001Good evening and welcome to the regular board meeting of the Northland Pines Board of Education for January 26, 2026. Will you please join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all is >> here >> Jennifer is here >> and >> here. >> All right, we have a form. Susie, has the meeting been posted according to? >> Yes, it has. Thank you. That being said, I will entertain a motion to approve the agenda. >> I'll make a motion to motion second. All in favor, please say I. >> I. We will go right into motion carries. We'll go right into our first um item is our presentation for our district library plan
002for the Northland Pine School District. >> As they're walking up, I just also want to tell you that there is an actionable item later on the agenda, but we wanted to do the presentation first. That way consent to other things and assistant comments can go on. So do the presentation first. they introduce themselves. >> Hi, I'm Davis. I'm the district li anymore. I'm one of the librarians in the district. Um I've been [snorts] in the district 25 years and this is my 15th year in the library. Hi, I'm Lynn Sloviac. I am the St. Germaine and Monator Learning Center librarian and also when I'm not the librarian, I'm the district fulltime substitute. I have been here for 10 years, five years So, we're here tonight to tell you about our library plan. DPI >> DPI
003requires a library plan. Um, it used to be part of the tech plan, but they got rid of that part, the library part. So, we do a 5-year plan and it is up for renewal. We follow the framework for future ready librarians in our plan. Future ready librarians build instructional partnerships, promote essential literacy, including media, digital, and AI, and create inclusive, flexible environments that foster inquiry, wellbeing, and lifelong learning. In our plan, we have listed current and past practices and areas of growth. It is a working document and we update the areas of growth at the end of each year. We have a website that I put together for our first one. And so each page is set up for one of the frameworks. And so you'll see where our current and prior practices are
004listed and areas of growth. DPI has recommended that in those areas of growth, you should have some smart goals. So that's what we have. So our library plan has helped us focus and see areas that we can grow. After the first fiveyear plan, these are some of our highlights. The administration's add another librarian to the district, which I would like to say thank you for. One less school to travel to has given me the time to meet with more classes at the middle of high school and to get more projects done at all three schools that are behind the scenes. We have also added and updated our VR goggles. We've added the star lab and then last week I just added two more software packages. So we'll have meteorology and geology. Um we've added coding
005robots. We have robots to our technology side of the library. We have been updating the age of our collections and adding new digital imprint resources to support teachers and students. The Eagles read book boxes were started at the high school to increase reading for fun with the high school students. At the elementary, we have wandering book bags where teachers sign up to get a bag of five books delivered to their room. The books can be random or set to a theme. It just depends on what teachers ask for. Book tastings have been popular in middle and high school as well. We are also working on increasing our partnerships with the public libraries. Um two weeks ago I took the seventh grade during their ELA time for the public library and then in February we'll be
006taking the eighth graders. So part of the plan part of the plan is to also include possible areas of growth. So we have also identified these um areas. One key area is the ongoing evaluation and updating of our collection and our resources to better meet the evolving needs of our students and our staff. In addition, we recognize the importance of further developing students responsible use of technology as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prominent part of our society. It's essential that we prepare our students, our staff, and ourselves to be ethical and responsible users of AI. And this will be addressed through targeted instruction in library lessons but also in classrooms as well as throughout professional development opportunities for staff. I know that was um part or going to be part of the inservice last week that
007I think got moved to the next in service in February. Um we also need to continue to strengthen in our digital our this is our digital citizenship curriculum and this does remain a priority by expanding and devel developing our library lessons and integrating them more consistently across other classrooms as well as the library, we can better equip students with the skills needed to use technology responsibly and effectively throughout their lives. >> That is our plan. And once it gets approved, then Scott has to submit the board and the plan to >> I just want to want to know too that one I really appreciate the process to these things [snorts] whether it's there's a lot of requirements that we have to get done but not all of them. Some districts choose just to check a
008box but u these two and then other members that are here tonight and other staff members actually work towards making this a valuable process leading to a product but also to make us better overall. Also always good to recognize Yona is very active at the state level with her association um recognized for her work as well. But um just somebody it's good to have that connection and have a voice at that level and bring back new ideas which is if you pay attention to our libraries across all of our schools it's constantly improving and new opportunities for which is we're very lucky to have that because work these two do >> next on the agenda is our public participation section of the meeting that wishes to speak from just on the screen. You know, she
009brought those. So, I just That's not usual, which is still good. I just want to make sure they knew where they were. >> I might need to walk over pictures. >> You can take the microphone out, too. >> Yeah. >> Hello. My name is Beth Mors. Um I am a mother in the district. I have one child that is homeschooling this year. I have one in the Eagle Elementary and then I have one in the Monum. is a group of parents here at the Eagle River Elementary that have were planning to all be here tonight, but life happens and so I'm the only one that's here. But we would like to bring a safety concern to the board uh related in the parking lot. Uh this was we did have an original request that we
