001Establish a quorum. Let's do the pledge of allegiance. Pledge >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, moving to the consent agenda. Um, if nobody has any reservations, could we have a motion to approve consent agenda items A through G? >> So moved. >> We have a second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I moved. Uh, moving right reports calendar. Scott Black. >> Okay. Uh, good evening everyone and welcome to our October October regular meeting. uh calendar full of uh great events to take in. Um I'm certain there'll be some discussion. Maybe Mr. Schwo will be commenting on a few of them. I won't steal his thunder on
002that. Just recognizing tonight's regular uh board meeting and then our special meeting on the 22nd. Uh we do have professional development day on the 24th districtwide moving into November. um one committee meeting or actually a few committee meetings that have been uh recognized. The connections policy and instructional are set with our as well our regular board meeting on the 12th and then the special board meeting on 11:25 and that's the week of Thanksgiving. Remember that uh um Wednesday we moved it to Tuesday the 25th. So that meeting is will be on a Tuesday the 25th. I believe that's accurate for that. Any questions on Kelly? Okay. Um, just some updates through my monthly report, attendance matters community video. Um, hopefully everyone had an opportunity to see that in followup from the work of our uh
003subgroup and ad hoc board committee to promote a recommendation and a smart goal to the board of ed attendance and how that plays. Um overwhelmingly it's been received well some feedback on this stressing the importance of why uh attendance is uh very does much matter like to thank Katie Hopkins from the city of New London and their videography department and supporting putting that together. Uh connections committee this is just more an FYI for the entire board and Mark if you want to or any of our connections committee Andy want to jump in on this one. We met on September 19th and we were talking about um items of setting the bar, if you will, a little bit higher. And some conversation that came up at the fullboard level was with our social media and being
004able to push or um support sending our district messaging out at a higher level. and the idea of exploring what some paid purchases would do to do that just that pushing our message to particular areas or target groups within um we'd utilize Mrs. Mick at the high school library uh to help us with that process but we are looking at to that and seeing uh just a very minimal investment in there and how that could potentially help us. >> Any other thoughts from either on that? I had I had talked to Mary and she was familiar with a number of different things that we could do and she said I just need to have an understanding what kind of a budget I might have to work on to to do this. She knew you know
005what we were thinking about and so I think we set a maximum what >> $500 that she could spend to go ahead and enhance >> you know uh the stuff that she's posting. >> So they'll reach people besides who follows you. >> Correct. >> Yeah. How how long are you doing or how long is the tenure of the campaign? Do you know like how long till it's chewed up? >> No, she was she was going to look into that if I'm not mistaken. >> You don't know when it's going to start? >> No, we haven't set a time. We wanted to communicate with the board fully in advance, you know, to hear that feedback if there if there is any other feedback to to share to consider. >> In my experience, 500 won't go real
006far. Um but I also have slightly larger area that I'm broadcasting to. Um, so if you're looking at because like with my business, I'll do like 250 a week on just Facebook. >> So if you're looking at 500 and you're going to shrink that size by maybe a quarter of what I do, it's only going to last for maybe four four weeks. >> Okay. >> I thought we wait and see what she comes back to us with, right? >> And then go go from there because we were kind of shooting in the wind, >> right? Yeah. And and maybe talk to her a little bit about when you start to spend that money because during during the school year, I don't think it's going to do well. >> Yeah. When what are the target when
007schools into >> We talked about doing it when open enrollment comes around. Yep. >> Which is what we've done in the past with with Spectrum. >> Okay. >> And um >> Awesome. And so so we'll we'll see. >> When's the last time we even spent the um budget of the connections committee? It's been a while, right? >> Right. >> Yeah. >> I I'll I'll speak my thoughts on that. I the money that we spent the last time and the results that we got, I didn't see it as being a big a good value for the district because we're not a business and um I haven't we haven't seen any results from it. But people remember we were getting a lot of hits from Kakana and that area that were were looking at our at our
