001All >> [laughter] >> right, let's call the meeting of the Server Lake Salem 31 school. Um, the Boy Scouts are here. They'll lead us in the pledge today. [clears throat] >> All right. Scout salute. Hand over heart. 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 guys. >> Nice job. >> All right. Roll call. Mr. Hamilton. >> Mr. Gallich >> here. >> Mr. Hurst >> present. Gentiel >> present. >> I am present. [clears throat] Open meeting compliance check. Uh I know Sean had this posted over the weekend. We did an update yesterday and it was posted as well. >> Yes. >> Consent agenda items. We do have to pull
002out the uh approval of the board minutes from September 23rd and the 30th. Um we don't have a copy of those right now, but we do have the monthly financials. Any questions on the financials? >> I had none. >> Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to approve them. >> Motion by Mrs. Gallich, second by Mr. Hurst. All those in favor? >> I I opposed. Motion carries. Public comments. There any public comments? Please stand up. State your name and address. Okay, we will go into district goals. Um I will let Mrs. Zachary discuss the uh we're moving on from district goals. We're going to wait until the next meeting for those. The referendum update, you had an update on the doors and those things. >> Yeah. Um, so as far as referendum updates, the
003gym doors have been put in. Um, the lighting, they started this week. Maybe coming they come in at night. Obviously, if you want to see what the new lights are, you can go out the hallway outside of the gym. The new lights are there, so you'd be able to see ultimately where it's going to be. Look everywhere else. Um they will not do the cafeteria and the gym until Christmas time though. So, but otherwise throughout this week and following weeks they're going to come in um after 3:30 they're going to finish up the fifth sixth grade hallway and then work their way around. So, um those are updates of things that have been happening. I got from Brian Schmfeld. >> Perfect. >> All right. Um celebrations No celebrations at this time. We'll move into uh
004new business, possible in discussion, possible approval. A would be the budget update and tax levy. And we have Tim here to discuss that for us. >> So, the board members should have received um the spreadsheet from me um uh prior and I wanted to point out a couple of things tonight. And I would propose that we use this format going forward. And it makes most sense um to give you an update in the January meeting. And in January, we're looking for outliers and then our budget will start to firm up March, April, May. We should have a pretty good idea of what we're looking at even though there are a lot of crazy things that still happen in June. So uh the first point I wanted to make was the total ending balance. You could
005see right now that the unawited for 2425 the year just passed um we actually added what approximately $100,000 to fund balance which is about 38%. And uh right now um in the rest of the budget that I will uh present, right now we're showing a deficit of $179,000. Tim, can you explain where that uh total ending fund balance comes from? Because to [clears throat] anyone that's not doing budget, what they would assume is that you would just add up all of those numbers above it and it would come to that number. Yes. And so it would be nice for people that are sitting here to understand where that number comes from. >> Sure. I could >> show you that really quickly. And that is is here we have total revenues 6,367. And then if you
006look at total expenses down a little bit further, um 6,546. remember that was 6 67 I think. But if you would then take your uh expenses, you take your your fund balance from the unodudited year, you would add revenues and then you would subtract expenses and that will give you a net of minus 179. >> I did want to make a couple comments on revenues. And I wanted to point out four numbers that really are the bulk of our revenues. The first one would be the the um municipalities, the tax levy. And notice uh that went up just slightly. Um the next big number would be open enrollment in open enrollment. Uh and this number right here is incorrect. This number down here is correct. This should be 970. Sorry. But um the district uh
007Silver Lake has more open enrollment in than going out. Um that cannot be said by a lot of districts uh in Wisconsin. So we've got two big numbers. We've got the tax levy. We've got open enrollment in. And if we go to this next big number 2,545, this is the so-called state equalization aid. Uh this is done by a formula that uh in general um tries to uh make the state equalization aid that somewhat conforms to how many kids you have, your property value, and three other factors that are that are u really complex. But basically, it's trying to even out for districts that don't have a lot of land value, property value, that they would get more in state aid. Um, what's interesting on this line right here is last year we had 2,480,000
008and Silver Lake is one of about 120 districts in the state of Wisconsin that actually received more state equalization aid this year rather than uh less. And then if we go down here is the last big number. Um the 298,000 is the so-called per pupil and that's based on uh the so-called full-time equivalent. That's a little bit different than the number of kids that you [clears throat] have sitting in in the district on a certain day. but full-time equivalent times $742. Every district in the state rather whether they're property rich or property poor would get that amount. So those four then um will give us pretty much our total of 6,367. Maybe one last thing to point out here as we're talking about revenues and that would be this one right here 730. Um, and
009the one just below it. So around $260ome,000, those are federal grants. And if you've been following the news cycle maybe since um late January, there's been big questions. Will the federal grants continue? Will they not continue? At the moment, it looks like they will continue at least for this year. So, I would say right now um we should um I think we will reach this number for um for revenues. Then when we go to expenses, it the the format is just slightly different. It now goes by what we call this six-digit number here 110,000 is called a function. So school districts can tell okay 110,000 those are undifferentiated curriculum. Um my word would be uh elementary school teachers and a regular curriculum very typical in high school if you're teaching math you would be 124,000.
