001I don't know what it at all. >> Okay, I'm going to call the meeting to order. It's Tuesday, October 10th. that we could stand for the pledge of allegiance, please. >> I pledge algiance 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. >> Colleen, roll call, please. >> Black here, >> here. here. >> Kurt >> here. Wolf >> here. >> Long >> here. >> Swinty >> here. >> Zimmerman >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Looking for a motion to approve the agenda as presented. >> So move Hinrich. >> Second. >> Okay. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? >> I >> Opposed? Hearing? Motion carried um staff recognition. Okay. The school
002would like I suppose Do I stand to consider? >> The school would like to recognize Nate Mickelson in appreciation of his outstanding service and dedication to our wrestling program and the broader school community. This season, Nate played a vital role in supporting the district's transition from track wrestling platform to the USA bracketing. Behind the scenes, he devoted countless hours to ensuring that the new system was set up correctly and that events ran smoothly for athletes, coaches, and spectators alike. Nate was instrumental in organizing the middle school scrambles hosted by Tomahawk over the past two weeks. events that included 143 matches one night and 159 matches the next night. That's a lot. His preparation and attention to detail helped ensure these large events were run efficiently and at a high level. I think I could use
003him for girls cookies. In addition to his responsibility as a paid assistant coach for the boys and girls wrestling program, Nate consistently went above and beyond to direct the district. Throughout the season, he served as a key resource when setting up live scoring for high school matches and for the varsity girls scramble hosted by the district. When technical questions arose, Nate was a person others turned to for his guidance, ensure helping ensure that each event reflected positively on the Tom School District. The board is grateful Nate for Nate's willingness to contribute this time, expertise, and energy to our students and programs. His dedication helps provide high quality opportunities for our athletes and strengths strengthens the pride our community has in this Tomahawk athletes. You're very welcome. No problem. >> No problem. Do you want any
004help with cookies? Really? >> Everybody has their >> I won't wrestle you. >> I appreciate it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you for your time. district administrative report. >> Okay, we do have a a couple of things um tonight. First, I want to start out just by um and I no particular order here, but for who started in our district first. So, the first phase I just want to introduce the board to because we haven't had an opportunity to is Dr. Julie Sprag who's with us tonight. uh she is uh filling in as an interim on an interim high school principal role. So her primary responsibilities has really been coaching staff getting in classroom supporting folks uh working with the admin team um you know and and beyond that she's stepped in and taken
005on numerous other other duties and and working with uh um you know our admin team as a whole but but with Justin in particular. So, we definitely thank you for stepping in this year and I know she's she's doing this in conjunction with another position and an obligation she's had. So, there's days she's here three days a week. There's days she's here too. But the one thing we can trust on is she's going to be here as much as she can. My conversations with her, she's absolutely loving it. She's loving our staff. She's loving our school. But I guess I'm putting a few words in your mouth, but you go ahead and say it for yourself. So, thank you for being here. >> Um Wendell is right. I do love being here. Do you want
006Is it okay if I sit or >> um stand >> every >> When he said I love the staff, I love most of the staff. >> She really loves me. >> I have really enjoyed my time. Everyone's been very welcoming. My um why, if you will, why I got into this business. I was thinking it's nearly 40 years which is so scary to think about but I love kids always have and that's why I went into teaching. So one regret I have is I don't I don't have a lot of time to meet all of the students but I'm in classrooms every day. Um I was asked if I was the driver's ed teacher yesterday but I they're getting to know me and I them and um so I really enjoy that. But I know
007the staff more than I do the students. And I am in classrooms the majority of my time here and providing that instructional feedback. And um we have a lot of great things happening here, but we have room for growth, too. So I know there's another introduction tonight. And what I'm happy to do is help pave that way um so that we can hit the ground running in the fall and continue to make gains. So, I'm excited to do that and grateful for the opportunity. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> And our second introduction is um is Mr. Brad Potter, who has been selected uh to be our next high school principal. So, we're if you've looked ahead, you'll see that he's on the consent agenda tonight to approve. Um but he he went through
008the arduous process of our interview, the the meat grinder of interviews that we sent him through, and he did a very nice job. came out as the unanimous number one choice. We're very happy and pleased that we could reach agreement with them and we're happy to have you here tonight. So, thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Um, a couple of other things. So, on a on another congratulatory note, I do want to uh just give kudos to the directors and to all of our student performers uh that that um participated in Shrek the Musical this weekend. If you had the chance to get up here and check that out, they did a phenomenal job. So it was wellreceived, a lot of great conversation, super high energy, which was really, really, really
