|
By Linda Richter
Thursday, Nov 13 2008, 10:29 PM
New Berlin Public Schools Web site has the following message:
Dr. Paul Kreutzer District Administrator 262-789-6220 kreutzer@nbps.k12.wi.us
FRIDAY CLASSES CANCELED AT NEW BERLIN EISENHOWER MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL NEW BERLIN, Wis., November 13, 2008 – This notification is intended to inform the New Berlin Eisenhower Middle and High School families that classes at New Berlin Eisenhower Middle and High School are cancelled for Friday, November 14th, 2008.
Classes are being cancelled due to recent developments of a threat at the school. School authorities had originally dealt with a threat etched in one of the boy’s restrooms on Wednesday, November 12 th, 2008. Families and staff were notified of that threat yesterday evening. Since then, there has been a secondary threat that was received by some Eisenhower Middle and High School staff via email. The District has chosen to take precautionary measures and has cancelled classes at Eisenhower Middle and High School in the interest of student and staff safety.
Classes are only cancelled at Eisenhower Middle and High School, while all other District schools will be in session.
School officials have been working in cooperation with the New Berlin Police and Fire Departments and other agencies. The New Berlin Police and Fire Departments and these other agencies will be assisting school officials in order to provide support with the situation and also with the investigation. The district will release other pertinent information as any further developments take place.
|
By Linda Richter
Friday, Oct 10 2008, 01:05 AM
Many of Sarah Palin’s comments have raised people's eyebrows.
It was interesting to read in Associated Press Writer Jim Kuhnhenn’s Friday, Oct. 3 news article titled “Palin questions McCain’s concession of Michigan", that Sarah Palin had only learned about John McCain’s decision to abandon efforts to win Michigan when she read it in the newspapers on that Friday morning.
When she read it in the newspapers that morning?
Uh, Gov. Palin, the VP candidate, wasn’t part of the decision, consulted or notified?
Per the news report, she said after reading about the decision, she “fired off a quick email questioning the move.”
Hmmm. If Sen. McCain and the McCain presidential campaign do not value Sarah Palin’s opinion, why should the voters?
Evidently, Sarah Palin was very surprised by what she read.
Of course, she wouldn’t be the only person to experience that----
During my tenure on the New Berlin School Board, I was amazed to read in the New Berlin Citizen newspaper that then-NBPS Superintendent James Benfield had accepted a superintendent’s position in North Carolina/ signed a contract. I had not been informed or notified by Dr. Benfield. (Nor by any School Board official).
Guess what happened next? Acceptance by the School Board of his resignation was put on the next New Berlin School Board meeting agenda. However, at that Board meeting, Dr. Benfield surprised folks again by announcing he’d changed his mind and intended to continue at New Berlin Public Schools.
|
By Linda Richter
Monday, Oct 6 2008, 07:40 PM
In 2006, the New Berlin School Board made a rash, imprudent decision to remove from its next year’s budget the $7000 dues for Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) and withdraw from the organization. It was the only school board to do so.
Well, guess what? Last month, the School Board voted unanimously to rejoin WASB.
WASB is a non-profit, membership organization and shared resource for governing leaders. It shares information among school boards and offers services and programs in the areas of school law, policy, governance, legislative activity and employee relations.
Robert Butler, legal counsel for WASB, was at the September 8, 2008 New Berlin School Board Meeting to discuss the benefits of membership and answer questions. He explained that WASB, a voluntary organization, charges an annual fee of $7400, and the other school boards in the state are WASB members.
To his credit, NBPS District Superintendent Paul Kreutzer recommended rejoining WASB. Touting WASB as a valuable resource, he referred to its digital library, policy review services and publication of legal comments--and financial benefits to the District with WASB membership. Dr. Kreutzer argued that the difficulty and cost in having the District conduct its own research/ review of policies and legislation and retain attorneys knowledgeable in educational practice law exceeds the fee ($7400) charged by WASB annually.
In response to SB officer Joan Doberstein’s observation that WASB also offers legal counsel services for collective bargaining/greviances (on a fee basis above the $7400 annual fee), Dr. Kreutzer responded that the School District would not be using that particular WASB service because the District was happy with the law firm it currently uses for labor negotiations (von Briesen & Roper). However, Dr. Kreutzer admitted that their hourly rate/ legal services would likely cost the District more than using WASB’s. Gee, that doesn't sound very "fiscally conservative".
