001All right. Like to call this uh school district of Sturgeon Bay regular board meeting uh to order. Everyone please stand for the pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and for >> commissioner star >> here >> commissioner meer here. >> Commissioner Haw >> here. >> Commissioner Jenner John >> here. >> Commissioner Steani >> here. >> Commissioner Cruz >> here. >> Commissioner Howard >> here. >> Commissioner Schultz >> here. >> Commissioner Sturka >> here. >> Uh can I have a motion to adopt the agenda? Is >> make a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. >> I'll leave a motion by Commissioner J. Second by Commissioner Monter B for the agenda as presented. Further discussion hearing? None. All
002those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. So now we are down to the uh student counselor board. We have what? You have the floor. >> Hi everyone. I'm Maya for those of you that don't know me. And as you guys know, we just finished up our homecoming week and it came with a lot of activities. We started our week Monday. We hosted our first annual boys volleyball tournament. So, each grade got to compete and we've been practicing for a few weeks and the girls volleyball players were the each grade's coaches. And fortunately, the seniors did win. We were a little hesitant, but and then that followed on Wednesday. we had our girls powderpuff football game and the seniors also won 440 I believe. M >> so it was very exciting week
003and then Friday we had the parade where we got into a little bit of water trouble and then followed by the football game with the band halftime show and then also we have some clubs starting up some trial math team are starting this November and then also we just started our new hope squad club and so it's a nationally recognized club and It's focuses on mental health and suicide awareness and so members had to be selected and voted upon like everyone in your grade you had to get someone had to say something nice about you and then the teachers went through the list and so that is starting up which everyone's really excited about that and then also service club is organizing with help of baking club so there will be baked goods there next
004Saturday November 1st we have our great pumpkin run and it's also kids are encouraged to wear costumes. We have a half mile followed by a 5K just around town and then the half mile is around the track. And then yes, we'll also have a bake sale fundraiser. And then we also have inter malo sports starting up next week, specifically pickle ball just to have more kids who aren't in winter sport right now or just looking for some engagement. That'll give them the opportunity. And then additionally right now we have a help of Dor County basic needs drive that our GSA club is starting to run. So we have bins in our office that people can donate items to. And then lastly this week we have our regional competitions for soccer and cross country. And I
005think everyone is just trying to recover from homecoming week and we don't have school Fridays. So, all I got for you guys is >> you know some questions are coming, right? So, speaking of regionals, was there a regional match perhaps last night? >> Yes, the girls varsity volleyball team we finished our season last night at Kiwani first round of regionals >> and it was close. >> Yeah, we it was four sets the first time we lost except we finished fifth second in conference and they're sixth. So we had a we only lost to them and Okanto and even though they got better rankings in regionals so it was an away game and it was just it's okay it it always happens >> but it was good season like you said you guys finished second >>
006coming back from last place last year to second this year we were very happy with that >> as far [clears throat] as the bake sale do you know anyone involved in the baking club >> I am part of the baking club too I On behalf of the board, we think the baking club should practice some of the bacon. >> And you know someone who likes to eat the uh the things you bake. >> Oh, do I? Yes, I do. >> And then on the Powderpuff side, uh so like who maybe scored some touchdowns for the seniors? >> Um we had three people that scored touchdowns. Myself and Regan Cast, we both had three each and then Kennedy Water Street had one. >> Oh, okay. >> Indeed. All right. and uh student, no one could do
007anything about the wind rifle with the bonfire, but I think the high school has a plan for that. >> Yes, it is this Thursday at 6:00 p.m. before the 5 6 p.m. before the boys regional game. >> So, if you're coming to soccer tomorrow and you come a little early, you can also catch some of the bonfire since that couldn't happen last week. >> I have a question. The fun run, is that open to just high schoolers or 4K through 12? It's open to the whole community. >> The puff lift. It's not just kids. >> If you see there's flyers we have around here, but I've also put flyers all around town and anyone is welcome. We just scan a QR code and we just sign up online. Very good. >> I can make sure
008you get a >> sign for the kids. >> Does anybody else have a question for Maya and student council tonight? >> All right. Looks like you get the rest of the night now. Enjoy. Thank you. Thanks for having a good job. >> Um, next at the public comments section, I don't know if anyone is is going to come up to address the board. Anyone? So, all right. I'm going to move along then. Then we are to the public toward to the recognition portion of the evening. We have some people to recognize. >> Excellent. All right. We have the admin team. I thinkable deill you're going to help us cover. So we have the rock the dot crew supportive of many different things. Come on down to the front. We'll uh we've got some stuff for
009you. Principal deillars is going to cover a little a few words and then I'm going to take a picture for Facebook. So >> I will make sure at least one of you give the thumbs up for this so I don't get in trouble. >> Hello. [laughter] All right. Uh we collectively all the stakeholders in the district would like to recognize the following individuals for their incredible dedication and contribution to the Rock the Doc event in support of our Sturgeonbased schools. Please stand forward with your name. Jane Stefen, Miranda Etches, Nikki Ranken, Mercedes Watkin, BrenaLlair, and Carrie Trernal. Your time, energy, and commitment were instrumental to the success of this community event. Through the your hard work, you made a long lasting impact by supporting meaningful projects that enhance student learning as well as helping bring
010our community together. Thank you very much for making a difference in the lives of our students, their families, and in strengthening our community as a whole. Thank you. You We have something for you. >> You need to do a group shot, I think. Here. [laughter] I'm not gonna say who's taking it. >> Yeah. >> Hopefully you got nice hair again. Did you get enough? I don't need >> Hold on. We all have to give you your certificate. Oh, you're going to be ready to What you put in the mug is your responsibility. >> Thank you. Congratulations. Y >> right there. We'll do another shot with a shot certificate. All right, Ben, you can slide closer if you need to. >> Let me know once you got it. >> Sure. The art teacher takes better picture
011than me. [clears throat] >> I think we got it. This is Bonnie who used to like they can do like a two-minute recess to shake their hands and then we'll get back at it. >> You have to line up. I have to come down very much. other bands. >> All right. Thank you. Brenda has what you need for >> Can I Can I give like a just a quick little spiel? We just wanted to make an announcement this year. Um, well, thank you so much for for recognizing this amazing group. Uh, we've all become such great buddies over this that it it's actually been fun to do this now. I don't know, I'm speaking for myself, but >> we look forward to getting together and this is the the passion that we have for this
