Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Votes at a glance: MMSD board approves renaming, policy revision, partnerships and hearing officer
Summary
At its Feb. 24 meeting the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education approved the renaming of Southside Elementary, revised the inclement‑weather school closing policy, authorized a $30,000 partnership with Simpson Street Free Press, and reappointed an independent hearing officer.
The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education took several formal actions at its Feb. 24 regular meeting. Key votes and outcomes are listed below.
• Southside Elementary renaming — Approved (motion by Board member Simkin). The board voted to rename Southside Elementary School for educator Laurie Mancari. Vote: 6 yes, 0 no; Vice President Pearson recused. The board thanked the renaming committee and community participants and directed administration to implement necessary record and signage updates.
• School closing/inclement weather policy (Policy 3031) — Approved. The board voted to revise the school closing/inclement weather policy, replacing references to collective bargaining agreement language with the employee handbook and directing the superintendent to inform the board president under revised wording. Vote: unanimous.
• Simpson Street Free Press partnership — Approved ($30,000). The board authorized a $30,000 expenditure to Simpson Street Free Press to deliver core academic instruction through a student‑led newspaper program during after‑school and summer, contingent on a memorandum of agreement; the item was described as a renewal of an existing partnership. Vote: unanimous.
• Appointment of independent hearing officer — Approved. The board reappointed Matthew Bell to the pool of independent hearing officers authorized to determine pupil expulsions for the 2024–25 school year to ensure sufficient coverage under statutory timelines. Vote: unanimous.
All listed actions passed during the regular meeting; the board consolidated other routine consent agenda items in a single vote, with an item (10.7 Simpson Street Free Press) pulled for brief discussion before approval.
