Amery Board of Education Regular Meeting 12-17-2025

001Good evening. >> Like to welcome everybody tonight to our regular December school board meeting. Uh we were previously in close session and we are now meeting into open session. With that, I'd ask for all of those who are able to please stand and join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. And we will start off tonight with Spotlight on education with our middle school and high school tech presentation. >> All right, Kirsten Condra is here. She's going to talk about a little gift for all of you and a donation. She's going to talk about that, too. >> Here we go. >> Um, I'm going

002to have Chase and Kate hand these out. Kayen, hand these out for you. Um, do both of you want to kind of talk about the process that you had to go through in order to make these. >> First, you started by making the 2in strips of walnut and the quarter inch strips of oak. Oh, thank you. >> And then run those together and come down to about 2 or 3 in wide to make it stand up. And then we cut our 1/4 in piece to go in between them all and just started gluing and ended up like that. >> And how many class periods did it take the two of you to do this? >> Took about two weeks. Two weeks. >> Wow. Wow. >> Is there just you two that did this or? >>

003Yeah, mainly. Yeah, a couple other kids help when we weren't there, but yeah, >> this is amazing. >> That's awesome. >> Yeah, really cool. >> I don't know. See if you can get these, but wow, these are absolutely phenomenal. >> And they have a couple different uses. >> Yes, we did two coats of butcher block oil. Butcher block oil. >> Those are intricate. >> Wow. They're they're extremely beautiful. Wow. You guys did a great job. Thank you. I certainly didn't expect that. [laughter] >> Very often I'm at a loss for words. >> What do you want? >> Um, well, I guess the reason that we chose to do this for you is because when students walk into the tech classroom and in the sixth grade class, they get to make cutting boards. So, it's just

004that basic cutting board and just gluing a few boards together and getting the concepts down and understanding the tools. And then when they walk in for intro to woodworking, they get that next level of approach where they're making a bedside table and then they make a pedestal table with a lathe. But this is like we wanted to take it to the absolute next level and show that our students are not only learning those beginner skills, but they're taking those beginner skills and building on them whether they're in the middle school or the high school. So this was both of both of these students taking that to the next level and watching a lot of YouTube videos and looking at different designs and seeing what could we take that we learned at the middle school and

005that we've taken those steps but taking that and taking it to the next level. So that's kind of what we wanted to accomplish or do you have anything else to say? uh just that we've been doing this and we've also been doing our own projects like I've been trying to make a river table I'll Foxy sometime within next week before Christmas and I think Kane's been working on like a vanity. >> Yeah, working on a vanity out of butcher block pieces. I think it's like 35 in tall by 42 with multiple shelves. And then I built a fish tank table for a 55gallon fish tank butcher block too. Wow. Cool. >> What grades are you? >> We're both sophomores. >> Sophomores. Mhm. >> Well, I can't wait to see the pictures on social media that

006I'll bet you will be out there somewhere after you guys get these projects done. So, very, very nice. Great job. Great work. [applause] >> And Pearson, if you wanted to talk about that donation, this is a great time to do that. >> Oh, yeah. Um, so we also have these. I didn't want to leave the middle school out and I know we just did our we changed over a couple of weeks ago and I they're just not at the point of moving into the tech area yet. They're doing their agriculture stuff first before they move in. So I had the eighth graders make all of you Christmas cards today. Um and they were very excited to be able to do that and they just wanted to send their gratitude and appreciation not just only for

007the schoolboard members but also for everybody that's sitting in this room because I feel like it's very important. We work as a cohesive unit and we know that there's a lot of time that you spend here in not only in this room but advocating in our community, advocating in our schools. You also go to um probably other meetings outside of these meetings, whether they're 4 meetings, FFA alumni meetings, um town board meetings, but you're always advocating for our district. So, we just wanted to show our appreciation in different ways, shapes, and forms today. >> Well, that that's really awesome. But this is definitely student driven. the students are what makes these programs work. Our teachers are what makes these programs work. Um, and without you guys, um, we couldn't we we wouldn't be advocating on

008behalf of those opportunities. And as long as there's interest and and you guys are building the interest, um, and you know, it's really like students like you guys too that are out there doing those really cool projects and then other kids see those cool projects and they're like, "Wow, that's really awesome." And they that generates interest. And so, um, it's a it's honestly a cohesive collaboration down there. So, it's job well done for everybody. >> Yeah. And then I guess since we're here tonight, we want to talk about the donations and grants portion um right now while the tech department is here. Um, so we were very fortunate enough to get the Mississippi welder supply grant and that was brought to the school last I think it was last week, wasn't it? Last week was

009when it was last Friday. >> Yeah, last last Friday. Thank you. [laughter] It's been a blur. Um, but I know both of you were in the room when we were able to have that award presented and then Josh was also there when they came. One of the cool aspects I thought about this is that one of the people that were on the board that were able to come to this presentation was Troy Elmer and he was a 1989 graduate of Amry High School. So, I thought that was kind of fun to have a like a full circle thing come back and then someone that actually graduated from our district was able to come and present that award to us. So when we look at this, there were over 70 applicants this year and there were

010only three districts selected. So I thought that we were very fortunate to get this grant and to apply this. And this is going to be going into Josh Ganji's classroom. So it's a Hypertherm Power Max plasma cutter. And Hypertherm is a like a business that only does power or plasma cutters. So that is their specialty. So it's really great that Mississippi Welding works with them in order to do this because it's like if you specialize in one thing, it's what you're good at, right? Um, so [clears throat] this plasma cutter and then we also got a shield helmet and then we also got an air filter that we can use in the classroom. And this package was valued at about $4,000. So to bring that in and have all of these students being able to

011be there for that presentation and we only had one um air or plasma cutter in the shop as of right now and we get to add that second one in. So when Josh has larger classes and has more students that need to be doing that plasma cutting um they're going to be using top-of-the-line equipment which is great. Congratulations to um our very own Mrs. Condor as well for your Farm Bureau win. >> Oh yeah. Thank you. I appreciate it. She's out there helping us. [applause] >> I just want to say this grant isn't the first grant that she's written for us and that we've been awarded. But she hadn't even started in the summer. We were getting grants that she hadn't written and and been awarded from everything even down to like flag football. equipment.

012So, she's written a ton of grants and just been a real big asset to both both of our schools. And um I've been very excited to um be able to take our techad program, but then hybrid a little bit so the kids are getting some egg and some teched. Um they really work together in really cool ways anyway. And so um the kids are having a great experience. Kudos to all your work. >> Yeah. Well, and thank you all of you for being flexible with me, too, because obtaining a teched and egg and a biology license, I I can be versatile in many ways, shapes, and forms, but I'm very gracious that you're allowing me to like just do what I want to do and and run and and fill out grants and be there

013for the students and let these students just run with what their passions are, too. So, I I'm very happy to be here at Amry, and I'm excited to see what I can do here in the future for our students as well. >> Thanks for joining the team. definely. >> Thanks, guys. These are amazing. Thank you. [applause] >> Any other questions for guys? >> All right, we can let them go. >> Well, thank you much. >> Thank you. >> I didn't expect that. That's extremely good. very >> the other spotlight on education. Um we have a myriad of data points if you will on how the school district is connected to charitable organizations. What you see here are just but a few and we could go on and on and things are happening unannounced and anonymously

014throughout the year as you know. But these are the ones that what we we have decided to highlight here this evening. And some of them are thematic the holiday season. The first of which is the Salvation Army backpack program. And I'm going to have the administrative team help you with some of these um items. Uh, this program provides weekend food for hungry students who get free or reduced price school lunches, stocking backpacks with meals, snacks, and milk coupons so kids are ready to learn on Monday. And Salvation Army backpack program has been up and running for quite some time. So, I'm not sure if anyone wanted to share. >> I'd like to chime in on that one. >> Go ahead. >> So, this is a program that is thriving. Uh how it kind of works

015is families choose to sign up and it gets sent home with the youngest student. So a lot of it's coming out of my building and they come in and they go home every Thursday. One thing that I was really impressed with with the Salvation Army is when uh the SNAP program funding was suspended for some time. We actually reached out to them ahead of time and asked, "Can you double your donations and can we send not only things home on the weekends, but can we send stuff during the weekday as well?" and we're able to pair that with some other charitable donations within the school system. So, we were able to when families were in their highest moments of need, we were sending home three different meal packs a week. Two of which provided by