012event. I think it's helping spread through the community and we just want to thank everyone. U most importantly this year uh our first year we raised just over 15,000. Our second year was just over 18,000 and this year was over $27,000. >> Wow. It's like almost >> So with that um we have uh next week I'll be sending out the email for um our next round of mini grants. We'll be able to give out 40 different grants at 250 each. So $10,000. Um, we've made a donation to the auditorium for $5,500. So, we're really proud of ourselves for that one. Um, and then there was also a 500 that was given to uh Sawyer Sunrise and Walker for their participation um with our runners at our event. So, we've asked that they use that money
013in a fun way within their school. So, we want to thank everybody and hopefully we'll all see you at Rock the Dock. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thanks everybody. And while you're welcome to stay, I hope you have something more exciting. >> But say if you want, >> why wouldn't you? >> Good one. I like we're back in session. Um so next on the agenda is actually we the the public hearing on the school budget. Uh note as a unified school district we do not have an annual meeting as common or union school districts do. Instead we incorporate the opportunity for members of the public to talk about the budget into a hearing as part of our board meeting when the budget and tax levy are approved. This is separate from the public comment period
014when members of the public are welcome to address the board as well. >> So that sounds me. All right. All right. Uh the nine of you sitting here, uh a lot of this is repetitive for the two of you sitting over here. Um some of this is new. Um but uh right annual report uh budget information uh for 2425 and then budget for 2526. Um 2425 highlights. uh we ended with a deficit of about 96,000 um which was taken from fund balance. I we made our second largest our second and largest ever transfer to fund 50 food service um this past year of 92,000. Um I will uh add to that um looking at it this year looking at a a month-to-month tracking. So through September, first uh month where we're getting revenues in food
015service, um first full month of students here. Um we'll be in the red 7,000 through from July through September. Uh which is good news because uh that's ahead of where we've been in the past. Um and if we take right that that includes some summer payrolls, right? Uh director Spoody gets paid 12 months out of the year. Um, if we take September in a silo, um, September was in the black. Um, so early but encouraging news there. Um, I know Director Spooi is also working with Hackco. Um, they're looking to donate uh, some products. Um, and so hopefully we'll hear more about that soon. Uh, we paid another 126 126,000 towards our teachers TSA uh, ketchups with 92,700 remaining. touched on this a bit earlier. Uh but I would be planning to make a payment,
016make that last payment with this next payroll. Um it is in the budget. So once the budget's approved, we'll get that out. Uh that's from an original balance of 1.3 million in catch-up payments. Uh and then this last one is going to be made 3 years earlier than um we promised with the the hope to overd deliver and we are overd delivering. Uh moving into 2526, uh on the revenue limit, we are receiving $325 more per pupil with just over a,000 kids. That equates to just over 325,000 in revenue limit authority. We're also expected to receive about 300,000 more in special ed categorical aid. Um, which directly helps our fund 10 uh expenses with our year-end transfer to fund 27th. Uh, and then as far as expenses, uh, there 17.5% increase in the district's health
017insurance costs. Uh, 6% 30,000 uh, increase in busing. Moving looking at the health insurance, I know I have a spot later. Um, we are going to be going to market in the spring. We've got all options on the table right now. Um, I I hate to say performing, but the our health insurance is performing well. Um, as far as our our premium to claims ratio goes. Um, we are losing $86,437 in equalization aid compared to last year. equalization aid helps offset the tax levy. Uh so [clears throat] talking to uh the choir here, that's a lot of what we've been wrestling with. I think if we were just looking at the revenue limits uh and and what's available to us, I I I don't know that we'd have as much consternation. Um uh pulling that
018out to a macro look, we're one of 86 districts in the state out of 421 um that are losing the maximum 15% uh you can lose on equalization aid in a year uh in one of 30 out of 421 that are losing uh equalization aid. >> Just pause, Jake. Again, I know the board hears this, but this is one of those where we usually have at least a few people watch the uh the recording, >> but again, equalization aid, right, or general school aid isn't money, as the board knows that a district spends, >> but in essence, as you put it, right, it's property tax relief, right? So, so kind of I mean, we understand that, but is there anything else we can just give another 10 or 15 seconds to for someone? Backing up
019to the revenue limit. The revenue limit uh is our uh revenue that we can get between taxes and equalization aid uh to fund our school. Um and so there's a cap, right? So, uh when we try and figure out our tax levy, we wait for equalization aid payment and then we can backfill uh you know what do we need to tax to do what we need to do. Um and so that equalization aid general school aid uh uh it's also called that if that goes down um generally uh in this case this year uh the tax levies going to go up. Um you guys have seen this before. Uh enrollment counts. This year we are serving 107 children in our district as compared to the two uh official count dates in September and January last
020year where we were at 1014 [clears throat] and 10:04. Uh we have 169 students currently open enrolled in. Uh compared to 185 and 183 last year, 210 going out uh compared to 220 and 225 last year. uh 1,046 total resident students. So to get to that number, you take7 uh minus the 169 plus the 210. So that's the total resident students. Then you have to figure in um the the foury olds that count for 60% of a full student. Um that gets us to 1019 uh in our what's called FTE, full-time enrollment. um we had 11 uh summer school FTE and they boil that down I believe at the same yeah the same 60%. So we were able to add seven to our total what's called district membership and that's where you get the uh
021re excuse me revenue limit which is based on the number of students we have. This 1023 goes into a three-month roll or a three-year rolling average. Um and that's uh the number you multiply by 11 650 this year um is our revenue limit per member. >> Yeah. Summer school did before we move on so many other topics we've been talking about and the board's been seeing many updates. You've been reading through documents. We talked about summer school quite a bit a few years ago. But now you're starting to see the payoff, right? where we say, you know, the district doesn't make money off of summer school, right? It costs us money to pay teachers to work with kids, but the payoff other than some would say the right thing to do when helping kids catch
022up or giving kids enrichment, etc., is that it adds to right that revenue limit authority, which is important and it's the equivalent of, you know, as if seven students moved in. So I know on the one hand, you know, we have way way way way more than seven students involved in summer school as you and I know, but again it it counts down, right? You think summer's a short window. We only do it so many days. It's roughly half a day and so forth. But there's positive benefit. So when we go from where we were at, you know, four or five years ago to where we are now, right, it just shows that we're maximizing, right? Checking all these little boxes to kind of put the district in the best fiscal position. Go ahead, Jim.
