Menomonie School Board Meeting 2/24/2020 - Students Speaking to School Board and Sustainable Energy

This meeting had two contentious topics, particularly involving a discussion brought up by board member Chris Freeman about several LGBT+ students who spoke to the school board in October 2019. A few of the board members have since discussed that appearance, notably at the recent school board candidate forum, and have said that the students should have followed a "chain of command" rather than just appearing before the board. Freeman contended that this statement made it appear that the students involved had been singled out for not following a policy that does not really exist, and that any citizen has a right to appear before the school board. A lively discussion followed this. (1:09:00 in the video.)

Earlier in the meeting parents of some students asked for more support from the board for their students who had been subjected to bullying in the schools (Community Communications - 2:04 in the video).

Wisconsin Conservation Voters representative and Eau Claire City Council member Kate Beaton appeared before the board and asked for support for a resolution for sustainable clean energy from the board. Several of the board members raised objections since there were no clear costs or proposals in detail and there were also objections to the reality of climate change the costs involved in using clean power.  (25:00 in the video).   

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE MENOMONIE AREA

NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE CENTER

215 PINE AVENUE NE,

MENOMONIE, WISCONSIN

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020, 5:30 P.M.

DISCUSSION ITEMS/POLICY REVIEW

A. Clerk’s Report of Primary Election Results

B. Clean Energy Resolution by Wisconsin Conservation Voters

C. Review 2020-2021 MHS Course Recommendations with Less Than 15 Students

D. Discuss 2020-2021 Preliminary Budget Estimate

E. Policy 432, Elementary Attendance Areas (First Reading)

F. CESA 10 Shared Service Contract 2020-2021

G. CESA 11 Shared Service Contract 2020-2021

H. Discuss ASC Front Desk Staffing

I. Discuss Students Presenting During Community Communications

J. Review Extracurricular Staff Contract Requests

K. Items Related to Next Meeting Dates, Board Committees, and Reports

L. School Board Book Study