008um our website, you know, because they were directed to it and I haven't seen any evidence of anybody coming to school here, moving out here. So >> So what what geography we are you thinking of then for >> nothing. We're going to let her >> take a look at stuff and and that but we wanted to let the board know about it before told her to go ahead and and do it, but when I contacted her, she just said, "Yeah, there's things that we can do." So, >> I think I got anything else to spend, you know. >> So, keeping the board informed. Thank you, Mark. Within that, uh, next item, the school safety digital mapping grant, and I hope everyone has taken time to to read through that. This is the grant application that
009went through towards the end of the summer. and uh with support of the shared grant writers uh we talked you know how that implemented out. So, the district itself uh received uh grant funding in the amount of $6,498 $9028 and then with an additional supplemental award of $34,800 to invest into digital mapping for all of our buildings and exciting our SRO's and somebody from Waka County was excited to hear that we're one of the few districts that doesn't have digital mapping capabilities within our uh schools and buildings. So we will be able to do that. So thank you to everyone involved in in pursuing that grant and we were notified last week. So very very good. So the the investment we made with partnering in that has paid for itself if you will just from
010that standpoint of what we've got in return. Uh the student attendance proclamation uh again on se September 16th right after our September board meeting. Chris and I were at city hall and Mayor Mark Hurder supported the proclamation uh that went out in support of why attendance matters. We appreciate the city and council members as well as any or all of our townships that took the initiative to support that when they were given the opportunity. And uh lastly, the the B212 extra effort. Uh we're looking at three individuals from our high school that recently uh qualified as semi finalists within the National Merit Scholarship. Um Cash Allen, Daniel Tank and Daniel Hammers have qualified as nominees for the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, which is no easy task and their educational skill set has put them
011in this position. We wish him well and their extra effort that has been put forward continuously to have that distinction. Any questions? >> Do you know how you how do you maybe Charles you know how do you get like put in this category to be a national merit scholarship? Is there like a baseline qualification? >> It's based on the score that you get for the PSAT. So the sophomore class took that day and the junior class and based on how you do from that it's >> so we had three this year and it depends on how many you have taking and then also how many take it nationwide but they scored at the top of the group that took it at London so they were able to qualify and then hopefully they can advance to
012become finalist and potentially win the war too. So >> cool. Awesome. All right, moving on. Good evening board. There just uh some thank yous tonight. You can see in my director report, Bill and Deb crossu made a donation to three specific areas. Golf carts, techad tools and equipment and middle school specialized programming. So was very thoughtful of the family to provide some donations to our to our schools to be able to use for some really good needs. And then also SSC, which is our cleaning service. They sponsored three teachers, new teachers at Lincoln Elementary for a list that they put together to have classroom resources. So they put together a list. We gave it to SSC and then they purchased it for them and brought them to their school. So that was very nice of
013them to do that for those teachers. Uh they were very excited. I got emails from them. Kirky probably heard about it, too. They were They're happy that that happened. So, thank >> Has that ever happened before? >> Not from them. >> Yeah, that's pretty cool. >> That is Thank you. All right, moving on. People Services, Sarah Johnson. >> Good evening. Hello. >> Good evening. >> Um, right. So, I have a few things for you tonight. So, wanted to update you. We're really excited about having um having um Madison Jagalinsky, I don't know if you all know her, but she um this past spring had worked pretty hard on putting together a application for one of the transition readiness grants at the state level and we were really excited that um it was approved when we
014heard that last month. So that is a grant um and it was written for um transportation for our transition students. So students at the high school with IEPs to help to get them from the school building out into the to help them to have experiences in our community to um so that they'll be better prepared uh when they're done with school. And uh so that was very exciting. So we've already started um having some meetings talking about exactly what the needs are for getting our students so we have an idea about what type of vehicle that we're looking for and um we'll keep you posted on when that um when we have that vehicle. but really excited about the opportunities that that will give our students. So, >> yes. Um and then also school outcomes.
