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

Consent agenda Highlights

 The consent agenda passed by unanimous voice vote.

Business Services

The board approved by unanimous voice vote designating 5.2 acres of wooded area at the McDill Elementary School site as the McDill School Forest. This designation allows the District to attain the services of a state forester to properly manage the woods, acquire saplings as needed and other benefits.

Educational Services

Sara Totten, director of student services, presented the 16-17 Pupil Nondiscrimination Report providing a brief overview of our district and recommendation for moving forward.

Student Services

Totten also presented the Memorandum of Understanding between the District and Portage County Health and Human Services, which was approved by the board by unanimous voice vote.

Human Resources

Beth Bakunowicz, director of human resources, presented a recommendation to create and fill a full-time, year round regular benefits specialist position to replace the current interim benefit specialist position. This position will allow the department to move from ‘personnel’ type work only (processing paperwork and compliance activities) to addressing the development of more efficient systems and processes, and talent management activities such as recruiting, employee engagement, succession planning, etc. The board approved the creation of a regular Benefits Specialist Position by unanimous voice vote.

Brian Casey, director of technology, presented a recommendation to approve a new job description, employment status and pay range for the auxiliary IT support position. This position supports the 1:1 Laptop help centers in the secondary schools and assist in the collection and distribution of laptops. The positions are funded by the Sentry Technology Initiative and Technology Services extra time budget. The board approved the new job description for the Auxillary IT Support Position by unanimous voice vote.

Policy

The district is currently working to update all board policies. The 0000 Bylaws section of policies was presented with a recommendation for approval. These policies were approved with amendments to policies 164.1, 167.5 , 167.6 and 167.3 by the board. Implementation of these policies will occur when all policy updates are completed.

The board also presented recommended changes to the 6000 Finance section of policies. Members have an opportunity to review these recommendations before consideration for approval at a later meeting.

Closed session

The Board voted by unanimous voice vote to move into Closed Session at 7:50 p.m per state statute 19.85(1)(e)

The next regular meeting of the school board will take place October 9, 2017, 6:30 p.m., Bliss Educational Services Center.

Staff and Student Recognition

Congratulations to students working with Art Greco (Ben Franklin). They raised $10,000 in one day  for the 9/11 Memorial in Plover. See media coverage on their efforts and success.

WASB Legislative Update

The State budget has not yet been passed. Signals suggest mid-September is the current goal. WASB Delegate Assembly will meet in January. It is not too early to look at issues for WASB to place on their legislative agenda for representatives in Madison to consider to support public education. Public hearings will take place Thursday, August 17 at 10 a.m. at the Capitol on a number of bills, financial literacy, hours of instruction, summer school funding and more. WASB has also recently updated their website, where more information is available.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Gerlach welcomed new cabinet members, Beth Bakunowicz, Director of Human Resources and Cory Hirsbrunner, Director of Elementary Education. Implementation of the 2017-2022 strategic plan for the district was introduced as the district works toward the items identified in the strategic pillars. View the Mission, Vision and Beliefs. View the Strategic Pillars and Objectives. If you have not yet registered for the PIE Social and Golden Apple Awards, there is still time. The purpose of the event is to connect our new educators to the community. The PIE Social and Golden Apple Awards are hosted by the PCBC Foundation at Skyward World Headquarters. Register here.

Consent Agenda was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Educational Services

Chair, Barb Portzen welcomed new community citizen member Melissa Barkley.

Brian Casey, Director of Technology shared the District Technology Plan created through the work of the District Technology Steering Committee during the 2016-17 school year. View the presentation. View the District Technology Plan.

Connie Negaard, Director of Secondary Education, shared information on the SPAPSD Professional Development Catalog for 2017-18. Opportunities for personalized and professional development will be attained through the additional fifteen hours of professional development each year. This professional development is based on choice and will be delivered by district course offerings or through other entities such as post-secondary institutions and/or conference and workshops. View an example of the courses.

Negaard also presented information on the work to implement Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Curriculum for grades 7-12. Beginning last school year, the ACP leadership team began to prepare and plan for the implementation including curriculum development and a plan to deliver. View the update from the ACP Leadership team here. It was approved as presented by unanimous voice vote.

The board approved the 2017-18 School Health Service agreement as presented by unanimous voice vote.

The board approved the MOU for Use of Space for Children’s Hospital, Use of Space for Ministry Medical Group and Use of Space for New Directions Counseling as presented by unanimous voice vote.

Human Resources

The board approved the addition of the SPASH A la Carte Coordinator and Administrative Food Service Supervisor positions and elimination of the Secretary to the Food Service manager position to better suit the needs of the food service program by unanimous voice vote. Positions will be posted on WECAN.

