SPARTA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Sparta, WI 54656
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2015
Administrative and Educational Center
Board Present: Mr. Ryan Tichenor, Ms. Karen Wall, Mr. Todd Mandel, Mr. James Rasmussen, Mrs. Joan
Cook, and Mr. Lee Culpitt. Mr. Kirking was absent.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by president, Mr. Tichenor. The meeting had been
noticed with Monroe County Publishers, WCOW Radio, Magnum Radio, La Crosse Tribune, Sparta City
Hall and Sparta Free Library
A motion was made by Mr. Culpitt, seconded by Mrs. Cook to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion
carried, 6-0 1 absent
The following commendations were presented:
-Sparta Lion’s Club for their work with the community, especially the vision screening utilized by many of
our young families.
-Ms. Chrissi Crouse for being selected to receive the University of Wisconsin –La Crosse Young Teacher
Excellence Award.
-Ms. Kristina Johnson for her work promoting awareness of Special Olympics.
-Ms. Sara Anderson for her presentation at the NAREWICH Conference (National At-Risk Education
Network, Wisconsin Chapter).
-following students for having their art work selected to be displayed at the Youth Art Month statewide
art show in Madison, WI.:
Iveth Caballero-Martinez, Dulce Everson and Cleo Sickels from Lawrence-Lawson
Laylah Kambui, Ganilo Quintos and Isabella Scott from Maplewood
Shelby Jesski, Liliana Lopez and Hadyn Leis from Southside
-Ms. Tiffany Beltz, Ms. Monica Treu-Olbert and Ms. Denise Geiwitz, for having student art work selected
for display at the Youth Art Month, state-wide art show in Madison, WI.
- Ms. Cori Koch, Mr. Ed Burchardt, Ms. Alexis Campbell and Ms. Katy Thomae-Wiese for their work to
organize the Jump Rope for Heart Event.
-Vida Vetterkind, Mary Rugg, and Ms. Lindsey Lebakken for their success in Powerlifting.
-Mr. Mike Roddick for his leadership of the wrestling program and for being selected Mississippi Valley
Conference Coach of the Year.
-the following wrestlers for their successful wrestling season, achieving Mississippi Valley Conference
Championship and participation in the state team competition:
Corey Zimmerman
David Hayes
Kyle Erickson
Sam Forbes
Christian Lamon
John Roddick
Jaden Winchel
Brett Von Ruden
Brock Polhamus
Dylan Hansen
Brady Hansen
Trygve Zurfluh
Collin Gartner
Kole Nelson
Hayden Krein
Mathias Krein
Ashley Dahl
Ryan Wisniewski
Austin Zweifel
Logan Van Tassel
Walker Polhamus
Keyshawn Stewart
Justin Marx
Matthew Fahning
Jakob Larson
Sam Waite
A motion was made by Mr. Culpitt, seconded by Ms. Wall to approve the consent agenda as follows:
-approve the minutes of the Board of Education meetings held on February 24, 2015, March 10, 2015,
March 12, 2015 and March 16, 2015.
Approve the bills for the 2014-2015 school year as presented for the period February 25, 2015 –
March 20, 2015 in the amount of $1,595,827.02.
- Employment Issues
Employment:
Jena Weigel – Track Assistant Coach Level I
$2,118.00
Steven Quast – Varsity Boys Tennis Head Coach
$2,648.00
David Lindner – Baseball Assistant Coach Level I
$2,118.00
Kyle Sonnemann – Solo Ensemble Vocal Music – High School
$ 565.00
Mikala Sund – Girls Soccer Assistant Coach
Level I
$2,118.00
Jonathan Wise – Girls Soccer Assistant Coach Level I
$2,118.00
Alexis Campbell – Softball Assistant Coach Level II
$1,765.00
Ronald Sloan – Softball Assistant Coach Level I
$2,118.00
Jesus Santiago – Baseball Assistant Coach Level II
$1,765.00
Katelyn Herrman – Special Education Teacher – High School
Quality Level 1 Step A 2015-2016
$36,500.00
Gina Hackworth – Teacher Mentor – Experienced
$ 353.00
Jessica Gachnang – Middle School Track – Due to Numbers
$1,342.00
Resignations:
Sheryl Franciosi – Educational Assistant – MVI effective March 21, 2015
Megan Flock – Girls Basketball Assistant Coach
Christine DeLong – Co-advisor for Student Council at High School effective June 30, 2015
- Committee Recommendations
-approve an increase in summer school pay for teaching staff from $18.00/hr to $22.00/hr
-approve the Youth Options Requests for Fall 2015 as presented
-to approve revision to Board Policy Article 225 – Specifications for Business Services Secretary
Roll call vote: Mrs. Cook-aye, Mr. Culpitt-aye, Mr. Kirking-absent, Mr. Mandel-aye, Mr. Rasmussen-aye,
Mr. Tichenor-aye, and Ms. Wall-aye. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
The following people spoke against contracting with a policy management company and creating a
transgender policy during the Public Input Session: David Steinert , Jack Welcher, Clyde Ewers, John
Christy and Clare Craven.
