001Yeah. When when they when it goes back to like facilitywide masking. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um let's call this meeting to order. It's 7 p.m. Um and we'll get started right away with consent agenda items. Um, today's consent agenda contains minutes from the December 15th schoolboard meeting, our January 5th schoolboard special meeting, close session, general fund vouchers, purchasing card transactions, certified and co-curricular staffing recommendations, and an early retirement request. I would um entertain a motion to >> I move to I move to accept the consent agenda as presented. >> I'll second. All right, Chapman. Anything that anyone wants to pull out to discuss? >> Um, I don't think discuss, but um, for Mary, um, thank you for your years of service. >> Feel like I we should probably say that with other ones and maybe
002I haven't. And so if I haven't, thank you for your years of service. A little delayed. Um, but yeah, >> that's true. We do have a lot of >> I feel like those are consent and we all just it's but yeah anyway >> agreed. That's nice. Thanks for pulling that out. >> Yes. >> All right. Anything else? Okay. All those in favor please signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries 4. Um all right. And then there are also personnel items where no vote is necessary. So that brings us to public comment. Any public comment out there in the audience? [snorts] [laughter] >> This is a first. I think >> I know. All right, that is I don't see any. So, here we are to our McFarland High School student report. I
003see we have Anna Con with us. >> Hi, everyone. >> Hi, Anna. >> I just did one tab today, so hopefully it'll be a little speedier. >> Oh, okay. Okay. And we don't have too much to talk about today because we just had our break for two weeks. So, we've only been back for a week, but I don't know if this is really a highlight, but um next week we have our first time we've had finals in a while. So, we have two to three classes a day instead of four, and all students will participate in finals for the end of our semester. >> I saw that. That's an that'll be interesting to see how that works. >> Yeah. Um, if we we don't see a presentation if if you're sharing it yet. Uh, >>
004oh, sorry. >> That's okay. >> Sorry about that. I might have just clicked present and did not click to share my screen. >> Thank you for letting >> Okay. Can we see it now? >> Yep. >> Yes. >> Okay. I'll click present again. Okay. >> Amazing. for clubs. Um, Hope Squad, we had two for Hoops for Hope. We haven't done this before with the basketball program, but we did it this year and we got to connect with fellow students and community members. Um, we had this table here where we got to talk with people um aware free awareness merchandise that people could take. And then also we did a a raffle where you could buy a duck for $2 and choke it for the chance to win a basket at halftime. >> So that's fun.
005>> Families liked that and there were a lot of little kids that were excited to get their books. And then our DECA club, our business and marketing club had a very successful competition this past weekend. They had 49 competitors, a lot of medalists, and nine state auto qualifiers, which were LSU cart, Eli Frey, Blake Carman, Grant McManel, Abby, Shiv Smith, Mallerie Scott, Annabelle Willen Bucker, and Hayden Willen Bucker. So, you can see them over here with their medals and trophies. We have a really good, really good DECA group at our school for performing arts. Um, the Shrek cast was announced for the spring play. So, Evan Hman is gonna be playing Shrek and Emma Matz will be playing. So, that's gonna be exciting to get to watch. I think in March, maybe February, >> probably
006March. Um, last night was really fun because each each year the music boosters pay for seniors to get to go see a musical at the Overture. kind of thank them for being in the music program for a while. So, we got to go to Hamilton last night, which was a fun show. For athletic, only thing I really have to talk about is basketball. They both got to play the Fiser Forum where the Bucks play um last weekend. So, both teams had fun and a good experience to go play at such a cool stadium. And then just some stuff coming soon for student council. This Wednesday we're going to have um a time for students to come and study together with their friends on at Cocoa and Cramming at Grace Coffee. So they can come and
007study for finals, get a drink, and just be with their friends this Wednesday. And then we also have a assembly for MLK day this Friday um where we're joining with our Black Student Union to just talk about MLK and his legacy with students and we actually got Mandela Barnes to come speak. So that's super exciting. >> Awesome. >> Yeah. So that's going to be fun this Friday. It's going to be at 1:30. And that's all I have today since we've just had one week back. Do I have any questions at all? No. Are you Are you ready for finals? >> That was a great job. >> Thank [snorts] you. >> I think I'm ready for finals. AP calculus is is a little scary, but I think I'll be okay. >> In general is to college.
008>> Yeah, we'll see how it goes. >> Good luck. >> Oh, you're going to do great. >> You are. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you everyone. Have a good night. Enjoy your meeting. That's so great. I um well actually Meredith and I were we judged at the DECA regional [clears throat] the competition. That was so fun. It was very um a very fun experience like just >> how incredible students are and creative and >> it's interesting to see like we talked about it like the the growth they experience between like you can when you're judging like it a freshman group and then you know it's a senior group like it is just night and day what advisors are able to accomplish with these students. It's just and the work that goes into it
009is incredible like just hands down awesome work. Yeah, it was very it was very interesting. Um, and a lot of fun. And they're always looking for more volunteers. So, if you think it's something you want to do, you should sign up when the email comes out. Um, and they provide breakfast and lunch. And yeah. Anyway, um, so that was and so overall, her presentation didn't say it, but what Ginger said is that 23 of our people qualified for state. So, it's exciting. >> Very exciting. >> We have a lot to be proud of here. All right. So, next up we have our um mentoring month proclamation. Do you want to give any background, Erin, before I read our proclamation? >> It's national mentor mentoring month and we have an amazing mentoring program and so this
010is a time where we pause especially at this time of the school year just to reflect and appreciate them. So, >> yeah, >> the board has a proclamation to share. >> We do. All right. So, in honor of January 2026, National Mentoring Honor mentoring month, um here's our proclamation. Whereas research and our own experience underscore the power of the relationship between good teaching and and student learning. And whereas we believe that learning to teach well is a career-long developmental process with student achievement at its core. And whereas the challenges of new teachers result in documented and significant turnover within the first year of teaching when there is no induction support. And whereas quality teachers who receive induction support, including time with a qualified mentor, are more than twice as likely to stay with our schools,
011positively impacting student learning and school culture, maintaining program coherence, and making maximum use of district resources. And whereas about a hundred veteran teachers from the school district of McFarland are trained as mentors and to and together offer over 700 hours of individual classroombased professional development to the new teachers who join our school community each year. That is a lot. Whereas McFarland's new teacher induction mentor committee works tirelessly to support the work of our mentors and encourage the growth of all of our new staff. Now therefore, the members of the McFarland School Board do hereby proclaim January 2026 as National Mentoring Month in McFarland and call upon our staff and community members to recognize the importance and celebrate the contributions of our mentors and to look for opportunities to serve as more mentors to others in
012their own lives. Um, and then we all signed it. Yes, thank you mentors and mentees. It's an incredible program. The few things I've been able to witness firsthand and everyone is really grateful for it. So, I'm glad we can do that here. >> How many years have we been doing this? It's amazing. >> I don't remember when we didn't. >> Yeah. So, very, very long time. >> Yeah. The committee is so essential because they really take it seriously and they guide the work and continue to improve it every year. But it's pretty welloiled machine. So >> that's true. >> Takes a lot of work and commitment among many people. >> And it was nice that the note you sent with the survey teachers >> and it was just kind of cool that they're it's obviously
013working. >> Yep. The new teachers are reporting very positive experiences. >> Otherwise, that could be a really lonely world sometimes. >> For sure. >> I can only imagine. I mean, it's lonely in a new job in any industry and then to be here where there's a lot of expectations. [clears throat] All right. Anything else on that? All right. Um, next up, the school safety written drill evaluation notification and review per our Wisconsin statutes 118074 CP. >> Yes. So you'll see a a hold uh that was held administrative hold that was held at Wabisa. So you have that information for your individual review. >> Yeah. Any questions about that anyone? >> Okay. Um okay, Bruce, you're up with school funding in rural districts update. >> Well, of all things today, um in our emails, we got
014a uh an email from uh Was and uh there was a article that was included that you could read and if you haven't read it please read it. It's called What's Going On with Property Taxes by Don uh Don Dan Dan Ross Miller who's the executive director of WASBY and that it's a really worthwhile time article to read and I really I can't even start this without thanking Angie because Angie has been kind of always my support system here and uh again just thank you for all your help and then on some of this I hope you'll understand I'll probably be editor torializing. So I won't be speaking as a board member as much as a taxpayer and uh citizen of McFarland but um it's kind of interesting um if you want to start yeah
