001All right. All here at 6:31. I'm going to call us to order. Dr. Is this meeting properly notice? >> Start with roll call. Ah, >> here. >> Jessica >> here. >> Sarah here. Tom. >> Yes, I'm here. >> I'm here. And we are missing Joel and we are missing Adam. >> Would everyone join me to rise for the pledge of 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. I would like to start us off with mission statement. I can do it. >> The Mount For area School District in partnership with the community is dedicated to nurturing, educating, and challenging all students, preparing, empowering them to be productive, responsible, and self-fulfilled members of society. Thank
002you. Would someone like to make a motion uh to approve or revise the agenda? One move to approve the agenda. >> Second. >> Motion by Sarah, second by Jessica. All those in favor say I. I. >> Um 2B, approval of the January 5th regular board meeting minutes. Somebody to make a motion to approve. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Tom, second by Jessica. All those in favor say I. >> I. All right, we'll move on to 3A, citizens comments. Um, before we get started, I just want to I see we've got a number of people signed up this evening. Um, per board of education policy 187, public participation at board meeting. We welcome input from our community, we have topics dertain to education. We ask speaker to we ask our speakers to
003please provide their name and address for the record. In accordance with the board policy, speakers should keep their comments to no longer than three minutes. So others who wish to speak can do so and the full business of the board can be accomplished. And I will ask Dr. Sino to please keep time and notify the speaker when he's approaching 3 minutes. And lastly, the purpose of citizens comments is for the board to collect input um not to engage in oneonone dialogue. >> Dr. Solo. >> Terrific. >> Have a great slate. First starting with Sue Hunterburg. Please come up Sue. >> My name is Sue Hunterburg. I'm board member of Pag no longer president. Um we have four of us here tonight. We want to again thank you for all your support through the years. Um
004but we also have something we don't know that you are aware of yet, but um our trans kids and families are struggling right now. Um, the hospitals received notice from the Department of Health and Human Services that they will no longer be providing gender affirming care to youth. Um, if so, the hospital is no longer going to do that. They informed their folks these last two weeks. Um, if they provide gender affirming care, they will lose their Medicare and Medicaid funding completely. So all which means a hospital would have to close. What's different about this is that they heard from them without the rules actually being um firm yet. They aren't they haven't passed. Um but the hospitals have already um stopped care. That causes a lot of stress to to our families. Of course,
005it we also are going to take away if if families have um badger care or Medicaid, those will not they will not be able to use those for their gender affirmative care either. So, doctors are working with families right now trying to figure out um what they can do. I think what you really need to know um is that this is very stressful. Very stressful. We need to be mindful of our kids and families and know that um gender affirming care is life saving care. It's as simple as that. So, we don't know, you weren't sure if you knew about this yet, but we know that it's important that the schools know. Any questions? Okay. Thanks. We're grateful to have a student come before the board tonight. Good evening, Cooper. Please watch your step here.
006>> Hi, my name is Cooper Shrader. Um, I play for the ice um for the Dodger High Schools. And so, um, I'm talking about our like connection with Stelton right now. And so, my I've been playing with the ice for almost 11 years now. Um, I know everybody on the team. Everybody's like a really good friend to me. Um, but, uh, so next year I have the opportunity to go play in Stoman to play a high school sport, which I really want to play a high school sport, but I also want to stay connected with everybody that I know. Um, so I'm trying to get us to be able to team up with Dodgeville and some other schools in the area to make it so I can stay with my friends and so that we
007can stay as a team and so we don't have to go to another school and like restart. So yeah, >> thank you so much. It takes a lot of courage to come up to a meeting like this and and of course share your experiences with us. We're so grateful for what you're doing. Thank you so much for being here tonight, Cooper. >> Thank you. >> Heal up quickly, my friend. >> Thank you. >> How about Stephanie Paser? >> I try and talk quick so I can get all my points in. My name is Stephanie Pasker and this is my son Dawson. As you can see, he's got the hockey hair here going on. He plays for the ISIL out of Dodgeville and we're in front of you today to express why it would be important
008to not extend the co-op with stop stoen and move forward with Dodgeville. I'm not going to focus on the financials. You guys have heard of all that. Um I think it's important you hear from the hockey families that would be affected by this decision. Hockey is such a different sport as far as connections. Kids usually start playing hockey from a young age and they continue to play with the same kids as they go from level to level within the same organization. When I say we're a hockey family, it's not just for Dodel. for any hockey program that has been together from the beginning. Through the wins, losses, tournaments, ups and downs, we always stick together year after year because we spend so much time with one another. Over the last four years, Mount Forb has
009had 136 kids that play with the high schools from all levels. In three years, this will affect my son and I'm very passionate about the direction it's going to go even before then. Some may be concerned by starting a co-op with that a successful season may not be in our favor since we're just starting out our WIA. But I want to remind everyone, these kids have played together for years and are not starting out having to learn how to play with new kids. They're familiar familiar with who they're playing with and how they move on the ice. I don't want to talk down about Stoton, but if I'm going to plead our case, I need to also present facts. The record of Stoton's hockey team has been less than ideal with only one win over
010the past two years. With that last one being our current co-op season. Meanwhile, the high school's team has brought home a state uh championship within the last three years. Currently, Stoton has one pee-wee team and two Banton teams, which makes up a total of 49 kids. So, in the next few years, Mount Hor will bring 17 kids to that. And their chances of being played in Stoton is pretty low, because I'm going to be honest, Sto's going to play their hometown's kids. This is why I think the co-op with Dodgeville should happen sooner rather than later. I realize that hockey playing kids do not come in a large number from Mount Hor, but they deserve to play WA like other sports we have. So, I think we should do the pos best possible option for
011them. And Dodgeville has been a very welcoming community for Mount Horb players and families. A lot of people in Mount Horb don't know that for youth hockey, we are part of a co-op with Dodgeville. So, why shouldn't we continue that with WIA now and build a strong team for players that have played their entire hockey career together. I think that makes more sense. That's why it's important you listen to the parents and students of Mount Horb who play hockey on where they want to play. We don't want to drive to Stoden multiple times a week for practices when Dodge will be so much closer. And the cost for hockey families is a huge financial burden. If we purchase our own equipment and on top of that to play with Stoton, the current cost is $1,575
012per player where Dodge Blue will only charge us 750 per player. In closing, I just want to say I know your job is to have the best interest for all of school school students in mind. That is my concern as well. That's why we're here. We currently only have two M I'm sorry, one Mont for student playing in Stoton. So I don't see it to be a huge impact on them given they did actually grow up and play with the Ice Wolves. We need to get ahead of the decision and not behind as we have a large number of kids coming up in the next few years. Dodgeville is our home ice. Please don't take that away. All the kids affected by this this decision are part of my hockey family. >> Thank you so
013much. Appreciate How about Maline? Maline, can you talk about hi everyone? I'm Maline McGee. Um, my son William Fruit is a sixth grader um here at the middle school and for I know it knows me. For some of you that don't know me though, I um am on the soccer board and I coach youth soccer. I grew up playing like five or six different sports. to play four sports in high school and as a coach and as a parent and as a player I feel very strongly that all kids should have the opportunity to play youth sports youth sports and all the way through high school. So for my son, looking ahead to the high school years, I obviously along with a lot of other people here support a policy change to form a co-op
014with the Dodgeville School District. And Mount Hore of Dodgeville Cooperative would follow similar opportunities and approaches that the football and boys and girls lacrosse programs have where the high school athletics teams are aligned with the youth programs to the benefit of our student athletes. There's a plethora of evidence showing that youth in high school sports improve academic performance and increased school attendance and engagement for high-risisk students. High school sports participation is also highly associated with increased mental health outcomes in our vulnerable student population. It lowers rates of anxiety and depression, boost self-esteem, teachers resilience and coping skills, and improve social skills. Continued student participation in athletics and other extracurricular activities should be a high priority for the district for all of our students. A possible cooperative with Dodgeville school district would benefit the Mount Forb