010brought to Principal Smart Hall and she handled it very quickly. So I just want to say thank you to you for that. Um but in the winter uh there is a fence in the parking lot that blocks off access of walking all around here to the two different parking lots. So, all of the children and their parents that are doing pick up have to walk here in the drop off way or go all the way over here to the high school to come around this parking lot. Uh so, at the beginning of the winter, the sidewalk that runs here was not being cleared. And so, that was what was brought to the person's [clears throat] attention. She had that taken care of by the following week so that we could walk up here. But what
011is currently happening with the gates being locked off by door seat here at the second parking lot, the parents that are now pulling their kids down here and having to walk here and pull go out through this where all the cars are trying to go because there is no sidewalk through this area where all the snow is. And this over here on this sidewalk is locked off. So, we can't go through there. So, we have a lot of young elementary school age children because our parking lots were not designed for this many parents to be doing school drop off and take off instead of sending their kids on buses. So, we have a lot of kids that are running through here. And in the winter, as you can see, the snow really builds up into
012this area. So, we've got parents that are driving very quickly. Everybody's in a rush to get out to the buses and we walking out in front of cars and not all the kids are paying attention as well as they should when they're walking through Paris in the winter. Um we also have a lot of high schoolers that park I believe probably from this. So we have some high schoolers from Soore that are here or people that are coming out from this parking lot here which are pulling through here. So all the buses are here and the cars are coming here and then we have um high schoolers and middle schoolers that are trying to cut across into this parking lot as well. So it's a really congested area and with the kids walking our recommendation
013or our request is that we do something to help in these winter months with the traffic. So one of the ideas would be to extend this sidewalk here so that we could not have to walk out in front of cars to get to the parking lot or to put a guard here so that we could have this gate open, have a crossing guard here and so that parents could use the sidewalk that's being cleared by the school to go over with our kids to get into the second parking lot because there isn't a full sidewalk in this parking lot either. So, and we also I don't know what to do about the high schoolers that are cutting across in front of kids or walking with kids here. That's on you. I But as far as
014the elementary school kids, if our two ideas were to either extend the sidewalk or to put a crossing guard so that that gate could be open so that the kids don't have to be walking through the parking lot in front of moving cars. So, thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you for bringing that to our attention. >> We can't during this time we don't can respond just the way the state law statute and agenda is posted. but doesn't mean I won't follow up afterwards like next couple days and we'll my buildings and grounds and principles will go out there and take a look and um continue the dialogue. So, thank you for starting the dialogue and coming tonight and making it. I know it's hard being a night away, but thank you for bringing
015graphics and and sharing this concern and we'll try to do better. >> All right. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to board committee reports and communication. Um, is there any board member that would like to communicate anything from uh to another board member? >> I just want to say thank you. Um, it's a big commitment and it was um Tony and I had the privilege of joining Kristen Paul down at the state convention and our topics for the schoolboard convention that I was able to participate in um AI employee retention. It was probably a year I spent quite a bit of time with vendors actually sitting and talking. Um there's some projects coming up. Um Harla and I had done some camera stuff and brought camera to finance. Him and
016I've had some side conversation. I was able to sit with the vendor for quite a while and look at some of the product actually and maybe shared some frustrations with some other vendors around food service and some other things that maybe we're not getting the customer service that we expect. So, thanks to the board for the opportunity and thanks was great spending time and talking about how to get better with vendors and learn from other districts and people that presented. >> Thank you guys for going down the convention. Hope it was valuable. >> It was all right and moving on to our board committee reports. Uh the written minutes for standing board committees are shared in the board in and in public view. Does any board member have any questions for any other board members
017regarding the minutes of any committee? If not, we will move on to our next agenda item, which is a 2026 school board election being held on April 7th, 2026. Um, all three of our incumbents have timely filled their election paper candidacy. Chris Patriqueus is running on opposed for area A excuse me city of Eagle River town of Cloverland and Washington. I am running unopposed for area B town of Conover and Chelsea is running unopposed for area E towns of Newrim. So thank you uh for committing to run again. Okay, moving on to any um moving on to our consent agenda action items. Is there any item that any uh board member wants removed from the consent agenda? Um knowing that we can discuss any item at any point. Not hearing any, I will entertain a
018motion to approve the consent. >> I'll make a motion to approve all items contained in the consent agenda. The motion has been made and seconded. Is there any discussion or information? >> Yeah, I really want to point out just a couple of items on here. A big thank you to some recent donations focused and targeted on our saw mill and building. Um that's projects really coming together. Um Waldman Construction last week presented a check for $10,000 which is awesome and really appreciated. Had a great conversation with the with them when they were here in the tech department. Looking forward to continuing in some other ways with that partnership. You River and Light donated $2,500. Um Anderson Build Construction $2,500. Force Industry Safety and Training Foundation $2,000. And then there was anonymous one um $1,000 for
019our student lunch debt. So um that we can put directly towards um helping maybe a family in need who just accumulated debt and um has no way of paying for it at this point. So just want to recognize that we do live in a fantastic community um and very fortunate. Um the last thing I just want to mention the first review reision revisions for Neola policy. I want to be clear, I shared this at policy, but we will not work on the phone policy within this group. We will wait and do that one as a standalone policy. Um the administrative team's meeting this week on it. We'll bring it to policy in February so that we can really work in depth on that for next year's changes to handbooks and student. So know that that
