Menomonie School Board discusses new software purchase, teacher staffing and health care plans

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE MENOMONIE AREA
NOTICE OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WAKANDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
801 PINE AVENUE E, MENOMONIE, WI 54751 MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025, 5:45 PM
**The building tour for board members will begin at 5:00 PM.**
This meeting will be live-streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCq2Z68-Z717wExwN1mChOQ/streams
AGENDA
   I. OPENING ITEMS
       A. Call to Order
       B. Roll Call and Quorum
       C. Pledge of Allegiance and Reading of Mission Statement
       D. Agenda Order and Approval/Revision
       E. Recommendations & Commendations
       F. Highlight on Youth

Freaky Friday was the high school musical. Supt. Zydowsky ran through several events at the different elementary schools. Details are in the attached Highlight On Youth.

       G. Student Representative Communications
       H. Community Communications

no public comments this week.

       I. Revenue and Expenditure Reports for the Month Ended February 2025

       J. Monthly Employment Report (February 2025)

There was some turnover at the Middle School but those positions are already filled as of tonight.
   II. CONSENT AGENDA

This is a standing agenda item for the first regular board meeting of each month.

 

Recommendations for Regular Board Meeting on March 10, 2025:

 

A.  Action to Approve the Consent Agenda, as presented:

 

1.  Minutes - That the board approves the following minutes, as presented:

            a) Regular Board Meeting of February 10, 2025; and

            b) Special Board Meeting of February 24, 2025;

 

2.  Financial Reports - That the board approves general fund checks in the amount of $2,439,708.75 and cash receipts in the amount of $3,263,745.50 for February 2025, as presented.

 

3.  Donations - That the board approves donations exceeding $1,000 for the month of February 2025, as presented:

• $6,754.00 from the Community Foundation of Dunn County for teacher mini grants.
• $2,184.16 donation made on behalf of The Betty Gesche Fund for Menomonie Athletics, a fund of the Community Foundation of Dunn County.
• $2,000 grant from the Sunrise Rotary Club to MMS Science Olympiad program.
• $2,200 in donations from various community members/organizations for the School Nutrition Angel Fund.

 

4. CESA 10 Shared Services Contract, as presented.

5. CESA 11 Shared Services Contracts, as presented.

6. Donation Pledge from National Grid Renewables, as presented.
       A. Action to Approve Consent Agenda
           1. Minutes of a Regular Board Meeting of February 10, 2025, and Minutes of a Special Board Meeting of February 24, 2025
           2. Financial Reports for February 2025
           3. Donations Exceeding $1,000 for February 2025
           4. CESA 10 Shared Services Contract
           5. CESA 11 Shared Services Contracts
           6. Donation Pledge from National Grid Renewables

The consent agenda was approved unanimously..
   III. PERSONNEL CONSENT AGENDA
       A. Action to Approve Personnel Consent Agenda
           1. Resignations/Retirements
           2. Requests to Hire

The personnel consent agenda was approved unanimously.
   IV. ACTION AGENDA
       A. Action to Approve Adoption of ParentSquare Communications Tool

The Board will consider the proposal to adopt ParentSquare, a comprehensive communication platform designed to improve and simplify communication among schools, parents, students, and community members. 

This was approved at a cost of $19,425 per year.

It will be implemented by the next school year.

   V. DISCUSSION ITEMS/POLICY REVIEW
       A. Review Early College Credit Program Requests for Fall 2025

       B. Review Elementary School Sections for the 2025-26 School Year

The numbers at Downsville Elementary are considerably lower than in the past. A meeting with Downsville staff to find solutions was held, but there is more work to be done, particularly for Kindergarten next year. An expedited transfer system was implemented for parents to move their students to Downsville, but the end result was that some parents wanted to transfer their children out of Downsville due to the small class sizes.

A report will be put together in two weeks based on the individual meetings with staff.

       C. Review Staffing Plan for 2025-26

The current plan is almost identical to this year's. There is a need for a little more contracted support time.

       D. Discuss 4K Programming Agreements

There will be a rate increase. Next year, they will re-evaluate their evaluation process.

      E. Discuss Recommendation for a Direct Primary Care Provider (Near Site Clinic)

Significant changes have been made in the district health care plan. With the new consultant, a subscription primary care model for district employees can be set up, providing better accessibility for primary care.  Meetings on providers are ongoing. There are 3 viable providers being considered.

       F. Discuss Defeasance of Long Term Debt

The district continues to try to lower the cost of interest. This defeasance will add in to the money that has previously been saved by paying the debt early. This round will save over $383,000 and the total historical savings will be over $8.6 million. 

 
       G. Review 2024-25 Budget Revisions

Some changes were made to move some money between funds - putting the funds where they should have been originally. There are a few other adjustments in four funds.

       H. 2025-26 Preliminary Budget Estimate

Long term there will be a deficiency in Fund 10 that will cross over in 2029 if nothing is changed in the budget. This will require a referendum o a state funding increase or serious budget cutting.

If the Governor's budget proposals go into effect that will help. particularly an increase in special education funding..This would impact SDMA more than most districts.
     I. Legislative Advocacy

Changes in the school funding that may happen will be helpful to the district if the increases take place - but it is possible the budget will not be finished on time due to pending litigation over veto power, etc.It is also not clear what the possible  ramifications will be of attempts to close the Department of Education.0

        J. Items Related to Next Meeting Dates, Board Committees, and Reports
   VI. ADJOURNMENT
       A. Action to Adjourn

Adjourned at 7:25 PM
The agenda as noted above was posted more than twenty-four hours prior to the meeting date. The most up-to-date agenda information is available on the district website. This agenda is posted at the Menomonie Area School District Administrative Services Center, and on the district website at www.sdmanonline.com under the School Board link.