015this first one just it was uh on the the 11th of December and I was happy because there were 75 participants >> involved and two of those uh people the second person Christopher Salad Salad Salana >> um and also Julie Julie me they're from WMadison So, it's kind of like it's really nice to have these kind of people, you know, working on this stuff and uh they've come up with some really interesting stuff and I'll try to explain as best I can. I'm going back before I took some of the slides and then other things are just notes that I have as well. So, anyway, it's just about you know the rural districts and the threat of vouchers and charges to them and uh it was as I said really fascinating. Um I'll put down
016some of the reason I attended. Um, we're not a rural district, McFarland, but I feel all public schools are kind of going through the same problems. And the one thing I want to just keep on stressing to the public is just the importance of our school to the community. And I think we discovered that when we had the the referendum and the failed referendum. Um, you know, you started thinking what would happen to our community if you lost your school. And for some of these rural areas in in Wisconsin, uh, that is actually happening. And I just it's like it's crazy. A second reason I attended is I'm just really interested in politics in general. And I just I kind of believe that the school funding issue is going to finally become one of the
017most important issues for the whole uh determination of the legislature and for the governor. And again, you have, you know, both parties are are running. Um but how they handle this thing, I think is going to be is it not loud enough? >> Just just of course it's a little quieter. >> Oh, okay. Well, then I'll I'll try to go. Yeah. >> I was almost hoping I could sit up there be in the big seat. [laughter] Apparently, I'm not. >> I think these are the big seats. >> That's right. >> You're a name plate. >> That's right. >> Oh, okay. Well, all right. So, anyway, it it turns out that um uh the way we're funding it statewide, the property tax is just killing lots of people because literally it's one of the most regressive
018taxes there are. And we just we're were particularly people my age who are on fixed incomes and I'm blessed that I have a good you know you know I have a a nice retirement that that I can handle it but there are people in my position or my age who really can't. And then when you start looking at the rural part of our state they're you know the poverty rate is much higher. um a person's home is probably their biggest investment and we're just we're just really, you know, going out of our way to to punish these these these people. So, um that upsets me. And then then lastly, um just it's a nationwide problem. Um, like in the state of Florida and Arizona, they just passed bills where now in Florida, I know they
019use about 25% of their entire education budget for the for the state is going to these private uh for these um charter and uh voucher and uh private schools. And so it's um it's it's really interesting and I mentioned that you know in some ways it's a it's a situation where you have people who are really determined to kind of wipe out public education but there are some really interesting situations and one of the reasons I was talking to you before the meeting Meredith is that Kansas is one of the outliers um and so is Mississippi and just as a kind of a spin-off of that um I ended up reading a wonderful article in New York Times about what Mississippi is doing And uh it I I'm kind of hoping that perhaps all of
020you will look at it. I sent it to Erin or actually I had my wife send it. But the point is um it's really interesting some of the things that they're going through. But as I thought about this more today, I started realizing that Mississippi probably in some ways has always traditionally at least since the Brown versus Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas where they integrated schools, has had a strong private school and I think in some ways they don't want to change that. So they haven't put a lot of emphasis on it. So it'll be interesting. I'd like to hear what you guys think about it when you read it. But it is interesting um you know what's going on. So it's a nationwide issue as well. So anyway um if you wanted to
021go to that second slide, I'll just mention this and you guys have a sheet that we passed out and uh if if I was in class and I was teaching, I'd tell you to put it down and listen to me before you look at it. But the [laughter] but the truth is I know you're human beings just like my students were and they will look at it. And I'll tell you that that sheet is just just just crammed full of wonderful information that I got from it. But what I want to point out is there's a QR code there and I'm going to have at the very end and if there are people watching on, you know, television or whatnot, um I would recommend you you look at this uh organization, the Wisconsin Public Education
022Network, um nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy. You can read the whole thing there. and uh they they really are doing their best to look out for the best interest of public schools. So, I'll leave it right there and then I'm going to go through some of my notes and what I think there. Um the importance of public schools, local communities and their economies is just and that's what was pointed out in this whole thing. They are like the hub of rural communities. Um employment, it's almost the largest often the largest employer in towns. Um it gives a town in some ways their identity. I'm always thinking of like when I first came to the state in Cuba City going to the basketball tournament like the whole city would just go to the basketball tournament. In fact, McFarland
023did when we first went to the some of these basketball tournaments. So, it's it's such an, you know, identity kind of question. And then without them in these rural districts, without these public schools economically and demographically, um they're really in trouble. And um there's a problem is just that you know they don't even have the option of going to voucher schools and charter schools because they're so sparsely populated. And now there's a new development which is the virtual public uh private schools and I'll talk about that a little bit later is which is really kind of a frightening thing that's going on. And the problems that's facing rural schools, same in McFarland, we have declining birth rates. And so it's going down. But people need to remember that schools, even if the incline uh enrollment
024is inclining, declining, you're still going to have to pro provide the same kind of education for all of your students. So instead of having 25 kids in a class, you suddenly down to 22. The next year it's 18. You're not going to say, "Well, we're dropping US history this year to save money." You're kind of stuck. And this is what's they're really facing. And I use an example of Adam's friendship. Their population, student population has declined from 2500 to 1,200. They've closed four elementary schools. They are 30 miles from the nearest school district and they've lost about $300,000 um due to the voucher and private program. and they are just they're at wits end. They don't really know what to do um because of the increased I guess the the more prevalent of uh I
025guess poverty in in some of the rural areas. It turns out they can't really go to uh a referendum and if they do they would again just bomb people with their their property taxes. So they're in this real mess. And one of the interesting things that these professors pointed out was that by consolidating school districts, which is one of the things that our legislature is now doing as a way of cost saving saving money, is they're taking away choice, which I find is a real interesting word. So these people in these rural areas are losing choice when you come down to what vouchers were started as was all the way about providing choice. And so it's kind of ironic that that we've kind of gone that way. Um there is a new legal approach every
026every state in the union has in their constitution that they have an obligation and a responsibility to educate children who live there. and vouchers in Wisconsin started in about 1990 I believe Milwaukee originally but then in 2011 there was a huge increase um in first the recine but then also statewide parental choice and the US Supreme Court ruled that we can't stop vouchers in private and religious schools because it would take away their rights to run schools as they want and I always thought about that as kind of strange but historically probably the oldest schools in our country go back to colonial times and they were privately run particularly in New England where I grew up. So those earliest [clears throat] quote unquote public schools were set up by churches or whatnot to educate particularly
027ministers. But um so in a way we have this history. So you're kind of like well if that's what they want they can do that. And in Wisconsin basically the argument the Supreme Court has ruled is that vouchers are okay as long as a state fulfills its obligation which is okay. That makes sense. So you're kind of frustrated. You're going like well how do we change this? And so I believe what these four professors have kind of come up with is that they're going to try a new approach. They're calling it natural resources law. They're going to base it on that, which is kind of interesting, which is kind of like the fact that it belongs to all people who are in growing up in Wisconsin, but they're going to try to they're arguing that
028the private voucher schools actually have an advantage and are actually in the process of pushing out or ending public schools. So they're trying to prevent, they would argue before the court, they want to prevent the competition from getting so out of control that one group, the private interest would destroy the other group, which is the public interest. And again, I think it's quite an interesting um concept that they're going to legally try to work towards. And I think what they would argue is if if you're going to fund them, then they should be accountable for all the things that public schools have have to do. And uh I I I just think that's kind of interesting as we go through these slides. I don't think the general public understands this the issue that well and
029we'll we'll see that with some of these things. And this is where I'm going to give my kind of little editorial. as a former coach. Um, one of the things that that people I always think of a colleague of mine, uh, Bill Garvey, all we had to talk about was how private and prochial schools are competing in the WIA tournament, and he would just go ballistic. You could see his blood pressure going up because he could understand how that wasn't fair because they recruit. I mean like in some sports like tennis and golf you'll see that like Edgewood has won like eight years in a row and they're actively [laughter] encouraging come to our school and they can recruit over a large area and people understand that kind of intuitively but they don't understand this.