The board ratified the 2017-18 CBA between SPAPSD and AFSCME Local 32, 6 -0.

Handbook policy 5.04 Employee Benefits was updated so that it aligns with the Certified Staff Compensation Plan approved March 2017. The change was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Policy and Legislation

There is a current opening on the Policy and Legislation Committee. Citizens interested in joining Policy and Legislation committee can learn more here, or download the application here. Applications are due August 30, 2017.  

The Policy and Legislation Committee is forwarding the 0000 Bylaws Series for the board to review for consideration of approval next month, pending approval of all updated policy series.

The board approved contracts for the following positions:

• Transportation Manager - Christian Budzinski
• Program Support Specialist Positions- Sue Melville
• Program Support Specialist Position  Melissa Oliver
• Alteration of contract for Aimee Burazin (School Psychologist, SPASH) from 11 month to 10 month contract

The Program Support Specialist positions are a reaction to the statewide shortage of school psychologists. The district received zero school psychologist applicants for the last two positions posted. As a result, the position was opened to applicants with either a student services license (to include school social work, school counselor, and school psychology) or Director of Special Education license. The positions were developed to reflect the duties, and differences from a school psychologist, as well as, to meet the needs of the district given the shortage and absence of school psychologist applicants.

The next regular meeting of the School Board will take place September 11, 2017

View the board meeting | Access the agenda and items online

June 12, 2017 School Board Meeting Highlights

Business Services

Following reports, the board approved the preliminary 2017-2018 budget.  The board approved by unanimous roll call vote the Energy Exemptions for Energy Efficiencies in the amount of $1,270,702.  The board approved Nexus Solutions Inc as the Energy Service Company to serve as the performance contractor for the projects.  The board approved by unanimous voice vote the Westchester Premises Pollution Liability Insurance coverage.

The board approved an increase to school lunch prices in the amount of ten cents effective September 1, 2017 by unanimous voice vote.  The 2017-2018 joint agreement with the Aging & Disablilty Resource Center of Portage County including a nine cent meal price increase to $2.95 was unanimously approved by voice vote.

Human Resources

The board approved by unanimous voice vote the dental premium increase of .57%.

General

Phase 2 of the Strategic plan was approved by unanimous roll call vote.  The strategic plan is a five year plan for the District.

The board approved the date of June 26, 6:00 pm for the board retreat by unanimous voice vote. Discussions on goals and objectives will be included in the retreat.

The July 2017 school board meeting was cancelled.  The next regular school board meeting will be August 8, 2017

The school board interviewed five individuals interested in filling the vacancy on the school board; Melissa Barkley, David Clark, Lisa Pett, Kurt Pulvermacher and Mike Wade.

Individuals were interviewed round robin with Mr. Mike Wade successfully appointed to complete the term left vacant until the new board is organized post elections April 2018.

Congratulations to Mr. Wade. We thank you for your service and look forward to your service to our district and students.  View the news release.

Recognitions

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

SPASH Student, Jocelyn He. Jocelyn earned a 36 on her ACT.  Less than 1/10 of 1% of students earn a 36, the highest possible ACT composite score. See all SPASH Academic Award recipients. 

Robert Hardina, 5th grade teacher, Roosevelt Elementary was presented the Mandana Bliss Award by students, Jacob Hickethier and Will Gargulak.

Nathan Olson, science teacher, Ben Franklin Junior High, was presented the Mandana Bliss Award by student, Natalie Hintz.

Allison Bancker, 2nd grade teacher, Washington Elementary, was recognized for receiving the Kohl Fellowship Award. Read more.

Leanne Krutza (left), kindergarten teacher, Plover-Whiting Elementary, was recognized for receiving the UW-SP Association for the Education of Young Children Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Nancy Schuster (right), physical education teacher, Plover-Whiting Elementary, was recognized for receiving the Students for Health, Physical Education and Recreation Award for Excellence in Teaching. 

Amy Ervin, 4th grade teacher, McDill Elementary, was recognized for receiving the Kappa Delta Pi, Epsilon Chapter Award for Excellence in Teaching.  

Melissa Oliver, (not pictured) teacher, Bridges, was recognized for receiving the UW-SP Student Council for Exceptional Children Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Rosalyn Evans, 1st grade teacher, McDill Elementary, was recognized for receiving the UW-SP Student Wisconsin Education Association Award for Excellence in Teaching. See more from the Awards Banquet. 

See more recognition photos from May 8. 

Business Services

Following recognitions and reports, the board approved M3/EMC as the property and casualty provider for the District by a unanimous voice vote, and approved R&R/Allied as the 2017-18 cyber liability insurance provider for the District also by unanimous voice vote.

