001Test. test. Test test. We'll now call the meeting to order. The meeting has been noticed to Evans Print and Media Group, WC Radio, Magnum Radio, Lacrosse Tribune, Sparta City Hall, Sparta Free Library, and the Maplewood Admin Building. Are there any changes to the agenda? I do not. I'd >> request a motion to adopt the agenda, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved and second to adopt the agenda. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Pledge of allegiance. I >> pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Mission statement, please, Mr. Russ. >> Yes, our mission statement is to educate all students academically, emotionally, and socially to inspire curiosity
002and resilience. >> Okay. Public input. Um, first up, Lisa Olsen. And for those who public input, we have three minutes and I'll raise my hand at about 2:45. >> Hi, good evening. Thank you for allowing me to speak this evening. My name is Lisa Olsen. On the first day of inservice, I recall Superintendent Russ saying, "It's all about relationships." And Principal Ford saying, "Teacher retention is our top priority." Tonight, I'll address the connection between the two. You can pick out the teachers who love their job. They are the ones whose students cluster around them after high school, after school is done. They take the time to cultivate relationships with their students. I want to read you some of the thank you cards I got just this year from my students. Dear Miss Olsson, I appreciate
003being in your sophomore class last year. You helped me open my mind and help me overcome my fear of speaking. Dear Miss Olsson, I appreciate when you check up on me and how I'm doing in class. It makes me feel seen and cared for and makes me feel like I can try my best. It really helped me because I struggle in English. Dear Miss Olsen, I appreciate you a lot even though you're not my teacher anymore. Thank you for all you've done to help me out. You always believed in me even when I didn't. Dear Miss Olsen, thank you sincerely for the carrot cake cupcake on my birthday. It really meant a lot to me. I was purposely not having a lot spent on my birthday because of my new baby brother and my sister's
004birthday. Dear Miss Olsson, I appreciate you for helping me take accountability for my actions [cough] and I [clears throat] can't thank you enough for pushing me forward to do the right thing. This is from a student I caught using AI twice to cheat on her writing. I don't read these in a self agrandizing way. My colleagues all have many similar thank you notes. I read them to show you the connection between time and relationship building. We need time in the classroom to really see our students. Increasing our workload by 20% will come at a cost academically, socially, and emotionally. Now, we come to retention. The last minute solution of splitting Mr. Chapel's job between social studies and English while an improvement over not replacing him at all is not an acceptable solution. Our student numbers
005will now rise only by 10%. And this is why teachers leave the field because they are systematically and repeatedly asked to do more and more. You say the numbers are going down. It will eventually even out and in the meantime we burn out. The way this played out has caused me to lose trust with those in charge. The idea that when faced with a budget deficit, a plan was set into motion, putting two core positions on the chopping block before other cuts were made and teachers were simply told, "You can handle it." It shows a lack of understanding and respect for our work. It is difficult for me to stand here with my dignity intact and say I'll be back next year. Thank you. Oh, also, uh, I don't know if the board was aware,
006but my very qualified colleague, Miss Hullberg, if she does choose to take a job elsewhere, we don't have anybody certified right now to teach AP Lang. So, I'm not sure how parents and students are going to feel when they show up in August and there's no AP Lang. She's also considering leaving the field because of retention issues and because of feeling overworked. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Cheyenne Halberg. Good evening. I may look familiar as I spoke last month about teacher retention and rehiring the English position. Good news is that my dear colleague Cole Chapel was rehired for half of the English position. Bad news is that there will still be a 10% increased workload on the English teachers. Now, I do not mean to be ungrateful by any means, but we are
007still at a point where we are being asked to take on more work. I won't lie. I am considering other professions. Not just teaching jobs but teaching I'm but teaching profession or sorry but professions. I entered this career with the purpose of helping kids with poor mental health. Not only learning but also succeeding. As a child I too struggled with poor mental health. While I still have my struggles to this day, the majority of my stress comes from the workload placed on me in the teaching profession. I have amazing colleagues and they do all that they can to help me. However, I think about my endless to-do list during what feels like every moment of the day before school, obviously during school, in the evening while I eat dinner, and even in bed when I'm
008trying to sleep. At the last meeting, Mr. Russ said teachers can use artificial intelligence, also known as AI, to help them with their workload. Believe me, I have tried. During PLC time, I have used it to help me align our rubrics to standards, state standards. I have also used it to create fun posters for my classroom. However, [clears throat] when I when it comes to grading and one-on-one connections in the class with students, AI cannot help with this. No matter how much you pay for a subscription to school AI, can some teachers use it for grading? Yes. I am sure math, science, or heck, maybe even social studies may be able to use it for grading. But English, I must arguably say, is a niche subject. The state standards we teach require students to determine
009implicit details and analyze using critical literary lenses, as an example. To put it simply, AI is coded to read the lines, but the state standards and therefore our grading require students to read between the lines. In the past, when I asked AI to grade students work for me, it severely incorrectly scored my students work because it was grading them on what the lines from the text said, not what was supposed to be analyzed between the lines. Onto the other thing AI cannot do. It [clears throat] cannot connect with students and build relationships. I have a whole basket of thank you cards and letters from students in my office at home. I could read them to you as my colleague did, but words are a mere glimpse into the relationships we have with students. Asking us
010to spend less time with students, even 10% less time, is morally inadequate. Not just for your teachers, but for your students. When I leave the teaching profession, because at this rate, there is no possible way I can retire a teacher. No matter how much I want to help students, it will be because of the everinccreasing demand with what feels like little support. Thankfully, four out of the six of you last month agreed to look into other ways to cut spending outside of cutting teachers and I thank you for for that. My ending messages for you really really quickly are to consider this first. When cutting teachers, whether by a full teacher or a half teacher, and putting more work on your staff with no additional resources, remember there is a reason teacher attention is atrocious.
011And America is is and America is experiencing an illiteracy pandemic. Second, humans cannot be replaced with AI. It's called artificial for a reason, especially in a subject that requires analysis and empathy. Lastly, I urge you to talk to your teachers about the good and the bad. Whether I will be here next year or not, you will be receiving a letter from me because I have a lot more to say and I do thank you for your time. [applause] >> Thank you, >> Linda Cororum. Good evening, members of the school board. My name is Linda Cororm, and I'm speaking tonight both as a parent and as a substitute teacher who sees firsthand the impact staffing reductions have on students, teachers, and classrooms every day. I'm deeply concerned about the proposed cuts to the English department and
012what these continued reductions will mean for the students as far high school. Last year department was already reduced by two teachers. Those cuts have had real consequences. As someone working in the classrooms, I have seen increasing class sizes and strain pace placed on both students and teachers. English classes require interaction, discussion, writing, instruction, and individualized feedback. When class sizes grow, students receive less support and teachers are stretched beyond what is reasonable. I am especially concerned about the possibility of losing additional staff and potentially losing the AP English program. And AP English is not just an elective. It is important opportunity for students to challenge themselves academically, prepare for college level work, strengthen writing, analytical skills, and potentially earn college credit. Rec. Removing these opportunities limits our students futures and weakens the academic reputation of our
013school district. My family chose Sparta High School because of the strong course offerings and the additional educational opportunities. We believe this district valued academic excellence and well-rounded education. Unfortunately, we've already seen important programs disappear. German language courses have already been cut, leaving English or Spanish is the only foreign language option available to students. When programs continue to disappear, we are no longer just balancing a budget. We are narrowing opportunities for students and cha changing the identity of Sparta High School. I understand that difficult financial decisions must be made. But I ask the board to consider the long-term cost of these reductions, overcrowded classrooms, fewer academic opportunities, losses experienced educators, and decline in programs that attract families to this district in the first place. Our students deserve strong English instruction, access to advanced coursework, manageable class
014sizes, and diverse curriculum that prepares them for college careers, military life, and the wider world. I respectfully urge the board to reconserve further cuts to the English department, and to protect the educational opportunities that makes Sparter High School a place families are proud to choose. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you. Samantha Cororum. >> Okay. Is it like am I going now? Okay. Um, hello. My name is Samantha Cororm and I will be a junior this upcoming school year. Um, eliminating the position of Mr. Chapel would be detrimental to the English department. As said by previous speakers, that would mean a 20% from my last my from my previous knowledge. From what I'm hearing, 10% now increase in student population per teacher. This increase is truly unfair for our staff as they are
015also human and deserve time to themselves outside of work. An article published by the National Library of Medicine highlights how stress and burnout affects those working in occupations such as healthcare and education. This article states that burnout among professionals such as teachers can result from excessive demands of the on their energy, strength and resources. There is increasing evidence that burnout as a negative stress response represents a risk factor not only for depression but also for cardiovascular and other sematic diseases. This workload get this workload. Apologies. The workload teachers get is already a lot with planning out a year's worth of education for multiple classes, grading papers, and making sure each individual kid is set up for as much success as possible. There has already been talk of two teachers leaving their roles here at Sparta
016High School if the vacant teacher position isn't replaced. Why would you cut a position leading to the loss of two more veteran teachers rather than simply replace Mr. Chapel's role? Is it truly worth having is it truly worth it to have to fill two teaching positions and cause harm to the level of education students would be receiving with the possibility of two teachers leaving? This could eliminate the AP langu the AP English classes as a whole as there are currently no teachers qualified to teach AP lang besides Miss Hallberg. If these classes are not provided because of a simple lack of wanting to replace one position just to save money, you are cutting opportunities for many scholars at the school that are excelling in their academics and want to challenge themselves along with the opportunity
017to pass the AP class and gain college credits. These opportunities are what set Sparta High School apart from other high schools and are quite frankly why I chose this school instead of other schools in our district. Taking away these advanced programs from our students forces them to go into English classes that may be well below what they are capable of and set them back for their future. Focusing [clears throat] back onto the increase of student population for a teacher. This increase makes it significantly more difficult for teachers to provide individual help for students that may require it. As someone who requires more help myself, this could be detrimental to my education and for others just like me. Some of the only reasons I was able to make it through my classes was because of the
018individual care and help I was able to receive from my teachers. And in my personal opinion, people like Miss Moore and Miss Olsen were such an inspirational help for me to get through my English classes. They were reasons I wanted to continue to write even through my own personal burnout and getting cutting teachers and the potential of them like people leaving like Miss Hallberg who I only had for study hall. These people are so incredibly important to me and other students that I know personally and I would like you to please take into heavy consideration what eliminating Mr. Chapel's position would do not only for the well-being of our teachers but for the wellness and educational prosperity of this student population as well. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Aaron Cast. Good evening.
