001Craig and Bruce. Okay. Any discussion that anyone wants to pull anything out? Okay. All those in FLA favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries 40. There are personnel items that do not require a vote. See if my camera Hi everyone. >> Hi Anna. >> Hello. >> I will share my screen here. All right. Let me know if you can see it. >> We can see it. We can. It's just not in slideshow yet, but we can see it. >> Okay, >> we'll see if I can get there in a second. >> Did everyone have a good Monday? >> Oh my gosh, it was so good. >> It was. >> Thanks for asking. >> I'm glad it's true. How about your Monday, Jinx? >> It was okay. That's honest though. Like
002honest. >> All right. >> Tell me when it's full screen for you guys. >> Full screen. >> You got it. >> Okay. Perfect. Well, I'm happy to be here. First, I'm going to be talking about last week we had our NHS induction where 25 juniors and seniors were inducted as NHS members pledging their allegiance to service, character, leadership, and scholarship for our NHS chapter. I got to speak at it, so it was fun to watch. And um so I took this picture while they were on stage taking their picture. >> Congratulations. a good group here. Um, it says my page is unresponsive. One second. >> Maybe >> let's see if we can get to our next slide here. >> Okay. Monday also. >> Yeah. Let's I can also see if I can if I close
003out my Apple Music tab, maybe it'll work. >> That takes up a lot of bandwidth sometimes. >> All right. Well, I'm frozen over Oh, I can see like half my screen. We've got legislative semester up there. Open to closed. >> I can't see anything here. >> Oh, no. >> Okay. >> Can you see it here, but not full screen? Maybe it'll be faster. >> Yep. That's fine. Sure. Sure. >> Perfect. So, this morning, junior students had their full session. Well, their first day of their full session for political science um where they got to debate their bills in a full session style. So for each instead of like in small committees for each bill sponsoring representatives spokes about they had each had a speech an opening and closing speech and then representatives gave speeches in
004support and opposition of the bill bill and then all representatives were invited to speak during impromptu time. So that was cool. We also had Senator Melissa Radcliffe um speak at the beginning. So that was exciting to have a guest speaker for the representatives. Going to move on to clubs for student council. Um a few of our members volunteered at the Saint Nick shop for the winter wonderland where you can help kids pick out their gifts for their family. So that was fun for a lot of people. Deca hosted the McFarland craft fair. I'll my slide will move over here. Um for the winter wonderland and they housed over a hundred student and community v vendors throughout our high school. I had a couple friends that were in that so that was cool to see them
005with their artwork and stuff. >> Yeah. Lots of talented students. >> Yeah. Moving on to performing arts. I did not get a picture from any of the music departments. So, I just Oh, if if it'll go to my slide. Sorry. Got some tech technical difficulties today. So, I have a selfie of me and some of my fellow choir members um from our concert. We had winter concerts for all three of our um music departments and the choir one was really fun and hopefully everyone else enjoyed theirs. for Blue Notes, McFarland Blueotes saying um at multiple locations at the craft fair and at the gazebo um for the winter wonderland. And they also have their snow tour this Friday. So I think they're going to be visiting a couple different schools in the community to sing.
006So that's exciting. Second Lake Jazz Ensemble also performed at Grace Coffee and I think they also performed at the Wine House the next night for Winter Wonderland and there were a lot of a lot of people there so it was good for them to get that exposure. Moving on to athletics, um, girls and boys basketball have kicked off their seasons. The girls play at home on the 16th this week, which is tomorrow, and the boys play at home on the 18th, so this Thursday this week. Hockeyy's been having a good season. They're undefeated in their season so far. And they play at home on the 16th, which is tomorrow, and they have their annual food drive. So, that is cool. And you can get there, donate some food for our local food pantry. And then
007just coming up for student council, we have our talent show this Friday >> um with 14 acts signed up. I get to be a judge. So, I'm excited about that. And our first place winner gets a $200 gift card, second place a $100 gift card, and third $50 gift card. So, high stakes. And then lastly, um at the end of our semester, we'll have our MLK Day assembly, which we did last year as well, um collaborating with our Black Student Union to present an assembly to honor Martin Luther King Jr. We'll spend this assembly reflecting on the importance of MLK and his work and how we can learn and apply his lessons to our school. All right. Thank you for bearing with me with the not present mode. Do we have any questions at all?
008>> No, you're doing a wonderful job. These are great presentations. >> Thank you. I'm glad to be here. >> We appreciate it very much. Right. >> Have a good meeting everyone. Thank you for having me. >> Thanks so much. >> Not not speaking into the mic. >> Okay. >> Good job. Good job. I'll find a happy meeting. >> Oh, I appreciate your efforts. >> Okay. >> All right. So, now we're going to move into our umformational items and I think I'm first on deck with the resolutions for the WASBY delegate assembly. Um, so I wanted to give a little background about this or did you you looked like you want to speak? >> No, I'm listening. >> Great. This is my listen. >> You are very actively listening then. um >> okay so this is
009really exciting we haven't um talked too much about it in the past so I wanted to give a little background for new folks and for people listening um but WASBY which is the Wisconsin Association of School Boards um h you know they do a lot of work for school boards and organizing us um but they part of their role is also like advocating ating and at for legislation at the at the state level for us. Um and so these resolutions are essentially the what is proposed for them to accept as their what they are officially going to support. So um and the way that the process works is that they have a policy and resolutions committee and member boards can submit um proposed resolutions in September and then their committee goes through and vets them
010and decides which ones will be um will be turned in and recommended to the delegate assembly which happens at the state convention in January. Um or they turn down the resolution. So there were 19 submitted by schoolboard um by school boards and 12 are being brought forward. Um seven were turned down. Um and so I will just give a really brief overview of what those are. Um so the ones that they're bringing forward is it really reflects a wide range of priorities. Um school funding stability. I mean I think we all see that one coming. um local control, student well-being, accountability, and then equity within public education. Um and then the ones that they um turned down or declined were basically because um the committee said their intent is already covered in an existing WASBY
011policy um or because they raised local control or organizational like autonomy concerns. Um, so we don't have to go through them here, but um, since I'm the delegate, the assembly delegate in January, um, please review them. They were part of your packet. I got them in the mail today. So exciting. You did too. Um, and just review them and if you have any questions about them, let me know. Or any, you know, that you don't agree with or really fully agree with. Um, it'll be interesting. It'll be my first. You have said that they are very interesting. >> Enjoy that. >> You've talked about this a lot. >> A lot. >> Yeah. >> Is it? >> That's a lot to put through. >> Well, and it's and the ones that the committee rejected can also
012be brought forward at the assembly. So, it's good to know kind of the background on those, too, just in case they're brought up and I have to vote on them. >> Yeah, I went through them today and looking at at them. >> Yeah, it's interesting, right? >> It seems like a lot really address like public private like that's an overarching theme of >> funding and transparency and I I appreciate that. >> Yeah, I agree. So, yeah. So, that's interesting. >> Is this something that we like as a board like if we think forward through like next September we can propose? Okay. I'm just curious. Okay. Yep. Absolutely. >> Have we done that, Craig? Not in the years that I've been delegate. >> Okay. Or >> long. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Anything else on that? >>
013No. Thank you. Okay. >> Yeah. Thanks for bringing >> Yeah, absolutely. All right. So, then next we have our district safety plan. Mr. Clemenz, that's you. We're very fortunate to have our safety coordinator, Mike Clemens, who's going to do his annual presentation for you with some updates on our safety plans. So, we're very grateful for Mike and his leadership, continually exceeds all expectations. So, safety is certainly important to the district district and he brings us together, coordinates our work and is always a step ahead. So, appreciate you, Mike, and looking forward to what you have to share. >> Okay. Um, do you want to just go right to the next one, Angie, please? >> Uh, so there is, um, you know, information that we have to submit to the state every year. I'm sure you're
014all aware of that. The, um, 2017 act 143 and, um, there are five requirements that have to be covered in what we submit to the state. And actually, we have to resubmit information every third year, but we kind of gather and monitor that every year um, just as a good practice. So, um, can you go to the next one, please? Uh so we have to update uh blueprints and maps um school safety plan information. We have um kind of a a two-tiered safety plan for the district. We have an an overall emergency uh response plan for each building. They're generally similar, but uh they differ from building to building on specifics. And then we have a standard reunification model uh plan for reunifying students with families after an incident. Um so we have those plans.