020was too big a one to leave in this group of policies. So the changes you see are in there. Um if you have any questions, let us know. We'll discuss them any further in depth at next policy. Otherwise, we'll bring them back to full approval. There's a lot of redundancy because it's changes to every group, not just one policy. So, little bit of a pattern in this batch. So, but happy to ask any questions or give you more information if you would like on those. >> All right. Any other questions on any of the consent items? Not hearing any. All in favor, please say I. I >> any opposed? Motion carries. All right, we'll move on to our discussion and action items. First on the agenda is our uh determination of the number of regular
021and special education spaces available presentation first. >> Yeah, if we can. I think it's pretty it'd be pretty easy. You don't need to have a motion on the floor. Um we're very grateful. Definely I don't know if she was assigned and just keeps doing it or if she's um she has done a fantastic job over the years. This is in collaboration with her colleagues. Um this is a state requirement that has to be done at the January meeting. Um I think it gets misunderstood sometimes. It's open enrollment not just for special ed. Even though Emily is doing this is for all buildings and all locations. So this is um sometimes gets misunderstood but I'll turn it over to her. another great job. The packets in your in your um board docs. >> Yeah. Um so,
022as Scott said, uh the open enrollment program requires us if the school board is ever going to deny an open enrollment application in uh we're obligated by law to determine the space available that we have both in regular education and special education. Um really clearly define how we've determined those space availabilities and then the board has to approve those each January. So, that's why we're here tonight. Um so we'll start by looking at the open enrollment space recommendations for the regular education. So what we do is we um divide it into each school. We look at each grade level. Uh we take a look we utilize the um the projected enrollment. It's based on our most current enrollment information which includes our resident district students and also students who've been previously um accepted as open
023enroll in students. and we make a projection for what we anticipate our uh enrollment will be within that grade level in the following year and then we put a cap on that grade level just to ensure that we don't overwhelm um our our classroom so that we can provide each student that we do accept the most optimal education um so you can go through and you can take a look at that um essentially just kind of in a nutshell I don't think I need to go through every number we do have space availability within every building and within every classroom when it comes uh to regular education caps moving into the 26 27 school year and that would hold true at elementary, middle, and high school levels. Um, when you get to the special education,
024which can be found on page four, that's a little bit more complicated. Um, and really this we really need to ensure that we um don't just make arbitrary decisions that when we do have an application for enrollment student in with an IEP, um that we have defined what that space availability is based on certain criteria. Um, so here at Northland Pines, we utilize uh the Department of Public Instructions um case load severity index. They actually came up with this in 2001. It's a little outdated, but they decided not to update it. Uh we still use it because it's just a good system. It takes a look at the grade level of the student, the area of disability, and the services that they might need. And so we ultimately end up um identifying what would be
025their case load factor. And then we set a case a specific case load factor for every case manager. And we at North Times choose a case load factor of 20. Um we have really high levels of collaboration since we've implemented professional learning communities. We have many of our special education teachers who are co-eing which requires additional prep and planning. We just want to ensure that we have optimal programming for all of our students. Uh this year it looks a little different. So rather than go through and really kind of pigeon hole us into space availability for case manager. We looked at the number of case managers that we have available per building and then multiply that cap. It gives us just a little bit more freedom as we start to kind of filter things out
026as the year goes on in terms of where we'll place uh those students with case managers at those buildings that have more than one. But if you take a look at all of the um all of the schools across North Pines, you can see that we have pretty high levels of students right now um with disabilities. And so there's limited availability in terms of for a student with an um I do need to to say though that we we cannot say that we don't have any space available. Um by law we do have to take a look at that application. We need to review the we need to look at the services we have available to make that determination. Um I also do want to highlight that there are several um services that the north
027school district does not hire as our own employee. For example, dental heart hearing vision teachers orientation and mobility. We also for some um speech and language services as well. So we do clearly state in here that if a student is requiring a service um with a staff member that we don't employ that that would also be a reason of potential denial. Uh so ultimately um you're going to take a look at this and you're going to make the determination on if you approve uh the case loads and the space that we do have available for both regular and special education tonight. This will guide our decision making next year when those open enrollment applications window open >> and I can answer any questions >> and you will see that you know as you can see
028in these numbers we are in many cases we have no I know we can't say we have no room but it does as you can see by numbers that does cause us as we go into next year to consider options for staffing so it does get used for other considerations also um somebody moves into our district, we have no choice. So sometimes I think that's confused a little bit. This is just open enrollment. If you move into our district whether we have space, then we have to find a way to meet those needs. So um as Emily said, there's multiple strategies used because both ethically and our mission is to serve every student possible, but you know there are services that are just hard to have standalone for our district. The other one I just