019As I looked at tonight's agenda, I saw a familiar topic, the school perception survey. That caused me to reflect on my recent interactions with the school board. It seems that when the school board is looking to acquire additional funding through operating or building referendums, great lengths are taken to gather community feedback. However, my experience when attempting to provide feedback on funds for day-to-day things that have already been allocated has been significantly different. I have had multiple board members indicate to me that all options have already been explored or that no further information is warranted on a specific topic. More recently, over the course of nearly a week, four out of seven schoolboard members have chosen not to respond to an email that a member of my family has sent. To me, this appears to be
020a direct contradiction to the school board's stated philosophy. The full statement can be found on board docs which you all have access to. But in summary, the philos the philosophy states the board should maintain two-way communication with the citizens of the district and that citizens should be encouraged to bring their aspirations and their concerns to the attention of the board. I challenge the board to hold crucial crucial conversations and demonstrate that actions are louder than words just as we have heard from multiple speakers tonight including the statement that teachers matter. I encourage you to focus on the very buzzwords that are frequently used during these schoolboard meetings such as accountability, trust, transparency, teacher retention, and student experience. The culture that you create is just as important, if not more important, than matching cost of living
021raises or keeping pace with surrounding school districts. Ultimately, the culture you create as leaders can transform a financial referendum question from simply being about funding and supporting for students into a broader reflection of whether voting community members should support the decisions leadership is making regarding the very priority the very priorities that you so often emphasize. Teacher retention, student experience, trust, and transparency. Thank you for your time. Thank you. We'll now move on to our agenda. Uh first up, Meadow View Spring Co-curricular Report. Mr. Sanders. All right. Thank you very much for having me. Uh so for the new board members, I just explain uh at the end of each trimester season, we have a assembly where our students talk to the rest of the student body experience in their different clubs and sports. So uh
022I'd rather than use AI to do this, I just steal from the kids and uh submit it as my own, but I'm giving them credit. So, I guess I've uh copyright is is safe there. So, our archery club had 36 participants this year. Coach was James Larson and assisted by Renee Marshall. And they reported that they participated in two virtual shoots during their monthly practices and three in-person tournaments during the month of March. All the archers showed improvement throughout the season. And if you're looking for a way to improve your focus, self-control, discipline, and patience, you should think about joining archery next year. Again, that would be for the rest of the student body. Our FCCLA had 13 participants. Uh it was led by Jessica Gashnang. [clears throat] Uh we are a student organization that
023can join and that you can join in seventh and eighth grade. We help with the Christmas tea, put on the Valentine's dance, and the crush sale. We also do projects that we take to compete for a chance at state. This year, eight students earned a trip to state that's held at the Kalahari each year. If you're interested in joining FCCLA, make sure to sign up at the beginning of next school year. Our musical this year had 42 participants. Uh super impressive opportunity for our uh students to participate and the directors are Kyle Sonan, Bailey Mcamera, and assisted by Delaney Shaller. This year we presented Beauty and the Beast Jr. We had a cast of 30 students and a crew of 12. We began by auditioning and getting our parts, then have practice three days a
024week learning our dances, lines, building sets, some of which are still on the stage. Uh costumes and props. We gain great friendships and lessons. we will have forever. We had four shows with great turnouts. Thank you to everyone who came to our show. Uh fifth grade safety patrol had 57 participants. The adviserss are Joanne Hagen and Leslie Jacobs. Safety patrol helps during lunch and recess all year long to make sure students are safe. We're responsible leaders and good role models for others. Uh, lieutenants have extra responsibilities like filling out the schedules and some of our members went to Washington DC this April. It was a great learning opportunity and super fun trip. And then for our traditional athletics, seventh grade softball had 16 athletes. The coaches were Taylor Nelson and McKenna Murphy. We spent the
025season working on fundamentals, having a growth mindset, and we beat Toma not once or twice, but four times. And of course then the whole, you know, gym cheers because it's awesome to be Toma. Uh, eighth grade, we had 11 athletes. The coaches were Chris Ammonson and Taylor Hager. We represent the eighth grade softball team. We've won several and lost several. Our season highlights include great pitching, big hits, and great defensive plays uh that were made throughout the season. We'd like to thank our teachers, classmates, and parents for their support. And we beat Toma's B team twice, but their A team's got a pitcher that's going to be awesome. Uh track and field we had 115 athletes. Uh the coaches were Anthony Morbido, Gabe Miller, Alicia Gallardo, Nate Pollnau, Andrew Log, and Stephanie Floberg. We'd like
026to thank our coaches for a great season and teaching us to keep believing in ourselves. We focused on setting goals to keep getting better, and first place wasn't always the objective. Cheering on our teammates and congratulating them on setting new personal best was always better than anything. Our coaches gave us a new mindset that will set us up better for track next year as well as in life. >> And that is the conclusion of the students reports for the spring co-curriculars. Any questions? >> Questions or comments? >> What's the secret to 115 track athletes there? [laughter] >> Uh I think the the coaches have built relationships with the kids. parents want them out of the house. They've been cooped up all winter and it's just run around and and it's a pretty safe place for
027kids to explore, try new things. Um especially for our female or I'm sorry, for male athletes, that's the only sport we offer. So, some of those boys like to run their energy out in the spring. >> I think this shows how well our English teachers are doing because these were really well written. [laughter] All right. Well, I always end it the same way. Go fight win. >> Thank you. >> Facility project report. Mr. Russ. >> Yes. Um, if you may have noticed, the big hole in front of SHS is filled in. uh a lot of uh soil corrections came in and uh we're also putting a top layer of um of crushed concrete on top so we can start bringing in the heavy duty equipments and that sort of thing. Um they're looking to pour
028in the foundation. Hopefully everything should be uh the foundation pouring the footing should be done by the end of June. So uh that's coming along there. Um the uh footings and foundation for the new tech uh welding and auto shop area is coming along. They had their last big main pour on Friday. They had to adjust it because we did have early release. Um so they had to push it back a little bit, but um I'd like to, you know, so and that's coming up inside there. They're really starting to move along. Uh finding some things that needed to be corrected uh for the long term. So we're do taking care of that. Um, and now since school is over, uh, they basic they have a little bit more, uh, opportunities to get into the
029building a little bit more without distra without, uh, distracting or disrupting the the flow of the education, uh, time. I'd like to thank our kids and our staff for living through uh, the first few months of construction. Specifically, I'd like to thank the fine arts and uh art and uh teched for their patience through that because they ended their their ended their semester four to six weeks early. Um but kudos to the staff for setting up makeshift um studios and uh booths and that sort of thing. So, uh very well done on our end uh based on the kids and the staff. Uh very nice there. So, continue to plug along. Um the northwest lot is now going to be taken over from the uh construction side of things. Um and the tennis court lot
030or the lot right to the north of the um track will be taken over with construction trailers very soon. There's a lot of earth work that has to be done there yet uh as well. So a lot of positive things continue to move along. Uh continue to collaborate on baseball, the three-station gym, uh those additional projects that we move forward with. uh branding. Um and uh we're currently unloading the or getting out everything out of the AA gym to make sure that we're ready to go. Uh turn that over June 1. Meadow View, as you came in, the office is pretty bare. Uh they have a couple more days to get everything out as well. Um because June 1, we do have that groundbreaking ceremony right out in front here at 1:00. And if you're
031attending, please let me know uh so I can make the proper arrangements with that as well. So, plugging along, moving forward, and uh uh having a lot of good conversations. Um like I said, thanks to their staff and students for getting through those. And um thanks to our contractors, too, who have been very flexible during these times because they really want to dive in there and get going and they understand the student experience is really important to to them as well. And uh making sure they have a smile on their face, making sure that they have their uh safety uh and making sure they have their sticker on to make sure that we can notice them as contractors as well. Any questions? Uh, you want to move on to the >> All right. >> Next
032item. And Oh, go ahead. >> I just >> Thank you. Um, Mr. Sanders, did the students write those or did you? >> Oh, okay. Good. Suddenly, I thought maybe you had the good English teacher and >> he did too. >> [laughter] >> Okay, good. Thank you. Sorry. >> So, uh the biggest news is that we're done with school. Um the 25 26 school year wrapped up on a positive note. Um um our we still have co-curriculars going on. We have soccer tonight. We have softball tonight for their tournament. Uh track is tonight. Baseball is next week. So, we still got a lot of stuff going on. And uh even though school's over, our wait room is open. and they've already had a large number of kids come in today and work out, shoot hoops, uh,
033and stay active and getting ready and staying in shape as well. So, uh, summer school, uh, for middle and high school for credit and, uh, credit recovery will start on the 1st and then, uh, the traditional summer school will start, uh, that first Monday in July. And STEM camp is July 8th. June, I'm sorry, June 8th. >> June 1st. It starts on June 1st, too. >> June 1st, too. So, everything's starting up pretty darn quick. And then we have our upcoming meetings coming up uh traditionally the second and fourth Tuesday. Pretty quick turnaround for June. Okay. Um next we'll move on to the consent agenda. um want to take quick [clears throat] look at the uh items there. >> While you look at the agenda items, I do want to pay um that we do
034have some generous grants and donations this this month. Um, Meview Middle School Musical Donation Box, Herman Elementary Parent Group, Wisconsin Retired Educators Association, Sparta Public Education, Sparta Lady Butterfest, Matthews Archery, Sparta Butterfest, and Rods Ryden Powersports for their generous donations along with just Alchemy Brewing Company, uh, Culver's of Sparta, First uh, First CCU, Mike Hopkins, Bill Offenberg, Spartan Outdoor Services, Drifless Recovery Community Foundation, Chiropractic Place, case where's machine and racing products Dee Sllayton uh Post 100 Robin Roads and Sparta Lady Butterfest as well for their generous donations. >> If there are no further questions, I move to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> I'll second. >> Motion by Mr. Wells and seconded by Ms. Barren on the consent agenda. Uh, roll call, please. >> I'm new at this. [laughter] Miss RDE. >> Yes. >>
035Mr. Lazco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonkey. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wells. >> Yes. >> Dr. Bernett. >> Yes. Miss Barren. >> Yes. >> Mr. Burns Gilbert. >> Yes. >> Okay. Moving on to the uh first item on business discussion and possible action to approve a draft school perception community survey. Mr. Russ. >> All right. This is a continuation from uh last um last meeting when we had a uh workshop. welcome the community in to give us some feedback uh on about possible surveys to give to the to give to the community. We did go through uh four different surveys. Our one that we did back in 2023 along with Black River Falls, uh Dodge and um Ellsworth uh uh school districts. Um so to get some ideas and and different um directions we could go.
