Amery Board of Education Regular Meeting 5-18-2026

001Yes. >> Okay. We will call our meeting to order. We do it a little bit different here with reorganization night, but we start the same. So for those who are able, if you could join us in saying the pledge of allegiance. You guys can lead 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. >> Okay, we have two spotlights on education. The first of which is titled intermediate school bench buddies and looks like Mr. Manarek here to lead us through that. So, you're on. >> My name is Troy Manaric. I'm a school counselor in this building here and I brought a couple of our students in our fourth grade leadership team and they are going to

002present on you about our buddy bench. So go ahead guys. >> Hi, my name is Evelyn Bryant and I'm in Mrs. Montana's fourth grade um classroom. Good evening school board members, staff and families. We are proud to be a part of leadership group at the intermediate school. Leadership students work together to help make our school a safe, respectful, and welcoming place for everyone. We try to set a positive exa example for other students through kindness, teamwork, and responsibility. >> I'm Mary and I am in Mrs. Montana's fourth grade class. One of the projects we worked on this year was creating a buddy bench video. The buddy bench is a place students can sit if they are feeling lonely, need a friend, or are looking for someone to play with during recess. We wanted students to

003better understand the purpose of the buddy bench and how it can help others feel included. In this video, we demonstrated how students should do if how what students should do if they see someone sitting on the buddy bench. We show how important it is to invite others to play, start a conversation, or simply just make fun friends with someone. The goal of this video was to remind students that everyone can help make recess more welcoming and fun for all. Today I want to talk about something on our playground called the buddy bench. >> The buddy bench is a place you can sit if you are looking for someone to play with. It is not a timeout but it is not for getting in trouble. Using the buddy bench shows the warrior way of being respectful.

004It means you are respecting yourself by asking for help and respecting others by giving them a chance to. >> If you see someone on the buddy bench, being respectful means you don't ignore them. You notice them and include them. >> It also shows you are being responsible. If you feel left of doubt, it is your responsibility to use the buddy bench for us to truly. >> If you see someone there, it's your responsibility to help them feel. If you see someone there, >> the buddy bents also helps people on our playground feel safe. >> Safe means everyone feels like they belong and no one is left out or alone. When we include others, we help create a safe and welcoming recess for everyone. So remember, the buddy bench is one way we live. >> At

005our school, we take care of each other and that's what warriors do. That looks like >> Do you have any questions or for us? >> Where did you share the video? We had we shared it to all the our all the teachers in in our building on a news program that we run and we also it was also on Facebook just for community to see as well all the students see it. >> How often is the buddy bunch used? >> You guys can answer that one. >> Um it's usually used >> well kind of >> probably often and it's really improved since we made this video. I like the video. It's very very good. You guys are creating a nice space for everybody to feel included at recess, and that's important. Way to go, girls.

006>> Okay, the next part of our spotlight on education are innovative mini grant presentations. And we begin at the elementary school with the 4K forest. We have Trish Meer as Darly Hughes and Kylie Black has a question mark next year. I think we know where she is. >> Showing some baby. >> Yes. >> Um so over the last couple of years, the 4K team has really dabbled in going to the school forest um and kind of utilizing a four school um program. Um this year we decided to go all in um with helping Megan um applying for the mini grant and then some donations to the angel fund. We were able to enhance the program and we've spent a lot of time with it this year. Um the reason we decided to go all in

007is because there are many benefits to outdoor learning um for that we've highlighted here on our screen. It improves focus and attention. It reduces stress and supports emotional well-being. It encourages physical activity and it fosters a lifelong learning of um of learning in nature. And then when we were thinking about the program, we decided to focus our vision was three goals. And our first goal is we wanted to create an engaging outdoor learning experience that inspires curiosity, creativity, and encourages movement and environmental stewardship. Um, another goal, we wanted to ensure that every child has access to our school forest by minimizing barriers related to weather and to safety. Um, which allows all students to take part in meaningful play-based learning. And our third goal was we want to provide consistent outdoor learning opportunities in a

008safe environment that supports the whole child's academic, social, emotional, and physical development. So, um, early on in the year, we met with a teacher in luck that, um, does a for school day every single year. And so, she kind of gave us some advice on what we should think about with the money that we had. So, the first thing that we bought was safety vests. And you can see in the picture, they're super cute, and it's perfect because we can kind of extend their boundary when we're out there and still see them and keep track of them. Um, we bought rainsuits um so that when we pick a day and it's bad weather, we can still go. And we're super lucky because not only our team, but the parents that work with us also enjoy

009being outside. And so it really is a great thing. Um, we bought a storage rack of course and then Annie Brighton at the library bought some wagons that we can check out and they've been used a lot for the for school day that the whole elementary went to our day and today the kindergarters took up them to the forest so we can carry our water bottles and supplies and things that we need. >> Um, why this matters? Um, this investment will ensure that all students have access to meaningful outdoor learning in in all types of weather. Um, it reduces barriers for families by providing the gear and the support needed for safe outdoor play. And then then it allows us to say yes more when it's raining, snowing, when there's mud, and when there's sunshine

010while keeping the students safe. Um, so I'm sure if you've been on campus and watched us watch the school forest, you can see our bright vests and we wear them as well. So that's awesome. Um, and then like I said before, we can extend the boundary. So, we kind of really worked this year on talking about how far away from us we can go and what we're going to do out there. And they're super awesome at listening to that. And so, the best just extend the boundaries and um they can be more independent and kind of do their own little research out there. >> I think that's it. Yeah. Thank you. really nice. >> All right. Next up is the is title team. Uh playing standin for Mrs. Kaiser and Maddie Haynes is Jessica Deio.

011>> Yes. Uh neither of them are able to be here tonight. So they did write up a statement. So I will share what our mini grant provided for them. Um so this is again for Mattie Haynes, our school counselor here along Mr. M and then Mrs. Kaiser who is our lead title one teacher here at the intermediate school. So they have written we are incredibly grateful to have been selected as recipients of the 2026 mini grant for the intermediate school. The funding allowed us to purchase high interest novel sets for academic social emotional learning literature circles that occurred during our win time for students in grades three through five. Through these literature circles, the goal was for students to be able to engage in meaningful discussions around empathy, perspective taking, and decision-making, while also strengthening

012important literacy skills such as comprehension, vocabulary, and collaborative discussions. The books have helped create opportunities for students to connect with characters and situations in ways that encourage both academic growth and social emotional growth. In total, we were able to purchase 18 titles and 136 new books. We would like to say thank you to Annie Brighton who helped us pick out some of the book selections and some of the purchasing process. To the board of education and Dr. Derkller, we want to say thank you for investing in our students. This mini grant has provided research resources that will continue to positively impact our students for years to come. So, thank you Rojo. Okay. and with the best title. We have a middle school presentation for mini grant beef. It's what's for dinner. Kirsten Condor. >> Okay.

013Um, so my name is Kirsten Condor and I'm the middle school and high school agricultural and technology education teacher and I was fortunate enough to receive funds from all of you this year for the beef in the class. Well, for be doing beef in the classroom, I guess. So, not only I kind of did two grants for this so that they could kind of pair together well. So, we got the mini grant from you for $600, but then I also filled out a Wisconsin beef in the classroom grant where we brought in $200 and that was for us to be able to purchase the beef to put into this program as well. So, they kind of bridge together. So, what I did is within the seventh grade curriculum right now, we're teaching about animal science

014within the agricultural context and they're learning about the different um well, first they're learning about companion animals, but then within this unit, it's a two-day unit, they're learning about different cuts of beef. So, we talk about the wholesale cuts and then the retail cuts that come from those. And then we're also teaching them about what when they go to the store, it's about prime, choice, and select. So, I want our students to be able to confidently go to the store, be able to look at those products and say, okay, if I'm paying, you know, $30 for a piece of prime meat, why am I doing that versus paying $18 for a piece of choice meat? So, we're really digging into that and then comparing and contrasting meats. And then what we also do too is

015we take pieces of sirloin meat and we marinate those and make beef jerky out of that. And then we're also taking ground beef and usually it's like 8515 or 9010 for the fat to meat ratio and then we're mixing in seasonings and then making beef sticks with that. So our students get to not only um with the products that we actually got with the grant money, we got some um two dehydrators with that. We also got some jerky guns. We got the jerky seasonings and then all of the utensils to be able to make this happen for our students. But um we do have a little gift for you today. We had our students make some beef jerky today. So um we decided to make you some little mini shakurerie boards to go along with

016that. Gosh dang, you got cutting boards and shakur that 200 bucks didn't get you real far in the old beef. But it made a difference. Um I love filling out plants. It's like one of my favorite things to do and I really feel like every single drop in the bucket makes a difference. So even if it's $200 and even with this mini grant, it makes a real big difference. >> Just the buying power of being, >> right? Yeah. It's not not profitable, right? >> Go be farmers making some money. >> Yes. >> Can you talk about um what are the mini grants? Where does it come from? >> The mini grants comes comes from the district office in the administrative team. We put out an application process in the fall. uh staff uh put their

017their in essence their proposal in for a mini grant $600 uh by October 31st. We tend to pick one per building and one for our people's services team and typically we get lucky and there's about one for each and we uh give them that money to do this something new activity and they come here and pay percent. We've been doing this back 10 12 years maybe more. It's been some of the best activities we've ever had uh in the school district of >> really. Every year is like super creative and different grants every year for what teachers come up with and y'all are just the most creative people on the face of the earth. So, it's fun to watch this. And um did you get to make jerky today? >> No. >> Were you one

018of my taste testers today? >> Taste tester today, too. One of the things with the video gun too is that we encourage it should be something that like dehydrates can be used for years and the guns can be used for years. So it's like coming up with a new idea that people will continue on. >> Yeah. Love it. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Our next presentation comes from the high school. This is Glaze mixing and the presenter is Isabella Oscar. All right. Hi, I am Isabella Obower. I am the art education teacher at the high school, one of two. Um, and with this grant project, I was hoping to improve kind of like the ceramics experience. Um, we cover a lot of different media of art. Um, but I have a fairly expert level experience

019when it comes to ceramics. And so I was able to step into the studio and take a look around of like what are the things um that I learned that changed my experience with clay and how do I bring that into this classroom um and kind of bridge that gap towards that college level experience. Um, and one of the main problems um, that our students were facing was that they had a bit of a limited selection when it came to glazes um, and a lot of disappointments with those glazes and how their projects were turning out. Um, and so I proposed um that we purchase some new ceramic glazes um and buy some different safety equipment to make sure that we could do this within the classroom and like have a nice outside day um

020but still make sure that like you're not breathing in all of that powder because it's not good for you to do that. Um and then we created different glazed test tiles. Um, they're a little bit small, but if you're interested in painting, um, we create like a little divot along the side so that you can see how the glaze would flow over a textured surface. Um, and these are actually layered opposite. So, we have speckled cream on top of blue ice here and then the opposite on this tile. Um, and it's a way to kind of show the students how you can layer and interact and experiment with these glazes and to come at it with an opportunity for excitement and not necessarily that disappointment of it had to be like this because that's what

021the test file said. Um, and just a little bit more accuracy. Um, so I tried to mind map and make this as organized as possible so they could just enjoy the experience and not kind of get lost along the way. Um, so I made templates for all of the test tiles and each student was in charge of two and we ran that for two class periods just to have enough. Um, because you kind of have to like cross reference the two different places to see how they interact. Um, and then we got everybody together and we had a full day of test tile wasting. Um, and these were just a handful of the results. I had way too many to take with me. Um, and it would have clanked a bit. Um, but here are

022our blue ice test tiles. Now, um there are two others, Caribbean green and green ash as well. Um so, not only did they learn testiles and how they interact with each other and the colors and all of that fun stuff, they also learned the consistency that you need to have glaze at in order to get the results that you're looking for. Too thick would mean that the glaze runs everywhere and too thin means that it burns off. And so we had those more indepth conversations that we normally kind of glazed over. Um but yeah, they had a lot of fun. Maybe not cleaning all of the backs of the test tiles. Um, but they were able to kind of bring in a new life and energy into the ceramics glazing part, not just the making.

