001We're live. All right. Uh the meeting will now come to order with a roll call. Mr. Propes. Here. Mrs. Brunette. Here. Mr. Cowley. Here. Mr. Glonek. Here. Mr. Hersch. >> Here. Mrs. Johnson. >> Here. And I'm here. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mrs. Stott. >> [laughter] >> 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. If I do this right, I won't ever have to say it again. Takes the pressure off. That's right. The agenda was posted throughout the district according to school board policy, published as a legal ad in the Superior Telegram, and posted on the district webpage. A meeting notice was sent to the connection for publication.
002Uh item three, approval of the March 9th, 2026 agenda open and executive sessions. I would entertain a motion and a second for that, please. I'll make that motion to include the agenda. And a second. Could include in the executive meeting afterwards, sir. I'll second it. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? Right on. The consent agenda, approval of the February 9th, 2026 regular board meetings, more board meeting minutes open and executive session. And then the treasurer's report, Mr. Cowley. Okay, in the general account on February 28th, 2026, there was balance of $3,555,705 62 cents in cash and investments. Receipts since the 1st of March, not included in the February 28th balance are $20,140.81. Disbursements from tonight's March 9th board meeting total $132,085.51. The flexible spending account on February 28th, 2026, there was
003a balance of $31,971.02 in cash and investments. The health reimbursement account on February 28th, 2026, there was a balance of $6,476.86 in cash and investments. The debt service debt service fund on February 28th, 2026, there was a balance of $675.26 in cash and investments. A detailed report on fund activity is included in the financial statements. Thank you, sir. I will see payment of invoices. If anybody had questions, I would hope that you reached out to our fearless leader to my left. If anybody has anything they want to talk about regarding that, let's do so. Otherwise, we'll move on. Item D, resignations, employments, and retirements, Mr. Fetcho Carr. We have a couple of resignations. Um Lexi Bolger, NMS 6th grade social studies teacher and JV softball coach, um effective at at the end of the 25-26
004school year. Um Matt Steiva, NHS food service. Jeremy Nordenberger, uh bus driver at the end of the 25-26 school year. Uh Felicia Cother, uh NES special education paraeducator, and Morgan Paulson, choir director for NMS and NHS, effective at the end of the 25-26 school year. All resignations. And let's move on to employment. Employment, uh Addie Lizdal, NES special education Samuel Boulet, an NHS tech ed teacher beginning August 2026. >> [clears throat] >> Kayla Anderson, NMS seventh grade ELA and science teacher effective right now. And Dana Emerson, sixth grade social studies replacing Mrs. Bolger beginning with the 26-27 school year. And then inter-district or internal transfers, I'm sorry. None there on that one. And then retirements. Retirements, Deb Rasmussen, special education para-educator and effective at the end of the 25-26 school year. And then Miss Susan
005Amos special education administrative assistant. We'd like to We'd like to rescind her retirement, which we are completely okay with from the administrative side, but needs to be approved since we approved it back there last week. So. send me if she would come back for the 26-27 school year. Wow. Hot dog. Hot dog. I'll make a motion [clears throat] to approve the consent agenda. Second. Steven Meyer, we have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I. Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Item five, policy update. There's a laundry list there of So, um because there are so many, we're going to do a first grade, second grade. So, since we are a school, I get to assign you guys homework over the month. Um a series of them um are
006just technical corrections, pretty straightforward dates, very very simple, but content of the policy doesn't necessarily change, but they are listed there. And then we have some updated uh policies for you to take a look at. And uh yeah. No motion on this right now. It is just an indication that this is the first read. We will have to come back in April and and approve and or answer any questions that you guys may have before we approve and get that done at our next meeting. Here's mud. There won't be a test afterwards just so you guys know. Uh item six then >> Oh, I think it should be. Move on to approval item. >> [laughter] >> SO JUST ONE MORE THING. >> [laughter] >> UH ITEM A, a request for an inter-district transfer transfer. Um
007Mr. Patrick Carter. I assume you all got the letter. So the letter's in the file there. Um I believe we have parents here for that. Thank you very much. So um situation that this is family moving into our district and parents would like to have said students to attend at NES. So it does not impact enrollment um at NES at this point in time. So our recommendation would be to approve this inter-district transfer for the 20 uh or 26-27 school year, excuse me, next school year. And yours was uh kindergarten. I I parents here. Okay. Uh I just had one question if I could. Go ahead. Um uh do you have other children? I guess. I guess this is this is the only uh only child in law. Okay. I'm just curious about that. Yeah.
008Forever's been talked about, so we said our recommendation is to approve. Any additional questions? I make a motion to approve the inter-district transfer request. I'll second. Okay. And then all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? Thank you for the technicality of having to show up. All right. welcome to stay but feel free to go. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. You're welcome. Uh item B, request from Mr. Charles Hessel and Allison Melby for Mrs. Melby and up to 12 students from the Visual Arts Classic team to attend the overnight state VAC competition April 9th and 10th, 2026 at the Edgewood College in Madison. My name is Claire Messier. I'm a junior and for VAC this year I competed in art history for my long-term and my short-term and I'm a member of
009the Visual Arts Classic team. We are a team of 12. Our team of 12 competed individually on March 6th at UW Superior by showing long-term projects and creating an onsite project in 2 and 1/2 hours. In addition, as a team we participated in a critical thinking competition and an art history quiz bowl. Individually, we earned first place awards with 11 of our long-term projects and eight of our onsite projects. The remaining five projects scored second place. Our projects are on display in the showcases between the two art rooms, so please check them out when you have a chance. As a team we took second place in the quiz bowl competition, second place in critical thinking, and second place overall at the regional competition. Each first place finish qualifies the project, student, and or team for
010the state meet. Everyone had at least one first place finish, but only eight of us qualified to compete in an onsite project at state. Of the eight, only seven of us were actually able to attend state. This year's state meet is at Edgewood College on in Madison on Friday, April 10th. We would like to request your permission to spend the night of April 9th in Madison. We would leave school at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 9th, compete all day Friday, April 10th, and return later that night. Mr. Kessel would take us using the school's Suburban. Due to the fact that only seven of our group of 12 would be going, the overall cost decreased from $3,350 [clears throat] to $1,600, which covers a substitute teacher, hotel rooms, transportation, and meal money. Do you have any
011questions for us? Thank you. Well done. Yeah, I guess it says It says Mrs. Melby will be taking them down. >> [clears throat] >> We So, when >> I I just want to make sure I didn't misunderstand. >> be me. Um yeah, when we when we initially did the requests, actually both of us were probably going to go um and take a bus. Um vans are being used for the baseball team down in the Dallas, and we thought, well, we'll have 12 students going, so we'll need a bus, and then we both can go and kind of have one chaperone for, you know, for each gender just to, you know, make sure there's nothing crazy going on in Madison. Um But now that we've only got seven of us going, uh seven students, we can
012fit in the Suburban with just one advisor, and and uh Mrs. Melby agreed that it would be a good time for me to go. I've missed out the last few years, so >> [laughter] >> But it is it is a fun time. It's it's a lot of fun to see what the kids do, and they're so creative. It's it's a blast, so I'm thankful to be able to go, potentially. >> [laughter] >> I'm glad you're so agreeable to going. >> Potentially. Yeah. Volleyball is that how that went, or were you uh Well, I I haven't been to Did I go to regionals last year? No, and I You didn't go uh my freshman year. Yeah. So, I've I've been I've been all over the country for volleyball on the weekends of VAC chasing Shelby around
013so I haven't been able to go so now I'm it'll be nice. They might even make it back for the 4 by 4 at the at the track meet at Chichester [laughter] Friday nights. Uh well with that is there any other questions? Otherwise I'd entertain a motion. I'll make a motion to approve the um trip to Madison for the VAC competition. I'll second that. All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor please say aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? Good luck. Have a good day. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh item C, a request from Mrs. Johnson, FBLA advisor and 15 students to attend the overnight state leadership conference and competition in Green Bay on April 12th through 14th, 2026 and plan to attend the national conference in San Antonio, Texas at the end of June
014any members qualify. Hello, I'm Reagan Klawitter. And I'm Haley Gilderman. We are representing our Hustisford FBLA chapter. On Saturday, February 7th, 35 students from our chapter traveled to Hammond, Wisconsin for the regional competition. We competed in a variety of events including broadcast journalism, sales presentation, impromptu public speaking, sports and entertainment marketing, and personal finance to name a few. Some participants competed by presenting a prepared 7-minute speech while others took a test. There were over 500 students competing at this event. 15 students from our chapter qualified to attend the state leadership conference and competition in Green Bay. We are asking permission to travel to Green Bay on April 12th to attend the conference on April 13th and 14th. In addition, we are asking permission to travel to San Antonio, Texas for the national conference which will