010So the business office really can start to break up the budget. How much did we spend on English instruction? How much on science and so on. So, um, notice these numbers. Last year, on the very first line, we have 2,267,000. And here we're dropping a little bit. And I would say there are maybe two factors there in this summary sheet. One would be um, health insurance. We're hoping to be less than the year before. And also, you might have some new staff. um replacing departing staff. I cannot remember if um if the retired retirees were coming from undifferentiated. Uh I was one maybe physical education down here. Um that's probably the reason why this is a little bit lower. And then of course co-curricular activities is a little bit less. That doesn't mean we're not
011doing as much in the co-curricular area, but we are uh budgeting in uh fund 80, the community uh fund. So, as we go a little bit further in the 200,000s, um, a typical position for 210,000 would be a school counselor or a school psychologist. So, these numbers are about the same. Um [clears throat] general administration is usually um the superintendent and superintendent support. Um one uh 240,000 school building administration, the principal business administration is a very big number. That would be the business office would be transportation would be um custodial uh work. Uh so that has three or four different areas and then uh insurance and judgments would be for example property insurance um that the district would do and then um other other support. So, um it gets interesting in this last section. Um
012the first line that 410,000 is a so-called interfund transfer. No district out of 420 statewide has enough money in their special education fund. So, every year the general fund must make up the difference between expenses and revenues. And in this case, we're transferring really um a lot more money into fund 27. I'll speak to that maybe a little bit bigger difference than what was expected when we go to fund 27. This 430 would be open enrollment out. So, if we have kids that open enroll to another neighboring district, usually uh notice that number is 772,000 versus the 970,000 open enrollment in that would then total 6,546. If you remember, our revenues are 6,367. So right now we're projecting a deficit. There were really two um lastm minute unexpected um uh things that happened. One would
013be um in the uh transfer of service that we wanted to add uh to our revenue limit. We were expecting the full cost uh of a student and uh DPI only gave us 90 out of the 130,000. And then at the last minute in conversation with uh district administrator Kim Taylor, uh she made an adjustment for health insurance. we we added a 20% um not knowing as I speak whether we have the renewal uh that starts January 1st. So um we took our best shot at a plus 20%. So this number went up uh maybe another 50,000 and I think at the annual meeting we had projected minus 85. So if you take those two factors that gets us almost to the minus 189. Um going a little bit further this is the special project
014fund. This is a little bit harder to budget for especially from a distance uh for me. So, I put in an estimate of what the revenues maybe would be, what the expenses would be, and as you see, we still maintain about 30,000 in fund balance. Here's the special education [clears throat] fund. Notice our fund balance every year is zero. Here's that transfer amount that we saw in fund 10, our general fund. And then as we go down, um, notice there aren't really very many lines for revenue. But notice one of the biggest ones is special ed categorical aid. Last year, the legislature said districts are going to receive 33%. What was the real number? 306. it was about 30%. So in the agreement just before July 1st of this past summer, the state said next
015year we're going to uh have this category we will reimburse at at 42% and then the second year of the budget 45. every district that I'm in contact with, including the one that where my son is the business manager, I said, "Are you budgeting 42?" Keeping in mind that the 33 the year before was only 30. And he said, "No, we're budgeting 37." So, this is based on 37%, not 42. This general aid right here would be so-called high cost. If we have students that cost over $30,000 a a year, um we can apply for some reimbursement. Notice um the the business office and special ed team last year we almost doubled it. And then uh even though the state says the percentage is going up significantly, business managers like me look at how much
016money they put in the pot. So there won't be a reimbursement of 50%. My best guess 35 to 38. But I think we can reach this number and we've already done some preliminary work there. So, if I go down to total revenues, keep in mind we brought in $800 and some thousand into fund 27 from fund 10. So, um this number has to balance total expenses which would be right here. Those two numbers have to be the same. debt service. This was the existing debt service uh when I started assisting the district about 18 months ago. And that's primarily for a so-called uh energy efficiency. So, if you if the district borrow money to uh say upgrade windows, um there's always a gain every year on on uh There's somewhat of a payback although it's
