Thank you Roosevelt Elementary students for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Congratulations to Mr. Chistopher Heitz, PoDS teacher, on receiving the Mandana Bliss Award.

Congratulations to Ms. TJ Pharo-Kozak, Bannach Elementary teacher, on receiving the Mandana Bliss Award.

Gretchen Marshall, Wisconsin Forestry Education Program and SPASH graduate Dan Lindner will award the 2018 Statewide School Forest Award to Karla Lockman.  Each year, LEAF (the Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program) recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to school forest programs. They acknowledge excellence and outstanding teachers who have worked above and beyond to make the school forest an exceptional learning environment for students.

The School Board recognized Dan Kontos for his service to the Board from April 2016 to April 2019 and wished him well in future endeavors.  

View more photos from the School Board Recognitions.

The Consent Agenda, including previous minutes, the approval of monthly bills and employment recommendations were approved.

Business Services

Motion to adopt the Resolution Authorizing Entry into an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement relating to the "Wisconsin Investment Series Cooperative" and authorizing participation in the Investment Programs of the Fund was approved.

The Board also approved the resolution designating qualified financial institutions as public depositories for funds of the District.

Key Benefit Concepts, LLC GASB 45 was awarded actuarial services for the next two years.

ABM was approved to provide custodial service per their RFP. RFP for Contracted Maintenance 2019 | 2019 Custodial RFP Evaluation Summary | Board Agenda Memo

The Goerke Park running track resurfacing and structural spray bid to Upper Midwest Athletic Construction at a cost of $176,198 was approved.

The bid to American Asphalt of Wisconsin for Contract “A” Base Bid and Alternate 1-Drainage Improvements for a total of $181,634.30 was approved.

Educational Services

A revision of the charter school contract between Point of Discovery School and the Stevens Point Area Public School District School Board to reflect the following statement on page 3:

School Calendar and Schedules: Point of Discovery School will organize the school calendar and schedule to promote and support deep, personal, and rigorous teaching and learning. Classes shall be taught within a flexible yearly calendar and daily schedule while meeting the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requirements for public school instructional hours at each grade level was approved.

The board also approved a calendar adjustment for the 19-20 PoDS school year.

Human Resources

The health plan renewal with Security Health Plan and the dental plan renewal with Delta Dental were approved.

Policy

The Board approved the adoption of all policies presented to date.

Closed Session

The board voted unanimously to move into Closed Session 19.85(1)(c)Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Specifically to consider non-renewals, the contract of the Superintendent and the hire of an Administrator; and  19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. Specifically, for the purpose of discussing bargaining for the 7/1/2019 - 6/30/2020 contract agreements.

The school board will hold the organizational meeting on April 22, 2019, at the Bliss Educational Services Center.

The next regular meeting of the school board will take place on May 13, 2019, at the Bliss Educational Services Center.

You can access the agenda and materials or watch the entirety of the meeting online.

Thank you to students from McDill Elementary School for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Consent Agenda, including previous minutes, the approval of monthly bills and employment recommendations were approved.

Student and Staff Recognitions

Charles F. Fernandez Center student Cheyenne Cummings presented the Mandana Bliss award to volunteer, Tom Ness (not pictured).

Jefferson Elementary students Lydia Johnson and Sophie Durkee presented the Mandana Bliss award to teacher, Renee Oestreich.

Charles Fernandez Center principal, Jen Knecht, presented the Charlie Awards to students: Cheyenne Cummings, Elijah Kluck, Christian Lochner-Zanon, Samantha Miller, Caleb Stroik, Ryan Wilcox, and Dominique Williams. The Charles F. Fernandez Center for Alternative Learning (Fernandez Center) created a way to reward students that demonstrate the resiliency, positive attitude, and drive to succeed regardless of obstacles or hurdles that they face in life. This year we are proud to announce the fourth annual “Charlie” awards that will be awarded to five qualifying students that embody these characteristics. These students have truly exhibited the skills required to face challenges and adversity while maintaining focus on his/her educational path.

SPASH principal, Jon Vollendorf recognized SPASH Student Senate members for receiving the Wisconsin Association of School Councils Spirit of Excellence Award.  SPASH was one of six regional winners in Wisconsin. The Spirit of Excellence Award requires that schools submit a thorough application showcasing their school’s achievement, student activities, and other unique things that connect the school to the community.

Business Services

Representatives from Nexus Solutions provided the board an update on referendum projects including building renovation plans for Washington Elementary, Plover-Whiting Elementary, SPASH, and the Ben Franklin Junior High entrance.  