023>> All right. um perhaps not bigger picture but but boiling in on the uh enrollment uh and our expenses uh with students going elsewhere. This year we have 27.2 students uh receiving private school vouchers the 2 again you go to the 4K uh at uh 60% of full-time students uh that's where you get the 0.2 two. I off the top of my head couldn't tell you how we ended up with.5 last year, but we did. Um we that's one high school student uh compared to one last year and 26.2 elementary students compared to 265 last year. So um relatively flat uh on the enrollment front with the increase uh vouchers are also uh paid for on a per pupil basis. the state uh increased that uh amount per pupil. So that's where our uh voucher
024uh expense increase is going up by about 14,000 this year. In all our deficits uh to other schools continues to be large. Total about 2.6 6 million to other schools uh for projected $868,000 uh dollar deficits. Um this year, uh our enrollment trend, this is more about uh looks at open enrollment. We like the red number on top or the red line on top. Uh I've had this the past number of years, just updated it. um when the the red line is on top, our district uh membership, not enrollment um is is higher than our enrollment. Um that means we have more students coming in than going out. uh a different look at the uh change from open enrollment um I don't want to let's say deficit uh our positive open enrollment uh flipped to
025negative open enrollment over the years um appears to be going down this year we were in the same spot at this point last year and we had a number of families move between districts change enrollments I should add um between districts and it ended up on third Friday that we were more negative um or excuse me the January count that we were more negative than we were at the beginning of the year. So tenatively optimistic at this point about that number this year uh getting better. Um we'll wait till January to see if it's still good. [clears throat] Um, moving into demographics. Uh, again, I've included looks like this, uh, the past number of years. New analytics company, so it looks different. Uh, I don't expect you to remember what it looked like 12 months
026ago. Um, but as you can see, we we do have some slight uh, while we remain uh, mostly uh, white, we do have some new demographics [clears throat] moving in. Um, and we're under 75% uh, white student eth ethnicity. Um, for now the last year was the second year in a row breaking down by schools. Um, as those uh numbers change, usually they start at the lower levels and that's where you see Sawyer um with a lower with a different percentage um than moving up through Sunrise Middle School and [clears throat] uh high school. Um economically disadvantage. I know this is uh a lot of times a talking point that surprises people. Um this past year uh we were at 46.3% uh of our population uh is economically disadvantaged. Um a drop from last year
027um and you can see that purple line is the state average. So above the state average um compared though to uh the area. So this is taking out looking at Brown um Kiwani and Do counties minus Green Bay. Um we are the highest uh still last year uh by a decent amount we had the highest uh percentage of economically disadvantaged between Brown Kiwani and and Door counties again [clears throat] minus Green Bay. Um El consistently is is number two in that that look. Um, again a different analytic this year or look at it. Uh, and I apologize I don't have control over the color of the bars, but this middle bar is looking at uh, English language learners. Um, you can see our percent is right [clears throat] up there at the top uh, about
028tied with Sebastiple. Um and right we looked at this this year is we we took a elementary classroom teacher position um and and move that position within through a resignation and new hire into an EL coordinator this year. And then that third bar on the right is looking at students with disabilities. Um not the highest there, but definitely I'd say top third um as far as student population. digging into the budget now. Uh this is all funds revenue minus sorry I got to catch myself up here. all funded revenue minus uh inter fund transfers. If if the reason I do that inter fund transfers that's revenue we already receive usually to fund 10 our general fund that then gets transferred to say usually fund 27 is the big one last year fund 50. So, I
029exclude those transfers cuz that's recording revenue twice. Um, based on the recommended budget and levy, uh, that we talked about earlier, we'd be looking at about a $300,000 total, uh, budgeted revenue increase. Um, most of that's going to be coming from the special ed categorical aid. Uh and then also uh the increase in revenue limit. >> Super quick, Jake, again board knows this, but for someone watching the recording, you mentioned fund 27 and fund 50, right? Fun 27 special ed fund 50 food service as the board knows and you mentioned of those two in a typical year, right, the special ed one is the big one, right? Which is why the state paid attention to trying to at least get a little bit more money uh in >> Yes. All right. Uh digging into general
030fund uh revenue fund 10. Um we're really when we talk about fund balance uh operating fund this is that fund. Um 60% uh of that revenue budgeted revenue would be coming from taxes. Uh 20% coming from equalization aid. So 80% of our revenue, we talked a little bit about revenue limit before. Um 80% of our revenue uh in a given year is going to be coming from the revenue limit. Um you see 9% on the open enrollment in um again that's paid on a per pupil basis. Uh other state aid that's going to be looking at per pupil categorical aid which is about 750. um AGR sage aid uh which you guys hear about every so often. Um that's about 380. Uh and then you look at things uh mental health aid is included this
031year. Uh transportation, library aid, that's all wrapped up in that other state aid number. Federal aid uh in fund 10 is going to be your title services. um title one for us, title one, title two, um title four and then um the IDA special education federal aid that would be recorded in fund 27. And then fed the other federal aid we would get uh would be USDA um lunch uh feeding our kids. Um and that would be recorded in fund 50 food service account. Um and then other uh that's going to boil down stuff that doesn't fit into other categories. Uh some of excuse me, some of it's going to be local still like uh interest income uh from our investment accounts. Uh student fees, uh any refunds we might get. Um insurance. Uh one
032of the big ones would be workers comp. Uh the way it works is you get dividends. uh the way our company works as well. If we're good on do well on workers comp claims, we can also get uh refunds with that. So that's the big picture look at fund 10 revenues. Uh combining um fund 10 and fund 27, our general fund and our special education fund where we're servicing all our students, right? Um, we're looking at a roughly $200,000 $150,000 uh increase year-over-year. 71% of that is going to our people um salaries and benefits. 22% uh purchase services, that's still really going to people. You think about busing um if we're coordinating with a CISA to provide services or say professional development. Um, some of that's also going to include uh uh maintenance stuff where
033we're working say with Eagle Mechanical, septic maintenance, uh, HBAC, plumbing stuff, um, non- capital supplies, software, uh, 6% uh, insurance 1%. Um, and then, uh, miscellaneous fees, that's going to be your dues, your professional dues, district dues, um, stuff like that. All right, moving into the levy. Um, wanted to quick highlight kind of where we started. Um, if we were to look at levying to our full authority using the full revenue revenue limit authority, levying um what we would need to make our debt service payments over the next calendar year. Um, and then also levying um into our um capital expansion, our our our long-term maintenance fund to make sure, you know, looking ahead, we've got that properly funded, we'd be looking at a 12.84% increase. Uh looking at the recommended levy option A in
034front of you. Um we are currently looking at an 8.93% increase. Uh doing that by this would be doing uh lowering that increase by underleving the revenue limits and our debt service fund. Um again pulling out a little bit looking at uh what this means for say individuals, what this means for mill rates um in our community. The equalized property value for our district. Uh a line graph here looking at those rates really or the the values have really exploded over the last number of years. I I think all of you are residents of Sturgeon Bay and have seen that reflected in your assessed uh property values. Um going up this year um I at this point I think at least for the next couple of years with t two closing that's downtown minus the
035west waterfront. I expect that to continue at least for the next couple of years. The big side note on this is this is a big part of equalization aid as well, right? Equalization aid is figured um the three big parts [snorts] um are property value per students, excuse me, the two big local parts, the property value per student and how much we spend shared costs per student. And then there's external factors, the way the states funding the equalization a pot and the way other districts spend uh or their share costs, how those go. Um so this plays a big part of that. Um and as that go up, as it goes up, obviously our per students equalized value goes up as well. And so the dis the state looks at us um as more property
036rich um and says we don't need as much equalization need. Um going back to just looking at the levy again this reflects the recommended uh levy over the last number of years. Unfortunately, seeing it go up perhaps um not as much as it could have been, but um the recommended levy would be a $7.19 mill rate. Um I know we do not like pushing that out there. Uh people do ask about that. I I include that. Um this is again chart looking at the historical mill rates. Uh it is the lowest it's been since uh 1984. I think I mentioned that a little bit later. Again, I'm not sure with the levy going up how indicative that is of what people are paying, but it's what they pay per $1,000 of property value. All right.