015This is something that happens every year uh where we have students with IEPs who have graduated and there are um surveys that the district can kind of track those students. graduates down and find out what are they up to. And knowing what they're doing a little bit out of school helps us to know well how did we do and what can we maybe do differently or better in the future. And uh it's a bit you can imagine that some of them are easy to track down and some of them a little bit more difficult. And um there's a time frame this work has to be done by the end of September. uh and we were kind of getting down to crunch time and not having success um getting those completed and uh Patty Gman uh
016came through and um helped us to connect with two of our step workers and I just can't thank them enough um Laura and Ellen and they were just a clutch and they made the calls and took the initiative writing letters and um uh were able to connect and complete um or attempt to complet um all of those in a really short time period. So, which when you complete those surveys, that makes you eligible for the a certain dollar amount for each one. So, that results in a nice um grant opportunity for us for more money for our transition program. So, really excited and appreciate their help. And they did say that they were um happy to help again next year. So, I will take them up on it and I said I will contact you
017right away at the opening of the window, not at the end. So look forward to their continued um assistance with that. Uh and then the last thing I was going to let you know about is uh through DPI sponsors a special education teacher inductee um professional development opportunity. We know that uh folks getting into teaching special education it's a field where people you know within the first three to five years typically well I forget the exact percentage might be I'm not going to say percentage but sticking in the field um is difficult. So they created this um professional learning opportunity. It's a robust support and it's free of charge to districts and so DPI trained the CISAs and the CES have this opportunity and we have two staff members who are participating in it this
018year and um Monday was the first day that they went to CISA and had training. So there's six days during the school year that they actually have training. They also have uh six days where coach comes and observes them and offers support and other networking opportunities. So, it's a really great opportunity. And I just wanted to let you know that we were um having a chance to participate in that and they when they came back um on Monday, they both said like, oh, they had already learned so much. So, five more days for them to go. So, any questions? >> Thank you. Teaching Learning Services Template. >> Good evening everyone. You can see in the report that we just have a couple things to share with you. If you are don't have this on your
019calendar, October 23rd is our parent teacher conferences throughout the district. So, a chance for those teachers to give the first impressions of students um to parents um and have that conversation about moving forward for the school year. Uh the school report card was released to school districts and that embargoed um realm on October 2nd and I want to let you know that our admin team has already started digging into those has been asking lots of questions about what we can uh is everything correct or are we seeing what we thought we were going to see and um are these outcomes where we thought we would be and are we moving in the right direction? In the report, I left you some links down at the bottom. Uh we will present the school most likely present
020this um that data and talk through that school report card in late November in that special meeting in November. Um but if you wanted to get an idea about what is different from the past school uh report cards as far as the format and some of the information that's involved this year, there are some resources there um for you to click into and take a look at. Uh we have a couple positions in the district that we are looking to continue to fill. And in that light, I um want you to know that we're working on some recruiting efforts um in order to pull in some good teachers. So on top of making sure we have our postings out there in not only we can but handshake which is I would call it the the
021the portal in which university students will be looking for um for jobs. So that's what all the universities use in order to communicate with their students and um to communicate positions. On top of that, um Jacqueline Schmer at the high school and I went to a career fair uh last Wednesday down at W Whitewater where we were uh delighted to speak with lots of students who are very excited to get into that teaching profession and collected some names and some contacts as a means of of keeping and um being taking a proactive approach and making sure everybody for the following school year. And Sarah and I both have intentions of attending more career fairs um as this school year goes along so that we can put our name up there and make sure we are
022getting the best of the best for our students. >> Thank you. >> And then last one, my little instructional insights. So, I want to just provide a word for you that teachers throw around all the time that may not be something that those who don't uh aren't aren't in the world of education may not recognize, but the word content specific vocabulary probably makes sense. Vocabulary that is specific to content. The reason I bring it up to you is because vocabulary, understanding words, word parts, and understanding how those different sections work in different areas of our content are one of those number one indicators of how students are going to succeed outside of um our walls and on those state testing. So, I want you to just understand that our teachers are working with content specific
023vocabulary all the time. Whether they are in science and they're talking about those roots and um prefixes and suffixes, they need to be able to transfer from one topic to another or they're in English class and talking about alliteration or something fun like that. um in our high school that disciplinary literacy that they have been um um emphasizing this year that vocabulary has a lot to do with disciplinary literacy. So if you talk to any of our high school teachers and I bet you Charles could talk about some of the stuff they've been doing there that idea is coming up over and over again and it's one of those things we're really um honing in on this year. So wanted to make sure you guys had them. >> Any questions? Thank you. >> All right.
