October 6, 2005 Regular School Board Meeting
All members present. No one spoke during Public Comments.
MME School Report
Mark Larson, Principal at MME and Pete Dymit, Assistant Principal at MME, talked about the school’s “Do The Right Thing” campaign and showed posters designed by students. The program was started with $15,000 in grant money from Hennepin County; a different concept is emphasized at each grade level: 6th grade doing the right thing with themselves: goals, values, health decisions; 7th grade, do the right thing with others: bullying, including verbal bullying, developing empathy; 8th grade do the right thing with surroundings: service learning, volunteering, environment at local and regional level. The MMW PTA sponsored the purchase of Do The Right Thing wristbands for all students; Mr. Larson brought extra for school board members.
Mark Larson and Pete Dymit presented information about how MME will use data more efficiently to improve differentiated learning, described not as 150 different learning plans, but contemplating the person – getting to know students so well that we can see them thinking, we’re learning what engages each student.
Board members asked questions, discussing whether other schools were trying this approach, how to help kids identify themselves what helps them learn, how to pass information along with students every year to new teachers in next grade.
Peggy Stefan had comments related to the Operating Principles, on the agenda later in the evening; she wanted to be sure everyone had gotten her e-mail sent late in the day about the best language outlined for the preamble. All had apparently seen the e-mail and had the correct copy of the Operating Principles, reviewed by school district’s attorney.
Board Reports on Committee work
Co-Curricular Subcommittee consists of Bob Quam, MHS Principal Dave Adney, Activities Director John Hedstrom and Superintendent Dennis Peterson; they’re looking at data from other schools, researching other states, would like to align everything with the district’s Strategic Plan and Vision.
Carol Eastlund talked about the upcoming October 9 Town Hall Meeting kick-off for Tonka CARES, the community wide effort to reduce illegal substance use by teens.
Judy Erdahl reminded everyone of the MCES Open House at the new remodeled Deephaven Education Center Oct 18 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. She is also the Board rep to the Special Ed Advisory Council; there are 3 times as many people involved this year and parents reps in each school for resources, information.
Bill Wenmark recognized MCES Director Tim Litfin’s son Philip, a cadet at the U.S. Naval Academy, who sang the National anthem at the start of the Twin Cities marathon, then finished the race at 3:11, ahead of his father.
Refinance of $12 million bonds saves $575,000
Dr. Peterson explained the district has called for bids to refinance debt, no revenue for the district but a better rate for taxpayers; they were looking for 3.45% but best bid was 3.38% from PiperJaffray, best rate in more than 2 years.
Annual Report of School District
Janet Swiecichowski, Communications Director, presented material from the district’s annual report. Highlights were record levels of student achievement, goals met, teacher training programs. Expansion Magazine (business relocation) rated Minnetonka in the top 16% - gold medal - of 2800 school districts listed. National School Board Association named Minnetonka as one of 8 school districts to watch for 2005, citing emphasis on communications. Minnetonka won awards for technology use in 2005. Record number of AP Scholars – 146. 93% of our 3rd and 5th graders perform at or above grade level in reading, 92% of 3rd and 5th graders at or above grade level in math. 92% of 10th graders at or above grade level in reading. New this year, at Board’s request, the Student Survey data will be included.
Report adopted with unanimous vote
The report will be in households by the week of October 17.
Erin Adams asked that the Student Survey data from 2004 be a live link on the district’s web site so the community can easily access the full report.
Teacher contract approved
Dr. Peterson acknowledged the hard work of administrators and teachers’ union in negotiating the new teacher contract covering the period 7-1-05 to 6-30-07; union members voted in favor of contract; Board voted unanimously to approve.
Report on Strategic Plan and Vision, open enrollment
Janet Swiecichowski talked about Strategy 5, Communications and how the district was meeting these goals: increasing readability and frequency of news about schools to all households in community, increased news releases, growing electronic communication, assisting all schools with electronic newsletters; many charts sowing enrollment growth from non-public school students coming to Minnetonka – the district has targeted transition years grades 5 & 8 and talked with families making those decisions, resulting in large increases. Principals have spoken with these families to be sure transition is smooth for students, and to ask what inspired their change to Minnetonka. 2003, Minnetonka gained 86 students; 2004 gained 94 students; 2005 gained 144 – of these 144 students, 41 are open enrolled and 103 are district residents coming to Minnetonka from area private schools. The district targeted these private school families by inviting them as a group to come meet principals and staff; many returned a few weeks later for private tours and more information. Ms. Swiecichowski shared extensive data about open enrollment and explained the reality behind figures given by the MN Department of Education; the MN figures include 145 students who are placed in alternative programs like Mini-School and District 287 services – for instance, 56 of these students are at Minnetonka High School every day.
More information is available from Ms. Swiecichowski at the District Service Center.
Dr. Peterson pointed out the gain to the district when students open enroll at Minnetonka; these students benefit all since they bring more revenue than they cost, and are evidence of the district’s reputation. About 1600 students who live in the Mtka district do not attend Mtka schools.
Discussion of Operating Principles
Peggy Stefan talked about the Board’s adoption of a district Vision in October 2003, now reflected in policies and strategies; she reviewed the history of the Board’s Operating Principles
Jan 2004 adopted unanimously
Jan 2005 adopted unanimously, again, the 2004 Operating Principles
June 2005 revisited the Operating Principles at all day Board session; members broke into 3 groups to talk about changes, desire for more language from the Vision, reflect the value of local control; they also went back to look at October 2001 version of the Board’s Operating Principles.