015We update those. Uh we do school safety assessments which are um assessments of our practices but also of the facilities themselves. And so you know myself uh Jeff athletic director, school resource officer, um Jay Hansen, uh part of athletics as well. Um we inspect both athletic and then the educational facilities throughout the district just to make sure there are no um safety considerations from a facilities or property standpoint that way. Um, >> do we come out really clean in those? >> Yeah, I mean we if we see something that we feel um could be an improvement. Um, I know Jeff and I discussed one uh uh minor fence issue at any amount, for example. Uh, so if we see something like that that we feel like can either facilitate better safety practices or is a
016safety concern in and of itself, then we we try to find ways to remedy that. So, um, we don't necessarily report the details of those inspections to anyone. We use those for our information to make improvements. So, and then um we do our annual safety training with students and staff uh with all the support staff in the district as well. And then of course the um event drills, whether they be weather, um active violence, you know, uh you know, some lower level considerations are fire evacuation drills, things like that. We practice all of those and we have a drill monthly uh on those topics as well. Can you do the next one, please? So, as far as the emergency response plans, I touched on it just a little bit at the beginning here, but um
017we I update those every year. Um you know, building population numbers, um staff members who are part of crisis or medical response teams in the buildings, any facilities changes that have been made, if we've changed uh evacuation routes or assembly points outside the building, any of that kind of stuff, added a new AED or stop the bleed kit, you know, I change those in all of our plans yearly so that that stuff is up to date. Um and as I had said earlier the plans are generally similar um but differing you know uh different floor plans at different buildings for example there are specifics and then different grade level students at each building and so we try to alter plans to take into account that the littles are going to need a lot more supervision
018to do what what we're asking them to do safety wise versus the high school age kids for example. So um but all of it is ultimately based on um the standard response protocols from the I love you guys foundation. So it's a national model that a lot of school districts throughout the country are using uh to base their emergency planning and reunification processes on. So can you do the next one please? So every plan will have uh building population you know utility locations and shut off information uh the different contacts for administrators and other key staff in the buildings. All of the standard response protocol definitions and action steps. So, you know, lockdowns, shelter, um evacuation, all of those, uh processes. Um we have some descriptions, uh to help staff deal with particular incidents that
019fall at the end of the emergency response plan. They're more like um uh recommended practices versus strict protocols, but they give staff some ideas about how to deal with various situations. um our threat assessment and crisis response processes. Um how we're going to communicate both during a crisis uh amongst staff and first responders in the community. Um how we might debrief with staff afterward. How we would conduct uh recovery within the district. Um uh delineates our staff and student preparedness training. Uh directives for op for running the drills. Um and then it's uh linked to maps, other relevant documents, you know, weather, uh district reunification plan, all sorts of different things that are um part and parcel of the daily operation of the district. Uh the next one, please. So, the reunification plan sort of
020stands on its own um because it's a it's a significant process. you know, if we have to evacuate one of our buildings, um, we need to have a safe and secure location, uh, a process in place that's going to guarantee us full accountability of all our students and staff. And that's also going to ensure that we return the students to the right people, which seems kind of like a given, but you have to have a process in place um to deal with uh custody issues or court-ordered placements or, you know, other things that might come up that that can get in the way of simply saying we're going to return student X to their uh parent or grandparent. So, we have all of that uh in process. Uh I'm actually in the process of of
021updating that plan significantly to uh account for a cooperative effort that we've started with Oregon Stoen and Manona Grove School Districts and with Stoton Hospital to sort of uh marshall our resources um so that we can more effectively run a reunification process. It's conservative conservatively going to take 50 to 70 adults to operate that if we're dealing with 7-800 students and all of the parents that go with them. um and we just don't have that much uh available staff here. So, um we're going to work cooperatively with those districts uh develop common planning, common reunification sites, and we're in the middle of that process now. So, um I think it's a it's a good plan. It's headed in a great direction, but >> seems like a great idea. >> But again, continually trying to improve
022our processes here. So, next one, please, Angie. Uh that basically uh covers what I just talked to you about. We are also the second bullet point um in the process of of uh screening a second site. So we're looking at a couple of different facilities. Uh it's challenging to find sites that can handle uh the number of people that we may bring plus the traffic associated with the hundreds of parents and then the media and first responders and so on and so forth. Um but we think we have a good lead on a second site. um because we'd certainly hate to go to our primary and then find they've got a gas leak or some other issue going on. So um and again our uh that resource sharing strategy uh caught the interest of Dane
023County Emergency Management and uh they're very interested in in seeing how it plays out because their intention is then to recommend that to other districts in the state um and to sort of use our process and developing that as a model for them to share resources and and partner with each other to deal with these critical incidents. So, next one please. >> Uh, safety committee here in the district. Um, APS from all the buildings. Uh, Mr. Tarnitzer, Jeff Mahoney, uh, student services director, uh, school resource officer, myself, student services coordinator. We all meet every month to to just uh touch base on safety related issues, whether it be practices, um equipment, policies, training, evaluating our own uh incidents that take place here in the district, evaluating our own drill uh performance, and uh trying to
024make sure that we're all on the same page with how we're going to manage situations that might arise, how we're going to communicate with each other. Uh so sometimes it's minutia and and a lot of times it's a broader context of uh how we evaluate and look at our safety practices here in the district. So okay so uh goals every year are continued compliance with act 143. Being a former police officer I like to comply with the statutes whenever possible. um continuing our building safety assessments, which again means not only physical uh facilities and property, but also um you know, what are we doing? How can we be doing it better? I put a couple bullet point examples up there. Um we've implemented a couple changes. We we purchased and installed hundreds of uh shades
025on classroom windows, interior uh shades, so that uh students and staff have more um out of sight hiding places when we're conducting lockdowns. um changed from the red safety binders in our classrooms to a a more concise safety card packet. And so, you know, we make those changes and then continue continually evaluate the feedback we get on those uh see if they're heading uh us in the right direction. Um and to continue into that last bullet point, then uh we're not um proud uh when it comes to critiquing our plans and processes and drill performance. Uh I think we're very honest with ourselves. Uh we do try to focus on what we do right, but we recognize the things that we perhaps could do better at. Um and uh when we have those safety committing
026committee meetings, um Aeron's leadership is really important in that. I mean, he's very honest and uh forthright with all of us when it comes to our performance because we obviously understand the importance of safety in the district. So, uh we have a really good productive group there and I think we make a lot of uh progress every time we meet. So, um next one, please. That's it. I don't want to take too much of your time, but any questions off the tops of your heads? >> Were you were you able to glean anything from the abundant life situation or or learn anything from mistakes that they made or >> Yeah. You know, there so there's an afteraction review that's very comprehensive that I've looked at. But in addition to that, you know, I McFarland had