016the Salvation Army, another one provided by various donations and that helped our families out when funding was suspended at their most highest moments in time. So, that that was I was really impressed with that program that they were able to step up soberly. I I would also just add that [clears throat] um you know we we we try our best to you know maintain anonymity to maintain discretion. >> Yep. >> The Salvation Army program is is just they're so good at at doing that. And >> um it's a very straightforward process. It's very easy. You just basically have to pick up and call. And I I do like to just remind people that, you know, we are as a district, we are somewhere always in the 40% range for free and reduced families. So it

017is absolutely a program that fills a huge void and a huge gap. And speaking of that gap, um moving on to apparel, the Knights of Columbus coat coats for kids. This program distributes free new gently used coats and other winter wear for local children in need. distribution takes place again at the elementary. That's where the need is the highest. Um we do this typically in the month of October >> and we run through a lot of apparel for a lot of kids cuz there are kids that are in need. I'm not sure if you want to describe that at all. Go ahead. >> So this is my first year getting to see one of these actually in action. You know, I've heard about them but actually see one in action. So when you think about

018the elementary cafeteria and you think about all those lunch tables that house all those students, imagine them stockpiled with coats and boots and snow pants ranging anywhere from the size down to 6 months all the way through adults and people just leaving with literally like there was no other way for them to carry them besides taking giant garbage bags full of clothing home for their families. And not a single person was turned away. And that building was the busiest I've ever seen it after school. People were just coming in left and right and that they were everything was gone. Like there was very few items left. So our families are taking advantage of these things and making sure that their kids are safe and warm during the winter time. And this is a wonderful partnership.

019>> The third um partnership that we have here is Secret Sand. We're right in the middle of it if you will. Partnership with our local ministerium. This program provides district families in need with assistance with Christmas gifts for their children. This year's 62 sponsors provided gifts for 210 kids from 80 different families. So there is big need here and there are folks stepping forward that time. >> So I know um my wife used to be really really involved with this when she was at the elementary school and um you know the Jim and Linda Cuckammeister have been instrumental in making this happen. um Kelsey and how we my teeth Kelsey is really kind of really making things happen with that. So um there's so many different people that are help volunteering and working with the

020churches and all the different there's various organizations that all sponsor families, fire department sponsors families, different people and individual sponsor families. Um it's a really nice way to make sure that it's a special time for [clears throat] all the kids in in our community. And the families can kind of dictate if it's we're in need of like fundamental needs or if we might need some more, you know, gift things. So they kind of put them they put themselves into two different categories and then the sponsors are planned accordingly based on what the families and >> it's confidential. So they don't always know who the people are. >> People are very appreciative. I've always been there distributing it when it comes and it's always been they're just so excited. So, it's nice to see. >> The

021last category of uh charitable endeavors are food drives. Our schools hold annual food drives and fundraisers fundraisers to support the Amry Food Pantry and Carnell Memorial Humane Society and that's been going on for decades and decades. So, there's a lot of that happening and that's throughout the year, not just during Christmas time. So, these are just a few ways that the district connects with the community um to provide for our families and for our kids. Um it's a partnership that we value and will we will always value. It's uh just what we are about here. Uh I asked um Sean to prepare this um about a month ago because I I have people that reach out to me and ask me how can we help um um how how can we sponsor families? How can

022we make sure that um families in the district are taken care of? And I think when you look at these and we're thankful for the programs, um, but it always strikes me to hear how needed they really are, which is always the sad part of that is that that there is such a need. Um the shining star in that is that we live in such a great community that recognizes that there's a need and continually steps up for that need. Um and it's not just every month that we talk about all of the donations that we receive here as a district for education, but that this community really cares about each other and given the chance will step up and support each other and its own people um time and time again. and that um

023that's probably more than than anything anybody could ever ask for and it's one of the reasons that I chose to stay here in this community personally. Um witnessed that 30 years ago and um one of the reasons that I wanted to sit here in this seat and um the community never lets me out. And even and not even on this list would be like you know to the all the angel funds that come in to help student programs where you know Lions Club and women's club and all the other donors that bring money in and those funds are invaluable to provide all kinds of things from eyeglasses, shoes, clothes, um field trip fees, things that kids couldn't afford. I would say it's safe to say we've been a lot more liberal with those funds in

024the last couple years in terms of like actively trying to seek out families that we know need assistance. You know, buying coats, hats, gloves, and things that you don't even think twice about it now, especially if you get a tip from a teacher, a counselor, some a mom calling and ask, don't even think twice now because those funds have grown. It's really been a snowball effect um to for people to see the donations that in the programs um especially the angel fund um and knowing what those things are for um and the idea of breaking those up into four buildings so that to make sure that those are opportunities equally across the board from our littlest to our to our almost our graduates. And so um even buying cap and gowns for for kids that

025are literally just on their way out to the world to start making it on their own. So always uh always grateful and especially this time of the year always grateful for this community. >> So you'll have an opportunity to accept some of the donations and grants at the end of the meeting that Kirstston talked about and move on with the agenda. >> Thanks for putting that together. Thanks to our community. >> Moving on to the consent agenda items. And who had voters this time? >> I did and I looked through everything. Everything looked good. So I would make a motion to accept the consent [clears throat] agenda items. >> Second. >> It's been properly moved and seconded to accept the con consent agenda items as presented. Is there any discussion? [snorts] Hearing none, we'll proceed

026to vote. All those in favor of uh approving the consent agenda items as presented, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. The consent agenda items are approved. On to the administrative reports. >> Gosh, go ahead. All right. Well, I always tell people the window from Thanksgiving to Christmas is always one of my favorite times. It's a quick window. You got something to look forward to. [clears throat] But going to my board report, we get all winter band concerts, choir concerts, jazz band concerts. And that's the reason why we're here on a Wednesday and not on a Monday because and of course when we're not doing that we're at sporting events. You know it's it's amazing how fast the month of December goes because of all

027these wonderful events that are going on. Um future events here um sending the choir off to Golden Age Manor to do some caroling next week. Um they're trying to go with our strategic plan of having more connections out in the community. Carrie Moscow does such a great job with the kids and they come back just loving their experiences with that. Uh December 23rd, um we're going to do our second practice ACT test of the day in the morning. [snorts] Um we'll do some fun activities, send them out of here with smiles on their face at the end of the day. Um one thing that we're doing with the seniors that day I really wanted to highlight, we're doing because they're not taking practice ACT test. They're done with that. We're kind of doing we're call

028it like senior adult preparation day and we've got some really neat things going on. The morning is going to start off with uh Amry Police Department and the Poke County Sheriff's Department are doing a presentation on safe social media presence and making wise decisions regarding your phone and some of the dangers associated with that. Um after that we've got a financial simulation going on. Wisconsin Credit Union is bringing in um 20 volunteers from the community to work with our kids and go through a financial assimilation. We also have a separate game that we're going to be doing with the kids on financial literacy. Um Em House Clinic is sending in uh someone to present to our kids on common dressers for graduates going into the adult world. Um [clears throat] we're excited about that. and

029all the kids that stay from the start of the day to the end of the day get put in a drawing for a $500 grant that is funded through incentive grant funds. So, a little bit of incentive to hopefully try to keep these kids to understand the importance of the day. Um, so we're excited about that. And of course, lots of winter sporting events going on. Head out to the rink, gym, virtually any night, Monday, Tuesday, Thursdays, [clears throat] and Fridays. You can watch your kids in action. >> All right. at the middle school. Um just on Monday, we had our winter holiday Christmas concert. Um our sixth grade band performed, our middle school jazz band, and then our middle school choir, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade choirs. Uh our kids, they were outstanding. Uh

030Mrs. Rose Lungren, Mrs. Moscow, Mrs. Sunderland. We had standing room only. If you were there, we had to [laughter] We >> Did you get up your seat? >> Uh of course I did. I was [laughter] I was the one that tore all the ropes down and said everyone go sit down over here. Um and then we still had standing room. So just don't tell the we won't go there but expect [laughter] it was great. They did a nice job. So, it's really [clears throat] it's really fun and I often times will poke my head in and and listen to them and you're listening to different parts and um sometimes it's really nice just to hear it all the way through when they're almost polished form. Um we're going to be kicking off our middle school

031genius hour project based learning program and uh the kind of getting ready now. Our community is fast at it and and then in February we will be um doing our kickoff um middle school goals. We'll be working on our goals and kids will continue to talk about different things that they want to do to um better themselves um as uh whether it's um at school or at home and in their activities and sports, things that they want to do to u become um strong young adults. And so we'll be revisiting those mid- winter time. um storybook theater kicks off coming up and that is uh for kids in grades three through eight and they'll be doing The Little Mermaid >> and so that should be pretty exciting. Um I'm really excited to go see it.