037Again, recommended levy is set to only increase 8.9%. Um, most of that's being driven by the $800,000 declining equalization aid. Um, and this would be the second year in a row we'll be seeing an increase in the tax levy after four years of uh working to decrease the tax levy. Um based on published levy recommendations, just looking at um comparing a little bit, um we have the second lowest levy in the county. We've been the lowest since 2020. Um Sevastapole looks like they're staying the same. Uh they're approving their levy tonight as well. Um they're staying the same as uh last year. And then Jialter and uh Jibralter looks to be going slightly up. Southern North slightly down. Um we are the only district in the county that is not funding or uh levying into
038fund 80. I mentioned that um we we use fund 80 very little. Uh in fact at this point the only thing we used it for last year was for our community our adult community ed classes which happened uh mid- winter January February and to record the revenues and expenses for our friends of Sturgeon Bay rock the dock. Um so that's what we've used it for the last number of years. Um and we are not levying and we're the only ones that don't levy into that. um that does not require any voter approval and that's why I say eight years ago we stopped doing fund 80 um because we were levying at a spot where we didn't have voter approval um and did not feel that was the correct thing to do. Um, I also want
039to point out, uh, from what I can tell, um, with a small exception in Gibraltar, we're the only district that would that are going to be underleving. I believe all three districts are over levying their debt fund um, levying to their revenue limit. Gibralar, based on what was published, would be underleving revenue limit by about 15,000. So, I'm not sure if that's intentional or more of a a mistake um or or the the late data coming in. >> Looking ahead um in the state budget, zero dollars being added to the equalization aid pot statewide. Um that does not spell good fortunes for our tax levy next year. So there, as you guys said earlier, a lot of work ahead of us to try and keep the levy low as possible. Um and then uh again
040I mentioned the um health insurance earlier. We are set to go out to markets uh this spring. When I say all options are on the table, right, you think of your health insurance companies. Uh right now we're with Purveya 360, big one out there, United Healthcare. Those are all fully funded. We work with we pay the company and they do all the insurance stuff. Another option would be um self-insured. Um and you guys will be hearing more about that, I'm sure, um as that becomes potentially a more realistic uh possibility between now and the spring. with that. Um, any questions? >> Okay. Uh, I think is this worth mentioning? You've mentioned mill rate a couple times. Was on there. Those those numbers are kind of to be determined in actuality. >> Uh, yeah. The final
041number um the equalized value for the district is set right. Um, so whatever number, whatever levy number is passed, we know what the equalization aid where it's going to get a little wonky, if you will, is because of the reassessment in the city, and this happened last year in the the town of our portion of the town of Sevastapore. Uh, those numbers come in late. Um and so what happens is they give the total number for equalization equalized value in the district. Um it's an estimate. Um and but we still spread our levy out based on that estimate, right? Um, and so what happened last year in the towns of Aspel, what I'm anticipating will happen perhaps this year in the city is the portion of our district that's in the city, right? That that
042percentage will change from that estimate. So um >> which is the bigger portion of >> right it it won't because we have so much of the city in our right >> district um I wouldn't anticipate it changing like last year in the town it went from um 738 783 for those individuals. Um so yes and no. >> Well I I just asked because if our property values have jumped up so much Yeah. >> Right. And I've heard 40% on the low end, 125% on the on the high end. Um, if those numbers are in fact true, those percentages, to me, that drives that the mill rate down. >> Right. >> And that's where you see it going down despite the levy going up. >> Correct. Right. >> I think the other be Oh, go ahead.
043>> No, go ahead. >> I was just going to say the other piece I know we talked about in the workshop again for anyone watching the reporting especially, right? We talked about how with the mill rate we we try to talk about it as a projection or I think estimate with the word you just used right since we know the full calculation goes beyond the control of this body right we can use the numbers we know and Jake gave a great example from a year ago that's likely to repeat itself in a different scale um so some people call for that so even in our workshop for anyone listening like we talked about boy did we share that number or not well historically it's been shared some people asked for it so we'll share it
044but we'll point out that it's a projection or an estimate that whatever the final number is again goes beyond us. Alison, you were going to say >> yeah. Um, thank you for the really good presentation. I think you did such a nice job wrapping it all up. >> Um, maybe this is an observation less than a question, but it's interesting that our property value has increased, you know, so much like Andy said, but then we still have almost 50% of our kids in the school are economically disadvantaged. It points to this real sort of increase in disparity. >> Sure. Is that something that you think our neighbors are experiencing or maybe some of the other 85 districts that sit in the same pot with us where equalization aid is decreasing? Or are there other are
045there other districts that are kind of getting the double whammy that we're getting where it's like petting equalization aid and your property values are increasing? >> Um well, one's based off the other. >> What's that? I mean, one's based off the other, right? I mean, >> well, I think we're getting 15% decrease because of our high property values. >> Yes and no. Yes and no. Um, we are what's called negatively aided. So, in that equalization aid formula, once you spend over a certain amount per pupil, which off the top of my head was, we'll call it 12,800 per pupil this year. Um, the state average, by the way, is 14,000. Um and we were at we were over 15, but let's for the sake of right now call it 15, right? Um once you spend
046over that that threshold of 128, right? When you're negatively aided where basically that means the state saying you're more property rich per student, right? Once you spend over that, a certain percentage of your aid uh starts getting taken away. [clears throat] Um so yes um at the same time um right with zero dollars more going in um there's there's nothing to make up for for that if that makes sense right it doesn't move the needle um because those who are under the the the property value per student threshold right those districts um when they spend more now they're they're getting more and so now they're taking away >> because they're poor. >> Yeah. Um that piece I know I was talking with someone recently it kind of came up that that session I did in
047egg harbor last month but the concept of locally right our property value is low right in door county terms and when we look at property value certainly compared to the number of students whether it's southern north of Astable Jalter right in that regard we lag even if we have theoretically the city the most students whatever you want to say compared to the state however Right. And that's like you've said multiple times tonight that's you know it's the state calculation. So we're kind of there's a paradox of sorts that people in our part of the world are kind of like wait a minute it's this on the one hand but we're getting less from the state right so there's that going on. The other piece I'll just remind again you hear it but it's probably good
048reminder for us and anyone tracking the information is like when an Chapman from WBO and again those who go to convention in January right she's good to listen to very sharp lady. uh she gave the presentation at that event in Egg Harbor uh before Brett from Jialter and I had our comments. Um but she has a slide and I know you received in something you got recently and you brought that up in our recent admin meeting but she shows state averages in three categories. Okay, when you think of economically disadvantaged students, special ed students and EL students, right? Or students maybe that need help learning English, maybe their family has limited English skills, right? When you're above average and your percentage, your enrollment above the state average in any one of those, your cost to
049educate students is theoretically higher. And we would know from our demographic information like, well, you know, in theory, we're at or above average in all three of those. That's what happens is, right, it just on the one hand, we have more students and families with needs. It's the reality, right? And so it's pushing up the services needed similar to a question you asked earlier Allison in the workshop about meeting people's needs but we have to cut on the one hand right it's pushing that cost per pupil up so to speak at the same time there's only so much we can do about that right so it's it's it's a pushpull uh it's just reality not complaining uh but it's something that you know we've been aware of but I think more people are becoming aware
050of it and it's a part of like the staffing uh plan decision that we'll need to make not just the coming months but really over the next really several years if that helps us context. >> Um Alison to your question of other districts either in the area around the state that are experiencing uh a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students and the same right similar decrease in aid. Um, in the county, I would say that the most similar would probably be Southern Door. Um, [clears throat] uh, I could go back and look at they're economically disadvantaged. Um, perhaps Aldoma, but I mean pulling out from the state 100% there, there are other districts that that are in kind of that same boat. uh off the top of my head between myself and a a couple
051other uh three other principles have spent time in Bo um and right they are experiencing the same thing. Um so so yes there are other districts like them we'll hear more from Jake tonight but that's that's the main presentation in addition to what he walked us through in the premier otherwise I think thank you Jake Mike you've got I know the note is a part of the hearing that Jake was brief >> uh I just after Jake's presentations is I'm just going to ask if anyone in the audience wants to make any comments or about the budget as part of as part of this public hearing. So anyone no all right I think we are now down to the consent agenda. So um I will discuss that. So, the consent agenda consists of approving the
