Molly Devine Webb

The regular board meeting commenced with a presentation from Cooper Elementary School students highlighting several engaging activities including club promotion, a trunk or treat event, PTA movie night, and an initiative focused on working skills. The principal reported positive gains on the school report card, successful fundraising efforts exceeding $5,000 through a celebration of giving event, and the fifth-grade participation in the STEM-focused Starbase program at the Air Force base. Significant focus was placed on improvements in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), emphasizing commonized data collection in math and reading, and encouraging productive struggle in math instruction. Challenges discussed included an increase in students with higher needs and strategies to increase attendance for a small group of students. Updates were also provided by student representatives from Superior High School, noting achievements in DECA districts, a U8 National Curling Championship win, successes in winter sports (wrestling MVP, hockey wins, dance showcase), and the establishment of a student athlete leadership council. Student council representatives reported on discussions with the Superintendent regarding concerns raised from a bright ideas contest, specifically bathroom vandalism and substance use.

The meeting featured an update from the Bryant principal regarding school celebrations, community engagement activities, and reading initiatives. Data on literacy and math performance were presented, highlighting improvements in student risk levels and the effectiveness of the new literacy curriculum. Discussions also touched upon the status of a construction project and plans for future classroom visits by the Board.

The meeting included an update on student representative activities, noting successes in girls hockey, wrestling, mock trial, and DECA state competitions, as well as gymnastics. Student council reported on a successful spirit week, planning for future assemblies, senior events, and the upcoming presidential election planning. The superintendent noted one informational item and the upcoming attendance of Mr. Kalin at the next session. Key action items involved the approval of an overnight field trip request for the Northland Senior Retreat, which supports at-risk youth through experiential education, including activities like vision boarding and planning future lives. The board also approved two separate overnight field trip requests for the SHS Robotics Team to attend district events in LaCrosse and McHenry, Wisconsin, which supports STEM, engineering skills, and networking through the concept of 'cooperatition.' Discussions highlighted the value of these robotics competitions and the potential for the district to host a future district event to save on travel costs.

The meeting, identified as a Committee of the Whole meeting, included a presentation on the 2425 audit for the school district. The auditors issued an unmodified opinion, indicating materially correct financial statements and disclosures. Discussion focused on internal controls and compliance testing, specifically addressing reoccurring items related to proposed adjustments and segregation of duties. A new finding regarding signed medical consent for services for Medicaid billing was also noted, with corrective action plans discussed. Financial highlights included a positive trend in the general fund balance for four straight years, demonstrating revenues exceeding expenditures despite significant transfers to the OPED trust fund and the capital projects fund. The debt service fund showed growth due to accrued interest. Furthermore, the OPED plan was reported as fully funded after a substantial contribution, while the WRS multi-employer pension plan remained slightly underfunded based on the state-administered system's latest valuation.

The regular board meeting included several key items. In the superintendent report, an update was provided on Northern Lights Elementary School, covering activities such as the snow club winter celebration, kindness retreat, school pride, and the Spanish club. The board formally approved the official notice for the period days field trip, noting that two groups stepped up to sponsor student travel costs. Action items involved approving an overnight field trip for the SSHS orchestra to attend a festival in Orlando, Florida, and approving an overnight field trip for high school Spanish students to Costa Rica in March 2027. Committee reports covered the 2024-2025 audit, which showed positive financial health, and a review of Fund 10 revenue and expenditure reports. The board accepted various gifts, grants, and bequests received in January 2026. The Operations Committee reported on transportation updates, including route information and potential bus needs. The board approved personnel actions, specifically the February 2026 new hires and separations report, and renewed several administrative contracts expiring June 30, 2026. An action item involved approving the release of an ELA teacher from her contract per her request, effective February 6, 2026, with the liquidated damages provision waived. Finally, the board addressed policy changes, approving second readings for policies related to administrators' unrequested leave of absence and fitness for duty (Policies 1461, 3161, 4161), policy on emergency nursing services (5310.01), property inventory (7450), accounting system for capital assets (7455), and food service (8500).