The motion to approve New Berlin Public School's Membership in WASB included a friendly amendment from Jennifer Eitel requiring administration to report back to the School Board at the first meeting in 2009 to show a cost/benefit analysis of membership.
During the Sept. 8 meeting, Board President Matt Thomas acknowledged that he had “led” the school board in its decision two years ago to get out of WASB. The motion to withdraw from WASB was actually made on June 12, 2006 and passed with Matt Thomas, Keith Heun, Jennifer Eitel and Susan Manley voting yes. Matt Weiss, Art Marquardt and Marc Duff voted no.
Thomas’ explanation for that action was that the School Board wanted to cut costs from the budget, SB members objected to a statement (which Thomas deemed “extreme left” and “liberal”) made by the WASB President concerning the proposed Taxpayer Bill of Rights, and the “previous administration” didn’t present much of a cost/benefit analysis regarding WASB membership.
Gimme a break.
Thomas is trying to make Dr. Benfield’s administration the scapegoat?
Just what stopped Thomas and the rest of the School Board in 2006 from doing their homework by researching the issue, asking questions, weighing pros & cons of withdrawal from WASB and the effect on the school district, financial and otherwise? Why didn't THEY request a cost/benefit analysis?
And how irresponsible to put the blame for that School Board’s radical decision on a statement made by the WASB President!
Apparently, Board members Thomas, Heun, Eitel and Manley did not realize or care that every school district gets one delegate vote and that the WASB President was advocating on behalf of the majority. Unlike that renegade New Berlin School Board, the other school boards in the state--including those in Waukesha County-- have had the good sense to recognize that WASB membership was beneficial to their districts and did not drop out.
|
By Linda Richter
Tuesday, Sep 30 2008, 08:44 PM
“Eagle Eye”, an action-packed movie about computer/government surveillance run amok, debuted last weekend. It was #1 at the box office and is playing at Ridge Cinema in New Berlin.
In the film, abuse of power and misuse of technology have dire consequences. Technology was used to spy on citizens and control people through fear, intimidation, and retaliation.
Speaking of computer/government surveillance:
On September 8, the New Berlin School Board approved a maximum of $60,000 for a multi-camera Web-based surveillance system for New Berlin West Middle-High School. See my September 14 blog titled “Big Brother is Watching.”
District administration referred to the proposed surveillance system as a “deterrent”. Isn’t it disquieting to know that when at New Berlin West, you’ll be under camera surveillance and your photo image can be transmitted and viewed by who knows who or when? ----Not to mention the funds that are being spent for it.
|
By Linda Richter
Sunday, Sep 28 2008, 11:06 PM
Sports-wise, it was an eventful weekend that was full of highs and lows.
The big news is that the Brewers won today! It means the Brewers will be in the playoffs--the first time in 26 years! The Brew Crew beat the Cubs 3-1. CC Sabathia pitched a complete game. Ryan Braun had a 2-run homer. The Mets lost their game today (giving the Wild Card to the Milwaukee Brewers)
Both New Berlin high school football teams scored big wins Friday night. NB Eisenhower beat Cudahy 54-13. New Berlin West trounced Wauwatosa West 63-20. See JS report.
That was terrific. On the other hand:
Saturday’s UW football game was a real stinker. The Badgers blew a big lead. The Michigan Wolverines ended up beating the Badgers 27-25.
The Green Bay Packers were beaten by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today. The final score: Packers 21. Buccaneers 30. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw 3 interceptions, injured his right shoulder during the game. A possible separated shoulder. Ouch.
By the way, ironman Brett Favre, who now plays for the NY Jets, had 6 touchdown passes today. The Jets beat the Arizona Cardinals 56-35.
|
By Linda Richter
Sunday, Sep 14 2008, 06:32 PM
In George Orwell’s novel "1984" about a repressed society, people were kept under high surveillance by their government via technology.
Perhaps New Berlin Public Schools should change its slogan from Excellence in Educational Experiences to Big Brother is Watching You.
On September 8, the New Berlin School Board voted unanimously to spend up to $60,000 on a “Web-based” camera surveillance system (involving about 40 cameras) for New Berlin West Middle-High School.