027officers there, Manona, Dane County Sheriff. So a lot of the people that I still have professional and personal relationships with responded to that. So talking to them about what they observed and what they did in and during the event and in the immediate aftermath and then reading those afteraction reviews. Um you know you you always you're always concerned that what you're planning to do is good enough and also recognizing that um plans tend to fall apart uh as soon as uh something takes place. But I think we have uh good bones in our planning. We've got uh a lot of good practice repetitions in our uh standard response protocol actions. Um I feel like we're as prepared as we can be, but every incident that takes place, whether it's Abundant Life or Mount Horab or
028even just a meeting I had today with the other four or other three school districts, um always learning something, always uh trying to tweak our processes. So, um, you know, they did the best that they could with what they had. They had not had as much time to implement planning and, um, so I think that that we've been able to benefit from their terrible experience a little bit by, uh, learning, uh, some things from, uh, the difficulties that they went through. But, um, but we also had a lot of good practices in place long before I got here. So, we're just building on the work that's been done by other people. So, I think we're headed in the right direction. >> Awesome. Thank you. that collaboration for the reun reunification plan sounds really great. I
029didn't realize that that was a new thing that we're kind of in the leading edge there. So, >> yeah, it was just honestly it was selfish uh on my part. You know, I needed more help and so we thought we'd go to other other districts and a lot of them were feeling like they were in the same spot. So, it really uh it's going to be advantageous for all of us. One of the things that really helps with that is that Dne County has become more consistent in the model >> that districts use where years ago there were a lot of different models going around and we're most of our districts are using the standard response protocol or SRP >> model which makes the reunification process more streamlined >> and efficient between districts. >> Awesome.
030>> Yeah. just thank you, Mike, because I know we're very lucky to have you because you have such a kind of a long time relationship with this school district. So, and your background has been >> really any more important than yours, >> right? I don't know if I'd say that, but uh we we take it pretty seriously and we're doing the best we can. So, hopefully all of the work I do goes for not. So, >> that's right. That is exactly what you want. >> Agree. >> All right. Thank you. >> Any other questions? Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um, next we have our notice of educational options per Wisconsin Act 55 section 118.57. >> Yes, you can see this in your packet. Of course, this is something we do
031annually uh because it's good and it's also required by law. Great coincidence. Um, there's two parts to this that I'll just highlight. The first is annually sharing our state report card results including our district results which a score of 80.1 exceeds expectations. All of our buildings that do are scored received exceeds expectations. So that's while visa the middle school and the high school. And then the primary school received a satisfactory progress rating which is the highest rating that they can receive at their level. Uh second part of this is just talking about the different educational options both those provided by the district and those that are available to residents including open enrollment virtual options private school options. So this is something that is on our website and um available and updated annually. So, it's just
032anformational item for you to see what's there to make sure that you're aware. >> Go ahead, Bruce. >> No, I just said thanks. >> Yeah, it's always a good thing to review. I don't always like I don't always remember where the different options fit in. >> And so, I appreciate this report because it helps organize my brain. >> It's straightforward. Yeah, it's meant to be easy to see and and to hit some of the big highlights. Of course, you can't cover everything you do. Um, but it's meant to sort of be clear on some things particularly as it relates to other educational options for those that reside in the district but are enrolled in a different program. >> Okay. And I think it's a good opportunity to kind of review like we are accountable to
033the state in in what we do. So there are are um your money does as your money supports and your being those who are watching um your money does support other educational um offerings in our state that are not accountable in this way. So um you will not see this for some of um the private and charter school options that your money supports. So, um, keeping that in mind as we move forward with different legislation and opportunities in the state for improvement. >> Mhm. >> Excellent point. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> That would be $263,000 in case you're wondering, >> of our budget that's allocated towards private schools. >> Oh. Um, any other questions or comments about that? >> No. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for sharing. >> Thank you. Mhm. >> All right.
034Next, we have our legislative update and um Megan wasn't able to join us. So, it sounds like Mr. Tarnet is going to be >> Yes. board legislative liaison. Megan Chapman has appointed me temporary legislative liaison. Not a ton of of real active things going on in the legislature related to education, but a couple to note. One is just to keep in mind the bienial budget uh was set to increase the amount of special education reimbursement to uh 42% this year and 45% next year. As you will recall, we had discussions about the fact that this was a some certain amount, which means that they allocated a certain amount of money that they had projected would account for 42% of special education um uh uh expenses. So that 42% we knew would likely be less than
035that when the actual numbers came in because we anticipated they were going to underestimate the costs and they did. So the actual reimbursement is coming in at 35%. So much lower than that 42%. So that is requiring districts including ours to use more of our general fund to fund special education services which are required by law. And uh what you will see right now in the legislature is there's Democratic lawmakers who have >> introduced bills to make special education funding some sufficient meaning there's a sufficient sum to provide the services instead of some certain meaning there's a certain sum regardless of what the actual costs are. >> Is that 35% even an increase? >> It is a slight increase. It doesn't quite cover inflationary. It does not cover inflationary expenses from last year to this
036year. So >> superintendent. >> So we are still losing money. >> Going to ask for 90%. >> 90% which is is the goal that's targeted in >> in previous legislation and and and they'd also committed to twothirds funding. So that's none of that has happened. >> So this is another reason why districts are going to referendum. If we were to have 90% reimbursement for special education costs, we would not be talking about >> state funding to the degree that we are. >> That's right. >> Some um on the other side of the aisle, uh Republican lawmakers are introducing bills uh to incentivize financial incentives for consolidation in an acknowledgement of the per pupil costs and the declining enrollment issues. And so there's there's these bills being introduced to try to encourage districts to consolidate their
037services. Uh it's important to note that the research regarding consolidation savings um there's pretty limited um savings and somewhat inconsistent because you can imagine there's other expenses >> that become associated including transportation >> and that correct me if I'm wrong but that really impacts rural districts right >> more more so than >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. about 80% of our districts in the state are rural. >> Right. Right. So, >> but only about 20% of the kids >> go to that. >> So, when you talk to your family, those who are watching over the holiday season, please bring this up with those who live in more rural locations. They can make actions and speak with their legislators so that we're not in situations where they see their schools trying to consolidate um and we all
038get um more support for what we need >> and can imagine what happens to a small town. Yeah, >> when it loses its school. >> I don't I don't think they even consider the pitfalls that come along with consolidation. >> Incentives can >> Thank goodness it doesn't happen all the time, but it's going to happen more often. >> It's going to start happening if things don't change. >> Certainly. >> Yeah. >> Sure. >> So, that includes my legislative >> All right. >> report. >> Excellent. >> Thanks for that uplifting. Who >> who would be blamed for that under estimate that you know underestimating that being that far off on some certain >> for the special education? >> I mean you can you can you can blame the the budget team at the at the state