015student athletes by allowing them to continue playing the sport they love with friends they have made in the youth program. It also keeps in alignment with opportunities provided to our football and lacrosse lacrosse athletes. It reduces travel time and distance to practice by half or more, which especially in the winter is really important as it will lower winter driving risks for student athletes, some of them who may be very new drivers. My son, for example, is going to get his license in December when he turns 16. So, the drive to do for me is a lot better than the drive to Stonew. This also um will allow more time for academic preparation. These are student athletes. Academics should come first and allowing them more time to spend at home studying and working on their schoolwork
016instead of traveling is going to be really important to this group of young men. And finally, providing Montborg student athletes clearer paths to meaningful playing roles increases social emotional skills and outcomes for these students. This decision would also benefit the school district by reducing the number of students who might choose to enroll elsewhere for hockey opportunities at a time when enrollment and funding decreases are a real issue in the district. We know that this is a consideration for some of the students as well. So we realize the timeline is short and um I want to thank you for your [music] time and if you have any questions feel free to reach out. Thank you. >> Appreciate you. branding. Um, so I actually not speaking tonight, uh, tonight, so this could be a little impromptu. Um,
017there's been a lot of great points made before I spoke tonight and I wholeheartedly agree with everything the team said. Um, I really want to touch on the character of the dashboards and the teams and the families involved. So, we've been part of the Morpa community now for 11 years and my son Cooper has been part of the team for 10. Um, so he got on the skate shortly before he turned four. And he's skated with the Ice Wolves ever since. And one of the things that we've talked about and he's expressed more so lately is just his desire and an intent to play with the Ice Wolves through his high school career, which I admire and respect. Um, his commitment to his team, his teammates, organization. He wants to be an Ice Wolf and
018we're here tonight to do everything we can to make that possible. Um, it's amazing when you step in the rink, what you see between the players and the families, the coaches, the people who have had kids there who are no longer there but still come to do learn to play, which is when the younger kids from the organization come and they get to try out hockey. Um, they get to see if they like they get on skates. So, they're there doing that. They're there helping the ring get set up. There's so many people involved that are no longer having kids in the organization and still come support it because it's a family. when you are with somebody for every weekend, six months a year straight, um multiple times on the weekends, you really get to
019know each other and there's a lot of camaraderie and bonding that's done and I think coming into the high school years um to have our kids continue to be together and to do that um it's huge. We know it's such a pivotal time. So to have those relationships uh through the organization and just how it's supported, how the ice will support the community um I just can't speak highly enough about it. We're proud to be part of it and really hope that my son Cooper continues to be part of it. So, thank you. I appreciate your time. >> Thank you. >> Mitchell. >> All right. Good evening everyone. My name is Mitchell my thank you for providing us this opportunity to speak. Um, I won't reiterate all the points good points made by the other
020parents and by Cooper. Um, but I'd like to just briefly speak about some of the logistics and financials that I think should push us towards a cooperative with Dodgeville at the earliest possible convenience. So, as was previously mentioned, as I understand it, each student athletes family needs to pay about $1,500 and that amount could be haved by uh co-oping with Dodgeville. Part of that reason is that the Icewolves hockey club has a kind of perpetual lease with the city of Dodgeville and uh sets up a rink and really owns that rink for the winter months. And the hockey club is able to donate all of the ice time uh for hockey, which is the biggest driver of uh hockey sports for a WIA team. So, that's a really unique benefit that would come with a
021co-op with Dodgeville. Uh, the hockey club is also um offered to help with some of the startup costs that would come with forming a new cooperative, whether that um setting up relationships with um and paying for referees, jerseys, some of the logistics that do come along with a high school team. There's no way to make hockey a cheap sport, but um the hockey club is excited at partnering with the um various high schools that would be involved to make this a much more affordable opportunity for our student athletes. So, with that, I'll close and I'd like to thank um those involved. I know Mr. Carr and Dr. Seno have been in uh communications, especially recently with the club president um Kyle Levitzo, who couldn't be here today. Dodgeville school district has their board meeting. So,
022he's kind of working them and while um we're here to speak to you. So, thank you all for your time and thank you for your consideration of um of the possible cooperative adoption. >> Our last registered speaker. >> All right. Thank you very much to all of our speakers. Really appreciate the input and hearing from you. Um we're going to move on to 3B school news. Dr. Leno, do you want to start us off? >> Well, yes. Uh, today, as you know, is Reverend and Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Uh, and I often think about the legacy of service to others uh that Dr. King brought uh to uh the forum and we try to as a school district represent each and every day. Uh I want to acknowledge uh the board's statement of belonging
023uh that you all put together some time ago. I want to say maybe last summer in which we do want to create an environment where all students are welcome. All means each and every one of our students uh and staff. And so we see this legacy of Dr. King, the hallmarks of Dr. King's philosophies uh born out of Club Interact and National Honor Society. I should have started a list because I know there's so many other uh ways in which our students uh live out the board's goal of of the silver court hours and volunteerism. So, we'd be mistaken if we didn't start tonight's meeting in acknowledgement of this very special day. I also uh would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank uh all of the folks from the ice whoops uh
024who came out tonight, especially on such a cold night. But of course, you're no stranger to ice, are you? [laughter] That being said, um we uh about two years ago now, I want to say sock uh which was our prior um partner um had said to us, "Listen, we don't know that we can continue having a partnership with you." And at the time, we didn't have a great organization like the Ice Wolves to reach out to, or maybe it was just that their students weren't quite ready to to come up to the to the high school level yet, as we can see, a number of our speakers tonight have some young people. And so, we entered into a cooperative with Stoen, and we are grateful to have that partnership with them. And in fact, we're
025in the middle of a two-year agreement with Stoen right now. Uh we checked with the WIAA to determine whether or not we could have a one-year agreement and we were told no. So uh anytime [music] uh a new school is brought on into a cooperative um that cooperative now starts its clock for another 2-year cycle. And this is the case here with uh our cooperative with Stogen. Uh Lakeside Lutheran is the school if I'm remembering correctly. Mr. Carr, our activities coordinator is in the audience. Good evening to you, sir. >> Hey. >> Uh and uh if we don't agree to participate in this cooperative, our students won't be able to play this year. And we don't want to put our kids in a position that they can't play. Um, and uh, the other kind of
026drawback to that, of course, is then it, as I said, it starts that new 2-year window, which would mean the soonest that we could participate in a partnership with uh, Dodgeville and from what I've been told, maybe even other schools, uh, Mineral Point, uh, Barnaval, um, I think were the other schools, um, would be the 2028-29 school year. Uh, and so when it was proposed to us back in August, Mr. Kyle, I'm sorry, I'm not remembering how to pronounce his last name. >> Thank you. Um, had suggested that we have some conversation for something to start yet this year. And uh, he's come to find out uh that that's just not possible on his end this year. And so when we uh acknowledge that, yeah, let's have some conversation around it, the district actually set
027up time to meet with Kyle and other districts in order to have the conversation. Unfortunately, no one took took the uh took the the invitation until January 7th. Well, the deadline for any kind of WIAA uh agreement is February 1st as I understand it. So, there's not enough runway time for us to get to a yes for this year. Nor am I hearing that's possible, nor do they wish to do that is what my understanding was in a conversation we had with the Ice Wolves president today. Um but we did commit uh as a school district to uh partner so that when we are freed up from our cooperative uh we can uh talk about uh what are the logistics? What does that look like? Um what are the costs that would be associated? We're
