001Everybody sign. >> Go for it. >> Good evening. It is officially 700 p.m. Uh welcome to the Monday, May 11th, 2026 uh regular and only board meeting of the Columbus School District this month because it's May. So we are meeting later in May between everything going on. So >> um Adam, if you would do the roll call for us tonight. >> Paji >> present. >> O'Brien here. Coulson Rappy >> here. >> Pearson here. Alford here. Rule >> here. >> Smith >> here. >> Thank you. We are all present and accounted for. We have a quorum. Andrea, I know we were properly noticed for this meeting. Thank you for confirming. >> It's a reminder of uh the goal of our work. The mission of the Columbus School District ensures each student is prepared for future success.
002Um I would take a motion to adopt our agenda. I have no adjustments to it to my knowledge. >> So moved. Second. >> I have a first from John Pearson, a second from Mike O'Brien. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor with an I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Takes us directly into our superintendence report tonight. >> All right. I'm going to turn it over to Liz O'Donnell here who's been with us now for the last uh 3 years, I believe. Uh Bill, uh an Oakcoin committee member uh just to talk about the great end grants and all the other work that uh that that committee's been doing. >> Oh, we do good stuff. We do good stuff. Okay. Um I'll just give a a little recap of the uh endowment committee for those
003of you who don't remember or don't know. So the Columbus School District endowment committee was started in 2012 and it was started because Columbus school district received a 20 no $60,000 anonymous gift. And it's like whoa what do we do with that? And at the time Ken Bates I believe was a superintendent kind of started it going and then it got then Brian Davis Ken Bates and Nancy Liver Seed who some of you remember they talked about it and then um Brian Davis and crew then got it going. So it started um it took about 3 years to get everything established because it's under the Madison Community Foundation and that you know legally and getting getting then getting interest off the money that's donated. It took about 3 years before we could start handing out
004grants which is the interest of that money invested. So that was in 20ou about in 2015 and and so we started giving grants in 2015 2016. Um we I mean the committee not not me and Bill or you know we we can't do that. So there is a committee and it involves right now we have Laura Reeds, Mary Arnold, Henry Elling is new. He's replacing um that handsome man right there. Um Mr. Ziggler, Dan Fogerty, and our business manager and Mr. Jake Flood, who's a non- voting member. So, that's our committee, and we're always looking for Corey was on for years. You were at the You were on the beginning. What? >> Did I misspe anywhere? >> No, you did. Well, >> okay. It doesn't matter either, does it? >> Does it really matter? Not
005at this point. Okay. So um so so things started rolling and then Alice Schmidt um was very dedicated to our school district. She grew up here. Her father was the janitor at the middle school. He was my janitor because I went to these schools and she was she taught in Rine Kenosha area. came back and substitute taught and her house was on Dickerson Boulevard a lot of you know and she donated the contents and the house to the school district and that's when we developed the Alice Schmidt fund and that was for professional development and because her father was a janitor she thought all employees should have access to professional development not just certified staff so that really broadened things and open them up for all staff. And that was established in 2019. So, um,
006the Columbus School District endowment is specifically for development to improve teaching and learning within the school classroom, whereas the Alice Schmidt um, grant is to improve professionalism, individual professionalism. So, those are kind of the two differences. Um, every year we've been getting more and more applicants. Mike, how many of you have been recipients? Mike, there you go. Two of you. And I mean, it's it's this year alone, we we've given out and we just did it last week for um um education schools week. We gave out almost $14,000 in grants. So 6,200 of it from the school district endowment which currently has about 166,000 in it. And then the Alice Schmidt fund uh we gave out almost 7400 which currently has about 191,000 in it. So, between the two funds, um, we think we're doing
007pretty good and it's great to supplement, you know, other grants that are available or opportunities for to for staff, but they can. So, for example, I've got the list here, you know, for PE staff to attend conferences, um, uh, money toward substitute teaching licenses, um, they're working toward health teaching licenses, um, um, music educator workshop. There's just a really a variety. One year we purchased a bunch of, um, were they mandolins? What do we purchase? A fun ukulele. There you go. Ukules for the music department. I mean, it really is a broad, you know, it's a broad can be used in real broad terms. Um, so that's that. So, we have those two funds that fall within the endowment program. So, we can't keep giving money out without putting money in. And how do we