The recommendation for a sale of bonds to borrow a portion of the $75.9 million approved by voters in November to occur in two phases was approved. The first phase, currently taking place, consists of the sale of $60 million in bond. The second phase $of selling the remaining $15.9 million bonds in the spring of 2022.  The bonds were sold at a lower interest rate than estimated in referendum planning. This lower interest rate will save local taxpayers 15 cents per 1,000 of assessed value, or, $150 less for a 100,000 home than previously anticipated.

Educational Services

The Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Program and Site Agreement contracts for 2019-2022 were approved as presented (Imagination Center, UWSP, Non-UWSP).

Student Services
The recommendations to amend open enrollment seats available for Project Search for the 2019-20 school year were approved as presented.

The School Board received a report from Portage County Health and Human Services Kathy Reynolds, School Nurse Coordinator on nursing services in the District.

Human Resources

Beth Bakunowicz, Director of Human Resources provided an update regarding Teachers on Call including district substitute statistics, requests and fill rate.

Policy

The district is currently working with school district policy experts, Neola to update all district policies. Remaining policies that had not been addressed were presented for review and eventual approval by the School Board for implementation once all policy series have been reviewed and approved.

General
Superintendent Gerlach presented a Mid-Year Strategic Plan update to the school board with an end of the year report to be presented in June.

The Board moved to designate Karlyn Krautkramer as Deputy Clerk to assist the Board Clerk in administering the responsibilities of Board Clerk to the extent permitted by law, and remain as such until replaced by the Board.

Closed Session

The board voted unanimously to move into Closed Session per State Statute 19.85(1)(e) deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session specifically for the purpose of discussing bargaining for the July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 contract agreements and to review the administrative contract for the superintendent.

The next regular meeting of the school board will take place on April 8, 2019, at the Bliss Educational Services Center.

Thank you Bannach Elementary students for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Congratulations to Mr. Ryan Hinner, Ben Franklin Social Studies teacher, on receiving the Mandana Bliss Award.

Congratulations to Mr. Steve Van Ark, Plover-Whiting fifth-grade teacher, on receiving the Mandana Bliss Award.

Congratulations to Ms. Ann Marchant, SPASH ESL teacher and instructional leader, on earning National Board Teacher Certification in English as a New Language - Early Adolescence through Young Adult. This certification requires that teachers demonstrate standards-based evidence of the positive effect they have on student learning while requiring the individual to exhibit a deep understanding of their students, content knowledge, use of data and assessments and teaching practice.

Plover-Whiting School Special Education teacher, Ms. Staci Warfield, was recognized for her selection as a WSAW NewsChannel 7 Teacher Salute honoree.

View more photos from the School Board Recognitions.

The Consent Agenda, including previous minutes, the approval of monthly bills and employment recommendations were approved.

Business Services

The recommendation to temporarily combine the Town of Sherry with the Village of Milladore for voting purposes in the February 19, 2019 Primary Election was approved.

The recommendation to temporarily combine the Town of Grant with the Town of Plover for voting purposes in the February 19, 2019 Primary Election was approved.

Educational Services

The Board received a report from the Directors of Elementary and Secondary Education detailing the Wisconsin School Report Cards, specifically, the District and individual school results.

The Open Enrollment Space Determination presented by the Director of Student Services for the 2019-20 School Year was approved as presented.

The 2019-20 calendar  and 2020-21 draft calendar were approved as presented after minor adjustments from the first reading.

Student Services
The Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. Memorandum of Agreement for use of space to provide mental health therapist time district-wide was approved as presented.

Technology
Chromebook lease agreement with Trinity 3, LLC was approved as presented.  Leasing provides the District with an effective method to annualize the cost of a large purchase and also to return or purchase the equipment at the end of the lease. The winning bid was awarded to Trinity3 based upon review of the following criteria: Price, prior experience in K-12 environments, service and warranty, and quality of the devices

Policy

Recently, the City of Stevens Point has implemented a new ordinance relative to vaping. Policy 5512, Use of Tobacco and Policy 5530, Drug Prevention were approved as presented and will be immediately implemented.

The WASB Policy and Resolutions Committee received and discussed numerous resolution suggestions from member boards.  The Policy and Legislation committee reviewed the resolutions submitted by member school boards for consideration at the January Delegate Assembly annual meeting and were approved by the Board as presented.

The district is currently working with Neola to update all district policies. Updated versions of the 9000 Relations series and the  2000 Program series were presented for review and eventual approval by the School Board for implementation once all policy series have been reviewed and approved.

The Board also reviewed several remaining policies that will be presented for final approval in February.

