MINUTES:       Meeting of the Monona Grove School District, Business Services Committee,

held on Tuesday, July 27, 2004, in the Nichols School, District Office Board

Room, Starting at 5:00 P.M.

BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:                                    Nancy Allen, John Kitslaar, John Weinberger

COMMUNITY MEMBER PRESENT:                                    Dan Millin

COMMUNITY MEMBER ABSENT:                                    Jim Blair

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:                                    Gary Schumacher, Jeff Avery

OTHERS PRESENT:                                    Mary Possin, Mike DuPlayee, Barb Berg,

                                    Mark Scullion

                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

I.                    Opening of Meeting – John Weinberger

 

II.                 Declaration of Public Notice – acknowledged

 

III.               Public Appearances – none

 

IV.              Approval of the Minutes of the June 23, 2004, Business Services Committee Meeting

 

Dan Millin moved approval of the June 23, 2004, Business Services Committee meeting minutes.  John Kitslaar seconded and the motion carried.

 

V.                 Opportunity for Public Input into the 2004-2005 Budget

 

No one was in attendance to offer public input into the budget process.

 

VI.              Discussion and Possible Approval of Refinancing Debt Related to Unfunded Pension Liability

 

David Noack of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc., presented information to the Committee

on savings that could be realized if the district would participate in the SUPR (Stifel’s

Unfunded Pension Reduction) Program. 

 

Mr. Weinberger moved that the Committee recommend to the Board of Education approval

of the district’s participation in the SUPR Program as outlined in a memorandum from Jeff

Avery, Director of Business Services, dated July 22, 2004.  Mr. Kitslaar seconded and the

motion carried.

 

VII.            Discussion and Possible Approval of Sign for Taylor Prairie School

 

Barbara Berg, Principal, Taylor Prairie School presented a drawing of a proposed sign to identify Taylor Prairie School.  The Cottage Grove PTO will fund the cost of the sign with no cost to the school district.

 

Ms. Allen moved that the Committee recommend to the Board of Education approval of the sign as presented.  Mr. Kitslaar seconded and the motion carried.

 

 

 

 

 

VIII.         Discussion and Possible Approval of Maywood and Nichols PTO Donation of Playground Equipment

 

This agenda item will be discussed at the next meeting of the Business Services Committee.  Those presenting information pertaining to the equipment were not in attendance.

 

IX.               Discussion and Possible Approval of Authorization for Monona Grove School District Administration to Work with the City of Monona to Develop a Plan to Jointly Use and Share Expenses of Ahuska Park

 

David Berner, City Administrator and Heidi Kruger, Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Monona, were present to answer any questions from Committee members regarding the proposal for joint use of Ahuska Park.  Committee members reviewed the information presented and had concerns as to where the school district would access the dollars needed for joint use of the park.  The Committee asked the administration to further research the proposal by working with the City to address the level of involvement by the school district and to report back at the Facilities meeting on August 25, 2004.

 

X.                 Discussion and Possible Approval of Eagle Scout Projects for the Monona Grove School District’s School Forest

 

Mark Scullion, Director of Buildings, Grounds & Transportation, reviewed Eagle Scout projects that will enhance the school forest at Cottage Grove School.  All projects will be done during the months of June-August, 2004.

 

Ms. Allen moved that the Committee recommend to the Board of Education approval of the Eagle Scout Projects for the Monona Grove School District’s school forest as presented. 

Mr. Millin seconded and the motion carried.

 

XI.               Discussion and Possible Approval of Job Description for Transportation Supervisor

 

Ms. Allen moved that the Committee forward the proposed Transportation Supervisor Job Description to the Personnel and Policy Committee with a recommendation for approval.

Mr. Millin seconded and the motion carried.

 

XII.            Discussion and Possible Approval of Job Description for Food Service Kitchen Manager

 

Ms. Allen moved that the Committee forward the proposed Food Service Kitchen Manager Job Description as amended to the Personnel and Policy Committee with a recommendation for approval.  Mr. Kitslaar seconded and the motion carried.

 

XIII.          Update on the Use of Transworld Systems Bad Debts Collections Program

 

Jeff Avery gave the Committee an update on use of the Transworld Systems Bad Debts Collection Program that was implemented in July 2003. 

 

XIV.         Review of Cash Flow

 

Jeff Avery presented cash flow data for the 2003-2004 school year as of June 30, 2004.

 

 

 

XV.            Update on Natural Gas Prices

 

Jeff Avery reported natural gas prices have again increased from last month.  He will continue to monitor the market for the best possible rate before he locks into an amount.

 

XVI.         Confirm Next Meeting Date, Time and Place

 

The next meeting of the Business Services Committee will be Wednesday, August 25th, 2004, in the Nichols School, District Office Board Room, beginning at 5:00 P.M.

 

XVII.       Adjournment

 

Ms. Allen moved that the meeting be adjourned.  Mr. Millin seconded and the motion carried.  The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 P.M.