052meeting minutes from September 17th of 2025 regular board of education meeting in the October 1st, 2025 board of learning session. Also approved September bills that were in your packet. Accept grants and donations. Uh, and I'm going to um those are as follows. two uh $25 gift cards from Sunny's for staff recognition, a Raybrook grant received for esports team expansion, a Raybrook grant received for the Neville Museum trip, uh $250 from uh the Raven Insurance and Financial Services for the football team, $1,200 uh from the Sturgeon Bay booster club for replacing seat covers on weight room equipment, uh $547 Seven cents from Sunrise students fundraising for the Sawyer playground. Uh that is uh Jeff uh River Santi and Willow Santi. So looking there she principal. Um then we have the Robert H. Nickel Auditorium U of
053funding. Here are some donations on that. Uh $100 from Jack Folic. $500 in the memory of Phyllis Swaggle. $100 from Kim and Don Gordon, $50 from Elizabeth Hoover Ike in memory of Carol Hone, excuse me, in Hayne, excuse me. Uh, $1,000 from Mary Nickel, $100 from Nancy Jones McKay, $50 from Ellie Shaw in memory of Carol Hayne, and $50 from Marin Larson in memory of Carol Hayne. Um and then uh we have a point five here achievement gap reduction report. Uh again schoolboard review is anformational item in was included in your meeting packet are the achievement gap uh uh reports. These were completed by director Weber. The report deals with math and reading for kindergarten through third grade grade. Um this is simple simplyformational items. So no formal action is necessary. So a motion to
054approve [clears throat] the consent agenda as presented and to thank everyone for their generosity and service to our district is recommended. >> I'll move to approve the consent agenda items as presented and thank everyone for their generosity and services. >> We have a second. >> I'll second that. >> All right. We have a motion by Commissioner Oz, second by Commissioner Cruz to approve the consent agenda as presented. Uh, further discussion. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carried. Uh, so now we're to the operations agenda and we're back to budget. >> Indeed we are. All right. So really there's two items. The board knows they go hand in hand, but again for anyone reviewing the uh packet of materials or watching the recording later. So first we have the budget itself as
055you said President Stefani and and we're about to get to that and then the next agenda item although related is different where it's the actual approval of the uh the tax levy right that December 2025 or next year's tax levy. So first we take the budget and then separate action to go to the tax levy. So the board has notes you've seen this I will hit on some of these just kind of for the record. Um, as we know, by October 15th, we received a a certification of general school aids from the state of Wisconsin needed to finalize budget figures as well as different options available to the board when it comes to the approval of the budget uh tax levy. I do have the note in parenthesis as the board knows for anyone tracking
056it that you know Jake had to send something into the pulse at the start of the month and then we had to send our usual pack of the materials in and obviously as we were just discussing still in the workshop before the board right dialing on options and and we'll talk about a couple or even a couple three of those here in just a moment. Right? That's why that's not all laid out. But what we had done was kind of our our fill-in-theblank format just to make people make sure people know that for the most part, right? we we work through that as as we had in the past. Well, um, so rather than doing how we would normally do where I then say, right, okay, we have a recommended motion of all right, we
057know that before the session, we had our budget workshop as we typically do the month of October. So, we can review what Jake has already reviewed with us a few times, but now finalized by the state. And really, we went from, let's see, Jake's email last Friday kind of talking about five scenarios to really boiling down to the colors, right? So if someone's watching the recording or in the audience right and C's three colors green right salmon and yellow right options A B and C and of those really in the workshop portion A and B got the most conversation so really as we'll get ready here uh president Stefani to then right have the appropriate conversation associated with the motion right we had some talk about well what some board members could see maybe option
058A some could see option B and then I think theoretically We don't have it labeled as that even though we mentioned it in theory if you want to call it a a hybrid or combo of the two. I suppose in theory could be an option D where we could say all right here's what we liked about each of those with the impact uh really on this budget. I will also comment and then I'll pause. Um as the board has talked about it while yes we have incumbent on us tonight to act on a budget and a tax levy. We've also been talking about it though in the context right this is year one of the current bianial state budget. We've also talked about what next year would be even though we don't officially prove anything
059yet knowing any decision this year has an impact on next year because we actually know what next year is at least from the state of Wisconsin even though we don't have all the October 15th 2026 numbers that are going to get at that time. All right. So really before us normally what we would have is we would have right a motion so we can then have right second discussion etc. But really we have before us yes options A B and C but based on board discussion so far I believe president Stefani the group is looking at well maybe A maybe B or maybe even possibly kind of something in between saying that right? Uh that's does that make sense if I'm picking up on what what the group might want? >> I guess I'll I'll
060I'll throw it out out first. Is does anyone want to make a motion of of either of these options? >> I can make a motion. I'll make a motion to approve the budget as presented in option A including 1,20,821 increase of 8.93% of the lobby as compared to last year, a fund 39 levy of $596,675, fund 41 levy of $1,000 and a total under levy of $450,000. I'll second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Jenner John, seconded by Commissioner Star to approve the budget is presented in option A, including a 1,20,822 increase, which is 8.93% to the levy as compared to last year. a fund 39 levy of $500,965 $596,675 of fund 41 levy of $1,000 and a total under levy of $450,000 recommended. Um so we have a motion second further discussion. I
061assume there's any further discussion. I'll kick it off. I'm just going to take that step. Um, in between meetings, uh, I had three of you approach me and say, is there a sort of option B? As Dan was saying, in between option A and option B, what could that look like? Um, I apologize for the crudeness here. um trying to throw this uh put this together kind of um while everything else was going on in between my presentations. um [clears throat] what this would look like. Um take again taking a little bit of B, taking a little bit of A, right? So starting off of I'll just I'll I'll talk off of uh A um we would be under levying by an additional 100,000 into fund 10 under our revenue limit. Uh, in this case,
062what that would be would uh be a uh the transfer to fund 46. Thinking back to right when I was talking about the long-term maintenance in the fund 41 originally, if you remember that original levy where we started was 250 on October 1st I talked about okay um we we we can take that down to 100,000 under levy by 100,000 move 50 over to to fund 10. Well, taking that a little bit of a step further, right? Under levying total by um 200,000 under the revenue limits, um we would still end up with, let me double check. Let's see. revenues at I'm just going to say this out loud. Somebody double check my math. Uh revenues total revenues at 19.617. Um and total uh expenses at 19.6. Uh and so we would still be able
063to levy some into or uh transfer some plan for a transfer into fund 46 have a little bit of cushion uh there and then additionally um taking the uh additional we'll call it $100,000 um additional $100,000 under levy into the debt service fund. That was an option B. moving that over. Um, so that would end up being a 7.18% increase. 820,822 uh in dollars. Could you just say those numbers maybe one more time as people are [clears throat] >> a total underlevy of 820 822 and if if we're figuring that this is kind of where we're going to land um perhaps with uh uh Dan and Mike's blessing I can put together I can update I think I already have the option sheet and the budget um but $820,822 total uh increase uh percentage increase
064would be 7.18%. We would be underleving uh oh it's up there 650,000. >> Okay. I just think that we do so much work like have our summer school try to get our enrollment numbers up so that we can increase the revenue limit and then now we're going to under levy. We're the only school in our county or only district in our county that you know is not levied or >> meeting going to our full authority. Um, and I think we still have to do hard work like we talked about Jake during our meeting, but I'm still a fan of option A because I think it just gives us a little bit more wiggle room and I think it sets us up into a better position for the referendum. I think that we I'm not sure
065if those minutes will be public from our budget meeting uh that we had before this, but you know, we spent a good amount of time discussing the options as well as uh going back to our learning session uh at the beginning of of uh the month and uh I feel like we had some pretty good consensus after the discussion. Um so I would president whenever you're ready I would be ready question. >> Okay. Um the only right the the under levy I would add on to that a little bit. Um we are also the only district in the county that has an increasing uh operational correct me if I'm wrong on Sevastapole on that Dan. This is the first year anyway. Yeah, I don't know that they've stepped it, right? That's what we've always talked
066about and makes sense to the people I usually talk with. >> Um, but yeah, I think some of the others have gone, >> but we have that either way, we do have that step operational, uh, referendum, uh, which went up $200,000 this year. Um, so whether you call not taking hats or not taking the 325 per student, I guess tit [snorts] for tad. >> I know he asked a caller question, but may I ask an early question? >> We're still until we have the question called. You can Yes. >> discussion. So earlier in your uh your slides, >> yeah, >> we ended with a $96,000 deficit >> on option B >> in the previous year, >> right, that we had to go >> we had to go and back fund the food program. >> Yes.