Those cameras would be hooked up to the internet. Yup, that’s handy for the Police Department ---and others. The School District's Assistant Superintendent joked that with this system, he could be in Hawaii and tune in to see what was happening at the school.
But what prevents hackers, other mischief makers, thieves, predators, perverts, etc. from getting access to the photo images of children and school?
Were students, their parents and the school faculty consulted? How do they feel about the cameras and surveillance? Do they object to the invasion of privacy?
Furthermore, didn’t Superintendent Kreutzer recently claim that Eisenhower needs about $44 million in upgrades? So, why is installing this high-tech camera surveillance system at West a priority? And isn't this measure a bit extreme?
Although the camera surveillance system was dubbed a “security” solution, District Administration publicly maintained that there were no serious problems at West. They also said the camera system would be more “pro-active” than “re-active”. Indeed, the Superintendent called the surveillance system a “passive observer”, which would serve as a “deterrent”. He acknowledged it would not prevent violent incidents like Columbine’s.
Does Administration and School Board have documented evidence that a Web-based camera surveillance system has reduced or deterred acts of student misconduct, violence, theft or vandalism at suburban schools? If so, it was not presented publicly at the school board meeting.
Who is choosing the company that provides the camera equipment and service? Is the district getting bids from different companies?
Finally, what about metal detectors for safety and security? Aren’t those considered pro-active measures and deterrents? West does not have them.
|
By Linda Richter
Monday, Aug 25 2008, 04:44 PM
An August 19 Journal Sentinel news article about Milwaukee Public Schools carried the headlines “Buildings rise, test scores fall”; “Spate of school expansions is no tonic for student proficiency”; and “At sites of biggest school expansions, more than half saw test score declines”. The newspaper reported that $102 million was invested in that district’s construction program/neighborhood schools concept, “But bricks and mortar have not raised student performance, testing data shows.”
Is that also true of New Berlin Public Schools?
The New Berlin School Board/ District has been fixated on “facility needs” for years. Millions of dollars have gone into facility construction and renovation projects. There have also been school closures and mergers. Recently, the NBPS superintendent announced that Eisenhower needs $44 million in upgrades.
Sure, facilities are important. But has NBPS put bricks and mortar ahead of educational reform? Shouldn’t improved academic success be the high priority? How does Reagan Elementary School’s expensive electric scrolling sign, mosaic floor tiles, and super-sized gym boost academic performance? NB West now has a pricey field house and cavernous auditorium. How do those amenities increase students’ scores on the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exams (WKCE) and the ACT college admission test? What effect did the school closings and mergers have on student learning and standardized test scores?
Those questions and more should be answered by the School Board and superintendent, especially since published reports indicate test scores have slipped in the New Berlin School District:
The Journal Sentinel reported in May that the proportion of students proficient in 10th grade math dropped by 8 percentage points for New Berlin. A July NOW article pointed out that Muskego-Norway School District’s 2007 10th grade WKCE scores were similar to its previous year’s (except for an increase of 4 percentage points in science). By comparison, the New Berlin School District’s test results showed a decrease in the number of proficient and advanced students. NOW stated, “ At West, the number of students who posted proficient or advanced level scores declined by six percentage points in math, seven in reading and language arts, and eight in science. Eisenhower scores in each academic area saw a dip, but smaller than at West, from one percentage point in language arts to five in science.”
In August, the Journal Sentinel reported that ACT scores for the class of 2008 rose at most public schools in Waukesha County. (The test’s composite score averages the results of student performance in 4 areas: English, reading, math and science. ) Muskego-Norway High School posted its highest average composite score ever: 23.2, a four-tenths of a point increase from 2007. New Berlin Eisenhower High School increased its composite ACT score two-tenths of a point (from 23.8 in 2007 to 24 in 2008). However, New Berlin West had a composite score of 22.6--a four-tenths of a point drop from last year. Of the 15 Waukesha County public schools that were listed, only NB West and Oconomowoc’s class of 2008 had lower composite ACT scores than their predecessors.
|
By Linda Richter
Thursday, Aug 14 2008, 03:50 AM
I’m disappointed in the New Berlin School District’s response to my August 8 email.
In my email, I referred to the public notice of the July 28 District Annual Meeting published in the July 24 New Berlin NOW newspaper. I asked about a prior notice.
The district response: It was published only that one time; it should have been published twice; a note has been made to do so next year.