017several years. This will this revenue right here, this 530 um sorry 528 that will be the revenue coming into the district um for the tax levy. Fund 39 is uh now active and this was the referendum that was approved in last spring. And uh notice um this revenue number is a little bit higher than expense because the revenue and the tax levy is based on the calendar year whereas the expense budget is based on the fiscal year. fiscal year starting July 1st going around to June 30th calendar year of course everyone understands and then total indebtedness at the end of the year um this was uh close to the referendum amount. So um on this format we try to keep track okay how much do we still owe as we go forward and pay off
018the debt service capital projects fund. Uh not too much action there, but the board took action um I think >> in June. Um it was my recommendation at that time to make a deposit in fund 46 that's capital projects and the advantage of putting money in this would be twofold. One you have to start it so that you can spend the money after five years. You cannot touch it until five years is up. And second of all, this counts as money spent, so-called local expenses. And that is one of the factors on how much aid a school district would receive. If you spend more money, theoretically all other factors equal, you should get more state aid. [snorts] the capital projects fund. This is where the referendum now the projects of the referendum will take place.
019Notice we have a little bit more at the end in on June 30th of this past summer. We've already earned 4,924 in interest. And uh my best guess after conversation with uh Kim Taylor would be that we would earn some interest uh during the year. And I'm I would not bet on that number at the moment, but because I don't know specifically when each project would be done and how much. I don't have that information in my brain. Two more two more funds. food service. First thing we want to look at is is what was the starting fund balance and what was the ending fund balance of the year just passed. DPI would really like to see that the fund balance would be three months of expenses. So if you take this 270 and you
020divide it by four, you get maybe a little bit less than than 70,000. So this number should be around 70,000. in almost every district that I'm familiar with because of the ESSER funds during COVID and right after because of ESSER funds districts were able to pay for some things for in the food service area uh with ESSER funds rather than use district funds. So, a lot of districts are really a little bit higher than DPI would like to see. The good news is is notice we're projecting an ending fund balance of 111,000. So we are creeping down and that would be good for DPI so we don't get a special uh inquiry of what are you really doing and and these numbers right here are estimates. uh food service is from from my experience one
021of the most difficult um [clears throat] um funds to to really budget exactly. There are really a lot of different factors, but I I'd say we're looking pretty good there. I can't remember if we I don't think we increased uh meal prices at all for this year. And then the last one would be community service fund. Um notice um we have we're basically projecting a balanced budget and the expenses would include uh the school resource officer that's been the subject of a few meetings uh previous and then remember the school activities that number went down I don't know about 20,000 and DPI said if you offer it to all students in the district whether they attend Riverview or not, you can pay for it out of fund 80. So that would be uh a budget
022review for this evening. Questions? >> Very thorough. Thank you, Tim. >> [clears throat] >> Um the only thing that I would like to mention would be is in other districts that I assist. Normally we would we would have approved the budget um tonight and then gone to the levy but we can do that uh in the next meeting as well. >> Question I have is you said the fund balance did grow in the last calendar year. What was the percentage before? >> Um that's uh right here. This is about 38%. And if our budget goes exactly as presented, I think we have a chance uh to maybe um reduce that deficit, but that would be 34%. which is still if you remember a couple of meetings ago probably last spring I said that 30% is
023would be my advice for a target for the board because then that gives you options of unex unexpected things that you have to pay for and you don't have to do any borrowing you can at times when revenues aren't coming in as pass as expenses we still can cover all the costs and make payroll. >> Thank you. >> And then that 930,000 in revenue will be corrected to 970. So it actually >> that that is that is correct. Thank you. This is this is now in the financial software as 97. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Perfect. I have the next you have this one. >> Um, so is this motion then correct? What was provided to us in the board pack? >> Yes, that motion is is correct. I I changed from Kim Taylor's order.