023Um, so our impact is that um, our students are more engaged and excited about ceramics than they were before. and I was able to lay some groundwork that Stephanie can build off in the future um in terms of increasing any future glazes and that process is a little bit more organized um so that she can bring in maybe pinks and purples next year. Um, overall this grant process has helped to create more interactive and educational ceramic experience and the glaze combinations and test tiles will continue to benefit all of our future students as well. Um, so huge thanks to all of you and creating that opportunity. That's a that's a huge undertaking to to do something like that. And I I just remember from my school days because I am not an arts person. I

024can't even draw a stick person. >> So, um I always my problem was that the the glaze once it was on the pot never was the same color that was in the bottle. >> Absolutely. >> It was really bad. Now these kids have all these testiles and they can make their own and see how that all interacts. What a great What a fabulous idea. >> Thank you. >> And good science involved in that. What a fabulous idea. >> Yeah. I I tried to like touch into it without losing them too much. um just about like that there's a lot of science that can go into all of this um and how just a few different variables creates a completely different color. >> You just don't want to have that glazed over a little bit. >>

025Too far. Too far. >> That was fantastic. >> Thank you. OKAY, >> she needs a round of applause to that aqua. >> All right, our last mini grand presentation comes from the world of people services adapted trike and our presenter is Tucker Hugby. Good evening, uh, school board members, school administration, teachers, parents, community members, and anyone joining us online. Uh, my name is Tucker Hyd, and I am a special ed teacher at Lean Elementary School. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you and to share my gratitude and thanks for the grant money that was approved by the Amry Board of Education. The grant has allowed us at the elementary level to purchase a three-wheel bike for a student supported by an IEP. The expectation is for the student to first demonstrate safe behavior in

026school and get the work completed in each class on a daily basis. If both the safe body is used and the work gets completed, the bike is able to be used as a reward during each designated recess. We have seen an increase this year in positive based behavior as a result and it holds the student to high expectations. As you know, our special ed students are important part of the school district and make up nearly 18% of the student population. Many times, special education teams have to think outside the box on how best to support students that receive special ed services. It takes an IEP team to brainstorm good ideas, understand the needs of each student and establish a process that creates a thoughtful and caring community. One must remember that growth comes in a

027variety of different forms, but should always be celebrated, no matter the quantity of it. An important piece of special education is to build positive relationships with students. set goals that are individualized, hold students to high expectations, and work collaboratively with other staff to create meaningful learning. All of these factors have to take place in order for students to show progress. To close, thank you for allowing the elementary specialed team to be one of the grant recipients. It has meant so much to the elementary specialed team and to the special ed population it serves. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you this evening and truly look forward to further partnering with this governing board to support our students of promise. I will leave you with a short quote that reads, "Every child has a different

028learning style and pace at each child is unique, not only capable of learning but also capable of succeeding." That quote uh was by Robert John Mayhem. Thank you for your time and have a wonderful rest of your next portion of our meeting will not be as exciting as the mini grant presentations. Uh we are reorganizing our board this evening. That's what happens every single May. Uh we'll run the meeting until we have a president in place. So here we go. Tonight we will be organized the school district of Amry Board of Education. The school board election was held in early April and newly elected board member Steve Oro was sworn in at the regular board meeting in April. The first order of business is to appoint a teller. I'm going to appoint Becky Schmidt as

029a teller for this reorganization se session. Next, we need to appoint a board president. Do we have a motion for board president? >> Make a motion for Shark. >> Are there any other nominations for board president? Are there any other nominations for board president? And one last time, are there any other nominations for board president? Hearing no further nominations, do we have a motion to close nominations and cast the unanimous ballot for Shark Lena as board president? >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Those in favor of Shark Lena serving as board president say I. >> I. >> Those opposed say nay. >> The motion carries. At this time, I will turn the meeting over to board president Charlyn. Uh, first I'd like to say thank you for um that nomination and your

030continued uh support as uh for me and your your belief in me as the president of the board. I don't do much more other than lead the meeting. So obviously you feel very capable of my skills to lead the meeting. So I thank you for that tonight. And with that I will take a nomination for vice president. I nominate Steve Oro. >> It's been nominated for Steve Oro to serve as vice president. Are there any other nominations? Are there any other nominations for vice president? Any other nominations for vice president? Hearing no further nominations for vice president, I would entertain a motion to close nominations and cast unanimous ballot for Steve Oro for vice president. So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. It's been properly moved and seconded to close nominations and cast

031unanimous ballot for Steve Osro for vice president. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. Nominations were closed. Steve Basero is now elected vice president. Moving on, I will take nominations for secretary. >> I nominate Juan D. >> Shouldn't say secretary, I should say clerk. Are there any other nominations besides Gwen for clerk? Any other nominations for clerk? Hearing no further nominations from the floor. Uh I would entertain a motion to close nominations for clerk and cast unanimous ballot for Gwen Dato for clerk. Steve, is there a second? >> Second. >> Larry, it's been properly moved and seconded to close nominations for a clerk or in um cast unanimous ballot for Gwen Dato to serve as the clerk. All of those in

032favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All of those opposed, please signify by saying no. >> Motion pass. Gwen, you get another year at clerk. >> Thank you. Moving on to treasure. Do we hear nominations for treasure? I nominate Larry. Nomination for Larry for treasurer. Are there any other nominations for treasure? And are there any other nominations for treasur? Hearing none, I would entertain a motion to close nomination to close nominations for treasurer and um cast unanimous ballot for Larry. So moved. Slim Steve. All those in favor of closing nominations and casting unanimous ballot for Larry to serve as treasur, please signify by saying I. I. I. >> All those opposed, please signify by saying no. >> Motion pass. Larry, you're the treasure. Another year. Thank you. And uh we have the um director

033left and I would take nominations for director at this time. >> I nominate April. >> It's been nominated for April to serve as the director, which makes sense because at this point, is there any other nominations for director? Any other nominations for director? Any other nominations for director? Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion to close nominations and cast unanimous ballot for April for director. >> So move secondary. >> When? It's been properly moved and seconded to close nominations and cast unanimous ballot for April's emergent service director. All of those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. >> Motion pass. April director again. Thank you. All right, that takes care of our elections for officers. Not much changed this year. And off to the 2026 2027 board

034meeting schedule. Um, and we have that um in our c in our folders. But is there any conflicts that anybody knows of ahead of time? >> I'm going to be gone in January. I'll be in Vegas again for work, but I can go online again like we did last time. >> Okay. >> And then um I would entertain a motion to then approve the board of education 2026 2027 regular meeting dates. >> I would move to accept the 2026 2027 board of education regular meeting dates as presented. >> Second. It's been properly moved and seconded to accept the 2026 2027 Amory Board of Education regular meeting dates as presented. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> I. All those opposed, please

035signify by saying no. >> Motion pass. The regular meeting dates for the 2026 2027 Amry Board of Education is approved as presented. Next, moving on to the designation of official depositories for 2026 2027. Do I have a motion to approve the official depositories? >> I'll make a motion to approve approve them as presented. >> Steve, is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Larry, it's been properly moved and seconded to approve the official depositories for the school district of Amory for the 2627 school year. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of accepting the official deposiitories is presented for 2627 for the Emery School District, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. The official depositories for Emory

036School District are accepted as presented. authorization for use of Weld Riley legal services um for the district. Um obviously Weld Riley has been providing legal services for the district uh they're one of the few that um provide that kind of service uh in the area. It's what we've been familiar with. Is there a motion to approve the authorization for use of Weld Riley for legal services for the district? >> I would make that motion. Yes. >> Second. It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the authorization for use of Wellley for legal services for the district moving forward for the 26 27 year. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving the use of Weld Riley for our legal services, please signify by saying I. I. >>

037I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. The district will continue to use Weld Riley for legal services. And then we have a approval for an authorization for use of independent hearing officers for expulsion expulsion hearings held in 2627. Hopefully we'll never have to use this. Um it has been standard that when we do need to um have an expulsion hearing that we use a third party that comes in to uh help us navigate that process on the district's behalf. Um it would be prudent and proper to use a third party. Um and so that's something that we do every year. Is there uh a motion to authorize the use of an independent hearing officer for expulsion hearings held in 2627? >> See, is there a second? >> Second, >> Gwen. It's

038been properly moved and seconded to authorize the use of an independent hearing officer for expulsion hearings that may have to be held in 2627. Is there any discussion? Any questions? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of using the independent hearing officer for any expulsion hearings that may occur in 2627, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. Appointment of a CISA 11 delegate um for our annual convention of school districts. Um and there is one coming up Monday, June 1st. Is that right? Do we have is for our is that right? coming up. >> Okay. >> Does this also cover our the one in Madison or Milwauke? >> It can. You can >> It has to be typically it has been. >>

039So, this is this is pretty much just for this June meeting. Is that right? >> Yes. I think they uh do their board of control at that meeting and things like that. So, >> I guess I would ask is there anybody here that's free and wants to go? >> I could. You're retired now. So that's a great idea. >> That is a great idea. >> I I haven't been able to do do a lot of those things. So I'm not retired, but um we definitely not milking cows, so I I can do that. >> So I would nominate SH for Case 11 delegate. >> I'd check on that. >> All right. All those in favor of Shaglana serving as the uh CI1 delegate, um please signify by saying I. >> I. All those in opposed,

040please signify by saying no. I didn't think anybody was going to be too opposed to that. So, all right. Uh motion pass. I'll be in uh turn light June 1st if you need me. And then a list of our board board appointed committees. Uh we have the 26 27 board appointed advisory committees with um Steve and Larry serving on the building and grounds committee. Uh April still on the community ed advisory committee. uh curriculum oversight committee is Gwen and then we have the finance oversight committee again with Steve and Larry and those that building and grounds committee is kind of weaning off so your time will be probably more spent on the uh finance oversight human growth and development committee uh is myself outdoor education committee is on Gwen and Steve on the technology committee

041is there any discussion about where we're at for committees does anybody want to move. Anybody want to give anything up? Can't have more than two. So, >> does building grounds and finance and technology if we're weaning off of one? >> Uh, yes. Because the building grounds will be um you know kind of based off and the the finance oversight is um you'll be kind of jointly that'll be kind of together. So, >> should be fine. >> And I'm good unless somebody else has technology. >> I'm good. >> All right. Then I'll entertain a motion for approving the board appointed advisory committee assignments for 2627. Is there a second? >> Larry's got that second. It's been properly moved and seconded to accept the 2627 board appointed advisory committees as presented. Is there any discussion? Hearing none,

042we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving the board appointed advisory committees, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Okay. Board appointed advisory committees that are passed and approved. And we are off to the consent agenda items. With that, >> April, did you have you had vouchers tonight, right? I had vouchers and everything looked just fine. So, I would move that we approve this one's vouchers and the rest of the consent agenda items, the agenda and financial reports >> and minutes. Is that correct? >> Yes. Everything >> sounds great. Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been properly moved and seconded to accept the consent agenda items as presented. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of

043approving the consent agenda items, please signify by saying I. I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. The consent agenda items are approved. And if it's okay with everybody, we have somebody here for recognition. Are they here? >> The CD. >> Yeah. >> All right. Can we move up our um we have aformational items that the admins don't mind waiting for a little bit. We have recognition from Arrowhead Officials Association here tonight um to recognize >> let the people start. >> Yeah. >> All right everybody, I don't want to take up too much of your time here, but we just want to continue to celebrate our successes here that are unique at Emory uh school district. um particularly for our table workers um in our volleyball and in our basketball.