036Um it was talked about because right now we have a motion and the board has approved the um the survey to be sent out in the beginning of at the end of August uh to hit mailboxes in the end of August and uh to be having the data back for September 28th which would be in time for the annual meeting in mid-occtober. The board did ask and school perceptions did recommend pushing back that survey if the board is possibly considering an April referendum. And I did put in the slides and shared with the board what that calendar would look like. Um, basically instead of a late August uh hitting the mailboxes, we're looking at a late September uh hitting the mailboxes gives us a little bit closer to a possible April referendum, but it also
037has, you know, we're talking about some some some um reductions, changes in transportation. we have some larger class sizes, you know, to to live that start of the school year to give our families in our community um a feel about, hey, you know, this this is how the year has started. So, that's a that's a benefit of going a little bit further. Um so, and then if it did hit the mailboxes in late o late late September, early October, um the board would get that dis get that information back um the beginning of November. So that would be the beginning of November and then you would have all of November and December and the beginning of January to uh possibly make a decision about whether or not we go in April or not. So that's
038kind of the rationale with that. [snorts] Um before I go on to the next slide, is there any questions on the uh calendar itself? And once again, these are subject to change and everything like that, but this is based on school perceptions um professional opinion. And this is what it would look like. But it would give us, you know, basically all summer to work on a survey. So once again, I'm not we don't need to ser we don't need to finalize the survey tonight because even if we still go in August, we still have uh you know, a couple months here. But probably looking forward to you know, hey, are we couple things? is one do we want to keep with that date because that dictates you know kind of backwards planning and do we
039need more because we probably need a workshop one more time for sure I would say uh it's just when that workshop would happen or maybe we have more than one workshop to do that um but it's really about do we push back or do we stay there so that was a decision that we could possibly make tonight if the board wishes to do that and then we still want to start continuing to talk about as a board what do we want to accomplish accomplish from this survey? Do we want to ask about district priorities? Do we want to ask how are we doing? Do we want to ask um what does a graduate success looks like? Do we want to ask do we want to look to increase revenue? We already talked we have a
040we're going to move forward the board's uh asked us to move forward with a co-curricular revenue increase paytoplay for example. What does it look like to come in and watch our our events and our activities? um you know or do we need to look to areas to decrease expenses? Do we value the co-curriculars? Do we value core instruction? Do we value transportation at a short distance? Do we value this? Do we value that? Or what are our priorities? That word sort of thing. Do we want to ask specifically about a referendum? Do we want to ask tax tolerance? Do we want to give certain rather than just tax tolerance? Do we want to say hey if we have you know in some of the surveys it said hey for a million dollars this is what
041we would get or this is what we would reduce for 1.5 this is what we would get or this is what we would reduce and I'm just using those numbers as an example per se and also we looked at the the differences they ranged from four pages to eight pages all of them cost the same we did an eight-page survey before and if you get more ser if you get more pages you want to ask yourself, what's the story we want to tell? So, that's also a question that we can start to to talk about. So, all those things start to narrow in as we get closer, but it's really about what do we want to accomplish with this survey? And we can ask a lot of things or we can ask very pinpointed, have
042a very short survey. All we care about is a referendum. What's the tax tolerance? Get in and get out. But we could use it as an opportunity to share our story and get some feedback on the community because unless the community fully funds us at 100%. We're still looking to become efficient and we're still looking to reduce. And some of those reductions come with, you know, with um [clears throat] um difficult decisions that have to be made. But using the community to say, hey, this was what the community said, not just the referendum vote, but hey, if they val if they value co-curriculars, that's a data point for the board. If they don't value co-curriculars, that's a data point for the board. Do we want to pay to play? Do we want to pay for
043uh our education experience, transportation, and that sort of thing? So um I did share with the board the summary of the workshop. Um so uh with that open to questions next steps but we do have time. Uh no decision needs to be made here but if the board wanted to make a decision about you know a date to land on that would be beneficial as well then we can start moving that as well. But if not we're still planned with August then. My comment would be that uh we should go into this well prepared and take our time and not rush to get a survey out so that we can I mean I think it's just way too early to have a referendum already in November. And uh we need to get the things we
044want into this survey and get the feedback we're looking for. Mhm. >> I think it would also be good for um the community to experience the cuts that we are going to have to make. Um and then they perhaps can make a more informed decision in that regard. >> Yeah. Uh oops. I I guess removing confirmation biases. I initially thought that you know we do it earlier so that we do it before the annual meeting but school perceptions is an expert at this with their surveys predicting a 90% success rate. And those are odds that I gamble on. So I mean if as long as we tell our story in full and we we take um proactive actions even during the annual even before the annual meeting in anticipation for this results. I' I'd be
045looking forward to having that survey data in in November. I I agree with Dave that it should be if anything it should be uh next spring. It t it needs more time. It's it's more time for the people and it's more time for us to sort some things out because there's there's lots of stuff to discuss. >> Do you need a motion on this, Sam? >> I in Yes, we would. Um, in theory, we need to resend the motion to have the survey ready for the September 29th meeting. That is the official way to do it. Do we need to do it officially? I think if we make a new motion to say, "Hey, I'd like to change the date from September 29th to having the survey ready to on November 9th." I think still
046gets to the But we can also resend the motion. have a second vote on it and then it's officially gone. So I guess I move to make I move so that our school perception survey results are ready by the November committee of the whole meeting instead of the original September 28th date. >> I'll second it. It's been moved by Mr. Wells and seconded by Miss RDE. Um, further discussion. >> I originally had, you know, looked at this being in October, but given everybody's viewpoint here and a lot of thought into it, I agree that moving it back makes more sense. >> I also support moving it back. Um, I would also add on uh, well, I'll do that later, but for the timeline, yeah, it makes sense to have it be uh, for all those
047reasons, experience of the semester that starts, but also get data that's more purposeful and closer to the actual referendum if that comes up in 2027. >> Any other comments? So, you're talking about u doing the survey yet this summer, fall, and then next April, put it in the referendum or work towards that. Anyways, >> the survey would hit the we're voting on what the board is voting on is when the survey will be given in the results back to the board, not whether or not we will be going for a referendum in November or in uh April. >> Next March, forget about it. Don't you think? I mean, wouldn't it be smarter to do it after the first of the year? >> It's it's a it's a poll and we can't we can't decide to
048go to a referendum really after the first of the year because we have to uh Sam, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's 90 days to submit a resolution to all to post a resolution to all the papers for all the municipalities. And so we have to be ready to go be >> really really before January. Yes. >> So so it would be a poll that we'd receive information by no November and it'll give us time to digest and then take action on it in December and then that way we'd be able to submit the resolution in January. So it's a pretty strict timeline even though it's got to come. >> What's the last meeting in December? the last meeting in December and it's 75 days I believe not 90. Uh the last
049meeting in December that we have is the 21st. Um I believe it's no later than the resolution deadline is January 18th and the meeting before that would be January 11th. So, we'd have to finalize in theory the resolution by January 11th >> cuz cuz we'd we'd want time to ruminate on what the because the survey data is going to give us a lot of it's going to give us a lot of info. Um my per personal preference would be that it would include tax tolerance. It would in like like what it would give us an in general of what do people support so that way we could we could come up with a plan so that we so that people know that we're good stewards of their tax dollars >> and that'll be the next
050part of the discussion >> and that would also be putting us at the 19th on this new uh survey timeline. um puts us right before everybody starts taking breaks and chunks out and forgets about it and gets buried. Any other comments? Otherwise, roll call, please. >> Miss Barren, >> yes. >> Miss RDE, >> yes. >> Mr. Wells, >> yes. >> Mr. Gonkey. >> Yes. >> Mr. Burns Gilbert. >> Yes. >> Dr. Bernett. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lasco. >> This is for delaying until December. >> Delaying until the November committee of the whole meeting. >> We'll get the results on the November committee of the whole meeting on November 9th rather than September 28th. >> So pushing it back two months. When would we be having a vote on this? >> You're just voting on the
