SV School Board approves levy

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SPRING VALLEY--The Spring Valley School Board approved its tax levy for 2012-13 recently.

The levy was set at $2,125,197, with the mill rate set at $11.16, an increase of 14 cents from last year. The District property value was $253,794,714, a decrease of $11,889,125.

In other action, the board, in the last two months:

--Accepted the retirement request of Karl Sorenson, high school/middle school maintenance, and the resignation letter of Darcie Butts, special education aide.

--Approved Jeff Thompson as middle school boys basketball coach, Ben Rudesill as varsity golf coach and Christina Williams as special education aide.

--Heard from Superintendent David Wellington, who said the third-Friday-in-September enrollment count was 715, which was one less than last year.

--Heard presentations from teachers on student engagement and differentiation. Sixth grade teacher Karen Fesenmaier reported on using iPads to differentiate instruction in math to meet the needs of all students. She also reported on the benefits of team teaching with Cory Ducklow in one large classroom. Meanwhile, Michele Huppert and Jim Herold reported on team teaching with Nick Gilles on the seventh grade STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math) curriculum.

--Approved doing an elevation and slope survey of the field at the middle school/high school, along with the downtown football and baseball fields. Wellington said the surveys will be used for planning purposes for the Board Operations Committee.

--Also, by a 6-1 vote, approved a snowmobile trail behind the middle school/high school. Board Member Peter Coyne was the only one to vote no.

--Approved broadcasting extracurricular events on public access television on a tape-delayed basis. Wellington added the District hopes to be broadcasting wrestling meets by next month, and if this is successful, other events will be added. The broadcasts will be on West Wisconsin Telcom local television station -- MyC247 Community TV Channel broadcast on Channel 7.

--At the same time, the board approved ending the district’s participation in the CESA 11 Northern Lights network at the end of the 2012-13 year. "We can then reallocate those funds towards other learning opportunities for students," Wellington said.

--Approved setting salaries of the board at $7,000, to be divided among the seven members as they choose.

--Accepted the bid from Advanced Tank Service to remove the underground fuel tank at the bus garage, which was successfully moved.

The next SV board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 17.

Tags: spring valley, communities, education, wisconsin