044And I'll just give a quick shout out to those individuals. Kate Wisenbeck, Rachel Hansen, Jessica Smith, Matt Patterson, myself, Mark Peterson, Chuck Wilman, and uh Beth Patterson. And I and I got those folks memorized because they do such a fantastic job. They show up every night for these events and they do an amazing job. And um Mr. pack here. Um, and the Arrowhead Officials Association is going to present us an award here at Might Show him, I guess. >> Yeah. No. Um, first of all, Nick Peek, uh, president of the Arrowhead Officials Association, and I'm glad you said those names because I got them, but I would probably wrong. So, thank you for doing that. um as as official I want to say real quickly that's uh a very important part of our role is

045having people that aren't really acknowledged a lot whether it be table group stuff like that and I do want to if I'm allowed 10 seconds to read an evaluation I got personally at a clinic I was at a division one clinic from an official who just got done repping the division one women's final four last year I think it was. So his remarks were Nick and his crew had a very ugly game. You don't want to hear that on my court. Many mistakes by the table. The crew handled the situation well, stayed on top of the issues the entire game. Despite having a poor table, they managed to pursue and get through the game. When we have pregame before the meeting, we always talk about different things might come up. Table is one of them.

046And sometimes I always hear the table here is really good. And I always say, "Oh, we don't want that." Because as officials sometimes then you take a step back and like go and think about the clock, the table, all that stuff, how important role they have. Well, that's always the case here at Amry is the table's really good. It's really good and they continue to set that bar. So, as anyway, the arrow officials association, sorry, I'm not a public speaker. uh just to vote on our best table crew of the year. And again, not the first time I've been here, probably not the last time I'll be here. And our thing is you you want the award, you beat the you beat them. Um I'd like to present High School Dylan and his staff and

047his crew with the best table and we do appreciate it. Thank you. Now after listening to that, I'm not sure if the best table award is good or bad. I don't know. Very good. Thank you very much. >> Thank you for coming. We appreciate that. >> Very cool. >> Very nice. >> Okay. and then we'll go back on on to the agenda order and then that brings up our administrator committee department report. So, >> I'm going to leave up if you don't mind. Okay. I've got a statement here I'd like to read. Take me about four or five minutes or so. Uh, good evening. Over the past several months, the school district of Ary has undertaken a comprehensive financial restructuring process aimed at strengthening the district's long-term stability and success. This statement is intended to

048provide clarity regarding the district's financial position and outline the path forward as we continue working to ensure a strong future for our students, staff, and community. My hope this evening is to answer five questions regarding district finances. Question one, why does the district now face financial challenges? The district's current financial challenges came to light following the resignation of former director of finance John McBride in December of 2025. After his departure, district staff began reviewing the district's financial records. During that review, it became clear that the district's budget had not been properly reconciled. With the assistance of Barer Financial Services and CISA 11, our educational cooperative, the district began a detailed examination of financial records dating back to the fall of 2024. The review determined that district expenditures exceeded revenues by approximately $2 million during the

0492425 school year. This did not mean the district was 2 million in the whole. Rather, the district had exhausted its fund balance and no longer had sufficient reserves available for its financial needs. Due to the timing and of state aid and local property tax payments, the reality of school finance in Wisconsin is that the district will likely need to continue to rely on short-term borrowing as part of normal operations. In order to address the district's cash needs, Mr. McBride had presented a series of short-term borrowings to the board of education in 2025. While those measures addressed immediate financial needs, they also created long-term financial obligations. At no point did Mr. McBride inform the board of education, district office staff, or financial institutions that the district was facing a structural budget issue. Both the board of

050education and district administration recognized they have responsibility for financial oversight. District leadership relied upon information provided by Mr. McBride regarding its fis fiscal stability. To improve financial oversight, the board of education has established a financial oversight committee. The committee's purpose is to strengthen financial review procedures, create clearer reporting practices, and increase accountability to both the board and the community. Local property tax payments received in January and February helped prevent immediate financial problems. Even so, the district adjust adjusted its budget budget to address past due expenses, current obligations, future operating costs, and approximately $5 million in short-term borrowing obligations. In addition to the these local issues, the district is part of a broader statewide school funding challenge. Wisconsin's public school funding system has not undergone significant reform in more than four years. Question two, what has

051the district done in response to these financial challenges? In response to these challenges, the district has taken steps to stabilize its finances, strengthen oversight, and restore long-term fiscal accountability. The district office has reconciled the district's finances dating back to the beginning of the 2024 2025 school year. Through this process, the district now has an accurate understanding of its financial position. Throughout this time, the district has continued normal operations without interruption. All pay payroll obligations had been met and now all district bills are being paid on time. The district has taken strategic financial actions to improve short-term cash flow stability. This includes adjusting the maturity dates of the district's short-term borrowing notes to better align with the district's annual revenue cycle. The district has also reduced the 2026 2027 budget by approximately $2.5 million. While these

052reductions were difficult, they were necessary to repay repay debt obligations and rebuild the district's fund balance. Finally, the district secured an operational loan to pay off existing short-term borrowing notes. This action provides the district with a more manageable financial structure as it continues working toward long-term financial stability. Question three. Has there been any wrongdoing by any board member or school staff member? In January, district officials brought two charges that appeared to be personal expenses to Mr. McBride's attention and repayment was received. In mid-March, the district identified another charge that involved the use of district funds for a personal expense. Over the past two months, the investigation has identified approximately 25 alleged fraudulent charges totaling roughly $25,000. That information has been provided to law enforcement. Some have suggested that a full forensic audit is needed. The

053district is considering that option and will follow the guidance of the law enforcement agency responsible for prosecuting this matter. The district will strongly consider a forensic audit if law enforcement recommends or directs one. As director of finance, Mr. McBride held a position of significant responsibility. The district relied on him to act in the best interest of students, taxpayers, and the community. The district fears that Mr. McBride failed to do so. Question four, what is the district's current financial position? Despite the recent financial challenges, the district's current financial position is stable and improving. At the conclusion of the 2526 school year, the district projects a fund balance of more than $3 million and that fund balance will exceed 5 million at the end of the school year. The district is moving toward long-term financial stability. The

054district has already repaid $3.5 million in short-term borrowing obligations. District leadership now has a clear and accurate understanding of district finances. Importantly, the district has implemented meaningful budget reductions while continuing to provide highquality educational opportunities for students. The financial adjustments made were substantial enough not only to stabilize district finances, but also to allow the district to increase compensation for all employee groups. The district remains committed to attracting and retaining highquality staff to support student success. Question five, what are the next steps? The district's highest priority remains providing the best possible education for students. The district is committed to being a stronger steward of taxpayer dollars. Improved financial reconciliation procedures, stronger oversight practices, and increased accountability measures have already been implemented to ensure district finances are accurately monitored and reported. As part of the upcoming budget

055cycle, the district will prepare and present a preliminary budget in July. Annual tax settlement payments will be received in August and the annual audit for the 2025 2026 fiscal year will begin during July and August. The board of education is expected to approve a 2627 budget in September. The district plans to repay the remaining $1.5 million in short-term borrowing obligations before their maturity date in October. The district will continue working with CISA 11 on day-to-day operations and prepared financial services on long-term financial planning efforts. In addition, the district will evaluate whether additional expenditure reductions will be necessary for the 2027 2028 school year. The school district of Amry believes it is on a stronger financial path forward, one built on a continued commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities for students and families in the Emer

056community. Thank you, Mr. Gold. You're up. >> Well, last month I told you the next time I see you, you'd be done with graduation. And it's been a crazy last month. All of our state assessments are complete. We had fine arts night. We've had prom. We had senior awards night. We had our senior picnic senior walk, graduation, AP testing done. And I'm also happy to report all the buildings in the district have completed their state drills, safety, fire, and tornado. Uh future events next week, we we're partnering with Police Department. They're coming in um talking to our kids about social media safety and bullying. We did something with the seniors earlier on in the year, but saw this as an opportunity to partner with local police on some things going on with our kids to

057keep them safe as they move into the summer. We've got our WI spring sports tournaments coming just around the corner and we have our underassman awards day in on June 4th with our 9th through 11th graders. >> And that's just for the kids on on May 28th, right? That that's an in school >> kind of thing. Okay. >> All right. At the middle school, we celebrated our Genius Hour Expo on Friday, May 8th, and we had 314 students presenting on all kinds of things. Um, it was a really fun event and um I got a chance to go around and watch and and take in about 30 or 40 of the different presentations. It's they're a lot. I mean, they go really in depth, so it's hard to get to every one of them, but

058um I've seen a lot of them, too, throughout the the years. are getting ready. But it was really fun and and they get real excited uh to present their items and you talked that we have from fire truck safety equipment down to quantum physics to animal. You name it, the kids were there presenting and it was really fun. >> Lots of food this year. >> Lot there was a lot of lot of food. It was very creative. Yeah. Um our eighth grade UTM was held that right after that. That's sort of our eighth grade graduation event for them. Um and that was fun. Uh Memorial Day parade. Our students will be marching in the Memorial Day um parade. They they marched down to um in the cemetery and then they're they help um with the

059presentation to for Memorial Day. Um we have a really nice Memorial Day program for uh to honor our veterans and things here and I'm really proud that our students have been involved in that for 40 50 years. Um, and I think there's a lot of kids maybe until they're in band haven't necessarily been to one and it's important. So, I was really glad they were there. Uh, following up on that, um, on May 26th, right after Memorial Day, we're celebrating America's 250th year. Um, districtwide, we're all doing that together. Um, obviously that doesn't actually happen till July 4th, but um, we won't be in school. So, we decided that we're going to do one uh, the day after Memorial Day. and we have all kinds of different events um from announcements to presentations, videos, discussions,

060um >> even our kitchen staff. >> Even the kitchen staff's involved. So, grateful to wear red, white, blue, and we're going to celebrate America and the importance of that specific date, but we're doing it on the 26th, but I'm I'm happy for that. Um our last day of school is coming up June 4th. Um summer school starts June 15th, and then the middle school is marching in parades on June 20th and June 27th. one in Clayton and one at Clear Lake. And that's been kind of their consistent uh introduction to marching for those those kids. >> Don't underestimate the important of the the food ladies getting involved, their kitchen staff getting involved. That's that's important for celebration. >> Yeah, it's a it's a district-wide effort to to honor America. So, that's cool. >> Really cool.