009cool to see the people kind of feel or, you know, fall out into the comments area afterwards and just, you know, very positive comments from everybody that that saw it. So kudos to all of them. They did a wonderful job. I know the kids work and the staff work incredibly hard on that every year, but they they did a great job. Um, and to our science club for selling gelato, which was a huge hit. I know at least in my family we have a freezer full of it right now. I don't get any. So it must have been really well too. So um we also had 10 solo and ensemble performers who qualified for state. Uh that competition will be coming up on May 2nd at WSP. Uh, so I think we had um two
010or three individuals or two individuals, I'm sorry, three ensemble band and six individuals over seven coral too. So we'll be well represented again there. A very quick legislative update because there's a couple of things here. Uh we're watching act 42 which is the belltobell cell phone ban. So our senate is going to meet one final uh day for this section on the 17th. So, next week and they'll likely take up and advance that bill the way it sounds. We'll keep an eye on let you know. Uh the one concern I have is if if this bill is passed and it does enter into law, um it will more than likely go into effect before the next bannual budget since we're so early into it, which means that if there's any financial impacts on enforcing that,
011they're more than likely going to fall on the district. So, there's probably numerous ways we can get that done, but we'll keep an eye on that and keep you updated as that unfolds. And the second one was an update on the state surplus, which you may have read or heard a lot about as it pertains to special education funding. So there, from what I understand, there's some agreement uh within the legislature right now on adding some additional funding to our special ed reimbursements to get it up to that promised 42 and 45. 42% year one, 45% in year two. Uh currently, as it sits, the estimates uh indicate that that that allocation that was put in there, if you remember, it's a some certain amount. So, it it is it is a an estimated lump
012sum that's dumped into an account and then depending on how high the costs come in, that's where that percentage falls. So, right now it's looking like the the estimates look like around 35%. which is a little higher than last year, but if you remember last year, we had to allocate 1.74 million out of our general fund in order to cover all of our expenses. So, we do budget for that annually. So, it's not, you know, it's not something that's going to catch us uh unexpected, but it would be very nice to be able to allocate that somewhere else that So, we'll keep an eye on that as well, and um I'll keep you updated as we learn more. The last thing on here I just wanted to put on your radar, the legislative dinner we
013talked about last year, a few of you would like to attend that. It's moved to DC Everest this year. Uh, and it's going to take place on April 20th. So, they have not sent out the formal RSVP yet, but I just wanted to give you the date so you can get on your calendar. And if you would like to go, uh, let me know and when that comes due, I'll send that in. That's it for me. >> Any questions about my bill? Okay, we'll move on to the consent agenda items as presented. We've got the minutes on there. We have financials on there and invoices, employee contracts. Um, start early now on early college credit. Anything special on there, Glendo? >> Any questions on the consent agenda items? >> Okay, I'm looking for a motion
014to approve. >> Long move. >> Second. Okay, a motion and second has been made. All those in favor? >> I oppose hearing none. Motion carried. >> I would like to highlight one thing. It certainly wouldn't have changed anyone's vote, but just something that I think is a point of pride for our district currently. Amber Ames is on here as a fourth grade teacher accepting a fourth grade. And you see her resignation uh below as a pair professional. She's she is the second pair professional we've had this year uh that has completed her teaching degree while working as a par professional and been selected to teach in our district. So, we're we're happy that we see that those growth opportunities being taken advantage of and that's internal folks this year teaching position. So, >> item nine,
015staff reports. Any questions for the staff for the reports? There reports as usual. No questions, no comments. >> Okay, >> thank you for the report. >> And I agree the musical was quite entertaining the other night. >> Okay, no motion and no action on that. Um, looking at the community at coordinator position item 10. >> Item 10. So, uh, recently our our newly hired community education coordinator has, uh, resigned the position due to some family obligations, uh, which left us, she was in the position for a little over a couple of months. >> Um, she did make some progress while she was here and some good things happened there. But we will definitely, uh, miss Mrs. Scheler. Looking at the position as a whole, what I am proposing is that we combine that position in
016its current form along with our aquatics learning coordinator position. And I have met with Megan Bakis who is currently in that role. There's a good portion of our community education programming that is dedicated to the pool or to fitness uh and that sort of thing. the running all of the um logistics through that office would make sense. So, um we feel like it's a good fit and we feel like where that program is currently that it it solidifies both of those positions. I think there's time in the date for that to occur. So, um I think that's a good proposal moving forward. Hope it's something that the board would support. I know Mr. M is excited to to take that. comparison hours for the aquatics director >> for the aquatics director she's she's in house
017full time >> yeah she's full time and she has that ability to grow >> yeah there's flexibility in her day and and there's not a lot of outside of her day duties with that right now typically when we have a new course or a new instructor uh the director will be or the coordinator will be on site to help them get set up but usually it just sort of flows from there and courses like the so that >> she's completing her students each year. Yeah. So it won't right now. As we get into next year, she won't have those duties on her plate as much. So >> when does this take effect? >> So we right now uh Jeffrey is handling some of it. >> Uh so it it's sort of going to just Yep.