067>> Where does that deficit get pulled from? Is that are those are those extra >> extra dollars that we didn't spend because we were thrifty or we're whatever or is it >> So that comes from fund balance. Um I mean fund balance I I I guess yes you could say builds um because we're not spending dollars. But what fund balance is as it's reported um uh with our annual reports is it's a snapshot of our uh assets on June 30th. And so that's going to include our excuse me our equity. So that's going to include our cash, our accounts receivable minus liabilities. So what that does is if you recall we get our last um big tax payment or we got our last tax payment of the year um by August 20th. >> Second half,
068>> right? Uh last third but >> yeah but um and then from August 20th to the first Monday of December, we don't get any except for like $200,000 maybe in special ed categorical aid. we get no noteworthy revenues. First uh Monday in December, we get 25% of our estimated equalization because so to me we we don't see that deficit coming until we know right until we record it at the end. Like so we're comfortable with all of these plans, >> right? And to understand that we might have another >> right >> unforeseen deficit that we can pull from these places. I I I will say this does include like I said um an $80,000 transfer to fund 46. Now that would take place at the end of the year. >> Sure. >> Right. Right. I
069guess in any budget um right you can move divert fund as needed. Um I think that's probably the most obvious one. So then you have all those built in but we don't see those [clears throat] >> small lines what's happening you're creating these >> I don't even want to say the words but it's built in so we have these safety nets >> well he talks right about making conservative estimates right on whether it's in the maintenance bucket or whatever it is I think what's happening over time all I was going to do is add commissioners that I think the point you're making is you know we're tightening and shrinking some of kind of what could be in maintenance to move around just as we're doing our best to squeeze the step down. But I think
070most people probably get that, but I just wanted to say thank you. >> Okay. Um I think we're at the point where we should call a question on this and uh I think it should be a roll call vote. >> She's got her worksheet ready to go there. >> So we have a motion and a second. That's link >> for option eight. All right. I'm just reminding everybody where we were at. Want to go ahead and we can go >> by each person and then yay. And just so everyone's clear, right? Sometimes as we have discussion, right? Yay would be in favor of the motion made, which is option A. Nay would be no. And continue to congregate. >> Correct. >> Okay. Commissioner Star. Yay. Commissioner Meyer. Yay. >> Commissioner Haw, >> yay. Commissioner Jenner
071John, >> yay. >> Commissioner Stefani, >> yay. >> Commissioner Cruz, >> yay. >> Mr. Howard, >> yes. >> Commissioner Schles, >> yay. >> Mr. Spa, >> yes. >> All right. So motion has has passed for option A. Um so now we are down to the approve the tax levy based on that that motion. So and I have a motion for the tax levy which should be is right on your green sheet there. >> Yeah. What what's important? >> I was say I can read it. >> Yeah. >> Yep. So okay. So going with then three off of this one. Motion to approve tax levy as presented in the budget adoption uh document for a general fund levy of 11,858,828. Was this a 16 cents or no? Okay. Just making sure. Sorry, I didn't want to
072miss it if it was. a fund 39 referendum debt levy increase of $596,675 and a fund 41 capital expansion levy of $1,000 for a total levy of 12,456,53 is recommended. I'll make a motion to accept the U um text Olivia has presented. Do we have a second? >> Okay, >> we have a would uh Commissioner Star made the motion. Uh and I will and Commissioner Jenner Don second this motion and I'm going to read it. A motion to approve a tax levy is presented in the budget adoption document for the general fund levy of 11,858,828 and a fund 39 referendum debt levy of $596,675 and a fund 41 capital expansion fund levy of $1,000 for a total levy of $12,456,53. Uh, further discussion. All those Oh, we should I think this I think we should
073do a roll call on this one, too. >> Um, Commissioner Star, >> hi. >> Commissioner Meyer, >> yay. >> Commissioner Haw, >> yay. >> Commissioner Jenner John, >> hi. >> Commissioner Stefani, >> yay. >> Commissioner Cruz, yay. >> Mr. Howard, yay. >> Mr. Schultz, nay. >> Mr. Sturka, >> yes. All right. Motion motion carried for that debt for that ley. Excuse me. Uh so now we are down to point4 which is approved future associates. Uh uh there you go. And I if it's okay, President Stefani, right, as we move from two and three to four, I think for the public tracking this, right, this is uh those items get quite a bit of discussion, higher level of stress than many of the decisions made. And I think what was said and by consensus I believe
074right uh President Stefani in the workshop the thought about well there's plenty of work to do regardless which option gets approved tonight as far as budget levy and what the impact then is for next year or years from now with enrollment and whatnot. So the administration will continue to work on that communicate with the board uh accordingly. All right. So we have one associate up for us tonight under this uh this item item number four list that is 4A Tegan Lince. This would be a special education teacher associate position. Uh director of special education pupil services Lindseay Ferry and principal Mark Small are pleased to recommend Tegan Lince for a position of special education teacher associate in the middle school. Tegan has experience working with students with disabilities in a variety of settings as well
075as caring for elderly patients as a CNA. Tegan will make an impact working with the sixth grade team uh TJ Walker Middle School. So, a motion to approve Tegan Lince as a special education teacher associate is recommended. >> I'll move to approve Egan Ladies as special education teacher associate um for the 2526 school year at TJ Walker Middle School. Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Cruz, second by Commissioner Oz to approve Tee and Linds as a special education teacher associate. Um, further discussion. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. >> What was that? >> I'm opposed. >> Oh, okay. Um, motion carried. So now we I I do have the next one we have a strike next person >> only one teacher associate for tonight. Yeah. >> Some internal coverage and
076kind of changing in thoughts on some things. So yeah we can go to five middle school coaches. We have one for tonight. Uh this deals with Ben Hurland who as you know is a PE teacher and health teacher at the middle school. Uh, principal Mark Small and athletic director John Dupi recommend Ben Hurland as our middle as a middle school boys basketball coach. Again, Mr. Hurland is a fy teacher, health teacher at the middle school. He's also coached various sports for us in the past. A motion to approve Van Herland as a TJ Walker middle school boys basketball coach is recommended. I'll make a motion to approve John Harland as boys middle school basketball coach. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner uh Jenner John, second by Commissioner Haw to approve Ben Hurland as the TJ
077Walker Middle School boys basketball coach. Uh further discussion on this. All those in favor say I. I. opposed. Motion carried. Uh now we have anformational update. My favorite, the calendar. >> I I know, right? Ford has seen this already, but again, it's part of our uh annual really operations. We work out a timeline that strives to approve the next year's school calendar in the month of November. So, parents have plenty of time to make their various vacation request, family plans for the upcoming school year. Uh back in the October learning session, right, the group discussed preferences regarding a couple of calendar drafts I had prepared, plus feedback that I gathered from teacher reps at each of our four buildings. Help zero in on a preferred approach. Uh the way the different requests items from the
078past and and so forth fell for the year, a majority of people on learning session nights preferred what was labeled as calendar draft A. Calendar draft A reflects the following. And I'm not going to read all of these to you because you've seen this multiple times, but again would start in essence for the public and people can see more information in the packet on Tuesday, September 1st. Uh there would be 180 days of school and the last day would uh be the you know pending any extreme weather makeups. Uh the first Friday in June, Friday, June 4th with again some of the other things I broke down there which again the group doesn't need. calendar draft B was very similar to a few more uh days during the year which then kicked the last day