032It'll be my 29th one. So, >> a little long in the tomb there, aren't you telling >> um middle [laughter] school middle school wrestling and the girls our basketball will be coming up where we're in in the middle of boys and we'll be starting wrestling in the girls basketball. Uh we have our Warriorway celebration on on Friday and be um you know fun way to do some holiday celebrations. We'll also talk about the importance of our warrior way being responsible, respectful and safe. uh Vesper's testing will be happening pretty much districtwide when we get back and again that's in uh reading and math and they'll be doing um benchmarking to see where kids are at. Um we make decisions based off of that data. Do we have kids that need new interventions? Maybe we missed

033maybe some kids really made good growth. It gives us opportunity to take a look and and drill down into um programming. Uh the cadet band has their lock in on January 9th and that's a pretty big deal. Uh it sounds like it's not just fun and games where they do have food and games and activities, but they also bring a band clinician in and they get to learn from this band clinician. Um so that's pretty exciting time for those kids. And then we have inservice coming up January 16th. Um and districtwide we're going to be doing um [clears throat] some PLC work. We're going to drill down into our curriculum alignment and do some pacing. And really what that means is that like we all have these essential standards. We have standards for every class.

034What are the standards for each discipline, each type of course? Where is it going to be taught? What's so that our pacing and our um uh >> scope and scope and sequence is all in play. What are the assessments they're using? How you determine whether a kid is meeting proficiency or not towards it? What are your rubrics for it? And they're going to be laying that out for all their courses throughout the whole year. It's going to be more than obviously we won't get it all done on one day, but it's going to be things to kick that off. And and we usually revisit that about every two to three years. So, they're not completely reinventing the wheel, but it should be a good good experience. Um, and then otherwise, we also have each building

035has other things they're working on. We're going to be working on school safety um and some things like that at the middle school during that time, too. >> Are we going to ignore Jess's stuff? >> We'll move on to you. >> Jessica, >> wait. I I didn't know the process. >> Yeah, we just we just give it in the report, but we'll go be later if she left to hang out. So, uh, one thing that, uh, is, I guess, new to the school, uh, I asked for our school counselor to to figure out, can we have a second grade leadership group? She's like, "Oh, yes, absolutely. Let's let's do it and let's see what that looks like." So when we talked about to revisit back to when we talked about funding giving families food when

036we there wasn't any like when those things were shortage the second grade leaders were actually the ones who were bagging up all that food when it came in and they're making it ready for them. They didn't know who they were going home to or anything like that but they were making them. So we're we're giving them leadership opportunities and ownership in ways that are meaningful for an 8-year-old right you know but still they're they're doing some good things there. They're counting tickets. They're begging. They're creating hallway decorations. They're really trying to set the vibe and the feeling of a space that they feel is theirs, which it is theirs. So, I've been very pleased with that leadership group and what they've been able to do. And they do morning announcements every single day, >> which

037is pretty incredible, too. Uh holiday events and engagements. We had our family holiday fun night, which was a wonderful thing. We had Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus there. It was a great time. uh some good story book reading, some cookies and crafts in different parts. Uh and families seem to enjoy what the event was. But if we kind of dial it back to the holiday before uh December, we did have some fun when it came to turkey bingo. And I found out I had some big shoes to fill uh that uh Dr. Derler in his seat as the principal actually dressed up and went a live stream as a turkey. >> I did. And the staff said, "What are you going to do to top that?" And I went, "Oh man, this is some big

038>> big shoes to fill." Right. >> What was I? Uh and so, uh, with the help of Annie Britain, I pre-recorded five different characters >> that called out bingo. And then it played in fun different ways with backgrounds and music sounds, which included uh, Detective Drumstick, >> Granny Gravy. She really liked her little mashed potatoes. >> Accents weren't as great as they could have been in some or the others, but we still went for [laughter] >> Chef Cranberry, Coach Cranberry, but my favorite was DJ Gobble Gobble. That was fun. And there was a mic drop at the end. >> Oh yes, it went for it. The kids absolutely loved it. And it was really fun because the teachers didn't know what was happening either. So when all of a sudden they went to play the

039video and they went, "Oh my god." But [laughter] and I got the privilege of being able to walk around while this was happening and see the reaction. So, it's been it's been a fun time. And with that momentum going, um, if you have a younger child in your life, whether it's a grandchild, whether it's your own child, you know, the elf on the shelf is a big deal. >> It's a big deal in their world. So, we've had the lean elf that has been up to >> playful mischief each night, and the principal just can't catch this elf. Curiously enough, the elf looks like the principal. So, the kids look forward to the picture every morning. It's been happening every single day in December. Somewhere now is starting to draw traps of how they're going

040to trap the elf. Their teachers have used it as an incentive for them to get their math work done. If you don't do your math work right now, we're not going to look at the picture of the elf for the day. So, I'm like, great, keep doing it. But the hard part is this. I have not told a single kid I am actually the elf. So, then they're like, you are the elf. I'm like, no, I'm not. This elf has stolen my face. We need to [laughter] catch the identity. >> They they have magic powers and kids, you know, they're still innocent and pure and they believe it. But then some of the second graders come and they're like, "It has the same watch band as you." I'm like, "So [laughter] then the watch band

041disappeared for the next pictures." But that will conclude next week uh with the kitchen staff has been also playing along and they have an elf trap that has different car stuffed animals caught each day. They're like, "We can't catch the elf, but this caught a gingerbread man." And different various characters. So, the kids are really get into it. So are the staff. >> Did you tell them that the elf likes French silk pie and you could catch the >> Well, they I don't know how I'm going to get Saran wrapped in the end. But I guess maybe saran wrapped in breakfast on the last day. >> But I don't know what the trap was going to be to get me there. We'll see. But >> you have to you have to remember this is your

042first year. [laughter] I know. setting the bar here. >> ON two-year rotations, they'll forget, right? >> Your turkey seems pretty silly now, doesn't it? >> Yeah, take that extra turkey. But [laughter] but it's not all fun in games. Yes, there's there's a layer of fun, but we've also been doing some pretty we've been making some big moves and some big changes at the elementary school as well. And one of the things when I came on the team was we need to figure out a different way to handle assessments because at the elementary level when we go to assessments that Tom talked about is January sometimes it requires four subs for us to execute that. And so it was how can we do this effectively and efficiently with our own staff so our kids feel supported

043we stay in our culture and don't have such an interruption and also help the district function and flow without us taking four people times 2 weeks right and so I've been very very pleased with my team we've had lots of conversations lots of cor collaborative thinking a lot of creative thinking this has been a month roll out of let's talk about data leadership take it to your PLC C's talk about it PLC's bring it back keep to the drawing board and I'm really proud to say we've been able to figure it out with only needing one sub for for our systems. Now we're going to re-evaluate how it works but the team feels really confident moving forward that they've had a voice in the matter and that they've been able to be a part of

044the creative problem solving. So that that feels really good that we've been able to accomplish that big task. We'll see how it goes in January, but my hope is that that helps the district out as well. And then finally, the other big lift that we did real quick is uh we re realigned our report card. Uh there was some language that was kind of all over the board, whether it was an I can statement or an actual standard, but we made it so if a parent is looking at a report card, whether the kid is in kindergarten through fifth grade, they all look the same. So we aligned it and designed it to look exactly like the intermediate schools does including layout and formatting and how we categorize each of the different domains and Aaron