018gradually go into effect between and July one. It would be it would be altered. >> So, we're just all hands on deck kind of covering everything right now and Megan can take on things as she can while she's still completing her student teaching. >> Okay. And she's familiar with all of the scheduling the way it works for the pool. >> She will be Yep. We can and we'll run her through. I don't know if she's 100% comfortable in just stepping in and taking it all over now, but but Jeffrey is just coming back to take care of something for it tonight. So the door something. >> Okay, questions about this position change. >> She's super organized. >> She'll do that. >> I'm going to look for a motion to approve. combining the aquatics learning coordinator
019in the community ed coordinator positions move >> second >> motion's been made by black second by Kyle all those in favor >> I I >> opposed hearing none motion carried >> item nine the CIA contract >> so with this uh we had some sudden unexpected changes that came up today with our season 9 contract so we're going to propose that we this a little bit till April just so we have a chance to meet with them uh and make sure everything's in order if that's so I don't know if we need to >> I make the motion to table that agenda item >> motion's been made to table the agenda item >> second you pick motion's been made second all those in favor >> opposed hearing no motion carried to approve the parent parent transportation
020contract. >> Adam, do you want to address this one? >> Yeah. So, each year um with the McKini Vento Act, which is for our students who are homelessness or get displaced out of their home, we're legally required to help provide transportation to keep them in their home district. So, um part of that procedural thing is that we come up with a parental contract. We list the exact miles, the addresses to and from, and then they can turn in mileage if we if they can't get them to a a bus stop. So, um, we've done that uh with a with a a certain family. So, this is more of just a procedural that I mean, we we're legally required to do it. So, um, we split the cost with the district of which they're resigning into,
021so it doesn't fall fall on us. Um, and Sandy works with the neighboring districts on that contractual agreement. Um, so they split it with us, but um, it's obviously the goal is to keep the kids in their home district and that ends up being ours. So, um, it's very common work with Amber and Mel, they do the same thing. So, um, it's kind of a procedural thing to >> I have one question, Jen, and it may or may not be important. What was the act that you said this was >> the McKinto? >> Okay. Should that be noted in here in this contract? you don't need to >> so that there's not any future confusion as to why we did this for this circumstance. >> Sure, we definitely can. The one thing I would say
022is that um an example is if a student has an IEP and isn't even part of the McKini Vento because it falls under that's different with the homelessness and the parent is providing transportation, maybe it's due to us not having a bus available. We would also have a parental agreement that they're going from their house to school if the kid has a an issue. So that's why they've kept it general. So it isn't just targeted to the Mcin Vento, but it it definitely can be put in there either way. >> It it's only something we'll pursue if there's not transportation we currently offer. >> Yes. Okay. >> Just don't want a precedent set. >> Yeah. All of a sudden >> somewhere in the future somebody can look back. >> Everybody's driving their kids. >> Exactly.
023and violate. >> Okay, I'll open for a motion to approve the parent transportation contract. >> So move. >> Okay, motion's been made and seconded. >> Second. >> Okay, sign me up. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Hearing none. Motion carried. modification to the 2627 district calendar. >> Yes. So, a few changes to this. We were looking at um as we talked as an admin team, we we made a couple of changes to this year's. We're always two years out with our district calendars. So, we were waiting to see how some of the changes we made to this year's calendar uh went before we recommended changes to next year. One of the things that we found that we had a lot of success with were the elementary only service days. So, our elementary
024teachers don't have the same amount of prep and and coordination time and collaboration time as do our secondary folks. So, adding these days in where our secondary students are still in school, but our primary students are not uh has worked really well to provide some of that. So, we we added a few additional days in here. We went from two to four days. Those are also coordinated with our internal assessments where uh so that they can d news they have accurate up to date most recent information. Um so they try to that's why they're the dates are chosen where they are um we may have we have to look at but we may have an issue with in September with the 18th uh and the 25th just due to the fact that that is third
025Friday. So we try to always put an inservice regular inservice day for everybody on fall ride Friday. In this case it's third Friday and we can get a waiver. We don't know if we get an extension. So the waiver would push it back to the following Thursday which is the 24th would be our count day but you still have counts day before day after which would then affect elementary day. Point is this might change a little bit. We we have to work with the DPI on it and we don't know that we get an extension on when that needs to be reported. So instead of having a week to compile all of our accounts, we would have 24 hours, which Colleen's really good, but she would be very mad at me if I put her
026in that position. So, um, >> don't you work in the office for now? >> So, we're gonna we might have to come back and tweak that a little bit. We'll see what we get back from the DPI, but currently this reflects um a couple of things. The TEES days are important. We also moved the web and link crew transition day to the 31st. Uh that was a day where we we couldn't count that day at the secondary level because only grade six and nine were in. Um so it was always counted at the elementary level but not the high school level. By moving it back to the 31st, we can start everybody on September 1st which adds a day into our calendar. So you'll see that one's kind of a it's a pink but it's