015be held from June 29th to July 2nd, if anyone from our chapter qualifies for this event. Thank you for considering our request. It should be noted that if they do attend a national competition and qualify that that will be funded through the activity account. Correct, Mr. Johnson? >> Yes. Any discussion? I make a motion to approve the 15 students traveling to FBLA conference. And and the potential >> And the San Antonio, Texas trip if they make it. Is there a second? Good. I'll second it. Any further discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I. I. Anybody opposed? Good luck. Have a good time. Thank you. Item D, >> [clears throat] >> a request from Misty Brading, FCCLA advisor, and 20 students to attend the overnight at state FCCLA competition and convention held in Wisconsin
016Dells on April 6th through 8th. Okay. Hi, so I'm Olivia and I'm the president of FCCLA club, which is Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. And we took 20 students to regionals and they all made it to state, which is the first time in a long time that every member that went made it. And this is just a portion of them, obviously, [laughter] but we're going to go down to Wisconsin Dells if we are able to, and we're going to stay at Kalahari. It's from April 6th through 8th, and we compete in a number of different events. Me and Emily and another student competed in project or community service project portfolio, which is basically you take like a binder and you put all the information from a community service project that you planned, which
017we planned the 20th year of the senior basket drive for our school, and um so we just put all the information from that in there, and we got this thing. So, yeah, and then if anyone else wants to talk with their Um me and Michaela competed in this thing very similar. We did a community service display. So, we had to make a poster, and then have an oral presentation to go along with it. And we did ours on our um socks fundraiser. So, we partnered with CAASDA. So, for every two pairs of socks sold, we donated a pair to the local um shelter, which if you don't know what CAASDA is, it's a shelter for um women who are escaping abuse, domestic violence, or child abuse situations. Um I competed in the cake decorating competition,
018which basically, well, the pre-baked cake, you have it all set up, and then you decorate the cake the straw or based on the property you're given. Um yeah. So, yeah, those are some of the events that we're going to be competing down there. We just wanted to let you know that you approve of all of what we're doing here. I would assume that's a plus. Yeah. Yes. And a trailer? We don't need a trailer. Okay, okay, never mind. >> [laughter] >> We have We have a lot of stuff. >> [laughter] >> We just put more in the trailer. So, I guess I talked too much. I'M JUST KIDDING. >> [laughter] >> JUST JUST TO BE CLEAR, IS SO SO IS THE convention the 6th, 7th, and 8th, or are you leaving on the 6th? It
019is the 6th, 7th, and 8th. So, we we have to check in for their events by 2:00 p.m., and then um we have a little bit of time to get settled into our rooms, and then we're right in for opening ceremonies and dinner. So, you're going to leave the morning of the 6th? Yes. Is that correct? And you'll be home the evening of the 8th? Correct. Any other uh questions or any concerns with our driver? We are able to make the trip work. Yes. Sounds good. So. I'll make a motion to approve it, then. I'll second that. And a second like this. All those in favor, please say I. I. Anybody opposed? Good luck. Have a good day. Thank you so much. Don't forget anybody in the trailer, please. >> [laughter] >> Item E, a
020request from Mr. Niehaus, FFA advisor, and those who qualify at the April 5th, 2026 [laughter] contest to attend the 2026 FFA state career development contest in Madison, April 16, 17, and or April 23, 4. My name is Lauren. >> [laughter] >> I'm Olivia. I'm Emily. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening. Our FFA competition is in full swing. This year we have about six teams competing at the regional competition at UW-River Falls on March 28th. Some categories are wildlife management, veterinary science, horse judging, milk quality and dairy products, farm and business management, and we're competing in floriculture. So, each event is a little different, but if we're going to talk about floriculture a little bit, we go in and we take a test um about plant identification and other aspects, and then we make a boutonniere
021and a prom bouquet with um on site. So, then they judge it, I guess. Uh we are asking permission to attend the state competition if and when our team score high enough at the regional contest. The state horse judging contest takes place on April 17th to coordinate with the Midwest Horse Fair. This team would leave Northwestern on the 16th and return late on the 17th. All other contests take place on April 25th at 8:00 a.m. The plan would be to leave on the 24th, take a business tour along the way, and return late on Friday, the 25th. Costs would depend on the number of the teams that move on to state, but the average we've had is about two to three teams. Do you have any questions for us? >> [laughter] >> Or Mr. Niehaus?
022Have you gone on this before yourselves? I've never competed in floriculture, so I'm really excited. I've gone to the competition every four years, but I did vet science the first two, and then I did floriculture last year and then this year, so I'm really excited to do it again. I've done floriculture every year, so I'm really excited to do it again. >> [laughter] >> So it's two different Yeah, so uh the horse judging state competition is during Midwest Horse Fair, which is April 17th is the contest day, and so FFA split that one from the rest of our state competition, and so if the horse judging team were to make it to state, we would have to go down that week. Um same concept, we'd go down the Thursday early morning, the contest is early
023Friday morning, and then we'd be back that evening. Uh every other contest is the following week. It's a Thursday, Friday, we'd be back again late Friday evening. Did they do this similarly last year? >> We've done it No, I think this is the third year in a row that it's been this way. It seems like it wasn't that long ago where we talked about that. Yeah, it I think this is the third year now. Uh the conversation at the state level is there's a lot of volunteers that are at Midwest Horse Fair, plus the gala horses that come in for that, um but then there's not enough volunteers for all the rest of the contests at UW down there. Cuz everything is kind of focused on the horse fair, and it's been a long arduous
024process that the northern schools aren't super thrilled with. >> [snorts] >> And I don't want to assume, but based on uh historic history here, that you uh you take a car or the van, you go down, and then your fund ends up taking care of the majority of the fundings. So this would be we were asking for this district to pay for the Oh, cuz this is a national thing. Yeah, so the state competition so the district would would cover that. Um in the past we've taken usually take a van cuz there's usually two or three teams or two teams we can fit in a van three teams we think we need a bus. Okay. But again it depends on which teams qualify and if it's in the um which week. Yeah. Okay. Mr. Nighswander
025looking for back-to-back weekends in Madison. >> [laughter] >> He's a good man. I understand. Can we ask for us an expected cost and what's the ask here? So again it depends on the number of teams that qualify. Um each team registration is about $30 per team for the the actual cost of the the contest down there. Um the transportation would be dependent on bus versus van again. Um cuz with the bus then we would have to have to pay a driver as well. Um in the past we've had generally two teams make it down there then I can drive the van and and that saves on that cost there. Um but um So from a business side these are you know we create this budget at the beginning of the year and this it is
026educated guessing to be completely honest with you. Um and we try to look at what we spent in previous years but there's such variability if you know one team makes it it's going to be a little bit different cost than if All six? All six. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, the tough thing this year too is that um our contest got pushed off a week and because of Easter being so early this year. Um typically we can come to you with the exact number of teams that make it but there's a really short window between our contest or regional contest date on the 28th, and >> the state contest From the business side, I don't want to ever get to this point and say sorry. We make it work, but Mr. Nygard is correct. It's tough
027to I mean, you provide a range of probably $1,500 to if all 16 make it, you're looking at more hotel rooms. It's It's going to be probably a $5,000 trip now. Um I guess it's a good problem to have. It's so accomplished. >> [laughter] >> Must be exhausting. I'm just going to wash you. I'm just kidding. >> [laughter] >> Any other discussion or questions? I trust that you will use funds wisely, and I vote that we approve this trip. So, I'll make a motion. I make a motion to approve [laughter] this trip for the I'll second. If Dan, you're the second, all those in favor, please say I. I. Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you. Enjoy your weekends in April. Uh item F, [laughter] the start college now early college credit program for
028the fall of 2026. Uh I'm going to give that to you real quick, Mr. Petrocelli. So, uh pretty annual process for this time of year. Um you guys have the list of students that uh have expressed interest in taking classes either through Northwood Tech or UWS. Um Mr. Smith is here, Ms. Kroll is here. Thank you both for being here because this is their area of expertise. So, um feel free to ask questions should you have them. Otherwise, we're going to look into The recommendation is to approve. I I have a question. Um what is HHP walking for fitness? >> [laughter] >> Ethan Holman. Similar UWS course catalog has a a class that they Is it a gym class? Most colleges require kids to take a health and human performance class while they're in school