024Board of Education student representative Charles Swan. >> Good evening everyone. Uh couple highlights that we've had or homecoming just ended at the high school is the last week of September. There was a lot of activities that a lot of students participated in and then it ended with the dance on Saturday night. Uh I'm not aware that anyone got kicked out. So, I would say that that was a successful week in dance, but I'm also not the one in charge of that. So, and then >> uh musical is this weekend. So, Friday and Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium at the high school. They over 50 students will be performing the pajama game. And then also on Sunday at 2 pm. So if you're able to, please come out and watch that for the
025students to showcase their talents and abilities. And then FFA uh New London hosted the section 8 fall leadership workshop on September 2nd. 18 schools participated in this event. Evan Rzoff, who was sitting in this chair last year, is currently serving as our section 8 state FFA parliamentarian. So that means he was or had a big role in leading that leadership workshop that was at the high school last month. And then the national FFA convention is going to be in Indianapolis at the end of the month and we're sending eight students at the high school down to compete at that competition. And then the big band dinner in dance is October 18th, so not this Saturday, but next Saturday. It's at um 5, I believe, in the high school commons. So middle school and jazz band
026performs at that. And then Parker John's cers in a meal and it's a fundraiser for the jazz um band at the high school. They go on different um competitions clinics and then also participate for soul and ensembles. So for sports, golf and tennis both wrapped up their regular season play. Um, so that means the girls first season is done for golf, which hopefully we can have more members next year, but as any sport is for the first year, just start small and then continues to grow after that. So hopefully more girls can sign up for that. And then soccer, they start regional play um October 21st and they're hopefully going to get a very good seed, but you know how WIA works sometimes they don't benefit every team. So, but if they can get a
027good seed, hopefully they can get a regional title. So, if anyone can come out and watch that, soccer games are very exciting. Found that out this year. >> So, is their regular season done or >> they have a game this Friday conference against FPL and then I believe they have one more also. I'm not >> They're like really doing well, right? Like their record is really good. >> Yeah, they're 111 and one. Their first loss was last night. So, they have been doing very well this season. And then cross country, Braden Clark. He's a top runner on the boy side. He's running very fast this year and hopefully he can become our conference champion. We haven't had one in a couple years. Uh win it individually, but he's won multiple races already this year and
028he's positioned to qualify for state as an individual. So, and then there's a meet tomorrow at Seymour for cross country with conference happening October 18th at WGB. And then finally for football, the last home game is tomorrow with the pep band playing. So they'll be playing pregame and then also halftime. So if anyone's able to come to any of these events, it'll be really appreciated to see the students performances and all the hard work that they've put in through the summer and then also through the fall. So >> does the full band play your play this weekend or is it just like some >> for the musical? >> Yeah, for the musical. >> It's about 15 students and then a couple staff members that play. So yeah, and then there's I believe about 30 20
029or 25 30 actors up on stage and then 15 members of the crew about. So it's a big production. >> The last home football game is this Friday, did you say? >> No, it's tomorrow. >> It's tomorrow. It's a Thursday game. >> So it's a Yep. It's a JV is first and then varsity follows after. So >> they have to do that for the rough shortage. It's not enough for us to cover everybody on a Friday. So, each school has to take at least one Thursday game. >> Well, thank you. >> Yes. >> All right, Joel. Vouchers. Okay. A few vouchers to highlight for the month. Uh, Direct Fitness Solutions is the equipment for the fitness center project. Right below that in receipts, you can see that there's some pledge money that we're receiving to
030offset expenditures as well. Kinsky well drilling is for the refield well that is part of a grant program that we replaced uh over the summer. So we pay out the expenditures and we're supposed to get grant money back grant approved and then Wsdorf is the final portion of the middle schooling section that we done this summer. Uh receipt highlights for the month. We had our first equalization that we received in September. We have four of those each year. Then the buses last meeting we approved the voucher for the bus. But then that is the receipt for the tradeins. And then like I just mentioned those are the total of the pledges that were received on that this last month period to offset the center. >> So the well drilling at trigger bush that >> I'm