008do that? We do that through the Cardinal Apple Award. So, you've heard of that. So, that's really that's our fundraiser. Um, so the Cardinal Apple Award serves two purposes. One is to recognize a dedicated educator who has spent a lifetime in education. And past recipients have been Dick Mortimer. Anybody know remember who he is? Dick Mortimer, Alice Schmidt, our very own Michael Bryan and his wife Chris Anne, Joe Conland, Bruce Son, Mary Baker was last year and this year is Sharon Bradish. So, so we honor that person for their lifetime of education and also we invite the community and friends and families with their wallets to come and and and support the endowment which is um we think we think it's a good deal. Um so are there any questions? Um does anybody have any
009questions for me? That's a a snapshot of of what it's for, what we do. And the Apple Award um this year for Sharon is June 28th, Sunday, June 28th. Put it on your calendar. Who had Sharon as a teacher? Anybody here? One >> Senora Bradish. Exactly. >> So, >> thank you for all of that really great work. Um >> Sure. And I I think that it's awesome that Alice had that foresight to establish those funds that can help anyone in our district um continue to grow and learn and help our students grow and learn. So what a great program. >> Yeah, it is. She really opened it up to all employees which is um commendable. So, >> and really during my transition into this role, the work that Liz, Bill, Mary Arnold, Laura Reed, and
010Corey did, they kept it going cuz I know Annette had a very heavy hand in it. Uh, as well, and you step in and you don't quite know what's going on. Um, they played a very instrumental role in keeping us on track. Additionally, uh Liz comes during professional development days to promote it and the number of staff from 3 four years ago and we were getting two or three grant applications for each >> to what now 10 to 13 uh for for each for each one. So >> so I want to mention them uh very important. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I want to thank all you guys for being in education from staff to board members. I didn't know when I got on the board that we got a stipen. I thought it was
011a volunteer like everything I ever did was volunteer and they said, "Oh, no. You get you get like $1,700 or 1,400 and then that would equal out to about 5 cents an hour or something." But I appre you give a lot of time and I appreciate that and I appreciate what you do. So, thank you. Thank you. We appreciate you both. You know, and if for old times sakes you feel like it, you're welcome to stay the whole night. >> I want to look at the agenda first. >> But if you run away, we'd understand. >> Thank you. >> I've done that a couple times. This is where you're ready. All right, >> referendum. >> Uh remaining referendum funds. I'm going to try to update uh as frequently as possible on this now that we've
012made uh the transition to what we're doing with those funds. Also, uh you may have seen the video that we posted on social media. Also talked about it on the radio last week Friday. uh where we are currently at uh from this year's budget year uh we have transferred $170,000 um of the money that we spent in either fund 46 or fund 10. So it was about 68,000 out of fund 46 and then 101,000 out of fund 10 that we are transferring to those referendum funds. Now I bring that up just keep in mind at the end of the year knock on wood we better have a surplus. uh there might be a bigger transfer to fund 46 at the end of the year if there would be a bigger amount because those funds are
013being replaced. Uh other areas that we are currently looking uh into uh the following projects are most likely uh going to happen. uh CHS library and music uh section at CES. Uh the the roofing sections uh we have bid out and we're getting ready to get scheduled uh for those sections to be done. Uh a boiler at CMS. Uh we're scheduling that work to be done as well. Um and we're planning on that going through uh doors at CHS. Uh five different doors at about $20,000 we're estimating uh that we had to do as well. We have some IT wiring uh work that uh we are booked and scheduled for in June as well. We are getting pricing currently uh on the ceiling in the area of the cafeteria. Uh that project is most likely
014going to happen. We have not scheduled or committed uh to that. Another project that uh we are currently getting bids on are the sidewalks uh around CES and CMS. Uh one of the things that we are keeping in mind though uh we have that project going on uh at school street uh that road project which we are going to have to account for the sidewalks and fencing over there. Uh so that is not a for sure but we are getting bids. Uh last but not least we are starting to investigate a couple of different options for the locker rooms at the high schools. Um there's a wide variety of things that you can do. Uh the higher the tier the more expensive it is. Uh so we're trying to find different options with that. So