029want to mention is the orthopines monastery learning center and so middle school do have a charter or contract with you to cap their enrollment at numbers that are reflected in here but also know that there um when as we say we have openings everywhere there is two schools that actually have a cap to them >> and it does indicate in there thanks for bringing that up that is by lottery as well so that's also noted >> which is a contract you also approved previously Emily, you said this was the first year that you kind of calculated the um space available with that negative factor or that negative number so to speak. Um but it actually is probably more reflective of what your staff is going through with the needs of students because clearly it's not
030as simple as a one spot teacher that you're using more staff some for some students multiple >> staff members. That's Good to know. >> We've had to be a little creative in terms of how we're servicing students. For sure. We have utilized I don't want I don't want to mislead you. We utilize the same system in terms of calculation severity um level for each student. However, we didn't uh we didn't look at particular grade levels or case manager grade bands this year. We just put them together within one because that will give us more freedom as we look at bests. >> Thank you very much for all the information. Is there any other questions for Emily? Not hearing any. I will make a motion to approve the 2026 2027 open enrollment space determinations document as
031presented and direct administration to maintain a copy of the document with the minutes of the January 26, 2026. >> Second. >> All right. Motion has been made and seconded. Any other discussion? >> Not hearing any. All in favor, please say I. I any opposed motion carries. Our next item on our agenda is approval of updating the fund 46 plan. >> I'll make a motion to approve the updated plan for fund 46 as of January 2026 as presented. >> Second. >> All right. The motion has been seconded. Information or discussion? >> Yeah. So, you're going to see a series of processes here. fund 46 was created by board um previous boards. You have to have it created and then need five years before you can use it. Um so when there was opportunities in the budget
032to put money in 46 um to spend it on uh maintenance or projects, capital pro capital improvement projects, um you have to have a plan and we've had the plan. Um you can update and change it as much as you want. Um but you have to change it and then prove it by the board. So, um, couple key factors here. What's in front of you tonight is an updated plan with, uh, adding the track. The outdoor track needs to replace. That is a separate line item tonight. What you're approving in this plan is no money expenditures. This is only the plan. Anything spent out of this is a separate motion. And we do have some tonight, and you could have some again in the future. Um, what you also see in here is the solar
033buyout. So on 2829 you have the opportunity to consider buying the solar that exists on the Eagle River property or you could turn it back over to your partnership your with which you're in partnership with a group. Um that was a forward thinking of your previous board that put it on this building and the back of the but they also over time wanted to make sure that they had money in fund 46 so that the board at 2829 has the decision is it right for the district and the taxpayers or if you don't spend the money on solar you can spend it on something else and give the solar back or maybe negotiate a better price. There's all kinds of options on there or you can extend that agreement. The other piece on here that
034we're asking you to have a conversation about in a future agenda item is um we have a great opportunity. I talked about those donations um cash donations for the sawmill and the building. Um one of the local uh builders stepped up and offered to give us um at cost the steel for a building and then donate the labor. So would build it with their employees with our build intro to building trade students. So, it' be a learning opportunity and then the garage door company offered the doors and then free installation and working again with the kids. So, um, it just became a great opportunity we wanted to put in here so that you could have the discussion at a future at the on this agenda later in the on other key items in this plan
035that we've discussed. Um, kind of go back to the original start of our meeting and citizen comment. Um, we've tried to find ways to improve that parking lot. Even when there isn't snow over there, it's a challenging parking lot. Um unfortunately the plans have come back in the neighborhood of $3 million. So um we leave it in the in the plan but it's not been something that finance committee ever wanted to move forward at this point. We have made uh we did use funds and we did improve um the bus the staff parking to try to improve the situation and so we have tried some things out of the plan. We've done some remodeling probably and then um the two main areas that originally this was set up for is probably black top and roofs
036probably two of your bigger long-term expenditure. This is the 20th year of this building. In the next 5 to 10 years, you're going to have to do some roof maintenance on this building or replacement. Um Dave will have that. Um we will be doing fiveyear plans of finance next month. So what you're asking for is just the wording and the projects to be added. The the debate on those items separately will be coming up in the agenda. So no money expenditure with this approval. You're just approving what could be discussed in this agenda in future years. I will I will say I'll wait till we do that later in the agenda. >> Any other questions or discussion on our updated plan for fun 46? >> Not hearing any. All in favor, please say I. >>
037I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> Next is our uh replacement of the outdoor track behind the middle and high school. So, we have two motions to I'll do the first one if you're all right with it. I'll make a motion to approve the quote from Upper Midwest Athletic Construction for the outdoor track installation. in the middle and high school in the amount of $212,567 as presented. [snorts] >> I have a second. >> Dave is here. He's done a ton of homework uh research. Um [snorts] Dave, you want to just talk about what this company will be doing and and the um you had two bids and why you chose to recommend this one which is the cheaper of the two. >> Basically, they're both companies doing the same. layer of rubber top and then