031sorry. >> Oh. Yes. >> Oh, okay. Um, >> thank you for asking. >> All right. So, we still have the the the situation at Sugar Bush with the monitoring and and and that >> we have monitoring at both schools because they both have wells, >> but this summer um through discussion with the DNR and our contact there, they encouraged us to apply for a grant to redrill in a new spot and approved and so far the well does not have any PAS in it. So that was the whole reason to do it and is still tested and monitored more regularly than anybody else that has wells under a public system you're doing weekly testing and those have to be filed. >> But wasn't there something else at Sugar Bush that we had to do on
032a regular basis and Malcup was still here? He was like the only >> Yeah, we we have to constantly monitor that one for arsenic and >> and every so often we have to change the media filter. >> Maybe that's what I'm thinking. >> It's an it's an expense. >> Yeah. Is is that grant something that we'd be able to apply for again for Sugar Bush because of that? >> Um maybe in a different program. The grant that the refuel qualified for was for PAS. >> Okay. That is our removal system and we used to have did that but now clean water testing does it for us. >> So there they have a person who comes out takes a sample send them in to the state does the reports back >> likely redrilling doesn't help that
033one because it's in it's in the system contaminated isn't from contamination. All right. >> Anything new with the facility at the high school? Running water. Like it looks like progress is going well. >> It looks awesome. We continue to make progress as all of you walked out there and looked at it. There's a roof on it. The openings are cut. The frames are in. Uh we are doing electrical roughins next week. They are going to continue to do the plumbing. It It looks great. We're cutting in the lighting. We're going to keep working progress that will be done, you know, this fall, but it won't be set up for events because like Charles said, we only have a couple home games left and when it gets done, you know, this fall the school meets and
034games will be done, we'll be ready to go next spring. >> All right. We're looking for a motion to approve expenditures in the amount of 1,197,0007113 as per the list of October 1st, 2025. >> Motion second. >> I'll second roll call. >> Yes. >> Mark. >> Oh, you said my name. >> Oh, yes. Randy, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Chris Martinson, >> Yes. And >> yes. >> All right. For receipts, record receipts from the receipt register of October 1st, 2025 in the amount of $2,885,21752. Nothing further. >> All right. No unfinished business. Moving right into new business. um potential approval of early college credit start college now 2026 spring semester request. >> So board members in your uh materials you have applications from our high school students and just to refresh memory uh
035on this program uh twice a year if uh appropriate we present offerings for students to take classes in the college setting. Uh the prerequisite is that the co that the class in which they are requesting doesn't exist or like or match an existing offer on our campus. Um you'll note that the applications do have uh names and demographics canceled out within and again this is the initial ask. Ultimately, the scheduled development and the availability of classes running will be determined at a later date, but it does acknowledge board recognition for this to be uh moved forward with the opportunity. So, we look for potential approval of the Stark College Now applications for spring of 2026. Any questions? >> You have a question? Okay. Is this tied to like some kind of uh monetary approval all
036the time or like do we have a >> budget state law that Yeah. >> Right. So this is the district then fix this up. This is so we >> you know look for annually typically we have X amount you know a budget placeholder would be you can't say yes for sure we have this or turn kids back. So recognizing a placeholder to support this. So this first page it says we have comparable high school courses offered yes is checked for the first. >> So are we approving those ones as well? >> No. So if it's if it's comparable and we have an offering here then that would say that that would not qualify for it. That was the initial request. The uh the review of what you're looking at the comparables that comes from the
037high school admin team when they look at that saying hey we do have classes like that so it would not qualify. So, yep, >> that makes sense. >> Yep. >> Any other questions? >> All right. Looking for a motion. Motion to approve the the 2026 spring semester start college now early college credit program request. >> I'll make a motion. >> I'll second. >> Do we do need a roll call? Not really. No. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion passes. All right. Moving on to early graduation requests. >> So board members, uh this is a process that again comes in front of the board for recognition. Students that have met the academic requirements as set forth by our local standards policies as well as state of Wisconsin. Um our students do have
038the opportunity for early graduation. Uh the noted uh individuals are in your packet for review. Again, this is a placeholder noting that the end of the semester is January 15th and that they would have to meet all those expectations. Students are on track to attain that if they so choose, they would have that opportunity. Uh typically then students also have that opportunity to participate in the commencement ceremony in the spring of the year if they would like to be part of that. So looking for the annual recognition of early college graduate So looking for a motion potential approval and acknowledgement of early graduation requests. >> Make that motion. >> Have a second. >> I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> I motion. >> Anybody opposed? Motion passes. >> All right. Moving on to C,