061Um, you know, I have to say just it just joged my memory when you have the eighth grade youth jam here that one of the young ladies who spoke at graduation the other day mentioned in her speech the eighth grade kind of graduation dance culmination youth jam. So it must be a lasting impression one of those things. So four years later there she was on graduation day talking about it. It was kind of cool. >> Can you dance with your new knee? Uh, I'm just happy to walk with my to be honest. It doesn't look much different than it did before 60. That happens. >> All right. Thanks, John. >> All right. Good evening. Um, Intermediate School recently completed our walk-athon. So, that is a fundraiser that we do here and we actually um do

062this annually. I inherited it from Orly Shock when she was here. and we use that event to um collect funds to purchase um playground equipment. And so we survey our kids on what would they like to see added to the playground. And so this year's funds um are going to be used for something called a P6 court, which is kind of a combination of volleyball and foursquare in my mind. Um kids are really excited about it. So I want to thank our community members and our families for supporting that. Kids always get excited when they have input in what will keep them busy. Fifth grade concert, we had that just a couple weeks ago. um our that is our band and our general music. So that's the only one here at the intermediate school where

063it's both band um and music and so the theme was rock and roll and that was really really fun to see. April's son was a a little hit up there as well. >> Imagine. Yeah. >> So they did a really really great job. It was a it was a highlight. Even Elvis came across the stage. So I want to thank our music teachers. So Mrs. Moscow and um Mrs. Sunderland for that. Fifth grade math masters. So Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. help two fifth grade teachers here. Um they work with our fifth grade students in math and so they provide extended learning opportunities for students that really excel in math. So they work with them for several months building their math skills on higher level concepts and then they actually go to a contest in Hammond

064where a group of them um per perform at a contest and and see how they rate amongst other students. So our school did very well this year as well which we always do. Um grade level visit. So, something that's really important is our second graders will be coming over to visit. They haven't quite yet, but they are scheduled um either later this week or next week where they will come over and they will meet with our third grade teachers. So, I will give them a tour of the building. We do a slideshow. I introduce them to all the staff here. Just trying to get them comfortable and help them. It is a really big transition to come here in the fall. Um they get to visit our playground, see the library, make maker space, a

065little bit of everything, and again get to meet all of our staff. I also invite our second grade parents to come use our playground this summer. So, any time that their kids can spend here will hopefully help make them feel a little bit comfortable. And then our third and fourth graders actually do a meet and greet with our teachers as well. So, the level above them, they will sit down in our classroom neighborhoods and they will get to ask some questions and ask questions about what does fourth grade look like? What does fifth grade look like? So, this has been a tradition we've been doing for about four years now, just to make sure that these are familiar faces to the kids and we find that it helps with the big grade level move that'll

066happen in the fall. Um, fifth grade band festival. So, Mrs. Sunderland and Mrs. Curtis took our entire fifth grade band, which is most of our fifth graders actually, um, to unity where they have a celebration. So, in the morning, they get to play as a whole group and then they actually get some instruction and some guidance on playing different instruments. And so that's always wellreceived. It's a full day of planning, but really appreciated by our fifth graders. Earth Day program. So this is an annual event. So the Amory Women's Club comes and this is actually something I inherited. So I I know they've been coming for a very long time. They meet with each individual class. They read a book that has to do with Earth Day and then they do some fun engaging activities

067with kids. And so these women come and they give us a lot of their day. They they stay in between and it's greatly appreciated how much time they give us. So that's a fun event that we look forward to in the spring. So I want to thank them as well. And then finally, the kinship celebration. So our high school students come here. I see them and I'm sure Megan does as well almost every day. Um kids come once a week. So we see high schoolers coming in spending time with our students whether that be lunch or playing a game or going out to recess with their class. And so that happens all year long. And then Amy Danielson of Pulk County Kinship does a really great job of having a celebration. And so they recently

068just celebrated that with a party here um where they had some treats and the the bigs and the littles all got to spend time together and so and then any graduating senior got to be able to say goodbye to their to their kinship. So >> it's a wonderful program for us. >> Yeah. >> Um curriculum instruction. So um angel fund purchases. So we are very thankful for angel funds that we get donated to the district this year. Um just as we've done for the last two years we are purchasing summer workbooks for our title one students. Um, so any student that is in title one receives those services had the option to opt in for a free summer workbook. And that workbook focuses on math and ELA. We decided to do that a couple years

069ago just to make sure that any family that would need that resource isn't facing a barrier to purchasing one. We facilitate that. Um, I believe we had 37 elementary students and 39 intermediate students that took advantage. And so they've received a free summer workbook to help promote um their learning and hopefully prevent any learning loss that would happen. As Tom shared um all of our buildings will be celebrating America's 250th birthday. So that was that's actually in accordance with act 95 and each building is doing a little bit different. Act 20 summer school instruction. So per act 20 we need to provide intense academic intervention in the area of reading. And so our title one teacher is currently that team is building what that schedule will look like. So that actually will happen during summer

070school. We'll just be pulling students out to provide title one services during regular summer school. And then finally, um Tom and myself and Carol Holden, we will be reporting to the state on F20. So that will include how many students started with the personalized reading plans, how many students exited with the per personalized reading plans um and then how many students required early diagnostic assessment based on the results from from these web. So we do have to report that to the state. Uh we plan to do it today. Um we weren't able to so we actually plan to do it tomorrow. So we'll be able to finish that and submit that to the state. It's not due until the end of June. We're just we like to get things off our list. So we'll take

071care of that tomorrow. Would you provide us with that update as well next month after you report it to the state? Of course. Absolutely. When you get that done, you report that back. >> Absolutely. >> Um upcoming events. I'm sure just like every other building, we have a ton going on. Uh May 20th, so this Wednesday, we have our track and field day. Um as the title one coordinator, we have decided that we will have our annual parent meeting. Um in between the elementary and intermediate track and field days, which has worked well in the past. We were trying to catch parents where while they're here and we'll be doing a year float for that. No school on the 25th. We have our culminating uh fifth grade camp waffle field trip. So that will be

072for fifth graders on the 27th and 28th. Our IPO is extremely generous and they actually provide a fun day for our students here. So our our IPO fun day will happen on June 3rd and then we will say goodbye to our students on June 4th. The fifth grade waffle truck also got a call out by the young lady that would be a great >> All right, the elementary school breakfast buddies was a new family engagement opportunity which was a collaborative effort between our school nutrition program and our LPO. A huge success. We decided to spread it between two mornings uh where it's essentially what it is is we invite families in to come have breakfast with their littles, see our wonderful breakfast nutrition program. Our our kitchen staff wanted to showcase what they got and

073they sure did impress. We had over 185 participants come during those two mornings. Uh just put it out there to see what happened and so successful. Michelle and her team said, "Can we do this again?" Uh, in fact, do you want to do this twice a year? I'm like, okay, are you sure you want to do this? Yeah, we want to do this. So, they're literally hungry for more and we'll keep it going. Uh, next you did that. >> Yeah, I saw it. It's a very punny night tonight. I love it. >> We're going to keep going. Here comes another pun, but I didn't I can't claim this one, but uh we had a special day in the forest as well, which was on May 1st, but this was created by the specialist team. Uh,

074it was a wonderful day. Uh so our music, art, physical education, library and school counseling team created a collaborative event out of the school force. What they did is they combined their hour block, invited every single grade level out there and they provided class specialist class in the forest that day. So from storytelling and campfires and charades around with a util ukulele around the campfire to nature stamps and coloring pictures to actual storytelling with Annie Brighten by the creek with then a collaborative art build with the three little pigs with sticks to see can you actually make it. So, the wolf, which was a leaf blower dressed up as an actual wolf. Oh, yes. The detail is amazing. The kids absolutely loved it. The specials team was ecstatic saying, "Can we do one of these

075every single season?" I'm like, "I am not going to get in your way. In fact, what do you need?" Like, so it it's truly incredible to see teams just get creative, get collaborative, and create wonderful opportunities for kids. So, huge shout out to that team. They didn't have to do that, but they truly go above and beyond any moment they can to collaborate and create wonderful opportunities for kids. The 4K team, which is also sitting right here, which is pretty cool. Uh 4K orientation was a true hit and truly amazing. Uh we had over 65 families come in in the middle of the workday to learn what it's going to be like for their incoming little little warriors coming in to start their journey. Uh, one of the things that was really unique and a

076huge shout out to Amanda Warner, Annie Brighton, and Jessica Woodcock for creating a video which captures the day in the life of a 4ker as said by our current 4K kids. So, you can only imagine how cute and sweet that is. But it essentially it puts any young parent who's goes, "What is 4K? We didn't have it around when I went through. What actually is it?" So, it's a it's a video that captures how do you even drop your kid off? How does my kid get here? What's this even look like to all the way to the end of the day? And then they interview kids asking, "What's your favorite part about 4K?" And so, it's truly amazing. The it the video is actually linked. They have access to the video, right, Becky? I linked

077it in my notes. >> Oh, sure. Yep. >> Yeah. So, if you want to watch it, it's about eight minutes of pure cuteness and joy. Uh there. Uh, another shout out comes to the second grade team for continuing the Arvark tradition of Arthur's Club. I when I went down to Ellie's, I guess it's been 20 years that they've been going down to Ellie's and enjoying ice cream at the Sugar Bowl. Uh, but this crew, even though it's a smaller crew, read over 1,600 books in the span of just a month and got to see the Arthur Quiz Bowl in action as well after the Sugar Bowl. Uh, Arthur knowledge was great and the phone a friend lifeline was interesting to see them go, "Oh yeah, I can use this and ask people for help." Which

078was quite fun. and then capturing off all the fun the Monasuri Show and Share. If nobody's ever been to that event, it's magical seeing these students who put their heart and soul into things that truly they are excited about and it is completely studentdriven, student led that they create at school is is just breathtaking. So, it's a it's an evening where families come in and these kids present. So they stand there and they present and they've got their seven facts and they stand there in confidence because they know their stuff. You're talking like the pyramids of Giza. You're talking the life cycles of a bullfrog. You're talking the solar systems. These are first graders guys. Like you want to understand multiplication tables. Here they are. They they'll just tell you and it's like you're six.

079Okay. Tell me more about things I myself don't know. But it's it's truly incredible to see these kids share in confidence and it's it's remarkable. So, shout out to that team of teachers to to build confidence in children to be able to to answer questions from adults in real moments. Uh coming up, uh I'm impressed you did a walk-athon because I feel like May's a marathon. Uh, as we get ready for track and field day, I'm excited because we're including 4K in track and field, which has never really been been a part of it before, but Miss Herson over there is pretty excited to bring 4K in. And in her first time at it, she's like, why not? Let's see what happens. Um, we've got second grade going on some field trips. Kindergarten going on

080a field trip. We are doing National Hamburger Day uh for the end of the year picnic. Uh, first grade's going on a field trip. 4K is going on a field trip. We've got our volunteers, uh, the individuals who've been spending the entire year with us volunteering their time. I believe we're at 14 people who have continually come in week after week. We're going to be honoring them on campus with us uh, last day and then in service day. >> Uh, that you're sprinting the whole month of May. I expect no less from Miss Hamilton. 4K is in there. And I sense this recurring theme with food. This National Hamburger Day. Tell me more. I want to join. >> I too like hamburger. >> Very cool. I like I like that picnic. I didn't get invited

081to the senior one, but so I have to go hang out with the chat rooms. Sounds great. All right. Thanks. Um so this um end of the year is a time where I meet with our outside providers. We have outside providers for our physical therapy and our occupational therapy that come in and support our students um who have that as part of the services in their IEP. Um I we did this last year. I met with them. Um it was it's it's always remarkable to hear what they think of our students and our staff and it's always really good reports. Um, last year we made some big changes in our OT department and I would say myself and our special ed teams are pretty happy with the changes that we made. So we have some

082really good partnerships with our therapists in our community um that is do well supporting our students. So that was always good to meet with them at the end of the year here. And then part part of the end of the year for students supported by who are graduating is that you have to have a final IEP meeting, a graduation IEP meeting. It's kind of just putting the bow and the ribbons on all the services that they have. Making sure we have we had filled some documents that they can take with them to whatever their next step in life is. Kind of gives them a snapshot of the supports they need. Um it's one of my favorite meetings to have with students because we talk about advice from the team members and you know we wish