045Oro was a huge huge help in that cuz that's not an easy process. The teachers need to bring all of their changes to the table of this is what we're actually doing. Here's how we can assess it. And then Aaron needs to go, okay, now how do I make it look pretty in a reader format, right? So that was a huge rollout process. And I'm proud to say that they were able to execute that for report cards that went home last week and it it went very smooth. So those were the the we're having fun, but we're also getting more done. Mhm. And then winter break coming up soon and we've got family reading night on uh January 29th in addition to some of the other things that have been mentioned whether it's in service

046or this the testing that's coming up. >> Can you do one granny gravy accent? >> Oh great. [laughter] >> Right now I'm feeling like I've got a Delta Dawn accent going on. >> Uh DJ Gobble Gobble was pretty good though. >> So these are recorded. >> Oh recorded. I'm shocked you haven't gotten sent one cuz I was going to say >> here's what the staff did. They sent it to their other teacher friends and said would your principal do this >> and just I'm like that's you can't disperse these things like these are for but they did. >> So this is a this is an opportunity for our principal is cooler than your principal. >> I think that's what they did. [laughter] It was even fun when one of them showed it to their elder

047mom. I think it was in their mid '9s and they went, "It seems like she's just a really fun lady is her statement." I'm like, "Oh, thanks Sandy. I'm glad your mom thinks this way about me." >> We're glad we have the fun my damn board. >> Yes. >> And then obviously Abby is not here as well. What's wrong with these people? Do you think they just get to like mail it in in December? What's going on? >> Reasons. [laughter] >> All right. >> I can tell you they'd much rather be here than where they are. Yeah. >> Um, do you have anything with that administrative report this time? Okay, then I guess we get to move on to building and grounds. >> Okay. Well, we were scheduled to meet this building and grounds committee

048last Wednesday, but we got snowed out. But I do have an update um that piggybacks on what we talked about last time, the high school roof. um spoke with John Hunich who is our uh contract manager in essence for uh Carl Anderson who had conversation with LHB employees who was our architect and we have um an agreement that the roof will be addressed by the crew that installed it. Uh and we'll have to wait until late spring, early summer to do that and that we have some snow up there now. uh they have uh assured us that they are going to take care of that um when the weather is allowing us to do that. Um so that is a step in the right direction. What we [clears throat] did last time is let Kra

049Sanderson do their job and I believe Kra Anderson and LHB have done their job and now we need a subcontractor that works on roofs go ahead and do theirs. So we're going to have them come over here and do that again. So that's the update I have for you on building and grounds. Unless Larry or Steve have something else, I don't have anything for them. >> No, >> good news. >> It is good news. >> Very good news. >> We're working with very reputable outfits and they understand we are a valuable client of theirs and we have a long-standing relationship with both and we would like to continue that relationship. >> Yes. Yes. We needed [clears throat] to make sure that that was um done right. Obviously at no cost to the district. that is

050something that they are going to stand behind and we will um see how that goes in the spring and I know that you've made the commitment to yourself and George >> um overseeing that work. >> We are going to >> and we'll be leaning heavy on our building and grounds committee guys to be up on that roof as well. >> We'll be up there more than Sean. I bet >> I don't like it up there either, which is why we're leaving on you guys. I'll make it. >> All right, moving on to theformational items then. Strategic plan update. >> As promised, uh we try and connect strategic plan when we can to the spotlight on education. We are successful in doing that this month. You'll notice there are two colors. There are yellows and there

051are greens in the strategic plan. And on the back of that first page, you'll see a variety of items that are highlighted in yellow, which speaks to the charitable donations and charitable endeavors that we are connected to as a district. Uh, and that is ingrained in our strategic plan. That third point there under successful students, foster safe, supportive, and responsive learning spaces where students feel safe, valued, and connected within our school community. On strategic uh goal number three, strengthening the bridge between home [clears throat] and school through open communication, mutual trust, and shared responsibility, working to ensure every student succeeds. And in addition to that, empower families by expanding opportunities for their active involvement with st with strong emphasis on fostering partnerships with parents and guardians to enrich student learning and well-being. And then on

052strategic goal number four, we have two items there as well. Build robust community partnerships to expand internship opportunities and promote volunteerism through diverse events and activities to support student success. And lastly, increase opportunities to partner with local community members and businesses, strengthening connections that benefit both our students and the community. The green portion is a whole another topic. On January 7th, we're going to do our annual district and school report card presentation. And the strategic plan, as you see with the amount of green that's here, is very much connected to the results of those scorecards. And everything you see noted in green is a strategic plan element that's connected to the report card. So when we go through that presentation, we're going to eventually in the month of January get to strategic plan. We're then

053going to connect this back to what happens on January 7th because we don't have a whole lot of districtwide or buildingwide data points that we can use and connect to a strategic plan, but those in the report card are very much able to allow us to do that. So that's what we'll have for the strategic plan in January. [cough and clears throat] any questions you might have for me? >> No. And obviously listening to the administrative reports, Josh talking um about uh the carolling at the uh our nursing homes and and uh you talking about the second graders packing food items. Um obviously just something that is building that bond between our students and the community is something that we um clearly hope that we you know work with here on a on a very

054regular basis and and something that was really important in that um strategic plan when we when we talked about that. So thanks for making sure that what you're doing is aligning with the goals of the district and and then obviously they just lend themselves to be pointed out at those times. Any other questions for Dr. Derklair on the strategic plan comments? All right, off to the school board election April 7th. >> Okay, we are obligated to provide a notice of election in a variety of ways and this is one of those ways. So bear with me as I run through this. The election details are as follows. Notice is hereby given that a schoolboard election is to be held in the school district of Amry on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026. The following school board offices

055are are to be elected to s to succeed. The present incumbents listed office position at large incumbent Steve Oiro. Office term. The term of office for a school board member is three years beginning April 27th, 2026 and expiring April 22nd of 2029. A description of the school district boundaries can be obtained from the school district office. For candidates, a campaign registration statement and a declaration of candidacy must be filed no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 in the office of the school district clerk located at 543 Minneapolis Avenue, South Ary, Wisconsin. A primary, if needed, will take place on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. And that's all I got. All right, good informationational items there and off to district branding and uh permission form. >> All right, the district branding, you've seen the

056guidelines that are before you, but what you asked that the district put together is a permission slip, if you will, and Becky with a variety of clicks here is going to get right to where you need to be. And we have a permission form that requires folks to ask permission of us to use in essence our name, image, and likeness to um to be used for a variety of different purposes. So this is a very standard form that can be used pretty much for any endeavor that folks may have, but they need to get our permission to be able to do it. So now we can say, "Yep, you got your stuff in. You're good to go. All right, do your thing." So that's what this says per your request. >> Do we seem are

057we are do we like that? Is it good? >> It's Amanda does a very nice job. Um we're not above in the school district of Amry grabbing items from others that have done this before of many of the items that you see here as part of this branding. It's the same issue everyone else is dealing with and we've grabbed sort of the best of the best so to speak and shaped it and made it our own. But remember where we're at prior to this whole conversation. Did nothing. There are no parameters whatsoever. And that just wasn't working because it was wild, wild west. And we needed to have uh this in place in order to have the guardrails put on, so to speak. >> Perfect. Thank you for bringing that. >> You are welcome. that

058I think will help just streamline the process a little bit for everybody that everybody knows is being held to the same standard and the same um assessment of what they want to use that for. >> Okay. Off then to um our action items and that takes us to early graduation requests with Mr. Gold. >> We've got the annual early graduation requests. Um last year I think we had 13 at this time. Uh we've got 16 this year. Um variety of things you have the process They have to their parents have to write a letter on their behalf meeting with school counselor explain what's going on and we've got some new kids to the district that they just want to finish things up. We've got some kids enlisting early in the military and we have some

059kids that are working full-time like full-time higher jobs out there for them. They all have plans supported by their parents which is the key endeavor here and most importantly they've all met the graduation requirements. Again, those are um kind of anonymous to the board. We don't make decisions based on who these people are. We trust the fact that the process has uh gone through and again the parental issue that they've all been signed off on with their parents. Um and then they've verified at the high school that all the requirements have been met. So, do we have a entertain a motion to approve the 16 early graduation requests? >> I will make that motion. >> April second. >> Seconded by Gwen. It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the early the 16 early graduation

