Board Minutes
Trevor -Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District
Minutes from the Board Meeting held October 29, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The Board Meeting of Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District was called to order at 7:14 p.m. by Board President Eric Themanson at Trevor-Wilmot School, 26325 Wilmot Road, Trevor, Wisconsin, in the Library.
ROLL CALL
Board Members present: Eric Themanson, Lynn Jaeger, Dean Troyer, Mike Murdock, and Bill Barhyte. Also present were District Administrator Michelle Garven, Business Director Nicole Massie, Curriculum Director Tracy Donich, Director of Pupil Services Jenny Loveless, Principal Melissa Cook, Director of Facilities Ray Feltson, IT Coordinator Kelly Thorsgard, and Recording Secretary Tara Johnson; Citizens: Mike Fenske, Mary Fenske, Kerrie Shurtleff, Luke Towry, Matt Humann, Kelly Hutchinson, Leah Featherstone, Jeannette Epping..
CONSENT AGENDA
Mike Murdock made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Lynn Jaeger seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
ADMINISTRATORS’ REPORT
District Administrator
Michelle Garven reported that Scott (from Neola) and herself have discussed the timeline for the final approval of policy. It is believed that sections 0000, 3000, 4000 and 9000 can be approved in December as they have the least amount of revision work.
During new business four new employees will be introduced to the Board.
The attorney continues to negotiate with our cell carriers on the districts behalf. They have discussed the options with the Finance committee and the contract will be available soon for the Boards approval.
Director of Pupil Services
Jenny Loveless introduced Leah Featherstone from Professional Services Group (PSG) who gave a presentation about the groups work here with our students and proposed programs they would like to offer the district in the future.
Jenny Loveless gave the Board the following updates from the Pupil Services Department:
Equity-
In an effort to provide equitable opportunities and to inform our staff about how to support individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, the pupil services department is offering free training after school for staff and parents who are interested in participating. A member of Professional Services Group (PSG) will provide this learning opportunity. Staff who complete the training will be given a sticker to place in their classroom or office window indicating that they are a safe person with whom to talk. Neighboring districts will be invited to attend this event as well and there are several districts which have already expressed interest in participating. A LGBTQ Alliance will also be set up and the group plans to meet once per week on Wednesdays and will be led by a student who is supervised and coached by the school counselor, Kelli Hutchinson. Kelli Hutchison has training in this area and is also attending additional training in the upcoming months. The district is following the guidelines for an alliance, as outlined by Gsafe, whose mission is to create safe schools for LBGTQ+ youth.
Second Annual Resource Fair-
The second annual resource fair was held on October 15, 2019 during the Parent/Teacher conferences. Invitations were extended to eight neighboring districts as well. The turnout was only slightly higher than last year, but it was an improvement. The team is proactively planning for next year and intends to move the vendor tables into the hallways to help increase interest and engagement. Special thanks to Kelli Hutchinson, Steve Zorich, and Kim McWilliams, Special Education School Liaison, for their work on this event.
Inclusion Task Force Team-
As an additional means to support inclusive practices, the district has begun implementing Inclusive Task Force teams. These teams are comprised of all individuals who work with a student who has an IEP and are created when a child is identified as needing additional support and problem solving in order to be successful in the inclusive setting. The principal, pupil services director, school counselor, school psychologist, and sometimes the curriculum and instruction director are also included in these meetings. Meetings take place before school or during the school day. So far, three teams are in place and another team is being considered. One inclusive task force is established in kindergarten, one in first grade, and one in sixth grade. The initial results are extremely positive. Having all players at the table to brainstorm and problem solve has been very powerful. Solutions have been found and follow through has been secured with these weekly supportive opportunities.
Child Find-
Matt Humann presented to the Board information from the last Child Find which was conducted on October 3, 2019. 2 children were tested and both children had referrals made. The next Child Find has already been scheduled for January 8th, 2020. A flyer was sent out already, which blanketed the district to advertise this event. The Child Find event will also be advertised in the Howler, social media, and in local establishments.
Wolf Pups-
Matt Humann also presented to the Board about this years Wolf Pups program. He reported this year the program is ran 2 days (Monday and Wednesday) for an hour and 45 minutes each day. A new addition to the program is that PE has been incorporated to the Wednesday session. We are thrilled to offer the program again this year and have some returning parents from previous school years. Returning parents have said how wonderful it is that the program is expanding and growing.
ES3 Grant Update-
This year marks the districts second year with the ES3 Grant to support social and emotional learning. With this grant this year the district has initiated two sets of curriculum, We Thinks (4K-5th) and The Zones of Regulation (4K-6th). We Thinkers provides strategies for being a member of a group and The Zones of Regulation helps students to learn to self-regulate their emotions. Both programs help to teach the whole child and support life skills that will benefit our students both now and for years to come. Also, with the grant funds, the district was able to send seven staff to a training in Minneapolis, MN this fall to learn about the We Thinkers curriculum. Kerrie Shurtleff talked about her wonderful experience at the conference and the feedback from the other staff members who attended was also overwhelmingly positive. This grant also supports the districts existing coaching system within the school. Our school counselor, Kelli Hutchinson, currently coaches 4 teams and 1 individual teacher regarding social and emotional learning. The grant is also covering the cost of coaching training for the Pupil Services Director, a new requirement for all grant directors.
BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTS & COMMUNICATIONS
Eric Themanson commented that Mike Murdock and Bill Barhyte are up for re-election in 2020. Eric also commented he would like to Board to start attending WASB conferences and webinars on a more regular basis.
Dean Troyer thanked Ray Feltsons staff for the wonderful job during the Spooktacular on Friday, October 25, 2019.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance/Personnel Meeting 10/22/2019
Eric Themanson reported the committee talked about budgets, the cell tower lease, snow removal bids, boiler bids, and ERate.
NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS
New Staff Introductions
Jenny Loveless introduced Luke Towry, Learning Strategist; Sarah Harrist, Educational Assistant; and Lindsey Eisenhower, Educational Assistant to the Board as the new team members to the Pupil Services Department.
Melissa Cook introduced Katie Arndt, Secretary to the Board as the new team member to front office staff.
ERate Project Recommendations
Kelly Thorsgard presented to the Board her recommendation to use ERate funding for building improvement projects. The project she would like to use the ERate funding for is new cabling for the buildings wireless access points.
Mike Murdock made a motion to accept the recommendation to use ERate to fund the new cabling for the buildings wireless access points. Dean Troyer seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Boiler Recommendations
Ray Feltson presented to the Board his recommendation to have United Mechanical install the new boiler system and will replace the entire stack at no additional charge.
Mike Murdock made a motion to accept the recommendation to have United Mechanical install the new boiler and stack system. Dean Troyer seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Snow Removal
Ray Feltson presented to the Board his recommendation to have JA Landscape do our snow and ice management. JA Landscaping will use 2 vehicles and they charge per push not per vehicle. They will also have 3 people to shovel the sidewalks. JA also stated they would have everything cleaned up by 6am and will come out during the day if needed. This will be a 1 year term.
Bill Barhyte made a motion to accept the recommendation to use JA Landscaping for the districts snow and ice management. Mike Murdock seconded the motion. Dean Troyer abstained from the vote. 4-0-1 vote, passed.
CITIZENS COMMENTS
No citizens comments were made
ADJOURN
Bill Barhyte made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Dean Troyer seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
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Bill Barhyte, Clerk
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