083them best and give them advice. Um it's always heartwarming and it's one of my favorite. So I've got to enjoy those the last month. So some great seniors graduate this year. That's for sure. >> Yeah, those are so important too. whatever whatever they're going to next. Um they're they're super important and um you've done a lot of great work there and I know um I had a a student benefit. One of my own children um was a direct beneficiary of that and uh it served him well to go to tech school. This is a kid I didn't think was going to make it out of kindergarten. So >> I mean just it's it's okay he did it twice but >> he went to tech school and that served him val invaluable. So, it was um

084a great thing you guys do and what a shout out to all of our volunteers that we have. They really make especially in our our lower grades, but boy, they sure make a huge difference in our district and just thanks a lot for all of our volunteer. Thank you for recognizing them in that way. So, that's awesome. You're welcome to come that day if you want. >> I'll send you an invite. >> All right. Thank you. Probably going to be hamburgers. Uh, probably muffins in the morning. >> Cake. I don't know. Okay, that sounds good. I like muffins, too. >> All right. Um, we have nothing for committee reports. I think you guys meet. You meet later this week. >> We meet tomorrow. >> Building grounds meets tomorrow. So, we'll look forward to hearing that

085the next time we get together. And we've already done the recognition recognition from the Arrowhead Officials Association. So, and that was a a welcome another nice plaque to add to the trophy case. So, thank you for that. And then that brings us off to the first reading of board policy 751 uh1, security cameras on school buses. >> Okay, this is a mandate of us that we don't have in policy at present, and we're going to put it in policy. Though in practice, we sort of already do have the requirements met. So, it's short, so I'll read it to you. The board authorizes the district to install and operate video and audio surveillance on district buses to enhance student safety and well-being. The district will notify parents/ students that video and audio recordings may occur. Signs

086noting surveillance will be mounted in buses. Recordings are strictly confidential and may only be used by school officials and law enforcement for investigations. School discipline and criminal prosecutions related to incidents in or around the bus. Only the transportation director, bus driver, school principles, and district administrator shall be authorized to view bus surveillance. Principles and district administrator may authorize other staff to view bus surveillance. The transportation director shall determine the placement of video cameras. The monitoring system shall not be used to monitor driver behavior except to help school staff correct student behaviors. And this is a first reading. You'll see it again in June. If you have questions, I'd be happy to try them. >> Any questions on the policy this time? All right. We'll be seeing that then come back in June. Thank you. Uh

087then we can go off to our action items. And that brings us to the liability and insurance renewals with lead homes. Thank you very much for being patient and I didn't move you up, but you know, it wasn't much. So, thank you. some year might get even closer. Good evening everybody. It's a pleasure to to be here. It seems like uh 12 months goes by in a big hurry. Uh the school district's property and casualty insurance renews every year on July 1st. And if you recall the prior two years I've been here, I've had some difficult news to deliver to the to the board. But not this year. still is a big number, but the pain of large property insurance rate increases has settled down. The market still is a little bit in turmoil, but

088the massive increases that we've had to talk about the last two years has settled down. Um, and the deductible situation hasn't improved dramatically, but it hasn't gotten worse. So, things have settled down. they have flattened a great deal. I believe in your packet you got a summary sheet that uh our agency put together. I'm kind of a bottom number guy to start with. So instead of reporting large increases, uh I'd like to go to the very bottom bottom right hand corner. Overall, we're down about $1,000 this year instead of being up 15,000 or 20,000 or $22,000. So, the first bit of good news is we're not up we're not down a lot, but we're at least down. Um, the largest portion of uh your insurance package is with an insurance company called EMC, who I

089would say is the preferred insurance vendor not only in Wisconsin but in the Midwest. Uh, last year, EMC's premium for the school district, including the work comp insurance, was about $356,000. Like I said, we don't take that number lightly. It's a very large number. This year we're up about $1,500 to $357,000. We had some changes within the EMC numbers. We have some increased coverage on the buildings because we're on a replacement cost basis. So, we did get something for that uh $1,500. Um, as you know, the district had some budget cuts. So, our payrolls uh are down. We're down to about $ 122.2 million. So, our work comp uh premium has been affected by that. But the other bit of good news I'd like to report tonight, uh, the school district's experience modification. So, it's

090kind of a profitability index of how we do with work comp claims. We still got some work to do, but last year we were at a 1.61 mod. Now, the state of Wisconsin sets this. It's a complicated formula of how many dollars of medical claims, how many dollars of lost wage claims, how many claims, and there's a lot of information that goes into this calculation, but last year we were at 1.61. This year, we're down to 1.45. So that's a 16% reduction in cost just in that factor. That's a huge jump. >> So between the payroll reduction and the improvement in experience modification, we made a lot of headway in the work comp area and that's what really allowed us to say we have a flat renewal this year with EMC from last year to

091this year. The other three smaller policies uh below the EMC uh cyber insurance is very important to a school district. Uh we're going to recommend a change in company this year. From where they come up with these names, I do not know, but Cowbell. Uh we're going to go to a very wellrespected company called the Travelers. Uh we're going to save a few dollars there, but uh Travelers is providing really really good service right now. So, we're going to propose a change in that policy effective January 1st. Storage tank liability, that's Ryan's area. We got to make sure our fuel tanks don't leak. So, uh, we're up a few hundred there. And I've heard wonderful things about our volunteers. We like to protect our volunteers in case they get hurt. So, uh, we've got a

092small volunteer accident policy that just doesn't seem to change from year to year. So, if you add all that up, we're looking at $374,500 last year. We're looking at $373,600 this year. So, like I said, we're about $1,000 down. I tried to figure out that percentage I did, but it's it's way less than 1% down. So, basically flat, which in this marketplace, I think is very good news. And the travelers um cyber is uh are is the policy and the coverage comparable to cowbell? Is it the same better? Where are we looking at there? >> At least comparable. I'm going to meet with Sean and the other IT folks. We have to fill out a an application or two. But uh like I said, uh the broker that we work with, Trior Insurance, they ensure

093well over 150 schools. So we're not the only school that's migrating from Calbell to Traveler. So it will be at least equivalent and it wouldn't be a bit surprised if we don't pick up a perk or two. >> Okay. >> Because it's certainly um relevant in today's society of what's happening on. >> Absolutely. >> Any other questions? >> What's the um inflation guarder the number that happens on the on the buildings? Steve, I believe it's always fallen between four and 6%. So, I'm going to lean closer to 6% just because of the cost of materials and labor is still very expensive. >> And how often are we are we relooking at that to do the re-evaluation to make sure that inflation doesn't get outside of the norm. The buildings I won't say are are rebuilt

094on paper every single year, but at least one or two buildings every year, they come back with us with suggestions to increase coverage. um on one of the sheets that was in your packet, the the the property insurance on just the building. So, the four schools, the bus garage, and then the multitudes of other small structures. Last year, we had a little over $104 million of coverage. And because of that inflation protection, uh, I mentioned we got a little extra for the $1,500. We gained another $5 million in coverage. So, we're up to 109 million. Now, is that the right number? >> We don't know until something happens, right? But we're we're blanketed. So, >> each school kind of sits on its own. But if the high school is destroyed and that particular amount of

095insurance isn't enough, we can steal from the other three schools. So, I mean, we've got we've got an abundance of of flexibility. >> I just know that that's a piece that can get out of hand if we're not watching it. So, that we're watching it is great. >> Yeah. And I would say in years past that inflation guard was probably a little low. So, we've been making up for a lost time, but yeah, we're we're not trying to inflate these building numbers at all, and we're we're still a little concerned making sure we're where we need to be. >> Other questions? >> Jim, is the experience mod under workman's compensation, is that on a three-year rolling average? >> It is. It's a three-year calculation. And uh I have not looked at the calculation in a

096bit, but what we're seeing in the school's performance, we probably had one large claim or a few claims that third year probably fell off. So that's why we went down 16 points. So if we can have future success in the next few years with nothing major, then yes, another bad year will fall off. Obviously, we want to get to 1.00. That's buying a dollar's worth of insurance for $1, but the Amry School District has been below one. We want to get back to the 0.90.85 days. So you can get a 10% discount or a 15% discount rather than in this case for this year a 45 cent sir charge. >> If my memory served me right, I think we had three that were substantial. One fell off this year. I think we have two remaining

097and those I think are due to fall off next year. >> That'd be good news. >> Yeah. And uh our office receives quarterly loss runs from TriRiccore Insurance and we forward those to the district office for all claims but specifically for the work comp. So we can see what claims are closed, what claims are open, you know, financial information on how those claims are going. So that's how we keep our finger on on those types of claims. I smile bringing you up here tonight because last last year was brutal. >> Two years were brutal. >> Yes, the last three years were brutal. I think last year was worse. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions for Mr. Leeholm? could entertain a motion to uh approve the liability insurance renewals as presented. >> I'll make that motion.

098>> Steve, is there a second? >> Second. >> Gwen, it's been properly moved and seconded to accept the liability insurance renewals as presented uh by Mr. Leeholm here this evening. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving the um insurance liability renewal as presented, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. >> Motion approved. The liability insurance has been renewed. >> Thanks for coming. >> Thank you very much. Our agency really appreciates our relationship and your business over these last many, many years. So again, thank you. >> Thanks for bringing us a redneck tonight. I'll I'll do my best for next year. >> All right, we'll hold you to it. >> Good night. >> Okay, and we're back with Dylan

099again. We've seen familiar face tonight. WIAA membership renew. I can't believe we're here again already. We just did this. >> I know. It's crazy. The annual um Yep. renewal for the WAEA um has come up here again for us and I figured we just get taken care of as sooner rather than later. Um, every August, uh, the renewal is due for all schools, uh, that wish to participate in any form of athletics. If we want to play any sport at all against any other school, we have to be a part of the WA. They help uh, coordinate some officials, tournament, series, um, and help with a laundry list of other things. Um, and so what I'm coming here with you folks for today is approval, um, for us to renew our membership, um, with the

100WA. You >> sure you still want to be part of it? >> Yeah. am. Yes. >> Yep. Can't play ball. >> All right. Just just wanted to make sure. >> Good. A >> lot of hot button issues there in the old WIAA as of late in our our hockey. I would assume that the the hockey people have a lot to say about this whole competitive >> situation. So, >> yeah, there's some pros and cons to it. I think there's been, you know, there was with the competitive balance uh equation that we were looking for over the past few years. Um, obviously we have some more data to collect over these next few years how it plays out, but if you're an angry hockey fan person going from D2 to D1 frustrating. So, >> yeah, right.

101>> Like what? >> But yeah, anyways, we'll we'll keep moving forward and keep getting on the ice and on the field of course and playing like Warriors. >> All right. Um, >> your approval anyway. >> Is there a little optimistic? Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh I will make a motion uh that we approve membership into the WIA. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Larry properly moved and seconded to approve the WIAA membership renewal for the sports listed. Uh is there any discussion? I would like to remind everyone board members that we are then subject to the WIAA membership rules and um what they say. We don't have a lot of um latitude when it comes to deciding things um moving forward. That's up to the WIAA. When you decide to be part of the membership,

102you also then make the commitment to follow their rules and regulations. So, just want to make sure that everybody's aware of that. Any other discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of renewing the WIAA membership for 2627 year, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. >> Motion pass. Part of the WIAA membership for another year. >> Fantastic. Thank you guys. >> I think we have some track stars that are going to be real happy about that. See some see some state championships coming our way, I think. Uh and then we're off to the second reading of board policy 346, student assessments with Miss Diamio. >> All right. Well, wonderful. As you shared, this is a second uh reading of this board policy as

103I shared last month and the first reading is just we are up for universal monitoring. So, making sure that our board policies are up to date and relevant. Um so, this policy outlines how the district measures and supports student learning through ongoing assessments in all subject areas. So this means upon enrollment and then annually thereafter students will be assessed using a variety of measures that include classroom performances, teacher observation, standardized testing as well as portfolios. So each year the superintendent and the director of curriculum instruction will come to you as the board and share with you what our local and state assessments are. Um this ensures that assessments are administered properly, that student records are stored accurately and protected and that parents are informed about testing. Um, finally, all students are expected to participate in

104required assessments along with accommodations, those protected by an IEP and a 504. But it also highlights that um, parents may opt their child out of certain state assessments um, and then local assessments as well just by submitting written documentation to a building principal to inform them of that. Right. Much has changed since the first reading there. Is there a motion to approve the uh board policy 346 student assessment as presented? >> So moved. >> Glenn, is there a second? >> Second, >> Steve, it's been properly moved and seconded to approve board policy 346, student assessments. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving the um policy 346 student assessments, please signify by saying I. >> I. I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed.