015that's kind of uh the different areas that we're currently investigating once we get something scheduled and an idea. And that would not be all of the funds. Uh we're probably looking I don't know about half to 3/4 of the funds depending where the different pricing comes in. Um we just want to keep everybody updated what we plan on doing. Uh so those are the likely projects that we're working on and each week we are going and uh bidding out more projects and and weighing what's best. >> Excellent. Was that the middle school cafeteria? >> Middle school uh cafeteria and kitchen. >> Okay. >> Middle school or high school? >> Middle school. Yeah, middle school. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, that makes sense. >> Needs a little TLC. climbing a lot of food >> and probably
016the same uh ceiling. uh senior scholarship award ceremony uh Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. We will naturally post uh right now. The last that I looked at the at at the scholarship uh program uh 83 different contributors although some contributors give multiple awards uh somewhere I I know it's over $100,000 worth of scholarships probably even more. That was just a rough guess uh an estimate. So always a great night uh not only the scholarships but uh the awards for each department and that is Wednesday evening. And then last but not least, high school graduation May 31st, 2026 at 100 p.m. in the high school. Right. >> Correct. >> What time did you ask us to arrive if we wanted to greet? >> Uh 12. What' we say, Andrea? 12:20 or 12:15? >> You said 12:30.
017>> What's that? >> 12:30. >> Okay. >> 12:30, but feel free to come a little earlier. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. That takes us into our board business this evening. First up is our OE12 facilities monitoring report. >> Yeah. In a second, I'm going to turn it over to Andy. Uh his time to shine. Um OE12 uh facility summary of compliance status. Uh in this uh monitoring report, we have uh submit evidence for all 17 indicators. uh the different areas that you see in this report, short and long-term planning, uh construction, capital projects and improvements, facility maintenance, land acquisitions, and then public use of facilities. Uh we've compiled this Andy and myself for the most part from district files, surveys, and board docs. Uh last year 1707 were in compliance. Uh there's one indicator
018this year being recommended as in compliance with uh noted exceptions. Uh the difference with that is we don't believe that we brought forward the cost analysis to every single uh change or project. Uh so that's something that we are working on. Uh another part just to make note of we discussed in um the governance committee meeting about finding a way to upload our capital plan onto the web page or onto the website somewhere. We're trying to find the white right way to do it. The only uh reservation that we have right now is Mike informed us that scammers will pull that information and then send face fake invoices. So >> I never would have thought of it. So we're trying to find the right way to communicate that information either without a dollar price or
019just find a good way and he'll work with his security teams to make sure that we do it. Other than that uh there is a strong foundation uh in this. Uh also we wanted to note that uh some of this communication came up in a non-typical way uh with the operational referendum forums and legacy priorities. Uh we talked a lot about facilities during that operational uh referendum and the legacy uh priority work last year as well. Just keeping in mind we were monitoring 2024 2025 and so with that being said, Andy, take it away. >> Sure. Thanks Jake. Um we'll do just kind of a summary of some key points of indicators. Um starting off 12.1. Uh the purpose of the district's long and short range facility plan is to help guide building maintenance, capital
020improvements, and future facility needs across the district. The plan helps prioritize projects based on safety, building condition, operational needs, and budgeting. Um, this document is also fluid and it will continue to be updated as district needs and building conditions change over time. Uh, the district's infrastructure team uses several sources of information when updating this facility plan. Two key pieces um include the district-wide facility surveys that we had the staff complete last year. Um and then also we use the facility study um that was completed a few years ago with break. Staff feedback helps identify day-to-day building concerns and operational needs while the facility study provides detailed information on the condition and life expectancy of building systems and infrastructure. Together this information helps the team pri prioritize projects and plan for future maintenance and capital improvements.