038another layer of both of them are basically the same materials $4,000 >> including schools in the northern Wisconsin too. I mean just live in our climate and stuff like that. >> We talked about this during finance. Obviously the second motion ties to the first one because You can't put a coating over a base that needs to be replaced or repaired as well. So the two kind of go hand in hand, but this is the first one. So >> So just a little housekeeping on the motion. I had to say motion was made, second discussion, but now we had our discussion. That's okay. Now we had our discussion. Just trying to be on top. >> Any other questions? the I see the phase one phase two uh school years. What what's a more specific timeline? >>
039Well, first off, um our fiscal year is July one. I think most board members, but for audience members, that's important because we try to when we have large projects take advantage of two fiscal years. So, also remember um you're ask we're asking you per your plan is to spend part out of fund 10 and part out of the fund 46 that we approved. Now you could spend some money out of it. Um so um Dave, you want to talk about the timeline you envision for this track project? >> Right. would have done everything layer all the black July that material has to sit for 28 So it gives us a good opportunity cost of the project. >> Also Dave were you or was it decided about the goal posts trying to get that in? >>
040That's what so I just wanted to foreshadow a future expenditure. Um we are when you do this access to the football field is going to Once you have a brand new rubber track on there, you don't want to drive a whole lot of equipment. You can drive lawnmowers and other small things that you can put plywood and things over, but um AJ um the vertical posts are currently there are rusting. They're hard. You can't adjust them anymore to get them level. So now would be the window of opportunity. One of the things one of our current track coaches pointed out when she was at Medford, they put a brand new track in turf field and then they had to go in and change the the field goal post. So they had to drive back hose
041and bulldoze and stuff over the brand new track. So it's kind of the perfect time. These they last you know 15 20 years. So um AJ is doing the research right now and at another board meeting I would because it would be over $10,000 of breakthrough finance and this group that we would replace the field goal post. What we're really challenged with in the time frame of not bringing it to this meeting was a couple vendors are like your your employees can put those up. And J Dave and I are like, uh, I don't know. How about we get a quote for what it would cost to have them installed? Because having somebody who's done it before, um, our employees did install these and they did a nice job. But, um, so we're doing some
042homework on installation costs and what that looks like to install them. You know, it is just because our employees do it doesn't mean it's free. I mean, there is going to be the same cost for concrete and other things. So, and somebody who's done it before a few tricks in the trade to swing those big poles up there and that. So, we want to get that bring that back to finance and the full board with exactly what we either were going to do it or the others. Um, we're finding out from Medford who had to redo theirs and you know, some of these other schools put new turf in. We're finding out who put their gold post in when they did that. So, um, in the coming month or I told AJ to bring something
043to finance in February. So there would be additional cost to this. A set of gold pulse is somewhere between 11 and $15,000 for the pulse. Then the labor to put them in is what we're trying to figure out. >> I think also elaborate on your answer was half of the project was already approved. So we're looking at trying to pull the money from 46 to help fund it. So we can plan on doing it this summer. That was my part of my question. Yeah, we want to there's a tight window with end of school year use of track and use of football field and all the other components. And Dave has always done a fantastic job of working. I I'll also say we're not to it yet, but the the vendor that probably has the
044most work to get done in a timely manner has always been very good to our district and that's Pick and Wick. That's a separate motion, but they've been really good at making sure what we need to get done and our timelines gets done. Their local company. >> All right. Any other discussion or not hearing any on the first motion? All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. I'll make a motion to approve the quote from Pitlick and Wick for the outdoor track installation behind the middle and high school in the amount of $24,130 as presented. >> Second motion has been made to um made and seconded. Any other discussion? >> Dave, you want to just talk about it? It's not simply just a grind and lay back down that
045they're actually going to tear up and put some fix the base and other things too, >> right? Yeah. Once they get down to that base of the problem, I would just add is, you know, I would love to put as much to our staff and students as possible. Um, remember the track isn't just for track season. Our community does use it. It's used for PE classes. It's used for practices, not just track meets. Um, and some other teams do use it for fitness and other pieces, too. So it it does kind of seem like you know right now you go back there and look and like that new track is going to sit there under snow for a few months and we know that but you know sometimes I get you know we love to
046spend this money in a few other places and we do always try to put student learning first but this is part of student learning is PE extracurriculars and our community it's um amazing how many community members do walk out there during the summer and spring and fall and we let the sheriff's department use it for some of their testing and different things as So um it is an investment and it's not just for track. I just wanted to point that out that it has value for different activities as well. >> All right. Any other discussion? Not hearing any. All in favor please say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Next we are going to approve the purchase of the steel building for the miser project. I'll make the motion to approve the purchase of a
047steel building for the Woodmiser project out of 146 in the amount of $26,000 from Northland Buildings Incorporated as presented. >> Motion made second. Any other discussion? >> We are still fundraising the for the sawmill and the sawmill. We should be pretty with these last donations in decent shape and then the goal would be to for this building out of fundraising as well. Deon and Tim and Josh, three tech teachers have done a phenomenal job with partnerships, finding more donations and continuing to writing some grants. Again, there's some new opportunities. The North Pines Foundation grants coming up again. Um, it's due this spring or spring and then will be given out over in the fall. So, they're ready for that and a few others they're actually looking at as well. So, thanks to all the current