039potential approval and acknowledgement of reviewed policies. >> Good. Thank you, Mr. Heman. Item C, the uh policy committee has been very busy. We met on the 29th and for those that have been around uh we'll say two terms since the policy development has um been able to get through just about all of our board policies. Every four years we're slated to revisit review or make addition addition deletions as accordingly. So we started back over again in the 100 series. Um you'll note that the uh policies that are shared with you in your board materials um are slated as reviewed with no change. Okay. So board action would be this that we reviewed it and ultimately in the board policy would say that the board has officially reviewed it on October 8th, and we continue that
040quest forward uh to do that. Are there any feedback items on the policies that were recommended as reviewed for consideration? >> That would be all the items in in number C. Correct, Scott. That have been >> Y changes. >> Exactly. If if everybody uh is happy with those, I will make the motion that we um accept those uh policies as as reviewed and update the review date to today's date on that. Do >> we have a second? >> I'll second. >> That's everything listed in C. Correct. >> Yes. All in favor? >> I oppose. >> Motion passes. Moving on. First reading of revised policies for consideration. So in the uh slate of policies that were reviewed recently by the policy committee on on the 29th, two of them are brought forward for a first reading
041of potential change of verbiage if you will within the existing language. Uh the first is policy 133 filling board vacancies. Uh there is a a process if board members choose to uh resign for whatever the reasoning might be when identifying potential new candidates to come forward to take that seat prior to the spring election and or if there's by chance uh no candidate that is present during the traditional election where individuals can come forward to be recognized to fill that. The uh item that we're looking at, I called it paragraph 4. I believe it was at the very bottom of the page. Uh the paragraph that starts with candidates for vacancy. That second s sentence in there may sound familiar because we often read that when we go into close session. Okay. Uh to identify
042a rhyme and reason why we go in. So ultimately that's that's a close session description of what the board had been using to go in. and on this case talk about potential filling of board vacancies. U it's probably not appropriate to do that you know of of having an open transparent opportunity for filling board vacancies. Those discussions happen in open session. All right. So it was noted that that should be removed. The board's making a decision in open session listening to candidates and ultimately voting accordingly as to who they might feel would be. So the recommendation would be to remove that uh second uh sentence as it relates to ultimately post session posting. So Chris or Nate, >> yeah, >> I would just say it's something that uh is not it's not lawful under the
043open meetings act to ever go into close session to choose a board member because a board member is not an employee. It is totally appropriate for employees of the district to discuss disciplinary or discuss hiring or promotion etc. But uh board members are not employees for that purpose. Even though we we get a small stipen for doing this, we are not employees and therefore um anything in relation to a board member that's applying is an open book. And so that's this up and he did have a previous legal opine that agreed with with that that it should be open meeting and not >> I'm curious why um secret ballots are prohibited when it comes to vote when it comes to the vote the board vote for the individual is that is that a state law
044>> that's also an open open meeting so um the when when when somebody is applying to be on the board board. The public is entitled to know how everybody votes on that. >> It is okay. >> It is it is something there's an exception in state law for electing officers on our board. That's that's >> right because I know we can we have a choice of doing that. That's why I was curious about this. >> Yeah, that's the only place that can be a secret. Uh the second policy for consideration of change of verbiage is 1631 board of education memberships and specifically this references our association affiliation with the Wisconsin association of school boards. I think we're all very aware of what WASB is and uh uh the relationships and the opportunity and the professional
045development and resources which they support board members as well as school districts and uh you know being uh best serving for our local needs. uh past language or current language I'll say stated that the board will maintain membership of in the Wisconsin Association of School Boards WASB and our conversation was um will perhaps should be recommended as main within that if you notice that that affiliation recognition typically doesn't come to the board for acknowledgement because it will and we sign up uh this would create potential flexibility to do something different and or bring that forward on an annual basis for potential discussion as to renewing membership with that. >> I saw this and I brought this up during the meeting because I saw that we will maintain WASB association. I thought what if something happens