030So Angie if you want to just go through these quickly we can do it. This is just showing you that goes from 2015 on the far left. You can't read but it goes up to 2025. That shows you again how much we're now spending. It just keeps going up and up and up and up. It shows the Madison area and as well it said that we're about 1% I guess 0.9 Jeff maybe. I don't know if you know that. Um about 1% of our our revenue goes to pay for these these students is somewhere around there. Okay, we can take the next one. These are just kind of stuff that they presented. And one of the things that they're really upset about is the fact that taxpayers don't have any idea what's happening. This is
031the part of not understanding it. Like we don't have any private schools >> or we're not having that. But of course it's not very transparent. You can do the next one. And this is where they would like to see and it's one of their proposals that you're going to put this on tax bill because we spend is it 263,000 Aaron? Something like that. >> Yeah. >> It's around that I think what we spend. >> Yes. >> All right. Go ahead. Next one. And this is what they've come up with is four bills. You can kind of read them. It's all on your sheet as well. But I think, you know, make sure that they don't have to take kids with disabilities. Okay. Um the the special education, which they don't even have to take, they
032keep on talking about having, you know, we're going to get this big increase and it turns out we're barely we're about the same where we were a year ago. And people don't understand that. They're also saying about the floodgates and just how we just keep expanding the program and you'll see that in the the budget when they come there and then making these tax bills more transparent would really help. Again, the rural areas are just there's not much they can do. All right, Angie. Next. And this just shows how our state budget, how we've been prioritizing education in the first place, just keeps in decreasing. It says that in 1995, I don't have the information for that. I wonder what it was. where we've gone, you can see down from 40 almost five to 32%.
033Okay, go ahead. And then this shows people thinking, well, it's because the teachers are getting so much money. No, that's not true because we can show you that over time that just keeps on declining. You can take the next one. And then the growth and reach of the voucher schools, 2009, that's what it was. That was that big takeoff, 2011. And the one that is really growing now is these virtual um voucher schools. And I was just going to mention one of the things that just absolutely blew my mind when I was there is they actually have poachers. So these schools will actually pay parents if they can poach kids from other public schools or their their neighbors of public schools, they will get a cut of some of the the the funding that that
034they received. and you go like, "Oh my god, that is just I don't know. It's just not right. It's just horrible." And so this thing just keeps on expanding. And these last ones, [clears throat] I think, are just pretty quick. So the top one is what we spent our last year. And now look at this year coming up. [clears throat] It just keeps going. And that is on top of the fact that let's see, was it state aid? I think it was at zero, wasn't it? The increase for public schools. Interesting. And as you get on that sheet, for 18 years in a row, we have gone without equaling the inflation rate for 18 years in a row >> and we're supposed to be trying to compete against this and it just keeps getting bigger
035and bigger. Um, and then I was just going to mention about Tony Ivers when he put his $325 and it's mentioned really well in that article in the the WASBY when I was talking about um realize that $325 will still not equal the inflation rate. And so, but the thing is it turns out the state says you can go to referendum and I think it's there in the next one is next slide. Uh yeah, it just keeps on going up, but we're not going to pay for it. You're going to have to pay for it. So, in other words, you're get your funding is zero, but you've passed a referendum, so you're going to have to have all the other people in your districts, you know, property taxes go up to pay for it. And
036it's just it it's just this continual thing. I I believe ultimately if we can convince people in rural areas and throughout the state, it is the again the most regressive tax there is. Um, we are sitting on a $4.7 billion dollar surplus and the legislature wants to give that all back in the form of a a rebate for income tax which will go again to the highest earners. And you know, I I I I sit there and go like, well, I'm not quite sure, you know, millionaires really need that $10,000, but I know that guy or that woman who lives in rural Wisconsin or even McFarland, Wisconsin who's going to get an extra $100 back. it's not going to help them with their property tax that has gone up by hundreds of dollars. So, if
037you could use the 4.7 that way, the payoff that 4.7 billion to kind of help out homeowners and particularly again senior citizens who are on fixed incomes. >> So, and I think there's one other one. Yeah, I just put this there. We're not failing, we're starving. And you can change to the last one. Um this is the correct balance then natural resources. I find that fascinating the law a way to try to go around this thing conserving public goods and examples air quality water quality wildlife management and education which is kind of an interesting take on the whole thing. And this last one, I would encourage again if people are watching, take and and and scan this QR code because it is a wonderful organization and they're really looking out for I think our public
038schools. So that's it. >> Thanks, Bruce. Yeah, I think that I think it really highlights just that the rural schools feel the brunt of, you know, the the public funding model. >> Looks like they are the canary coal mine. >> Yeah. >> They're the first, but I mean it's already hitting >> us. It's hitting >> all of >> Well, it's hitting everyone, but it's Yeah. >> But they're really hitting the brunt of it. Yes. >> Yeah. And that's I think that's why this webinar whatever focused on that, right? >> Yeah. It was fascinating. >> Yeah. Thanks, Bruce. Any other questions about that? >> I don't think any questions, but I I kind of like the idea of um when you talked about the the voucher programs, like their rights to run schools they want as
039long as they're, you know, the state fulfills its obligation. And you know, news flash, state's not fulfilling its obligation, right? So like that's that's at the fundamental basis of it is the state's not taking care of this like it should. So I thank you for the um details and information and these resources are fabulous. >> Yeah, that sheet you'll find as you read through it you're going to go like wow there's just so much good information there. So again thank this uh Wisconsin Public Education Network. It was really good. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Awesome. All right. Um, unless there's any other discussion about that, then we have our legislative update. Kind of tied. It's actually very tied. I mean, you completely just laid the path for me. >> So, I originally was going to
040go over this in a previous meeting, but unfortunately, uh, I was ill, so I was not here. So, just the kind of two points I want to talk about are special education funding as well as, uh, school district consolidation. So, right now it's a little bit quiet uh in the capital, so not much going on, but like Bruce was talking about, um Wisconsin law has set a goal of 90% uh state reimbursement for special education costs. So, what that means is we would hopefully receive 90 cents of reimbursement for every dollar spent. So, historically, the state has reimbursed uh school districts for about a third of actual spe special education costs. And we got some good news somewhat for the 2025 2027 state budget. Yes, it is a two-year budget. So, please keep that in
041mind. Um, which did include increases in reimbursement. We were going to get 42% uh for 2025 2026 and then uh 45% in 2026 2027. Now, when it comes to funding, there are two ways of doing it. You have some sufficient and you have some certain certain, excuse me. Right now, we have some certain, which means the state is not legally required to fully cover costs if expenses exceed projections. So, with that being said, we received notification in December that our special ed reimbursement is going to come in at 35%. So, for every dollar spent, we get 35 cents back. And what that means for us is that we now have to pull from our general funding balance to offset the lack of reimbursement that we're getting. That being said, uh, Democratic lawmakers have introduced bills
042to change the funding language, so it would be some sufficient and it would require the state to fully reimburse school districts. Um, that being said, they have been referred to committee but have not advanced. So just because you have lawmakers present a bill um does not mean it can go any further depending on how the committee chooses to act. So I know there has been a lot of talk about property taxes um you know we all got our bills and there they were a lot and we understand that um and we want nothing but the best for our kiddos. So, I highly recommend everyone as you start looking to the 2026 elections, uh, the best way you can help support everyone is to educate yourself. Um, you know, knowledge is power. I say it all