The minutes of the May 12 Board of Education Meeting were published in the June 5 NOW newspaper. Because I couldn’t find the minutes of later New Berlin School Board meetings, such as May 19, June 9, June 16 meetings in any of my New Berlin NOW editions, I inquired about it.
The district’s response: The minutes of those meetings had been sent to NOW on the days following the meetings at which they were approved. They were faxed not emailed. They’ve now been emailed to the editor and will be published in the next New Berlin NOW. The district employee who handled these responsibilities retired in May.
My thoughts:
Apparently, the “reorganization” of administrative and secretarial staff at the District Office contributed to the deficient district communication. Frankly, I don’t care whether the meeting minutes were faxed or emailed. There should have been follow-through. Nor do I care when the minutes were “approved”.
I do care that the meeting minutes were not published as required by board policy and law.
According to New Berlin School Board Policy, the proceedings of all regular and special meetings of the Board of Education shall be published as required by law. The New Berlin Citizen is the official newspaper. Community Newspapers (Journal Communications) replaced the New Berlin Citizen with NOW quite awhile ago.
The law (Wisconsin Statute) 120.11(4) states:
"(4) The proceedings of a school board meeting shall be published within 45 days after the meeting as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, in a newspaper published in the school district, if any, or publicized by school district-wide distribution prepared and directed by the school board and paid out of school funds. If there is no newspaper published in the school district, the proceedings shall be posted or published as the school board directs. For the purpose of publication, the proceedings shall include the substance of every official action taken by the school board at the meeting and a statement of receipts and expenditures in the aggregate. The school board shall make a detailed record of all receipts and expenditures available to the public for inspection at each school board meeting and upon request."
NOW is a newspaper published in the school district. Note that the statute specifies that the proceedings of a school board meeting shall be published within 45 days after the meeting and it's been well over 45 days since the May 19, June 9, and June 16 school board meetings were held.
Compliance with board policy and state law should not be dismissed by district personnel as a "detail" that was overlooked. How sad that informing the public as required via notices and meeting minutes is something that "dropped through the cracks".
Regarding another botched district communication: A Meeting & Report booklet was given to the electorate at the 2008 Annual Meeting. The minutes of last year’s (2007) Annual Meeting are on pages 21 and 22 of the booklet. Most of page 22 of my copy is blank. Oddly, the motion /votes approving the tax levy, and setting a date and time for the 2008 Annual Meeting are missing from it.
|
By Linda Richter
Monday, Aug 11 2008, 01:59 AM
Perhaps the New Berlin School Board should send a thank you note to Governor Jim Doyle and the state representatives responsible for the district getting more state aid.
In June, the School Board approved a $52.67 million General Fund budget for 2008-09 with a projected tax levy increase. Indeed, NOW reported: “Budget comes with 4.5 percent tax levy hike, Average homeowner would pay $115 more to operate schools”.
The budget ($52,675,656) & tax levy ($45,301,529) figures were cited in the public notice (July 24 NOW newspaper) of the July 28 District Annual Meeting. However, at the Annual Meeting the electorate was asked to approve a different, lesser tax levy (and tax levy increase) because of an unexpected $3 million state aid “windfall”.
Unexpected? Well, the district's assumption that property valuation would rise by at least 4% was wrong. Additionally, when Dr. Kreutzer’s administration calculated the budget & tax levy-- and presented its recommendations in June, they didn't have some significant data from the state.
According to Ross Mac Pherson, the district’s financial services director, NBPS gets more state aid because ( as reported by NOW )----
- the district benefits from a state aid formula that includes a less than expected increase in equalized property valuation (less than 4%).
- the district drew down its fund balance by $2.9 million last year to fund some building projects
- Gov. Jim Doyle’s insistence that K-12 school aid would be an exception to his zero growth state budget for 2009-10.
It should be noted, though, that state aid is not finalized until October, so things could change.
As for district spending: The proposed 2008-09 $52.67 million Gen. Fund budget approved by the school board is higher than the $51.97 million 2007-08 budget.
|
By Linda Richter
Monday, Jul 14 2008, 12:52 PM
New Berlin Public Schools spent $7,552.61 on the 4-color, 4-page December newsletter it mailed to community residents.