046and we now we have policy that says we have to >> but we don't believe that maybe their views are in line with ours, maybe their fees get too high. Whatever the reason being, we should be able to have that choice and not be held by our own policy if we want to continue that relationship with the USB. >> Is there any school that isn't a member that you're aware of? >> Uh one >> there there there are I I don't know all of them there. Um there is kind of a a move in that direction. I don't recommend it. I think I think uh we're well served to be in that even >> I wasn't I was just curious but um >> I think I think they're off >> well there's one at least
047one >> and there are several others that were threatening to follow them. It's one of the larger districts in the states the Walkershaw School District >> and it it resulted from the fact that uh the head of the DPI came and personally campaign for the slate that the president and her slate um and and called them some bad names and stuff like that. And they they felt that the WSB should have uh taken a stand that it's inappropriate for the DPI director to be intervening in local races. They didn't say I mean it doesn't the DPI director would have to follow the WSB, but the WSB voice and they chose to stay silent on that. They felt not represented by the WSB and they did drop out. One of the larger districts in the state,
048I believe they paid $16,000 a year in dues. >> Oh, wow. because our dues are based on the size of the district and uh the number of schools and they have like 25 schools and um it was a big blow to to uh uh WSB and I believe it has you know that I believe they're addressing some of the concerns that that and you know they may very well come back in at a later time but that's that's >> well I don't Well, well, well, I do have some some concerns over some of the policies of of WSB that I hope to see reformed in the future. I I I too I mean I I see the value in having a membership with them and I don't I'm not I'm not going down that road
049of of stopping a membership with them, but I don't like it being in our policy that we mandated to have a membership with them. >> Mr. Mark, we're looking at right now. So, >> I believe it's like six something 6,000 somewhere around that range. >> Okay. >> Not that we need to vote on that, but >> kind of sounds like everybody is >> Yeah, this is the first reading and then we bring this back at the end of the month for second reading and potential. >> Okay. All right. If no further other discussion, moving on to E discussion and potential approval, public Wisconsin school leaders for excellence membership. So board members, uh I included uh an opportunity or a discussion of another organization that um presents voice and school leadership and opportunity. Um the Wisconsin
050school of leaders for excellence is an organization with Mr. Martinson has often reported on and opportunities that they developed and uh bring forth their voice within. There is a flyer which was shared that brings the perspective that they feel is their mission or vision as well to support that. Uh cost of membership is something that is an opportunity as individual board members andor um a full board for that if it is something of interest within uh that $50 per board member is the the cost to this organization within Chris. anything you like >> that just for one if that's a year 50 bucks >> that's per year per per uh per member unlike the WSB um WSB a only a school board can join it's not member by member so we are all members of
051WSB when our board joins but the voting is all one vote per per board so u uh this is more of It's they it's called Wisconsin School Leaders for Excellence. So, it's it represents the all of us that are members of it as as individual school leaders. Um there is a a discount offered if a whole school board joins. uh it's $250 uh if the the district signs up the full um membership, but any individual does not, you know, does not have to participate if they don't if they don't like it. Uh so it's it's but it's it's it's something that if our whole board joins or you know um uh there there is a discount if if that happens or even if six out of seven join it's still slight discount over the $50
052each. Um it's kind of it does not it's way less money than belong to WSB because it's in its infancy. Um it it doesn't offer the wide range of services uh that the WSB is, but what it does offer is networking capability of like-minded school board uh members that share the vision statement of this organization uh to to meet and compare notes and help one another out. Uh it's many of these people I've already used them for help and they've they've used the experiences of our of our board to help. >> Oh, sorry. >> It's a very valuable networking opportunity. Uh but we would be on the ground floor of it, you know, as it it only formed January of uh this p this year and uh several of us attended that. I believe me,