043the time. And, you know, do your due diligence to find out what is what reflects your needs most when it comes to our upcoming elections. So then going into that same mindset, um, Republican lawmakers have introduced proposals which would, like Bruce said, offer financial incentives for voluntary school district consolidation. So these proposals encourage shared services such as administration, transportation, special education. Um, and these proposals were framed as a response to declining enrollment, and rising per pupil costs. We're all experiencing increases in costs across the board and school districts are no different. Um that being said, these consolidation mandates uh are the participation would be voluntary and much like the special ed um funding language. The bills are still in the early stages of the legislative process. Um, education stakeholders have raised quite a few concerns
044that consolidation does not address state funding levels and may actually affect governance, staffing, transportation, and even community identity. Um, and like Bruce said, so many communities, the school is their identity. And so once you lose that, um, it can be really difficult for, um, areas to kind of bounce back from that. So, another thing that I learned is that uh research does indicate that consolidation savings are often limited and inconsistent, especially in instructional areas. So, that's what I have. I always tell people if you have any questions about what's going on at the legislature. I do have uh some very interesting insight, so please feel free to reach out to me via my school district email and I would love to chat with you more about it. Um otherwise, that is my legislative update for
045this meeting. You know, the the weird thing is, Megan, they're already consolidating certain things like art, music. It's already happening. You know, the kids have to take buses and or everything else to to do that. And you start asking yourself, who would want to live there? Particularly if you have a young family or you're planning to have a family. So you've got already this kind of a a population that's heavily skewed towards older folks and there's not going to be any young lifeblood coming into it because there's no future there. And that's the thing that's just so upsetting. And then it turns out if there's one thing we learned from the that the COVID pandemic is that you know virtual education it may be good for some but it's probably for the vast majority of
046people it doesn't seem to work and there isn't there's really no other option for these people. I mean I guess you can homeschool but I mean again then you miss out on so many other things. So it's just oh my goodness the whole thing is so crazy. >> So thank you. >> It is. Yeah. Thank you. It's good to keep our eye on the horizon of what's what's happening there. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Those sure were up upbeat, weren't they? [laughter] >> I hope do a little better. >> I mean, I could I could music next time. [laughter] >> Well, I think it's like I keep thinking this consolidation effort like it's it's a distraction to actually solving the problem. So, >> it's going to make it worse. Uh yeah, I don't
047>> for those who support public education, it will make the problem worse. >> Yeah. It's instead of looking and solving the actual problem, we're putting something that maybe looks bright and shiny and trying to convince people that that's the solution instead of being honest about where um we can actually make improvements. Anyway, I'm going to step off that soap box. >> [clears throat] >> That's why I'm keeping myself quiet. >> And I'm just [laughter] I'm just going to say even if you're not in favor of public education, you're killing rural areas economically and demographics. You're just destroying them. >> I think that's I think that's the interesting part of all of this is that connection, that economic connection >> that so often the [clears throat] pe the people who are choosing this are often, you
048know, really supportive of small business and even big business and it totally impacts it. And I don't I don't understand the disconnect there. >> Well, can you imagine if you know a cute little kindergartener has to sit on a bus for 30 minutes to and from school each day? >> Well, and they could be longer than that. >> It could be longer than that. Just imagine that. >> Way more than that. Yeah. >> Yep. It's true. Well, thank you both. That was that's good. And we did not coordinate that either, by the way. Well, that it's the hot topics. I mean, they're the hot topics. >> I'm a segue. >> You are. Yeah, >> natural. >> All right. I think Aaron has some um our some good news with our district equity update. >> Yes.
049So, I'm going to share this. I've shared it with the board members in advance. So, I'm going to do my best to to highlight a few things about this. Annually, we provide the board with an update on our uh work related to equity. And this work is really driven by our mission and our vision as uh as well as how it is articulated in our strategic plan and the educational equity resolution that was adopted by the board. So that drives our work our efforts to make sure that we create an equitable and inclusive community committed to student belonging, achievement and growth. So within that I I included here some some definitions and I think it's important that when we talk about equity it's often that people focus solely on race and I want to emphasize
050what the educational uh equity definition is that that we have adopted and uh it's written by the department of public instruction is that equity means systems are set up so that every student has access to the resources and educational rigor they need at the right moment in their education across race, gender, ethnicity, language, ability, sexual orientation, family background, andor family income. So, it's a much broader definition than solely, race and ethnicity. All of that is is meant to uh again in pursuit of our mission and our vision. So some highlights I want to share as you know uh with the the uh position of the diversity equity inclusion and belonging coordinator was created for the 2023 24 school year and at the end of last year so after the second year uh the person in
051that position Britney Brazzle u resigned took a position where she's teaching eighth grade social studies at the middle school here. so grateful for her service there. Uh but that has left that position vacant and given our financial constraints, we paused hiring that position. And so I wanted to share a little bit about uh what we've been doing with that since that time. As you'll see this document, the way that it's set up, it includes on the right side the highlights that were shared last year. First, I want to just show you um you know kind of what progress has been made since January through through December of 2025. And so what what we did as as we talked about in some of the communications I had uh sent to you at the beginning of the
052year when that decision was made to pause it was redistribute some of those responsibilities. Certainly um uh Miss Brazzle's amazing work cannot be replicated by a variety of people. And so I I'm very clear in this that um despite our efforts to make sure that that many of these activities continue, her expertise is missed and and that role and that position in the district continues to be missed. She continues to be available for consultation and has really provided leadership and the professional development work around designing for diversity, which is where we have a cohort of staff getting together to design lessons to meet the needs of all learners. And I'll talk about that in a little bit. Our student mentoring um circles have continued at the middle school. merged with our people of color union
053and we spent the uh through the great work of Corey Chevchek and other people at Wabisa spent the first semester trying really hard to find someone to to hire to provide the circles at Wabisa. Unfortunately, uh we weren't able to find an external candidate. So we have um since hired internally. So uh Casey Ruland who is a school counselor will provide the mentoring circles to fifth grade and then um the other Casey school counselor will provide that to fourth grade and that's that's just getting rolling now. So that's exciting development as well. Student events continue uh largely to the work of our student leadership groups. The equity picnic is being planned. the justified summit will have students going there for example many things our cross age activities have continued through these clubs so it's really