029and so there's one that they have available virtually and the approval process works is the class that the kids want to take if it's 80% the same as a class we offer, it gets denied. If it's different, it's it has to be 80% the same and so when I a few kids approached me about it and when I read the description, we didn't think we could deny that class because we don't have, based on the description of the course, we don't offer that bio class. Kind of the same thing with the there's a microbiology there and kind of they got Diana, I had to call Jamie and ask on that one cuz I did not know the difference between that class and honors bio and after reading through the description um we felt like it
030wasn't the same 80% anyway. And the So you'll see there's some that are some courses that are denied cuz they're classes that we offer um and the ones that are approved are classes that we didn't feel like we had a comparable enough course. Now, you'll see a lot of classes on there that kids are not going to end up taking because what happens is these applications are due before the the schedule goes live. So like they're due they were due to me by Friday, February 27th cuz March 1st was on a Sunday. And then the UDub's schedule went live on March 2nd. So they have to guess what's going to be available. So I I recommend they put down four or five classes when really they're going to take one because they don't really know
031what's offered. It's like Cody talked so educated guessing. We do the same thing with this program because >> [clears throat] >> the due dates and when the schedules are available don't line up. Unfortunately. So, we try to look at what was offered last year and make our best guess at what might be available this year. So, like you'll like I said you'll see some of them have four or five classes but >> [cough and clears throat] >> they're really probably going to take one of those. Are most of these face-to-face at UWS or are they virtual? I would say most of them are virtual. We do have a few kids that attend face-to-face. We have a couple kids that are going to Northwood Tech right now. We have a few that would like to do
032full-time at UWS in the spring semester instead of graduating early but that's it's very hard to line up the schedule with ours. The virtual option just makes it more convenient. Seems like a pretty decent number of kids that applied. Is that Is it more than normal? For me I felt like it was more than normal but when there's been a lot of talk in the conference about it and I've been hearing from other conference schools that they're getting applications in the 40s and 50s so that made me feel like a little more manageable more manageable. But yeah, I was talking to the principals and they were talking about this. Yeah, I was South couple schools 47, 48, 50 kids and and their issue is that they just want to do it for a whole Oh,
033jeez. during the day. This is most that issue that they're wrestling with. So, they're you know, they're getting and the teachers are concerned that the class sizes are going to go out of the point where they're going to not offer the class that can. So, what is it kind of an issue league-wide? Each school in our conference kind of deals with a different university but our conference is so big. Um It was that issue a larger number of press facilities and number and like you said they're not they're not going to take all these courses. And a lot of them you know you're deciding really early like by fall and they see the high school courses they're in a lot of them end up dropping because they're trying to plan way ahead and then they
034find out they're doing enough in high school and with their after school activities and then you know others stick with them it just depends so like what you approved and what actually goes through into graduation is usually significantly less. Is it also true Mr. Roll that if they fail the class parents are financially responsible? Or withdraw. No, because if if they drop there's drop deadlines but each deadline has there's fees involved so if there's any fees with a drop they are responsible. Um, we've also been just so you're aware I'm very strict with the deadline because probably have five others try to turn it in late and there's the deadline's the deadline on this and then um the others the other thing what did I just lose my train of thought? Um, we're strict with
035the deadline and um had a second thought and I just lost it. It was probably a really good one. >> [laughter] >> Um, but yeah we're strict with the deadline and then they um they're oh I know what it was. UWS has a a minimum GPA requirement to take any courses and they do give us the option to um override that but we don't we stick with what UWS's requirement is because I don't want to be in a position of putting kids in classes that they're not prepared for and they're not meeting the minimum requirements and we stick with UWS's requirements. What is UWS's requirements? It's a 2.75 GPA and they don't typically take ninth graders cuz ninth graders can do this program, but they don't have a GPA by the time applications are due,
036so typically they don't get to do it. Seems like every time we talk about it, it's like more information. Yes, it's like it's very complicated. >> [laughter] >> It's just it's I feel like I'm always learning more about it too, but you by asking questions. Um It was interesting to me there were less applications for Start College Now this time. It's like it kind of comes in waves and sometimes kids hear their friends are doing it, so then they want to know more. Or they say they didn't know anything about it even though it was in the announcements for 3 weeks. The list continues to get larger, which is Which is good. Well, I think it's good and bad. My understanding is that colleges are recruiting high school kids to take this cuz obviously it
037We have flyers sent straight to the house. I mean, I get them at my house all the time with advertising. Which is okay. I mean Yeah. Which is okay. I mean, kids should know what their options are, but sometimes um they need to be in a place that they're prepared and I try to really educate them that this whatever they take is their first college GPA. So, you don't want to take anything you're not going to do well in. Because if you take something you're in over your head in and don't do well, then you're that's your first college GPA. You could start college on academic probation if you struggle in a class. So, it's important that they understand they're college student and they're It's really on them to go through the registration process and
038do what they need to do because we don't have access to their grades. They're they're college kids. So, until I get their final grade, I don't know I can't check it like I can in Skyward. So, I try to make sure they are aware of that. I just have one question. So, I'm going to read you a couple of classes and then then you answer then I'll ask the question, okay? So, thinking of uh sociology uh macroeconomics [snorts] survey of criminal justice um just thinking of those few classes which we rejected because we offer something, of course. My question is, what's the probability that because of low number of students that sign up for it, that we wouldn't offer it when they want to take it? That with those classes that wouldn't happen cuz social
039issues is a required course. Okay. And law and justice is offered at least two or three times every year. >> Okay. Um and then yeah, I remember the third one. We offer the economics one we offer free market and money which is our economics course. Um I did have to talk to Mr. Teal to learn if the difference of what if we're teaching microeconomics or macroeconomics and which one would be the most comparable. So, you'll see one approved and one's denied because I had to do a little research on some of these cuz it's been a while since I've thought about economics. >> [laughter] >> So, um but that's I So, when it when it's one that I'm not sure, I rely on the teacher. Like, we approved medical terminology because we offer forensic science
040and med term, but we only teach med term like one day a week in that class, which if it's a 9-week course, they're looking at 9 days of med term, and I didn't feel like confidently we could say it was 80% of the course. So. That answers my question. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Well, personally, I and I'm not sure why I feel this way. I really struggle with that gym class. I really struggle with that that we're going to So, we're going to pay for a college class that's that's a gym class. Even though it's a requirement at that level, it just gets under my skin. That's that's that's how I feel about Do colleges require a gym credit now? >> saying they are? Yeah. Well, I did AP I did I did
041weight training. >> [laughter] >> Criminal justice. They have everything. I forgot what Lucy took, but it was some just blow away class. >> I had to do it. It was a blow away one credit. Yeah, I did. Which I mean, I Maybe you had a harder major in that. >> [laughter] >> I really don't remember doing anything. I mean You know, I took a class Maybe maybe you shouldn't have your degree. What kind of >> [laughter] >> What kind of blow away class did Archery. I also took zero arts. That's a good one. I think Lucy took like line dancing or some stupid I took fencing. My brother did that. He was the only guy in there. He said that was >> [laughter] >> I will spin. Oh my gosh. That was funny. Anyways, that's
042that's my [laughter] that's my defense, [cough] but if if if the consensus I suppose is to approve everything that they have uh given their recommendation for, or if you want to go through it and say no to any of them, we could do so. Otherwise, we could do a motion and a second and roll on. I make a motion we approve the Start College Now or Early College Credit Program. As is? >> As is. And a second? I'll second it. You have a motion and a second. All those in Any other discussion, I should say first. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Right on. Madam Chair, the Technical Assistant Technical Excellence Scholarship recommendation. I can tackle this one for you. You guys have this in your board packet. So,