039level but we anticipated this would be the case when it was some certain versus some sufficient. >> Yeah. I mean you you guys know this is going to happen and it's like how can they be that out of it up there? I think like, well, this will be fine. >> But we don't budget for 42%. We budgeted for 35%. >> Yeah. >> Did you really? >> Well, I didn't, but our business department, including the director of >> Thank you. But >> Jeff Mahoney did. >> No, that's wonderful. >> It's always smart to be conservative in your estimates. >> Well, you have to be. >> Yep. I don't I just don't understand how the legislature can get away with saying that it's 42% incre you know reimbursement and it never ends up being that because of
040the formula. >> I just don't understand anything. >> I think the >> but only if they're on their mic >> districts knew it would be less and some districts did make the mistake of budgeting for sure% >> and others estimated 38 39. So, >> well, particularly if you're going to referendum, you would try to, you know, tell people, well, we're going to get an increase here, so that's going to make things easier for you. And then to have that rug pulled out from underneath you is >> it's rough. >> Oh my gosh. >> What percentage of excuse me, special ed kids come from other districts, other local >> open enroll? Well, I mean, however, people send their kids to this district because of our special. >> Yeah, that Well, keep in mind that open enrollment
041for for special education services has a different um limit in terms of space availability. You'll be voting on that in >> January. So, you are able to districts do set lower thresholds for open enrollment. So there are some students I don't know what the number is but but the majority of students that are attending our school district and receiving special education services our residents to res anything else with that any other questions comments okay onto our wea update Mr. Fiser and Mr. Chariter. >> Yeah, I can probably start. I don't have a whole lot, but I really got a good uh I I I really enjoyed the last board meeting. We have another one this Thursday. Um and basically just a couple of things that came out. First of all, funding continues to go up.
042It's around 10% because enrollment keep on keeps increasing. Um and um the only one of the schools there's four schools. There's the Weva K8, the WEVA high school, the Insight School, which works with kids at risk that their uh enrollment is actually down and they said it can change and it may well fluctuate. Um and then uh the destinations career academy is is above as well. So that one school, the Insight School of Wisconsin is down. But um what they were really proud of was that on the state report cards for the first time all four schools um got above 60 and they are meeting the expectations. They're outpacing the state as a whole which is really pretty pretty amazing. Um and the only one that they're below the state average is in math and
043u and they're working to try to you know fix that. So I mean that was really all I got from that. But I thought it was pretty amazing that they, you know, achieved 60% or whatever that that that I'm not sure it's a percent, but they the score on that and they're exceeding all state expectations. I thought was pretty cool. >> Unless unless you've been here for a while. >> Yes. >> You can't imagine >> how it's going. >> What a great improvement >> it is. Yeah. And that they're really proud of that. >> You literally had to go because they always counted the we scores right into the and rewrite the contract for the high school. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> That I mean that is almost an exponential improvement. >> Yeah. And I I
044again the thing that's amazing and I was just talking to Superintendent Tarniser about this is the fact that they have a greater percentage of kids enrolled in the WEA schools who have um special uh education requirements and it's it's greater than what we have. And so it just it does make you reflect that, you know, they really are serving a a very valuable service. They're working with kids who, you know, otherwise might not be able or have tried working in the uh in a regular brick-andmortar school, but it hasn't worked out. >> So yeah, and it's it's they're very very proud of what they're doing. So >> as they should be. >> Yeah. Mhm. I'm also happy to share a little bit about the K12 summit that I was able to attend in Washington DC
045from December 2nd to the 5th. Um all expenses paid by uh Stride Corporation. So that was helpful. Now, Stride is the company that um provides the oversight and management services um to uh used to be called K12, now they're going with Stride uh to the virtual academy, Wisconsin virtual academy. And reminder, we are um do have a relationship with Wisconsin virtual academy in that we are a non-instrumentality, they are a non-instrumentality charter school and we're their authorizer. So was able to attend. It's the first time I've been able to go. Uh the theme was stronger together. You have 32 states represented and that they serve in a virtual capacity for education. Began with some remarks from the chief executive officer with the focus being about transparent transparency and accountability. talking about the increased demand for
046school choice um nationwide and how they're meeting that demand and some logistical issues with some of the the changes that they've made recently and some problem solving things that they're involved in. The the time together also talked about marketing, some strategies that they're using to make sure that people are aware of the services that they provide throughout the country. And um then there were breakout sessions that talked about their academic playbook as they call it. Some things that they're trying to do to increase student achievement, attendance, retention, uh graduation, those kind of things. Um which is really just focused on the the type of programming and instruction that's provided. Talked about special education programs. One of the things that they're implementing is a special education substitute uh program where they can have their substitutes that
047are licensed in multiple states so that they can use a kind of a larger pool. >> Oh wow. >> To meet their special education needs. Talked about tutoring. They're looking uh working on some uh artificial intelligence tutors so that students would be interacting with um software. uh computer coding that would be able to respond and provide tutoring um as well as some in-person things to meet student demands. Career pathways is a big focus of the organization. So talked about some ways that they connect kids with their careers. That was really interesting as well. One of the things that they they talk about is recognizing that community and engagement is an issue in virtual instruction. So they do have some clubs they call strider squads um that that are both at a national level clubs but
048then also down to um schools. Uh they have a virtual campus where kids can interact with each other virtually as well, get to know each other. And um I thought that was really interesting because there's like classroom zones where kids do that. Looks like we may have lost our connection there. Um, >> Okay. Uh, I don't know what's happening, but I'm going to keep talking. Yeah. Okay. Um, so talked about some of their products and then, um, the representatives from the virtual academy, including some board members. We met and kind of reflected on things. One of the things we talked about is that there's been a push, I think, within the virtual academy to increase attendance. And now there's a look at possibly what can virtual schools there's a more of a focus on what
049virtual schools can provide to brickandmortar schools as an additional like kind of an alleart thing whether it's the tutoring services or certain classes where you can't find a teacher and you could use them for the coursework. So that's something that continues to develop and grow. >> That's awesome. That was something when I was teaching I thought it would be great if we could do that. That wonderful. >> some interesting ideas and discussions, but it was a good time. It was great to spend time. Really talented people here at our our local Wisconsin virtual academy. Just really impressed with the people I got to spend some time with. Um, really smart, innovative. They have that entrepreneurial spirit that I don't really. So, I appreciate their creativity. I'm not known as a creative person. I appreciate their
050>> I think they advertise during the boys and girls high school championship tournaments. >> That's the only place I've seen. I'm pretty sure they do. >> Yeah. And what they really their marketing what they get the most is through social media. >> That's the most effective strategy that they use. So, they showed ads and they talked about why this ad worked over another ad and I just sat there jealous >> that they have a great video and marketing team who I got to meet and talk to. So >> did um Well, that would be an interesting service that they could potentially offer. Um >> yeah, I don't think it works that way, but yes, >> I know. Um curious, were you How many other brick andmortar folks were there or were you like the only
051one? >> Oh, there's a lot. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah, a lot. because all those districts have, >> you know, they have an authorizer. Yeah. So, there were superintendents and >> Yep. >> Yeah. There's, I don't know, probably 150 people. 150 people. >> Got it. Okay. >> Yeah. >> For Wisconsin though, I mean, just Yeah, nationally, I say. Okay. >> Okay. Awesome. Any other questions about that? >> Thank you for sharing. >> Yeah. Sounds like a a great learning opportunity. Mhm. >> Mhm. >> All right. So, now on to um your report. >> Would it be okay? Can I ask the board to make an adjustment to our agenda? >> Can we have the business manager's report go >> sooner than later? And >> Sure. >> possibly excuse our business manager. >> I have