060requests um on recommendation by Mr. Gold. Is there any discussion? >> I'm just curious. You said there were 16 requests. Is that typical? Um I would say it's increased yearly here going back to I just referred to 2019 now I don't refer to it by anything else but yeah we definitely have seen an increase since then and I think a lot of that also has to do and this is this is all the area principles that I've talked to same kind of trend but I think we also have fewer kids going into college now and a lot of kids going right into the workforce you know one of those pendulum things going Um, I was just curious. Yeah. Thank [cough] you. [clears throat] >> Any other discussion? >> Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All

061those in favor of approving the 16 early graduation requests, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. The early graduation requests are approved. off to clubhouse rate increase with John. >> Yeah. So, uh you guys this will start the John portion of tonight's meeting. So, what what's in front of you here um is just a little bit there's kind of two different components to this. Um one of the conversations is revolving around tuition. Uh and then the second part is just a little bit of a program change. Um, so this is stuff that's been worked on with Rachel, who's done 99.9% of the leg work in collecting the data here. So if we go to the next slide, really what what this is, and I I

062do have to admit Rachel pointed out a typo here under ocola care bears, those first two numbers, just flip them. Um, it's 240 for him if it's not 235 and such. Um, but as you can see from just looking at some of our closest um, school district supported and then one of those is a private facility. Um, kind of where we're at tuition ride wise. Um, why are we bringing this to you now? Well, we talked about last month. Uh, and one of the issues that is chronically facing child care is we're always trying to meet ratios. Well, meeting ratios means increased staffing. Increased staffing means increased cost. Increased cost unfortunately is just a a nature of the business. So as you can kind of see from this um we have been uh very underpriced

063as far as uh this is concerned and I will add one more caveat to this first slide which is St. Croy Falls is we do know that they are also seeking tuition increase as well. Um, so although we're fairly close to them right now, you can see we're a little bit uh behind the curve as far as and again I do want to point out the Grove is a private institution, right? And I just want to make sure that's noted. So if we go to the next slide, >> [clears throat] >> um, so I really what I've done is I've created three different proposals. So uh for increasing these and all of them are going to tip the needle uh but you know the the some are going to change the financial picture of child

064care uh a little bit more than others. So the first proposal aid which is a conservative adjustment would be an increase uh in essentially uh $15 for infants, $10 for ages 2 to three and $10 for ages three to school year. This is per week. Proposal B, which would be the Margaret average, which is which would be what I would recommend at this current junction, would be a >> [clears throat] >> $30 increase over the current for infants, a $20 increases for ages 2 to three, and a $20 increase for ages three to school. And I do want to mention that I think this should be done in two phases. I think that there should be a small amount. Now that's effective January 1st and then the remainder coming in uh at the beginning of

065the summer. Um just because I do realize that 30 20 and 20 that is a large pill to swallow especially for those who have multiple kids in the district. Uh and then proposal C which would be putting us towards the top but not quite the top would be increasing $45 for infants, 30 for ages 2 to three and ages three to school age $25. Um, so I will stop there to answer any questions you guys have revolving around the tuition for our non school age kids. What gets us closest to meeting expenses um and cost of uh running the daycare? if I'm being a a fully transparent seat and that's just based off of ratios and an everchanging child care market. Um, you know, it's a it's a steep price to pay for child care,

066but like [cough] I said, [clears throat] it is competitive, but it is still below the highest. Um, now with that being said, the reason it's not my recommendation is again because you're you're talking about a difference of hundreds of dollars potentially per month for our families. And that's just a price point that some families can't afford. And so my personal belief is the whole reason we have child care here is to be a semian affordable option and we are one of the only options. So although we have to weigh those scales, you know, that's why I would propose B. >> And John and I have talked, there are two things at play at the same time. We have to make sure we're respectful of our parents at the same time as we are seeking to

067balance the budget. I think C would price some people out of the market. >> I think B is a much more fair approach. And if it was done incre incrementally, I think it would be an even fairer approach. I think a proposal a simply doesn't move the needle much in regards to where everyone else is at. I think B puts us where we need to be. That really my recommendation, but again, this isn't my choice. And the next two things we're going to get discuss is also going to help move that needle forward as well. So, this is not what we're talking about as far as an end all beall for helping kind of balance that budget a little bit better. Um, so Becky, if you want to go ahead and go to two slides.

068So the next the next side of it which you know I don't want to minimize because we are caring for how many how many kiddos do we have after school right now? 60 something >> we have 82 enrolled but they're not all >> pull through. So is is also our before and after school current care current tuition. So, as you can see, um there some of the school districts are a little bit different that we were able to, you know, ascertain the information from. And obviously, Miltown, the private institution, they don't do, uh, you know, the traditional before and after school care tuition. But again, the point is pretty clear here. We are priced significantly lower than the vast majority of other school districts. Um, so my recommendation, which is on the next slide, is

069is a fairly uh I would say it's a fairly modest recommendation, which would be increasing from $37 to 40 for a non-school day. Um, getting rid of the uh the activity fee that we currently charge. So, right now it's 32 plus a $5 activity charge, which gets you to 37. It would be eliminating that activity fee and just charging 40. um before school will be $11 and then after school would be 13 which would put us in the middle of that range. >> Any questions as far as the tuition side of things is concerned? >> You might as well just take that last slide as well there next classroom. >> Yeah. So [clears throat] this is this is the last component of it. So and I think we talked a little bit about it last

070month. This is more of an official version of it. Um so one of the problems uh that we have we do actually have the physical capacity from a space standpoint to take in an additional 20 to 24 kids depending on age group. The way we go about doing that is not actually building anything or anything other than simply divorcing our before and after school care from our license and putting that back on the school district of Emory. So logistically speaking, families don't notice anything. Kids are still doing their the same faces are there. Uh the only difference is it allows us for greater flexibility in our ratios. Uh for that, it frees up a large classroom for adding additional daycare kids. Um there's really there's not a lot of additional costs that come along with

071the programming needs for that. Rachel's already put together all the activity cards, craft cards, all that sort of stuff. And uh this is something that we could implement pretty much immediately. Um we Rachel has got the research and knows how to you know kind of make that official declaration to DCFS. Um the only I think there's one more slide of there. >> Yeah. Okay. Great. Um so the only cost really associated with doing this is we would have to hire an additional two staff members in order to handle an additional 20 to 24 children. Rachel's recommendation um at least to try at the beginning is making that middle classroom a mixed age um which still fits really good with ratios uh and uh kind of the process of doing that would be reaching out to

072our existing families first and saying hey what do you think do you want your kids to be a part of a mixed age group would you like them to stay in their age specific classrooms giving them that opportunity first before starting to make those calls off of the weight list we do have a robust weight list. Now, I do want to admit and say this publicly and we kind of talked a little bit, we do understand that the greatest need on our weight list is for infant care. And as much as we want to be able to do that, the problem is that that ratio is so tight that there's just no possible way to make make any sort of actual kind of budget impact with doing those. So, we feel for those families a

073lot, but we think that this is where we should where we should kind of target, if that makes sense. >> Do we have um I know the waiting list is long. So, do we have 20 to 24 kids in that age group two to four that to be able to make that happen? >> Should be. >> Yeah. And and it's not an overnight thing, right? I mean it's this is not a we go from no kids in that classroom during the day to 24 tomorrow. Um so I I think it is you know obviously it has to be done in stages. Those teachers have to be found first. We can't add kids before we have the teachers. So the the teachers at least one of them needs to be found first and then we can

074start to look at at filling that classroom. But >> please don't lose sight of the following point. In Rachel's time, in Anahena's time prior to Rachel, both have said to me, not just in passing, but very directly, the people that are on the waiting list, the kids that are on the waiting list are just the ones that leave their name. >> Yeah. >> There are folks that don't even when you say, "Do you have space?" No, they just hang up the phone and they're on their way. >> And there are folks that are not even calling knowing that we're full. So to fill 20 to 24, I don't think it's going to be an issue. >> Yeah, I agree. >> I go way more than that. Yeah, I would agree. >> It is a huge

075need, not just in Nam, but everywhere. But it's a huge need in name. >> But by divorcing the before school and after school, that would just put it back kind of revert it back to the way it was when that first started. >> Correct. Yeah. Yeah. And and since you know although fund 85 and child care is a separate business on the books so to speak we do not the they're paid by the school district of Amory right and everything is still school district of Amory they just say clubhouse or they just say child care and so there's not this massive administrative change that needs to happen really Rachel's just going to tell them no and then on the end of Rachel's title. We just have to add director of child care slash before and