Was that expense necessary? Couldn’t the information have been communicated on the NBPS Web site, at a meeting/hearing, or via a press conference, instead?
Ironically, a few months prior to mailing out that newsletter, District administration recommended revision of Board Policy #1323 (Distribution of Flyers) and advocated the use of technology/the internet for District- parent communication. Putting information on the District’s Web site would replace the District’s long time practice of sending information home to elementary school parents via (paper) Friday Folders. (Superintendent Kreutzer said individual folders could still be made up--if a parent requested it).
And yes, the District newsletter is loaded with positive “spin”.
It displays a large chart on the first page, which compares the NBPS and City of New Berlin “cumulative tax levy % increase since 1998”. The magic word is “%”. It’s a chart of percentage increase. Nowhere in the newsletter are the $ amounts of the tax levies mentioned.
The newsletter does not tell you that the NB School District tax levy (at over $40 million) is double the City of New Berlin’s tax levy. A 10% hike in the School District tax levy would give it an approx. $4 million levy increase. In contrast, the City would have to raise its levy by 20% to achieve a $4 million increase.
Should parents and District taxpayers be pleased that our so-called “fiscally conservative” School Board/District spent over $7.5 grand on a mailing to our community that does not provide such pertinent information as the $ amount of the NBPS budget or tax levy? Hopefully, the way information was presented or omitted in the newsletter did not lead community residents to mistakenly conclude that the City taxes & spends more money than the New Berlin School District.
“A Message from Dr. Paul Kreutzer” also appears on the newsletter's first page. Dr. Kreutzer, the NBPS Superintendent, ends his two- paragraph “message” with this statement: “While the New Berlin Public Schools maintain a healthy amount of spending per pupil, our local tax history shows a steady control over local revenues for our operations.”
Hmmm. Did you see the tiny chart next to the fold on the next page of the newsletter?---- 2006-07 $ per student*
Wauwatosa $11,506
New Berlin $11,439
Cudahy $10,905
Greenfield $10,737
* data from Public Policy Forum
Reading that chart, it would be easy to conclude that New Berlin’s per pupil spending is average or ranks in the middle. However, if you visit the Public Policy Forum’s Web site, you’ll discover that among the 50 Southeastern Wisconsin public school districts listed, New Berlin Public Schools ranks 12th in per pupil spending. Although the District newsletter refrains from referring to NBPS’s 12th place spending rank, it does choose to broadcast that New Berlin ranked 4th out of 50 school districts in southeastern Wisconsin in WKCE total scores as reported by the Public Policy Forum.
On its third page, the District newsletter boasts that Eisenhower was nationally recognized as a Blue Ribbon School. That's grand. But are we supposed to forget that the New Berlin School Board/District chose to close Prospect Hill, the District’s only nationally recognized Blue Ribbon elementary school?
|
By Linda Richter
Friday, Jun 13 2008, 08:08 AM
Congratulations to:
Eisenhower’s Softball team--the Division 2 State Softball Champions. The team was recognized at Monday’s School Board meeting. Coach Jeff Setz gave a speech thanking the girls and touting their efforts and accomplishments. He called them champions both on and off the field. A wonderful tribute, indeed.
Boys Tennis Division Qualifiers
New Berlin West Boys Track Qualifiers for the WIAA State Track Tournament
Elementary School Chess Club (Elmwood, Glen Park, Orchard Lane, Ronald Reagan Schools )--national award winners. Coach Randy Bubolz took 38 chess players to Pittsburg and came back with 6 team trophies and 6 individual trophies. At Monday’s Board Meeting, Elmwood principal Jo Boardman thanked and praised Mr. Bubloz, a community member, (who was not present) for his volunteer service and chess team’s achievements.
Eisenhower and New Berlin West students graduating Saturday
New Berlin West’s graduation ceremony is on June 14 at l:30 pm in the NBW Field house.
The Eisenhower graduation ceremony, which is also on June 14, has been re-located to a Church and the time changed.
The following announcement is posted on the NBPS web site:
Updated June 11, 2008. Due to recent heavy rains, the Eisenhower High School stadium field is unusable for commencement ceremonies. The original alternate location was the high school gymnasium. Those who have attended an indoor ceremony there in the past largely agree that this is not a comfortable venue for a dignified commencement ceremony. No air conditioning, difficult steps and risers, and a tight limit on the number of guests all make this a less-than-desirable location. Fortunately, a much more suitable and comfortable location for June 14, 2008 has been secured, even on short notice.