052no problem with that. It's fine. Anyone else? >> Doesn't want me on anybody anymore. >> Yeah, he's got hard work to do tomorrow. Well, >> as long as you talk into the mic, then >> I will certainly talk into the mic. Um, if you want a little business manager humor, we do sometimes call some certain Well, that was some guess. >> Some guess. I love that. >> So, good. >> Well, those business managers, they're known for their >> known for big humor. So, uh, >> well, thank you for letting me jump up here and kick us off for the 2627 >> budget year. >> Woohoo. >> Just feels like we almost wrapped up the second time. >> Just kind of wrapped up the 2526, which we're still in in the 2425 audit that you'll see
053next January. >> That's right. >> Which is only a month away. >> Wow. >> So, almost here. >> Exciting, isn't it? Anyways, um so the budget calendar that we are proposing, uh really the only action item that the board will have is that of setting the annual meeting date, >> which you'll do this evening hopefully, which would be October 26th of 2026. >> Okay. >> But other important dates will be this evening. We're going to talk about enrollment here pretty quickly. Um Aaron has already foreshadowed that in January 12th the board will take action on open enrollment and then middle of February is when I will come forward and kind of present the five-year multi-year estimated projections that we annually do at that time of year. And then in March, April, May, usually the second
054meeting of the month, we will do budget updates to the board and as necessary throughout the calendar year, we will um do budget and staffing updates as necessary. So, um that is the calendar. I think the only real significant changes is that we've started this this last year uh presenting some information to our employee relations committee and so we'll continue that as time allows to provide enrollment and budget information to that group as well. >> Awesome. >> Good. >> All right. Enrollment. This is a joint effort by Mr. Tarniter and I. >> Sure. There's some slides he's gonna enjoy doing. And if we move along, hey, great news. We already got through one of them. >> Enrollment overview. >> Check that box there. >> That's right. So, the 2526 enrollment overview really is a focus
055then on the 2627 year. Uh we have two real important snapshot pictures. One is the third Friday in September which we've already concluded and then the next one is the second Friday in January which impacts what our uh one of the factors for the equalization aid formula for 2627. So that's how sometimes our legislative fiscal bureau will use old data for when they're doing estimates uh because that's the only data that they have available. So um just because of how our enrollment counts work and how some of our other stuff works. So um each count has a lot of components to it. Total students in attendance minus uh non-resident students minus uh special agreements that we might have. Um and then we add in residents that may be elsewhere. And those really kind of help
056us determine what our revenue cap and equalization aid formulas are going to be. Enrollment overview, continued declining enrollment. Uh we'll talk about that a little bit as we move along here. Um most notably, surrounding school districts continue to also see that. Uh although Dayne County is the only projected county to grow over the next 10 years statewide. Uming >> when we talk about when we see the consolidation efforts, it's not a new thing. Um it's been done a few other times. It is because a lot of our rural districts are uh consolidated. I came from a school district that's not consolidated when I worked for River Valley School District, but they've closed four elementaryaries in the last 20 years >> and brought their students into one elementary school. So >> it happens not too far
057from us. >> Uh declining enrollment, lower birth rates, available and affordable housing and then also most notably educational alternatives. There are a lot of options including our virtual academy. So um this is one sometimes Erin likes to highlight and talk about. So I don't know if you wanted to jump on this one or >> Sure. I am happy to. So this this estimate includes our open enrollment. So if you look at all the kids that that come in, we're 18 less than last year. So per the third Friday count. So you know when we talk about declining enrollment that that impact is a little bit less because of our open enrollment in and we'll be talking about those those numbers a little bit. So you can kind of see those particular grades where you can
058see some of the most significant impacts um there. >> So you can kind of see the those percentages there from kindergarten up through 9th grade. >> So as a whole when we start to look at our resident and our open enrollment students that are here in >> Oh yeah, please. >> Sorry. Um, again, probably a little difficult. We'll get to the chart in a second that'll show it a little bit easier for our viewers, >> but if we kind of look back to 2013 2014, uh, we are at 2325. We're almost matching that this year at 2332. >> Yeah. >> But we're also down from 1819 just seven years ago by 200 students between resident and non-resident students that are attending our school. >> So graphically this really tells the story. We had our peak.
059We're starting to go down. And if we were to just look at resident only, um, this year would have been something different. If we didn't have many new open enrollment students, we would have been 75, we are 75 resident students down from last year. >> And you could see that graphically >> as well, but we're certainly not where we were in 1314, but we are getting closer to that. Open enrollment basics. Aaron, >> so the way that open enrollment um works is there are our deadlines. There's an alter alternative open enrollment um timeline as well, but you can see where that windows is is from February 1st to April 30th. And once once you're approved, your approval is valid through your graduation. Um, so specialized services that if that changes that could change your open
060enrollment status because reminder those availability is set separately. >> Okay. >> Um or, you know, until the child moves into our district, then they become a resident, which is great. We love that because the reimbursement is higher and they're right here and able to participate in activities. Um, a little bit. I assume that would apply to siblings too. >> Yes. So the way so the board votes on whether or not the the siblings um can attend if there's not availability within their grade. >> Okay. >> And you did vote and approve that last year and you'll have that decision again possibly in January. So then there's the alternative open enrollment um application process which there's certain categories that that a person needs to to check um as part of that process. It's not just open
061as the regular open enrollment window is. There's criteria as well as a current year tuition waiver. So that's, you know, a family that is a resident and they move out of the district after the third Friday but wants to finish the the the school year here. There's a process for that >> as well. All right. And so denying open enrollment, I think the biggest thing you could see a lot of words here. There's actually very few reasons you can deny open enrollment. Um, so it's very important. um that you recognize. The biggest thing is you as a board will set this the space availability. If there's not space availability in a school, grade or program, special education or related services, that's a reason for denial, right? We don't have space. If a student has been
062expelled um during the current or two preceding school years, um you can a district can deny their open enrollment. uh if they've been determined to be habitually truent, which is five or more unexcused absences in a semester, um you can deny open enrollment for that and this board has taken action on those cases as well. And of course, if the open enrollment application is incomplete, and many of them are um or submitted after the state deadline and does not meet the requirements of the alternative open enrollment process. Do you want me to keep going? I like talking about this. Um so this is the fun stuff. Uh this is what I would want to know as a board member. Okay. not including Wisconsin virtualmies, okay? Because they're also up and enrolled. We have 158 students
063who reside in another school district's boundaries that are choosing to attend here. And then we have 61 students who are residents of McFarland. We'll talk to you a little bit about those in a little bit who are are choosing to attend elsewhere. So, a district wants to have more in than out. that is your goal. I talked a little bit about those those transfer costs, you know, and being different and what a district keeps and doesn't keep. One of the things you remember from the bianial budget is that those transfer costs were increased. So, the receiving district receives more of that chunk of uh per pupil reimbursement revenue than in the past. So what you're talking about for us is a net gain of about $980,000 as a result of 158 in and 61 out.