A motion was made by Ms. Wall, seconded by Mr. Culpitt, to approve the supplemental bills in the
amount of $175,307.91. Roll call vote: Mr. Culpitt-aye, Mr. Kirking-absent, Mr. Mandel-aye, Mr.
Rasmussen-aye, Mr. Tichenor-aye, Ms. Wall-aye, and Mrs. Cook-aye. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
A motion was made by Mr. Mandel, seconded by Ms. Wall, to approve R.W. Baird as the underwriter for
the financing of the debt for the High School HVAC/boiler project. Estimated cost for this service is
$12,150.00 Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
A motion was made by Mr. Mandel, seconded by Mr. Culpitt, to approve a resolution authorizing the
issuance and establishing parameters for the sale of not to exceed $970,000.00 general obligation
promissory notes as presented. Roll call vote: Mr. Kirking-absent, Mr. Mandel-aye, Mr. Rasmussen-aye,
Mr. Tichenor-aye, Ms. Wall-aye, Mrs. Cook-aye, and Mr. Culpitt-aye. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
Discussion took place concerning contracting with NEOLA for policy management services.
A motion was made by Mr. Mandel to contract with NEOLA to assist in Board Policy development and
management, pending review of the contract by district legal counsel. This motion died for lack of a
second.
A motion was made by Mr. Mandel, seconded by Mrs. Cook, to approve in-district mileage for the school
nurse in the amount of $1,956.00/year as presented. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
Mr. Lowell Fromm and Mr. Kent Ellickson presented proposed cost of the restroom renovation project.
Mr. Chris Olson, engineer, and Mr. Jerry Foellmi from General Engineering were present. Flexibility was
requested in selection of the plumber for the Cataract project if the contractor is unable to complete the
project over the summer months. There is a potential for savings in the model of sink purchased which
could offset the additional cost anticipated by contractors.
A motion was made by Mr. Rasmussen, seconded by Ms. Wall to approve the Cataract restroom project
in the amount of $108,397.30 with flexibility to negotiate the plumbing contractor. Roll call vote: Mr.
Mandel-aye, Mr. Rasmussen-aye, Mr. Tichenor-aye, Ms. Wall-aye, Mrs. Cok-aye, Mr. Culpitt-aye, and
Mr. Kirking-absent. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
A motion was made by Ms. Wall, seconded by Mrs. Cook to approve the Maplewood restroom project in
the amount of $259,433.90 as presented. Roll call vote: Mr. Rasmussen-aye, Mr. Tichenor-aye, Ms.
Wall-aye, Mrs. Cook-aye, Mr. Culpitt-aye, Mr. Kirking-absent, and Mr. Mandel-aye. Motion carried, 6-0,
1 absent.
A motion was made by Mr. Culpitt, seconded by Mrs. Cook, to approve the Administrative and
Educational Center 1st and 2nd floor restroom project in the amount of $365,438.70 as presented.
Roll call vote: Mr. Tichenor-aye, Ms. Wall-aye, Mrs. Cook-aye, Mr. Culpitt-aye, Mr. Kirking-absent, Mr.
Mandel-aye, and Mr. Rasmussen-aye. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
A motion was made by Mr. Culpitt, seconded by Mrs. Cook, to approve the Administrative and
Educational Center 3rd floor restroom project in the amount of $109,006.70 as presented. Roll call vote:
Ms. Wall-aye, Mrs. Cook-aye, Mr. Culpitt-aye, Mr. Kirking-absent, Mr. Mandel-aye, Mr. Rasmussen-aye,
and Mr. Tichenor-aye. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
A motion was made by Ms. Wall, seconded by Mrs. Cook to approve a resolution for legislative support
to revise the 2015-17 proposed state biennium budget with no decrease in anticipated revenue and
provide an inflationary revenue increase. Motion carried, 5-1 (Rasmussen), 1 absent. Mr. Hendricks was
directed to draft the resolution for Sparta, modeling the Independence School Board Resolution
example, for Mr. Tichenor’s final approval and signature.