054a tribute to these club advisors especially Kelly Thompson and the staff learning so um really embedding the curriculum into what our students experience and our professional development we've also continued our communication tools with a recognition calendar which I know you're very familiar with as you see it in all the communications In terms of student leadership, um that work has really [laughter] continued. Uh you know, many of these student organizations both at the middle school and the high school have continued and are very active. I one of the things I wanted to to highlight is we continue to host the we are many united against hate youth summit which is coming up in February and we'll have other districts coming here uh to collaborate on that work which is is very exciting. Newly developed though is
055the formation of uh a high school equity coalition which brings together members from some of these groups that really focuses on coordinating the work that they're doing um to make sure that they're maximizing the resources and not duplicating things. Uh that's really been the focus and addressing schoolwide concerns. So they meet regularly. uh Dana Shamer's been the primary facilitator as the high school one of the high school associate principles. So that's been really exciting and kind of maximizing the resources there with that partnership. We've also been working more closely with the village leadership um meetings with the village leadership including uh Crystal Johnson their DEI strategist. So that's been very successful. So those are some new developments there and and work yet to be done. Of course, >> we continue to address um harmful speech
056and and hate speech. The the wonderful thing that Britney did was she set up a lot of systems and structures that we can now have become embedded and can be replicated. So, the training um that we do that speaks up is in the in the back of the room here, that continues with our students and our staff. we'd like to um take kind of this the step forward uh which is really to get families more involved in in understanding the language and how to use it. That would be a next step for us in that regard. But we continue to see that students are reporting things to us which is um been important. I will say it's not a 100% and there's always work to do regarding hate speech and um not to not to
057deflect from our responsibility but more to to say that we will see spikes in hate speech surrounding the political climate in our country. So that leads to things that we then address. Um but that's continues to be our responsibility in terms of equity leadership training and staff professional development. What we've done is we had a couple of things going on. Um we had some professional development for all people but a lot of it was largely for people that voluntarily said I want to go to this equity training. And so we changed that model to more this is for everybody. And that was something that that um Britney helped developed and we were able to continue on. I mentioned the designing for diversity that she's been a key player in. But also the social emotional learning
058for all continues. That's we're in kind of a sustaining phase with that work making that part of our our work where we're we're working with um staff on both strategies with students, strategies for their own well-being and then also talking about family engagement. That's really the focus for this year. And then explicit instruction, which is really about found foundational practices for all of our classrooms at a universal level, meaning all students, and building that into some of our frameworks that we have here in the district. So, you're familiar with all of this. You heard it in the school improvement plans, but you can see that this is becoming not like a separate part of the work that we do, but integrated in the work that we do. And then lastly is the McFarland schools equity
059collective which is a group of parents and community members interested in this work continues. Britney had set up a great with with the collaboration of the group had set up a model that was really effective in terms of having bringing in speakers and I'm continuing to do the best I can to lead that group and continue to bring in speakers. Um, I know we'll have some student uh athlete leaders coming to the January 28th meeting. We've had the school social workers come in to talk about financial needs, removing barriers to to financial issues. So, um, again, we're trying to do the best that we can with the limited resources that we can and are are grateful for the leadership that that Britney Brazwell provided and and continuing that work. So questions, thoughts, comments from the
060board. >> How could anyone be against wanting all kids to feel like they're welcome here and >> and an important part of the school? I mean, that to me is just so such a natural all teachers want to do that. So this is great. >> Yeah. >> I think that's why that definition of educational equity is so important. >> Yes. >> Because I think that our political rhetoric has sort of >> um post provides a different representation of what diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging means. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> I think it's I think it's interesting given our previous discussion about funding that the funding model does not provide educational equity. >> You know what I mean? Like it it >> it's very clear like we have those discussions separately, but having kind of them all
061in a row, not on purpose even, >> is really interesting. Like this is what our Department of Public Instruction defines and this is what our legislature has funded, you know, like it's very very inequitable actually. Um Okay. Yeah, this is a great update. Yeah, >> really appreciate hearing how it's really embedded like we're in multi-year >> process and yeah, that's great. >> One of the things I did want to highlight too that I didn't include here, but wanted to remind the board is that December was supposed to be the end of our five-year grant u with natural circles of support and we were able to extend that grant through the end of the school year because much of the work that we're doing continues that. So, uh, we were able to save kind of a
062portion of those funds and we'll have spent that a total of a million dollars over five years by the end of this school year. So, you'll be getting a full report on the on the work of that group. >> Awesome. >> And that grant was really good. >> Yeah. So, it's really largely supporting the designing for diversity professional development because we have an expert >> um presenter coming in, Dr. Shelley Moore. And thank you for the like not just you but the other staff who've really stepped up um and filled um the various roles that are required to make this work. Um Britney fabulous job on setting the stage for us. Um and kudos to all the folks who are continuing to make this who we are just innately um and continuing to make it
063a priority. So, um, thank you to all of those folks. It's not, it's very hard when we're put in a position of needing to remove a [snorts] position that feels very, um, personal and you guys have done an exemplary job of continuing to make it work. So, um, thank you for that. >> Great point. [cough] All right. Anything else about that? Okay, Erin, your district administrator's report. >> All right, we'll start with some photos from around. You can see here, we'll start with some MPS stuff to start with. So the trunk or treat event, you can bid on certain things and one of them is to uh you know get to be the principal for an hour [laughter] and uh people like to do that and so the glamorous part of you know being a
064traffic cop there and the many things that they get to do. So they enjoyed that um and getting a special tour and especially at that age they think that's pretty amazing. So >> appreciate that. Also you can see uh here we have some students um with sharing their art masterpieces um here a very active and lively room. One of the things that we're trying to do under Angie Stra's leadership is have more social media focused on like what it looks like in the classroom. not just awards because you're going to see a lot of that um as well, but also some of the fun things that kids are are doing and and show that we do learn things and we enjoy it. >> Thanks for that, Angie. >> Oh, >> you can see this is
065the morning announcements at MPS. So, that's that's what it looks like. I just I thought that >> Mrs. Fix's class, the whole class can fit in that office. That doesn't make any sense to me [clears throat] um being a middle school principal. >> I know >> for so long. So kind of fun. It's fun to hear them. >> Also, you can see here some 4K. Let's not forget we have a 4K multiple sites. Here is uh a class. They were doing some science work with ice. They were melting ice to discover things. >> Yes. And for a Brilliant. >> I do like that. Brilliant. [laughter] >> Fifth grade orchestra had a concert in December. So, thanks for their hard work. Uh, amazing performance. Orchestra is very popular in fifth grade and >> and I wasn't
066able to attend, but um I've heard wonderful things. Here we have the middle school. The tradition continues. uh right before winter break, it's a drop everything and read. So people get kind of cozy and comfortable and uh do reading. So recognize the importance of reading among other things. It's also a way to slow down the amp before break when people are getting real amped up. >> Um students don't realize that's our strategy. and seventh and eighth grade basketball teams. Congratulations on a successful season. You can see the boys basketball team here. So, great work, hard work. It's good to see our middle school student athletes represented as well. Here we have our choir. Uh we talked about the choir concert. It's just nice to see that winter concert. We talked about that a little bit