079of classes into that second week. I know each year uh the board members are great about saying well the teachers have a preference right and it kind of depends on the building right uh Sawyer and the middle school preferred Arise preferred B and then at the high school it wasn't necessarily no one organized a full survey kind of vote but they were individual comments which you saw in the document so again no board action requested this would come up for formal approval by the board in next month's meeting I think that's all we have there president >> all Right. >> So then uh we are down to reports of any legislative uh CISA or committee seminars reports. Anyone? >> All right. I can just say thanks to everyone and then we'll go to Jake. I
080was going to say thanks to everyone that touched base with Brenda or previously and demise on whether you could make it to convention in January or not. Right. We just wanted that ready so an can uh you know do any other sign up. Um, I saw President Stefani's reaction. So, evidently I might have to hit you up after the meeting to make sure. So, thank you for that. Jake, you were going to say the >> only legislative thing I'll mention because we've gotten a couple questions on it uh related to food service and federal funds. Um, currently with the government shutdowns, we have received our federal [clears throat] reimbursements uh from our funds for September. Um, at this point, uh, if it continues, we would anticipate a delay in our October claims, which come in
081November. Um, uh, they are still, um, uh, set aside for us. So, I'm not worried about not getting those dollars. Um, therefore, I think very similar to the conversation we had back late January or early February about what if these programs get cut or the funding's freeze. Um, all that does is it it hits into our um our cash flow. I am not worried about that at least at this point unless something comes up where they're going to say we're cutting or you know the federal funding uh for food service then we worry at this point uh no worry regarding that. >> Can I take a follow-up question? Yeah. >> I heard on the radio yesterday that Wisconsin SNAP >> um is canled right now because of the shutdown. >> It will be next next
082month. >> Oh next month. So, is there anything that we could do to like better service kids and families that are part of that program? >> Um, I know in between everything I was doing the last, you know, week, um, uh, Jenny, uh, Director Scooty did share a communication on that that directs us, right? because uh the way it works now is a lot of our pre and reduced students are automatically qualified based on their you know various qualifications including uh SNAP what their families qualify for. Um we are required to continue to service free meals. In fact, there's a 30-day window from year end to year beginning where even if a family doesn't qualify into the next year, they're still required to get those free meals. So they are still receiving those free meals.
083As far as anything extra we could do for those students or families, um I I think at this point um that would come from some sort of fundraising or fundraising type effort. >> Thanks, J. [clears throat] It's good. Um I think we're down to admin reports. admin coming forward and while you love their information, they know to keep it brief. >> Um, and the good news, >> uh, with student council report, they take a lot of money, so that actually helps. Uh, just a few quick things I want to mention. Um, next week, Tuesday, October 28th, um, all of our sophomore students will be participating in the manufacturing day. That's an annual um Door County event for high school students. Um so we're really excited for all of our sophomores to do that. As a
084reminder of what that is, um many of our manufacturing businesses open up their doors. Students throughout uh Door County get to go and travel and visit them. There's numerous businesses. Our students this past week um selected from several different choices that they might be interested in. Um TTX is always a great partner with us. New Industries, Renards, Marine Travel of Hacko, Durk County Candle, Encantary. All right. Uh, and so many others. So, it's just a great opportunity. It's a really nice partnership where our students get to learn about career opportunities right here um in Door County. Every kid wants to leave. I'm going to move away. Um, but it's a great opportunity. Businesses get to see kind of some of the students and and share what they do here. So, that's always a lot of
085fun. So, that's next Tuesday. Um next week I'm traveling to Green Bay to participate in the 9th annual academic and career planning partnership roundtable that's held down at the RES center and it's a great opportunity for um you know school leaders to visit and meet with um business industry um leaders as well to kind of talk about how we can partner and build that up. So I'm excited to be down there um next week meeting with um local businesses and people in the area to find out how we can build that build that uh connection. And finally, I just wanted to mention that we're starting a new partnership here at Surgeon Bay High School called STARS College Advising Program. Um, and we're really excited about the STARS uh college advising program is a partnership that
086connects high schools with dedicated college adviserss um and really helps them plan their life after graduation. So, they start working with 8th, 9th, and 10th graders in general terms. And then all of our juniors have an opportunity to have one-on-one sessions with um um counselors uh virtual college advising program. We're the first school in Wisconsin. There's 38 schools who are doing this. We're the first school in Wisconsin to partner with this organization. Um it's a relatively new organization that they're trying to expand, but it's completely funded by one um donor in the nation who is funding this entire thing to try and offer more opportunities for college and career opportunities for students. So, we're really excited to start that up here in the uh in the spring is when we'll really get it running for
087our students. What I have >> Thank you. >> Mr. SW, you got to pick it up. Small one. >> Get yourself loose back there. Stretch out. Be ready. Just tighten up. >> Don't pull a hammy or something. Lost the bike. I just want to share with you all last weekend, uh, Stephen Jacobson, our sixth grade world JR teacher. He was one of three teachers who were in the 2025 National Council of Geography Education K12 Distinguished Teachers of the Year Award in in Omaha, Nebraska. So that's our first national teacher award, I believe, in our school. So hats off to him. >> Uh quick, that's big, right? Great. So >> it, you know, thank him. That's great job. Quick brag on on Britney Greenfield, our social worker. She's ba b b b b b b b
088b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b basically helped uh reorganize our student support team at the at the middle school and I believe it's triple in the other schools where 54 kids are receiving the services that are no longer overlapping with other services throughout other agencies. So that's huge. So we have we have 234 in the school. And then uh finally uh this summer in August I received a an email from Elliot Brown eighth grader and I met with his mom Rebecca Brown talking about wanting to do a competitive robotics team and talked to Mr. Hog about that last May getting that going off the ground. Now Jake Schultz we
089had a good conversation. Uh proud to know Scott got on it. Uh we just received a grant from RECC Foundation to uh receive three competitive Beex robots. So, we should have a robotics team this year where we're going to be having uh they receive us a stipen to pay for tournaments. These these devices cost about $2,100. We're hoping to still go after about at least three more and then talking about another piece that would work well as kids age into going to 8th to 9th grade. That would be great connection for the manufacturer part of Dexter. So, stay tuned for more. >> Thank you. Thanks, Mark. >> Yeah, you want to do the robot? Don't confin joining us. There was I think parent teacher conferences going on. >> Sure. Yes. And that's where I was.