043the team would like to recommend Henry Nielsen to be selected as our Technical Excellence Scholarship winner this year. He is the son of Scott and Allison Nielsen. One might be in here. I don't know. [laughter] >> [clears throat] >> Henry has been admitted to Northwood Technical College and is pursuing business business management degree. His goal is to help grow their family business, Silver Maple Construction. Henry was the superintendent of our building construction course that builds the house that we're all well aware of. He helped to teach and lead other students that are in that class. He's a member of the track team and an honor roll student. The team is very proud of Henry's accomplishments and we're excited to see what his future holds. So, the recommendation would be to approve Henry as the scholarship
044award winner. Can you remind me the dollar amount and isn't it a two-year scholarship? Am I correct? $2,250 for two years. So, it's the same as our academic [clears throat] excellence scholarship. It's just that one is for four. So, it's So, we're lucky that we get to award one every year. So, it's it's So, so the In this case, Henry is going to end up over 2 years getting $4,500. >> Yeah. Right? First 2 years of school. And it's the since it's a technical excellence program they have to be attending a Wisconsin technical college. So, the transfer of funds goes right from the state to their tech schools. So, what happens uh hypothetically here he doesn't go the second year. Does the fundage just stay put and nothing happens with it or does does it
045get Once it's started to be used by a student it's used and it can't be passed on. Okay. But if it's if a student doesn't start school then it can get passed to the next person. Oh. So, it can't be like 1 year for 1 kid and another year for another kid. Okay. Okay. Maybe his parents will make sure that doesn't happen. >> [laughter] >> Well, parents try their best but >> [laughter] >> uh That scholarship to Sue Noah is selected on a a point system based on their like activity and participation in CTE. So, there's it's uh a policy that we adopted from the state of how we select that winner. So, it's really encouraged that their CTE participation in courses and the clubs that you're always approving are in here and that's how
046how we select the winner based on that policy. I think Craig if I'm not mistaken there's probably a number of very worthy candidates. To have our to have And you said it's state funded? Okay. >> [laughter] >> Yes. So I I just calculate the points and fill out the paperwork for the students. Do students have to apply? Okay. Yeah, their deadline was mid-February. If we need a motion to approve that, be happy to make that motion. Second. Because I think we're not paying for it, we just need a regular vote, right? So, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Right on. I need that question. >> [laughter] >> No, no, I was looking at I was looking at Miss Gaddy. No, [laughter] you're good. You're good. We've already answered all
047the questions. I'll just keep staring at you, don't worry. Uh item H, the elimination of early entrance 4K kindergarten practice. I'm guessing this is going to be a big game between you, Mr. Fetcho, Carter, Mr. Larrabee. So, yeah, real quick, um a couple weeks ago now, I met with Mr. Larrabee and Mrs. Walsh from the the kindergarten team over at NES. So, really what we're looking to do is have policy reflect practice. Um if you read our early entrance policy for 4K and kindergarten, it states that the students be four by September 1st to attend 4K and five by September 1st to attend kindergarten. Um we have in the past, kind of coming from a different time and place than what we are now, had some assessments that were done by the teaching staff to
048determine um kind of if a student was ready to come to 4K early or or kindergarten early, depending on the situation. And uh what we found is that academically is one part of the equation, but it's not the most important part of the equation for that age level. Um social emotional development is is very vital too to be successful. And um long range, we found that the students might be ahead of the curve academically a little bit, but they usually do not stay there as we continue to move up the ladder of grades. So, um you have Heather and this is also Mr. Larrabee's letter in there uh for your review, but we have talked about it as a team, as a group, and we believe moving forward this is the the best step. Starting
049in well, 26, 27. Another thing I would add is we're talking about a very small portion of kids. Um usually we're looking at one to two um some years beyond the any. Um so, it's it's a small percentage of our student population, but obviously as they age and go on through all the rest of our grades, uh we want to make sure that we start them where they need to be. And uh as we know the academic rigor has changed at the early grades, so we no longer feel this is a good fit for our students. Plus athletically it's better to be a year older. >> [laughter] >> Just saying. Just saying. [clears throat] Does he have to speak? >> [laughter] >> Do you advocate to remove that date even more? >> I I would
050say that's wrong WITH MAYBE DECEMBER. >> [laughter] >> WELL, ALL FOUR YEAR OLDS ARE AT LEAST EIGHT YEARS OLD. Can [laughter] we go back to common practice and policy? I think we're a little far north in the demographic for that. >> [laughter] >> Um It is a special district. Uh any questions for for Mr. Larrabee? But we we have looked at this as a group, so If you don't mind me adding, just from like the other end of the district, the high school side, it's not uncommon to see kids who entered kindergarten early struggling at in the high school. Like going off to college when you're 17 or not or maybe even credit deficient. There's several times that we've we've been in meetings where it's like, how did we get here too early? Whether it's
051too young or sometimes too old for whatever reason, but another district retained them or they started school late. Like, hitting that senior year when you're not the age you're supposed to be or older than you're supposed to be can be really difficult. My comment >> I would just say on our end of things, I would support that because it's It has It has a lot of lasting effect. >> when they're little. Like, those decisions made for 4-year-olds can affect them every year they're in school. My My common question to parents under our current practices would you be comfortable with them being on campus at 17 for all of September and October? Because I don't know that that's necessarily something parents think about. Parents aren't going to have real answer to that when they are 4
052years old. It's I mean, personally, so So, the policy is currently written, you're saying, as 4 years old September 1 or 5 years old September and we are just going to enforce that. There's no more exception to that rule. Correct. Correct. Correct. And I I can't go all the way back to the beginning cuz it predates me, but I think this predated some of the policy adjustments. And And I I mean, not that I'm long in the tooth here, but for as long as I've sat here, I think that's only been two or three students that I think we've we've done it, but the I think the bigger concern that was part of it is talking about the I don't think special ed is the correct word, but the services that are getting utilized, Title
0531 and and some of those other services that are getting utilized once you're hitting the other side of the hallway and the elementary school or the middle or high school. >> a good point with some of the requirements now for academic testing that weren't here even 2 years ago. We are fearful that we're going to set our kids up for struggles. And obviously, we pour resources in here regardless of any decision here, but if we know that we can do better, then we should do better. There's not a real big replacement for developmental age and developmental time. That's all there is to it. All there is to it. Any other questions we can answer for you? >> I just want to make sure this and I apologize I didn't check this in advance. So, policy
0545410 and 5112 are okay as written as or does anybody know do we need to make revisions to any of it? I think 5112 is in the packet that you have that early entrance. [snorts] It is. I think that's in there, but I don't recall off the top of my head what that change is. Yeah, I guess we'll we'll update it, but essentially what we're we're looking to eliminate the practice. The policy has been in place for since before I even got into this role, obviously, but a number of years. Um and the reason why we're bringing it to the board is because it is an important you know, no matter where we set the date, there's going to be somebody that's three or four or excuse me, you know, turning four the day after
055the day all that stuff. Um but you've got to you got to have a date somewhere or there somewhere. It's too open-ended. Even though parents may not like to hear this, it is our job as educators to look just beyond the year that they're there. Um and ultimately for us going all the way through hopefully till their senior year, it does have an impact. So, you are right now not a lot of parents are thinking about what's my life going to be like in for my senior 10 plus years, but uh we won't you see it on the other end. And on a personal level, I've got now a number of kids that have moved on, I think, and then some. We've all got some here, but it's let these kids be kids. You know,
056what? Nine months isn't the end of the world. They're going to they're they're going to hurry up and go to work for the next 40 years of their life. They'll enjoy one more year of high school. At least that's my two cents. Yes, so I definitely approve of this and I make a motion that as a board we approve of this including to make sure that our policies support in its entirety as well. Looking for a second then as well. Second it. Uh any further discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I. I. Anybody opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, gentlemen. Moving on item seven are administrative reports. We'll start with A, communications, Mr. Fetcho. None this month on the communication. All right. And then uh the next portion here that we're super excited about.