028not married to the cooperative we're in now. We're just not um we're not open to divorcing our partners in Stoton uh quite yet because a it's not fair to those kids who are expecting us to participate this year and uh b just simply because it doesn't sound like that's even in the offing for this year. So I I want to thank um the high school folks publicly for coming out tonight. It really does mean a lot, right? This is government in action, especially our students who came forward to speak tonight. The best way I can I can suggest to you is it's not a no. It it's just a not yet. And so I would ask um that over the course of the next couple of years we spend the time together to get to
029the yes. Um and we'll work with Kyle to do that and of course anybody else who'd be interested in partnering with us as well. So um that's my story and I'm sticking to it. So uh that's what we have around uh school news with the ice wolves. I also want to um also note in school news um we have an art show that's about to uh begin uh at the historium. It begins on January 23rd um which is actually this week. Uh, and that happens at the historium all weekend long, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. And as we've done in years past, you may remember we've acknowledged uh uh students work by board members going and selecting a piece or two that moves them and then we invite that artist
030to come to the board table so we can celebrate them a little bit. And wondering if we could do that again this year. How do people feel about that? >> Yes, please. That is fun, isn't it? >> It is so fun. >> Yeah. So, we'll work out the arrangements. Uh we want to thank our high school art teachers for allowing for a program like this to occur. It really does um I think uh add quite quite a bit to their program. And then last but not least, um I want to acknowledge uh the fantastic work of our gymnastics team. Vinnie was here on Saturday of last week. There was an amazing invitational that occurred here and I want to say there are 11 different school districts that came by. Chris, could you speak to that
031real quick? I don't mean to put you on the spot, but boy, wasn't that something? >> Yeah, it was a [clears throat and cough] it was an extremely successful event um where we where we kind of pinned together a group of large schools and a group of smaller schools by enrollment um in a in a red division, a white division. Um, so we had schools of all different sizes come and compete and um, you know, just I'm always so impressed with the student athletes that are able to come by and show what they're able to do. And um, growing up without a a huge representation of gymnastics in my life, it's just um, it's stunning to me what some of these athletes are able to do. Um, so just an extremely successful event that u
032in the smaller division, which Mount Forum is, we were actually able to come out on top. So, it was um twofold a success um for everybody involved as well as our district especially. >> And while you have the floor, can you tell us about a little game that's going on over where the Milwaukee Bucks play uh this Saturday? >> Yeah, so our boys basketball team is able to go and uh in large part to the coordination of head coach Todd Mesheim. Uh this has been in the works for um probably since this time last year um in planning and coordinating and we were actually able to go up uh and play a neutral game against Loi High School in boys basketball forum. So that should be an awesome event. The floor is a little bit
033larger. So there's going to be some uh some adjusting to do some by some of our high school athletes, but we've been having a great boys basketball season and that'll be uh that'll be a a really good event to put near the 2/3 mark of our season. So, starting to wind down and that'll be a really cool event for everybody involved. >> Fantastic. So, lots of great things happening here at the White Vikings. Thanks for the opportunity to share them with you. >> Our wrestlers, too, right? They did really good at the cheese whatever and uh >> cheese invitational and was it? >> Yes, we've had, if you [clears throat] don't mind me continuing to ramble on, [laughter] >> um our uh yeah, especially our boys as a team. Uh we have been really successful.
034Um last month uh we won the first our first ever time for our school district. We won the bystate classic um which is some of the some of the premier wrestlers and teams from from around the state and we were able to come out on top and actually some surrounding states um participate in that as well. Um and then as well as the cheese head in Kakana is another uh premier event that gets put on by the wrestling communities. Uh and we actually had uh we had many many wrestlers take podium finishes. Uh Levi Leonard was actually able to uh individually win in his weight class. So um we have some tremendous talent, boys and girls involved in wrestling right now and it should [cough and clears throat] be should be a very fun season
035to follow here till we finish. >> Anyone else school news to share? >> I have one more. >> Yeah. Uh, February 4th, I think we have four meeting before this, but just in case you know, February 4th is Culver's night for PTO. Um, it will probably snow or sleep or hail [laughter] or something, but it is Culver's night. I think it only goes from like 5 to 8. Um, but go on out. The teachers will come to your car and bring you bring you culvers and it's always a really good time. >> It's a Wednesday night. >> It is a Wednesday night. Yes. >> I got a couple things. So, I know there's also swimming going on and that they're doing a great job this season as well. And then, um, the end of semester
036is this Friday. Is that even possible? >> And then, um, at the IC, the orchestra has their concert on January 30th at 400 p.m. So, if you want to hear a little bit of music, it's an opportunity. >> I know Dr. So put this in his weekly update, but Adam and I went to the middle school and the high school student council meetings last week. Um they were really fun. Uh the high school had a surprisingly large group of kids and it was a pretty mixed group of kids of both, you know, male and female students and um they were talking about their winter dance and it was um you know 7:30 in the morning but they were all engaged and oh I'll do that. What about this thing? Like it was it was it
037was great. And then um the middle school kids were broken up as Dr. SL noted into four different groups and they were like digging in. They were like working on it and they were sending emails to like teachers and they were plant like it was fantastic. They were they were doing a great job on Facebook. >> Oh yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. Yeah. So that was really fun. It was good. Nice. >> All right. Uh, moving on to 4 A, personnel transactions. >> Board members, I'm excited to report tonight that we have a a number of really outstanding educators who have uh turned in their notice to ask the board for retirement. And I've asked our director of human resources, Karen Esinger, if she would be willing just to share a little bit about each one
038of these fantastic people. >> Yes. Um it's it's wonderful to be able to recognize a few of the many wonderful folks that serve our district. Um as Dr. Serno mentioned, January 15th is the date [music] which faculty um submit their retirement for those who are 55 and over and have 15 years serving the district. Um, it's also important to note at this time of year, we often hear from other staff who maybe don't meet those requirements, but have served our community for many years and left a lasting impression. And um, though I might not be mentioning them here tonight, they are definitely recognized um, at their building level as well. So um, I with no further ado, I'll I'll um, get started here. Annie Byer, um, fourth grade teacher, served 27 years with Mount Cora
039School District, and Annie is mostly known, um, as a fourth grade teacher, but also served as a reading specialist and a guidance teacher of late. Um, has just a genuine kind, supportive demeanor, um, willingness to help others, and, um, has shown this positive impact on her students. She also regularly um integrates mindfulness such as yoga and music into her classroom and you may have um attended a peace program performance. Um outside the classroom, Annie has served as a student [music] council advisor, yoga classes as well as part of the weeding um committee um to keep the icy grounds beautiful. So, um, Jackie Frederickson, fourth grade teacher, 24 years with Mount Coria Schools. And Jackie, um, cares deeply about her students and just models that compassion and positive, respectful behavior daily. Um, and in her classroom
040environment, students feel safe and welcome. Um, she has also taught summer school as well as fourth grade teacher. And some of her contributions outside the classroom, for example, are giving tree projects, um, teacher union highway cleanup. Um, collaborating with farm to school and creating a school garden as well. Um, Beth Magio at the high school social studies teacher for 31 years. Um, Beth's connection to her students is one of her greatest strengths. Um, and goes out of her way to um, form those relationships for those at the high school. She has put forth an amazing effort to um help traditionally underserved students through project unifi and the polar plunge. Um some of her additional contributions outside of the classroom was class advisor, academic decathlon advisor as well as student council. Um we have Melissa Scallan
041Mson also at the high school um in the math department 31 years um with the district. And Melissa has a gift for teaching. Her interactions with students are are positive, high level of respect. Um, and students feel comfortable taking risks in her classroom. And she's also always up for new approaches um and new strategies in every effort to to best um serve her students. In addition to high school teaching, she's assisted at the high school um as a volleyball coach, class adviser, team leader, student council advisor um and distinguished alumni committee. Um Melissa Piscapelli, sixth grade teacher, 31 years as well with the district. She also started Melissa started out at the IC. Um then she moved to the middle school. her classroom environment is one of safe learning and um allowing students to share.