067at the last board meeting. Always good to see the pictures. uh special guest presenter to marketing here, our very own athletic director talking about the Spartan sponsor program and how that works and how that um helps us plan different events. So >> really interesting to use our local resources >> there. Uh this is this has been a while back but but this is when we're getting the notice to you because because you know there's a lot of social media to share. So the young entrepreneurs event. So what a great group uh with over 60 K5 students being young entrepreneurs. So going to take over the world there >> with that great group. So thanks for that. If you're at um if you saw this at the at the library, MHS Multicultural Club had some displays
068there for the community. You can see our 18 to 21 uh program doing some some money skills and and selecting gifts, gift buying. I could use a lesson on that, I've been told. [laughter] Um but a great opportunity to to get out wrapping gifts, purchasing gifts. You've heard some of our exciting things. The finance and investing challenge bowl. This uh team of four outstanding uh students did extremely well as uh emerged as Madison regional champs. >> So pretty good. >> Wonder if they could invest for me. >> Yeah, maybe they could do some investing for you. >> I have some tips for you. >> They certainly are dressed like they're ready. I love the suits. The suit goats. >> Don't they look sharp? >> Yeah. I don't know what their firm would be called. We'll
069have to think about that. Um, and then multiculture club and and student council. Again, the the senior outreach, it's actually something we'll be talking about tomorrow at the joint committee with the village, but that's been a real focus. So, they were doing here's some cards um and goodie bags for for our seniors to go out with their meals. >> They're just making such good connections. Yes. That's what's so important in education. Make those connections. >> It's really good. It's really good for everybody. >> Yes. And then might as well some more champions for the stock market challenge here. So um exceed exceedingly well first place at the Dane County Regional Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge. >> It's awesome. >> So is there like another level then? >> I don't know. I would think. Right. If
070you're a regional level, >> you think there'd be something bigger. >> If Eli gets any taller, they're gonna have to move the camera back, >> right? [laughter] Um, and then the anxious generation. This is just an example of what the professional development looks like for our staff. So, you have about 80 staff participating, some virtually and some in person. And then a reminder, we have some community events coming up um in February. We're actually meeting and planning those. There'll be one event at Wabisa and then another event at um the library. >> I was talking to someone in the middle school and they were really fired up about that. that book. I wish I would have >> strongly wrong. >> You still can. Still can. >> February 7th and February 25th. >> Yeah, it's a
071whole month to read it. >> You might need a whole month. >> It's good stuff. >> It's It's very good and very I don't want to dense maybe a little strong, but there's a lot of research and numbers and data that go into it that are very alarming and I don't know, just well done. >> [laughter] >> Um, as you know, um, we over the course of the last few months have had, uh, about $7,000 of donations that have been shared to cover negative lunch balances. And, uh, we had actually quite a few. We had six um, donors donate privately, including uh, Credo Product Development. So, thanks for their donations, but also 120 volunteers. um our community members donate money um and Caitlyn Howen did a great job organizing all that. We're so grateful for
072her leadership. >> She's amazing. >> And uh it was really really powerful over the course of those few months. It started kind of in November with a few people and then once she put it on social media it really really exploded. So thanks to her for that. >> Kind of discouraged about some things and then all a sudden you see these things it gives you hope. >> Right. It really does. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Um, also wanted to recognize a few other things. Um, thank you to the board um, for talking about me during the summitive evaluation close session on the 5th. I'm excited to meet with you on the 26th to hear and discuss with you um, my performance and ways I can improve and some goals for next year. So, that's coming
073up as you know and just letting the public know. We had the employee relations committee meeting focused on staff um the uh certified staff compensation schedule. We're working on revising that. So that was really powerful. I wanted to recognize I know Craig wasn't able to join us but um as you know Craig will not be running for reelection. We have one candidate who will be officially on the ballot. That's Yanni McCrae. So one vacant seat and one person on the ballot. Of course, someone could do they're a writing candidate or something like that, but that's what we know at this point. >> I'm coming up. I have some listening sessions with all the buildings starting this week. That's something I want to let you know. A student survey for grades 4 through 12 is coming
074up >> as well where they'll talk about their experiences in our district on how we can improve. >> Is that new? >> Um, no. We've done that for the last couple years. >> Okay. >> Yep. This will be our third year, I believe. >> We also do the parenting committee one as you know. Yeah. >> And then um wanted to recognize a celebration for our our boys soccer team who received the fall 2025 fall state tournament sportsmanship award. I don't think we've talked about that. >> School has done that a number of times. >> Yes, this is actually the fourth time >> that we we have um it's the second for boys soccer actually. they won another time. Um, as well as girls soccer in 2027 and girls volleyball in 2021. >> And so despite
075a loss, they showed class. Um, really respectful. I heard wonderful things. We actually received communication from people in attendance. So, a shout out to them. That's a real real honor and says a lot about the culture of the team >> And the school district. Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, winning is great, but that feels extra special to be able to have that as part of our culture here. >> It makes you proud. >> It does. It really is. Really is special. >> Winning with class as well as losing with class. >> Um, but says a lot about them. Wanted to also give a shout out. This is a time of year where those that were nominated for a Cole award are completing their application process. And one of the things that's been rather quiet, I'm
076making it not quiet, is two of our principles actually are competing um as well, is Corey Chevchek and Jamie Thomas >> were nominated for the principal leadership award >> and they spent much of winter break completing the application having done so myself. >> It is very arduous. >> It is >> uh you provide a lot of evidence to support it. The principal one has requires a lot of data. >> Um, so they spent a lot of time doing that. They have both received word that they've made it to the second round. >> So congratulations >> for them. That would be wonderful. >> That's awesome. >> Want to give a shout out to Lauren Orango, our director of student services. Every year she takes a lot of time to fill out the high cost report for
077special ed. So that is the districts can be reimbursed for a portion of funds for students that um have needs that exceed $30,000. It requires a lot of detail to justify these expenses to to to meet the qualifications. Not every district does it and we do. Not only do we do that, but our 202425 amount of 135,0009 $135,988 was the 22nd highest amount in the state. >> Wow, that's cool. >> We are not the 22nd largest school district. Mhm. >> Um so her work uh that she does and and and others that are involved, it's not just her obviously under her leadership um in her department and the business department is really impressive >> and that whole department does such an amazing job. >> Yeah. >> I was talking to a parent the other day
078whose child is in it and I happen to know that student >> and I just told this parent I said >> your child has come so far. It's just amazing to me. And it's and the parent was just he was just glowing about what what he's seen our our our teachers do. So that's really cool. >> It's a real point of pride for the district. >> Yes. >> Moving forward, I mentioned the Joint Village School Board meeting tomorrow at 4 at the municipal center. Um also on Wednesday, we have the Greater Dayne County School Governance Consortium. Um and that will be in Belleville. So looking forward to that. Monday there is no school for the Martin Luther King Junior Day holiday. On Sunday actually we will have the Martin Luther King uh leadership awards sponsored