024I decided it would be 103839 80. >> Okay. >> Rather than 1080 3839. Yes. >> Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the $2,176,627 as the fund general fund fund 10 tax levy to approve $528,133 as the fund 38 non-referendum debt levy to approve $346,188 as the fund 39 referendum approved debt levy and to approve 172,629 for the fund 80 levy for a total tax levy of 3,223. 3,588 for the Silver Lake Salem School District for the 20 26 school year. Holy moly. >> I will second that. >> Okay, got uh Hopkins done teal. All those in favor? >> I I opposed. Motion carries. Next we have the closed money market savings account. Mike has this one. >> Tim, >> thank you Tim. Absolutely. Um so, uh Sue had sent a memo. Um, essentially we
025have a money marking savings account uh with a balance of $2,497.75. Um, apparently this account was opened uh before Sue's time. Um, and it was used in the past to move funds if need be. Um, but all of the funds have been moved to the general fund checking excess funds. Um, so the recommendation here is that we uh close this uh money market account with Advia and just move this $2,497.75 cents into the general fund. Um, I don't know if there's obviously Sue is not here to ask any questions. Um, it would mean that we have two accounts with ADVIA, which would just be our general fund and our activity account. And then everything else would be with the highinterest stuff that we've talked about in past meetings. So, um, unfortunately, I can't answer any
026questions, but that was the recommendation. So, I mean, at this point, I don't know if anybody has any questions or needs any needs me to read that again. Um, I would make a motion to approve closing the money market account with Advia and moving the $2,497.75 to our general fund. >> Motion by Gentiel, second by Hurst. All those in favor? >> I I opposed. Motion carries. Next is the HR committee discussion. Um I was just um wondering if there's any interest. I know what the policy says about uh grievance procedures and things like that, but wondering if we could uh consider forming um a human resource committee um in an effort to uh move uh any discrepancies or any any uh discussions that need to be made having to do with uh grievances put through
027the administrator. And the committee would would consist of our administrator, our interim administrator, whatever we're hiring, and two board members. Um, and then uh we would discuss any issues that happen. But if we would move forward with that, we would need some policy changes uh in the grievance procedure or any other place that you would want this committee to be in effect. So, it's just a discussion tonight, just thoughts on it and then I think we can move forward or talk about it at a future meeting. >> Yeah, I think it's worth continuing the conversation. Um, you know, obviously in in in the world I work, right? Um, you know, I have a boss, I have an HR department. I can go either way depending on what my issue is. Um, you know, to have
028the ability to walk in and talk to your boss to to clear the air is one thing. to walk in when you have a general issue could be more difficult for some. So, um I'd welcome the conversation. I don't know what it looks like from a policy standpoint or what we'd have to do, but I certainly think it's worth exploring. Vicki, >> I do think we also have to consider, you know, the next um either interim or full-time administrator, what that looks like and and their input on it. And then also speaking to our attorney, just what that looks like from a a board view a as a teacher. um if I had a grievance, I might be nervous to have the board sitting at that grievance meeting. Um given the fact that that's a
029little out of their scope of um responsibility, but again, I think that would be worth a discussion to have giving maybe some more feedback from from Ryan about recent. But do you have any insight on what them could look like? Ryan, for those who don't know, Ryan is our uh school. >> Good evening everyone. Uh [laughter] uh my recommendation would be that um the committee is a good idea. What I would say is I would remove it from the grievance procedure concept and maybe have it be more of a uh like an ongoing feedback kind of system or approach. And the reason for that is by statute here in Wisconsin because of act 10, the board actually by law has to be the last step in the grievance procedure. So my concern would just be
030if you have a committee that serves earlier and then the board later, you're duplicating steps and then also those folks will have seen the grievance when it comes to the board already. So that would be the only consideration. But I think the idea in terms of having that initial check-in spot somewhere to talk, employees to come with additional concerns. Definitely worthwhile because the thing I would note is that with the grievance procedure as well, it's pretty limited by state law, there's only three reasons you can really file a grievance. So the first is termination, the second is discipline, and the last is workplace safety. So anything that falls outside of those areas would be ripe for this type of conversation in this committee. So I think it's a good idea. I think it's just a