027got a little bit of that purple for that date in there. So that web link crew day will be there. Um and then the only other major change to this would well there's two more that I will highlight. We moved our parent teacher conf our spring parent teacher conferences to that second week in March. The reason we did that is a lot of the feedback that we had with Mark's coordination of our spring showcase uh indicated that it would be better placed there and we wanted to keep that with our spring um in parent teacher conference just because it boosts a lot of our attendance. So we move those conferences are usually sometime in that second or third week in February. We moved them back to March. So that that'll be new for us this
028year. And then by moving that first school day up, it allowed us to end our school year on the second of our two service days and not have to come back on that Monday, which interferes with the start date of summer school typically for one of our contract days. In doing this, we did boost uh and added the day to the independent professional days. So instead of five next year, there would be well there would be six in the two schedule. Uh but one of our overall goals is to ensure that we've got a lot of PD opportunities for staff and we started our our summermies last year. They went over really well. So we think those four days will actually be helpful. One thing I forgot to mention with this too is we added
029uh two more days to our new teacher orientation. Some of that was based on the feedback. We were trying to cram too much into a couple of days. Uh but it also helps our new teachers get all of their contract days in as navigate through. So, um, so yeah, there's there's a few tweaks. Nothing really major, but it's something we definitely want to get done sooner rather than later so that we can get this posted and folks can plan their start to plan their year if they're working that far ahead. Any questions on >> you? We have them. We have we have a little bit of a surplus. Um, I think there's what two and a half days. >> Okay. >> That we'll have. So, our hours of instruction. >> Okay. I'll look for a
030motion to approve the modifications to the 20 26 27 calendar district calendar. >> So move second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. All those in favor >> opposed hearing none. The motion carried. Um, let me just say one thing too. Um, Mark, that was a great day for your showcase. The amount of people in the building that's unbelievable. >> There are quite a few more than last year. I wish there had a way to do like a turn style counter somewhere just for fun. We have a plan for that next year. >> I really like your idea of moving it to March. I think that um for those of us, I mean, there was a lot of us in high school that couldn't attend sporting events that >> um so I think that that's a
031great Well, you can take the teachers. That was their that came right across on the feedback from them. >> So, thank you. >> But just to see all the energy in the building that night was >> Yeah. >> Okay. Next on the agenda to approve the proposal for the Tomahawk Spirit Club. >> Yeah. Um Ryan Flynn is not here tonight to talk about this, but this has been a goal of his for a couple of years now. So, the spirit club started out as Tom Hawk cheer club a number of years ago. And um one of the things that's been challenging the past couple years is to try to coordinate more events for them to participate at. And it's and it's it's a growing club. Uh number of kids who are interested in being a
032part of it. It is no longer it is not a competition based club. It is solely meant to to cheer at our I guess it's moving more of a cheer and dance. So, a combination of both at one of our events. So, he's wanted to pull this in for a while and make it an internal club. One of the challenges was just having staff members that were willing to do this and navigate through u through our club procedures. So, our club procedures require two years before we can have paid advisors. Uh currently the way that they set do that hopefully this summer, but um but he felt the time was thought we were at a good time to do this and he does have the personnel that he needs to to actually incorporate this into
033the district. It will not cost the district any any money the first year um or the second year but they will be able to fund raise and start a start their own account and then they will have paid advisors after next year >> one year or two >> two years sorry the after >> unless unless things change and that gets But the way that our club, >> what age group is this for? That's >> I believe it's middle and high. >> Okay. Because I guess when I was reading through this, I wasn't understanding what age it was. >> And I think they were separate. >> Just the high school. Okay. You know, maybe that should be clarified who that's for. I know they did have I mean they did have the middle and I would
034I would be willing to go out on a limb and say that that will be a middle school club at some point but >> but but you're starting with high school >> at some point. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Okay. I just want to say this group has worked extremely hard and they've gone through a lot of challenges uh over the years with some of the backstory which not everybody's aware of um and have you know had a lot of ups and downs. So for this group to finally get acknowledged as a club is a big deal. Um so kudos. Thank you Morgan. Thank you Kate. Um and and I don't know Emma so hello. But um um so I mean to see where this group started and to see now I mean they have done
035a ton of fundraising on their own and have put in the time and effort at Triggs and the the health fair and everywhere to keep this going when it could fizzle out completely to continue to give these girls an opportunity. So I I just this How long have you been a club? I know we had the cheer club for a while and then not and >> it never really went away. >> I didn't know because you're kind of behind. >> Well, it it kind of I mean, if I may speak, I apologize. It kind of it got redeveloped under a new nonprofit. Um, >> and so it's been four years, I believe. >> We us parents wanted to get together and keep it going because our kids are all in it. Sure. So, we established
036the nonprofit and did it and went for it with the help of Wendell and everyone else and did everything we needed to and it was it's really good and we're very excited to have opportunity. So, >> um >> Okay. >> Is it um a year-long thing or a seasonal thing or how does how does the >> this year for high school it would be football and basketball? >> Okay. Two seasons. >> Yeah. And basketball season maybe more so just like half or halftime performances. is not really cheering and then obviously football would be half my performances and the sideline cheers. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> So this is like a cheer like the cheerleaders from that one. >> No drill team but just drill team and cheerleader together. Okay. >> I guess I was thinking