021Um, moving down, uh, we're pleased to report that during the 24-25 school year, the district did not lose any instructional days due to system failures, uh, that could have been prevented through regular maintenance. Moving down 12.3, indicator one, the district passes all required annual inspections in accordance with federal, state, and local codes. Indicator two, the district maintains a full list of scheduled maintenance tasks and confirms their completion each year. Uh this includes preventative maintenance for HVAC systems, fire alarm systems, um and elevators and lifts to make sure they're properly working in up to code. Indicator three, all reported safety concerns and equipment malfunctions are corrected within 30 days. All safety concerns are treated as top priority and during the year staff will report concerns through incident IQ ticketing system. Tickets are automatically created and assigned
022to facilities or technology staff to follow up and for resolution of these issues. Indicator four during student occupied hours 100% of district facilities prohibit unauthorized entering the buildings. Uh the district uses several practices to maintain building security um our secure entrances. All school offices utilize the Raptor visitor management system um to track and screen visitors. And during the 2425 school year, we had 785 unique visitors uh that were checked in through the Raptor system throughout the all of our buildings. Uh the district also follows established visitor and facility access policies and after school activities use designated entrances for added security and monitoring. Uh OE 12.8 indicator 1. The district maintains, publicizes, and consistently applies facility use policy 7510. And this policy is posted on the district website. Uh the facility use request process and rules
023are easily accessible to the public. The facility use agreement is available on the district website under the facilities tabs. Indicator three, a review of district records verified that there were no misuse reports during the 2425 school year. District facilities were returned to pre-renal condition following events. no documented incidents were found where users failed to return the facilities to the expected condition. Um if concerns were to arise, the district would work directly with that group to fix the issue. Uh and then finally, facility use was monitored and all events were conducted safely and in accordance with the district policy. No action was required against any users or renters during the 2425 school year. a facility director, custodians, activities director, and principles continue to inspect spaces following events. And a shared facilities calendar is used to help
024monitor uh the building use moves. And I know if you're driving by on the weekends, you're probably seeing a lot of cars in in the parking lot because our buildings get used quite a bit at night for practices and games. And then on weekends that we're hosting tournaments or dance recital, uh the community is definitely using the the facilities and in return they're taking care of them too. So that's >> that's always good. >> And I would say Andy's team is taking care of the building as well uh continuously. Uh one area to also know, I should have also mentioned this when I was talking about uh the capital improvement plan that's linked. We did put um a timeline analysis or uh Mike can you help me with that language was estimated time uh for
025the system to last as a additional column and that also came from uh the governance committee this year. Uh so there is a new column on there a very good column as well. It just kind of gives an estimate of you know 20 years, 40 years or five years uh should you see this coming back up uh if it's functioning correctly >> questions I had one um under 12.3 um indicator 4 which is our you know secure um unauthorized entry um and raptor I know this is monitoring 2425. Um, if you're coming into the buildings, I'm seeing a little bit different system. So, are we anticipating I think we transition >> vendors? Um, Mike, what was it? >> Visitor aware. >> Okay. So, that's our newest for the 25 >> that rolled out January. So,
026split in half. >> Got it. Got it. Yeah. No, I just had noted as a person coming into the buildings during the days that it was a different system. So, I was just curious the timing of that. Got it. Um, obviously some updated software there with the facial recognition and such. So, great to see that. Um, advancement. I'd say that is um big improvement because it is a lot faster and a lot less um a lot less troubleshooting when it comes to getting people in the building. Those printing out those >> lot sometimes took 10 minutes or longer. >> Just a lot less staff intensive, I guess. >> Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. >> Allowing our staff to be freed up to do other other things that they need to take care of. >> We requested one
027of those laser printers. >> You can't even get color print. >> Oh man, I'm going to hear that tomorrow. >> Other questions, comments? I would just say that I appreciate all this work done that was done last year because I think it helped our conversations about the referendum funds and support like we had already plans and I don't know it just made those conversations a lot easier. Um, and I personally am in the buildings a lot and it doesn't surprise me that we're in compliance on all of this cuz it's usually a great experience and the staff is always helpful. So, great. I think it's good. >> John, I forgot to ask before we started, who's up for comments on March 12th. >> Oh, >> there you go. >> Just rolled right. I did I