048donors, but also know the would be to have the whole thing fundraised. So know that even though you're approving it, it's really the timeline the the saw itself is the saw mill is in Mosine and training will happen in February and then bring up here. So it would be great if the students this spring and in short building trades could build this building if we get approved and ordered and continue moving forward. So >> it's uh amazing how things move so quickly. So the fact that the students that are currently in those classes will be able to use that and build the and have the experience of building um is really amazing. >> This building will also house uh materials for building trades program because a lot of times those materials have to sit outside
049now around the house whereas this will be up against the fence and we'll make a spot where they can move their materials. So they have a pallet of plywood that can needs to sit out. It can go underneath inside this building. So they can move it back and forth inside there as well. So it is for the sawmiser and lumber to be sawed, but it's also for building trades. So it'll be a bonus and you know for somewhere down the line this investment um you know always could be used for materials and or equipment for the district. But we foresee a long future with the saw and products and look forward to doing there. >> Any other discussion? >> Not hearing any. All in favor, please say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. And then
050our last action item is the approval of the donation of ebikes. >> I'll make a motion to approve accepting the anonymous donation of 14 Swagron ES bikes with a retail value of $24,360 specifically donated to Soore High School as presented. All right, the motion has been made and second. Any other information or discussion? Anonymous donation? >> I'd like Carlin just to say a few words because not only is this about donation, I I think this is about something more than way more than that is when you have an alumni that thinks of their school. So just give Harland a couple minutes. Yes, we had a former high sore high school student that became aware of a business in the area that had some of these ebikes and they it was a promotion as I understand
051that didn't go well. So, they didn't get to give away as many of these bikes as they had anticipated. So, uh they were looking for a spot to donate them. Student found out said, "I think these could go to Sore High School." Um uh as well as others in the area. He was thinking about other people in need in the area like thinking about like people that like have to walk to their jobs right now. Uh trying to so he's thinking about more people um than just sore high school but um you know what our plan is is to um develop those into our PE program. Um so you know not only that uh you know students that currently use but that it might be something that's a little bit more um accommodating for all
052students you know that we can go on longer bike rides and things with the bikes that a student that's like maybe not in the greatest physical shape or maybe a adviser or teacher might be uh better off to go on a uh a longer bike ride than um than they otherwise would have. So um that's pretty exciting. Um if you're nervous I I was nervous when I first saw them and figured out that not only are there either um if you let them and but we had along with Mr. who's definitely wants to figure these things out with another student, they're actually able to figure out how they can alter the throttle mechanism on the bikes to make them just e assist. So now the throttle part doesn't actually work. They will have to pedal
053the bikes to actually go. Um, so we have a sore high school student. So, it's kind of like full circle. Former sore high school student and then current SOAR high school student is taking on the task of, you know, assembling, modifying the throttles, putting together materials, preparing permission, uh putting together kind of a budget for upcoming expenses like uh equipment. Obviously, we'll have to look into like helmets and things like that so that hopefully we can um jump on and be using these um either this spring or going into next year. So, excited about that. Um, I did have one concern. There has been some issues with uh fire hazards from the charging those. I don't know about this particular model, but that brand was one of them for some of their other bikes. And
054so, I'm a little concerned about how that that's going to play out. And if we do proceed to go forward, then I think we need some type of policy to make sure that somebody is correctly charging these and they're monitored during that time and not just overnight charging because there is a fire hazard on these. >> Yep. So, that was part of like we're putting on the the student to at least do some of that research, but obviously we're going to follow up with that of like what's the safe way to make sure they're charged correctly and stored correctly. We are looking into um you know budgeting for um safe storage like a a fire box for them to be stored in when they're inside the school and obviously make sure that they are not
055um being charged overnight like because that was my first concern too is like you see these things on the news and like >> and the fire the fire cabinet is what's recommended for that >> some type of >> Yep. So that was something I just approached Scott about a couple weeks ago is we need to find a storage area for the batteries themselves but then storage area for 14 bikes as well. >> We are already considering that. >> So that being said, you think we can do this in a safe manner? >> Yes. >> We won't do it unless we can, you know, to your point. >> That's why I think Harland has a realistic timeline, you know, shiny new bikes. Let's get them rolling. But on the flip side, I think it's a good
056lesson to and it's a project based. One of the aspects of sore is project based learning. And this is relevant project based learning. This is how a company would solve a problem or deal with a situation. So, you got to do your research. You got to prove it. You got to make sure who you're sharing that with, including myself and Dave Bonan, that we oversee these things and what's the plan there and then present just presenting it to us is a good process. >> And with my staff, that was definitely uh had to pull those res back up, not just like put them together and be on them and go in the next day that we had them. So, we had to wait to get the final approval and put the together. >> The district