031matter of refining exactly what you guys would be dealing with and how you'd be addressing it, if that makes sense. Well, and the other thought is wondering if uh this same committee could be included in on uh when we have open staff so that we could we could actually be included in on on the interviews with uh staff instead of just having the recommendation here where we're actually hearing firsthand if that is something also that could be included. But I mean we would have to look into that also just to see what would be needed for that. >> Yeah, certainly. And same another concept, you might have this already, but you know to get involved in policy discussions before it comes to the full board too. That's another role I've seen personnel committees like this
032serve where they kind of vet out some ideas and say what works, what doesn't, and they bring a more finished product to the board for review. So that's another thing that that committee could could serve in terms of a purpose. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. >> You bet. Uh, next is the interim district administrator hiring. Um, so kind of discussion what we're looking at here. Uh, we did reach out to WASDA um to get a list of people who might be interested in interim basis. Um, that list yielded one person. Uh, we did have another person reach out to us who is interested in the position, but it' be more full-time. They wouldn't consider an interim. And so the board is going to vet both of those options. Um today we'll have more of a
033discussion in close session about those people uh who they are. We can't have that in open session because they still have jobs and you know their employer hears they're looking they may not look favorable to their district. Um so we will have that conversation and then um we do have a special board meeting tomorrow if we decide to move forward with one of the candidates for an interview process. uh given the nature of how much of a time crunch we are to have an administrator um interim or full-time, we are looking to hire uh either interum or full-time immediately. Um we don't have the time for a robust interview process. Uh we did ask um two staff members to um be on the interview team. That's Mrs. and Mr. Daniels. And then the uh Mrs.
034Zachary will also be on the interview team with the board tomorrow if we have that meeting. If we decide neither can is an option, then we go back to the drawing board and wait for a while. Um, I will speak for myself. I I would like to get somewhere in place because the last two weeks has been very brutal in terms of um communication with all parties necessary and definitely not a position I think I'm a teacher for a reason, not administrator. So, >> uh, if I could, Brian, while we're talking about that, I would just like to thank you. Uh, I know it's been tough the last couple weeks. um obviously a lot of extra work on your plate so appreciate the effort you've put forth so thank you for that >> I think
035it would be in the best interest of >> we're not taking public comment at this time that was in the beginning of the meeting is there any conversation from the board next we'll go to the school furnishing committee oh I'm sorry to that point we do have one community member who will serve on that interview team it's Mr. to Alrech who was also on our strategic plan. So, >> uh yesterday, uh staff, Mrs. Zachary and some teachers, Mr. Brener was also there. He's it's his, uh company that he works for and myself, we sat to try to move forward with um going purchasing furniture for the school. So um currently what's going to happen is any information that's going to be uh exchanged will go through Mrs. Zachary and uh our thoughts which was the
036original thoughts we would start with uh furnishings in the middle school common area in the library and the idea lab. And we have to figure out uh what furniture what furnishings are needed so that uh one that our contractor can come up with a cost estimate of what all of this is and then from there uh budget will be developed but we've also asked that um we have 22 classrooms that would be included in this. So, we have um our thoughts are is that each uh instructor would come up with uh the furnishings that would need to be replaced. We're not replacing the shelving, anything that's a permanent fixture. What we're just doing is primarily desks, tables, chairs, things of that nature. So, we're asking if staff could just come up with a listing of
037the um furnishings that they would like to have replaced or if they have furnishings that can be repurposed that they really don't need replaced. And then that's going to give our contractor an idea how to come up with a a budgeting figure for us. I mean, we can't just go on willy-nilly and just spend whatever we want. So we have to have a a plan in place. And our other thought is that um while we can move forward with the ideas with the concept of what it is, we really would like to I think we as a board I'm going to speak especially for myself. I would like to see the administrator, the the interim administrator in place because that person is going to uh be the one that's primarily in charge of the referendum