057Talking about property and casualty insurance and health care insurance as the things that we have [clears throat] said that we are going to continue to bring up for the next couple of months prior to said election. So, you guys have a document on there that uh kind of summarizes the I'll call it the 10-year cost trends. So, um in 2015 the district paid a a total of just over $2 million for health care insurance premiums. Um the cost last year officially um is just over 2.4 million. So, that's a a 20.3% increase over the course of 10 years. Um but I think it's important to kind of note that that's only part of the story. Um in 2015 the district insured 49 more members than we do this year. Um in addition in 2015 there
058were three different plans that our employees could choose from. There's what we call a low deductible plan, a mid deductible plan, and a high deductible plan. So, plan A back in 2015 was a single deductible of 1,500 and a family deductible of 3,000. Plan B was 2,000, 4,000 as you see there, and the high deductible plan was 3,000, 6,000. Um current employees um and this is part of us trying to as best as we possibly can still provide a solid insurance plan to our employees but keep the costs down as much as possible. So plans that are available this year um what we call the narrow network plan or the essential only plan. There is a $5,000 single deductible or $10,000 family plan deductible. Um plan B essential only was a $3,300 single deductible or
059$6,600 family deductible. And then there's plan [snorts] C and D there with the various deductibles of 5,000, 10,000 and that's more of the open network which allows our employees to go to their health care provider of choice whether it be Aspirus, Mayo, any other health care system that is out there. So kind of why I brought this to the >> [gasps] >> the forefront is that you know, essentially we're we're paying more money for what would be classified as less services in in in terms of that. The district does make an HRA and HSA contribution to the employees if you take our insurance. It's a $750 uh contribution for a single plan and a $1,500 contribution for a family plan to try to offset uh the cost of health care for our employees as best
060as we possibly can and still have a functional budget. Um that has been the same since 2015. That has not adjusted. Um the other piece of this puzzle is that the percentage of health care premium that the employee pays has increased as well since 2015. Um it's gone up by anywhere from roughly 3 and 1/2% on average to 4% depending on the year. So the take home on health care is this. Much like everybody else no matter your line of work whether it be in schools, private sector, somewhere in between um health care costs continue to rise. We as a district do the best we can to, uh, adjust and support our employees, but, uh, you know, it's our second biggest cost by by a long shot annually every year outside of salary, of course,
061it's benefit costs. So, questions around health care and the the 10-year trend for you guys were um, anyone else have Just a quick, you said we had 49 more people back then. So, what I mean, now I know we're still have about the same number of employees, don't we? I'm not sure. Yeah, so, yeah, we and and that's a huge point for us to make. 49 more employees on the health care plan is significant. Is that employees or I'm not sure. or insured? members, excuse me. members? Okay, could be employees. So, it's employees. Thank you, Wendy, for trying. >> Once we had to start paying for it, a lot of people that were double insured just dropped off. Oh. Did that help? Cuz it is it it's a matter I mean, it's How many people
062are insured right now? How many members are insured? I think it's I don't know. I I I don't know off the top of my head. So, ball parking, you know, we're we're talking 30-ish percent fewer people on the health care plan. Mhm. And still paying 20 plus percent more than what we did 10 years ago. So, Yeah, I just was wondering if those 49 could ever come back on. Um, Cuz the theory [laughter] is anybody that still qualifies, yes, but That's what I'm, you know, I mean, we'd be looking at a significant increase in There's a reason why I've talked in here and will continue to talk health care is that one of the the scariest costs from the business manager chair that I can think of because I will say we had a lot
063more we had all of our pairs were full time. And we we've since cut that. You know, we we have a lot less employees to draw from now than we did 10 years ago. Looking at full-time versus part-time. >> Is there a way and and I and I apologize for this, but I'm not expecting an answer today. But is there a way for I would assume there is, like plan C on the on the 10-year-ago plan the deductible the 3,000 6,000 is there a way to find out what that premium was then and then compare it to the current plan >> plan A or plan B? Go ahead with either if you would. >> Well, I don't I don't have it with me, but um Cuz I think that would give us I mean personally
064that would give me I mean looking at this we have a $400,000 increase in I do have a note that says if we if it was same same coverage across the board, it would have went up 136%. Uh from the dollars. >> With the with the total employees that we had in 2015 and the total employees if we would carry that number forward [cough and laughter] and the same coverage, you're looking at 136% increase. So that's what 4 and 1/2 million dollars is where we'd be at. That's hence why I say it's one of the scariest costs that we have because it it is a cost that we have very very little control over. Cuz we do have a number of employees that elect not to take >> Correct. insurance and could all of a
065sudden elect to take Yes, it's it's it's it's a very sizable number that you know, they're they're on their spouse's plans. They're on you know, some of them are young teachers that are coming out of college that are still under their parents plans up until at least 26 if I remember correctly. Uh and uh but it is uh it's a very very difficult thing to functionally do any kind of budget projection on, but we do the best we can, but to be frank with you, we got to live year by year because there are so many factors and variables that like you said, are just just out of our control. But, part of this process is to make sure that the word gets out in our community that we do as a school district, we
066have we've tried to adjust. We've increased deductibles, we've increased the employer employee share of paying for the premium. Um we've kept a lot of things flat in terms of the district contribution to them. It's it's all the work that we're trying to do to ever to keep out of the situation that we're currently in, but it doesn't necessarily get seen from from the public's eyes. But, uh yeah, the the days of health care were I'll never know, but it was no cost, no deductible, or no cost $200, $250 deductible or just those are no longer realistic. No longer realistic. >> [laughter] >> But, as we sit today, regardless of what we have done as far as plans and whatever, we are $409,000 more annually. Correct. $409,000 [clears throat] more annually in just health insurance. And
067that one the annual part is important on that. So. Um we are you know, for a long time we many people going into the public service sector knew that the the pay wasn't necessarily going to be near this the private sector, but usually the the ancillary benefits were were really really good. Um it's becoming more and more difficult to to say that that's the case. Don't get me wrong, I know the private sector feels a lot of this too, but we are not immune to it by any stretch of the imagination. So. Who's going up? Who's got the balance? Well, why don't you move on to property and casualty? >> The other one there kind of our other major, obviously health care is our biggest chunk of change, but property casualty insurance. Um so, that's
068our our property insurance, liability insurance, workers comp insurance, auto insurance. So, total cost back in 2015 was just over 176,000 dollars. Um, fast forward to 2025, that number was 264,421 dollars. So, an increase of just under Well, if you round up, it's 49.7%. Uh, just under 50%. So, it's getting close to to a 50% increase or just under. Um, and that again doesn't tell the complete story. When I look back, now obviously I was not in this particular role back in 2015, but I can go back and look at the deductibles. Um, the deductibles that we pay have in some cases doubled or even or tripled. So, it's kind of a theme that we have is that we've tried to adjust, try to keep these costs down by controlling what we can control, and one
069of those things is increasing deductibles. You know, on a personal level, we've probably all been there with auto insurance saying, "Why am I paying that? Is there any way I can knock it down?" And usually the only way to knock it down is to increase your deductible if you have an issue. Um, that is part of what we have here. Most difficult cost for us is is twofold. It's property insurance. Um, that has gone up uh, every year, in my opinion, astronomically, but it is what it is. And then workers compensation, which we do try to control as best as we possibly can, but um, accidents happen here just as they do anywhere else. So, another data point that shows that the costs are not the same as what they were 10 plus years ago.