037about we just added two clubs that the golf and the swim club and how much can we sustain? That's what I was wondering about. But there's no cost to the district the first year. >> No. And although the the cost I don't think is something that's overly concerning. We we do get spread thin, but this is a group of girls who are already participating in this. >> But I don't want to limit it to just girls, but that's typically I think what we've had the past few years. And um and so it's um it's already established. So I don't think it's going to take away from any of the other organizations. So, just one quick followup question to that. So, it sounds like you guys have done your fundraising already. You have a lot of
038things purchased as far as uniforms, etc., etc. Um, I've noticed on here that, you know, you have some additional items that you want to purchase. So, are those items going owned by the club and the girls have to turn them in every year? And if they don't turn them in back in, you know what's >> do you have do you have that structure in place is I guess what I'm asking. >> Okay. >> And then you would continue to raise funds to replace or update. >> Okay. >> So the only cost of the future would be the um the coaches per se. >> So quick question as far as transportation away and stuff and traveling your own vehicles or the bus. So they didn't when we had a meeting with him he did mention that
039we would have access to the school buses or one of the smaller ones or the vans even to take if we go away games but we have not yet >> but they have a bus driver that can drive for free so that also helps >> then there's a mention here of a cheer camp in Wasau is Yes. So, actually last year a lot of our girls I mean we fund raised obviously right now it's currently with your guys but they plan to with those funds are going to donate what the girls made from that fundraising last year to this new club and also we plan on having the girls fund raise prior to pay for that as well. So that should be fully covered. >> Okay. I just knew that, you know, other athletics, they
040it's an individual responsibility to the best of my knowledge. >> Yeah. >> Not something the district funds. >> Okay. >> Any other concerns? that I just want to clarify to you with before when we approved swim and golf middle school wa sport programs this separate entity >> so those are separate >> so I was still thinking cost district regardless >> do we are we clubs >> uh yeah we >> okay sports >> they're beyond so yeah I mean club, all of our clubs that are currently um if you look on our website, you go to >> maybe I was trying to find that just trying to scroll around. >> Science club would be one of >> Okay. >> And to be quite honest, this is an area when we when we look at clubs, we
041have a wide array of athletics. Most of our clubs, they don't overlap. So you you don't limit your participation in a club just because you play a sport. Uh and even with you know being able to play dual sports now it gets easier. The more clubs and the more things that we can offer to get kids involved in something outside of the classroom has been a big goal of ours. And um you know, one of the things with our current club structure is it it is a bit bulky for a club to get people interested in donating the amount of time. You both know how how many hours that you have into this uh to get it established to coordinate kids. All of our clubs have to have um guidelines, athletic code type things in
042place. What happens if the kids failing? They might not all have events, but they have to have some sort of of those elements present. So, it's a lot of work. And I think when when I talk about Ryan Flynn and I both look at that, we would like to streamline that because um there's a lot of opportunities that don't exist right now because folks don't want to navigate all of those challenges. So, I still think those things need to be present, but maybe we can speed up the process of how fast they're recognized as a level based on participation or other things. So, we're going to look at some other districts and try to model it after um and try to find something that works best for us. But I think the goal is the
043more kids that we can get involved better off. >> So then at two years from now when it's an official school district and we are paying for the advisor at that point at that point in time then all funding comes through the district. Not all funding. They will still have their fundraising, but the fundraising that they that they participate in cannot fund personnel. They can only fund material stuff. >> Isn't that all the way to issued the last time? >> No, the funds >> the funds they raise still go to the district and the district disperses the funds. >> Correct. >> The funds still come into the district. >> Okay. >> But they're raising the funds. Yes, they still yes they still any funds get turned over to the district they have an account within
044>> Thank you very much. >> Sorry I misunder because I'm thinking to myself we and it was each year >> I know what you're >> okay just want to make sure that we're all on the same page on that one. >> Okay then I'm looking for a motion unless there's any other further discussion. Motion to approve the Tomahawk spirit code. >> Second, Hinrich. >> Motion's been made and second. All those in favor? >> I >> oppose hearing none. Motion carried. Congratulations. Thank you for being here and helping us clarify some of this. Appreciate that. >> Good luck. >> Okay. Item 15, approve the albuterol and healer protocol. >> And I know um you have some changes that you have recommended just in some of the verbiage and language there. So we can more than willing
045to make any changes that that >> I just have the recommendation. It talks about a funeral and when I see a capital letter in there, it thinks of of a brand name. I just recommend that it changes to a lower case of the generic name because you have other companies out there so doesn't get just to clarify it. >> Yeah. And this was a recent change in our statutes that allow us to not only stock this but develop protocols needed to administer it if somebody were were to be um you know in situation they found themselves with a respiratory emergency of some kind. So nurse Trina brought this to me and she uh she's looked at not be a huge expense by meeting needs of the district and it's something that we certainly would help