Commencement will now be held at Elmbrook Church, 777 South Barker Road, Brookfield. The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. (originally 1:30 p.m.)
|
By Linda Richter
Tuesday, Jun 10 2008, 11:56 PM
During Monday evening's (June 9) New Berlin School Board Meeting, Superintendent Paul Kreutzer announced that New Berlin West MS/HS had been evacuated that afternoon about l pm. He said We Energies and the Fire Department had been on the scene.
According to Dr. Kreutzer, there had been an electrical failure at the school and disruption of telecommunication services at West, some other District Schools, and the District Office.
A difficult situation--especially with students in the process of taking final exams.
Apparently, some electrical circuitry at West had shorted out and melted, probably due to a power surge. Dr. Kreutzer went on to speculate that inclement weather may have compromised a substation near Calhoun Road, resulting in the power surge. He said the extent of the damage had not yet been determined, but stressed that there had been no fire and no injuries.
It was uncertain whether West would be open Tuesday morning or not. Dr. Kreutzer said he’d make that call about 5 am.
When I checked with District Office Tuesday afternoon, I was told that West did open.
|
By Linda Richter
Monday, Jun 2 2008, 02:00 PM
In one of my previous blog entries, I mentioned that at the September 24 New Berlin School Board Meeting, Dr. Kreutzer’s administration presented a bunch of facility projects, which it described as “dire” facility needs, “important” and “immediate” ---but which had not been budgeted for. That blog piece focused on one of those needs--Orchard Lane Elementary School asphalt problems, a safety issue.
The list of dire needs identified at that September board meeting included: Orchard Lane asphalt, Eisenhower roof, Eisenhower IMC carpet, New Berlin office areas, Reagan Elementary locks, water heater at Glen Park Elementary and Glen Park security.
Buildings & Grounds Director Bob Pulliam spoke of major leaks in the Eisenhower School roof and “patches on top of patches”. He said the roof had been repaired a lot, it had leaked twice last summer and he was worried about winter frost heave. He wondered about the insulation’s condition and conveyed that he did not like staff on the roof because of its “sponginess”. Concerns were also raised re: potential damage to the wooden gym floor from roof leakage/moisture and about structural damage, mold.
The Eisenhower IMC carpet was described as “completely broken down.” and “shot”. Administration explained that beneath the carpet was concrete, the carpet’s jute backing was all gone, and they’d been taping seams--which they considered a safety hazard.
The Board was informed that the office areas that were supposed to have been fixed during the costly (approx. $33 million) New Berlin West renovation project, had not been. Guests and students were funneling through the NB West office/ reception area. That was a safety, security hazard. Susan Manly expressed frustration that some of these critical needs weren’t taken care of in that $33 million.
Administration complained about doors at Reagan Elementary that lacked key fobs. To get back into the school building after playground recess --and avoid having to go around the building to the front entrance-- some staff members were propping open the door with foreign objects, making the school less “secure”. Furthermore, if an incident would occur at the school requiring a “lock down”, police would have problems getting into the building via shut doors they can’t open from the outside.
Pulliam told the school board that the old Glen Park water heater was “gone” and needed to be replaced with a more efficient system. Administration gave a cost estimate of approx. $15,000.
Administration said a security camera was needed at Glen Park to cover the playground area and wiring for the south east entrance which had a “blind spot”. A camera from the old New Berlin Center School was being used for the Glen Park front entrance.
Other significant facility needs, such as mold, indoor air quality and school pavement, have been brought up by Dr. Kreutzer at other school board meetings.
|
By Linda Richter
Wednesday, May 7 2008, 11:59 PM
Half of Matt Thomas’ New Berlin NOW blog postings since January 22 mentioned me and had my name in the headings. One would think a school board officer/president could find lots of topics other than me to write about. How about educational issues at the local, state or federal level, for starters? Or isn’t he interested in such things? There were numerous recognitions on the agenda of the April 28 New Berlin School Board Meeting. Someone should blog about it. So, here goes:
The board meeting began with Board President Keith Heun flubbing the Pledge of Allegiance. ( See my blog entry Holy School Board! )
After the Pledge of Allegiance, outgoing Board Member Susan Manley was recognized for her board service. Outgoing board members are traditionally honored in this fashion.