028just think when we were when we were doing >> before the first rent referendum we had the years of planning um the community using the facilities was one thing that that was really really strongly considered and encouraged. So I'm glad it's working out that way and I it is good to go by on Sunday morning and see the parking lot. Well, these buildings are used a lot and seeing the care that they put into and taking care of the facilities, seeing tarps on the gyms when those are being used for non-supporting events. It's it's good to see. >> All right, takes us on to uh our second item of board business, our uh recommendations for 2627 open enrollment applications. Yeah, in your board packet, uh you have the different open enrollment applications. Uh the number
029of students that uh requested open enrollment out and the number that requested open enrollment in. Uh you may recall last year we had to deny some based on space. Uh we determined those space amounts in January. Action does have to be taken tonight uh to approve and or deny uh any. Our recommendation is to approve all of them coming in. Uh do keep in mind though this isn't a great um document to project how many open enrollment students in or out that we are going to have because each family or each application uh can apply to up to three schools. So we might be the first uh school or the third school in and it might be the same thing uh for out. Uh these numbers are to change. Uh so our recommendation is when
030it is time to take board action uh to approve it. >> Any questions on that open enrollment um recommendation? And yeah, we'll see about our action here in just a little bit due to timeliness of needing to approve those or that timeline is mandated by DPI, not us. So all right, uh moving on. uh public conversation recognition correspondence. Do we have anybody signed up, Angela? No. Okay, thank you. Um so that takes us into some recognition tonight. Um and uh buckle in and hold on. Uh we have a list of uh pretty amazing um partners um with the district uh who have helped uh sponsor or provide items and services uh for our teacher and staff appreciation week that we just celebrated last week, May 4th through 8th. So I'm I just want to name
031off and give uh uh voice to all of those uh businesses and partners. We have the Columbus Country Club, Culver's, Kestrel Ridge, Subway, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Forward Pharmacy, Drexel, Quick Trip, Cardinal Embroidery, The Coffee Garage, Mullins, Prairie Ridge Hospital, American Family, Bombshell Hair Designs, James Street Pizza, MP Town Tap, Secret Garden Flowers, Sassy Cow, Starmeister Realy, Tequilas, The Painted, Crate, Day One Pizza, Edward Jones, At Ease Massage, The Old Garage Barberhop, The Old Rock, Jimmy John's, Magnolia's, Midstate, Richard's Insurance, Wellspring, Royal Burns Crearyy, Taco Bell, Club 60 Supper Club, Fireman's Merkantile Bakery, The Workshop, Apple Tree, Cardinal Nest Nutrition, Columbus Family Restaurant, Hachi Hachi, Olive Herb, Revive and Thrive Massage, Bare Beauty, Posh Nail, Oak Floral and Gifts, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, and Wise Guys. So, just an impressive list. And, you know, I have
032to say on the back side, there was a lot of work done there. So, to whomever did all that work to help um secure uh services and opportunities and gifts for our staff, um that's amazing. >> Andrea and Tanya, >> very nice. Thank you. That was a lot of work. That's a big list. >> You go down that list, there's hardly I can't think of >> a business in town. >> And it isn't on that list. So that says a lot for your hard work and for our community. >> Yeah. Yeah. So that's great. Great to see. All right. Uh moving into our next item that is our superintendent's consent agenda this evening. Um I would take a motion for approval of that. It includes our human resources report this evening. I have a motion
033to approve the superintendent's set agenda as it has as seconded. >> Second. I have a first from Karen Smith, a second from Corey Olsen RPY. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor with an I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh, next up, I'd like to consider a motion for adjournment to close session pursuant to Wisconsin statute 19.851 851 subsection E for deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a close session. Competitive or bargaining reasons on compensation negotiations. So I would take a motion for that adjournment to close session. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I have a first from John Pearson, a second from Karen Smith. Any discussion? Uh, hearing none, I'd
034request a roll call vote and a reminder that your answer is yes to move into close session or no if you deny or decline. >> Pajooki, >> yes. >> O'Brien, >> yes. >> Olsson Rabby, >> yes. >> Pearson, >> yes. >> Halver, yes. Rule, >> yes. >> Smith, >> yes. >> That is uh all seven members for a yes. We are adjourned to close session at 7:32 p.m. Uh we will be back to reconvene to open session and finish the balance of our agenda. A motion to adjourn our close session and return to open session. >> So moved. Who was that? Karen. >> Second. >> I have a first from Karen Smith. Uh yeah, first from Karen Smith, a second from Corey Olsen Rafy. Any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor with an I.