076after school care. >> I would still >> and she would still I would still be in those charge of the before and after school care as well. >> Yeah. And I would add that that also adds potential although maybe not. Right now it does add potential for other uh options or for other [clears throat] things um such as we've discussed this already with building administrators. um those before and after school could care kids that are in this building could also remain in this building if we wanted to. Um so that right now any kid they all get funneled back to elementary but they could remain in this building if we do it that way and it just becomes a lot and in the summertime it helps an immense amount. Right. Am I wrong by saying

077that? >> No, you are correct. Yeah, it it helps a lot because now we're not trying to maintain a physical space where all of these additional tens of kids can can come in. So, >> John, once if if you go with the mixed age classroom and once it's implemented, what would be the budget impact of that? Do you have a rough idea? >> Yeah, I mean, at the end of the day, uh it it would be a uh it would be a plus. I I can't speak right off the top of my head. I have it written down in my office exactly what it is, but you know, just for for basic math, if you just break it out, if you just take the, you know, per child, divide that out by the amount of

078hours of care that they're receiving a year, um it is a net gain as far as budget is concerned. It's not crazy huge by any stretch of the imagination, but that also depends on the teachers brought in. So if it's if it's a teacher who has a family who's looking for benefits, >> it's significantly more money. Now, we can't hire based on those factors, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly what it would be. Um, but having, you know, it would still be a budget addition. >> And don't lose sight, the benefit of having a child care environment to begin with is you could potentially have those kids as your students when they turn four. Yes. >> And further, you know, those kids and are educating those kids prior to the age of four, which is

079exactly what we want. And we have a steady pipeline of kids moving through child care right into our school system with 20 to 24 more. Maybe you pick up 15 more kids. >> Maybe they would ordinarily been ours anyway, but maybe not. >> Yeah. And I I think with I I think to Sean's point, too, with the the kind of the curriculum focus that they've had this year and continuing, you know, continuing to work on that, too. I mean, the goal is to be an early learning center. That's the goal. And I think that's everybody's mission as far as child care is concerned is less daycare, more early learning center. And so, you know, that that family that comes in that otherwise may not have even known Avery existed because they're three-year-olds receiving care. By

080the time those kids hit four, they're ready for the 4K classroom. Mom and dad have been in the building and they're familiar with it. So, I I do believe that Sean is correct that it would potentially capture more more families though as well. >> Well, I I think what would capture more of those kids to stay would be for Grandma Gravy to make some appearances. >> Thank you, Grandma. [laughter] >> Oh, I'll send you the I'll send you the video. >> So, what's on the table before you in regards to an action item is the rate increase piece. So, however you want to weigh in on that is really the action item. I I like the fact that >> Sorry. No, you're it's yours. >> I like the fact that u if we go with

081proposal B that you're looking at a two-phase implementation. I think that eases the the budgeting for parents. >> Yeah. >> Because that's a pretty costly it. and and it's already it's already arguably one of, if not the largest family budget items for families who who need care for their kids is is that side of things. >> Well, I do think we we need to address the situation and I would uh move that we go with proposal B and the two-phase implementation. >> Second. It's been properly moved and seconded to move ahead with the implementation of rate increase using proposal B uh as the the guideline for the rate increase in two phases. Is there further discussion? >> I'd like to revisit the stuff we talked about after that. So, I'm good with the vote, but

082then I just wanted to clarify what I heard because my brain isn't Yeah, catching every piece of that. Absolutely. >> I do agree with Larry that um I think I mean it's been no surprise. have been sitting here for seven years and we've been talking about daycare expenses for um and and how the daycare is run and it was it's always been the goal to try to move that um to at least a standalone um business, let's say, even though yes, everything is paid for um out of the school district the way that it looks, but it should also try to stand alone and and so that the school district and the taxpayers aren't subsidizing the daycare. It's always been a concern of taxpayers is that um how much of the burden is being put

083on them to subsidize uh child care in the area. Um I think it's been the the goal of the district to move here to be a standalone, not to be profitable in the daycare world, but to be kind of standalone and take care of its own expenses. Um, I think this is the way that that we continue to make sure that that happens instead of being 70,000 in the red like it was seven years ago. Um, if we could just at least break even on those expenses, I think it um is fair for the taxpayers, although it's always um mindful of those expenses that gets passed on to our parents um who are taking advantage of the services. Uh I think this is a good blend of both of those things to be respectful of

084the taxpayers and uh standing alone business and then and also that this this is what comes with it and you're going to look at this no matter if you're in a private daycare um or here. But the one thing is that that you're not getting here. This is a not for profit. When you're enrolling your kids in a in a private daycare, it's for profit. So um I think it's a good blend of both. Uh, I think it's important to roll that out into two phases for budgeting issues. Again, I hate to do it at the time of where we're at um economically for everybody right now. But, uh, again, we have to take into consideration our budget as well here um, and be fair to the taxpayers as a whole. So, I think that

085does I think that this proposal does that. Any other discussion? Okay, hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of child care rate increases proposal B marked out in two phases, please signify by saying I. I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passes. Go ahead, Steve. >> So, what I heard, you guys correct me if I'm wrong, what I heard was you're changing the license, but not what we're doing. >> Yeah. Yeah. Essentially, I mean, the the the basic really quick kind of ex explanation here right now because we have before and after school care tied to our license, we have a central classroom that is essentially free between, you know, during the school day time. >> And that's because we have to meet both student toteer ratio

086or stu Yeah. and we have to meet space requirements. By removing that from the license, we no longer have to earmark that space during the course of the day for kids who aren't even going to be there when when they're in school. So that would free up that space and that space based off of its size can accommodate additional kids. >> Okay? So, by taking it off of the license, what it's essentially doing is they'll no longer have a home, if that makes sense. But they don't have a home right now anyways. The vast majority of the time those kids are cycled in. There's some that are in the classroom, there's some that are in the gym, there's some that are on the playground, there's some that are in the cafeteria. And so, the process,

087the faces, the programming, all of that's going to remain the same. It's just simply pulling. It's just an admin move is really what it is. >> Yeah. So, so I understood that then. So, I was right on what I heard. >> Yeah. >> The the part that I'm hanging up on is if you remove from the license, how can you still function that way? >> If you're having if it's removed from the license, how can you still have before and after school? >> Oh, because the school district of Amry is allowed legally allowed to have before and after school. >> That's the way it used to be. That's the way community is way back. I mean, Tracy Hendrickson was the beginnings of this 10, 12 years ago. I have I have looked into I have

088looked into this and there are several school districts that were licensed and due to staffing issues and um it's getting for before and after school care it's getting tighter and tighter for licensing. So they have actually opted to go out of the licensing but they could like for example the enrichment school district they're not licensed and they I think in their care between all of the schools it's like 350 or 400 kids you know with but they still they still kind of follow the licensing guidelines. So they have the amount of teachers like what a licenser but you can count um 16 17 year olds as a teacher and when you're licensed they are considered just a helper. >> Helper. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So it so the the the ratio becomes more or less

089what's responsible for us to do and not what we are required to do. Because like Rachel just said, you can pair a very responsible 20-some year old dedicated individual with more teens who are willing to work before and after school and um that program can really flourish as well in that that regard. >> Okay. Then I have a logistical question. So if we take that large central classroom and we're making it as a two to four year old group classroom, [snorts] are we going to work on keeping our ratio fairly constant? X number of two year olds, X number of three year olds, and X number of four year olds in there because sorry, if my child was the two-year-old in there with 24 year olds, I don't know that I would be overly thrilled.