051timeline right now >> after the [clears throat] voting on the timeline of doing the survey itself. >> That's what this is. >> Yeah. >> As the motion is moved to change the survey date to be completed for the November committee of the whole meeting. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries 70. >> All right. Thank you very much. We'll let school perceptions know. Uh and once again, this is the the tenative timeline that will go on. And then Mr. Wells, you started to talk about possible ideas. Um I think that now is an appropriate time to brainstorm some ideas. And if you want to give me direction, we can give direction. If not, we can just um have a have a discussion amongst the board. want me to start? Okay. So, my personal preference is
052tax tolerance. I believe everyone makes a decision for their their households. And of course, I believe I have good faith in our community that they do support their schools. Just that we're going through like like people are going through challenges and I understand that. So, um I personally do tax tolerance. Um if we're going to extrapolate, uh I also believe in like extrapolating some some data and off of our survey. Um our our we failed by about 3% or so. So, I'd like one of the whatever that tax tolerance is equal to. I'd like to see a $1.5 million option on the on the survey. I think that might be something that like if we could show them what it does with current trends that might that might not add to the mill rate um
053based off of previous data and it might be something good to put out there so that we could at least have something that goes through. Um, otherwise any of the other numbers I'd leave up to the rest of the board and and administration. >> Well, I think we'd have to have more than just 1.5 million. I think we'd have to give them some other um options. >> Yep. And that that's the intention. I just think 1.5 million would be a starting point. And whether that's the lowest we go or the highest we go, I I I don't necessarily know what that is. Like when we decided that 87 million was the lowest we went, it was pretty successful. And if I'm extrapolating data from that poll few years ago is that it seemed like for
054a big project $10 million 10 or 20 so cents on the miller rate just just generically lost you 10 points. So, I mean, if we go to an operating, which of course the bonds aren't spread as far, I'd make the argument that every $100,000 would stretch you a point on on a poll. And that's just my generalization in extrapolating the data of our last fail referendum. And maybe that's that that would be something that might be close or maybe as community members gain new information, they might change their mind on that. But that's where that's where I'm sitting right now. >> Each of the three uh other district surveys had three options. They went a little bit different. Um they you know they basically said hey if you would do this this is what we
055would maintain or another way is is hey if you do this this is what would be reduced as well. So, seems like three options might be appropriate. And given that 750 is something that we have uh had a lot of success with in the past, that might be a uh a floor uh in order to do that as well, but I think we should probably have at least three options. I'd be open to more um going below where we're comfortable with it and maybe above where we're comfortable with and showing the reductions. We're going to be reducing anyway. So rather than saying this is what we cana maintain, let's be honest and just go this is what we're going to have to cut and these are the things that we're going to have to look
056at. It's a hard choice and I think it hits home a little more especially if you know your kid wants to be in uh AP English or your kid wants to be in this program and we're going to say well these are things we have to look at cutting. Um this is what the decision we have to make. So where do you want that to be? Gets a little closer to home. Um and I think having the one of the surveys has a lot of choices where you could pick through a handful of them and it was short. It was four pages and I think that will probably yield more responses especially from parents who are kind of busy and six pager is more than they want to deal with at the end of the
057day. >> Well, that could give us the option too of having a higher end and saying if you fund this much money, we could really expand opportunities for kids so that um >> same thing I was thinking. Yeah. Right. Yep. so that so that they know what options actually are out there for their kids. >> I I believe Black River Falls did a blended model where I think if if they did where instead of using a referendum to conserve there was an option to add and that that makes sense. Um I'd like to piggy back off you. I think I I agree that I I think our community would rather see here's what the dollars would conserve than whether what they would add. And so I think that's I I think that would be valuable.
058Um, I had Oh, the only thing is is that I know us creating a story was was what allowed our facility referendum to be very successful. Told people exactly what why we needed 87 million to revamp the high school and do the wonderful things we're doing now. Um, and I don't I think we got more than enough survey results. Um, I don't remember exactly, Sam, I don't want to put you on the spot, but I don't remember exactly how much more above the threshold we were, but I think that eight pages didn't shy people away from giving us good polling because the the results ended up being dead on. So, when um when you talk about telling our story, is there a way we can show this is what we've cut in the past. I
059don't know how many years you want to go back. Um you know, we we cut busing to this amount. I don't know if that would make a difference or not, but >> yeah. Once it's part of showing the story and and this is you know I already wrote down show what we've already reduced as an option for showing our story >> and giving the do the actual dollar amount so they can >> Yep. best and then it's it's really based upon, you know, when you look at some of these, some of them have more charts and graphs than others, you know. So, it's when Lee and I talked a little bit about this earlier, it's, you know, when you tell your story, do people like to read or do the people like to see graphs?
060For instance, you like to see a pie chart of all the the number of the millions that we've cut in those areas or is it a list or you know and this is where we lean on school perception as well is what do they find as a as a balance? >> Yep. Le um [clears throat] I just wanted whether it's four or eight pages. I just wanted to remind you that um the survey completers I guess who are weighed the heaviest are the non staff non-parent uh because that's reflective of the majority of the voters. And so, um, whether it's a class or a co-curricular opportunity, just think of the story we might need to tell to the person who doesn't have any kids in the district or who doesn't walk through our district buildings
061um, and see what the kids are doing. So, just keep that in mind that we might have to tell a little bit more of a story to get to those non- studentent, non-staff, non-parent um, voters. Um along those lines, it just made me think of [snorts] what are we doing to engage non staff, [clears throat] non-parents in the community. I think uh seen some school districts do community meals. I know food is hard to come by by a lot of our neighbors. That's one that um could be a way to reduce some food waste and build relationships ongoing, not just when we need money, right? um so add it to our community engagement plan or or something down the road. Um but I I think in my head some of the priorities to ask about
062um I think really come back to those specifics of cost cutting, adding options, those priorities, right? Like that's the reality we're in right now. Um unless even with the state budget that keeps going back and forth, I think they didn't do the surplus as last I read. So that's not on the table anymore. Um like we're going to keep cutting. We have to keep cutting to continue to meet those thresholds and and it would be great to get that feedback because defining what the student experience through the survey makes a lot of sense in my head coming from the community. Um because when I hear feedback from staff, feedback from right students, that's a very vague term, right? And that will help us make better decisions if we all can collectively define that close to
063the same right ideas there. And to me, this is a great way to prompt those questions. And what does that look like? Um because the student experience is class sizes. It is core classes and it's also co-curriculars and extra things that school districts in this country do that other countries don't, right? um a lot of a lot of money comes in from that um extracurricular piece that then you know is on us. So in my mind that's where if that's labeled as a priority however we want there's about four or five of those bullets up there that could gather that data. Um but I think some of that too we don't need to wait for right when I was saying before we already have we can already pull what we've cut over the last few
064years. We don't need school perceptions for that. And that was stuff that I think I asked for right in February of showing the story of what have we done? What has changed in those graphs? Maybe by content area, maybe by right optional versus required. if we do state ver, you know, DPI versus the fun stuff, those pieces, being able to show the community what those options look like, what they echo kind of what was shared of what a 1.5 could look like versus a go back to 750, right? Um, and everything in between. But I think if we do that in a way that highlights those possibilities from the early retirement ideas to um right reducing the classroom options then what does that impact have on the trickle down does that the start college now
065goes up or right like some of those other pieces um that may not be a direct cost savings per se but but in my head that's where this comes in not the other part that I don't know if this is the right way to do it because because I think there's a lot there that could be done and I wouldn't want to water down this survey um but it would be board goals board uh focus areas right we've had about four or five years now of it was SEAL and it was some of the external pieces like open enrollment uh business partnerships some right and so in my mind that's also it's muddying the waters right now but maybe after seeing some of those examples from admin and and school perceptions that might be doable.