035I. >> Any oppose? Same sign. Motion carries. We are back in open session at 7:51 p.m. Uh that will take us into our board action agenda this evening. Uh first item up for approval is our elementary math textbook resource adoption which we uh were uh had the opportunity to look at last month. >> Motion to approve the adoption of the elementary math textbook resources. Second. >> I have a first from Karen Smith, a second from Martha Rule. Any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor with an I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Same sign. Motion carries. Next item up for approval is uh approving the education for employment plan that we reviewed at our last meeting. >> I move that we accept the educational employment plan as presented. >> Second. >> What was that down
036there? Sorry. >> Uh first from John Pearson, a second from Corey Olsen Rafy. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor with an I. I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Uh, next item up is uh consideration for approval of the uh 202627 open enrollment applications as uh presented. >> I make a motion to approve the 2026 and 2027 open enrollment applications as presented. >> Second. >> I have a first from Corey Olsen Rafy, a second from Karen Smith. Any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor with an I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh, last item on board action. Uh, consider and take action on tenative agreement between the board and the Columbus Education Association for the 2026-27 school year. Motion to approve the tenative agreement between the board and the Columbus
037Education Association for the 2026 2022 school year. Second. >> I have a first from Martha Rule, a second from John Pearson. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor with an I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh, next up is our board consent agenda, including the March board bills and the board meeting minutes for April 27, uh, 2026. >> Motion to approve the board consent agenda. >> Second. We have a first from Adam Pulver, a second from Mike O'Brien. Any discussion? Hearing none. Sorry. All those in favor with an I. >> I. >> Any any naysay? Motion carries. Sorry, I lost my rhythm there. Um, board management reports. Um, so board committee assignments discussion. I had asked uh if anyone wanted to move committees to let me know. I heard from none. So
038as long as everyone is going yes I heard from none then that I believe that to be accurate. Um so we will maintain our same committee structure then for uh 202627. So that'll be uh myself as uh board president on governance along with John Pearson and Mike O'Brien and uh Jake Flood as superintendent seats uh is seated on that committee also. Uh legislative committee will consist of Martha Rule, Cory Olsson RPY and Adam Pulver and our linkages committee will consist of Karen Smith and John Pearson. All right. Uh, is anyone interested in uh board debriefing this evening? >> I should have said something before. >> Yeah. What do you got? >> And I just wanted to say u the elementary gym has been a shining example of our referendum. Andy, in terms of uh usage
039by high school, middle school, community, elementary students, parents, families, whatever. And I think it just really stood out for its use. >> Absolutely. I agree. Thank you. I second that. A nice addition to our uh facilities conversations earlier. We could add that to the comments. >> Uh I also I'd like to acknowledge uh Miss Fen um our fourth grade teacher right over there uh was um acknowledged by um WMTV as an honorable mention for the Crystal Apple Awards. >> Wow. >> Yes. I did see that. She'll be doing >> something with them on tomorrow on the news tomorrow. >> Uh it'll be it'll hers will be on Thursday. She's uh she is taping it. Um so she won't be live on air. She's ting ahead of time. Um >> but it's nice to see our
040newer teachers being recognized for the work they're putting in. um in addition to all of our senior staff, right, to to recognize the up and cominging performers in our district. It's she's doing a great job. Excellent. >> All right. Uh at this time, I would take a motion for our adjournment. >> So moved. >> I heard a Martha Rule for a first. I hear John Pearson for a second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor with an I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. We are adjourned at 7:56 p.m.