achievement Reports and Updates
A.
The enrollment as of March 31, 2008 was as follows:
EC-2
K-31
1-27
2-35
3-41
4-34
5-34
6-40
7-32
8-41
Total: 317
B.
John Engstrom reported that he contacted DPI to get a determination regarding snow make up days. The last day of school
will be a full day on June 6th.
C.
Open Enrollment applications by grade level as well as the projected size of the 2008-2009 resident kindergarten class were
discussed. A spreadsheet was reviewed that looked at the costs and savings of several alternatives. Theses alternatives
looked at class sizes, accepting anywhere from none to all open enrollment applications and several other projections. The
Board thoroughly discussed and debated the relative merits of each option. Tom Wolff made a motion to approve the open
enrollment applications as presented, Bob Bilda 2nd; 4 aye, 1 nay and the motion carried.
D.
John Engstrom reported that summer school will be offered again this summer. He further reported that the program will
run for three weeks from late July to the beginning of August and be similar to last years program, which includes remedial
elementary classes and Kindercollege.
E.
Bob Bilda made a motion to approve the 2008-2009 calendar as presented, Tom Wolff 2nd; Motion carried unanimously.
F.
The Board discussed what Friess Lake and other area districts are doing in regards to student wellness. Bob Bilda reported
that he is interested in considering having a program similar to the Junior Pump program that is done at the YMCA. He also
reported that he knows of a couple who might be willing to volunteer their time to run an after school fitness training
program here at Friess Lake. Both Bob Bilda and Craig Baker agreed that this couple have had great success with
motivating kids and could run a program without a fee that does not include using weights. John Engstrom agreed to call
them.
XIV.
Buildings and Grounds Reports and Updates
A.
A buildings and grounds report from Jim Kruk was provided to the Board that included updates such as: purchasing a new
hot water heater, looking at design options for the shelter that will be built for the outdoor classroom and some HVAC
repairs. Denise Howe reported that quotes are being collected for replacing the skylights in the middle school wing and for
pavement and fence repairs. She further reported that grass cutting bids are due on April 11, 2008.
B.
Denise Howe provided the Board with a monthly summary and two year comparison of energy charges for their review.
She reported that Focus on Energy has been invited to come out on April 1, 2008 to do an energy audit in order to
determine what areas can be focused on first to conserve energy and minimize costs.
C.
John Engstrom reported that he recently received the proof of insurance from the group requesting to use the ball field this
summer.
XV.
Policies
A.
No polices were discussed at this time.
XVI.
Future Agenda Items
A.
The Board discussed future agenda items such as: years of service awards, the staff appreciation dinner, grass cutting bids,
Early Childhood, 400 series policies, graduation, budget planning, Data Retreat and a WKCE update. The next regular
School Board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 4:30 P.M.
XVII.
At 6:48 P.M., the Board took a short break.
H: Denise/033108 Regular School Board meeting minutes 2
XVIII. At 6:54 P.M., Tom Wolff made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session per Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c), Bob Bilda 2nd;
Motion carried unanimously. Roll call was taken. A quorum was verified. All Board members were present.
XIX.
At 8:03 P.M., Bob Bilda made a motion to reconvene in Open Session per Wisconsin Statute 19.85(2), Tom Wolff 2nd; Motion
carried unanimously.
XX.
At 8:04 P.M., Tom Wolff made a motion to adjourn, Bob Bilda 2nd; Motion carried unanimously.
________________________
Ann M. Otto, President
________________________
Mary Jo Humpal, Clerk
H: Denise/033108 Regular School Board meeting minutes 3