064>> Thanks. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Can I Yep. >> I was just going to make a comment. I just have this I attended this Wisconsin public education network about rural schools and I noticed that special needs voucher students in private schools it has gone up to it is now $16,049 they receive for those students and in next year it will be $16,477 for those students. >> Yeah. So, so students who attend private and voucher schools, their special education rate of reimbursement is 90%. >> Well, that's fair. Sarcastic, I'm afraid. >> Yeah, sarcastic. >> Very sarcastic. >> I don't know how. >> It's a fact. >> It is. It's It's ridiculous. >> Sorry. >> No. A and as Aaron mentioned, you know, one of the keys is uh open enrollment in being exceeding open enrollment
065out. And our school district >> has, as we mentioned earlier, we had some really low resident years. When you look at this chart, 2014, 2015, and 2015, 2016, we had 320 students coming from other districts to our school district. Um, last year at 114 was our low year and this year we had opened up more space and we are at 171. As you can tell, planning for the future. We will also be looking to have more open enrollment in. But if we went to the next slide, it graphically just kind of shows, all right, so we had some big years. Now we're starting to see decrease in uh resident enrollment and we're benefiting from the fact that there are a lot of families that choose to send their children to McFarland. >> Yes. >> Um
066our goal and was different in people coming to us is it's making sure that we're open at the kindergarten and 4K levels. What we found is a lot of families don't start aren't making those switches at third, fourth, or fifth grade. >> Um we've seen some movement at ninth grade, but u so making sure that we can figure out how many people have um births coming through and us tracking that. Our daycarees are doing a wonderful job of providing us information. So, uh, as we present the open enrollment spaces for January, we've gotten as much good information as we feel we can. >> That's awesome you're doing. >> I just Jeff said this, but I just want to highlight this so that people understand as you look at this chart, it's not as though we're
067that that number went down because of something we're not doing. We we were full. >> We didn't have space. And so the open enroll it intentionally went down because we had more resident students. >> And so now you can see it going up because we've opened up. Well, you have the board has a provided more availability for space. So I just I just want to make sure someone wouldn't see this chart and go, "Oh geez, what were you doing that no one was opening and rolling in while we were full?" >> And so now we're opening that. But it's important to remember too just demographically the birth rate is going down not just to McFar limit but everywhere. So there aren't going to be probably as many kids available to come into the >> certainly.
068Yeah. Yep. >> Is 61 kind of a trend? >> That's what I was going to ask >> for for the out. >> Yeah. We'll get we have a couple slides on that and Nope. No worries. I'm glad you're >> um so just why do people typically attend a school district like McFarland? Um yes, we have wonderful programming, but since parents must provide the transportation, it is very geographic. So, you know, we're not surprised. 64% of our open enrollment students come from Madison Metropolitan School District, particularly because there's good chunk of students that live on the opposite side of the north side of Siglow, which also has parts of our district in it as well. So, um, geographically, that's why it mostly comes from Madison. But that's sad for Madison in that sense because they're facing
069the same budgetary. You know, all the schools in Dayton County, we're all facing the same thing and so we're competing against each other for limited. >> Certainly. >> Yeah. >> So, our open enrollment out um uh Craig, you had mentioned the 61. Yes. You know, a few years back we were >> in the 15s or the 22s. Um, but I'm going to let Aaron speak to this if we kind of migrate already to the next slide. >> So, the the this is really interesting to me and I really um >> yeah, >> you know, our registar Emily Broom does an excellent job pulling all this together and it's very interesting to to note that of that 61, 64% have never attended our district. Yeah, that's right. >> So, it's not as though the m the
070majority have not set foot because they were somewhere else and they want to continue attending that other place is the most frequent reason. >> Um particularly as kids get up in grade, they have friendships, they're, you know, those kind of things. So, we had 22 new open enrollment out apps um this year. Um 7% are 4K students who will be back here for kindergarten. It's common to see kids open enroll in other districts during 4K because it's just more convenient with wraparound care, maybe close to a parents employment. >> Um 13% are in other virtual schools, so not WEA. And then you can see the majority of of those are 41% attending Madison, another 21% in Manotaa Grove, and 10% in Oregon. So again, geographically is where you see those trends. Kids predominantly staying in
071their current district. >> Erin, how many do we have who are retrieving are attending WEA or >> do we have a >> a handful? >> It is just a few, isn't it? >> Yeah. But I was I I could add that all. If you if you were saying like full-time enrollment, it's it's only a few students. I mean, we're talking two or three. Yeah, that's what I thought it was. >> Okay. >> All right. So, homeschool as well or home homebased education. Um, and we have an average of 22 families with 32 kids that are um sign up to say that they are homeschooling. Some some will come back as the kids get older. Um, and some take classes. You can see five to eight students take one to two classes at school. So >>
072I may participate in a sport or a club or an activity. Often band music are things that are hard to provide in a home homebased instruction. >> So that those 32 um are part of the 61 >> is no. Okay. >> This is separate. >> Separate. Okay. >> Because open and roll out means they're attending another >> district. I got it. Sorry. Yeah. Got it. >> Yeah. And this changes >> frequently. Yeah. >> Throughout a school year. >> Okay. >> All right. Enrollment projections. So these enrollment projections when you start to look at the space to the right of where the gap is, you'll see 26 27 2728 and so on. Those numbers include the students that are already here under open enrollment and our residents. It does not include any forecasted new open enrollment.