Closed Session

The board voted unanimously to move into Closed Session per State Statute 19.85(c) considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility, specifically review of administrative contracts including the contract of the Superintendent.

The next regular meeting of the school board will take place February 11, 2019 Bliss Educational Services Center.

You can access the agenda and materials or watch the entirety of the meeting online.

The Stevens Point Area School Board held their Regular School Board Meeting on Monday, December 10, 2018.

Thank you Kennedy Elementary students for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Community Partnership and Recognition

Congratulations to Tammy Tautges, McKinley Elementary and

Beth Slowinski, Kennedy Elementary on receiving the Mandana Bliss Award.

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda, including minutes, the approval of monthly bills and employment recommendations were approved by unanimous voice vote.

Business Services

An annual independent audit conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Principles (GAAP) is required of all Wisconsin school districts. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) sets accounting standards and auditors follow Wisconsin Single Audit Guidelines. The District audit is annually reported to the Board and filed with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, federal depositories in compliance with continuing disclosure requirements, financial institutions, and bonding companies. The 17-18 Annual Financial Report was approved as presented by unanimous voice vote.

Now is the time when the Board sets budget limits for school buildings, via per pupil allocations (PPA), and budget limits for departments or specialized programs. Following Board action, each school building principal begins the budget building process and must adhere to limits established by the Board. A review of projected vendor rate increases conducted by our purchasing agent identified that expected supply costs next year will increase 4% and paper, furniture, and equipment costs may increase by 3% to 27%. Staples reports an estimated 3% increase. A 1% increase was recommended.

Building PPA and Department/Program Allocations were approved as presented by unanimous voice vote.

Educational Services

Teachers in the Stevens Point Area Public School District consistently seek educational enrichment opportunities for their students. One such opportunity is international student travel that adds authenticity and depth to the curriculum and to student learning.

The school district partners with Education First Educational Tours to help provide students with these international trips. Education First creates global education programs that blend classroom and experiential learning for students through a safe and high-impact travel itinerary. The coordinating teacher chaperones have prior experience in organizing and facilitating international trips. The international student trips were approved as presented by unanimous voice vote.

Technology

The SPASH technical education department and music department use Apple computers to deliver instruction in Video and Music Production. The software used for the video production class, Final Cut Pro, is designed to work only with Apple computers. Software used for the music department, Garage band, is also exclusive to Apple. The Apple computers at SPASH have become obsolete and must be replaced. Technology Services received pricing and lease options from Apple computer in 2017 and again in 2018. The recent approval of the referendum and the corresponding technology funding will enable this purchase to occur. The lease was approved as presented by unanimous voice vote.

Human Resources

The District’s dental plan is self-funded with two dental insurance options.  Due to bargaining over the years, employee premium costs currently vary based on job classification and hours worked.  The District contributes 87.4% toward the premium for single and family coverage for full-time employees, other than the Custodian and Teamster (non-driver) group, in which the District pays 87.4% toward single coverage and 80% toward family coverage. The dental benefit is not offered to Educational Assistants and Food Service staff at this time.  The District has worked with M3 brokerage services to research the cost associated with adding these two groups of employees to the plan. The Board approved offering dental insurance benefits to Educational Assistants and Food Service staff who regularly work a minimum of 30 hours per week, effective February 1, 2018, by unanimous voice vote.

General

The Board accepted the District School Safety and Security Report 2018 and authorized submission to the Office of School Safety by January 1, 2019.

Michael Wade was appointed as the WASB Delegate/Legislative Liaison.

Closed Session

The board voted unanimously to move into Closed Session per State Statute 19.85(1)(c)

The board came back into open session and accepted the resignation of school district Administrator Scott Huff by unanimous voice vote.

The next meeting of the school board will take place January 14, 2019, at the Bliss Educational Services Center.

Thank you to Plover-Whiting Elementary students for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Presentations

SPASH Students, Mazie Maluka, and Kristin Soucek, with one of their Wisconsin River Academy (WRA) instructors, Glen Reindl, presented information on their recent work in the community. WRA is an environmental, experiential program at SPASH in operation since 2003.  Students attend hours 6 – 8, for a year and earn credits in Social Studies, Science and Physical Education.  Juniors and seniors who have passed Biology are eligible to enroll. The average class is 60 -65 students a year.  Class time is split 50/50 between outdoors and in the class.

In the fall of 2017, WRA staff applied for Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin environmental grant.  The goal was to clean up areas of invasive species within the community. Previously WRA had worked with Golden Sands RC & D in clean up efforts of buckthorn and Japanese barberry.  However, WRA wanted to expand its impact so applied for a $5200 grant to train, equip and transport WRA students and other students to train in the removal of invasive species.