066I just wouldn't want to try to fit a square peg in a round hole if if we might come back to that at a different vehicle, different survey for say to get board feedback and and leadership feedback. Um, yep. I think that's everything. I yield all my time back to the speaker. >> What is the goal the board has set for improving literacy? What is the goal? There must be a goal, right? Tell me there's a goal. >> The board does not have a specific goal focused on literacy, per se. >> Yep. >> I don't know how you're going to talk the community into these referendums year after year when you don't have a plan for what is most important about education. So that is the primary function of the school board for us to
067come up with a plan and give it to you to implement. Right. >> Yep. >> So so before Mr. Wells, we are on the the final year of our plan. Uh we had a four-year goal uh focused on that. So that is coming to an end. >> Yeah. So we we we >> just asked if there was a plan. >> Yep. So straight Yep. And so >> what was the plan? So yeah, about three years ago, maybe it was four, it was four, ming myself. About four years ago, uh we created because because it was right after COVID and behavior issues were were a problem that the community recognized and so we set a goal that would help reduce the behavioral issues so that way kids were able to learn inside the classrooms and we
068know that it has produced better results in English math since then. And so we're hoping that >> what is what is improved >> English and so kids are learning at a better rate now than they have four years ago. And so English literacy and math scores have improved I would argue based off the plan that we've made. And then also uh I would also and and then this goal is going to sunset and then we'd be able to create a new one later this year and hopefully with the re and >> where where is this data that is showing this? Where have you got that? >> I'll leave that to Sam. I think we're getting kind of off topic here and >> it doesn't No, no, we're not because we're not focused on >> so
069>> the core reason we're here. >> So, so actually the core reason >> we're run for a go for a referendum for money and the product is >> the kids learning it's achievement scores. It's being successful. >> So, >> and we need to show them that we're working on it. we're achieving it. So if they've achieved then it needs to be told to the public. >> So yeah our >> right not fluff data >> our community >> how they've improved it because behavior is off the charts. It is >> just like the the teacher said it's a pandemic across the whole country. It's not just here. >> How are you dealing with it? How are we dealing with it Sam? >> Our our community would be able to tell us district priorities through the survey.
070And so the >> district would be able to tell us priorities. >> You should you should already know what the priorities are. You're now functioning by the priorities. >> So >> we're not. >> I mean, okay. So >> reading should be a top priority above everything else. Cutting English teachers, cutting teachers when they're needed. We need them to turn this around. When you turn that around, they'll love you for it. Okay? but they're not getting what they're paying for already. But you want to keep hitting them for more and more money. I don't know if you're seeing that. That's why I'm asking. You don't seem It doesn't seem to be sinking in. They said no. And you're you're talking about it. It's like you're sitting around with Christmas catalogs. Remember the old uh JC Penies
071and Sears cataloges when you were little kids thumbing through them for u all the stuff in them to look at them. You know, you're trying to come up with funny ideas about how to get more money without having to do something that's going to cause you a lot of pain. You cannot defend kids graduating that can't read when you've had them for 13 years. It can't happen. There is no defense to it. So, you need a plan. A plan that the public can get behind and support you in. Do you have any suggestions for that plan? [clears throat] >> Yeah. Focus on academics only. Your cutting is going to be in stuff that isn't necessary. Know the difference between needs and wants. So, you got to go down through everything you spend money on and
072sort it out. It doesn't have to be the kids being hurt or feeling pain. they're already feeling pain and it's going to go on into the future with them because if they're graduating and they can't read above a fifth grade level, that's shameful. >> If we focus on just academics, what are we going to put towards behaviors? We have to balance it somehow. >> Yeah, there is there you have to get behind the teachers and allow them to have more authority in our classroom. When a kid is disruptive and she can't teach and the other kids can't learn, you got to sort that out and get that figured out and enforce it. >> How? >> We still have to have money to do that. >> Not sit in a corner and go like this here.
073>> Who does that? Kids aren't They know there's no consequences. That's why they'll cuss a teacher out. That's why they'll play their little games on the buses. You know, they're daring you to say or do the wrong thing and egg you on. And they do it to the teachers. This isn't just the kids with autism or ADHD. This is regular kids, too. They're It isn't just one group of kids. They're all having trouble with this in the classrooms. They're trying to tell you this. One of the reasons that they aren't succeeding in achieving is because classrooms are shut down due to disruption to the point where the lesson for the day isn't being able to be taught and learned by the kids taught by the teacher. You're burying these teachers in extra work that is
074taking always taking more and more time away from their day to do their actual job. and they're trying to tell you this and you're not listening. >> Bill, are you saying we should cut then co-curriculars? We should cut co-curriculars and increase the number of teachers >> if that's what it takes for kids to get an academic education and prepared for the future. Yes. But we don't need to pay um the admins. The president gets paid $400 a year, $400,000 a year. He's got 350 mill million people to answer to, right? He's got a lot bigger job. Sam gets what's it going to be now? Pretty nearly 230,000 a year. A town of 10,000 people with 2,700 kids in the school. >> Not even close to what? >> It's 21,000 before the raise this year. >>
075200. No, 200. No, it's not. It's not >> $220,000. >> Where do you get that? >> It's not. >> Do I get it? >> You need to >> His salary. No, no. His salary and his fringe benefits come to about $220,000, right? >> Oh, with fringe benefits for insurance and things. That's what you're >> That's part of the pay. >> But you know, here here's the thing. When you are in a professional position, >> No, no, no. Congressmen get paid about $175,000 a year and we've got >> but that doesn't include their fringe benefits as much as the congressman almost >> that's their salary without fringe but the >> okay so those are so let me talk so those are those are positions of authority and um you get what you pay for when you
076>> we're paying for a lot more than we're getting is my point >> that's okay that's your opinion opinion. Okay. >> It's my point and I think it's the community's point. >> Let's just agree to >> um end this conversation for now and thank you for your input. Um I think it's time we uh do you need any other input yet on this survey, Sam? We have a date which is good. we can come back and have another discussion, you know, but it's really about what do we instead of we think that the community does, it's really how do we know? So, it goes, you look at some of these solutions, it's like what do you want as a portrait of a graduate? There was one of them there, you know, so that goes back
077to what are the things that we want our kids to be able to do. If reading on grade level is the number one thing, that's data that the board needs to know. And if we say the co-curriculars and this is number one thing, number two, number three, but I think what I'm hearing is is the priorities. What are the priorities? What are the needs versus the wants of the community and taking asking them so asking them in a way is what what are the needs and wants, but really say using this tool to get to that. What do they see as priorities? Do they want um you know to 100% guarantee this? Do they want this? Do they want that? Um and from that we may need to educate the community too because we are
078gauged on the kids that aren't in those regular education classes. We are gauged on their academic achievement. We're gauged on all the students academic achievement and yes we want them all to increase. So, it's really about asking the community if we have to make some difficult decisions, where would they like to ask the board to prioritize those? So, I think we can do we're talking about the same thing. We just need to facilitate and we just need to ask it in the right way. And I think we can continue this discussion in two weeks and really start to hone in. And I I would ask you all to really think about what would you ask a community member if they'd walk in today? Hey, what do you what would you how can we get better?
079What's going well? And what can we do to get better? And what's the story we want to tell prior to having that discussion? Could be an elevator speech. Say, "Hey, I have one I got 30 seconds to tell you. This is what our district is about. This is what we're working towards. This is our goals." And then when we step off that elevator, I'm going to ask you what are the strengths that you see out of our community and what are the challenges that you think we should ch face. And even those two things because if we have a strength and we have a challenge, now we can start to maybe dissect those into action steps. You know, I'm thinking of what Bill said and what Leah said and something that we should consider in
080our phrasing of questions and choosing of questions is that we probably have very different priorities. Those who don't have kids in school probably have different expectations for students whereas those who have kids in school may want more fun options or you know they may want u more co-curriculars to be able to get a college scholarship or something but so I think that that there could be some very different um there very different interests at play and we should be aware of that when we develop this and when we assess the results. If if you >> sorry if you can't put something in your survey that is going to let the public know your intentions of fixing literacy in the school district if you can't put something in there because >> we we can do that.