073So, as you can see, this is what our district would start to have if we did not have uh open enrollment applications um availability for next year. So that's difficult to see, but it shows the trend of about 2,300 students next year >> down to 2100 and 3132 if we didn't have any new open enrollment students. So um another couple hundred down if we did not open space for open enrollment. uh the enrollment projections on this next sheet just kind of show it by building. You'll when I look at this the the quick piece is that our high school will start to see some increases. We have a bubble class going through the middle school. um that's just over a couple hundred students and our other three buildings will start to see the decrease unless
074we do open up open enrollment spaces. So, uh projected open enrollment available seats that we'll have the school board act upon in uh January 12th to be specific. We will be looking at uh having availability of 27 4K slots, 11 kindergarten slots, 17 second grade slots. Wisa would have 24 slots available at third, four at fourth, 19 at fifth. The middle school would not have any slots available. >> Wow. and the high school uh would only have 10th grade seeing some availability. Again, what we've seen over the last few years is when we have availability at 4K and kindergarten, we see >> if not all of those taken. Um but the other grade levels, not as much. Okay. >> So, >> um, we may see a good amount of our 4K and all of our
0755K. >> I'll just make that prediction now. >> And so, these projections also, and maybe this is later in the slide, I'm not sure, but they also maintain our um optimal >> grade or classroom size, right? Like going into the >> Oh, see right there. >> Yeah, >> exactly. >> So, Mr. Darn sir. >> That's right. >> Do you want to cover this one? >> So, one of the things that we've done in the last few years is is set target classroom sizes to um make sure that we are right sizing our our resources with our staff and and making sure we're allocating our our staffing resources accordingly. So you can you can see that kindergarten our target size is 20 and then add uh a student each year per class. And when you get
076to 612 it gets a little messier because there's all kinds of electives and courses that they they take. So the target size is is 25, maximum being 30. We also need to look at lab courses being a little bit different because of the amount of supervision and safety issues required. So you see those listed there. And furthermore, one of the things that we also have is a minimum class size. What a challenge is particularly well only at the high school level is you want to provide a variety of course offerings but you need to have enough students to justify the staffing. That's just how it works. It's just simple math. >> And so we uh the goal is to not run courses fewer than 15 students. There are sometimes that those exemptions are made, but
077those are the difficult decisions we need to make with the resources that we have. >> Makes sense. >> And I think that is >> I think that should be it >> concludes >> for enrollment. >> Thoughts, questions, observations? I think you explained it very well. >> Yep. >> Okay. Thank you, Jeff. Appreciate it. >> All right. You are dismissed. You can now go. >> Thank you. >> Goodbye. >> Yeah. >> It's the least I can do. >> Thank you, Jeff. >> All right. So, now we have our district administrator's report. >> All right. Some things going around. We got buddy classrooms, first and second grade here with uh Miss Miller's and Miss Presser's classrooms here at the primary school. Look at them making crafts together. Love the cross age thing. You're going to see a
078theme here and some of that. We also have the first graders and seventh graders. So, this is a project some of you may know about um where first graders designed bears on paper and then the seventh graders make them >> awesome. Sewing. So, >> I did not know about that. >> All this is so good. >> Yeah, it's very fun. >> Henry's on his bookshelf. It is very cool. >> It is very cool. So, a fun thing. And then they do some reading. And then here you have um our first graders learning about some of our community leaders and helpers. So service providers in the communities. You can see, you know, our our um police department and EMS, fire there represented. >> It's a neat way to learn about the great things that we do
079in the library as well. >> Yes. >> Here you can see we just talked about this about polyai and the legislative session. There's another one I think on Wednesday or Thursday um in the afternoon. This is Mr. Ward's indigenous studies class. Traveled to the Ho Chunk Community Center to do a little bit of education and um learned some things, some guest speakers including including our very own McFarland's own Art Chagoni >> um talking there as well. also a neat opportunity, very popular class and he does a great job. >> Yes. >> Here you have, I don't know if you might have heard about this. So, we have a graduate um owner of Nick Custom Tree Care who donated some lumber to our students. And then you can see the products that that get made with
080that. So, really really uh >> was a beautiful beautiful tree. It was just Bruce getting a little shout out there for uh >> he hauled a tree, dragged it from his house all the way. >> It was tough and it was uphill >> both ways. Yeah. >> Yes. >> Wait a minute there, Mr. >> Yeah. But thanks to Nick and Bruce. >> Well, tell you the truth, this program is so outstanding. >> It is. >> To see that wood be chipped up would be just sinful. >> Yeah. Great thing. Um here you have the model UN conference. I know we talked about this and how we were hosting and there's some pictures from that. So debated a lot of options tackled tough issues the fall of the Berlin wall and mental health immigration great thing
081here. >> We have a long history of this. I mean this is going back >> really quite a while. So it's been really we've got a good history of this >> wonderful thing and uh you're welcome McFarland Community Businesses for bringing a bunch of people here. >> Yeah, >> you can see this. I know you've heard about this. We talked about this in November with the with the seniors and it's always good to see some more pictures. Those pictures continue to come in for um the giving tree and Thanksgiving meal supplies that they provided. Here you can see our our uh freshman US history classes went to the McFarland Historical Society and did a little research there. They were so wellreceived. They were so glad to have them there at the museum and love this.
082When museums like this are important, they reveal the past in ways no one predicted. You can't touch and feel history using >> Google. >> One of our very own students said that. Did anybody >> very insightful >> and and the kids have fun they walk over and you see them going over there and we got such an amazing historical >> Yeah. >> museum. It's really great >> resource. >> Um and here you have the marketing students had a guest speaker Tyler Becker from W Whitewater talking about college planning and career planning and marketing and accounting. So they do such a great job bringing guest speakers making it meaningful to our kids. Ah, >> you heard this about Beth Campfield, recipient once again of a peer-to-peer suicide prevention grant, >> was awarded that as the hope
083squad advisor. So, always grateful for Beth and her amazing work and leadership. >> Yeah. >> Addressing mental health. Optimist senior of the month, Owen. I wasn't able to attend this because I think I was actually in DC at the time. Um, but certainly a deserving student. Love that senior picture there with the truck. So, congratulations to Owen. And we had some high school students from Multicultural Club and the Black Student Union who visited our K2 classrooms to do some some conversation and reading um making a craft in this case on diversity and they also do some reading later in the year. >> Thank you. >> Such good role modeling. >> It is. And of course, we mentioned this. I think it was hot off the press maybe when we met last. But there's our >>
084two outstanding WCCCA U district 5 girls coaches of the year. So congratulations to Scott Fischer and Andrew Garvey. Well done. They um not only create great athletes but great student athletes and do a great service. So way to represent to them. Everyone knew those two were going to be good coaches. >> Yeah, >> they're a good team. >> They do a great job. Other things, you heard um Anna took some of my stuff about the band concerts, orchestra concert. Whis had an orchestra concert. She didn't talk about that. The choir concert I heard was great. I literally heard because Angie played some um for me. It was a real >> Is your daughter in there? >> Good concert. >> That's awesome. Yeah, >> they're so good. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Craig told me that, too.
085Yep. >> Um, again, acknowledgement to to Ginger uh Verhulse for her leadership with the Craft and Vendor Fair. >> Um, really an outstanding thing um involving our students. The McFarland School's Equity Collective um met last week. We had a student panel on equity uh of equity leaders responding to questions from the group. really engaging, really talking about some of the great things that they're doing. And you know, when the when the community said, "What can we do to better support you?" They said, "Funding helps." So, um, you know, just something to think about, you know, for their activities. They're not free. So, >> um, appreciated that. I wanted to give a shout out for our administrative team, the a council. At this time of year, we're always diving deep into reflection on our strategic plan.
086What we do is we set an annual action plan and we'll be sharing that with you. We've really been working hard and there's a bit of a a intentional focus on really looking at what's going to make measurable results versus things that are feeling like yeah, they could impact it. So prioritizing our work because there's limited time and capacity for all of us. >> That's wonderful. >> Coming up, of course, we have winter break. We have Christmas on um December 25th. On the 26th through the 1st, uh starts Quanza. Um and then we move into January where we have New Year's Day and we come back to school on January 5th. >> Yeah, it's a very far time away. We welcome the new year in on January 5th by having a meeting together. >> Woohoo.