079by the Urban League. So some of us will be there celebrating our middle school and high school winners of that award. So that's always an exciting event and the great speakers. The state education conference is next week. So, um, Angie Stra, myself, and President Kesler will be there representing all of you in lovely Milwaukee this time of year. >> Oh, yeah. >> Great place to be. Fortunately, where we're staying is connected uh to the conference. So, we'll we'll brave the weather. The end of the semester is next week. We have professional development on the Friday the 23rd. We're back here on the 26th to talk about my performance and the McFarland Schools Equity Collective is on the 28th and Black History Month um is coming up in February as well as as kindness month. And
080it's also CTE, career and technical education month. And uh we'll be back here for a full school board meeting on February 2nd, which is also the start of National School Counseling Week. Reminder, February 11th is the high school advising night and we will have a formal role. We have a table that will be staffed by um I think Megan Chapman and Megan Fesler. The Megan. >> Come see the Megan. >> Yeah, >> we're super fun to hang out. >> Other M. I don't know. [laughter] >> Well, if you show up then we have quorum and we needed to know. >> Yeah, that's right. >> I will not show that. [laughter] >> So, that's my lengthy report. Apologize for the length, but a lot to share and I talked fast and still had a lot to
081say. So, any other recognitions or thoughts from the board? >> Apparently, the two weeks didn't make any difference to you versus what the school [clears throat] students had, >> right? [laughter] >> Good for you, >> right? >> He was still working. And I want to let you know, you went over time a little bit. >> Yes. >> But we we made up some time from earlier. So, you know, I didn't want to like shut you down. Thank you for not shutting me down. [laughter] >> Good luck. >> Awesome. >> You do try. >> Thank you. That was good. That was a lot of good information. >> All right. Next, we have our business manager report, Mr. Mahoney, with some audit updates. >> How much time did Aaron give me? >> You have 15 minutes. >>
08215 minutes >> and counting. I can I can do that um without even [clears throat] excuse me going off on a soap box. But uh thank you for the information about the rural >> financing and the lack of the fact that a lot of legislative initiatives um never really go anywhere. Um, we've seen consolidation uh work back in the 1960s and that was about it. Consolidations have not worked since then. There have been plenty of initiatives. There's been financial backings. Uh, but you know, you can for this community to understand um simply we're a 25 square mile school district. that includes some lake, marsh, [laughter] and river. So, we're we're really a very tight school district. We're 11th smallest across the state. >> Just to our west of us happened to have the job a
083long time ago, but the River Valley School District is 275 square miles, so 11 times the size. As of this year, they are now operating one of their elementaryaries. They used to have five. >> Wow. >> So, Lone Rock, Plane Arena, and there used to be a kindergarten building uh that was in Wyoming Valley was closed. >> They are now operating on one campus in only Spring Green. When you speak to kids on buses, when I was there, we had students that would come from Bear Valley, which is near Richland Center, >> and they would ride on the bus for maybe an hour and a half >> both ways. Yeah. So three hours of transportation. >> So when you think about what happens to communities like up in Spooner where you're in the 700 square
084miles. >> Oh my gosh. >> You know, so our students on average are on the bus about 25 minutes tops. >> Yeah. >> The longest rider. >> Yeah. So, um, but yeah, education in the rural areas and you can really see the what happens to communities. Um, you know, take some time in Lone Rock Arena. Um, and now Plane, uh, Wisconsin, which actually has two of the largest corporations in the Midwest and in the world. Um, and those communities are shrinking. >> But so it's not that far away. >> You know what I always say about plain Wisconsin? There's nothing special about plain Wisconsin. [laughter] >> Five more people just moved out. No, I'm kidding. [laughter] >> What do you mean? >> That's a stock joke. [laughter] >> All right. for our viewers at home.
085Maybe they'll be able to read that. But, you know, that's kind of the highlights of our audit. And I'm gonna kind of go over it in a little bit more detail than you having to try to read those small tiny words that I put up there. Um, first of all, Johnson Block and Company completed the district's financial audit uh December 1. It's been submitted to DPI and also uh DHS. Um audit was concluded and as planned in accordance with the professional standards. The audit results, no significant difficulties uh were encountered during the audit. No disagreements with management on accounting reporting or auditing matters. The auditors compiled all the independence and ethics requirements. Additionally, we had accounting policies and changes and I'm going to get back to those. Uh those refer to Gazsby 101 and 102.
086I'm going to come back to that in a moment. Uh we had key accounting estimates reviewed which meant they reviewed our other post-employment benefit liabilities based on actuarial studies, compensated absence liabilities based on district policies and auditors had found that our assumption estimates were reasonable overall. uh misstatements. Some immaterial misstatements were identified. Um all of the materials uh misstatements were corrected by management and the remaining uncorrected misstatements were immaterial individually or in total. I like to explain that because it is in the notes to our board >> that this comes from when we decide how we're going to uh uh usually identify a revenue and have it offset an expense which sometimes that works sometimes we shouldn't. Um so for instance like in um the uh appendix it shows that there was a gift from
087the Dne County Consortium. It wasn't a gift from the Dane County Consortium. It was >> our money that was being held by the Dne County Consortium and we asked for that disbanded that we would get all of our fund balance we had been acrewing for years and we put it towards a uh the teched lab. So it was purchased. Um so that wasn't a gift but sometimes the auditors and I don't always see that. [laughter] Um past journal entries these relate to you know what could be immaterial was immaterial. Um it's basically that now um you know when when you used to record leases they used to be about cars or trucks or equipment. Now, um, and again, all of our auditing is based off of all the auditing that private industry has to go
088through. So, it's very, uh, robust. Um, so, but we don't get tax breaks or write offs. So, new is the softwarebased information technology asset subscriptions, which is a fancy way of saying there should be a way to identify that you pay for software in the cloud and where it used to be you had hardware. >> Um, you didn't have as many uh softwares. So, the one that was incorrectly identified, um, again by me, um, Carrie is very proud that she didn't do any of these. [laughter] And, uh, she's been wanting to make sure she gets to zero corrections, but I said, well, the good news is, you know, in a few years, you won't have me to keep, you know, arguing with the auditors. Uh so anyways, that 55, excuse me, 55,000 was related to
089a three-year uh deal we had uh three-year purchase we had made for our GoG Guardian uh software that protects our internet and also is part of the Beacon system, which snoops around to make sure kids aren't looking up bad things and [laughter] causing harm to themselves. So, >> so those are the, you know, kind of the two things that go with anything that would relate to misstatements. Um, other matters, management provided all the required written representations. No consultations with other accountants occurred. In other words, we didn't call accountants on top of our accountants. Um, no significant findings or issues arose after discussions during the audit. Uh bottom line, the audit concluded cleanly with with no significant issues and the district's financial statements are fairly presented in all materials. I want to point out that going
090back to the accounting policies and changes that uh the gazsby 101 is just actually a re-reflection by the federal government on how they're going to uh account for compensated ab absences. So, our dollar amount changed by 205,000. Again, it's really immaterial to how our district operates. It's immaterial because it doesn't um affect any of our finances. It would if we were a corporation um with taxes if we were to be paying taxes. Um and there's more information on page 28 of >> the book that I'm sure everybody went through. Um and page 34 >> is uh number 102 which is certain risklo disclosure and that's on page 34 of which if I remember correctly we didn't have any so that's perfect. Um, there'll be some other future Gazsby standards. 103 and 104 are coming out.
