OFFICIAL
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 281, ROBBINSDALE AREA SCHOOLS
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER BOARDROOM
4148 Winnetka Avenue North, New Hope
December 13, 2004
7:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Present: Bassett, Brown, Green, Johnson, Moreira, Van Heel, directors: Stan F. Mack II, superintendent.
Absent: Oetjens
2. Additions to Agenda
Superintendent Mack added two agenda items, including the Arts Showcase and a personnel resignation. He noted a
correction in agenda item 9.05, changing requested to unrequested leave.
3. Acceptance of Agenda
Moreira moved approval of the agenda with additions and correction. Bassett seconded the motion and it carried
unanimously.
4. Presentations and Special Reports
4.01. Superintendent and School Board Recognition
4.01.a. 2004 Charitable Giving Campaign
The superintendent and school board recognized leaders and contributors of the 2004 Charitable Giving
Campaign. Contributions for the Robbinsdale Area Schools’ 2004 Charitable Giving Campaign totaled
$52,234. This is a decrease in giving and participation from the previous year. The Seven Dreams
Foundation received contributions for a total of $13,622, which is an increase of $3,214.
The Best Overall Campaign Award was given to the Lakeview Elementary employees for an increase in
participation of 46 percent for a total of 100 percent participation. Their per capita giving is the highest
in the District at $108.62. The site chair person was Roland Huyen.
The Campaign of Excellence Award was given again this year to the Highview Alternative Program
employees for 100 percent participation and per capita giving of $89.57. The site chairperson was Neal
Rootes.
The Campaign of Excellence Award was also given to the Winnetka Learning Center employees for an
increase of $37.82 in per capita giving. The site chairpersons were Marylyn Leaf and Tim Turner.
Campaign co-chairs Mike A. Peterson and Bob Wittman, along with campaign staff Linda Kemper and
Phyllis Hankerson were also thanked for their support of the Campaign.
4.02. Arts Showcase
4.02.a. Sandburg Middle School Flute Choir
The superintendent and school board welcomed members of the Flute Choir from Sandburg Middle
School. The Flute Choir is a supplement to the regular band program; it gives the flutes an opportunity
to use some of the techniques that are unique to their instrument and work on small ensemble playing.
Student performers include: Ashley Woods, Anna Tucker, Michelle Ahler, Emily Hagerman, Hannah
Forster, Sydney Nolan, Leah Anderson and Emily Johnannes. Their teacher is Mary James.
5. Consent Agenda
Superintendent Mack reviewed the Consent Agenda, including minutes of the November 16, 2004 regular board
meeting, minutes of the November 29, 2004 Truth in Taxation hearing, approval of a trained surrogate parent,
approval of the proposed staffing timeline for 2005-2006, personnel matters, financial matters, gifts and other
School Board Minutes – December 13, 2004
Page 2
deposits in the amount of $28,057.74, and change orders for Robbinsdale Area Schools. Van Heel moved approval of
the Consent Agenda. Moreira seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
6. Consent Agenda items removed for discussion (None)
7. Teaching and Learning (None)
8. Business
8.01. Robbinsdale School District 281 Bid Awards
The board took action on the following bids for fitness and exercise equipment.
Brown moved to reject the incomplete bid submitted by Push, Pedal, Pull. Bassett seconded the motion and it
carried unanimously. Moreira moved to approve bids with Stratum One Fitness in the amount of $82,408.00;
Magnum Fitness in the amount of $20,695.00 and 2nd Wind Exercise in the amount of $18,200.00 for
a total of $121,303. Bassett seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
8.02. Robbinsdale School District 281 Change Orders
Moreira moved approval of change orders 8.02.a., 8.02.b., and 8.02.c. for RALC 2004. Van Heel seconded the
motion and it carried unanimously.