042Um she leads her classroom with just [music] a respectful approach. Um and that uh mutual respect that is just a signature of her classroom. Some of her outside um contributions uh summer school as well, middle school volleyball. Um she's participated at the IC as a faculty [music] council member um and district technology committee. And finally, um Janice Slater, special education pair professional and van driver, 27 and a half years with Mount Horb schools. Uh Jan is described as hardworking, dependable, flexible, and just a team player who will always take on a new responsibility. Um Jan um excels in supporting some of our most vulnerable students and has an amazing ability to develop [music] relationships with those students even in challenging situations. Um beyond her role as a driver and parah Jan um was an invaluable
043member of the team and also would help in [music] food service if the need arose. So, we are very grateful for all of these um members as well as many others in our district and it's wonderful to celebrate them. So, >> thank you. Did a super job. >> Thank you very much to all of our teachers um or all of our staff who are retiring will be very missed, but we're very excited for this next step for you. Um, would someone like to make a motion to approve of personal transactions? >> Motion to approve. Second motion [clears throat] from Jessica and second by Sarah. All those in favor say I. >> I. Consent agenda. Um, would someone like to make a motion to approve the consent agenda or is there anything anyone wants to pull
044out? Motion to approve consent agenda. >> Second. >> Motion by Tom, second by Jessica. All those in favor say I. >> I. Agenda is approved. S. Moving on to discussion item. 6A. We have our long range facility planning capital planning update. It looks like we've got uh Mr. Mark Miller on the line. >> Good evening, Mark. How you doing, buddy? >> You took the line. Well, I tell you what, Mark, I'm just going to quickly just set us up so that we could record your presentation. So, just a moment, please. >> And then would you like me to share [music] um the uh slide deck? >> Yes, please. >> Okay, great. Just a moment, please. Well, it sure is great to see you. Mark and I started our day bright and early, didn't we, buddy?
045Uh, uh, with a conversation about staging of all of our work ahead. And then Mark was here on site uh, as we welcomed a number of our general contractors, didn't we, at 10:00? >> Yes, we turn that up a little bit more. Take it away. Well, thank you all for uh having me uh speak a little bit this evening. Um if you just want to go to the slow down of the calendar. There we go. So, uh we've seen this before. It hasn't changed much. Uh we are still on schedule [snorts] and we are out of bid right now. So, uh project is progressing as planned so far. So I think everything is good schedulewise. Next one. And so we are in the bidding phase of the project right now. Uh we have distributed the
046con uh construction documents, plans, and specs to the uh pre-approved general contractors. And we also sent uh them to the Wisconsin Builders Exchange, the Lacrosse Builders Exchange. Uh a lot of the subcontractors and suppliers are members of the Builder Exchange. So they get the the heads up about the project and and the parameters and details, drawings and specifications from the Builder Exchange. and uh it makes a very simple process and gets that information out to a very large uh variety of people and firms uh across the state and across the country. And uh as Steve mentioned, we did have our pre-bid walk through today. Uh good turnout. Uh there was almost 20 contractors of various types uh there today and uh we went through our paperwork. Uh, but we also walked through the buildings and
047had look see at the primary center and the middle school and the ELC. So, I think it was a a good turnout and uh if it could have just been like 30° warmer, right? Great. Next, please. And so, uh, one of the big things that we're working on right now, and Steve alluded to this a little bit, is the coordination of all the different pieces that are going on. So uh we are um excuse [clears throat] me we are in the process of getting things organized between the successful contractor and the primary center and keeping in mind parents staff and uh community members uh the village and of course the contractors. Um for the remainder of this school year, we'll have a little bit of adjustment with the uh parent pickup and drop off. Uh
048and a little bit of adjustment with the bus pickup and drop off. Uh but it will change a little bit more for next school year. Uh we'll have temporary parking and temporary uh playgrounds while construction is going on because if you'll remember we're building the new addition on top of the existing uh bus drop off and pickup and uh playground area. self. Uh we are planning for the remainder of this year to have the buses load and unload on on the second and uh next year that will change to a academy street, but this year we're just academy street will change to oneway. Um there are uh public safety committee meetings planned at the village level. Um and the remainder of the uh staff and visitor parking will remain unchanged for this year. Uh but
049next year uh if all goes well and we will have the buses pick up and drop off on our new bus uh loop on the north side of the building and parents uh will be uh on Academy Street and Central uh for their student pickup and drop off and the staff parking and visitors will be on Second and Academy Street and the existing parking lot will be our temporary playground while construction wraps up. So it's a lot of moving pieces. Uh and so far I think uh it's getting coordinated quite well. So next slide. >> Oh, this is an easy one for me. [laughter] Board members, I thought it would be helpful just to give an update not only to you but to the community is where we stand on the financial side of the
050house. Our project remains um what we believe to be on budget. will know even more come February 5th when the project bids do come due. The as Mark indicated, there will be a building's grounds and transportation meeting that will take place at 4:30 in the afternoon at the district office because we are opening bids uh and there likely will be follow-up questions and conversations needed with each of the general contractors. That meeting uh will ask to be gathered into a closed session. Ultimately, as Mark has suggested, we'd like the board to please consider um uh a selection of a general contractor at your meeting on February the 16th, which leads me to another topic that we'd really like your consideration on on February 16th as well, and that is a parameters resolution. You may remember
051uh this was a topic that we've uh bridged before. When it comes time for us to lock in interest rates on borrowing, uh right now um we're preparing to borrow our third and final authorized borrow uh from the community. And uh we believe that amount will not exceed about $9 million and will definitely not exceed the amount authorized by the community. [clears throat] And uh because interest rates fluctuate uh you've been reading the paper as I have and recently things have been uh going in a downward trend which we welcome. Um, and knowing when precisely to lock in, uh, is the purpose of a parameters resolution that would authorize the board president and the board clerk, um, to work with our financial consultant, Baird, uh, to, uh, give the okay on the specific date that
052the interest rate seems to be most favorable. And because we'll need to work with our bond council on this, we likely would have paperwork ready uh no later than uh the February 16th board of education meeting date. Uh concurrent to all of this, we've also, as I've just mentioned, watching interest rates um fluctuate a little bit going south. there may be some uh existing debt um that we may want to consider uh refinancing at a much more favorable rate than we've had before. We're in the process of working with bar right now to identify what is eligible. So, for example, anything that we've recently borrowed here, um it wouldn't be eligible, right? because there used to has to be a bit of a cooling off period, if you will. But there might be some existing
053debt from either the 2014 referendum uh where we put in the windows and and uh some of the uh HVAC uh at the high school and maybe even some of the uh 2017 uh borrow that we have that we may want to explore if we can go even lower uh in our interest rate. Uh so uh at that time we likely might have some recommendations for the board, but uh we just want to make certain that we leave every option open in order to continue to be uh as I know the board is uh also very cognizant of being good stewards of our taxpayers generosity. So um I believe at this point we were going to open it up to questions, weren't we Mark? >> Uh >> or next steps. No, >> there we can.
054Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I've shared our next steps uh and certainly all are welcome to that meeting uh for the board on February the 5th at 4:30 p.m. at the district office. How about you, Mark? Do you have any additional next steps? >> I want you to slide down just a touch to the next slide. >> Yes, thank you. Uh right at the moment our big thing is answering contractor questions and they've started to come in and in a project of this size and scope and complexity there's always a lot of questions. So we try to respond to those so that contractors have a a good uh understanding and and good knowledge of what the project uh includes. So, as Steve mentioned, we are uh set up for bids being received February 5th at 2
055p.m. And uh we will review those with the uh committee at that time and hopefully things uh are successful on the 16th. So, are there any other questions? >> I Oh. Oh, okay. Um how many were there? nine that we pre that were pre >> We had nine companies that sought pre-qualification and the board approved seven. >> That's right. Okay. >> And two of those draft out >> I believe three. >> Okay. >> Was there out of the walk through I'm just curious how that went. Was there any I don't know good questions that they asked then or any surprises that came out of that or uh >> Yeah. No, I would say there were no surprises. Uh there were some good questions. Uh a lot of it is just the contractors trying to get
056a feel for the existing building. Like it's one thing to have, you know, all these pieces of paper and everything. It's another to walk through and see it and experience it. And that's the big thing is trying to understand what is the the appeal for the building. So I think uh was like I said a good turnout and and we walked around and I think everybody was happy to be under it. So >> good questions. >> You you look like the great powerful Oz tonight. [laughter] Looks good. Mark, you're always a gem and we appreciate you so very much. Well, thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Bye now. >> Thank you. See you later. >> All right. Moving on to 6B, our committee and village leaison member reports. We'll start with the community
057and legislative engagement committee. Sarah. >> Okay. Okay. So, we met uh virtually on January 12th. Uh so, Dr. Serno gave kind of an overview of current and pending legislation um that uh involves uh school districts. Um there's it was noted there's been an increase in proposals that would shift control away from local districts to the state level. So example legislation um encouraging school consolidation due to ongoing financial strain districts are seeing. Um we talked about the special education funding. Um that remains one of our biggest um advocacy priorities uh especially with the push from to move from some sufficient to some certain um and doing so would provide uh greater fiscal stability. So, um, we discussed, uh, there's some proposed legislation right now related to student pronoun use, uh, which would require parental approval and
058could have ramifications for any staff who would disobey that rule. Uh, we don't foresee this passing due to Governor Rever's history, um, unlikeliness to sign off on this if it would get that far. Um, [snorts] and then we did note that the legislation legislative session will conclude by uh, likely late February, early March. And then on the community engagement side, um our community engagement efforts are strong. Um our student activities continue to get great visibility and engagement um especially via social media. I believe Aubrey Hanks had mentioned like our London trip. We had gotten over 200,000 views um on social media um just around that. So that was really great to hear. Um we're continuing legislative advocacy efforts through the Greater Dayne County School Consortium. um that meet there was just a meeting held on
059the 14th of January. Um we talked about the Viking alumni survey survey which is very valuable in evaluating the outcomes of our students after graduation. Um discussed ongoing efforts to share the prepared for our future message. Uh participation in the upcoming uh joint village chamber district meeting which will be on January 26th. and we discussed the ongoing process to select the new general contractor for the building process of which we will continue to form inform the community about. Uh there's work being done on improving the school funding web page so it's clear, more trans transparent and easier for the community to understand. So look for that. And then we did review the January thank you article recognizing community uh support. Um, Aubrey Hanks will make a few small requests of edits and we'll be sharing
060that with the Mount Hort Mail and then we will meet again February 23rd. >> Thank you. >> Any questions for Sarah? >> Right. Education Committee Jessica. >> We met Monday, January 5th. We were lucky to have uh Mr. Rick come with us and talk with us about the computer science program. He talked a lot about the hands-on robot robotics program and the different robotics kits that the that they have bought um through some grant funding for the students. Uh and then the different courses that they're offering. Um we're hoping that maybe we can get some videos of the students building and using the robots to, you know, maybe put them on social media so that the community could see the kind of cool stuff that the students are doing. Uh, we also talked about policy
061853, the military recruitment policy, just to make sure that we were in compliance with federal regulations. Sarah also gave us an update on policy 384, use of privatelyowned vehicles, and just that it was um a timeconuming and challenging policy that she's still making progress on it, and we will eventually see it again. Uh she gave us some curriculum updates including that the middle school English language arts teachers completed their first round of piloting Amplify ELA and then the second pilot of the my perspectives. Um and then the team was going or is going to visit a neighboring district in February to learn more about different curriculum. Uh the middle school math teachers are in their first year implementing grade 9 Eureka math. um and Mr. Christensen, uh secondary instructional coach Kelly Parker, and Sarah all
062participated in administrative training in December so they could support the teachers who are piloting that. Uh in addition, she shared that she and Cody have started to talk about what courses they might want to add, remove, um or revise. So that'll be coming to us in spring. Um Sarah, not surprising, has been busy. So she also went to um Green Bay with the district tech coordinator, Lil Bergmire, um to talk about all the different things that Green Bay is doing around AI and protecting student data privacy and agreement. So it sounds like she learned a lot there. And then two other things, grading and assessment updates. uh she Sarah went to an English one class to talk about evidence-based grading and also got some feedback from the students. Uh so she's going to based on
063that food feedback uh create some talking points or videos or something to share with the students and staff. And then the final one was um that they had formed the belonging committee and then as we heard from Brian and saw earlier then they had their first meeting today. So, it was jam-packed as always. [laughter] That is covers a lot. Um, any questions for Jessica? All right. I have the Greater Dayne County Consortium meeting update. Um, as Sarah mentioned, we did have that meeting on January 14th. It was at Belleville Middle High School in the library. Um, I was there, Adam was there, Dr. Serno was there. Um, and just as a just as a recap, this is a group of um, board members and administrators from schools all across Dayton County that have organized together
064to share best practices, to network, to learn from each other, um, and particularly in all sorts of governance best practices, but also starting to look at legislative advocacy and um, that as well. So the first half of the evening was focused on on more on governance best practices. We kind of broke into groups and had two discussion questions. The first one was around um keeping board members how do you how do you best keep your board members up to date with the the details of what's going on and the there were I don't know what the mix in the room was. I would say it was fewer board members than previous previous. So um uh so we shared there was a lot of talk about good onboarding practices, good mentoring practices, awareness of you know
065some of the nitty-gritty jargon details of of education policy and making sure that those are being being explained well. um the group there were people in our group I think there was a woman from the from the Belleville school district and as I described our own committee structure where we get a lot of that very detailed information. Um I it kind of surprised me to learn that not everybody does that the same way. And so so that was something that other people keyed in and were like oh that sounds that sounds good. That sounds like you get a lot of good information. So um some good ideas there. The second um the second discussion topic was around community engagement and how do you how do you reach those the 70% of constituents in your school