057does own and we do teach biking in PE. So, we do own regular bikes and SO has the option of using those when they're available from the not being used in our PE classes. So, we're not sure changing if they do want to go biking until these are ready. >> Great. Thank you very much. That's an amazing donation and look forward to seeing the um outcome of the project. Um, as you said, it comes full circle with a former student and applying to our mission and vision and all the things that we want for um, students to come back and participate and share their experiences. Um, all in favor, please say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. All right, we will move on to our administrative reports. Is there any other information any of our
058um principal directors and supervisors would like to add to their reports. Any highlights? >> I have a couple that one that Dan was unable to be here tonight but shared and um something to be really proud of. There's three levels um for the AP um advanced placement test, AP testing, and the company recognizes districts and we fell under level two, which I believe Mr. Tilly checked, we were the only one in our conference that scored that high. Um the means so to get a level two means at least 20% of all students at North Lines took one or more AP exams showing broad student participation. 65% or more of these students earned a score of three or higher which is typically what a college would consider acceptable demonstrating strong performance and mastered material. Together this
059reflects culture of excellence and opportunity. students encouraged to challenge themselves academically and are well supported by teachers and staff to succeed at a high level. So, pretty cool accomplishment by the middle by the high school staff um to get kids ready and then succeed once they're in these rigorous courses. Um I know Tony wants to talk about charter enrollment. >> Uh yeah, sure. It's application window right now for the three charter schools. Well, Sar High School continues to stay open, but for SO Middle School and really kind of push January, February for the application window and we will have a lottery for monatory for sure. Our enrollment last I checked we had I think 16 applications. So we already know that we'll have to have a lottery but we still have you know throughout the
060month of February for staff for families to apply. Um so we will do the lottery probably the first week in March I think our set date is. So yeah we've been busy with we had informational nights we have tours throughout these two two months. We've got advertisements going on social media, Facebook advertisements and things of that nature. So yeah, running with the application. >> I know they submit the reports, but I just want to shout out be elementary if you didn't get a chance to notice the amount of volunteers, the pictures, and the work being done. I think one of the things I don't like to use that co word, but I think even at we were it was going down a little bit anyways and I realize it's very hard get out of work
061and come in. But I think there's been some creative and real positive interaction done at ERS with getting parents into our building. So showcasing it's always hard to share with parents the daily ongoings of what goes on in a classroom. We can highlight some cool projects and different things, but to see what happens day in and day out and having these volunteers. One, it's good for our kids. I think it's great interaction for our staff as well, but kudos to Eager Elementary and the staff and leadership there for it's in there, but I don't something to be highlighted if you if the community doesn't get a chance. These principles do a great job of showcasing what goes on in our schools when you're out there. >> All right, thank you all for your reports and
062we also have reports from our school resource officers um in their support packet as well. All right, next we will move on to our district administrators report. Yeah, just kind of it's been out there, but I want to remind you um tickets started this week for um if you know anybody in the musical, I don't know if we know the musical, >> but on a serious note um being Little Mermaid, it's always kind of fun when we um one just a tremendous team that puts us on both our staff and our community members. But when the Disney Kate kind of Kate who selects with her team and Ann and the others every what three-ish years or so we come up with a Disney one and a lot of times when it's that year with little
063kids you better get your ticket because um it's going to be it's always a pretty full house but I have a feeling you're going to see three really big shows. So um encourage you to get a ticket at the Soore High School office and North Pines High School office you can pick up tickets um and even if you are staff members and free board you can you need to get a ticket. So, please make sure pick a night. Um, highly encourage or an afternoon on Sunday. All the shows are great. They are working so hard in there. So, kudos to them. Um, also just follow up from the Headarters Performing Arts. There's a thank you letter there. Also, um I know you get information from your WSB, but um as we know, um a lot
064of information out there, there's been a lot of things in the news about taxes, um and property taxes and the debate of whether the state should have gave more money for the school funding um part. Um there was some definitely some political divide on that. It's still ongoing if you watch much news out of Madison, so we'll keep you up to date on that. But I think there's a lot of misinformation that schools just spent and this is why it's taxes went up. There's multiple factors including we did we're in the first year of a new referendum. So we did own that as our community did vote to support that. Um there little less u money has been spent by the state towards schools. U one of the ones we're very concerned about is the
065special ed. What was said we would be getting is not going to even be close. So, a lot of schools are scrambling because of that. Um, it was said it was record amount of money given to schools. That isn't accurate. Um, we actually did not we didn't even get enough to keep up with inflation this last year. So, um, you know, we we are fortunate in this community that our community has stepped up and has supported us. And I think we need to continue to earn their trust by taking those dollars, using them wisely, and be respectful of the taxpayer. and also make sure we're doing a great job with teaching and learning with the dollars they've given us. And kudos to our staff and leadership for doing that and you as a board to