105Board policy 346 is approved and accepted. And Mr. Gold, after the we're we're going somewhere. >> Yeah. Looking for approval for two years from now, 22 months from now um to take a foreign language trip um to east coast of Spain, southern France, and northern Italy. Similar to a couple trips we've done the past two times. Um it's been a great experience and basically we're looking at a once in a lifetime opportunity for these kids what we're trying to provide and they pick up the vast majority of the tab themselves. The only thing that we cover is out of my budget um I pay for a bus to take them to the airport on their departure day. But the rest all families cover and it's been a wonderful wonderful experience. I will make a motion

106that we approve the foreign language student trip March 13th through the 21st, 2028. So, it's been properly moved and seconded to approve the 2028 student trip March 13th through the 21st off to some great uh lands. Is there any discussion? Do we only do these trips every other year? It takes that long to pay for. >> I'm sure it does. >> Well, it used to be back in the day, right? Every other year France, every other year the >> Spanish trip and now it's been combined. They go every other year. >> Yeah. Which is kind of Yeah. kind of nice. And And everybody got home this year on time. And Yeah. >> A luggage or two, I think. But it's good. >> Did we ever get a bag? >> I have no idea. It wasn't

107my concern. >> Okay. Literally not my problem. >> All right, with that then is there any more discussion about the 2028 student trip? Hearing none will proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving the foreign language trips March 13th to the 20 uh to the 21st in 2028. I just can't even believe that we're saying that already. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. Go forth and conquer. All right, off to math curriculum order for grades 6 through 12. Miss Damrosio, back again. A lot of lot of familiar faces presented tonight. You're going to run out of air here pretty soon, Jess. Um, so we have a curriculum cycle of every seven years. We find it very important that

108we stay relevant and have a rigorous curriculum in front of our students. So every seven years, a new department is up for curriculum cycle. So this past year, I worked closely with the middle and the high school math team to assess the need, look at data, and even pilot um several different curriculums to land on what is a really great fit, what's going to meet our academic needs of our students, and what is um a great resource to promote growth of all kids. Um so what's before you right now is just our curriculum oversight committee. So a step in the process is that we have a curriculum oversight committee. I am the chair of that. So after we go through the rigorous process of vetting materials, um getting quotes, piloting the program, we then bring

109this recommendation to the curriculum oversight committee. Gwen was a part of a recent meeting that we had. We walked through the recommendations from the high school and middle school math departments. Um next steps upon your approval would be materials would be ordered after July 1st. They would be inventory. We would then send them to each building and then we would ensure that professional development is ongoing. Um, if this is approved tonight, we actually already have professional development scheduled for the middle and high school that would take place this summer once materials are received. So, we can get going on them utilizing the resource and becoming familiar with it. So, the next slide in front of you is the recommendations that are coming from the middle school. Middle school uh currently owns connected math. Uh, CMP

110is what it's called for short. Uh, the manufacturer is Lab Aids is the curriculum company. And then as a supplemental resource, um, we are requesting Math EXL. So again, CMP is something that's currently being used. Obviously, math scores would highlight that it's working very well. Our middle school teachers are all trained in it, so it's a very familiar tool for them. I will say they did a great job vetting other resources just in case this didn't continue to be a good fit. But ultimately, we landed on uh this is a really great program for our kids. Um, the supplemental and intervention is is So that's a computer-based program where students would go in, they'll take an initial test. It's aligned with the Wisconsin state standards and then as they move through the program, it's computer

111adaptive. So as a student is learning and growing, it will continue to challenge them and meet their need. So it's a very personalized individual tool. So this is a good good balance of uh in person on paper as well as a digital tool to to push each kid for their own growth. The price point um of each of these is is before you um we work really hard to to get these prices to where they were. Again, this is a seven-year cycle. Um so a seven-year cycle can um includes consumables if the program has consumables as well as a digital seat. And so this ensures that every student that passes through the middle school, same will be said for the high school and it has a digital seat. So this is encomp encompasses every student

112that will move through. So we're guaranteed um you know 2100 seats as students move through. So this is the middle school recommendation. >> That is the sevenyear number. >> That is a sevenyear number for both curriculums. >> So roughly >> is that um is that an outly cash right away or is that over? >> It is right away. >> And so then is it capitalized? >> What do you mean by that? Do we spread it out to to hit the financial burden? >> We don't because we have a curriculum cycle come due every single year. The next year we have a K5 math and we have an applied arts. So every year in the budget we have $140,000 for curriculum. As you'll see here, the number is about 140. >> Okay. >> So looking next

113at the high school. So worked um with them a lot. Uh piloted amplified Desmos. They actually they piloted that multiple time multiple times throughout the year. Um initially went into it just as a as a pilot ended up they really really liked it. So we had full access to the program and with the blessing of amplify they were able to mix that in throughout the year and all upper upper and and lower level math classes which it was a really good fit. Um so the recommendation for their core their core tier one curriculum is amplified desmos math and then two recommendations for supplemental and intervention. So, Delta Math Solutions um is a program that they can that they do use they currently do. So, it's actually just a renewal uh where all of the teachers

114at the high school teaching math have used utilized this to come up with different assessments and retaches as well as win. Um and then mathematic as well. What was really big focus is starting when at the high school has taken a lot of time and energy really digging into the data of what's needed. But a whole another layer of that is what tool is there. You know, prior to starting intervention and win this year, um it really had their core curriculums and that was it. And so what we really learned is that there's core curriculums and they're really good at what they do and then there's intervention and supplemental tools. And so I'm really excited. They were really on board. They they dug really deep into what was going to work. Um and so I'm

115really excited that they have intervention tools that that they feel good about in their behind. Um, Amplify the core curriculum really has individualized learning. Um, we wanted to ensure that there was universal assessments and then a great added bonus of Amplify is it has a really intense response to intervention. Um, which is exactly what we need right now to meet the needs of our students. So looking at those, this is the the price point for all three. Um, again core curriculum is amplified, then two supplemental, delta, and mathematic. And that would bring the high school in at a little over 67,000. So in total, as Sean shared, our total budget is is 140. We work really hard, even down to the shipping cost. Uh I get them down from 12% to 7%. We go back

116and forth for quite a while. Uh we were able to land at $148,638.34. Did you guys have any questions for me on any of the resources or or how they're going to be used within the classrooms? >> Jess, could you mention for a moment steps of which people have seen this, you go through your curriculum committees, your curriculum oversight, just to mention what that process looks like. >> So, we we do spend the entire year vetting it. Um, I'm sure in August when I email the next group that's up, they're probably groaning at an email getting getting sent in August. Um, I just want them to make sure that they have enough time. So, our timeline is always that we start looking into resources right away, August, September, and October. They know um that I

117want them to be piloting resources by October, November, December. We're meeting multiple times in vertical PLC's. So, that'd be, you know, your math teachers. Um, so we're meeting in vertical PLC's to talk about how the piloting went, the pluses, the minuses. Um, we meet multiple times with the vendors, multiple times with both middle and high school. we would sit down and we would zoom with different vendors. So much so that we even met with Oaklair School District earlier this fall. They were they were using a program that we were considering. So we spend a lot of time in the fall with teachers getting used to it, piloting it. U they're asking kids how they feel about it. Is it user friendly? What's the technology component? Um so after it goes to the vertical PLC teams,

118I will bring it to the admin team. It then goes to curriculum oversight committee as well. It has to be approved before we move we move to here. technology is a big piece of that. We want to make sure that the digital resources are protecting our students data. Um Lonnie and Annie are big parts of that as well as Greta and we make sure that any online components will sync up, you know, will sync up with whatever program we need. So syncs with our Clever or SIS program, however it's being brought into the school district. So final steps, um we'll be bringing it here to you. We've taken a little longer piloting this program and and deciding on this math curriculum as well, did we not? >> Yeah, we I know at the middle school

119we the two actually it's strange you came down to CMP and CPM those are the two main ones. >> Make sure you get the right one. >> Yeah. And and you know it's meeting with it's not just looking at um which program we like the best, but it's also meeting with their vetting out the costs and everything and where it's coming in. Um, we have been with CMP for 25 years or longer, but like I said, we've had consistently the highest math scores in the state. So, we're going to I said I told the committee, I said, I better we better see something just amazing to get to go away from it because we've had a massive success because of the way it's taught. Um, and we're really happy with it. Um, we were in

120a program called Math Excel, which instead of IXL, so talking about talent and, um, we went away from that to my math. Well, first of all, they weren't going to renew it anymore. It was kind of going away. So, we had to find a new one. But what we like with EXL is that it's also going to replace a program called Moby Mack. So, there's another program that's not shown here that's going to save $1,000 that we're going to cut for the next seven years. So, the costs are going to probably be right in the budget that we >> And a big part of it, too, is looking at data. I know at the high school level, we looked a lot at the different strands of math, right? It's not K5 math is is easier

121because it's every classroom is going to be using the same resource, right? All third grade teachers are going to have the same teacher curriculum. Um, at the high school it's different, right? We have pre-alggebra, algebra, geometry, stats. I mean, we really calc we really had to dig into are all of them being met. At one point we considered, do we need a different resource for each course? Um, Amplify meets all of those. Desmos is a way of teaching math actually. So Amplify is is the curriculum. Desmos is how it's taught. Um and so we really looked into the data of each of the courses. We looked into the intervention tools. What was really important with both of these is there are some and this kind of blows my mind as a curriculum director is there's

122some curriculums out there that don't contain assessments. And so we as a as a team sat down and said it's really important that whatever resource we pick has assessments so we know what our kids know and that it has intervention tools. So any student that's lagging behind that, we can take that time to close those gaps. You know, in both buildings, really good win and intervention model. So we need to make sure that we have the time and space, but we also have the tools to give the kids what they need to make sure that they're growing. We know on a state report card that you know what's important and outcomes for kids is that each each kid is growing. And so how do we do that is is by assessing and by intervention kids.