Change
Amount
Item
Vendor
Project/School
Order#
RALC System
8.02.a
Commercial Electric Solutions
5
$
3,191.00
Upgrades
RALC 2004 Site
8.02.b
Rehbein Companies
6
$ 79,207.19
Improvement
RALC 2004 Site
8.02.c
Rehbein Companies
7
Improvement
$ 28,604.42
Total for RALC
$ 111,002.61
8.03. Set Levy
Van Heel moved to adopt the 2004 payable 2005 levy in the amount of $39,805,059.91 which will be used to
finance the operations of the District for the 2005-2006 school year. Green seconded the motion and it carried
unanimously. This levy represents a .32% increase over the previous years’ levy.
8.04. Project Labor Agreement
Bassett moved to grant administration permission to publish a notice in the Sun Post that the Board will give
consideration to a resolution at the January 18, 2005 board meeting, authorizing a Project Labor Agreement
with the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trade Council for asbestos abatement at Robbinsdale
Armstrong High School in 2005. Green seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
8.05. Budget Review 2005-2006 and 2006-2007
Tom Walerius, executive director of administrative services, presented information on the 2005-2006 and
2006-2007 budgets. The board directed administrators to prepare budget reduction scenarios to cut a half
million, a million and a million and a half.
9. Administrative Matters
9.01. Amendment to October 18, 2004 Option IIA Resolution
Brown moved to waive the reading and approve the amended October 18, 2004 Option IIA Resolution.
Moreira seconded the motion. A roll call vote was as follows: Brown, Johnson, Moreira and Van Heel voted in
favor of the motion; Bassett and Green voted against the motion. The motion carried 4-2.
School Board Minutes – December 13, 2004
Page 3
WHEREAS Option IIA responds to the District’s Drivers of Change as it will:
-
Maintain grades K-5, operating 10 instead of 11 elementary schools
-
Close New Hope Elementary School, effective beginning with the 2005-2006 school year
-
Maintain Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School, grades K-5, at the Robbinsdale Area Learning
Center
-
Phase out the technology focus of the Technology and Language Campus and create a new
neighborhood middle school in its place, retaining the present language immersion option as a
magnet. Electives such as A.P. and Language can be explored later and will have community input.
These program options will serve the entire school population.
-
Operate three middle schools with the following listed targets ± 10% and subject to the BOUNDARY
PLANNING Assumptions and Criteria dated December 2, 2004. Target numbers after three years are
as follows:
o
Plymouth Middle School – 1161 1041 students*
o
Sandburg Middle School – 1113 1066 students*
o
New Neighborhood Middle School – 776 students* a minimum of 850 students* to be phased
in as quickly as possible
(*based on projected enrollment including attendance area and balanced magnet
programming)
o
Maintain the current high school structure
o
Estimated annual cost savings is $524,000
Programmatic Changes
-
-
Elementary School
o
Expand tuition-based, all-day, every day kindergarten; consider Adventure Club for optional
before and after school care for families who require extended –day coverage
o
Examine the feasibility of establishing an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program
o
Implement a new science curriculum in all schools, at all grades
o
Examine scheduling options that reduce the amount of classroom pull-out during the
instructional day
Middle School
Implement the recommendation of the Middle School Study including but not limited to:
o
Promote reading instruction across the curriculum
o
Adopt a new math mathematics textbook for all grades
o
Implement the electronic version of NWEA Levels Test
o
Sponsor a middle school data retreat to broaden understanding of AYP requirements
o
Offer professional development for teachers interested in differentiated instruction
o
Examine the feasibility of expanding the WINGS Program for at-risk students
o
Examine scheduling options that provide expanded instructional time with one classroom
teacher
School Board Minutes – December 13, 2004
Page 4
High School
o
Examine opportunities to implement smaller learning communities with the schools
o
Consider programs such as LINK, which pairs grade 9 students with an older peer/mentor
o
Implement READ 180 in the reading classes and expand as feasible
o
Examine options for testing new students to ensure proper placement with the course
structure
o
Examine options for expanded career counseling
THEREFORE, the School Board of Robbinsdale Area Schools selects the amended Option IIA and
Programmatic Changes for District Reorganization.