Later in June 2005, one representative from each of the 3 groups met as a sub-committee to draft changes – Erin Adams, Judy Erdahl, Peggy Stefan
(Peggy Stefan apologized for missing the Aug 4 & 18 meetings to attend her son’s baseball championship games.) This draft was sent to the attorney for the district for review and advice.
Aug 4 2005 Board members saw the attorney’s draft.
August 18, 2005 Study Session Board members discussed the 3 drafts - they then had 3 versions – the original, the new one approved by the attorney for the district, the one prepared by Bill Wenmark. They agree to think about these, bring questions forward, discuss again Sept 15.
(At the September 15 Study Session, Bill Wenmark was absent, on vacation. The Board discussed the attorney’s review of the Operating Principles.
Erin Adams to Dave Eaton: Are your concerns addressed in this version?
Dave Eaton: Yes. But I’d like to wait until Bill returns to vote.
Erin Adams: Of course.
Board members present all agree to wait to vote on Operating Principles until Mr. Wenmark returns for the October 6 meeting.)
Lengthy discussion of Operating Principles; Mr. Wenmark reads from a statement prepared by his attorney, recommends fellow Board members get their own attorney as he and Mr. Eaton have done
Judy Erdahl and Erin Adams said the writing in the October 6 version, now before you, is superior, reflects changes Ms. Stefan told you about in her e-mail this afternoon, has been approved by the district’s attorney.
Bill Wenmark: Want to be clear on this – we’re voting on the whole document and not just the changes made this afternoon?
Erin Adams: Yes.
Dave Eaton: There are a few places here, depending on interpretation – the Board and Superintendent will work as a team – I may feel constrained if I feel I have expertise in an area, or need for confidentiality.
Peggy Stefan: The whole purpose of having our Chair answer mail is so constituent gets prompt response; everyone on Board sees the answer in a timely manner. If any one Board member has expertise in an area to add, they contact the Board Chair. If mail is addressed to us as individuals, then it’s our business to answer it.
Dave Eaton: More questions about sharing communications with the Board – to respect privacy, trust, maybe Data Privacy, relationships – I don’t want to be constrained.
Erin Adams: Do you have language to suggest to the Board?
Dave Eaton: It should be “share as determined by Board member.”
Carol Eastlund: Or as appropriate.
Peggy Stefan: In the past, we’ve shared concerns raised by constituents, but taken names out of it. There’s no wording to cover every situation.
Dave Eaton: We’re getting there, but I still have concerns; #8 about surprises at meetings are counterproductive.
Bob Quam: It’s just saying don’t show up at a meeting with a “whammy.”
Dave Eaton: I’d like it to say that. It doesn’t say that to me.
Bob Quam: How much clearer can it be?
Peggy Stefan: It’s not that you can’t bring things up.
Bob Quam: Changes we’re looking at here today were sent earlier (by Ms. Stefan to all members). No one walked in here not knowing about it. Avoid is the operative word here – “will try to avoid” surprises
Erin Adams: Our highest duty is not to impede the business of the district. I agree we can’t provide for every situation. But we have an agenda development process, we know the materials we’re going to vote on. We can roll with the punches as we proceed.
Dave Eaton: I hope the overall tone is not getting in the way of independently elected board members, and behaving in an independent way according to my own conscience.
Bill Wenmark: I’ll read my comments. (Mr. Wenmark then read aloud from an 8 page document he said his attorney had prepared.) The remarks indicate he feels he’d be giving up his First Amendment rights to change the emphasis of the Board. He stated he and Mr. Eaton had retained their own attorneys and he recommended other Board members do the same.
Mr. Wenmark left several extra copies for those in attendance at the meeting that night. Go here to see the text
Bill Wenmark: I move to table this issue and call for a roll call vote.
Dave Eaton: Second.
Vote was to table.
Erin Adams to Bill Wenmark: You gave me your opinion, not legal counsel. I have nothing to refer to. Can you tell me, please, what has changed, that you can’t accept the Operating Principles?
Bill Wenmark: (waving document) This was prepared by my attorney –
Erin Adams: We’ve never seen it before tonight.
Bob Quam: Answer the question.
Bill Wenmark: We’re debating-
Bob Quam: There’s no debate. It’s a sermon.
Bill Wenmark: I’ll make my point – When we met, in my effort to try to work with you, how could I provide some feedback, I offered some alternatives. Why no problem before? I’ve never used it – the Operating Principles – in my preparations for meetings, I read, work with staff and administration to prepare. I’d never looked at them before. I’ve been a constant concerned person with the fairness – I provided you with my recommendations from my attorney -
Erin Adams: As a group, all six of us (Eastlund, Eaton, Erdahl, Stefan, Quam, Adams) had no interest in moving that document forward.
Peggy Stefan: It was tabled.
Bob Quam: I want to clarify a point – the Operating Principles we’re talking about here – the document was reviewed by our school district’s attorney. Who is also the attorney for the Minnesota School Board Association.
Erin Adams to Dr. Peterson: Please clarify – the Operating Principles we adopted unanimously in January 2005 are still in effect?
Dr. Peterson: Yes.
Erin Adams: Thank you.
Meeting adjourned.
This report was compiled by TonkaFocus members in attendance at the meeting.
Go here to see the official minutes of this meeting.