123So I feel good about both and I think the teachers feel really good about both. They had a big they had a big voice in it as well and I'm I'm really confident in the in what we bring you tonight for you to consider. >> Glad you were on the committee. What do you got? >> Um well a big thank you of course to Jessica the principles and to all the teachers because I was so super impressed sitting there in the curriculum meeting how the teachers were able to explain the curriculum to those of us that weren't sitting in their classroom and the benefits it had for our students. And of course, that's a big thing that we always want to progress our students forward. And I think the the math teachers, um, I don't

124know, they were just like a big cheerleader for this program and we're so excited about it. And so, um, personally, I was just like thrilled, wanted to sit in on it and see some of the behind the the scenes work that took place. Thank you. It's a lot. Um, and yeah, yay. I love math and I was impressed with what they had say. Well, well, K5 math is up next year. So, we'll do this. >> That will probably not go so well for me, but we'll we'll see. >> That K5 stuff is tough. I think it's funny that you say that. >> I love that K5 stuff is too easy for you. >> I'm excited. I'm >> You have amazing teachers. That's that's all we'll say. >> Yeah. And in the at the high school,

125we feel good in the direction of kind of helping there. And >> I'm just excited to have my math department back. >> Yeah. >> Haven't had that in five years. We rotated two teachers out every year for five years. >> Yeah, we're we're excited too. >> Yeah, that's going to go in a great direction there for you. And um if they're on board, that that sounds good. So, >> do I have a motion to approve the grade 6 through 12 math curriculum? >> I would. So, move that. >> Yes. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the max curriculum order for grades 6 through 12 as presented. Is there any any further discussion? Go math. >> Go math. >> All right. Hearing none, we'll proceed to

126vote. All those in favor of approving the curriculum purchase uh for math grades 6 through 12 as presented, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. >> All right, we're going to go buy some math curriculum and set up your training. Thank you very much for all the hard work. Thank you. >> Okay, Lonnie's been skulking by the door and waiting patiently for us for a long time now. So, Lonnie, you're up for a stack laptop. >> All right. Um, current needs right now, uh, our current totals of laptops currently own 176 during our last purchase that we made. Uh, we're reducing that number down to 136. So what we're trying to do is order new laptops for the 26 27 school year going forward. Uh the time

127frame for these will be about 3 to four years uh for these to last. Our current systems are running Windows 11. They were purchased in 2022. Uh so we're getting along the two and the requirements have far surpassed what we're currently operating. Um, we're looking to get 16inch Dell or 16inch laptops. Uh, we've settled on the Dell Pro 16s Dell because they have been extraordinary partners uh, in cost and in financing. So, so far they've been able to come in about $200 cheaper than any other vendor and have our payments for the the leasing is about on average$1 to $2,000 as well. Um they offer the three-year lease on those and those will be three year three to five year leases. Uh and as you can see we're at they offer both monthly and annual

128annual payments. Uh if we go monthly is significantly more expensive and the annual payments are a lot 53,000 for the for threeyear 41842 for the fourth year and 3411 with for the 5year and those are all have the three-year warranty. So if we do uh purchase these and do the long-term lease, that warranty will not cover it during that period. So I would I would not recommend doing that. Um got three leasing options that we have brought up. uh one from Dex Capital and for a three-year yearly amount it was 55,000 compared to the 51,000 and for Vantage Financial is 55,000. Uh so it is significantly cheaper. Any questions? >> So what are you looking from what are you looking for from us? Do we have to >> year or do we do you add

129on a year as you know how they're holding up or how does it work? I try to plan for plan out for three years. If we can get more than that out there, we do. I do not lock in on a new purchase date. If we can assess them going forward and have capable of meeting our needs, I'll hang on to them. Uh current versions that we currently have uh as I was saying have 8 gigs of RAM. Requirements for Windows 11 is 16 gigs of RAM. Those devices are still functional. Uh our accounts have gone down since we purchased them due to device failure and hardware failure and battery failure. Uh but those devices still can be used going forward by consolidating hardware for other devices. >> So what you're charged with tonight is

130to approve whether we're purchasing laptops. Lonnie and I would work together and determine whether it's three or four years. Please note that we only have one bid here, but we saw other bids. Dell was the only outfit that would bid. The others simply didn't choose to. >> Yeah. And I'm on that technology committee and and we've got people from every building on that committee and there was just an awful lot of talk about failures, right? So, we have to do something. We're running out of time on the current equipment we have. So, I would make a motion that we approve the purchase of the laptops as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. It's been properly moved and uh seconded to approve the purchase of the laptops as presented. Is there further discussion? All

131right, hearing none, we will proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving the purchase of stack laptops and 136 uh laptops at the price of $1,144.39 per device, please signify by saying I. >> I. I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. Thanks for waiting so patiently. Very short presentation. You know how to sell it, Bonnie. >> Thank you. All right. Um and then off to the big one of staff salary increases uh that we discussed in our last meeting. >> Okay. We have four employee groups. Um we have support staff, clubhouse staff, certified staff and administrative staff. The item you see on the screen are the support staff groups. Uh you'll see their titles there custodial and school nutrition, para educator, van driver, and that second column is secretary and

132then on the far right are is your information about bus driver. The black uh font crossed off is existing wage. the yellow font um and looks like in the background red are the new numbers. Uh this would be a new scale which would start for support staff folks after the 1st of July. And there are a few other things that would be bus driver that also were altered in regards to subdriver pay and meal reimbursement and so forth. And I'm not sure if we want to take these one at a time or all at once, but that's what the support staff scale looks like. and uh I'll let you tell me what you want to do, how you want to handle it. >> Um, in my opinion, I think that the board has um seen

133and has kind of pulled apart both or all of the subcategories of staff. Um, I I'm making some assumptions here, but I'm not sure that we would act on one or two and not on others. So, um I think we could take them all together. Is that a safe assumption? >> Do I need to see them? >> Um >> Yes. I >> We can't take them all together. However, you could take them all except for one. >> We um we could. Is that what you would like to do? >> Yes. >> Okay. But I'd also like to state um you know this was tabled last time u because of obviously the financial situation what we've discussed tonight and the fact that we were looking for the information coming back from uh Jim on the renewal.

134So I appreciate that. So uh I'm glad we're bringing it back up for discussion. Um and obviously your um issue that you are going to have here would be the um support staff portion. Um so we could take a motion there first and then we could lump the rest together if that's okay with the rest of the board. >> That's that's okay. That's fine. Nobody else has to abstain for anything else. So >> um is there a motion What say you for support staff >> compensation and benefits? Are we looking take a motion to approve? >> I will make a motion to approve salary increases for uh support staff. >> Is there a second? >> Second. It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the support staff increases as presented um in the board packet.

135>> It might make sense at this time to put up on the screen what that price point impact is. And Becky has that as a slide. So the support staff uh scale increase the natural growth meaning you're at level D now. You're going to become level E. And then the salary increase, the scale increase, meaning the scale moved forward is $102,941. That will never be exact because your employee group will never remain the same. There's always people coming and going in all of these categories. So that would be the price point going in. So as part of that discussion um I also agree that um there was a um a great amount of work that went into um deciding what this would look like. We had this presented at our last regular board meeting. Um

136I think it was beneficial to have the um special meeting that we had a couple weeks ago uh last week I guess um with there to see what that um financial impact looked like and what our budget forecast looked like. Uh I had a dollar mind a dollar number in my mind that I needed to see uh on that presentation before being willing to move ahead with um the salary increases that we saw here. um we've hit that in in my goal. Um but I'm certainly not going to ask the rest of the board to have that same goal as I do. Um but I I thought that there was a lot of meaningful work that went into preparing this um presentation uh and an option that we could um keep moving forward with our

137existing staff in a meaningful way. Any further discussion on uh support staff increase hearing? None. We'll proceed to vote. All those in favor then of approving the support staff increase as presented, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. >> And Steve will be abstaining from the vote for the record. Motion passed. support staff uh salary increases are approved and then we could take clubhouse child care um certified staff and administrative staff. >> Okay. While the second scale there you see on the left margin of the screen again yellow crossed off or white white black yellow whatever black crossed off is the existing wage. Yellow is the proposed new wage. And you saw on that previous screen what that total number of dollars uh is. And this is

138again for clubhouse child care. The certified staff compensation scale. Uh red crossed off staff existing wage. Yellow is salary increase. Uh we have had a lot of conversation about what to do with the salary scale and the the work that we will set about to do in the fall. on the Wii is not just administration but working with their advisory committee of certified staff is to look at this scale itself the structure of it and how you move through it and that's going to be what we're going to hit the ground running in September a couple of points of emphasis is it does it take too long to get from the beginning to the end uh is it are you able to acrew enough PDH professional development hours to get where you need to be

139uh based on the logistics of doing so and are the numbers where they need to be in regards to being a competitive employer. So those are all conversations for the fall. That's where we left off a couple of weeks. Actually was last week when we talked last. So that's the salary compensation scale for the certified staff. There isn't the compensation scale for administrative team. It's simply a gross number of dollars. And please note in that administrative team, district team, and I'll speak in exact numbers, the present rate of pay for the uh director of finance in the school district of Amry is $82,000 a year. That would probably put that position in the bottom 10 district of uh director of finance uh people in the entire state of Wisconsin. So that's been pushed forward to

140put us in the middle of the pack. The middle of the pack is about 110. So of that 56 almost half of it is from one position moving that forward. So those are your numbers. 423 is the total. The bar financial services presentation last week the budget number that was put in there uh for budget calculation was actually 500,000. So this is less than that. And uh we came out in good shape with 500. So, this would also be a number that would would come out in good shape if we used these numbers. Again, none of these will ever be exact because there's always people coming and going, but that's where it is right now. >> Uh Sean, do you know how many uh people make up the administrative team, district team? >> Well, the

141administrative team are these folks here, plus all of the supervisors. Transportation with Ryan, buildings with George, school nutrition with Michelle, Lonnie with it, >> 17 or 18 all together. >> Okay. >> Yes, >> good question. >> Uh, I'd entertain a motion then to move ahead with approving the salary increases for uh, clubhouse certified staff and administrative staff as presented. >> Steve, is there a second? Second, >> Larry. It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the staff salary increases uh for the remaining groups of people as presented. Is there any discussion? Um I do want to note that um uh obviously we've had a lot of talk in the last couple of months um vigorously about our budget and about what that looks like. Um, obviously we had a statement uh read tonight about what

142those things look like. Uh, we've seen a lot of um, talk from the community. We had community comments um, at our last meeting that were valued and taken into consideration um, and not taken lightly. Uh, I've also seen that um and I've had some people reach out to me personally and ask um if we considered just cutting pay for not moving forward um administrative staff. Um, and since I've had those conversations with um, people individually, I think it's worth noting here um, for the public and the rest of the board members that um, my answer to those people have been that um, the administrative team is is truly merit-based pay. I mean, uh, all of our administrative team really does have, uh, an extended amount of education, an extended amount of time and commitment, uh,

143extended amount of, uh, extra duties that they provide to the district. Um, and looking at this $56,650 impact here, um, still doesn't equal to the 1.75 million that we, um, ended up having to rightsize the budget in other ways. This also provides a meaningful um raise somewhat uh to the rest of our staff who remain and that we hope to retain um because we have great educators and if we don't do something uh I don't know how we are going to retain those staff members and I don't know how we're going to attract other staff members and I don't know what the incentive would be to continue your education forward. um as it's a great investment that that you make in your own dollars. The district uh provides very little reimbursement for your master's degrees,

144your PhDs, uh all of your continuing education other than in the form of professional development hours. Um and moving forward on that salary scale. Um that being said, I don't think that any of this decision uh given where we're at with our budget or where we were at is taken lightly. um to move ahead. And I also want to thank the uh staff that met with April and myself at a staff listening session. Um and our staff was very gracious, I think, in what their asking was this year. Uh I've sat on that committee for probably the last six years now. Um and I think our staff realizes that that they also want some uh meaningful compensation. And I'm hoping that this moves helps move that goal post a little bit more in that direction

