School Board Happenings

Regular School Board Meeting March 18, 2024

Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter provided a District Administrator Update mentioning that this is Music In Schools month, the ACT testing tomorrow at GHS, Forward Testing for 3rd-8th graders, Spring Break is next week, and congratulations to Mr. Shawn Burns who achieved his National Board Teacher Certification for Physical Education/Early and Middle Childhood.

The Germantown School District Student Representative provided an update on what is happening in our schools: AMY BELLE: This month’s focus has been on cooperation, Belle Fest is at the end of the month, students are learning about problem solving, and Forward testing for grades 3-5 will start after spring break. COUNTY LINE: Students enjoyed the warmer weather during recess time, partook in the Scholastic Book Fair, and will begin Forward testing very soon. MACARTHUR: The PTA hosted the MacCarnival event and held an annual book giveaway in recognition of Read Across America; students created pieces of art that are on display at the Germantown Public Library for youth art month. ROCKFIELD:  Grades 3-5 will begin Forward testing and students are focusing on the theme of cooperation this month. KMS:  Auditions for the school’s talent show took place, 20 students attended the FBLA state competition, 3 students were champions of the 2024 KMS Battle of the Books, and students reviewed and revised their academic and career planning goals and initiatives. GHS: Spring sports season is in full swing; the girls and boys basketball teams, wrestlers, powerlifters, and poms team all ended the season on a high note; freshmen and sophomores are taking the Pre-ACT; juniors are taking the ACT; and the music department is showcasing the high school’s musical talents for March’s Music in the Schools month. 

Dr. Dana Croatt shared that March is National Disability Awareness Month and highlighted the incredible work that is done with students with special needs. A video was shown that showcased some of the student’s special moments that they have at school. Several students shared a few things about Rockfield.  

Motion by Barney, second by Pawlak to approve Consent Agenda Items A-E and thank the donors for their generosity. Motion carried.

Loth provided an update from the March 18, 2024 Finance Committee Meeting mentioning the approval of the vouchers, the February variance report, the Debt Defeasance report by Michel Clark with Robert W Baird, the 2023-2024 budget adjustments, and the monthly purchase requests for Discovery Ed and Sora.

The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds, the Establishment of an Escrow Account with Respect to and the Defeasance of Certain of the Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds, dated November 15, 2021 (the "Defeasance Transaction").  Roll call: Medved - yes, Ewert - yes, Barney - yes, Loth - yes, Pawlak - yes, Higginbotham - yes, Brown - yes. Motion carried 7-0.

The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the 2023-2024 budget adjustments. Motion carried. 

The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the purchase of Discovery Education for $16,000 using Common School Library Aid. Motion carried.

The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the purchase of the OverDrive digital K-2 library for $13,401.57 and OverDrive digital 3-5 library for $16,340.24 using Common School Library Aid. Motion carried.

Ewert provided an update from the March 18, 2024 Personnel Committee meeting mentioning the teacher contracts and teacher resignations in the Consent Agenda, the retirement of Mary Bales at GHS, the staffing update, the Teachers on Call update, and the OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefits) update. 

Director of Teaching & Learning Jake MIsiak and Board Vice President Russ Ewert provided an update on the current status of the reading pilots in the Germantown School District, and the actions taken by the State of Wisconsin’s Joint Finance Committee related to the Early Literacy Curriculum Counsel and the Wisconsin Department of Instruction recommendations regarding reading resources.

Director of Teaching & Learning Jake Misiak led discussions on the Early College Credit Program and Start College Now Applications. Motion by Ewert, second by Barney to approve the Early Credit College Program and the Start College Now requests as presented. Motion carried.

Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter led discussions on the Skills USA Overnight Travel Request. Motion by Pawlak, second by Ewert to approve the overnight travel request for 14 students and three (3) advisors to travel to Madison from April 9-10, 2024 to attend the SkillsUSA State Competition as presented. Motion carried.

Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter led discussions on the FBLA Overnight Travel Request. Motion by Higginbotham, second by Ewert to approve the overnight travel request for 53 students and four (4) advisors to travel to Green Bay from April 7-9, 2024 to attend the FBLA State Competition as presented. Motion carried.

Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter led discussions on the Powerlifting Overnight Travel Request. Motion by Pawlak, second by Barney to approve the overnight travel request for 35 students and seven (7) advisors to travel to the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel in Louisiana April 19-21, 2024 to attend the High School National Powerlifting Championships as presented. Motion carried.

Director of Human Resources Mike Nowak led discussions on the Teacher retirements. Motion by Ewert, second by Pawlak to approve the request for retirement at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year for Mary Bales and thank her for her many years of service to our district. Motion carried.

For more information about the Germantown School District Board of Education, please visit our website


UPCOMING MEETINGS: 

Regular School Board Meeting — April 22, 2024