087>> Where you get to evaluate me. So you will have a meeting amongst yourselves to which I am not invited to talk about me and my performance. Recall that just the other week I shared a little bit about my own self-reflection. I take that very seriously if I were you. I shared some good information for you to consider. Thank you for doing so. you've turned in your feedback to President Fesler um by now hopefully and she's compiling that information. On the 8th, we have the employee relations um committee meeting. We'll be talking about possible handbook changes for next year as well as our compensation committee work and that's in a really good place. So then we come back for a full board meeting on the 12th. Those are the things I have to share with
088you. Do the board members have anything else they would like to share? Have they been able to fill some of the vacancies on that committee? >> We have filled some. >> Yep. >> We, you know, keep in mind that we combine the certified staff and support staff into one committee >> and are much more questions and comments. >> Um, I had a couple since you brought up your evaluation. I was going to do this anyway, so this was a nice segue. Um, but as we were all working on our evaluations for Superintendent Tarniter, um, it occurred to me that I didn't publicly thank all the staff who filled out the survey that the board sent out. Um, so for all of you out there, um, thank you for taking the time to do that. That
089is really, really impactful for us to know, um, just to feed our, you know, thoughts about Erin's performance. And so um we wouldn't be able to do that effectively as effectively and he is really committed >> response. >> Yeah. >> Um yeah. Yeah, we did. It was uh I mean similar response rate as last year. Um which is still high. So that's great. But um yeah, >> it's like what was it 150 something? >> It was 152 this year. >> 52 >> or was that last year and this year was 150? >> No, >> but it was within a couple >> of last year. Yeah. So, out of 347 or 67 staff. So, um anyway, really grateful because we really are committed to growth. Erin's very committed to growth. Um we all just want to
090be better. So, thank you for taking the time to do that. >> 152. >> Thank you. >> Last year there were 150. >> Okay. >> So, way beat it. Just pull it out of the water. >> Yes. Um, and then I was I mean we've already talked about this already, but I was going to give a shout out to Brian Ward um for the for the political or polyai um legislation. >> I don't know what you want to call it. Simulation >> session I think Patrick Tui as well I think. >> Yes. Yeah. >> And Patrick Tui. Um, it is just I think especially in these times when civic engagement and civil discourse is so important that we practice how to do it well and how to do it respectfully is so important and I
091know both of those staff members do that very well. Um, and so I just really wanted to thank them and s to Senator Ratcliffe for coming out and accepting the invitation and giving a, you know, a speech. Um, we don't often get to do that and she's very good about showing up to these events. So >> yeah, >> that's very similar to bad boy state. >> That's all government. elect. >> That's true. >> It's very eye opening for a bunch of 11 graders. >> Well, it's a you know, some districts have found this to be very controversial and I really I I remember talking with both those individuals early in the year and they've gone out of their way to make sure that they, you know, they don't put kids in a position where they're
092feeling uncomfortable and it I just I think they do an outstanding job. I agree. Anyone else? >> Um, I wanted to give some kudos to um Erin, Mark, and especially Jackie um at the high school for um leading the professional development for Reading the Anxious Generation. um you handled the the virtual group of us very well and sometimes I know that could be a challenge um but very thoughtprovoking questions um and accountability for reading and learning and what we're all taking away um taking away from it and how we're changing our actions. So um thank you for doing that. It's extra and in the middle of the week too. So um appreciate your time and effort and I think there's going to be a community event in February. I think it's the 7th at Wabis
093if memory is correct. I think it's in the morning and then I think the 203rd 28th um at the library um Ed Lock Library. So come learn with us. >> Yeah, definitely. Yeah, I think >> I can >> I think it's I'm pretty sure it's the ETH. >> It's Watch me be wrong. >> Wednesday the 25th. >> Okay. So, Wednesday, February 25th at >> 6:30 at the Edlock Library. And then at Wabisa, it's at >> Saturday the 7th of February at 10. >> 10. and that will be publicized in the coming days and and there there's books available at the Edilock Public Library if someone wants to read >> the book. It's not a quick read. >> No. >> So, don't anticipate that. There's a lot of research in it. Um >> you can take
094chapter by chapter, >> take a break. >> You need to borrow my copy. I did write a lot in it, but you're more than welcome to borrow. >> And it's um unsettling. >> Yes. I think that's a really good word. >> Unsettling. >> It is very thoughtprovoking and um even disturbing I think is a word I would probably use. Um >> so yeah, highly recommend reading it, coming to one of the sessions, being involved. Um yeah, >> the the premise just to to set the stage so to intrigue you is that the theme of the book is that we have overprotected our kids in the real world and underprotected them in the virtual world and that uh the device they have often in their pocket is impacting them in many many negative ways. um primarily
095their mental health, but also their attention, ability to focus, >> their social um relationships, >> their sleep. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for the cliff notes over. >> Sure. >> That's all I have. >> Thank you. Anyone else? All right, that takes us into our action items. Um the first uh is a action on the approval of the annual meeting date. Administration recommends that we set the annual meeting date for October 26th of 2026. Um I would look for a motion. >> I move to set the annual meeting date for October 26th, 2026 as recommended by the administration. Second. >> All right. Any discussion? All right. Hearing none. Um all those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries 4. All right. Next, we have um
096action on the McFarland High School early graduation requests. Um, the administration recommends approval of the attached early graduation requests. Um, of which there are three. I would look for a motion on that. >> I can make that move to approve the attached high school administration. >> I'll second. Okay. Just trading roles there on the last one. >> Um, any discussion? >> Yeah, I felt bad for the one I felt that felt some class they felt challenged but I was very impressed by the letters and I just again applaud how we changed it sound agree >> agreed >> yeah it was hard to read the you know that there it essentially it felt like maybe high school wasn't a perfect match for the one student. And so that's hard, but you know, recognizing it and setting
097it up so that they can leave earlier is >> also a win. >> No, go ahead. >> I I I do think that that's what high school is approach very interesting to you and you go to college, you're starting down. >> One at some point. I'm sorry. >> Oh, you're fine. Thank you, though. All right. Any other discussion? >> No. Best of luck. >> All right. >> We're still here for you. >> All right. Um, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? All right. Motion carries 40. Last but not least, action on the recommended WEA DCA Insight School of Wisconsin student transfers to residents districts due to lack of engagement. >> I move to approve approve the WIVA Destinations Career Academy and Insight School of Wisconsin recommended student transfers
098back to their resident districts due to lack of engagement. >> All right, any discussion? There's Yeah, this was a bigger group. >> Mostly high school. >> Yeah, I noticed the same. >> Yeah. Lack of engagement, right? I know. >> Yep. Um All right. All right. Any other discussion on that? Okay. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries four zero. Last action item. >> I move to adjourn. >> That was easy. >> It was my turn. I didn't want you to realize that >> I cut in line. >> No budging. >> Decorum. Decorum. >> Sarcasm. We need to note sarcasm. Okay. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Oh, boy. I mean, we can stay longer if you'd like, Mr. Fischer. >> All right. All those
099in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 4 Z. We are adjourned at 8:30 on the dot. >> Look at us. >> Thank you all.