The good news is that repeat air testing in the High School, after implementation of preliminary mitigation steps, show a significant reduction in the PCE and TCE vapors to levels well below the EPA "Action levels".  The district will continue the mitigation (primarily increasing the air flow through the HVAC system) until more permanent solutions are in place.  Plans are proceeding to install a "depressurization" system to lower the concentration of vapors beneath the slab to prevent them from entering the building.

The Board did spend more than an hour last night with representatives from Klinke Cleaners, the DNR, the testing company, and experts hired to guide the remediation.  I was surprised to learn that soil contamination was first detected on the Klinke site in 2008, and removal of contaminated soil was done in 2010.  Klinke Cleaners has been funding the testing and cleanup efforts at the high school. The Wisconsin dry cleaner's association does have a fund to help with the costs of environment remediation.
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In other business:

Technology update:  the board heard a detailed report from IT Director Bill Herman on the state of our technology infrastructure.  In brief: not good and falling behind, without outdated and inadequate equipment and support.  Bill presented an "adequate funding" proposal that included a nearly $200K increase in funding to support our educational goals.  You can find Bill's presentation here.

The one bright spot in: a federal stimulus funded program will bring us desperately needed high bandwidth internet access by the beginning of next year.

Buy a Bus seat:  The board also considered a "Buy a seat" program where students within our new 2 mile walk zones would have the option to receive school bus transportation for a fee of $150 on a space available basis.  It's unfortunate that we have to go this direction.

Nuestro Mundo Dual Language Immersion:  The board considered the application process for the Nuestro Mundo program to be operated with the Madison School district in Maywood next year.  Applicants have until June 29th this year to apply to enter the Kindergarten class.  Monona Grove has up to 5 spots reserved, if more than 5 applications are received there will be a random draw for the positions.

April 14th meeting...

Items of note:

New Business
A. Discussion and Possible Approval of MG Alternative School revamp, (30 mins)including new charter and implementation grant application to DPI
(Rebecca Fox-Blair and Bill McDonald)

The MG Alt. High School needs to update their charter to bring them into compliance with federal guidelines. At the same time by rechartering the school it will be eligible for a 2 year "implementation grant" that will provide funds for curriculum development, equipment, workstations, software and furnishings - allowsing a significant upgrade to the offerings of the alt. school.

C. Discussion and Possible Approval of 9th Grade Biology, Beginning (30 mins) 2010-2011 - MGHS Science Department Staff & Bill Breisch

In an effort to align HS science offerings with College readiness standards, the high school science staff is proposing to expand biology to a full year for freshmen (2010-2011 school year) and chemistry to a full year for sophomores (2011-2012 school year). Honors courses will also be offered.

D. Discussion Regarding District Racial Issues (45 mins)
(Renee Tennant, Paul Brost and Charles Ellis)

As you probably know we have some difficult racial issues to address. Paul, Rennee and Charlie Ellis will provide us with an update on the situation and efforts to improve the environment for all students.

E. Discussion and Possible Approval of 2010-2011 Teacher Preliminary (10 mins)Notices of Layoff

Teachers contracts automatically extend for the next school year at the end of April, so we need to authorize preliminary layoff notices that reflect the budget cuts agreed to by the board before the deadline.

Homecoming cancelled

Doug Wood takes on the district for cancelling homecoming this year.

After the problems of last year's homecoming Principal Brost made a recommendation that Homecoming be canceled because of the escalation of destructive behaviors that he felt were becoming disruptive to the educational mission of the high school. After several years of unsuccessful attempts to improve the situation Paul indicated that in his judgment it was time to hit the reset button by cancelling events for a period of time and then starting over.

The Herald-Independent covered this issue last November, you can follow the link, but I have reproduced the relevant reporting below.

I, for one, support this move. Although we took no formal action my impression was that the board was generally supportive at the time. Principal Brost and Superintendent Gerlach are the ones with experience, expertise and knowledge of the situation to make this difficult call.

I also think Doug misses the point: I'm sure many people view the action as a punishment for past misdeeds, but it is not. It is an attempt to create an enviroment in the high school that is more conducive to learning by changing the in-school activities.

From the HI:

Homecoming Cancelled?

Monona Grove High School Principal Paul Brost told the school board that he is recommending that the school no longer feature a "formal Homecoming week" starting next fall, due to poor behavior by students, particularly involving vandalism.

Brost filed a detailed report outlining various behavior problems related to homecoming, and sought feedback from the board on how to best clean up the event.

"This goes back before my five years at the high school," said Brost. We have made gains in school and in the community, added Brost, saying he was frustrated that "we have reached a standstill in progress."

It is very difficult to control behavior outside the school environment, he said, which is where most of the problems occur.

"This to me is a very big deal, and a decision that has not been taken lightly," said Brost. "I am disappointed that I've been unable to turn this (problem) around."

Brost's report outlined issues that arose during Homecoming 2008, as well as major issues and recurrent themes that have caused problems during the last decade.

"Homecoming continues to be a negative experience in school and in the community and my recommendation is to consider discontinuing Homecoming," wrote Brost in his report. He recommended substituting the week-long event with a formal dance held between the fall and winter sports seasons, sometime in November.

According to the report, major problems past and present include:

• Because the senior class could not have their own shirt this year, they ordered over 100 shirts outside of school that read ".09 Pushing it to the Limit." This is a reference to pushing rules and blood alcohol levels, said Brost. The shirts were deemed inappropriate, of course, and after talking with the parent who had helped place the order, the order was cancelled.

• Seniors taunting younger students at assembly events, particularly junior class members. Seniors boast about how many junior homes they have vandalized.

• Vandalization includes toilet papering of homes and dumping garbage on yards, but also more permanent methods like bleaching yards and vehicles, dumping cooking oil on driveways, spray painting driveways, and vehicles being egged. A parade float trailer was pushed in Lake Monona and a dog was shot with a paintball gun. Students were also removed from cars at gunpoint by Madison police after officers saw a paintball gun. A student was "saran wrapped to a tree" with his pants pulled down.

• Students drive in excessive speeds through neighborhoods.

Brost said that some parents are concerned about this vandalism while others say it is not a big deal, just kids having fun.

Brost outlined numerous tactics he has employed to try and thwart this negative behavior, including working closely with class advisors and officers to "give students more ownership" of homecoming activities. They have also reduced the number of assemblies to help reduce taunting and animosity between grades. Brost said that like most years, in-school Homecoming activities were largely ignored outside of the dance.

Board President John Kitslaar said that this was an administrative decision and that the board would not vote on the matter. District Superintendent Craig Gerlach said he was hesitant to cancel the event outright, but that he respected the recommendation. He said they will continue to discuss this decision leading into next fall.