090And teaching wise, I mean, there's significant differences between two and four. >> Yeah. And and I think the answer to that question is it depends. It depends on what's available. I mean, if we only have four four year olds on the waiting list, but we have 10, you know, 10 three year olds and we have 10 2y olds, you know, that ratio is going to be a little bit different. Um, but I also, you know, I don't know that we're necessarily married to having a a mixed age classroom. I think it was just an idea that Rachel had that maybe some parents would want to um partake in and that can always be moved on the fly as well if need be. I' I'd love to speak on this real quick because if you think

091about one of the pathways that exists in the elementary and intermediate is a monasuri program which is a multi-age space which if structured properly can actually be great for the development not only of the 2-year-olds but of the four-year-olds as well as a potential parent of a child in that room I go I'm actually game for this right if structured with intentionality and what that looks like and I think you know as Rachel continues to plan this out if she wants to talk about potentially infusing some monosural principles into the multi-age space to have it be more supportive what's developmentally appropriate. I'm I'm totally on board with that and I think a lot of parents would be too cuz when you first hear two through four it is terrifying. But if you hear but it's

092done with developmental appropriate steps and stages and structures then okay let's let's see what this looks like. hearkens me back to old school daycare, which my mother-in-law did for many years and very successfully um with multi-age kids even just from the kids that she took care of that weren't school age yet and then also had tons of them getting off the bus after school. Um and she was just one person. >> Yeah, she was crazy. >> She was crazy for [laughter] sure. I think one of the things that one of the one of the prerequisites to there there are there would be several preerequisites to enter that building. One of the ones that we talked about was the kids will have to be potty trained. >> Yep. >> Toilet train. >> Yeah. They have to

093be toilet trained you know before before you know they could be in there. So again that that that one there can also you know kind of move the step one of this process is actually just pull the plug. And I don't even know that that has to be board action. Um I because I don't think it was board action adding it to the license if that makes sense. Um and then phase two would be hiring additional staff and then phase three would be filling those kids in. So again, this isn't an overnight thing. There are components of it that can be done rather quickly, but there's other components that are going to have to come up. >> I I think back to the years on the board I've had and seen social media posts of,

094oh well, they're not even licensed, right? Right. So then when we have these conversations >> to be very >> out to the public, >> we do have a license. We're modifying >> correct >> the what the license is built. >> Yeah. And and the the that it also doesn't change that it's still the school district of Amory. So we still have high standards for whom we employ. We still have high standards. So, it's not like losing out on the license is going to remove protection for us or the families because we're all still mandated reporters. We're all still, you know, so those requirements don't change. It's just the the like I said, this is more of an administrative paper thing than it is anything else. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> We need a

095vote on the school age rates. >> Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Yeah, we still need to vote on the the the before and after school rate as well. Sorry. >> Thanks, Becky. She's keeping us all in track as normal. >> Keeping us ahead of us. >> All right. Is um do I have a motion to approve then the um school age rates increase as well? I would move to approve the before and after school proposal as presented for the increase to 40 on 11 and 13. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the rate increase for nonschool days and before and after school care for school age enrolles. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote. All those in favor of the

096rate increase, please [cough] signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. >> Motion passed. The before and after school rate proposal and non-school day proposal um has been approved. >> Okay, moving on to our banking options. John, you're up again. I know it says John, but I I'd like to say something at the beginning of this. This is a rapidly changing topic that is of the utmost magnitude from a budgetary standpoint and from a logistical standpoint. Uh we're talking about who and how our money is housed in regards to our payroll. Payroll and benefits in the school district of Amory is about 75 80% of our budget. I and I want to be respectful of your wishes as a board and I certainly want to be respectful of Diller's

097time because they took the opportunity to be here to join us this evening for this conversation. I think the best course of action is to schedule a special meeting and just do that topic and have each of those banks that are interested in this business with us to present to us what they feel we need to know to make an educated decision. Further, I would like to as a district be respectful of the request made by formerly Bremer, now Old National Bank to have a conversation about what they have provided for the district for the better part of three, four, five decades to be able to have that conversation per their request. They would like to meet with John and I. And we have a meeting technically scheduled for this week still to have that

098conversation because I think we owe them that that opportunity to share what their thoughts are and that we've been working with them for such a long time. We're not making the decision John and I aren't. But for two reasons I need to be able to have that conversation. One, John's departing. And two, I'd like a better working knowledge of what we presently do. And I think having a conversation with them would be helpful. But to the point that I originally began with here this evening, I think we owe it to ourselves to make a really educated decision and to have that just as the one topic because that is a big decision >> and there are three folks that are interested in weighing in on that. Three outfits are interested in weighing in on that

099decision from this town. That's not a 15minute deal in my mind because just to go through one of these proposals is a half hour deal and this is big stuff. Those are my two cents so to speak. I'll turn it over to you and you can do it as well. I I think it's it's it's a fair comment and I've had meetings with these folks too. Uh we've been going through the a similar process at my place of work. Um, and to move a bank, there is so much involved. Everybody that drops an a now or everybody that, you know, taps into a bank or is expecting a payment to come from a certain place to get new checks to, you know, it's a big process. It's not just, yeah, we're going to work with

100this bank. Um and and I actually had a sim similar conversation with Tony um months ago that I want to see what happens when Old National comes in. I want to have conversations with all of the banks. I understand who can provide what for that's not only best for our family business, but then best for our employees and and our vendors and so on down the line. So, you know, it it's um it's a it's a I think it's a fair ask. >> Yeah. I I I just just for kind of just general transparency as well. I do want to add that yes, this is I agree this is a big decision. I really do. Um and I can say definitively that as far as the transition process is concerned, I do have especially for

101the two banks that we currently are not banking at, I do have the utmost confidence because we've spoken at length about it, what the actual transition plan looks like, uh the level of support, what the needs are going to be. Um, and because we have a big fat software change coming April 13th, if there is a there there's really in my mind there's two big points that I would make uh as far as kind of expediency is concerned. The first one is like we've talked about, we're going to be obtaining about 60 to 65% of our budget within the course of three short months. So having the ability to park that money with something at the highest possible rates is going to be important because that's how we're going to offset any of the additional

102line of credit increases that we've had throughout the course of this year. Now again that timing is more February [clears throat] 1st, right? And that timing also really kind of helps to coincide because after talking to banking partners, the smart play is actually to move payroll first. And I know that sounds weird and that sounds hard, but the the smart play is actually to move payroll first because payroll in essence on our side is one transaction. It is one upload of one a file. It's actually on their end where where something could get screwed up. It's not actually on our side, it's on their side. Um, and because February we are going to be taking such an increase because of property tax levy, it's a good time to start there and slowly work in with

103the understanding that April 13th, we have a new system coming into play that's coming online and all of the account information, everything's going to have to be updated in there. And I also just want to add the process of making banking changes from our software perspective is a fiveminute process. We've already had to do it because Old National Bank took over Bremer. So we've already done it. Gretch and I actually already did it. I didn't even have to do any of it. So the the transition side of things does not concern me at least, you know, and obviously take my word for for what you want, but it does not scare me whatsoever. What does scare me is not getting pulled rates. And when we start talking about the differences between the three banks that

104are in front of us, that is one of the biggest [snorts] differences is Pillar especially is matching LGIP pool period. Great end of story. So if it's 4.695, it's 4.695. Bremer matches close. Sometimes they're more, sometimes they're less. But when we're talking about millions of dollars invested over a short period of time, a tenth of a percentage does matter or a hundredth of a percentage does matter, right? Because you're talking about some pretty big chunks of change there. Uh so I just I just really wanted to kind of just make sure that I do kind of keep that that eye on the ball. so to speak. Um, and you know, this is kind of I I've kind of jokingly called it the year of RFPs, right? Because I think, you know, it's in our best

105interest to go to bid and go to RFP for all of our main things, mostly because it it hasn't happened. So, anyways, I I just wanted to kind of mention that, you know, as part of this as well. Um, and I I am happy to go through these proposals with you guys. You also have them. um and you know kind of talk about like the differences and everything like that. Um but if you wanted to save this for a special session that's your guys thought would be second or third week in January well before we get to February >> and have that special meeting and invite the three folks that are three outfits that are interested and uh see a presentation and make a decision at that time. >> I think Sean speaks with a

106lot of wis wisdom. This is a a big decision and uh I want to give it all the time that it needs to make the right decision. So I'd be in favor of uh tableabling any decision with regard to our banking options at this time. >> I agree. I think it needs a um it's due diligence and I don't think that um we would feel good about making that decision uh without weighing in and I'm not sure that our taxpayers would um feel comfortable with us making a decision in 10 minutes in this room tied to um a regular meeting. This is not really regular meeting fodder. I would I I would argue this is more of a a special meeting, but I do agree at the expediency that it needs to be done with