066make sure you're good stewards of those dollars. Then finally, one of the things I would watch closely because this is coming up in that budget. It was in it was I would say there was multiple sessions and information down at the convention about this public the private school vouchers and how really this isn't them against public school but the state of Wisconsin is not going to be un is going to be unable to fund two systems for the long term. It's just unable to do that fiscally. It's too much money. But also part of what people saw their taxes go up is more and more voucher dollars going to voucher schools. However, taxes. It looks like it's coming from the public school raising their cost and that's inaccurate. So, there's been momentum. I have numerous
067articles. Um, this is one of those that I shared with you. Um, Green Bay actually as a community required to split out the town to split out how much money went to voucher and how much went to the public school. So, they could see that and that's becoming more prevalent across towns and communities. So, um, it's not something we've seen. We had the most this last year than we have had ever before. But I do think just there's a lot of talk about transparency and here's an opportunity for transparency and when it's brought up to do this across the state at the mandate by the state level they won't support it even though all we hear is transparency. So um just thought it was interesting just something to keep on your radar and the news
068is becoming a bigger issue. Part of my job is to bring topics to you that I see happening. So, I just also want to touch base. We did last Wednesday I came up with an idea and thankfully we have a very smart administrative team that told me to back off my idea a little bit this summer. So, we went from monthly no tech Wednesdays to three times, one a trimester. Um so first we just completed the second trimester where on last Wednesday staff are really trying to find ways um we've always wanted our technology to extend learning but not take over for learning and I think we're continue to find ways to make that happen. Um yes we are onetoone we do give devices but doesn't mean they have to be used all day long
069all the time. So um we're still working on getting better at that. Some staff really have done some really neat opportunities with the note tech Wednesday. I challenge staff a little bit from the first one to the second one to try some new things. Um some great conversations. Handwriting is still good. Kind of replaces that concern with AI and some of the other concerns. Um using art and other methods of how to express learning. So um really really proud of that. Also just kind of remind you today u we did have a cold weather day. Um the compounding factor really played a big role in that. Um you can't leave buses outside and that's you know it's just reality. Nobody has a building probably to hold 22 buses. Um so you know you take 2
070days and minus 30 or more and then two days in that 18 to 22 range and those buses just start getting really really cold. So your gas, your power steering fluid, your brakes, all that stuff. So they did we did work quite a bit yesterday. Um I was in communication with all the other school districts and um Sherman's and their team. They actually ran all the buses yesterday, made sure what would work and what wouldn't work. And we found that there were some that definitely are not working that we didn't really trust. Um usually about minus 20 to minus 22 is when diesel and some of the systems have a really hard time. A lot of emissions on these buses that cause a lot of challenges to go with the gas. So we just Well,
071after really doing some work yesterday and they really did a bunch of work to see if we could do it, contacting the other districts, um we just really felt like we would be taking a pretty significant chance with student safety today on having buses run across this very large district. Um, and if if Eagle River shows minus 20, for example, um, history will tell me and just Greg having buses all around as well, we're probably looking anywhere from 5 to 7 degrees in different spots, just low lane land in our district. And so, we got to kind of buffer a little bit. We've gotten away with some days at minus 18 and had good days as gas and planning really paid off. Um, today was really because it compounded day after day after day after
072day just as much as they did. prepare for us. It just when Lakeland School District had the same problem couple week or last week uh days, our buses rang great. Theirs did not and they had issues. So, um kudos that we had one good day. I pushed our I would say pushed our luck. We did them very strategic and planned out, but then that also I want to highlight and give a shout out to the pair of professionals that came in today. We are a little unique. Um, most districts, none that I know of, do what we do. That isn't a cold day or snow day. We open up our buildings. Um, our local businesses, I think, get challenged when their workers can't come to work because of the cold or snow. Um, but we
073open up our buildings for students to be dropped off. Um, that requires some pair of professionals. They're all welcome to come in and work with students. Uh but um the ones that do u make it possible for us as a district and for these parents to have a great place for their kids and for many of them it's a really productive day versus being at home by themselves or anywhere else. So kudos to our staff that stepped up and the principles. Um your administrative team yesterday took a chunk of their Sunday to prepare for this cold day. They were being texted by their superintendent and then having to do a lot of duties to make sure everybody knew school was cancelled. So, thanks to our team for doing all that and stepping up on their
074Sunday. Um, sometimes they're doing it at 4 to 5 in the morning, but yes, this week they took the Sunday to do it. So, kudos and thank you to that. And then thank you for the parents that work with us to tolerate these days and look forward to a great day of learning tomorrow. >> I'll add I think that parents if you can give them information the night before, that's helpful for people to make a plan and get on with their And I know that I've heard from many people in the community that it's um very much appreciated that the buildings are open for students when parents have to work and um those staff members that help those kids have a great day. All right, that concludes our regular business. Um thank you for coming
075tonight to our board meeting and have a nice evening. Stay warm. At this time, I will make a motion to convene in close session pursuant to Wisconsin statute 19.85. section to first consider the renewal of administrator contracts and compensation. Second to consider the issue of the new 208 district administrator contract. Thirdly to discuss a certified staff members contract and resides. We will convene we will take action in open session after reconvening. I need a roll call. Oh, second. Sorry. >> Thank you. >> Eric, >> yes. >> Becca is absent. Jennifer Pis, yes. Chris Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Chelsea Roaker, >> yes. >> Nick Seager, >> yes. Yes.