Jason Cress

The board meeting featured a spotlight on education, where students presented on the 'Sources of Strength' program, focusing on peer leadership, mental health support, and community service initiatives such as food drives and letter-writing campaigns. The board discussed student achievements in forensics, visual arts, and extracurricular organizations like the National Honor Society. Administrative business included the approval of consent agenda items, such as financial check summaries for operational expenses, personnel retirements, and resignations. Additionally, the board recognized community donations to various school programs and received reports on upcoming summer school registration and the Battle of the Books competition.

The board meeting covered several key discussion topics including staff compensation and staffing adjustments for the upcoming school year. The board also held a spotlight on education session featuring student presentations on the Kids College program, discussed policy revisions related to student safety and mandated reporting for child abuse, and approved several check summaries. Furthermore, the meeting included reviews of summer school preparations, the hosting of a regional seventh grade quiz bowl, and updates on district community outreach and website development projects.

The board meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and a reading of the mission statement: "nurture excellence, unlock potential and ignite passion." Student groups presented on their activities, including a high school/middle school musical production of Finding Nemo Jr., highlighting the arts' importance for emotional health, literacy, empathy, and collaboration. The FFA chapter reported significant growth in membership (57% increase to 96 members) and participation in Leadership Development Events (LDEs), noting successes in proficiency applications and state/national competitions, as well as community service projects like Food for America Day and donkey basketball. Committee reports included the compensation committee meeting in closed session to discuss adjusting the early retirement incentive offered in December. The board then approved the consent agenda, which included agenda approval, proof of public notice, January meeting minutes approval, Check Summary 1, retirements/resignations (including one fourth-grade teacher resignation), policy updates for a second reading, and statutory updates for a first reading. Financial matters included approving Check Summary 2. The board also approved the 2025-2026 early retirement incentive as recommended by the compensation committee and approved the 2024-2025 pupil non-discrimination report.

The board meeting commenced with roll call, noting the absence of two members, followed by the pledge of allegiance and recitation of the mission statement, "Veroa area schools will nurture excellence, unlock potential, and ignite passion." A significant portion of the meeting involved the presentation of the annual audit report by Dan Trojan of Lauderbach and Aean. The audit resulted in a clean opinion, indicating that the financial statements presented fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Brocoa Area School District. Discussion highlighted that the district maintained fund balance levels above the 20% policy threshold for general fund expenditures. Several management letter recommendations were discussed, including a new recommendation for IT security awareness and monitoring of emerging risks such as ransomware and phishing, as well as recurring recommendations concerning capital asset policy detail, consolidation of scholarship fund cash accounts, outstanding check write-off procedures, and monitoring funds over budget without amendment. Separately, Haley Harris presented an update from the Elementary Community Action Team, detailing efforts in behavior trend analysis, positive reinforcement via Blackhawk tickets, creative environmental solutions (like providing balloons to prevent snow throwing), promoting common language for expectations, and community-building celebrations such as quarterly events, monthly attendance award competitions, and an annual carnival. Future plans for the team include obtaining new elementary logo shirts, increasing celebration days, organizing staff outings, and creating a staff recipe book/swap.

The meeting included a public hearing regarding a waiver request for the 2026-2027 school year start date, related to altering the school term with an earlier start date for the entire district, pursuant to Wisconsin statutes. The discussion detailed the comprehensive process involving staff and family surveys, leading to a calendar committee recommendation. Key elements of the proposed calendar focused on an earlier start in August (specifically August 25th), longer school days (adding 8 minutes) to allow for fewer instructional days (reducing from 177 to 175), implementing a spring break coinciding with Easter (eliminating Easter Monday as a non-school day), ending the school year on May 28th, and revamping parent-teacher conferences to be district-wide and more accessible. The administrative team recommended the August 25th start and May 28th end dates, aiming for 175 student days. A subsequent segment of the meeting included a 'Spotlight on Education' highlighting the Western Wisconsin Music Conference Honor Band, featuring students from multiple area schools.