The oath of office was administered by Jennifer Eitel to the newly elected school board members-- Dave Maxey and incumbent Art Marquardt (Marquardt was attending by teleconference ). School board members (except Marquardt) voted for their board officers (by secret ballot). Thomas appointed two board members to positions.
Then came recognition of students It was listed on the meeting agenda as:
POPLAR CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- Brittany Biddle--State D.A.R.E. Essay Winner
NEW BERLIN WEST HIGH SCHOOL
- Byron Butler--WIAA State Champ--100 Yard Butterfly
- Co-op Swim Team Members--WIAA State Qualifiers
NEW BERLIN EISENHOWER MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
- Basketball Team--Division 2--WIAA State Champions
- Cheerleaders--National Champs, 2nd in State
- Academic Decathlon Team--3rd Place, Division II at State
- Dance Team---3rd in State
- Co-op Swim Team Members--WIAA State Qualifiers
- Woodland Conference Varsity Math Champions
- 2008 State Fair Art Winner
- National Art Competitor
Wow. Congratulations to all of those students and teams for their remarkable achievements. Obviously, New Berlin Public Schools has many talented and hard-working students and athletes.
|
By Linda Richter
Wednesday, Mar 12 2008, 03:23 PM
NBPS Superintendent Paul Kreutzer's financial presentation will be held tonight at 7 pm at New Berlin West in the Performing Arts Center.
You will have an opportunity to aks him questions following his presentation.
|
By Linda Richter
Monday, Mar 10 2008, 11:32 AM
Reminder: No New Berlin School Board Meeting tonight.
NBPS posted the agenda for Tuesday’s scheduled 7 pm Regular Board Meeting ( held in the Eisenhower Library)-----
The Open Session's (which you can attend) Regular agenda includes:
- Approval of Superintendent’s contract
- Future Meeting Dates-- containing the information that the March 17 Regular Board Meeting has been cancelled.
Then following the closed session:
- Approval of finalized contract and retirement agreement for Dave LaBorde (principal at New Berlin West) and retirement agreement for Rich Reinke.
The Closed Session lists these agenda items:
Employee Retirement Agreements
Update on NBEA, SEP and AFSCME Negotiations
Administrator Contracts
Teacher and Long-Term Substitute Final Notices of Non-Renewal
Resignation of Athletic Director
Hiring of Athletic Director
|
By Linda Richter
Thursday, Feb 28 2008, 10:20 PM
Attention: New Berlin School District residents and parents
If you want a better understanding of school district finances and your taxes---or have questions---don’t miss the one hour presentation given by New Berlin Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Kreutzer at 7 pm on Wednesday, March 12. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.
The topics will include:
- how taxes are derived
- comparison data
- budgetary priorities
- future fiscal planning.
This financial presentation and Q&A session will be conducted at New Berlin West Performing Arts Center, 18695 W. Cleveland Ave.
According to the NBPS District web site, Dr. Kreutzer will be available after his presentation until all questions have been answered.
Dr. Kreutzer did a slideshow presentation on school finance at the October 8 School Board Meeting that was impressive, fact-filled, and down-to-earth. I expect his March 12 presentation will be as interesting and informative.
|
By Linda Richter
Thursday, Feb 14 2008, 09:37 PM
Happy Valentine's Day!
Today is February 14 and yet:
The most recent New Berlin School Board Meeting minutes posted on the NBPS District Web site are for the November 26, 2007 meeting!
The minutes of the December, January and February School Board Meetings are not yet posted on it.
In contrast, the City of New Berlin Web site is more regularly updated.
Click on the City's Web site, and you can view the minutes of the Common Council or Committee of the Whole Meetings that were just held on February 12---as well as minutes of previous meetings.
|
By Linda Richter
Wednesday, Jan 16 2008, 01:35 PM
A few months ago (at the September 24 New Berlin School Board Meeting), NBPS Administration presented a slew of facility projects, which it described as “dire” facility needs, “important” and “immediate” ---but which had not been budgeted for.
For example: Asphalt at Orchard Lane Elementary (drive, playground areas).
Bob Pulliam, Director of Buildings and Grounds argued that the asphalt was “shot” and described it as a “big problem”. According to Pulliam, the asphalt that was currently in use had never been sealed. Pulliam also said that better drainage was needed.