Educational Services

Approval was granted to parents who requested their student ‘opt-out’ of state testing program.  

Policy and Legislation

The Policy and Legislation Committee continues to review the 100 series of District policies. Tentatively, the board can expect to see a clean copy of those edits at their June meeting with a request for approval of the changes at the following meeting.  

Human Resources

The board approved hiring Beth Bakunowicz as the Director of Human Resources. Ms. Bakunowicz received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences/Sociology from Northern Illinois University. She has served as Director of Human Resources for the City of Wisconsin Rapids for the past 17 years and brings over 20 years of human resources experience in public and private sectors to the District. Welcome to Beth!

The board approved teacher contracts for 2017-18.

General

The Board approved moving forward to fill the current vacancy on the board per Board policy 133. Candidates will have until 4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 25,  to submit their application to the superintendent’s office. The application is available online or can be obtained at the Bliss Educational Services Center.

Interview and appointment for the vacancy will take place at the June 12 School Board Meeting. To accommodate the additional time needed to interview applicants, the June meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m.

The Mission, Vision and Belief statements that were reviewed and developed by the strategic planning committee at their first two sessions were approved, allowing the committee to continue their work at their next two planning sessions where they will identify priorities and goals for the board to consider.

The next meeting of the school board will be June 12, 6:00 p.m.

You can view the entirety of the meeting online.

The Stevens Point Area Public School Board will be addressing a board vacancy at their May 8, 2017 Board Meeting.

The vacancy is left by Mr. Dewey Gantz who has served as a school board member for the District since December, 2016.  Prior to serving on the school board Mr. Gantz was a member of the Business Services Committee since August 2016. Due to a conflict in schedules, Mr. Gantz is unable to continue serving as a School Board member.

“The School Board has two options relative to the vacancy that we will consider at our next meeting,” said Meg Erler, School Board president, “We can choose to leave the seat vacant, or we can accept applications for an appointment by the board”. 

Erler and the District thank Mr. Gantz for his service to students, staff and the community during his time on the School Board and the Business Services Committee. 

Board Elects Officers, Approves 1% Stipend for 2017-18 

The Stevens Point Area Public School District School Board began their 2017 Organization Meeting by swearing in re-elected board members, Trish Baker, Amy Dailey, and Chris Scott. Each will serve a three year term (2017-2020). Congratulations to Ms. Baker, Ms. Dailey and Ms. Scott and thank you for your ongoing service to our District and community.

Following the oath of office, board members elected officers; 

Meg Erler, President 

Chris Scott, Vice-President 

Barb Portzen, Clerk 

Amy Dailey, Treasurer

The board also elected Committee Chairs and appointed members to serve on standing board committees. 

Educational Services Committee, Barb Portzen, Chair (Meets the first Monday of the month, 6:30 p.m.) 

Trish Baker, Jeff Ebel, Judy Rannow

Human Resources Committee, Judy Rannow, Chair (Meets the first Monday of the month, 7:45 p.m.) 

Trish Baker, Jeff Ebel, Barb Portzen

Business Services Committee, Amy Dailey Chair (Meets first Tuesday of the month, 6:30 p.m.) 

Dan Kontos, Chris Scott

Policy and Legislation Committee, Dan Kontos, Chair (Meets the first Tuesday of the month, 7:45 p.m.) 

Amy Dailey, Chris Scott

Members appointed to serve on the District Negotiations Committee were Jeff Ebel and Chris Scott. Judy Rannow will serve on the Boston School Forest Advisory Council. Trish Baker will serve as the CESA 5 Delegate. Barb Portzen will serve on the Technology Steering Committee. Dan Kontos will serve as the WASB Delegate/Legislative Liaison. 

The Board also approved a one-time stipend for 2017-18 of up to 1% for employees, excluding bus drivers as they are compensated differently, who received less than a 1% increase on the new salary schedule. If, when placed on 2017-18 compensation model, a staff member received less than a 1% increase, the balance needed to reach 1% will be paid as a one-time stipend so that no one receives less than the equivalent of a 1% total compensation increase for the 2017-18 year.

This one-time stipend for 2017-18 will be paid with the first paycheck of the school year on the following payrolls.

• Year-round staff - July 28, 2017
• Teaching staff and 11 month administrators - August 25, 2017
• School year classified staff - September 22, 2017

Upcoming Board Meetings: 

School Board Meeting, May 8, 6:30 p.m. 

School Board Meeting, June 12, 6:30 p.m. 

School Board Meeting, July 10, 6:30 p.m. 

  View the School Board Meeting in its entirety, here.