066district that don't have students in the district. Um and so there were a lot of good ideas shared there. The one that stucks sticks out that I remember was the Middleton superintendent hosts like a monthly community breakfast for um business leaders and partners that she's cultivated over time. And so she has these regular breakfasts and then she kind of rotates community leaders and business leaders in over that, but then throughout that maintains this this broad network that makes it easy to distribute information if she needs to get some word out to the community. So a lot of good ideas there. Um the second half of the meeting was really focused on trying to organize um around advocacy and and uh that part of the discussion was led by Joe Godard, the superintendent of Madison and
067um Victoria Stewart um who is their lobbyist. Um and they came with a proposal to the group to form a smaller advocacy committee out of that group with the idea being there would be one representative from each district a mix of superintendent and board members out of out of that. Um and I believe so there's eight districts I believe participating in the consortium so be a committee of eight people and and the the goal would be to get better organized. How do we pull our power more? How do we advocate for our students more? And there was a a really lot of good substantive discussion around that because there was some some concern, some rightful concern in the room that are we we don't we want to be sure that we're not just duplicating efforts.
068We have a number of advocacy organizations around the state, the work that WASBY does, we don't want to just do the same thing that they're doing already. and you want to build on that and complement it where it makes sense. Um there was also a lot of discussion about how do you be strategic? We you know you don't want to beat your head with the same issue that keeps getting the same answer all the time. So, so how do you be strategic and thoughtful and and then there was I think the discussion turned a little after that because it seemed to start with traditional talking about traditional legislative advocacy but but then I think there's also a recognition that there's more to that there's community building there is pulling our resources to help other school
069districts um with get on board with their advocacy um other issue advocacy to make sure there's There's definitely concern in the room that that a feeling that you know students are watching us, students need um protection and advocacy and how do we how do we do that in ways that maybe aren't just calling the legislature. So um so some good discussion that came out of that. I think the next the next steps out of that they were going to send a request out to the districts to see who would want to be on that committee. Um, and then that committee was going to get together to kind of sus out a little more about what what the organization the purpose of it of it would be. >> Um, I think that was it. And then
070the next meeting is probably in [snorts] is there's two a year, right? So, the next one's going to be >> another one here probably in like April or May. April or May that'll be at work on she's burying the lead. She was kind enough to volunteer. Vice President Fischer was to serve on that on that team. So, thank you for giving of your time even more. >> It's good. I was going to I was going to >> We were going to nominate you. [laughter] >> It's good that you volunteered. Well, it's good that you had that conversation about how do we complement the work of WASBY because I do think I mean just focusing in on all the work I think it was fairly unique last year how consistent a message there was around special
071education >> and although we were doing the same work as WASBY the districts can tell the specific stories that I think help support you know what I So like I think it's working together. I don't think it's always duplicating. >> Right. >> But I do think you need to make sure that you know you're using your time wisely. >> Right. There was a lot of discussion too around we live in an area where there are legislators who are advocates for education funding. Um >> Right. Even still, they struggle with knowing what that really means and how that works and what the impacts are and what that looks like and and the Wisconsin state funding is just >> unnecessarily complex and and and hard to get your hands around. Um, so the more educ just pure
072education we can continue to do and storytelling we can continue to do not just them but in the community is is important. The other there was some discussion too that was interesting around how should the makeup of the legislature change and what what happen what what do we want what's our ideal state what happens if the dog catches a car right and and I think there was kind of a consensus that there we know we know at the core we need more and better funding that increases with inflation um and that meets the needs of our students but literally what does that mean and I don't know that we have that answer and it's probably time to start getting that answer. >> One of the one of the sessions at WSB, I think it's on
073Friday and I can't remember is storytelling >> financial >> like school financials and I was like that sounds interesting. Maybe we can also hijack it for other things. [laughter] >> Oh, totally. Thank you for going. Um, [clears throat] last we the village of not hor leison report which is Adams. He's not here so we'll move on. Uh, 6 C information and advocacy report. Sarah 6 and D. >> Yeah. here. I got you guys. Thanks, Steve, for pulling up. This is probably one of the longest reports I've provided you, so sorry. Thank you. I did add um some new pieces, but as Carly mentioned, this is an advocacy report looking at student growth and student achievement. And throughout the port throughout the report, I alternate between those two areas, those two indicators. And I do tell
074a story chronologically this time. I have added in some of our early literacy at the elementary level. And that's where we're going to start tonight. We're going to particularly look at figures tonight if that's okay and and ignore ignore the text. You can either read that later or maybe you've read it already. Uh so I want to point out uh our kindergarten crew. Letter word sound fluency is one of the foundational pieces that students um need to have in order to become breeders as they get older. Um so I presented the letter word sound fluency the LWSF in two ways. In figure one we see does we see through the growth lens. I provide last year's growth the 2425 winter growth is that top row and then um actually I want to compare it to
075the 25 26 winter. So it's more apples to apples in the time and we can see those two yellow arrows there. last year from fall to winter that winter growth um 80% of our students either met that uh aggressive or typical growth whereas this year 90% did. So that's great to see that um we are in our third year of CLA with our our youngest learners and teachers are getting into the groove. They're getting comfortable. They're figuring out maybe what gaps they need to maybe supplement with or do more of with the program. Um so that's really nice to see that more students are either meeting or exceeding their growth. The next figure then figure two takes a look at it in a little different way. This is more based on proficiency or percentile. When
076we think about percentile we line up 100 kids in here and how how a student did if they're the 55th kid in line they're the 50th 55th percentile not percentage percentile. Uh so I'm presenting the percentiles for this school year when students took that same letter word sound fluency assessment in the fall and winter. And we can see um those um the percentages of students at those percentiles based on the legend on the right those those colorcoded pieces. When I look at this, I'm like, "Oh, I'm sort of bummed." Because really, I would love to have every student in that green and blue area because that that black line in the middle there is the 50th percentile, straight on average. But when I really think about it, we have more than 50% of our kids
077at the 50th percentile or higher, which is nice to see. And when I think about system health, when we think about universal core curriculum, the rule of thumb is you want at least 80% of your students to be at the 25th percentile or higher. That that average range. And we can see on the legend on the left, low average, that sort of yellow orange color from the 25th to 49th percentile. Well, in the fall, uh, we had I'm going to do quick math. So 62 + 21. So we had about 84 85% of our kids at that universal core health which is which was nice. We had a little drop off um in the winter but again the core [music] seems to be doing what it's supposed to be doing for our learners and we're
078excited to see how that proficiency will continue to grow over time just like that growth has grown over time. Now, let's go up a few grade levels to first grade, second grade, third grade. So, that letter word sound fluency at kindergarten, like I said, lays the foundation. Can students put that letter or the two or three letters to sounds in order to start to read? Well, in first, second, and third grade, now they're reading. And we measure that through oral reading fluency. Students get two passages, a minute each. We look at words per minute and accuracy. Um and we can see what that looks like um with oral reading fluency growth over time. Um you know in the mid mid60% of students um first, second and third grade are meeting their typical or aggressive growth.