We are talking pavement upheavals, gigantic holes, loose stones, standing water problems. Obviously, not a good situation to have at an elementary school, especially one that has so many special needs students.
When Board President Keith Heun questioned why it was a safety issue, Joan Paque ( Director of Student Services & formerly Orchard Lane Principal), explained that some of the kids were in wheelchairs --and they’ve had some students catch and flip over because of the asphalt “conditions”!!!
She reported that at least one student had been injured because of the drop in pavement, and students were tripping and falling, especially when playing basketball!!!
And per Orchard Lane Principal Cory Whitsell: students exit through that zone and were “catching stones” on their shoes and tripping. He warned that stones on kid’s shoes were also being dragged into the school building, another identified safety hazard.
At the Oct. 8 Board Meeting, a few facility renovation projects were discussed. Orchard Lane asphalt replacement was again presented as an urgent safety matter--with Administration arguing that the project could be done before snowfall, possibly during teacher’s convention. Administration pointed out that there was no line item in the budget for asphalts and roofs and that the Board would have to decide how it would fund those projects.
New Berlin School Board Member Susan Manley accused the School Board of poor planning and not doing its job properly. That's a valid observation.
After all, the so-called “fiscally conservative” School Board/District had been primarily fixated on two “showy” facility projects and funneled mega-millions into them----
- the humongous new Reagan Elementary School, which boasts such “frills” as mosaic floor tile, wooden ceiling, and outside electric scrolling sign
- New Berlin West renovations that include an extravagant new Field House and cavernous auditorium
Meanwhile, a number of significant, important projects at District schools were neglected, overlooked, or put off, such as Orchard Lane asphalt replacement. Because the School Board/District had failed to allocate the necessary funds, Orchard Lane’s asphalt continued to deteriorate, endangering children. To Superintendent Paul Kreutzer’s credit, he has pushed the School Board to take care of these “dire” needs.
At the Oct. 8 Board Meeting, the motion “ To approve commencement of work on the asphalt project at Orchard Lane at the lowest possible bid, and (friendly amendment) to fund an amount not to exceed $270,000 to identify maintenance projects this year” passed on a 4-3 vote, with Manley, Matt Thomas, and John Kegel dissenting.
|
By Linda Richter
Thursday, Jan 3 2008, 01:10 AM
New Berlin School Board Member Susan Manley filed non-candidacy papers, signally her intent not to run for re-election. See news report.
It didn’t surprise me one bit.
When District Administration presented several projects at the September 24 School Board Meeting, that were described as “important”, “immediate”, & “dire" needs --but which had not been currently budgeted for, Mrs. Manley was quite dismayed.
She expressed “frustration” that “critical issues” at New Berlin West and Reagan School were on the list--grumbling that the School Board had spent a lot of money on those two schools. She conveyed “frustration” that some of those “critical needs” weren’t taken care of with the $33 million spent renovating West.
And then she voted against proceeding with the proposed roofing and air quality plans. However, the motion passed 4-2. (She and Matt Thomas were the dissenters)
When it met in October, the School Board discussed increasing the tax levy to address some of the more “pressing” needs identified in September by Administration, such as Eisenhower’s leaky roof, and huge holes in asphalt at Orchard Lane School. Mrs. Manley was again agitated and "frustrated". Referring to the "taxpayers", and fretful about how they'd react, Mrs. Manley complained that "we" (presumably she/the School Board) had not planned properly and hadn’t done its job right.
Mrs. Manley chose to vote against the motion/amendment “ to approve the commencement of work on the asphalt project at Orchard Lane at the lowest qualified bid-- and to fund an amount not to exceed $270,000 to identify maintenance projects this year”. The motion passed 4-3. (Mrs. Manley, Matt Thomas, John Kegel cast the no votes).
During Mrs. Manley’s tenure on the School Board, I emailed her a few times, but got no response--no email reply, no letter, no phone call, no attempt to speak with me at a School Board Meeting, and no answers from her to the questions I posed in my email messages. Nothing.
Hopefully, the Board Member who replaces Susan Manley in April will be more responsive to constituents, take greater initiative/action to be well- informed about District needs or problems, and will consider safety of students and staff a top priority.
|
More Posts Next page »
|
|