070Well, the worst about property that's really jumped last couple years, property insurance, and to find people that will even cover you now. Correct. We have we have one provider right now that I'm very very happy for, but I I every year we try to get at least another company or two to try to bid us as an entity, and we have struck out my three years of doing this. >> [clears throat] >> Um, we bid out from another company actually two years ago um, looking at and holding this has done good things. I nothing bad to say about my interactions with [clears throat] them. But uh we sat down with another firm to kind of get a get bid and uh they couldn't even get anybody to bid us for it. So What happens if
071you can't find anybody? Somebody will end up writing. Somebody will write it but not for >> [laughter] >> And you won't like it but they don't know. They just It's poor. It sucks. It's Yeah, it's It's If we get to that point I I I worry that it's going to not be pleasant. Yeah. It will be unpleasant. So we're just going to We do the little things we can to make sure the insurance providers are getting what they need from us. So So I mean the long and short of it is even though we have made I would say difficult decisions to increase deductibles, change health insurance plans, go to a narrow network, we have 50 less members than we did 10 years ago. We're We're still a half a million dollars more a year
072between health and property insurance. And you compile that on top of what was last month, $700,000 that we talked about in transportation and some of the other stuff. I mean now you're 1.2 million um more out of a budget that's been relatively flat for the last 10 years. So it's it it it's tough. Cody, have we inquired So I'm thinking of our fire alarm system and if we had a more integrated system, proper notification was in place and they could that reduce some of our insurance costs? I'd like to think so. I can't guarantee it. Um the problem that we have when it comes to property insurance is that we're a rural school. And that is the consistent thing that I hear is that if there's not a fire department, there's you know, a fire
073in one of our buildings that it's going to be here in short order. Not to say anything with our volunteer fire departments, we're just talking a a volume issue. It will certainly help. But the biggest thing that's going to help you on that is something that's sprinkler system, which this is the only building that has a sprinkler system. Um to retrofit buildings, that is very, very, very expensive. We're talking in the potentially >> on there is probably not there. hundreds of thousands if not millions of They give a rate credit for a sprinkler system. I know cuz I [clears throat] I get one, but um It It's not enough. And that rate credit used to be 20 years ago, it used to be like 20%. And I think now it's like five. So they just
074keep And then everybody else says, you know, code says, "Well, you got to put one in anyways. You got to do this." Everybody gets you. >> [laughter] >> I tend to work one way or the other. Any other questions or anything regarding uh that fantastic news? All right, then let's move on to uh item C, the maintenance update. Uh pretty standard stuff in the maintenance update. You know, snow removal over the class last month. I don't think we're through the woods yet, even though there's been a lot of melting going on. It is springtime in northern Wisconsin, so we get We get what we get from Mother Nature, the old star light. Um couple odds and ends, nothing too out of the norm. With it there, nothing really worth noting. Some some repairs and some
075other work. Back channel water heaters, um systems that uh How long till the bleachers are The bleachers actually got fixed today. >> Oh, nice. So we we had to order a electric motor that finally burned out. So they are operational. Nice. We are going to We're going to order a backup motor because there's six of them that run those bleachers. They're all the same age. >> [laughter] >> So, you know, we anticipate that getting through. In regards to snow removal, I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the sidewalk, um like at the lower doors, that like kind of main sidewalk straight out, I didn't feel like I got cleared this winter very well with snow. There were several Yeah. Yep. Yep, that. And I noticed it particularly when we were going to games. Everybody
076would just walk in the parking lot versus using that sidewalk. I don't know if anybody else noticed that. And I don't remember noticing it in past years. I had that conversation with him. We have a lot of a lot of tools that helps keep our sidewalks clear. Yeah. Cuz I just thought the snow removal was I think it's the same, but I've been very happy with our Every time that Groovy did the snow plowing for 20 plus years. He's enjoying retirement. I do see it. He's not regretting >> [laughter] >> Sorry, but others do a nice job taking care of us. Good job Groovy Groovy Groovy. So, minus the time or resources to get 2 in of snow we get Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Which is an outcome. Can I say though in the event
077referendum is not successful, can we put a water heater in high school? Can we just be done with seeing every month that there's just It's like we're just throwing It's It's my one of the banes of my existence right now. >> [laughter] >> I I don't deal with it every day. I just see what's what that drives me. >> [laughter] >> All right. Item E, the house bid update. Yeah, this is just an update keeping it in the forefront. So, we have had a couple of people come in and and view it. And Mr. Charlie and the students we actually try to make it a little bit of a sales experience for them so they get to show it off to others. Um just a reminder to public up TV land that it is due
078uh at the April meeting. So, we'll go over that. >> [laughter] >> It's a Thank you. Sometimes you got to do what you got to do. All right. Thank you for giving us the shindig on the house. Who's bid? Item E, the April 7th, 2026 school board election, Mrs. Calvin. Same thing, just an update that the election is coming. Um, and we Yeah, there's Brunette, Dan Calvin, Shannon Grayson, and Chris Schultz on the ballot. Get out and vote, folks. >> April 7th. Item F, the WASB correspondence and legislator report, Mrs. Brunette. So, um, March updates. The Wisconsin uh legislator largely concluded its regular floor activity in February. Uh remaining education bills must pass quickly before adjournment or will be carried over to the next legislative cycle. Um, school cell phone policies, we've been hearing a
079lot about that. There is actually an update to language in one of our policies um regarding Act 42, which would require districts to limit cell phone use during instructional time. Um, those policies need to be in place by July 26th. There's a new proposal, AB 948, which would require bell-to-bell ban on cell phone services, which would cell phones, which would prohibit the use for the entire school day, including during lunch, passing periods, etc. If this is passed, districts would need to update the policies by July of 2027. Um, advocates say that a bell-to-bell ban would reduce distractions and and address mental health concerns tied to smartphones and social media. Um, it would also provide statewide consistency. Um, concerns with it are some schools would like local control over the policies. Safety concerns have been raised
080if students cannot contact others in an emergency. Um, the WASB notes that the original law has not yet taken effect, so may be too early to mandate stricter rules statewide. Um, [clears throat] the state budget surplus. Wisconsin currently has a large state surplus, and lawmakers and the governor are trying to decide how to use it. The legislature would like tax cuts and rebates, and the governor would like to increase school funding and local government aid. Um, additional >> real quick on that. There is a $2.3 billion surplus down in Madison right now. Some of you have been aware we in the email chains in the school side of things. The worst of we thought some very very good headway. Basically [cough and clears throat] funding special education to the level that they talked about in
081the state budget. It is coming at underneath about 7% less than what we initially were told. That is a significant chunk of money. To put it in the real dollars for us it's it's north of $150,000. So um I don't know what more we can do. We have we've advocated for the educational side of things. If you as taxpayers want to get a hold of your your constituents it's kind of I think kind of getting pushed to the background a little more than I'd like. I've not heard a lot of updates about this. So every voice matters. We're one voice as a district. So there's $2.3 billion sitting out there that they didn't know about. And let's hope that they can figure out something to do with it. Thank you. Sorry to interrupt. Oh, you're