081>> They might not even realize it till they read it. I don't know. I don't know how much they pay attention anymore. There's reasons they don't pay attention to. Some of them are very legitimate. >> Bill, it's our part of us now. So, it's our decisions to make. >> Yeah. When I've been here a while longer maybe, but I'm new to this. I'm new here and I' I've just seen that across the whole country. It isn't just here. So you you don't have to take it 100% on your shoulders, but in this school district, you do. >> We do. >> Here we do. Yes, we do. Okay. We do. >> We need to come up with a plan and share it with the public how we intend to make sure that these kids can read
082at grade level. You'll have them eating out of your hand. Why beat around a bush? should be some I have an older brother about a year from older than me and he would work harder at getting out of doing something the way it should be done and get done with it than if he just went and did it and the rest of us would just get at our stuff and we'd be done and there he is still dillydallying around and and he grew up that way and he's still that way. I think if we want to plan to communicate that, we could definitely do that outside of the survey um rather than in the survey. >> Yeah, you don't get feedback. >> They need to hear it. >> Correct. What we're talking about right now
083is the survey. We can come up with a plan later on to deal with that. Um we can also ask, you know, how are we doing? How's staff doing? How's admin doing? It gives us some feedback on whether they think admin is running the salary that they're getting or the teachers. um you know we we increased that we've terminated um the state state no nationals um expenses and if we have to do more to co-curriculars to keep teachers we have to do more to co-curriculars to keep teachers I'd rather do that but we'll get feedback on the survey from that any other feedback or comments All right. Next up, discussion and possible action to approve facility projects with capital referendum funds. Mr. Russ, this is a continuation of the last few meetings. Uh just bringing
084it back as a as a refresher. The board did approve a three-station uh gym at SHS and we had a I don't want to call it a kickoff meeting but but a very long meeting today to start that process and have uh uh dates set for uh stakeholder input and moving that forward. Um and the board also asked us to uh look into possible baseball renovations and that process and uh we've started that process as well. So now it comes to um do we want to talk about these additional funds or do we want to basically because or do we want to wait um down the road? We can continue to have this as an agenda item every every meeting. We we can have that or is there something that the board would want to
085say, hey, let's just pause on this. Let's get some more information about the three-station gym. Let's see how much it's going to cost. uh we've already had some soil corrections in the front. Um you know, is it is it a time to pause the discussion more for um additional options? But these were some additional options that were the past agendas and I just wanted to um bring those back. Some of them are um you know, we talked about baseball already. Um you know, Maplewood renovations, that's on hold. um you know turf and you know you can see the list here uh of options but ultimately looking for feedback is you know do we want to bring this back every meeting or do we want to wait until we get more information or on the three-station
086gym or baseball because we have approximations we don't have actual bids yet uh or maybe there's another idea maybe we just bring it to the full board every month uh for an action item so really looking for guidance about how the board wants to move forward with uh potential extra uh funds that we're not 100% sure on, but we will have extra funds even after the three-station gym from what I've been understanding. And if we throw some not throw some and if we put some B money into baseball as well, we'd still have some extra funds, but I just don't know how much. >> I think we should pause it until we have an idea on the cost and there might be some new ideas that that come about as well. I was just going
087to ask um is there anything I'm looking at the list there Meadow View flooring corridors um right would those projects not they what am I trying to ask we can wait to decide on those and that wouldn't impact the stuff starting this summer there they're not tied to that process similar like how the threestation gym was to the high school right like we have that >> Yep. all existing projects for the most part. And if you want if the board decided to put, for example, sales at the high school, that would be a little bit because that's how we're going to be adding and changing, but the board didn't seem to want to do that at that time. Um, but all of these could be standalone projects. >> Okay. Yeah. Then I' I'd echo Miss
088Rud and I feel like that would pausing to get some of those more concrete bids for baseball upgrades in the the three-station gym makes sense before um committing to anything else on that scale. >> Is there anything on this list that we would be able to take advantage on the current pricing that uh we should consider? Well, there's some, you know, obviously flooring, the further you go down, the the the more it it could go up. You know, how much? Probably not that significant. Um, if you're looking at um, you know, the the the flooring is, you know, we we could really narrow that down. We mentioned Meadow View flooring, for example, that's in the classrooms. That's a big price, ticketed price. We could narrow that down. But um the thing that kind of stands
089out to me is the uh weight room, the update in the fitness room at MA at Meadow View here. That's something that stands out. Will it be a big cost increase if we wait? No. But that would be a uh a project that I feel that we could get done during the summer uh and really enhance our students both academically and FIED and and that and co-curricularly as well. So, um it would be my recommendation to to wait as well unless you want to take a look at that Meadow View fitness area and uh that would be something that would be high impact uh right away in my opinion and I think the Meadow View would agree with that as well uh with the focus on co-curriculars that we had. Um but we could also
090wait until the survey. a lot of this, you know, if we want to roll this into the survey, we have extra funds when we have to tell the story about how we can use these funds um and that sort of thing. So, we once again, this could be tied into the school perception survey as well in some in some way. I don't have a one on the top of my head, not a yes or no. Would you like to add, you know, how to use the funds? I'm not saying that, but um but I support waiting. But that was one thing that kind of stuck out to me to say, "Hey, that might be something that would have a large impact." Um, there's a lot of things you can do with adaptive physical education for
091our students with disabilities. Um, and getting them ready along with along with our regular education students and, uh, co-curriculars. We have 115 kids out for track. I'm not saying we'd get them all in that weight room at one time, um, but, uh, it would be a big upgrade to, uh, that area. I'd like to see um us wait and get some more information on that. Um but I'd also like to see some highlighting on items of things that we already have. Um like you know side of moving sales and and um the main office because we've already talked about that. Um what do I see here? Painting of the gyms uh updated let's see metal view toilet partitions and plumbing and fixtures. things that that >> to me there it's stuff we already have. Replacing
092the turf in the field that we already have for the track, replacing the track that we already have, fixing the baseball diamonds which we already have. Um as opposed to a three-station gym which we do not already have. I think those are priorities. I'd like to see a highlighting on things that are updates or improvements to existing that we already have because I feel like those should be a no-brainer, but we need to see what they cost and what they actually are. So I guess I'm not under. you want to see >> when when we get the list if we can get a um either a separate or a highlight. Maybe that's just something I just need to do for me of things that are changes or improvements to existing um facilities that we already
093existing um yeah existing facilities that we have, existing um pieces that we already have like the baseball diamond, like the track field, um like the uh updating partitions and toilets and plumbing and things like that. um flooring in existing areas, things that are already here that we're trying to improve upon or better maintain rather than just the stuff that's the three-station gym. Um I'm trying to think of anything right off the top of my head other than that that's outside of the building. That's an ad. It's not an existing >> Oh, so you're looking what what do we have that that we don't exist? So we have a baseball field already. >> Yep. Yep. >> Let's do something that we don't have. So, >> no no no other way. >> We have a base the
094other way around. We have a baseball field. Let's make sure we highlight that because that's something we already have. We should be taking same as the >> track. So, yep. And we can do that right now. New sales space at the high school. That would be that would be new. Turf would be new. Artificial uh the lighting would be new. District office sales. And then when you come down the upgrading paint, for the most part, the rest of them minus the LED lighting, we have that. The rest of them are pretty much we already have because we have the lights, we have the floors, they're they're upgrades to what we have. The ones on top are really things that are probably above and beyond things that would be drastic changes, I think, to the to
095the scope of the work. Maybe I'm misunderstanding too. >> I I might not be communicating. >> Maybe Miss Hower can >> um coming from a little bit different angle because previously we've talked about how can we use this referendum to help save operating costs, which to me means what's on our long range plan that we could take care of now. Um so when I look at those things, um the finishes and paint in the gym at Meadow View, I'm starting on that line item. That's something that hasn't been done since the building was constructed. And really we should paint more frequently than every 25 years kind of thing. Um the fitness rooms again we have equipment past life we have equipment that's not functioning for our current need. So I would say that one also.
096Um no question the toilet partitions and bathroom plumbing fixtures those are at end of life and are requiring a lot of daily or routine maintenance on them. Um, so those are things that, you know, for $200,000 that would be on the long range plan if it doesn't go through. Um, and that's basically, yeah, what I'm looking at. >> And then LED lighting. So I would say all things at Meadow View are what would get added to the long range plan if they didn't get done under the 87 million. >> Yep. And all I'm looking for is a defining out when we go to the next time we bring this item up. Not now, but the next time. making sure we separate that out because again if we don't move sales or the main office, Maplewood
097Renovations has got to be on there for maintainability. So just things that we already have. Let's make sure we're seeing that as well and being dble to differentiate that a little easier. >> I have a question if we have a minute. Miss Hower, do you know um that last comment made me think how much money we'd save on the LED lighting by switching making that change? Like is it a similar projection to the solar panels? Can we map that out? >> Yeah. Um the I don't know if it's the short answer, but we have to go there's like a audit that's done where um a outside consultant would come in, look at all the areas that would get replaced and then they'd be able to give a number like that. Uh, so I don't have
098one currently, but if that's something we move forward with, that would be the first step is to have that audit done to determine what we replace in the payback value. Um, very similar to with the solar panels, we did do a lot of upfront work before you making that decision to be able to talk to how many panels it would be and what the payback would be and things like that. And we would do something similar for the LED lighting >> before we have to make the decision or after. >> Um >> I heard that. >> I would say that's up to you. We haven't moved forward with it till we have direction, but if you want us to, we just need to involve our construction partners. >> Okay. Just curious. Thank you. So, um,
099do we need any emotion, Sam, or do you have enough [snorts] feedback to >> I we have some feedback. It sounds like it's the general consensus of the board to bring this back when we know the three station, gym, and more of the baseball. Uh, so realistically, we're looking at the beginning of August, probably at the earliest. Um, June is going to be gathering information about uh, baseball and the three-station gym, making sure we understand what we want. The end of June, we're going to get that all to the architects and engineers and everything. And then they really start to put things together uh, in regards to that. So, um, I think that's good enough for me. If we agree that in the beginning of August, we'll plan on bringing it back um, with updates
100throughout. It seems like every time I look at that numbers seem to be different than they were before. Is it being upgraded constantly? >> I don't think so. >> Was like the first phase of the baseball thing. It it seems like it was 1.3 or 1.4 million. >> I can go back and check, but I don't think I upgraded >> a month or so ago. >> That that that was right. >> Huh. that that that's accurate to what it was. Um, >> it hasn't changed at all. >> It hasn't changed. >> I don't believe so, but if I apologize if that's the case, I did, but >> it just seems like it's creeping up. >> Are are we still intending on doing Maplewood renovations or do we need to make this a decision on that?
101>> I'm sorry, what renovations? >> It just says Maplewood renovations on the top. I thought that was just something that we were going. >> We're We're holding That's We're We're not moving forward with that right now. We're exploring what it's going to what we may be able to look on Thursday of this week. Bray's coming to take a look and that sort of thing. So, we're still looking at, you know, very similar to getting ideas about what we need to do because if we do decide to to keep Maplewood, for example, there may be some things that we need to that's on our long range plan on our simple fixes. You know, think of our HVAC. Currently, we have uh air conditioner, portable window air conditioners. Is that something we were okay living with? Yep.