091So, I think auditors and accounting firms actually lobby for these because then they make more money off of the changes. Maybe that's my editorial, Bruce. Um, >> what are those related to? You know, >> if a person is interested, this is on our website and if anybody has questions, they certainly can contact me. I'd be happy to do that. Huge shout out to Carrie, Corey, Sandra, and Angie. Um, Carrie is the person that gets the list starting in May and we go through December with this. So, hey, we're just a few months away from starting our next audit as we conclude this one. Um, and I mentioned Angie, right? Yep. Angie. >> Um, Aaron gets a little bit of sometimes he gets Q&A. >> I did nothing. [laughter] >> That is my only the rest
092of my update for the audit. >> Thank you so much. >> Yeah, thank you. >> That's great. >> And that was a really long 73 pages. >> Yeah, there was a lot I didn't read a lot in there, but >> it was >> it's a lot of good >> dense, >> but there's a lot of really good information in the notes areas. >> That's what I was going to say. >> If you skip past all the numbers and you get to how they itemize out how they got the calculations, you know, what our financial situation is, it's really written very well. >> Totally. >> Um, I mean, it would put you to sleep, you know, if if you're not an accountant. >> Right. Exactly. So, >> but it was like different items were explained in
093very in terms like if I took long enough to read the sentence like it made sense like it's not I don't know they did a very good job. So, >> yeah. >> So, I know Erin said his fun fact about playing Wisconsin. I noticed something tonight that you know, yes, all three, Meredith, Megan, Megan start with M's, but if you tip the B and Bruce on its side, it's an M. >> A, >> he's part of the group. >> Bruce, [laughter] he's like, what now? >> Two humps make an M. >> That's right. >> Yeah. >> Before you before you run, I'm c I'm I'm just curious, Jeff. Do you know what Gazby 103 and 104 are going to be? What are they going to be? >> Do you know? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >>
094103 is financial reporting model improvements, which means I think they're going to try to make these easier to read. >> And 104 is going to be disclosure of certain capital assets. >> Interesting. Okay. >> Like I don't know, maybe they'll have us disclose more about our roof. >> Yeah. [laughter] Only time will tell. It'll be exciting next year. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Oh boy. Any other any other questions or discussion about the audit >> or any other various [snorts] topics? >> Yeah. Awesome. Thanks, Jeff. >> Yeah, it's a lot of work. Thank you for that. >> Okay. Wow. Okay. I have to catch up catch myself up where we are. Here we are at our action items. Yeah. The first one is our 2526 open enrollment policy. Um approval for space availability in the schools
095programs classes or grades. Do you want to give us a preview? Turn it sir. >> So every January uh school boards across the state of Wisconsin are required to approve the number of open enrollment seats available for the next school year. So we're talking about how many seats will be available in 2026 27 and we do that by looking at class size limits, pupil teacher ratios, enrollment projections and that determines um how much space is available. We also look at projected uh enrollment. So using that through you birth ratios and and housing market information to determine that the board has set you know class or school size um limits grade grade level excuse me um sizes capacity for each of our buildings and just do the math on that. And so you will see we'll
096have several action items for you to consider here. Um both general education, special education as well as um siblings and um the guaranteed and preferred which will be coming up. So this first one focuses on the open enrollment seats available for both general education and special education. What you'll you'll see is the proposed guidelines indicate that there's space in 4K, kindergarten, second, third, uh fourth, and fifth um grade as well as 10th grade. >> And I was just looking back there's this the proposal is 111 total seats and last year there were 103 and 41% of those were filled. >> Okay. So, just thought I would share that. >> Sorry, say that again. >> 41 41 >> 41% >> okay >> of those were filled. >> Our goal is to have eight sections of each
097grade level if we can. It it provides for a full schedule for our related arts teams and um you know makes other staffing possible. >> All right. And I have to apologize. I said 2526 open enrollment policy but it's the 2627. >> Yep. So I would entertain a motion on this first one. >> I will move to approve the space availability in the schools programs classes or grades within the school district using the provided criteria. >> I can second. >> All right. Any further discussion on that one? I would just remind the public that we saw the detailed numbers and the and the detailed calculation back in our December meetings if they wanted to go back and look at that. >> That's true. Yeah. So, report on all of that information. That's a good point.
098>> Yeah. Um Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I >> I. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carries 40. Um and then I would entertain a motion for our next one which is related to let me scroll through the big all big long list. The um okay going going for the preference versus guarantee for currently attending pupils. >> Yeah. So, what this one um says is that the board would be guaranteeing that those students are currently attending our district as a resident and move to another district. They're able to continue in our district as they're they're counted in our occupied spaces count. >> Make sense? >> Yes. Then I move to grant guarantees for currently attending pupils and include currently attending pupils in the count of occupied spaces. >> I can second that
099as well. >> All right. Any discussion? >> All right. All those in favor please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carries 4 Chapman. Yes. Thank you. Okay. Um Okay. And then this is for Oh, I think I'm off on a on the >> siblings. Okay, great. >> You're good. >> All right. So then, um another motion I would entertain for um preference versus guarantee for currently attending people's. >> I can do that. I move to grant guarantees for current attending. Uh I'm in the wrong one. Sorry, sorry, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. >> I move to grant guarantees for siblings of currently attending pupils and include siblings of currently attending pupils in the count of occupied spaces. >> I can [clears throat] go. You go. >> I'll second.
100>> This one makes sense to me. It makes so much sense. >> Oh, totally. >> Keep those families together. >> Yeah. >> All right. Um, >> discussion. >> All right. Yeah. Any any questions? [laughter] >> Thanks Aaron. >> I would just say that just to be clear, this isn't something the district always did, >> right? >> So that's something we did last year. >> Yep. It just means that if whether their space are not available in those grade levels, if a sibling is here, then the other can attend. >> But I would think it would greatly improve the odds that those siblings would come here and stay here. Yeah. >> Theoretically. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Good, good point. >> All right. Um, any further discussion? All right. All those in favor, please signify by saying
101I. >> I. >> Any opposed? No. Motion carries. 4 Z. Okay. And now we have the um open enrollment policy for process to fill remaining spaces. I move that the board will create a random selection weight list for each grade with space availability. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Any discussion on that? >> So again, that means you know the we've got the spots filled so you end up on a wait list and >> if we can fill those spots, we'll do it through a random draw. >> Yep. >> Makes sense. >> All right. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries 40. >> Okay. Did I get all of those? >> Yes, you did. You did. Well, >> I thought there was one specific to special education. >>
102It No, it's tied, >> but it's tied to the first one, right? Okay, >> great. I don't want to miss any. Um, okay. Okay. So, then we're to our last action item, which is our action on recommended WEVA DCA Insight School of Wisconsin um student transfers to resident districts due to lack of engagement. >> I would entertain a motion. >> I can make that. >> All right. >> I move to approve the Wea Destinations Career Academy and Inside School of Wisconsin recommended student transfers back to their resident districts due to lack of engagement. >> I'll second. Okay, any discussion? Well, the list is getting longer. >> It is true. >> And uh it always bums me out to see kindergarteners and first graders and second graders on it. But if I can put a positive
103spin on it, maybe they're just going to really flourish being back in person and they just realized that virtual just wasn't for them. >> Um so hopefully that's the case. Uh because you know, we've talked about it before, virtual is not easy. All of our kids went through it during COVID. Um and it takes real dedication >> to have kids be successful, especially at a young age. >> Y >> um they're >> learning coaches, which are often parents. >> Yeah. >> I will say, so there's 83 of them. >> Um and the another nice thing is this is a good time to transfer back to your resident district at the end of a semester. >> Yes. >> True. or the start of a new semester. >> But thank you, Megan, for your comment. >> Yeah,
104great. >> I have to follow in Tom Mooney. >> I know. >> He was our we have a voice. >> He was. Yep. Um All right. Any further discussion? All right. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries 4. >> All right. >> I move to adjourn. >> Oh, you are sneaky. You are really [laughter] sneaky. That was I was going to just jump in there. Okay. All right. We're going to play that game. All right. Here we go. >> I will second. >> Oh, surprise surprise. >> Well, you have a very important job. >> I'm I'm joking. This is wonderful. >> What would we do if you guys weren't there? I mean, we >> still be here. I know. I know. Nice. >> Like, you
105know, tomorrow morning we'd still be like, what are we going to do? >> I know. What would we do? >> Sleepover. It would be our own lock in. [laughter] Lock in. Middle school lock in. All right. >> Oh man, not at 74. >> All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 40. We are adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Thank you.