038dollars and uh know where other monies are needed also. So, uh but we still need to move forward with the plan. And um they mentioned uh pricing changes and they have a thing I can't think of. I wrote it down but I can't find it on my notes where you can order and they'll hold it. Right. >> The manufacturer will Yes. >> Okay. And so then you're still you're still able to get that lower price and not have to wait until we want it installed. Right. So um the >> and for those for you >> Mr. Briner is the consultant for the company. He's not speaking to the public. So >> yeah. So um you just threw my thought. I'm just going to leave it at that. That was enough for me. My head is
039whooped. >> Thank you. >> Conversation discussion there. >> I have no thoughts. >> Okay. Next is the competent super admin access. Um uh when Mrs. Taylor did resign. We did revoke all super admin access from staff um currently and the new interim or full-time will um look at what that looks like when they seek their position. >> Questions at all there? >> No, but I would like to make a comment that I fully support this. I um I also believe that uh staff that's working shouldn't have access to all the information and all uh data that's out there because some of it is confidential. So I believe that's why we have contracted with compunet and if we have a problem with our contractor it's easier to take care of any any um uh breaches that
040might happen. So, I support this move. >> I agree, Vicki. I think it it limits our liability and just it's in line with proper data privacy standards. >> Thank you. >> Next is the playground equipment and I'll have Mrs. Zachary um kind of touch base on this a little bit. >> Um so during conferences, um this was a plan that was put in place um and talked to with PSI. So during conferences, parents were able to stop in the library and look at the designs for the two playgrounds that were given to us. Um so they um I'm sure with the influence of their children were able to vote and so the next thing we're going to do is classrooms are going to vote so that for sure like if people didn't come to conferences
041that um all of the kids will be able to vote on um playground structures and then um the plan was then to bring that forward like what they decided and then um to go forward with to you guys and then decide from there like ideas um about the structure of the two playgrounds. So that's where we're at right now. So classes will be voting and we'll be I'll be able to give you what um parents and kids have decided they would like to see on the playgrounds. >> I certainly think the kids are the expert in that area. >> It was a tough choice. [clears throat] >> Yeah, I'm excited about this. I mean I I mean we're all taxpayers so we all control what goes on at the park but the playground equipment that
042old settller's park as that's being built I am like >> it's so nice >> I know I'm old but I want to go on >> I'm like I hope I don't break a hip but I would like to go on that equipment. >> Yeah [laughter] it is. >> So I'm excited. >> And did both options include the not stone like area? I guess floor. Not floor, but >> the I don't know what it's called. >> The inclusive. >> Yeah. I think every single drawing had the Are you talking about the like taking up the >> the stone? >> The evil stone. Yep. I I I think every single And I know Joe could probably maybe speak to that. Um I thought every option was that we were going to use the [clears throat] >> cushy
043stuff. Yeah, I'm pretty sure all the all the options that they brought for forward replaced all the stone with what is considered an inclusive surface. >> It's you can do wheelchairs on it. It's soft. >> It's actually probably less impactful when you fall on it than the stone is. >> And for those who don't know what that looks like, Antioch's new park in their downtown area has that and it's my class goes there with a student who uses a wheelchair and it's super accessible. So, it's awesome. Um, any more conversation there, discussion? Next is the school resource officer update. Uh, Mrs. Zachary and I got an email today from Lieutenant Gilly. They do have uh candidate that they would like to put before a committee here at the school. Um, we decided we'll let I
044decide we'll let wait until we have admin in place, administrator to kind of take the lead on what that committee looks like. And um we don't we're not it's not a big hurry at this point but they are looking to start um I don't know if it was like January 3 or if it was the first second semester but somewhere right in January get someone in place. So they do they did their interviews narrowed it down so it's up to that committee to make a decision what it looks like for the person. So any conversation there. All right. Our next meeting will be November 25th. Sorry. Our next meeting will be tomorrow, a close session meeting, and then our regular meeting will be November 25th. Um, at this time, I'd like to make a motion
045to adjourn the close session um as follows below. >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. >> Hopkins and Galich. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. We'll move in close session. >> Thank you, Jim.