102you know this and that. Okay, we're okay living that. Next, maybe we're not okay living that. Okay, this is a price tag with it. So, we're looking into what are those things that need to be done very similar to um what we just discussed with Maplewood or with Meadow View. >> This was the flip side of asking a question whether or not we wanted to move Maplewood last time. We didn't take it into consideration because we were hadn't decided that yet. >> Yeah. >> No formal action was taken on that one. Okay. Um, thank you for that. Um, I guess we'll move on to the, uh, next item on the agenda. Uh, discussion and possible action to approve the 2627 preliminary budget. Mr. Russ. >> Yep. I'll take this one. Um so this is the
103same slide these are the same slides that I presented at the committee of the whole meeting. I do not plan to go through them in full detail but um we'll answer any questions that you have. Uh so just a reminder this is really the first step to kick off the um budget at the board level for the 2627 school year. Uh as a reminder, we don't approve the original budget until October and that is done after the annual meeting. So going to the next slide, the purpose of the preliminary budget is really um you just giving approval for how we operate between July 1st and when the original budget is set in October. You're giving us a road map. Um, but please know that the budget will undoubtedly change throughout the summer and leading up
104until the original budget is adopted in October. So, um, approving this preliminary budget tonight does not mean that things can't change. um and you know, you'd still be able to give um feedback to administration, but we would begin our spending plan based on this preliminary budget um because we do begin incurring costs right away in July. Um so again as a refresher I talked about um the things that we know are happening to revenue as well as um some estimates uh salaries and benefits. We have a lot of things known. Um, but there are again some things that we're still estimating and those are the things that will change uh leading up to the original budget being adapted. Are there any questions on the prelim preliminary budget uh that I could focus on? >> You
105seem to go through three or four pages there. Just bing bing bing. What what was all that other stuff that you just passed? >> Um, yeah, I can go through it again. >> These were the same slides as they were on the last meeting, but we can go through them again if you wish. >> I'm going to look at that now and I'm not going to remember all that in two weeks. It it it's just something that if you were going to ask us to preliminary approval for the budget for next year and skim through it like that, I I don't know what I'm looking at. >> Okay. [laughter] Um so for revenue, the items that we know are the $750,000 operating referendum is ending. We are getting a $325 per student increase in the
106revenue limit. There is an increase from the state for the amount for open enrollment. There is no change from the state and per pupil funding and we do know that our federal funds for title are decreasing as well as our department of defense grant is ending. Going to the estimates and projections, um we will not know our pupil count for enrollment until uh towards the end of September as well as our open enrollment count. And those two numbers are large drivers in what our total revenue limit is. Um the special ed reimbursement rate. At the last meeting, we had um information that the governor had um worked out that bipartisan proposal and so we were optimistic about that. Um since that time we have learned that it is not going through and so this is
107back to a larger unknown than we thought it was two weeks ago. um as well as the carryover amount for our grants, we won't know until later this summer. So, going to revenue, where we're at this year is just over 48 million and for next year, we're looking at a decrease of about $500,000 down to 47.5 million. For salaries and benefits, we know that we're applying 2.63% which is the cost of living to all salaries as well as providing steps and lanes on our teacher compensation model. Uh we have shared the positions that are decreasing as well as the board has already approved the substitute pay rate of $155 per day and that will be done through district payroll. So uh we will be saving the administration fee and we also know what our health
108insurance renewal is for next year. Some things in salaries and benefits that are still unknown are attrition which is staff leaving. Um we don't know the impact of bringing the substitutes inhouse what that will do to staffing levels for example will we have more subs or less subs than we had before which would lead to lower or higher vacancy rates which then comes with a cost. Um, and we also don't yet know the full extent of the health insurance that our employees will select, particularly our new employees. For instance, every employee who picks family health insurance, that comes with a price tag of over $20,000. So that budget can swing quite a bit um as we onboard throughout the summer. And so here's a summary of the salaries budget. uh those position reductions that we
109talked about is that pink line of the 580,000. And then for benefits, um the corresponding benefits that go with the salary reductions is 130,000. with all other costs. Things that we know are changing is we decreased building and department budgets or departments for um supplies and purchase services software. Um we do know that we're purchasing some new textbooks again already gone through the board. Um we are not budgeting anything for capital projects going back to that long range plan and uh how it interacts with our facility referendum. Um, we do know that we'll have an increase in the open enrollment amount which is determined at the state level. We know our technology purchasing based off of the long range plan you approved in January. Uh, we know we'll be saving that administration fee for um,
110substitutes and you did take action to have us reduce the cost for busing. [clears throat] things that are still estimates are um we have special education students that have individual needs and sometimes those needs come with larger price tags than other needs and so we continue to evaluate that as we know our student enrollment for next year. Um, utility costs, we budget a 8% increase. Uh, and that again continues to become known over the year and we adjust to actual. And then the big one that we don't know until October 15th because we get that number from the state is the private school voucher amount. So, putting that all together, uh, here's our school budgets. again decreasing both school budgets and high school co-curricular budgets. This is our instructional services um which includes all of
111our instructional grants and you can see that line item the third down uh is going down about $250,000. Uh but that decrease a lot of it is offset in the instructional services line item. So, in other words, we still have that spending, but it's not being covered by federal grants. So, it has to get covered by local dollars. This is our student services or um special education is the large uh one here. And again, we budget conservatively for the unknown needs of the kids. Going to business services. Um, we have buildings and grounds, technology, insurance, [cough and clears throat] and all of those line items I mentioned already for the changes. Um, here you can see the reduction for busing of 200,000. And then the final budget category is governance um which is includes the
112board of education budget. That gets to total budgeted expenses of 47.9 million which is up from about 47.5 million this year. So when you put that all together, the change in revenue and the change in expenses, um we have about a million swing from this year. So this year uh we're looking to end to the good about 600,000 and next year we're looking at a deficit of about 400,000. So um what that means is that we would use fund balance to cover that deficit. Um but we have been planning for this def Um the board really needs to give direction to administration. Have we done enough reductions? Do we need to do more reductions? Um because knowing this kind of paints the picture for how reliant we are on either for a referendum or to
113continue reducing cost because by 2829 um we can't get as low as a 13% fund balance. So we have to make some changes uh either to increase revenue or to continue to decrease expenses. Any questions? I have a question in slide number 31. Why is the sub the substitute budget doubled? >> Yep. Because that's the substitutes that were previously a purchase service not through payroll. And now this year they'll be through payroll. So it shifted up from the [clears throat] business line. >> But it's still a reduction in cost because we got it. Yep. Good question. And then slide 34, there's a $25,000 deduction for high school co-curriculars. How is that being aortioned? Is it a flat percentage for every program or what is it? >> Yeah. Um, so the action that you just took
114to reduce the national um expenditures, that will be a large part of that savings. And we're also looking to um better use our transportation with with vans with our new enterprise lease um and less school buses. >> And also that's where Mr. Dao in this specific case works with the high school to say where is that? Um so it it it's usually not you know everyone's losing X percent or anything like that because it's based on the needs. uh and they might be rotations and this year they may get this, they may get that, but that's where the administration comes in and says where's the best to fit the budget and to to look to be as efficient as possible. >> It it seems like a small amount compared to um losing a teacher for
115co-curriculars. I I did get the data from Leah and I'm very grateful for that about how much we spend for each of the co-curriculars and it's a tremendous amount for football and um for football it's and I love football but it exceeds um all many of the other that's just an example. We spend an awful lot on high school co-curriculars and I think we're we better serve the students by focusing on the teachers and I would like to see a greater reduction of the high school co-curriculars. >> Do you have a recommendation for the the board to as a as a talking point for for preliminary? >> Well, just a talking point at this point. And I didn't have >> I I I would we would need to look at the the uh and perhaps
116that's what I'd ask. I'd like to look at the needs. I do believe that athletic co-curriculars are important. Um it's just I believe they're less important than the core teaching programs. Um and if we have to cut, I think that's where we need to cut. But I don't have an amount at this point. I I agree. It is probably going to go over too well with some people and uh I think if their kids are graduating and knowing what they're doing and and and can read, I I think they'll appreciate that in the end. Just something we got to suck it up as a board. Do I need to come up with a figure >> for at this point or can we wait for two years? >> Well, we can we can wait. We just
117need to that's it's not required to have this preliminary budget uh approved today. Um but we do need it by the end of next month. >> Okay. So if you know once again it's a roadmap it's preliminarily because this is what if we say hey we're going to hypothetically speaking we're going to reduce the preliminary budget says 300,000 for high school co-curriculars. We'll just use that as an example or any other area. So that tells administration there's their guide. This is what the board has approved. We may need to change it because as Leah said Misser said it's preliminary but that gives Mr. Dow specifically uh a message to say, "Hey, you have a $300,000 budget. Make the necessary changes." >> I I would be interested in seeing what the numbers are and whether we