145of favorability that we can retain and uh keep attracting really good people because we've seen some really good outcomes. And I think tonight we've seen uh a lot of good presentations from the kids, a lot of good presentations from our teachers and how creative and innovative they are. and it means a lot to the district and it means a lot to the outcomes uh for our kiddos that uh come out of here and all of those meaningful experiences that we heard about from young people on graduation day. So I hope that uh what we do here tonight can can help with that. It's not been t taken lightly. Is there any more discussion? Okay, hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of uh approving the salary increases as presented for certified clubhouse

146uh bus drivers and administrative team, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. >> Motion passed. Staff salary increases have been approved. >> And then moving on to the approval of the 2627 open enrollment applications. >> All right. We as a district are obligated to approve the ins and the outs of open enrollment. On the left and green, you see the open enrollment ins. You'll see the grades in the resident district, i.e. where they're coming from. On the right, you'll see open enrollment outs in red. Again, grade in the destination district for where they're going. And if you look towards the bottom of the page, you'll notice that the red is bigger than the green. And yes, it is a financial impact. And yes, you see a trend

147here at the bottom of New Richmond. We have talked to folks about open enrollment out and why New Richmond is that place of destination. What they have shared with us is it's purely logistical in most cases. They work that direction. So they dropped their kids on their way to work. They may live in the Alban Township, say for instance Star Prairie and they're on their way to Anderson window and they drop their son, daughter, or both off in the New Richmond school district. And on their way back home, they pick them up in the New Richmond school district and arrive home. Rather than add a half hour of time at beginning of the day and a half hour at the end of the day, on a good day, they put that time back in the

148bank. That's what they've shared with us. and most of the rest are simply our neighbors and for whatever reason that's the direction they're choosing to go. So you would need to make the motion to approve the ins and the outs for open. >> Sean, could you explain it says uh quantity 18 received 13 eligible? What's the difference between >> uh I think the way that this is crafted and I might actually have to have help from our audience member Erin Oro the 18 received of the applications that have received 13 are eligible to actually make that jump from the >> Abby could speak to this as well is due to our space limitations for >> okay so I I'm with you now I understand what you're putting there for title so the district each and

149every year by law has to uh put in place space limitations for students supported with an IEP if you are a student coming from maybe your other district to here and you have a child that has a student supported by an IEP. And if we don't have space for them, they may be eligible, but we have to turn them away because we simply don't have space for them. If they live here, then obviously they can attend here whether or not the student has been supported by an IEP. That's the difference. And that's a mandate by law for us to establish what those criteria are. >> Thank you, Abby. And thank you, Does that mean does that mean you had 13 of the 18 or >> we had to turn away five? That means we had

150to turn away. >> That's entertain a motion to approve the uh open enrollment applications in and out of the district. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the um open enrollment applications in and out of the district. Is there any further discussion? >> Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving the open enrollment applications in and out, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. The approval uh for open enrollment applications has been approved. And off to donations and grants. >> Okay, donations and grants. Fuel Up Play 60 program, thank you for selecting Amry Middle School as the recipient of a school wellness smoothie making kit and immersion blender, food safe

151buckets, field trip milk bags, and a new cart value of $2,000. Operation Roundup. Thank you for the grant of $88 for the high school student council to purchase a new popcorn machine for the concession stand. That's from the Pulk County Electric Co-op. Again, from the Pulk County uh electric co-op. Thank you for the grant of $1,000 for the Andrew School Forest to purchase education science for the property. And again, Pulk County Electric Co-op, thank you for the $1,500 grant for the egg department. It will be used to purchase fencing to contain goats in the school forest as they help eradicate buckthornne. >> Nobody's happier about that than Mr. Meyers since we're not going to have to be out chasing goats this year. >> Uh Marines for Toys for Tots Foundation. Thank you for the grant

152to purchase over 700 new books for the elementary and intermediate school libraries. Can't wait to get these books in the hands of our readers. Mark and Jake Omen, thank you for your donation of boulders for the landscaping project in front of Lean Elementary School from Shoreline, a landscaping specialist and many thanks for your generosity and support. >> Can I expand on that one? >> Yes, you can. I wanted to also offer and say a huge thanks to the Amry softball program in its entirety for doing some blood, sweat, a little bit of tears, and some parental guidance on Saturday morning. That program helped uh in droves and numbers. They came in at 6:45 and helped get that project completed. What we did is we made sure that there was actually a weed barrier down uh

153because uh the professional landscaping crew that came in for the referendum did not actually install a weed barrier in all of those landscaping beds. So, we went and rectified that wrong uh with the help of the entire softball program all the way down to the U families all day on Saturday. So, a huge shout out to Miss uh Halverson there and uh Miss Magmine for organizing that wonderful day of an entire softball program helping and Mark for donating the boulder. So, if you have not taken a peek at what that looks like, it looks incredible. >> Nice. I want to show up to Kirsten Connor who wrote the grant for the middle school that came out of a grant that she wrote and if you don't know she's writing grants non-stop like she talked about

154the food denders and she got some of the the beef beef grant she wrote this grant she's writing grants so often >> yeah call her the magic type >> she's she's very influent thank you because it takes truly takes a village there to to get that those dollars in so thanks to the soccer team very cool good community uh service project for the girls and let's er seems to be apppropo for girls softball. So the meaning is it does not make light work. It just makes the work manageable. Still >> absolutely. >> I have I have a question and it's related to donations but it's not related to what you presented. Um the senior scholarship award night >> there were so many so many scholarships. Do you know what the total was by chance? Roughly

155>> 60ome thousand I think >> it was. Yeah. >> 160,000 that and that's coming that's repeated every year. There's so many of them that repeat every year. >> Some years. Yeah. >> Yeah. Impressive number. >> Yeah. So that's and a lot of that is our local community supporting our kids too. So not directly to the district but through the district. So thank you for that as well. I would make a motion to accept the donations as >> I will second. >> It's been properly moved and seconded to accept the donations with many thanks to the district as presented. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor uh of accepting the donations to the district, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying

156no. >> Thank you for not saying no. Motion passes. The donations to the district are accepted with many thanks and personnel action. >> Okay. New employment contracts for Isaac Christensen as director of finance. Elizabeth Vulker, school psychologist, reassignments. Lily Berkkey from regular ed PAR to special ed PAR. Gwen Otto from regular ed parent to special ed teacher. Resignations. Jennifer Chivers as speech language pathologist. Vanessa Mercer, school counselor. Retirement of Gerald Johnson as a bus driver. Denial of employment position. Wanita Ragny, athletic office assistant in termination. Misty Wishard, special education para educator. >> Is there a motion to approve personnel action as presented? >> So moved. >> Gwen, is there a second? >> Second. >> Steve, it's been properly moved and seconded to accept personnel action as presented. All those in favor, please signify by saying

157I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. The uh board uh personnel action has been approved as presented. And then moving on to community comments. Um and Mark Andreine is uh here to talk on community comments. Um again, I just remind everybody to please be respectful and uh courteous to our speakers and to the board and our staff. And as you know that the board probably will not um engage in communication usually to public comments but we are here to listen to you and if there's a followup we would uh you've provided your phone number so we can do that later. >> I'm not much of a public speaker. Um I think last month um I'd like to introduce myself a little more. I attended neighboring schools K through 12.

158Both my kids went to K through 12 here. Um, I spent 10 years in law enforcement in this city. I'm working with the schools quite a bit and I'm a disabled combat veteran. I say that to say this. I didn't appreciate last month what he's doing right now. Dr. Derler hiding behind his hand not paying attention to community commenters when he's looked at and engaged every other speaker tonight and last. Um, I'd like to go forward and say that uh I think a forensic audit is a great idea. As a law enforcement officer, there's no better way to prove without a doubt any misconduct by other than a f full forensic audit of the district. Um, taxpayer funded funds that need to be accounted for appropriately. Um, I think that the fact that there's 25

159fraudulent charges that we know of is very alarming and I think that there's no better way to get a full than to get a full forensic audit. Um, thank you for your time. >> Mark, thank you. >> All right. And that was all we had for community comments this evening. Uh, we do not have the reason to go into close session tonight. So, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. So, moved. Okay. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. I didn't realize he had a spot to sign in for public speaking. Would I be allowed? >> Um, sure. We could absolutely do that. We didn't uh we haven't taken the motion to close the meeting. So, yes, please uh come to the podium. >> Yeah. Um, well, thank you so much for making that accommodation

160for me. Um, my name is Duke Tucker. I serve as your state representative, which is Peret County. And, um, there's roughly 70 different entities where I like to attend meetings, you know, school boards, townships, villages, and so on. And, you know, I want to thank you guys for putting your hat in the rain to serve your community in the way you do. I've done the same thing and my local community grants over many years. But um one thing that I'm a little bit concerned about and you'll have to straighten me out to a little off on this and I come from a standpoint that the 75th Assembly District includes about 60,000 people like like all the other assembly districts in the state and the things we deal with down in the state and I'm very

161new to politics for people that don't know me well. Um we deal with everything from school funding formulas which is terribly unfair. Um, our schools up here are not funded like every other school district is in the state and I'll be working on that. Um, but there's many other issues we deal with. Wake boat regulations and you know, uh, labor and meat labeling, all sorts of things that you need to study on and make decisions on. But I will say that one thing that I really really take seriously is when I receive messages from people uh, anybody in the district. And I'm happy to share my cell phone number with anyone that's here, meet with anyone at any time, uh, because my job is to listen, much like yours, which you know, but let's say

162that I've gotten,00 calls on an issue representing 60,000 people. I will guarantee you that that's really impactful to me. The wakebo issue, as an example, was one that I got maybe a, you know, 100 or 200 contacts on. Um, and my understanding is is this short-term borrowing borrowing that's being consolidated into a $5 million loan. My understanding is there's been a petition written with,00 signatures on roughly that. That is a really really big number for one school district. And I just want to um weigh in and think, geez, I I sure hope that you guys take that quite seriously. I sure do. But the other thing I do take very serious is listening to everyone in the room. And uh I will tell you I'm disappointed with the vote last week down in the legislature

163with uh I don't know if many people know about the budget surplus of $2.5 billion. And um I thought it was a really really bipartisan effort. I mean it really it really was uh the assembly which I'm in um it was over 60 votes in favor uh which is a really good bipartisan number. The Senate shot it down. that that alone would have brought um in new spending money for special education over years 25 26 and 26 27 about $426,000 in if that had passed. And also uh there would have been property tax relief which isn't new spending but at least it would have been local local levy of over half a million dollars coming up. So there were really some big big numbers. Now I'm going to share with you that you know there's

164quite a number of school district school districts in the 75th at least 10 depending on you know where people live. The school may not be in the area but I only had one superintendent one school board member total contact in regards to what my vote would be or what my thought process was and how I would vote and that is really disappointing. Uh the governor is we all know uh the past uh department of public construction secretarian um education big governor's list he fought really really hard for school funding. Now does everybody in the state agree with it? No. But that is your wheelhouse. I would have expected a lot more phone calls from schoolboard members and superintendent and um but nonetheless I do the very best I can down there. I listen to everyone.

165I don't care if you're conservative. I don't care if you're liberal. I don't care if you're independent. I don't care if you don't vote. Of course, I'd like you to vote, but everybody deserves representation. And the 1100 signatures that were gotten, I don't I don't know the story on exactly. And uh Sher, thank you for taking my phone call here a while back. We spoke and I really enjoyed listening to what you had to say in regards to some of that. So, but I guess them are my thoughts and and I know it's not a back and forth, but anybody has questions for me, I'm happy to take them. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you for sharing. >> All right. Uh I'll entertain a motion then again to adjurnn. >> I move to adjourn.

166>> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been properly moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Let's adjourn. Thank you.