046create a safe environment for our kids >> and just that we clarify some of the abbreviations in there I know EMR is what that is but does everybody know what emergency medical record you know things like that just to have just little tweaks like that the >> EMR for the electronic medical record so needs to be >> just so we have the quite comes from nurses so Okay. Um, looking for a motion then to approve the al proto second. >> Motion's been made and second. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Hear none. Motion carries. Okay. Approved a proposal for conversion of a part-time pair professional to a full-time for the elementary bridge program. >> And I'll turn this one over to Yeah. Uh, two months ago, I think you had Amanda and Billy
047and the team in here talking about the Bris program. We've seen some drastic increase in needs and behaviors uh, in our elementary right now in particular in some of our really lower grades, too. Uh, so one of the things we're looking at doing is is um, putting more consistency. You know, our support staff are awesome. They work in the trenches with the kids every day and they know these kids in and out. And, you know, often times people feel they're tied to a building or position, but more or less figuring how we for kids districtwide. Um, so our needs are shifting. Um, we've had some drastic increases in some behaviors since Christmas break here in January. Um, so trying to figure out, we've been problem solving as a team, figuring out what we can do,
048rightfully so. We've been hiring a lot of 5.75 or the 525 um, >> whatever parttime uh, paras and that's wonderful because you can get a lot more coverage as you cover higher part times. One of the downfalls is is it lacks consistency within some of the programs that need it most. Um and the kids that we have in our bridges program. Um obviously consistency is key. Um right now in the afternoon, one of the parents who is part-time is is leaving another pair comes in. So there's different transitions in there for the kids where we're seeing some of the behaviors increase. So looking at moving it to a full-time parrot and then as we look into next year reducing a 5.75 to kind of help offset some of the cost for uh you know doing
049that because we definitely feel that the consistency in what we're doing the work that's being put in there um will pay off. you know, in next year some of our needs may shift to the middle school and we may need to look at where we every year we sit down with our case loads and look at okay so we got we got the you know the kids in elementary right now they're going to couple are going to be moving to middle school what does middle school have what it look like support or vice versa to the high school um it's kind of a chess game they play and then I always say this you're one moving away from having to to look at hiring and and putting in you know bringing somebody back in because
050right now without that program um you you know, knack is is in Merill, which is some of for behavioral kids. Um, it's a significant cost to our district to send students to Knack and not only that, but transportation. Phenomenal program. We've seen great results from it, but we just can't send everybody that, you know, we have don't have the systems there. So, I think I really feel strongly by investing into what we have here and people and personnel um from within because they're in the trenches with the kids to um would be definitely would be a positive benefit for the programs. I will highlight one thing that Adam covered in talked about reducing one of the 575s at the end of this school year. Um, and I think you did a nice job of highlighting
051this, but just for for all clarity, that would be the plan and the commitment going forward. It's hard to say in March that we're going to be able to do that because we don't know who's moving into our district between now and then. But if all things equal that it's safe to say that is that is comp. >> Correct. >> Adam, do you do you have any like ideas or has something changed significantly since december to have an idea of what I mean they have new kids moved in since then? Have an idea of what? >> I would say dynamics outside of school. >> Okay. >> Um that was some pretty intense things happening in >> I always tell staff every day. we can control the four walls right here and we do our best,
052but there's been some significant things uh traumas in some of these families and students lives that have had impacted what we have here. We we're seeing kids that we didn't have weren't seeing at all >> and I mean it's some pretty significant group. I'm >> just curious how many kids are being served by the program. >> Oh, it's it's in and out. So, it depends what size you're looking at. Like, so there's the life skills program that Chelsea's running. Um she's got eight or nine kids that she runs through there and it's more that leads kind of towards Elorn's program at the middle high school where it's functional skills and uh it's different core academics. Those are some of our kids that are at Project Search. We've had great success with there. Um between Billy
053and Amanda um I would take me a minute to look up their case loads. I'm guessing they're servicing roughly 20ome kids between the two of them. One Amanda is doing a lot of the academic side of it right now. But we try to keep that down to like four or five kids at a crack, you know, while they're doing academics and then the other kids so we're not putting 10 in a room together um to help them be successful. So it really varies, you know, it definitely varies. >> Any other questions? >> Okay, then I'm looking for motion to approve the conversion of a part-time pair professional to a full-time bridge program. I still move >> second black flag contest here motion second made all those in favor I >> opposed hearing none motion carried
054>> can I just clarify one thing sorry >> yes go ahead >> I I titled it elementary so you knew what program we were talking about I don't like titling positions with a building just for the simple fact of like they're it's they're all of ours like we can go and move and shift anywhere so I just use that title for a simple fact you knew what I was referencing when it came down to this meeting. >> Okay, that makes sense. >> Item 17, approve the second reading of the three policies that are attached for the new policies that we had last month. Just looking for a motion to approve these review by policy committee. So move >> second. >> Okay. Motion's been made and seconded. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Hearing