079Our goal as we know is to get that higher. So we will be looking at this information over time as well. But again we're moving in the right direction. And then we have the the proficiency again. So another look at it for first, [music] second, and third grade. We can see there a piece I talked about with our reading specialist today is I'm keeping my eye eye on the first grade piece. Um we see a dip um a slight dip for first grade from fall to winter proficiency of um students who are are meeting certain percentiles. So again, we'll keep an eye on that. I'm going to schedule time with the grade level teams to show this information. they look at their student data. They don't always get into like the broader pieces and look
080for trends. So, I'm going to be meeting with grade level teams when we come back from WASB um just to share this information to start to ask questions, you know, why and and how and those kinds of things. So, um it's been nice to do this report and and think through these pieces and start to share these graphs with not just you guys, but with staff as well. >> I'll pause there. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yeah. um just in your either I don't know if this would be in just any sort of information about the assessment in general or your connections with other districts. Is it common for like fall winter to be so similar when it comes to [music] this? Do you know what I mean? Like in second and third
081grade between fall and winter it's almost identical. >> Yeah. So or then like in first I'm just wondering It doesn't really matter to compare us to other districts, but yet I'm just wondering if this is like a similar pattern or it is unique to us. Do you know what I mean? >> Yeah, I I don't have that information yet. I do believe DPI is has been collecting our data to share more more publicly in the future. Um but I haven't had that conversation yet. >> Yeah. Um >> because it could be >> ideally I would love it to say the same or go higher not not which is great because that means they're they're meeting their their growth for what they need for the next testing season, >> right? >> Yeah. >> But I don't
082have an answer on that yet. >> Yeah. >> But it could also be like something to do with the curriculum that like they make all this growth right away and then they just kind of stay where they're at, you know? Like I Anyways, >> Yep. Shifting to middle school, Steve, I'm going to have you just go ahead a little bit. Would you mind going to page one, two, page four, please? We're going to skip. Yep. And Yep. We're going to look at the figure 9 through 14. Start here. So, um, on we can't quite see it. Do you mind zooming out just a tad for me? Thank you. Sorry. just to get the sweet. That's perfect. Thank you. Um on the left side we have the so this is a growth lens again the growth
083for the intermediate center in English and math compared to the state and you see the legend colors at the bottom. Mount Horab is that pretty violety blue and the state is the grayish green. And then on the right side, we have the growth for middle school grades six through eight. Um, at the IC, we've typically been or exceeded uh the state in growth, but we know at the middle school, we've had conversations and we're doing work around um trying to make sure we have that same growth for our students and and we've had our eye on the math piece. Um, we have a new program we're implementing this year. Um, so I will continue to bring this data to you as we implement new resources to see where our growth um, can increase. So that's
084just on our radar and it's it's a theme that we found and we're reacting to as well. But when we switch gears then, Steve, if you mind going to page six with the achievement side. Perfect. Thank you. Um, same thing. The intermediate center is on the left side, the middle school is on the right side. um our our students are still achieving higher than the state. So while you know the growth is an area that we have our eye on as a school district, that's one of our main goals. Um that is okay. We know achievement wise um we're doing very well. So two different ways of looking at it, but it does give a more complete picture of how we're supporting our students. Let's end then with high school. Do you mind see going
085to um one more page please at the top of the next page. Thank you. Um the high school has been rocking it. Um they have been um doing great. So this now has growth and achievement on the same page for the high school. The left side is that growth and the right side is achievement and and we can see through both lenses. Um the high school has has been just making improvements and strides and um it's been noticed at the state level. I know Cody did a presentation last summer about the growth and what they're seeing and what they're doing. Um so I just want to publicly recognize that piece of it as well that they they are just um doing well. I think I had some I think percentages if I can grab it
086real quick from the report. I don't think I can grab it that quick, but um I believe for growth they were like in the the top 90 second percent schools in the whole state. Like they they're doing really well. Um so just wanted to point that out as well. And last but not least, uh a couple different spots in this report um you can click on and see how we're doing compared to our Badger conference um and to our comparables. Uh so there's that's a couple different links in here. So, those are the main ones I thought I'd highlight that maybe are different views than we've had in the past. >> And this is in the board library as well. I love that you put this together every year. It helps us to look at
087those school districts that are five larger in size than us and five smaller in size. That's what you see at the top part. And then you see the Badger Conference down below. We don't have 2425 ect graduate data yet, but there is a link in here, the Ford exam data where we do have the the 2425 Ford exam data and then a different link in here. So yeah, it's a lot and you can look at different ways to tell different stories. Hopefully it was as direct with the story as possible. Any questions? Thank you, sir. >> Thanks, sir. >> I have to say, and I I think I can speak for the board on this part. This report is spot on when we're talking about what is the work of the we're trying to achieve
088in our power goals. >> We're doing well on achievement. We got to keep on working on growth and we've got absolutely the right people around the table and our staff to make that happen. >> Thank you. Super job. All right, moving on to action items 7A, second reading. Uh, consider revisions to board policy 454, reporting abuse, neglect, threats to school safety. Bren, >> yeah, so this was before the board last time. We had a lot of discussion about it being all purple, lots of changes to it. Um, and so made the corrections that I think I got them all that you asked for. Um, and yeah, if there's any feedback or questions, let me know. >> Any questions? Make a motion to approve. >> Second motion and a second to approve revisions to board for
089policy 454. All those Any other further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Uh, 7B. >> Thank you. approval of the above and beyond teaching excellence. So, in December, Steve and I got a call from the Kurts, and I've been pinching myself ever since because it was such a cool call to receive. Um, the Kurts are amazing. As we all know, uh, they've given in the past, which is really cool. So, they're a repeat donor, which is amazing. And this time instead of just giving a bulk sum, they wanted to Oh, that's lovely. Thank you. >> Um they wanted to gift us with an endowment. So something that we could bring back every year. Um and so at the Kurt's suggestion, so it was $105,000. By the way, I don't think I
090said that yet. I'm just so still miffed. This is amazing. Um and at the Kurt's suggestion, the fund would be known as the Above and Beyond Teaching Excellence Endowment. Great name. Um each year it would recognize two exceptional educators, one from 4K through 6th grade and the second from 7th through 12th grade. So really representing all of our district, which is nice. Uh and then it really will showcase the teachers who've demonstrated a profound impact on our student growth, innovative instructional practices, strong leadership, and positive contributions to school culture, belonging as we we've all been u steadily moving towards. Um and the award recipients would receive dedicated funds to enhance their classroom spaces in ways that directly benefit our students. And so if you're thinking back to other endowments, you you're probably thinking of the