082fine. >> [clears throat] >> National education policy discussions. Other topics continue to emerge from legislative committees and task forces including student loan and safety and social media regulation providers, AI in education, and school safety initiatives. I did include the link to the WSP legislative report if anyone wants to look at it. >> [cough] >> Thank you. It's very up-to-date. C-12, [laughter] Mr. Steve. Yeah, we met February 17th. >> [cough] >> The C-12 audit was reviewed with the board of control. C-12 continues to be in good financial standing. Shared service process is underway for 26 2026-2027 school year. The leadership team will be meeting with each district on their services for next year. >> [cough] >> C-4 has completed facilitation of the superintendent search for Maple, which we were sort of involved in, and is currently
083working on search for Solon Springs. Um Amanda Popovich shared an update on career readiness. February is career and technical education month. Um C T teachers from all CESA 12 districts will dig deep into data next week as a large group. And Amanda shared data from the 23-24 school year on the extent of engagement of CESA 12 districts to name such as work-based learning and industry-recognized credentials, dual enrollment, and advanced placement. Um and we did a mini review of the agency administrator's goals. Thank you again >> [cough] >> Donations, Mr. Yeah, we're going to serious up here. Want to make sure we thank the following people for the donations that they made. Rachel Rival left for a box of school supplies to NES. Uh Angela Lutz and Kevin I'm going to pronounce his name wrong. I
084apologize. Uh I think it's Kajetan Kajetanek. Do you know how to say that one, Greg? You don't know that one. I'm going to arcade it. Uh Scenic uh Drive Resort, my apologies, Kevin. Kajetan Kajetanek, it's not easy name to pronounce like Kajetan Kajetanek. >> [laughter] >> They donated $1,800 to the Angel Fund, which is a very, very nice donation. We thank them. Uh following donations were made by the individuals towards the musical, which occurred a little while back. National Bank of Commerce, $100. Uh Seth Starria Memorial Fund, $100. James Strebler, $30. Iron River Co-op, $25. Popular Auto Refinishing, $75. Security State Bank, $50. And Patty's Dockside, $100. So we thank all of them. Um as you may or may not remember, the middle school went on experience day, and we had a number of different
085people that donated to make sure that all students regardless of financial standing could be part of that. So, the Tiger Education Foundation, Northwestern Tigers Educational Foundation donated $310. The SS Tiger [clears throat] Memorial Fund donated $175. Chad Dean donated $200. $200. So, thank you very, very much to those donate donors. That's That's a long list of people that were willing to give funds for us. That's uh super appreciative. Can I ask a quick question? Maybe you already answered. So, the um that kindness retreat We're going to get that in a minute here. Is that coming up? Yeah, that's coming up. I'll wait. >> [laughter] >> It's under student, staff, and community recognition. >> Yeah. You're heads again pretty soon. I'll let you just talk about it, all right? Uh item I, reports from Iron River
086Elementary, Northwestern Elementary, Northwestern Middle School, Northwestern High School, the athletic and activities director, and the director of special education. Uh I trust that everybody took a read through that. If you didn't, just shake your head yes. Um Uh it is appreciative and I have to say I don't read the announcements every day from the middle school, but I do skim them uh couple days a week at least. Um and then we'll do student representatives. Yeah. All right. All right, I'll start out with our clubs and activities. So, just recently DECA sent nine members to the state competition Lake Geneva. Lauren and Jaylin medaled in their role plays and were finalists. Noah Sanders medaled on his test and Wilson Isaacson medaled and was a finalist placing sixth overall, also qualifying to compete at the international level
087in Atlanta, Georgia. FBLA is gearing up for their state competition. Sorry, some of this is going to be really repetitive. You guys heard a lot of this tonight. >> [laughter] >> FBLA is gearing up for their state competition April 12th to 14th in Green Bay. Um FACT and SAD are hosting a movie night Friday, March 27th, where members of the community are invited to come together and watch Bolt, the Disney movie. Um FCCLA will be traveling to the Kalahari in the Dells on April 6th through 8th, bringing all 20 members to compete in the districts and continuing to compete in their various topics. Um Lauren was also selected to sing the national anthem at the state level, which is pretty cool. And on that musical note, um together the stage crew and actors finally showcased
088their musical Mamma Mia over the Valentine's Day weekend and had an amazing turnout and a fantastic rendition of the um piece. FFA will be sending two of its members down to River Falls this month on the 28th for their competition. National Honor Society will be planning a bingo day for some of our senior community members and for everyone um this coming month in April. Um our junior class has begun their prom preparations and chose the theme Starry Night. Um VAC competed in Superior last Friday and will be sending the seven members down to state. And our band and choir um hosted um an area competition and both groups received received the best scores across the board from all judges. Um students are also preparing for their next jazz concert coffee house on Tuesday, March 31st,
089and some select students will travel to Ashland High School on Saturday, April 11th for solo and ensemble. And then tonight in band, um tonight band and choir co-hosting their spring concert at 7:30 in the auditorium. Moving on to sports, we kind of have a lot because all of our winter sports have wrapped up. Um so the 2025-2026 season was exciting and successful for the boys basketball team. So, the Tigers finished their season with an impressive 17 and 8 overall record and a 14 and 2 conference record, earning a top spot in the conference standing, and proving themselves as one of the most competitive teams in the region, especially cuz our conference is pretty difficult. Um on individual level, Camden Kroll broke a record this year by making the most amount of three-pointers with a whopping
090nine shots made in the game. Throughout the season, Northwestern consistently demonstrated strong offensive production and disciplined defense. One of the team's most dominant performances came in a convincing win over Barron in an 80 to 40 victory. Moving on to girls basketball, their team also um wrapped up their season, finishing strong with an overall record and many individual and team accomplishments along the way. So, this season um was pretty heavily led by Jillian Cumer, um a junior forward. She played a major role in the Tigers' success. Um Jillian led the team in multiple statistical categories. So, she averaged about 15.3 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, and was a dominant defensive presence with about five blocks per game. Northwestern girls finished their season with a 14 and 10 overall record and a 12 and 6
091conference record, finishing fourth in the conference. Moving on to the Superior hockey co-op team, they punched their ticket to the state tournament, and they ended their season with an 11 and 13 record, and they ranked second in their region. Although we say Superior, we don't always think of it, but our co-op girls played a huge role in the team's success. In fact, um four out of the six starters in all of the games were from Northwestern, so that's pretty exciting to see. Um and although sometimes they don't always get a lot of recognition, the girls put in a tremendous amount of work and effort, and it shows in these games. In the game against Northern Pines that punched their ticket to the state game, our girls' effort paid off with Paisley listic scoring two goals
092and Gianna Geisler scoring once and Michaela Geisler with an assist. And Payton Benoit, so if you don't know, she's online but she goes to Northwestern, with a shutout game, >> [clears throat] >> her first varsity shutout game. And then in the state game, the girls you know, they they held their own but they fell short 4 to 7 but it was very exciting to see. As for wrestling, they wrapped up their season. No one made to state but three wrestlers accomplished 100 wins this season. And that is Julie Mayberry, Ivan Woodhall, and Briar Burkhart. The wrestling team took third at the at the team sectional but they didn't qualify. But the team placed second in the conference and won the most duels in the Northern region. They had a great season and were well accomplished.