A motion was made by Ms. Wall, seconded by Mr. Culpitt, to approve an unpaid medical leave of
absence as presented. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
A motion was made by Mr. Culpitt, seconded by Mrs. Cook, to approve the Wisconsin Fast Forward
Grant in the amount of $75,000.00. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
A recommendation from the Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee will be presented at the April
meeting.
The following meeting schedule was determined:
Finance and Facilities Committee April 14, 2015
Personnel and Educational Initiatives Committee April 14, 2015
April Board of Education Meeting April 28, 2015
Finance and Facilities Committee May 12, 2015
Personnel and Educational Initiatives Committee May 12, 2015
Retirement Banquet – May 9, 2015 – Jakes Northwoods
High School Scholarship Night April 15, 2015
Legislative Breakfast – March 30, 2015
Strategic Planning Health Insurance Committee March 30, 2015 3:30 p.m.
At 9:18 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Wall, seconded by Mr. Culpitt to move to executive session to
discuss compensation issues for all staff as per Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) Considering employment,
promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the
governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.
Roll call vote: Mrs. Cook-aye, Mr. Culpitt-aye, Mr. Kirking-absent, Mr. Mandel-aye, Mr. Rasmussen-aye,
Mr. Tichenor-aye, and Ms. Wall-aye. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
A motion was made by Mr. Culpitt, seconded by Ms. Wall, to return to open session at 9:50 p.m.
Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
The following action was taken during executive session:
A motion was made by Ms. Wall, seconded by Mr. Culpitt to offer the certified staff a 1.62% increase
applied to each cell of the current salary schedule. No step movement for experience will be allowed for
2015-2016. Motion carried, 5-0, 1 abstain(Cook), 1 absent.
A motion was made by Mr. Rasmussen, seconded by Mr. Mandel, to approve new compensation models
for certified staff as presented in models A,B and C. Motion carried, 5-0, 1 abstain (Cook), 1 absent.
A motion was made by Ms. Wall, seconded by Mr. Mandel to approve a 2% increase for classified staff
hourly wage rates as presented. Motion carried, 5-0, 1 abstain(Culpitt), 1 absent.
A motion was made by Ms. Wall, seconded by Mr. Rasmussen, to approve the following additional
changes to the classified hourly wage schedule:
a. Additional $2.00/hr for computer technicians
b. Additional $.50/hr for Custodian II
c. Reclassify an employee from Maintenance to Service Systems
d. Increase the summer mowing position from $10.00/hr to $12.00/hr
Motion carried 6-0, 1 absent.
At 9:55 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Wall, seconded by Mr. Mandel, to move to executive session
to discuss possible employee misconduct as per Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1) (f) Considering financial,
medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of
specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons (except where
paragraph (b) applies) which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect
upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or
investigations.
Roll call vote: Mr. Culpitt-aye, Mr. Kirking-absent, Mr. Mandel-aye, Mr. Rasmussen-aye, Mr. Tichenoraye, Ms. Wall-aye, and Mrs. Cook-aye. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
At 11:02 p.m., a motion was made by Mrs. Cook, seconded by Mr. Mandel, to return to open session.
Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
The following action was taken during executive session:
A motion was made by Mr. Mandel, seconded by Mrs. Cook, to contract with Eileen Brownlee to
conduct a third party investigation. Roll call vote: Mr. Rasmussen-aye, Mrs. Cook-aye, Mr. Culpitt-aye,
Mr. Mandel-aye, Mr. Kirking-absent, Mr. Tichenor-aye, and Ms. Wall-aye. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
A motion was made by Mr. Mandel, seconded by Ms. Wall, to place an employee on paid administrative
leave pending approval from legal counsel that this is appropriate with an investigation. Roll call vote:
Ms. Wall-aye, Mr. Tichenor-aye, Mr. Mandel-aye, Mr. Rasmussen-aye, Mrs. Cook-aye, Mr. Culpitt-aye,
and Mr. Kirking-absent. Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
At 11:05 p.m., a motion was made by Mrs. Cook, seconded by Mr. Mandel to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried, 6-0, 1 absent.
Secretary Pro Tem
Connie Baumbach