Through the CFCWI grant, the WRA was able to purchase equipment to set up students for removal of numerous types of invasive species for the extended future.   

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda, including minutes, approval of the monthly bills and employment recommendations were approved.

Business Services

Unanimous approval was given to approve Move to approve the Investment Policy Statement for the Wisconsin OPEB Trust, dated November 12, 2018, and continue with Wisconsin OPEB Model 1 option. Als approved was the RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION OF THE WISCONSIN OPEB TRUST AGREEMENT as amended, the WISCONSIN OPEB TRUST AGREEMENT as amended, and the Single Advisory Contract between Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Stevens Point Area Public School District as amended.

The 2019-20 Budget Calendar was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Educational Services

Recommendations for secondary course approvals were made and approved by unanimous voice vote.

Changes included:

Feedback from staff and families have determined there is not enough time between the end of the school year and the start of summer school based on the current calendar. A recommendation to change the start of summer school from June 10, 2019, to June 17, 2019, was approved.

Changes to the 2019-20 calendar were recommended to committee for further discussion and review.

SPASH Principal, Jon Vollendorf, provided an update on the SPASH Daily Schedule Team’s work. The SPASH Daily Schedule Team recommended and has been working to implement a flex mod schedule.  However, after careful consideration, they have decided that they will not be pursuing a flex schedule and will be moving in a different direction.  This project has been a valuable learning experience and right now the flex schedule solution has created too many unknowns, questions, and other problems that they feel outweigh the potential benefits. They will, however, continue the schedule project and actively work on addressing the aforementioned problems.

The purpose of this update and presentation was to review their work to date and to update the committee on their revised goals and strategies for this year.

Summer School recommendations were approved as presented.

General

Superintendent Gerlach reviewed the outcome of the two school referenda questions that were on the November 6 ballot.

The next meeting of the school board will take place on December 10, 2018, at the Bliss Educational Services Center.

Thank you to McKinley Elementary students for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Community Partnership and Recognition

Congratulations to Bannach Elementary Staff on being named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School!

Congratulations to Heather Wayerski, 

and Renee Matuszewski, Roosevelt Elementary, on receiving the Mandana Bliss Award.

The Boston School Forest recognized John Thieme and his crew at Eagle Tree Care LLC are being recognized by the Boston School Forest. For the past 2 years, John and his crew have donated over 50 hours of arborist expertise, labor, equipment, and hauling to keep the trails and buildings at BSF safe for students.

His in-kind donation totals more than $11,000! John has expertly taken down trees near buildings, removed hanging branches from over trails, chipped acres of brush left behind by the timber harvest, hauled in many truckloads of wood chips for our trails, and even hosted an activity station at the Earth Day Celebration giving kids an opportunity to climb 50 feet up a white pine tree!

The District also recognized Cooper Oil Company for their "Fuel Our Schools" program which started in August of 2017.  Cooper Oil is donating 2 cents of every gallon pumped at the designated "Fuel Our Schools" pumps to the Stevens Point Area School District Elementary Schools. In one year, the program has generated over $11,000 to support and provide access to technology in elementary schools.

Thank you for your continued support of the students and families in the Stevens Point Area School District!

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda, including minutes, approval of the monthly bills and employment recommendations were approved.

Educational Services

Members of the Academic Career Planning leadership team presented a summary of the work that has been completed as we enter full implementation, 6-12, of Academic and Career Planning.

The 2017 State Budget Act resulted in significant changes to the Youth/Course Options program, effective for the 2018-19 school year. Under youth and course options, a student does not pay for a college course if the school district determines the course qualifies for high school credit and is not comparable to a course already offered in the school district.  If approved by the district, the student can receive both high school and technical college/university credit upon successful completion of the course. A student who successfully completes his/her high school graduation requirements earns a high school diploma regardless of whether the requirements were met while attending a high school or college. In the 2017-18 school year students earned over $229K in dual enrolled credits.

The 2018 Summer School Report was provided by Jen Melville and Cindy Solinsky, Summer School Coordinators. Overall summer school experienced an increase in enrollment of 39% with the largest portion of enrollment growth taking place at the 3rd - 6th-grade intermediate site.

Based on the experience with the expansion of the 2018 Summer School Program, observations, and discussions/feedback from students, parents, and staff, the recommendation to approve the 2019 Summer School Plan was approved.

The Point of Discovery contract revision was approved as presented.

Student Services

Memorandums of Understanding with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital, New Directions Counseling (Elementary, Secondary), Focusing on Success and Advocate Psychotherapy Services were approved as presented.