093The dance team also wrapped up their season. They went to state for the seventh time in a row and Isabella Steria made it to state for her solo. They also placed fifth at regionals for jazz and they will hope to continue their success next year. As for gymnastics, the season went good with our two our three [clears throat] co-op athletes, Jayla Ventula, Doris Ewald, and Meadow Norquist. They competed at a hard sectional meet with only one of their teammates advancing to state and that teammate goes to Superior. But overall, the girls had a very successful and fun season. Spring sports are starting to get rolling so track and field started today with their first practice. Well, other spring sports will start after break. Oof da. Yeah. Busy, busy. Yeah. Thank you for that. I know
094that's a lot of work. But I hope you don't procrastinate too late in putting it together. [laughter] I'm sure you all have a lot going on. So, thank you for uh sitting through the this exciting stuff. I think you've got one more meeting and then you get to be done with this, right? Oh, well. What? April fool. April 1st. You got them excited. >> Two more. Oh, don't cut it short. >> Two more. I I >> [laughter] >> I'm looking forward to spring here. So, you come back in June. Yeah. Uh item J, student staff community recognition, Mr. Finch. Can I say something first? >> Yes. Um I'm not sure if you guys all saw it, Mitch Lindstrom passed away. Um I don't know how long he taught here. 27 years. 27 years. Um and
095I'm not sure if you were going to say anything about it, but He uh certainly unexpected. What did he retire? 4 years ago? 5 years ago? Yeah, no, it was our last year we had him in in fifth grade. So, you're the last class he taught. So, I it it it certainly looked as though he was enjoying his retirement and um he he put a lot of dedication into the kids and I know he taught three of mine and uh it's just sad for his family. I know there's a GoFundMe, so uh I think to try to help get get him back here uh amongst some other things that they're having to deal with. So, um if anybody out there in the old internet world uh had a tie to him make a comment, make
096a note if you're able to to help on that. I'm not here advocating for you spending your money, but uh he was a good guy, did a lot of good for a lot of kids for a lot of years, so. Thank you. Um I'm probably [snorts] going to put Miss Craig on the spot. Do you want to talk about the courage retreat, Miss Craig? Sorry about that. Oh, again. Yeah, it was absolutely incredible. Um unless there's other feedback that I don't know or I'm not aware of, but um I think everyone agrees right? But um kudos to Mrs. Kaufman for and and I know Mrs. Hightower sent a part of that our whole counseling team and really getting this initiative off the ground for our kids. I also want to thank the the Tiger Foundation
097as well. They were instrumental in helping make it happen as well and I mean I had students that just told me it was life-changing on behalf of our students that the folks that put it on said in all of the years they've been doing it and hundreds if not thousands of schools they visit they have never seen more kind, compassionate, intuitive just incredible kids and they were genuine about it like they what they were speaking about our Tigers when they were talking about it and what mattered and I just think it was such a a beautiful experience and it was fantastic with the children and the staff. And the staff were really involved. They they were meeting with the staff. What is it about these students that you just love and let's elevate that and
098what is it what is the you know just it was it was incredible. It's it's hard to put into words and I didn't get it either when everyone was trying to you know so I was like okay well if you guys are excited about it let's do this. And to walk into that gym and see students connecting and doing the things they were doing all day like it was just such engagement. Yeah I would love to have students share their experience too. It it was just great with you but I just can't speak more I mean it was just fantastic. Thank you for encouraging and supporting things like that for our students for our Tigers to come together and community build and just um just bond and connect with each other in that way. Would
099[clears throat] it be your recommendation to do this again next year in two years, three years? What are your thoughts? >> You want to go first Mr. Finley Mr. Hirsch? The eighth graders were like mad that day. They were in my office like why didn't we get that? Like, cuz they were peeking in the gym and they got what's going on? There's just such a buzz that those sixth graders [clears throat] came out. Different do better. Do you know what I mean? And they were And they were They were like the whole school was just ignited with a a different kind of energy and sixth graders were in my office. Why do we get to What do we get to do that? I was like, well, we'll work on it, you know. See you in
100a couple months. I'm not kidding. Um but then the seventh grade is really wanted to know um about it and so it became quite infectious to me to see that. Yes, I would recommend when if we can do it. It was It was so powerful. Cool. And I think it aligns with I think I know our town is pretty well. I've been in the community for 20 years and 12 at the middle school. Um I think it really just aligns with We always say at the middle school what it takes to be a tiger. We really kind of dug into those tiger hearts. It's pretty cool. Thank you, Ms. Craig. And the other crowd to get to Mr. Hershey's point uh the I'm glad you went there, yeah. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, it's hard to
101put into words. And And our counselors do an excellent job of trying [cough] to make sure we provide a well-rounded educational experience and obviously social emotional learning and interaction's part of that. Um the fourth grade did the kindness retreat. Um Mr. Leiter I'll have you share him in here in a minute, but I know Ms. Hydock had to step out, but she was very instrumental with that and also kudos to our educational foundation. Um and the work that they're doing it really does show up and impact students uh across our district. So, um it is a lot of that social emotional learning, trying to increase self-awareness, empathy, connection between classmates. Um I did have a chance to go down there and spend a little bit of time just checking out what they do um and
102there were a lot of plenty of smiles on our students' faces. I do want to quickly just recognize a number of our students that were involved cuz it wouldn't work out if our high school students were involved. That's kind of a very unique process of being at Northwestern as the older generations get back to the younger generations, which is important. So, uh those students, Ella Ronkey, Jenna Crozier, Shelby Hessel, Ilana Freed, Seth Flouts, Claire Nielsen, Abby Bubula, Gage Nollette, Mason Schell, Tyson Teal, Cam Prohl, Ethan Horns, and Ricky Erickson were all down there. And each one of them had a group and it was it was entertaining to see some of that work. Mr. Larabee, anything you want to add with it? Uh just to echo what Mrs. Craig said, looking at our board goals
103and building goals, these all align with probably supporting our students and teaching them what it means to be a leader. So, as we said, bringing our high school leaders down and having them part of that day with our elementary students is vastly impactful. So, kudos to Mr. Stine and Mrs. Cole and their team because it just makes our community at the school that much stronger. And and also a shout-out to the Education Foundation because without their funding, we wouldn't have the funding to do it. So, it's our plan to do it again next year. We're already in conversation about booking them. Uh it's a fantastic group and encourage any board members or any community members if you want to come and see it, come and see it. So, it's very powerful. It was a board
104meeting at our It's both at It happened at Northwestern Elementary School, the gymnasium there, but it included our other students. We bring them over too. So, it is a fourth grade district-wide initiative. So, there are our appreciation. So, thank you to all of the counseling team that put that together and all the work you guys did. And obviously our our funding streams that we invested to be able to do it without. Did you have more? I do. [laughter] I can't say it any better than these guys. >> [laughter] >> Well, no, you brought it up. If you had something you wanted to say, I think you have the Here's your opportunity to say it. That's cool. We got you. He'll never bring anything up again. >> [laughter] >> I just said I come in. I
105think it's nice that those high school kids come. That's a big thing. Our school does a really good job. I've known this last couple years just coaching kids like, you know, varsity kids always younger kids are cheering and they give them high fives. That's a really cool thing. I know my daughter Jayden Claire was in She was in Jayden was in Claire's room. She's like, I had Guess who I had? Cuz she's on the basketball court now. You see her in this and so you see how it all comes together and kids really look up to those kids. And our the kids really like do a really good job of engaging kids not just walk by them and don't say anything. So it's really good. And if if I could add also because Claire was
106a part of it, you know, the older kids get a lot of get a lot of love and respect as well. You know, it wasn't just the little little kids and the middle schoolers, but the high school kids took a lot of them. It's a good thing to see if you get the opportunity to do it. It's a very [snorts] good annual event. Well, if I can add something. Do you guys want me to say something? I'll say something. I'm eating this up like a piece of pie. This is good stuff. So, my only encouragement would be sustainability right? Because I hear such positive things. Be thinking about how we can make this sustainable both financially and the people that put all this effort into it. You know, it doesn't come on its own. So,
107don't put it on one person, you know, but rather have a team to, you know, make that work. And so, yeah, kudos to all of you. All right. Let's move to item eight. Comments from the audience. Now that we have concluded the business of the board, we will end the live stream.