107tax um property taxes being done due at the end of January in that um you know kind of influx of money coming in. So >> yeah, and I I I don't want to speak for them, but I'm guessing you guys could implement if a change was to be made rather quickly. I mean, we we already have, I think, a lot of the frame framework already kind of laid out for recovery if that's necessary and those conversations have already been had. >> Sure. >> So, >> um I know January starts to tend to get full um already, but um would preliminary we're not going to set a date here. We don't have to do that. But preliminary, does anybody have any conflicts of meeting >> in January? Oh, >> the only conflict would be that we

108have um our school board the end of Jan. >> But I mean as a month as a whole we're we're good that we can figure something out on a >> I'll broker that out. We'll figure it out. >> Okay. Um thank you very much for your flexibility in light of the fact that you came here to be with us this evening. So thank you. >> All right. Do I then uh would entertain a motion to postpone uh this action until uh a special meeting session and date to be determined. >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been properly moved and seconded to postpone this action item until a special meeting time can be set. um and all of our uh appropriate players can be invited um to come and speak

109to the board so that we have as much information as possible. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All of those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. We will set a special meeting date in January um to hear these proposals. It'll give the board uh some more time to look over these proposals that we have in front of us. Okay. Again, we're Boy, we're just making you work tonight, aren't we? To go out with a bang update on tax revenue anticipation. No. >> Yeah. So, just to kind of further help, you know, just the the ongoing cash flow stuff. Again, we're we're the the end is in sight. Um, and you know, I think the the plans [snorts] for for next year as far as how to manage that

110are going to be really good. Um, you know, after talking with uh Tony and Silvin at Pillar, um, you know, I think it's in the best interest of the district, um, just from a cash flow perspective to change the, uh, date, the maturity and the call date on the tax revenue anticipation note from back in October uh, or actually the first part of November from December 15th. Yes, I understand that was two days ago. uh to February 16th, which is the third Monday in February, because that'll be when we are the most cash heavy. Um so instead of making ourselves unnecessarily tight to extend that date, uh so that we we can make sure that we're just doing as best as we can. >> Sorry, John. The call date would be when? >> February 16th.

111Okay. We're getting out of the woods, but we're not out of the woods yet, if that makes sense. >> And so I just want to try to try to make life as stressfree as possible. >> And you are looking for the board to >> it's a fair it's a fairly simple document. It's just a acknowledgement from actually from two of you that we're just moving that date. So it just needs to be made by a resolution. So the resolution would just be a resolution to change the date from December 15th to February 16, 2026. >> Do I have a motion to approve the resolution for uh call date adjusting the call date to February 16th? >> I'll make that motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second. It's been properly moved and seconded to uh

112for the uh resolution to approve the call date on the tax revenue anticipation note from December 15th to December 16th. All of those in favor, please signify by Oh, is there any discussion? >> February February 16th. >> Yes. Is there any discussion? Hearing none will proceed to vote. All those in favor of moving the call date on the trend to February 16th, 2026, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. We will [snorts] sign that resolution. Do you have it prepared? >> Okay, I'll sign that afterwards. And then off to appointment of WASBY delegate. >> Okay, we uh need the delegate to the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. And uh that's one of the five of you. That's my introduction. Not me. I'll be in Vegas.

113>> So for I think I'm the only one here that's done it probably. >> Um >> you'll enter a a big room with all the other delegates from around the state and there'll be all these resolutions and [snorts] um motions that will be gone through in that packet. it can be looked at ahead of time and uh and and the reality is there could be some discussion even ahead of going to that meeting so that you are representing our district and our board could have an opportunity to even tell you how we think the board should vote on something. Um, and I don't remember how long I took, a couple of hours to go through the whole thing, but it was really interesting. And and to be honest with you, I would love to go

114back and do it. It just always falls at the same time as this business trip. So, >> did we get the packet yet? >> Oh, you >> I just did my You didn't see the big reveal. I went >> No, I was sorry. [laughter] That's as bad as >> So when I went down and did that, the board didn't have a discussion about what was in the packet >> and and there was a lot of school board members that would stand up and say, "My board wanted to ask this question or my board wanted to vote this way." >> Well, those boards just didn't have as good and competent leadership as we did. >> And the trust in the leaders that we have on this board, that's what that was, too. >> The year that

115I went was that was my first year on the board. I was pretty green when I went down, but >> but we had >> Yeah. Thanks. >> So, you guys are all going down there, right? >> Uh, April, myself, and Quan. >> Yeah. >> So, it's you three. One of you gets to decide. >> So, all you need is the nomination. >> Mhm. >> I would nominate Chara to represent Ary as delegate. >> I I will second that nomination. Thank [laughter] you. or something. That's like picking up the check in a restaurant right there. >> No, I'm kidding. >> Um, yes, I will gladly accept that nomination uh to be the delegate. Um, although I one of you may end up having to step in just depending on what happens, but I I do have

116obviously some family obligations on the 20th. So, just depends on what that looks like on the 20th. Um, but I am registered to go. So if I am available to go, I will be more than happy to be the the delegate. So it is the plan at the current time. >> I think in the past sometimes we have had an alternate designated. Do you want to formally identify an alternate? >> No, I'll I'll save I'll save the girls and I'll just whip them into submission if something happens. I just I won't know until the 20th. So if your phone rings, don't pick it up, I guess. So um and obviously we will be meeting um before in special session um before this date arises and so I can just uh have this prepared and just

117give you guys a brief overview on that and I'll have Dr. Dler add that to the agenda. It'll be a quick side item even though we said this was going to be a special meeting for the school report card. We can >> we can quick that in. >> I know. Sorry. We have a lot of business to take care of. Y'all thought this was going to be a quick meeting, too, but here we are. >> I don't think [laughter] over like, I knew better. I knew better. All right, we're getting to the end. So, all right. I will um I will prepare. >> Are you guys going to take a vote on that or >> I don't know that we ever needed to. It's just kind of an appointment and it looks like they all

118came pre-planned. So, there we are. [clears throat and laughter] >> I wasn't. Well, I was yours quicker than I was. >> Okay. Um, off to donations and grants. >> Okay. You've already heard a little bit about the donations and grants, but here we go. Mississippi Welder Supply Company. Thank you for awarding Amory High School 2025 Spark County Mines Equipment Grant. And the grant included Hypertherm Power Max 45 sink plasma cutter, a shield helmet, and an air filter for use in the high school tech ed department. So that is the donation for the month of December. >> Make a motion we accept the donation. >> Second that >> it's been properly moved and seconded to accept the donation of plasma cutter from Mississippi Welder Supply Company with many thanks. Is there any discussion? Um what a

119what a cool donation. I it always just amazes me what we get um coming in the doors and for these kids to learn. So, all of those uh in favor of accepting the plasma cutter, please signify by saying I. >> I. All of those opposed, please signify by saying no. >> Motion passed. The donation is accepted. Thank you very much. What [applause] a great opportunity for personnel action. >> Okay. Personnel new employment contracts letters of appointment for Kylie Black as dance team co-advisor with Greta Edgar as dance team co-advisor custodian April Crumbley athletic office assistant Wanita Ragny high school girls wrestling coach Reggie Schlesner resignations of Eva Garass in clubhouse Alicia Lee as media center educator here at the intermediate John McBride director of finance terminations of Don Peterson, custodian, and Marissa Pauline, special ed

120pair educator and retirement effective end of 2526 school year for Tammy Winchell. >> Okay. Uh personnel action was previously discussed in close session. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oh, sorry. Can we have a motion to accept personal personnel action as recommended? >> I will make that motion. >> Okay. Is there a second? Steve, you want to take that? >> Sure. >> Thanks. >> Um, all those in favor of approving the personnel action as presented, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Regrudgingly I. >> All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Personnel action has been passed as presented. >> I don't think there's any community comments tonight. Looking pretty looking pretty sparse in here. >> Do we have a motion to second? >> It's been properly moved

121and seconded to adjourn the meeting. All those in favor of adjourning, please signify by saying I. I. >> I. All those opposed, please signify by saying no. Motion passed. Ver, >> that's still a short meeting for us. >> It is.