Friday, January 15, 2021 - 8:06 am
The Board of Education approved the 2019-20 audit report at its regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 11.
Board president Annette Ashley presided over the meeting at the District Services Center, while other Board members participated remotely. The School Board has been meeting virtually since mid-March. MCPASD is required by statute to have an annual financial audit. Wegner CPA was used to produce an independent audit report for 2019-20. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Lori Ames praised the business services department and all District staff for their work as there were no findings for a fourth year in a row.
In other news from Monday's meeting: * The Board approved an amendment to the 66.03 4K intergovernmental agreement between MCPASD and Madison Metropolitan. Orchard Ridge Nursery School has been an MCPASD 4K site with MMSD students allowed to attend as a result of the 66.03 agreement between the two districts. As the years have progressed, the majority, if not all of the students attending this site, are MMSD students. As a result, the initial 2020-21 plan was to remove Orchard Ridge Nursery School from the list of MCPASD sites. However, right before school began, the District became aware that the MMSD misunderstood the change. Because of the potential impact to 4K students and their families, the Distrit agree to amend the 66.03 agreement for 2020-21 to once again include Orchard Ridge Nursery School in the agreement. MMSD created and approved the amendment on Dec. 16.
* The Board approved a waiver for the Wisconsin School Day Milk Program. The District must submit paperwork to start participation in the program once elementary students return to school buildings. MCPASD is also retroactively requesting a waiver to opt out of participation for the time students have been virtual. * The Board approved the administrative and supervisor contracts and benefits for 2021-22. The Board approves these contracts annually. * The Board approved Bob Green as the delegate who votes on behalf of the School Board at the 2021 WASB State Education Convention later this month.
* Board president Annette Ashley reviewed the citizen comments, noting the Board has not read citizen comments in full since moving to virtual meetings in mid-March. The communications will be added to the District website after personally identifiable information is redacted. Ashley noted the Board received nine communications about its Dec. 21 meeting, 12 emails that requested students return to school buildings as soon as possible and two communications that requested students not return to school buildings.
She also apologized for any comments she made at the Dec. 21 meeting that caused harm and acknowledged there is no solution that will please everyone. * In her Superintendent's report, Dana Monogue noted the MCPASD Education Foundation recently received a $100,000 gift from Springs Window Fashions, the organization's largest gift to date. She also stressed the District is committed to its reopening plan and making the return to buildings as safe as possible for students and staff. She reminded members there is a virtual option for families who don't feel comfortable sending their children to school. She also noted schools are trying to find ways for students to participate in athletics and other extra-curriculars.
"We want to find ways to bring our students together safely so they can participate in things they care about deeply,'' Monogue noted.