055none. Motion carried. And you have a listing of several policies that came from the policy committee too. I'm looking for a motion to approve the revisions that were presented. >> I move. >> Long second. >> Motion. Second's been made for this for the revisions of the policies. All those in favor >> I opposed hearing none. Motion carried. And we've been working on looking at some policies that haven't been looked at since 2015. There were 52 of them. Just FYI. >> Well, we have nothing better to do. >> Um there isn't a whole lot there's a isn't a whole lot of changes going on. There's some that are going to be deleted and that sort of thing. they haven't been looked at. But um I just hate seeing policies that didn't seem that that haven't been
056looked at for a long time. I agree. >> So I agree. We'll see what happens, what comes up, but it won't be as much as this. >> So okay, public 19 public comment public comment. >> So >> I just want to highlight some of our middle school band. went to one ensemble. It was kind of a stretch for some of them for every other day and kind of new for them and some of them did really awesome and put in some effort. It was really nice to see them doing that get over their little scares and just hope that that experience bring them to another level. >> Awesome. And you're still accompanying. Are you accompanying any of them? >> Thank you. >> That's her life. That's her passion. >> Thanks. Okay. Board referrals. Board referrals
057besides the policy overhead. >> Don't you miss like express my gratitude? >> Oh, I wanted to tell I that showcase was great. I know I fell a little short in your eyes, but I have >> everything falls a little bit short in my eyes. You just >> I kind of figured so I went what the heck, but I I have a plan for next year to do better. I'm going to get to more places and >> Oh, you didn't. >> I had it all mapped out in my eyes. >> The commons the commons rocked. >> There was so much going on in that commons. It was hard to get through it. >> I know. >> We have to figure out how to stretch. the commons out. >> Yes. And we started to we were able
058to get like halfway down the halls. So, we just have to get the rest of the way. We have to get around corners. They're a little bit difficult. >> Well, anyhow, I had a great time. I look forward to it next year. Thank you for doing it. >> Yeah. I just I want to give a shout out to Cat. She has been throwing a lot on her plate as the moving up with the band um for the high school and the fact that we had participants go for solo ensemble actually on the states. That is incredible in her short amount of long time since I was thrown at her very last minute. Um and also I just saw that she's going to already do an open house for a fifth grade band that's already out
059and put out there. Um so I have high hopes for her going forward. >> I saw she had something posted on Facebook too about the band. So, um I I have really high hopes that you know she can really bring her van back um make it something great and so I think that she's been given a tall task just >> just want to play I went on Friday with my wife and I former alumni of this school and I participated in plays but look back four years from now and just say they did a great job of singing all I mean we always talk about upgrading in there and I mean it's been upgraded some 40 years but it was very well done >> especially the prince I love that prince in this mid >>
060and every every play is different but when he came out it was yeah it was good >> well done >> yeah they really highlighted some different students in different roles that I didn't So you know >> and welcome. >> Thank you. >> May I say >> sure just a moment gets nervous when I ask get used to it. >> My combined total of two interviews was eight and a half minutes. Come on. >> But he got it all set. nothing on the table. If we keep talking, they'll forget about the competition. >> Well, I'm I'm super honored and happy to be here. And uh this is a um two things I want to say just to one. One, I applied for this position when I became aware of it. It was uh I think submitted
061my application the day before rifle season in November. Does that sound about right? >> Yeah. >> And I shot the biggest buck of my life the next morning. So that was I'm like that something's going right here. Um so but my point in that is I've got a lot of time to think about this and and ask and talk to lots of people. I've been in education for a little while. I've got a good network of people that I know and uh so I asked all of them and then when I ran out of people to ask I came here to Tom Hawk and I walked around and just walked up and said, "Hi, I'm Brad. I'm interested in in your school district here and what your impression and so I got to tell you
062through all of that you should be very proud of all the wonderful things I heard. Not one negative word about this school district. Now they must exist someplace but I didn't meet any of those people and so that was really impressive. So right compliments to people and uh to your board for um how you're sustaining and maintaining and doing such a nice job there. Um and then secondly, I just want you to know uh this is um I shared this with one of the interview committees. Um I wasn't uh interview hopping uh just looking for like the next gig, you know, in my in my life. Uh this was a specific intentional tomahawk uh looked really good to me as a as a place to join and participate and and further. And so this was
063um I want you to know that like this was Tom Walk's big deal. This job change. I don't change jobs a lot. Uh I don't change a lot in general, I guess. But this is a big deal. And and to prove it, I don't This is my wife Jane. And uh so I brought her, but she got out of work early uh today. She's an RT. Uh and um got out early today so she could come with me because I wanted her to meet some of the same people I'm meeting uh because it's a big deal to me. So again, appreciate that you're Um the the administrative team was very warm and welcoming and uh it felt like a really really good fit to me otherwise I wouldn't be here. So thank you. >> You're
064welcome. >> Yes. >> And I will say just as we end um we as an admin team sat down and we had a pretty good laundry list of things that we wanted to hear a candidate speak to and we didn't necessarily design questions around that. We provided an opportunity for every candidate to come in and present within the confines of our strategic plan um to research our district and through that presentation on how they were going to help us improve. And we felt Brad hit every single one of the things on our list. He he not only spoke to it, but he could speak to it in detail. One, because he we don't ask questions. He he knew he identified things in our student data that we were hoping he would be able to identify.
