Ryan C. Nelson

The board conducted its annual reorganization by electing officers and naming official publications, depositories, and committee representatives. Key business items included the renewal of student accident insurance, approval of summer school course offerings, authorization for an out-of-state field trip, and setting school breakfast prices for the upcoming year. The board also addressed personnel matters including a teacher resignation, the hiring of various coaches and teachers, and discussed support staff letters of intent and a school lot acquisition during an executive session.

The board acknowledged the results of the 2026 election and conducted the swearing-in ceremony for a re-elected member. Key actions included the approval of bids for life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance, the renewal of 2026-27 dental and health insurance contracts, and the establishment of breakfast and lunch prices for the upcoming school year. The board approved several out-of-state travel requests for student groups and decided to take no action on joining the Cloverbelt Conference. Additionally, the board accepted multiple teacher retirements and staff resignations, approved several new hires for various teaching and support roles, and finalized teacher contracts for the 2026-2027 period following an executive session.

The meeting addressed various district matters, including the renewal and modification of shared service contracts with CESA 10 and CESA 11, and the decision not to renew the Cluster A 66.0301 Cooperative Agreement. The board approved an out-of-state travel request, adjustments to the school day schedule for the middle and high school, a revised Academic and Career Planning framework, and dual credit requests for the upcoming fall. Personnel actions included the approval of hires for an assistant ESports coach and a middle school track and field coach. Administrative reports were presented by school leaders. Additionally, the board entered an executive session to discuss non-represented staff contracts, administrative contracts, and the district administrator evaluation, subsequently taking action on the staff contracts in open session.

The meeting commenced with roll call and confirmation that the meeting was properly noticed. The consent agenda, including the Treasurer's report showing a total balance of $6,079,359.77 as of January 31, 2026, and various vouchers, was approved. Student appearances included a request for an outdoor graduation ceremony and a presentation regarding early graduation plans to enlist in the US Air Force. Business items covered the January pupil membership count, an AGR end of semester report, the adoption of a resolution authorizing the redemption of certain taxable general obligation refunding bonds, and approval of a budget amendment recognizing revenue and expenditures for the early learning center. The Board accepted the retirements of the Food Service Director and a Speech/Language Pathologist, and accepted resignations for a Middle School Track Coach and a Middle & High School Special Education Teacher. The Board approved hires for an Elementary School Special Education Paraprofessional, a Summer School Coordinator, and 2026 Spring Athletic Coaches. Administrative reports detailed updates on early learning center construction, potential changes to insurance providers, fundraising plans, a successful literacy coaching grant application, and recognition for curriculum work and a student impact story resulting in an author visit.

The Board of Education meeting addressed several key areas, including the approval of the 2026-2027 school calendar, the annual school safety drill report, and the renewal of agreements with Alma, Plum City, and Pepin school districts. The board also discussed resolutions for the WASB Delegate Assembly, approved the 2026-2027 High School Course Handbook, and agreed to an Energy Management Agreement with CESA 10 for 2026. Additionally, a resolution was adopted for the sale of general obligation promissory notes for an early learning center, and Start College Now and Early College Credit Program courses for Spring 2026 were approved. The board accepted resignations from the middle school forensics coach, elementary school food service scanner, and elementary school special education paraprofessional, and approved the hiring of a middle school girls basketball coach and a middle school forensics/speech coach. An early graduation request was also approved following an executive session.