9.02. Naming of Neighborhood Middle School
Van Heel moved approval of administration’s recommendation to name the neighborhood middle school
Robbinsdale Middle School. Bassett seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
9.03. Elementary Attendance Boundaries
Brown moved to approve administration’s recommendation dated December 1, 2004 for elementary school
attendance boundaries. Moreira seconded the motion. Bassett asked to go on record as opposing the
boundaries due to concerns about the placement of minority and students on free and reduced lunch. Green also
opposed the elementary boundaries due to concerns about the numbers of students coming from specific
housing units. Following a lengthy conversation, Johnson called for a roll call vote: Brown, Johnson, Moreira
and Van Heel voted in favor of the motion. Bassett and Green voted against. The motion carried 4-2. The
changes for the elementary schools will be fully implemented during the 2005-2006 school year.
9.04. Middle School Boundaries
Green moved approval of administration’s recommendation dated December 1, 2004 for middle school
attendance boundaries. Van Heel seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The new middle school
attendance area will be phased in one grade at a time. During the 2005-2006 school year, the new middle
school boundaries only apply to students in 6th grade. 7th and 8th grade students will be assigned to
neighborhood schools based on the existing 2004-2005 boundaries. For the 2006-2007 school year, 6th and 7th
grade students will be assigned to a school based on the new boundaries. In 2007-2008, all middle school
students will be assigned to a school based on the new boundaries.
9.05. Resolution Directing the Administration to Make Recommendations for Reductions in Programs and
Positions and Reasons Therefore
Moreira moved approval of resolution directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in
programs and positions and reasons therefore. Bassett seconded the motion and a roll call vote was unanimous,
6-0. The resolution follows.
WHEREAS the financial condition of the school district dictates that the school board must reduce expenditures
immediately, and
WHEREAS, there has been a reduction in student enrollment, and,
WHEREAS, this decrease in student enrollment must include discontinuance of positions and discontinuance or
curtailment of programs, and
WHEREAS, a determination must be made as to which teachers’ contracts must be terminated and not renewed
and which teachers may be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits in effecting
discontinuance of positions,
School Board Minutes – December 13, 2004
Page 5
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 281, as follows:
That the School Board hereby directs the Superintendent of Schools and the administration to consider the
discontinuance of programs and positions as a result of a reduction in enrollment, make recommendations to the
school board for the discontinuance of programs, discontinuance of positions or curtailment of positions.
9.06. Robbinsdale Area Schools Staffing Process
Nancy Rajanen, executive director of human resources; Tom Dooher, president of the Robbinsdale Federation
of Teachers; and Carol Adams, human resources program director for recruitment, selection and staffing,
presented information on the staffing process for 2004-2005.
9.07. Promotion of Diversity in the Workplace
Nancy Rajanen presented a plan for action to increase diversity in the Robbinsdale Area Schools workplace.
10. Board Reports
10.01. District 287 Report
Johnson reviewed highlights of the recent District 287 meeting.
10.02. Community Education Report (None)
10.03. Minnesota School Boards Association Delegate Assembly
Johnson provided an update on the recent MSBA Delegate Assembly.
10.04. Association of Metropolitan School Districts Legislative Report
Van Heel provided an update on the recent AMSD meeting with legislators.
10.05. Construction Update
Superintendent Mack encouraged the board and community to drive by the new Forest Elementary School to
see progress on construction.
11. Board Rapport
Van Heel wished everyone a good winter break. Brown provided highlights from a recent Itasca Group meeting he
attended; priority issues for the group for 2005 include transportation and early childhood education. He noted that
only 3% of African American males will get a bachelors degree. Moreira shared concerns about minority education
and employment. Green thanked staff for their continued hard work on the reorganization plan. Johnson also thanked
the staff, board and community for their hard work on the reorganization plan. Superintendent Mack joined in
wishing everyone a happy holiday and a good new year. He thanked former Education Commissioner Cheri Piersen
Yecke for her objective leadership in dealing with the matter of the Lakeville and Armstrong bands declining the
invitations to play for the Bush Rally.
12. Adjournment
Green moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. Moreira seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________________________
Barb Van Heel, clerk of the board
Approved January 3, 2005
________________________________________
Linda Johnson, chairperson