091Alumni Endowment for Academic Excellence, which we also have in house that we do every year. Actually, since 2011, we've done this. So, thank you, Steve. Um, for facilitating that. When I first started here, Steve let me take that on, which is really cool. Um, and what that means is we have experience with the endowment. So, um, if you noticed in the attachments, we have a great outline of how to, um, showcase this endowment and how to go through the process of identifying who should be deserving of the endowment, which is nice. Um, and so the class of 1959 for that alumni endowment actually thoughtfully set that one up to support creative and innovative academic projects outside of core budget. And the reason why I bring this up is to make sure that we understand the
092difference [music] between the two. Um, which is that the alumni endowment focuses on um celebrating staff or celebrating projects and funding those projects that our staff will uh believe will profoundly impact students. Whereas the teaching excellence endowment focuses on celebrating staff who are profoundly impacting students. So those two opportunities really dovetail each other really nicely. And um just as as important as all this information, the Ker family has expressed a strong desire to be part of this lasting partnership, which is really nice because that ROI is so important um in making sure that they understand that their funds actually do have an impact, whether it's this fund that they've given us or any of the other previous times that they've they've shared their their amazing benefits with us. Um, so yeah, and the district will
093oversee and coordinate the whole selection process, which is nice. Um, that gives us some opportunities to have our input as well. Um, yeah, I just want to say thank you to the Kurts, if they're watching this. This is truly a momentous gift and we're deeply grateful for the Kurt family uh, and their generosity and this investment in our educators, staff, and students. Any questions? Thanks. >> Would um someone like to make a motion to approve the gift? >> Second. >> Motion by Leah, second by Jessica. All those in favor say I. >> I. with huge thanks to the curts for that gener very generous gift. Amazing >> and a very happy birthday to upper yanks today. >> Happy birthday. >> You get $100,000. [laughter] >> All right. Uh 7 C approval of Department of Transportation
094proposal. >> Yeah. Thank you, board members. Uh we were approached about the um resurfacing [clears throat] uh that'll take place on 8th Street, not this summer, but a summer from now. >> And the request has been made to acquisition uh a portion uh of the um 8th Street and Garfield Street intersection that is on the district side. So that would be on the southeast corner of that intersection. Um and we believe that um the DOT is hoping to do that for all four corners. U maybe to do some expansion, some rounding out um particularly for our students and community members with disabilities. Um they're asking uh in exchange for access to that um that we receive a small honorarium of some sort. I think it's about maybe $4,000, maybe $3,400 if I remember right. And
095um uh in order for us to sign off on that documentation, we're asking for the board's consideration. Might just add in a postcript if you don't mind. Um this is actually coming at a pretty good time for us because since the um new entryway to the high school occurred in 20189 um we've begun to see that that entryway into the school where the crosswalk is at um is a bit of a traffic jam. uh and think it just kind of everybody kind of slides in there together and people don't necessarily always roll up to the front and find their way around the bend. >> And so what we'd like to do is propose to them while the curb is already cut out um to um allow us to do some expansion of that small area
096um so that we can free up the the lock jam there. Maybe with that $3,000 or $4,000 that we'd get as the honorarium, we'd use that to help defay the cost of additional kind of widening of that role. But that's a that's a story for a different day. Uh in the interim, we're just asking for your um approval if you wouldn't mind please in consideration of the proposal that's been made. >> It's the corner where our sign is, right? >> Yes. >> Does does it affect our I mean I couldn't find it actually. I was like there's no pink on here. I blow up really big to find the time. >> I can't open it for you. >> We talked about it a bit in the finance committee and Dave made the point a couple
097of times that it's pavement. It's not even it's not grass that they're taking away or anything. It's not something we actually do anything with. >> Perfect. So, it is >> anyway. >> It's just right here. So, you've got the high school here and you've got this the um student parking lot here. This is Ath Street. Um the sign that you're referring to is here. Um we don't even believe it's going to impede at all on on the sign. >> It's far fairly far back. >> Yeah. That was my It's hard like in the schematic to be like where exactly is what? So >> this is up here like that. Yeah. >> And then they're also asking for um easement on the subs for a little bit, right? >> Yes. And that's just temporary. >> Yep.
098>> Mhm. uh while they were kind of resurfaced. >> When was the project? >> Would that be during the summer time? >> Yeah, actually, you know, uh Mr. Schlim and they're actually wanting to start in May, which makes me a little nervous uh because of course >> we have more drivers at that time uh throughout the year. So, we're we're petitioning them to just think about well, how can we get to this part in the summertime? >> Yeah. >> And not next summer when we start in August, right? >> Correct. didn't be the summer of 27. Okay. >> Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Jessica, second by Sarah. Any other discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. I. Motion is approved. Number eight, we have uh another round of citizens comments. There's anybody
099signed up? We're all set for tonight. Thank you. >> All right. Um, future agenda items are listed in number nine. Can let Dr. Ser or Adam know if there's things to add? Our next meeting? Um, anything that you want to call out in our next meetings? >> Yes. It might be helpful for the community to know our board of education is going to be meeting next Monday night at 7:30 p.m. at the high school. uh we will meet with our village board as well as the chamber board. This is part of an annual kind of activity we started some years ago. It's really a fruitful night. Uh nice opportunity just to talk about where there can be some synergy uh and strategic planning and and the like. So uh it's open to the public. We'd
100love to have you be a part of it. And um that gets underway, as I say, at 7:30 p.m. And word has it there's a WSB convention this week. Is that right? Yes. >> Okay. >> Cuz it's cold. >> I've done 87 loads of laundry to get ready to go to. >> Not yours. You're not washing your >> No, I'm just going to make sure everybody's got everything. >> No, it's going to be -400° this week. [laughter] >> It always is. Every time. All right. Uh, number 11, close session. We have a contemplated close session for section 1945F considering financial, medical, social, personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons. Preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where paragraph B applies which if discussed in public would
101be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data or involved in such problems or investigations. is what I'm not a lawyer to it the volunteer. Um we go into close session for roll call >> please second. >> All right. Motion by Leah and seconded by Sarah to go into close session. Uh roll call. Leah >> yes. >> Jessica >> yes. >> Sarah >> yes. >> Tom. >> Yes. >> I'm a yes. Should we take uh five minutes? >> All right. >> Thank you. Super