065So he did his homework. He did a good job and we feel very comfortable with Brad coming in to that. So we're excited to have it. >> July can't get here soon. >> Feels good to be >> K. Can I ask uh I'd like to ask Brad a question. Oh no. >> Oh, watch out. Where should I look? >> Don't look. Don't look him in the eyes. I'm looking at you on the TV screen, but uh you can't see me. >> I can see you. >> I guess uh one of the things one of the things that's important to people in time is uh where you live. what what are your intentions for uh are you going to stay in Maryland? Are you going to move? Uh what what's your thoughts on that? >> Yeah,
066good question. So just today actually uh I have a contact in Mel whose cousin has a cottage really close by and so she just um like eight hours ago I talked to her and she just gave me the schedule for the place and when I could stay there because I said I'd really like to be boots on the ground especially when I get started um as close as I can be to the school and to be available and to just immerse myself in the community and the school. So, um, so I'm working I made some progress towards that. I've got two kid Well, I got four kids, Ron. And so, two of them are, uh, one is in college. Uh, well, yeah, I guess two of them are in college, but one of them is
067is at the technical college in Wasa and the other one is is finishing up at at Steven's Point. And I don't know where. So, they need a place to live is my point. They don't have any money and I need a place. Uh so Jamie and I we've talked about this early on. We talked about this and we are we haven't changed houses in in quite a while and we would be ready to do that and we would look forward to doing that and and this would be a wonderful direction as far as I'm concerned to go. Um so that's my spirit, my intentions. I can't put anything in writing as to how quickly that would happen or when it would happen or how it would happen, but um and I I did mention um
068I think towards the end of the the second round of interviews, I I I wanted to communicate that to the interview team as well that um I think I think the principal of the school only helps himself out if he lives close by. And uh so that would be a desire of mine. I don't know how soon or when or how I will carry that out. Does that help you a little bit? >> Yeah, that's uh that sounds great. It's just that I know people uh people like to know who's around. They like to know the the people in the area in the school. And like you said, you're going to be uh uh you can be more involved, I think, if you're part of the community. So I I just think that's uh you
069know it's not a requirement by any means but it is it is something that that people in Tomok like to see. Uh I worked at the paper mill for for a number of years and we had a had a couple and have one right now mill managers that decided to live else elsewhere and that has not looked on too highly in the in the paper mill. >> All right. So, I appreciate it. You know, take as much time as you want and I I hope you find a find a place in the town area >> and shop local. >> You should go find something for us that's less than 500. >> I can find lots of things less than 500,000. >> How old are you? >> We have a real We can't have that conversation
070right now. You guys, >> I I have a question if I might. Brad, you said you heard many wonderful things. Um, that's great to hear because we heard some, you know, at different times, but was there a recurrent theme or anything that really impressed you with what you those you talked to what they were saying? >> Yes, absolutely. uh the the recurring theme uh that jumped right to the top and that made me feel really good was the the connection that the community felt with the school district. >> Go ahead. >> Um I wasn't at the >> showcase um things like that. So that was mentioned um I was sitting in the cafe and talking to somebody about that um a couple weeks ago. the um uh the access to the school uh was mentioned.
071Uh I even talked to a lady at a at a business here that um doesn't have kids in the school district anymore. She's an older lady. Uh but she works in a place where they hire the kids from the school. and her perception of the school is very positive because the kids that come in that she works with, she associates with with high school and she really thinks they're great kids. So, for a variety of reasons, >> there seem to be a really strong um connection and good, you know, I talked to um uh Patty at Kinship for a while. Just happened to walk in and introduce myself there and got to meet her. And >> so, that that's a different perspective, not just a parent or or a business owner, but somebody who's vested
072and invested. >> Um, >> she's done a massive amount of >> Yeah, I was so impressed. >> Influence. >> Yeah, that's good to hear. >> Yeah, it was great to hear. >> Sometimes the negatives are louder than >> and and I'm aware of how like when you when you live and work in the same place for a while, you and especially a school board maybe you you end up people bring their problems to you maybe more than their celebrations. And so you can feel like you're going down a tunnel sometimes of problem problem and why can't we do better and and I love when uh where I have worked when we have new staff come in and they're like really impressed. It feels so good to hear that because we don't hear it >> usually
073very often from people that are there because we just get used to the expectations is what it is. So so know that that that perspective exists. Yeah, it's wonderful because I I know our staff is pretty talented and they work real hard at it and getting people back in and >> yeah, that's great to hear. >> I work with a lady right now named uh Trisha Deers. Uh and you may know you may know her name. She worked here how long ago? >> Probably 10 years old. >> Yeah. She talks about this place like a city on a hill. Uh, and mostly because of the people that are that are here >> and um like and so she she's not she wasn't like trying to push me out the other door. >> I know what
074that's but she just kept saying Brad it's such that like I just can't describe it to you. She would say like the community and and and she wouldn't isn't blind to problems. Um, but she just goes about the place and her her time here and her experience there. And if she didn't have children, I think going through uh the Merill School District, I don't know if she would have ever left. >> That's great to hear. That's real important to me. So, I'm at the cheese shop every Thursday morning. Cheese curd Thursdays. Fresh curds come in. That's my PR head. >> I talk to people all the time. tell them how great our school is. So anyhow, >> I'm done. >> Anything else? Okay. >> Well, thank you again for being here, both of you. Um,
075looking for a motion now. We've got item 21 to go into close session. Looking for a motion to go into close session. >> One second. >> Okay. Motion's been made. Second roll call. >> Yes. >> Zimmerman. >> Yes. >> Yep. >> Thank you so much. >> You get to drive home and daily. >> I know this is exciting. Hey. Hey. Hey.