Policy

The 8000 Series, Operations Policy, and 7000 Series Property Policy were reviewed and approved as presented.

General

Superintendent Gerlach reviewed goals for the information effort for the November 2018 Referendum.

The next meeting of the school board will take place on October 22, 2018, at the Bliss Educational Services Center.

Thank you to Madison Elementary Cadets for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Community Partnership and Recognition

Congratulations to Jami Stuettgen, McDill Elementary, on receiving the Mandana Bliss Award.

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda, including minutes, approval of the monthly bills and employment recommendations were approved by unanimous vote.

Educational Services

Update on the School Administrators Institute for Transformational Leadership (SAIL) initiative was presented to the Board.  This is the District’s second year of SAIL.

The School Board also received information on PoDS’ two-year implementation grant, totaling $550,000, from the Wisconsin Charter School Program grant competition.  The funds from this grant will be used to enhance the instruction provided to the students of Point of Discovery School, thereby directly impacting student achievement.

Student Services

The School Board approved the Interagency Agreement with Portage County Health and Human Services (PCHHS).  The agreement facilitates the exchange of appropriate information and has been beneficial for both parties.

Technology

Brian Casey updated the School Board on the District Safety and Security Committee and the finalized applications for two rounds of safety and security grant funding from the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

General

Superintendent Gerlach reviewed goals for the information effort plan, types of communication and messaging for the November 2018 Referendum.

The next meeting of the school board will take place on October 8, 2018, at the Bliss Educational Services Center.

The board held their regular August School Board meeting on August 14, 2018.

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda, including minutes, approval of the monthly bills and employment recommendations were approved by unanimous vote.

Employment Recommendations
Recommendations for employment were approved by a unanimous voice vote.

Business Services
A revision to the 2017-18 was approved by roll call vote;  6- yay; 0 - nay.

Educational Services Committee

Connie Negaard, Director of Secondary Education and Cory Hirsbrunner, Director of Elementary Education presented an update on Professional Development provided by the District highlighting the opportunity for personalized and specialized professional development will be attained through the additional fifteen hours of professional development each year.

Cory Hirsbrunner, Director of Elementary Education, provided information on the Reading Recovery Consortium requesting approval for the District to participate in the Northcentral Wisconsin reading Recovery Consortium. Reading Recovery is a is a thoroughly researched and proven early literacy intervention for the lowest-achieving first graders. Funds have been budgeted for an approved by DPI through ESSA/Title II Grant to utilize Title II funds for this initiative. The request was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

Policy

The 5000 Series of School Board Policy, Student Policy was reviewed and approved for adoption by unanimous voice vote following approval of all policies.

General

A summary of the School Perceptions Climate Survey was provided to the School Board.

An update on referendum communication and the School Board’s role was presented.

The next regular meeting of the school board will take place on September 10, 2018, at the Bliss Educational Services Center.

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda, including minutes, approval of the monthly bills and employment recommendations were approved by unanimous vote.

Student Services

School Boards are required by 120.12(13) of the state statutes to notify the parents/guardians of students enrolled in the school district of the student academic standards that will be in effect for the school year.  The board must annually include an item on the agenda of the first school board meeting of the school year (the first board meeting after July 1) that clearly identifies the student academic standards adopted by the board that will be in effect for the school year.

Standards recommended for adoption for the 2018-2019 school year:

• Wisconsin Academic Standards
• Common Core State Standards
• Next Generation Science Standards
• College and Career Readiness Standards

Passed unanimously.

General

At the June 25, 2018 meeting, the Board reviewed information on operations, deferred maintenance, and capital improvement.  The Board directed Administration to return with updated plans, that reflect the results of the Morris Leatherman survey.

The administration updated the recommended projects with an approximate reduction of $7,000,000 to the overall scope.

• Retention of the expansion to the cafeteria area at SPASH
• Restoration of plans for separate gym and cafeteria areas at elementary school.
• Elimination of the athletic facility at SPASH including the new two-court gym and locker rooms in the pool area.
• Elimination of the Ben Franklin and PJ Jacobs cardio and weight rooms

The updated plans include two questions for a referendum.

• A resolution to exceed the revenue limit by $3,500,000 for recurring purposes
• A resolution for authorizing general obligation bonds not to exceed $75,900,000

This will include the recommendation that the District use approximately $3,000,000 of fund balance.

The Board voted unanimously to move forward with posing these questions to the public November 4, 2018.

Closed Session

The board voted unanimously to move into Closed Session per State Statute 19.85(1)(c)

The next meeting of the school board will take place on August 13, 2018, at the Bliss Educational Services Center.