118decide to go full on or if we're just talking about capping everybody at X amount. Then we need more data to do that. Push it out. >> Well, I'd just be So, I'd be interested. What data do you want? And I just be careful. Remember, this is a preliminary budget and as a function of the board, you're at the 30,000 foot level. I'd be careful about saying, let's remove 2,000 from football. Let's add 2,000 to basketball. Let's subtract there as a preliminary budget. It is more of a direction in a road road map to say, "Hey, Mr. Dao, in this case, if we if we take this budget line, here's your budget, make it happen." And that's what you do all the time when you task administration to say, "Hey, this is what we want
119to do. Make it happen." >> Yeah. I wasn't talking about capping anyone specifically at different rates. Just look at the overall data and say, "Okay, this is we if we're going to reduce it rather than cut it, this is what we would make the cut at based on an averaged line or something along those lines." Something we could discuss with the data. Well, if I I would still caution because a large portion of this is transportation [snorts] and if the board is interested in getting a policy on transportation that's a different because that's how you can govern through the policy. So if transportation is a huge portion of it, you know what? Direct administration to bring a transportation policy, say no trips period over 50 miles. Anything over 50 miles has to be fundraised or
120booster club approved. That is a policy and that's how the board can direct. That's that's a power of the board. So I would just be careful about we can give it to you and if the board wants to say, "Hey, let's reduce transportation. Let's do this, let's do that. Because certain sports have more than others because they have requirements. Those football helmets, every year they have to be refernished. That's a requirement of that or we can't play. >> I'm sorry. >> Nope. Some of them have to be new. Some of them have to be repurposed. And if we bring in the experts to repurpose them, and they said they're not repurposable, we do need to buy new ones if we want to still have the football program and uh have the kids participate. And I
121didn't mean to pick on football. It's number one [clears throat] on the list and it's really significant, but also it's um and Leah is going to get this information to me. It also is on that line. It doesn't include the transportation cost because it's part of the fall sports. So, she's going to break that down. But, so you when you look at the data, you have to be careful and and I just got them today. So, I think we would it would be I think you all would appreciate being able to see how much we spend for each of these co-curriculars. >> Yeah. And just to add to that, in the weekly board notes, there was an attachment. Um, if you click on the link that should bring you to a spreadsheet that lays out
122all of the high school co-curriculars with the cost for the salary and benefits of the advisor, the cost for any equipment or um like registration fees, and then the cost for transportation. Um, and what Miss Rude is referring to is right [clears throat] now transportation is all fall sports go in the same bucket. All winter sports and all spring sports. Um, so I am we will work on getting a breakout in the fall sports for example of what's football versus cross country. Um, that then I'll update that spreadsheet, but there is some data there that you could take a look at if you're interested. Um, I was just going to add to that. I think uh the examples Mr. Russy were just saying, I I'm all for those. I I just want to get some
123of those recommendations from administration or whoever, if that's Mr. Dao, what is a 50 mile radius going to save, right? What are [snorts] those projections? What does that do for how many competitions are we adjusting if that policy goes in? Is it all of them or is it the one wrestling trip to West Dallas that we didn't need to take when I was in high school? Right. Like that's part of those pieces. So, I mean to me that all comes with the sport by sport breakdown. But also to to your point and I think too to everyone like if we cut all co-curriculars, we still have to cut $6 million over the next three years. If we cut every single sport, every single co-curricular, and every single transportation, we still have to cut $6 million.
124So, that's going to change the student experience and the staff experience if we cut all co-curriculars. Nothing to do with literacy. That's we're going to lose a lot of students on the open enrollment side if that's the route we want to go. So, just want to throw that out there. It's needs to be part of the solution, but it's not the only uh lever that we will have to pull. >> So, go ahead. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. Uh since we opened that can of worms, um I know that when we did market adjustments, how many years ago? Um a lot of those Let me let me let me start with a question actually. Uh are [clears throat] like for example, does the football coach already know how much they're going to be get paid
125this fall or do they get contracted on that later? >> No, they know part of the >> they know >> part of the agreement that um we have when the when everyone's salary went up 2.63 uh the extracurricular or the extra duty pay scale is based off that base wage that used to be base wage. Um and that is a 2.63% increase to that. So everyone hits last year's plus 2.63. So yes, it is known. >> Yeah. So I guess for a what my thought was [snorts] because I I knew that that a lot of our systems are off with the bases that maybe we consider freezing those at select dollar amounts. Maybe not this year because people well it start this year because people now know what they're getting paid. And I don't want
126to like like it's just bad thing to give people like, oh, we we thought you were worth this much yesterday, but now you're not worth as much today. Like that's not really a good value judgment for anyone of any position. And so I think I think but maybe freezing that though and then doing periodic market adjustments might be a better uh route for us, especially as we make reductions. And it would be a statement. It won't be a lot of money, but it'll be a statement. So, so if the So, if I'm hearing some things in June, you know, I'll go to Mr. Burns Gilbert. You know, the without getting into the nitty-gritty, it sounds like potential policies for I have transportation. I have um possibly, you know, just all sorts of things, levels, limit
127participants. The list can be on and on, but I guess is is that what the will of the board is is to that way they can govern through policy. [snorts] I >> I think having more information would help us on the policy, especially because I'm looking at some numbers here. They do not make sense to me, but I need to confer with some coaches because there's Yeah, I have questions. So seeing a more detailed breakout is going to help me understand that better. [snorts] >> I I think we could request this information, but we could still I I'd still re because I mean like what Colin said, we still have to make $6 million in cuts over the next three years. I don't think I don't think the little bit that we're going to change
128in the academic budget should impede us approving the preliminary budget unless if we think otherwise. Uh am I wrong, Miss Hower, or is that like that not a good strategy to go by? Um, if I am understanding you correctly, if you approve the preliminary budget, you can still continue to make fundamental decisions before October 15th. >> Yeah. Absolutely. And I would say even after October 15th, right, we do budget revisions throughout the entire year. So it is truly a working budget that as we gain more information by October 15th and even afterwards, that's why we do budget revisions three to four times a year. So um 100% approving the preliminary budget tonight does not stop you from future conversations at all, >> but I think it sends a message that we're willing to move forward
129without having the data. I I don't know if we're and and I'm allowed to be wrong. I but uh but I I don't know with only where I just don't have that slide up. What are we looking at? Like like uh so 700,000 that's it's about or my math. Uh that's that's a little bit slightly over, you know, 1% of our budget for >> co-curricular. >> Oh, the co-curriculars. So, yeah, that's less than 1% of our budget. I I think I think we could still continue to approve a road All I'm saying is that all we could we could still continue to approve a road map and then work on what's less than 1% of our budget later and that would be something that would be reasonable. Is there >> is there a benefit, Leah,
130to approving it today knowing we're going to change it? Is there a benefit to you? >> Yeah. Um, I just need it approved by July 1 so that we have marching orders for moving forward into the 26 27 school year. So, tonight is not required. You definitely have the month of June still, which is why we brought it to you early. Um, but yeah, tonight or anytime in June is just fine. >> By by the end of June then is when you'd want to Yeah, that sounds You mentioned that, Sam. That sounds better. So, we have more time to talk about it too, right? We can talk about it regardless. >> Last meeting of the month is I don't know what date. I guess I would argue in favor of approving the budget. Um, we've
131got to stick with our plan and remember that there's a three years out. We've got one big deficit that that'll put us right under and we've can't depend upon the legislature giving us money. They don't do it every year. Um and uh unless things uh change in the election, then there's no guarantees on that either. >> How how does it move us forward to approve it today? >> So it doesn't I'll I'll start maybe maybe this motion will help. I I move to approve the preliminary budget and then for us to look into the co-curricular budget more in depth next meeting >> clarify just to clarify the co-curricular high school co-curricular and or me co-curricular or just the high Oh, ju just just I I would uh just the high school because the metal view
132co-curricular is in fund 10. So we'll be >> got fund 80. >> Yep. >> I'll second that. Any further discussion or thoughts? But we didn't really need to do it until the end of the month, >> right? >> We we don't need to do anything, but at least we have a road map. And then then then this motion would also also provide some direction to give us more information for next meeting. So, and I'm particularly the high school co-curricular. So, it makes sense. And just a kind of a summary for um everybody's benefit I guess is prelim preliminary budget um again roadmap if in June July August you say we need to reduce this budget by another 25,000 we needed to reduce this budget by 5% we will do that and we will implement it.
133So, just please know that anything, and that's not me saying we have to approve it tonight. I'm just want to make sure everybody's clear that approving a budget tonight, it's okay if it changes. And I'm telling you with 100% confidence, it will change. [laughter] Um maybe even next week. So, just know this is the starting point for the approval and it will continue to change not only through October, but through the remainder of the school year. Okay. Okay. Roll call. >> Mr. Wells. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lasco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonkey. >> Yes. >> Miss B. Miss. Barren. >> Yes. >> Mr. Burns Gilbert. >> Yes. >> Dr. Bernett. >> Yes. >> Miss RDE. >> No. motion carries 61. Okay, thank you. >> Oh, sorry. uh discussion and possible action to move to close
134section regarding an individual's employment per Wisconsin statute 19.85 parentheses 1 parentheses C considering employment promotion compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. I move to go into close session per the reasons as presented. >> Second. >> Moved and second. >> Dave Con. Sorry. >> Moved and seconded. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Wells? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lazco? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonkey? >> Yes. >> Miss Barren? >> Yes. >> Mr. Burns Gilbert? >> Yes. >> Dr. Bernette, >> yes. >> Miss Rude, >> yes. >> All right, we're in close session. Thank you very much. Uh, if there is any announcement that it needs to be made, we will come out and make it. At this time, the um live stream will end and
135not resume. Thank you very much everybody and have a great night.