090So I apologize I wasn't here at the beginning but we had an awesome turnout like just really awesome. So it was like really quite busy as we were trying to check in with a lot of the different families. And so very grateful to that for our families for that. And um just some just a highlight um this um the past week fifth grade went to the astronomy center. They have a science unit so they're studying the stars, the moon, everything. And so they're a great partner and we had an awesome amount of family volunteers come out to join us for that. And then um in addition this week the third graders went to the new zoo in Green Bay. It's their animal unit for CLA. They do a scavenger hunt and a lot of yard
091volunteers came to that too. So I just like shout out to our families. Like it's just um like and to the staff for organizing those really hands-on field trips that great learning and that we had such great participation. So that's all I have tonight. >> Sounds good. Give us a smaller reminder that I know the board hears about the occasional struggle, right? Some of kind of a small percentage really struggle, but we had a lot of and parents very supportive doing well. Principal devilers, how are you? >> How are you? Hi everyone. Um just leaving parent conferences also at Sawyer. It was very busy as Katie said. I ask the teachers every time we have conferences for their percentages of who showed up and when. And so I'll have that for you in the future,
092but it was it looked like a great night. We have Scholastic Cook Fair going on as well and some other things happening. So tomorrow at conferences, we'll have the United Way joining us as well. Um and so it's always a good time. Um we did, and I referenced this in my written report, finish our data, and I was really proud of the staff this year. We we did some different things to include um time for scheduling and other things to make sure that we're hitting all kids needs. One notable change for sure was an increase in the number of students that are receiving social emotional learning support to increase their engagement and then improve their academics. We have more people doing that. Um we've done well with literacy and math, but that is an area
093that we were hoping to expand on. So we're excited to do that as well. I was able to get around to all the classrooms to observe their social emotional learning um presentations or there we have second step for our universal and I wanted to make sure that it was in place and going well. It is and that leads us into our professional learning on Friday. Um we're going to build on that and learn more so that we can service all kids. Lastly, if you're interested, we have a big event on Halloween coming up. We have our parade, but we also have a race and we've never had one before. So, you will see grade levels competing against each other in costumes that are blown up and it should be very exciting. Watch hard if you
094can't make it on social media. It's a big big deal. And our 4K as always go to Cardinal Bridge to go trick-or-treating, which is a really cool thing for them. So, that's happening. >> Thank you. Thank you, Katie. Appreciate it. >> Like Lindsay is coming on down next. Jen and I were arguing about what inflatable costume we could wear to participate. >> Get me out of it. [laughter] >> Um, just one quick update. Um, or just a reminder, uh, our students have been taking the Sabers screener. The Sabers screener is what we use in the district as our mental health screener. Um, and we closed that window on October 31st. So, the first week of November, uh parents should be receiving a letter via mail indicating their child's um score on that screener. So, just
095a reminder that our students in grades 2 through 12 participate in the screener. They have a self-screener they do themselves and then teachers also do one for them. So, you'll see two scores. If either of them are in the high risk range, you'll notice that score on there. We don't quantify it with a number on the letter, but we do have plenty of information for all of our contacts. Uh my suggestion to parents who might have concerns if they get something that says high risk might be alarming, but also keep in mind that we take this at the beginning of the school year. And so we have students that come in and some of the questions are sometimes, you know, or appear sad and it's always sometimes or never, right? Well, that's sometimes for a
096lot of kids. the teachers who are just getting to know the students um often struggle at the beginning of the year really identifying well is this them always or is this them sometimes. So school counselors and the classroom teacher will be able to have conversations with you about those scores. Um but if you have any direct questions about them, you know, feel free to reach out to me too, but those should be coming out via mail the first week um in November and I'll send out a mass message to all parents too so they know it's coming. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Ben's on her way. >> Finally, it would pass, but I'm one of my guys prepared this for me, so I'm going to read it. >> And Spencer texted me, so
097I think I know what's coming. >> Spencer Gustin, my technical support specialist and social media and auditorium manager. Okay. He says, "Here's an updated version for me to share with the schoolboard." And he said, "I wrote it so that it would sound like your voice. >> [laughter] >> I'd like to recognize our surgeon based school staff for continuing to send in social media content to Spencer Gustofson. After Spencer's recent email asking for more stories highlighting academics, classroom fun, and daily activities, we saw a big increase in submissions to the social media inbox. Spencer has been focusing on using Instagram as a space for updating students and Facebook for storytelling and updates for our broader community. Over the past month, Instagram alone reached more than 100,000 views, over 200% higher than the same time last year.
098And our Facebook page reached nearly 300,000 views with 6,000 direct visits. A direct visit means someone searched, typed in, or selected our page specifically to read updates and content, which shows strong community interest and loyalty. These are exciting numbers that show our community is engaged and proud of what's happening in our schools. Spencer encourages board members and staff to keep sending ideas and stories to social media at spbsdmail.net. The response has been outstanding. He says, "Hold for applause." >> Then he says, "Thank you. >> Thank you, J. Thank you. >> Jake, we've heard plenty, but was there anything else? >> You have heard all of my inner talk in the past month. >> We enjoy the fall and how much we get to hear from Jake. Uh just briefly on on a very short list
099of mine. So, we've got professional staff in service day. You heard some of them mention on Friday. I included after my report, I just copied and pasted the schedule. If you're curious at all, and again, I know you've been reading pages and pages and pages of budget documents, but if you're curious at all about what each uh school's doing on Friday for the inservice day, again, kids are off, teachers are in. I shared that with you. Um it's it's one snapshot, but it's important one. We're coming closer to the different school and district report card things becoming public, right? As I shared in my report, right, we've seen behind kind of the curtain what it looks like. So, we could check some data and whatnot. And then really that should go public on Tuesday, November
10011th. All right. So, more to come between now and our board meeting next month. Uh just one item in this next section since I already talked about the website information for taxpayers we've been talking about to have launched next month that we have the target dates for all three of our Clipper Connection newsletters. fall kind of late winter, early spring as the second issue, and then early spring or late spring, early summer. All three of those would be through the pulse again this year. So, we'll still see how that goes. So, that's all in motion. And then I think the last thing I was going to comment on, yes, that we didn't already cover with convention was that um that Donovan group and the communications, right, they owe us a video from the communication marketing
101plan. Uh met Ben in person last week. I zoomed with him before. He was in the district last Thursday night, had footage over at soccer, then came to volleyball, and then went around to each of the schools to see some academic snapshots of kids in classrooms and so forth, and also made an appearance at the uh high school homecoming assembly as well. So, they'll be working through and putting something together. Uh so, we'll see a video and again, it's probably more in that 60 to 90 seconds, right? on the short end of what some of us I'll just pick on myself. Old people are used to seeing in videos because people aren't watching the long ones. They want kind of that short one. Um so look forward to seeing what they come up with uh
102soon. I will stop there because it's a long night. >> All right. Do I have a motion to adjurnn for anyone? >> Please give me a motion. >> Motion to >> All right. All right. Commissioner Oz made the motion. Commissioner Jenner John seconded to adjourn. Further discussion hearing? None. All those in favor say >> I. >> Thanks everyone. I think it's >> Angie.