053myself, Scott, John. Um, and um, and it took more than six months to get the legal work paperwork organized to become what's called a 501c4 nonprofit. That that's a nonprofit organization that doesn't have to pay federal taxes or state taxes, but you don't get a deduction if you if you give money to it. So, to us since three. Um they will be um uh they have uh they will be having conferences semianually and bringing in speakers and things like that. uh our our past attorney who's no longer attorney anymore because he he is uh assistant uh secretary of labor in Trump administration now and he had to resign from his firm and from doing work like this Jim Macy >> but he uh uh before that happened he he was he volunteered his time in
054that of his firm pro bono to uh to u review the paperwork and make sure we filed it right to be a 501c4. Um, so there's currently no staff. It's all volunteer, but I predict that will change as as they go into the new year. Um, and go out and recruit a lot of members. I I predict they will probably hire initially a part-time staff member and a part-time administrative person to um uh get out and market itself to to uh boards across the the state. Um they do uh they they are a they are able to bring resources and what I like about it is they're bringing resources that so far the WSB hasn't seen as as a as a good resource things u like uh will attorneys from Wisconsin Institute of Law Liberty
055and their educa education policy department um and um they were speaking at at our January deal and um uh the school boards for academic excellence which is a a national organization that shares a lot of these values and is doing a lot to uh support states uh moms for Liberty is a group that has come alongside of them and offered resource and help and uh the 1848 project which is a educationbased nonprofit and there's three or four other nonprofits that uh have have helped. Um so anyway, I think they can be also not just a voice for us but a voice within the WSB to um keep it make it be a little more balanced than it is. That's that's my opinion and uh for that reason I support us uh doing it. Uh I'm
056going to join you know I'm already member this year but I'm going to join next you know starting uh again and renew it regardless of what the board does but I think uh I think it would make a really good statement if our board uh did this as a board. >> I also joined as a member of this. I see the value in it. Um, their ideas and policies align with a lot of our district goals. Um, and again, the the the dollar amount is relatively inexpensive. Um, I would like to see a motion. I know not maybe not everybody wants to join, but I would like to see a motion to allow individuals to join this. And if the number of individuals that want to join this and and and be a member exceeds
057the the $250 amount that we join as a district, just take advantage of the cost savings. So that that's what I'd like to see. Um >> I'll I'll I'll be glad to make that motion >> and I'll second it. >> Okay. >> Can we I just have a question. I was looking um I was just googling and I was curious because like what would pop to the top if I searched >> and um I was intrigued by this group that they've argued with the DPI about the shifting in metrics with state report cards >> and that it's been changed three times since 2020. And I'm like, >> you don't say, >> did we have that for the resolution that we have for the >> law? Yeah, that was >> I'm fine. Cuz I'm like, did
058that ever go anywhere? >> Um, did we get that one? >> So, it looks like they're trying to go somewhere with that. >> Yeah. Did we get that one to the floor or did they reject that one? >> It did not. It did not. >> Basically, like how do you ever compare what your kids are doing when the the bar changes every year? Anyway, I found that interesting. >> Yeah. Many many of their >> That's some good quick research. >> Yeah. many of their goals are the same as what we've tried to accomplish here. So, all right, we have a motion. We have a second. Uh, we need a roll call as it >> What are we are we voting for individuals or the whole group? >> Individuals, unless it gets to the point where
059it makes sense to join as a district and get savings. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. Just wait a second. Um, >> Katie, are we doing a roll up? You don't need a roll call. >> Roll call. >> Don't need a roll call. Okay. >> What is it? >> No. >> Yeah. >> Technically, you don't need to every time spend money. >> So, it's just >> unless somebody feels they want a roll call vote for >> someone to report back on where we're at then or no? >> I I guess in a future time period we could. So, Chris, would you like to assist with that membership piece, noting that you're already a member and what that might look like? And >> right, >> I did talk to one individual from uh the organization
060just to help write this topic summary there. So, >> so we're just saying yes, whoever wants to join can join, right? That's that's all I'm hearing. >> That's the basis. I'm fine with that. >> Yep. All right. All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion passes. We need a motion to go into close session pursuant to section 19.85. >> Actually, we passed the whole consent. >> Oh, sorry. Just that. Sorry, my bad. Just the last one. >> The very last one. >> Pursuant to section 19.851A 851A and F as well as 120.131C Wisconsin statute. The board of education will convene in close session for the p purpose of a student expulsion proceeding. Do I have that motion? >> Make a motion. >> I'll second it. >> You make it. >> All in favor? >> No call.
061>> Roll call. Okay. >> Roll call. >> Kitty. >> Uh, yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> It was Mark and then Chris are in reverse. >> Mark, read the one first. >> And then it is 653. We will uh