School Board Meeting June 16, 2025
Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter provided a District Administrator Update recognizing the great speeches given by the seven valedictorians at the GHS Graduation ceremony along with Mrs. Catalano for giving the opening speech; thanking everyone who attended the GHS Graduation and the KMS promotion ceremony; sharing state track and field tournament results; and highlighting positive outcomes from the 2024-2025 school year.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter shared the MDRoffers Report presenting information on recent enrollment and demographic trends, recent housing trends, an overview of projection methodology, housing projections, student enrollment projections, the comparison of enrollment projections to current building capacities, and the implications of the projections.
Performing Arts Center Coordinator Heather Ellis shared a report regarding the Performing Arts Center mentioning the 2024-2025 usage, the Dramatic Impact 24-25 Season, the Jerry Award winners, KMS musicals, outside rental group information, the Community Series Events, the Community Advisory Team and 25-26 planning, expense and revenue review, the upcoming youth summer drama camps, upcoming Family Film Fridays, and volunteer opportunities.
Director of Athletics & Activities Dr. Sara Unertl shared a report on athletics and activities for the 2024-2025 school year mentioning GHS was once again honored for the WIAA Award of Excellence, 5 former student athletes were inducted into the Wall of Fame class, many state championships were received along with many team and individual records set, seven athletes received Athletes of the Year awards, 24 students participated in signing and commitment dates to play their sport at college, many activity groups competed at state and national levels. The Athletics and Activities Department offers 74 plus co-curricular programs.
School Board President Russ Ewert shared information from the Village of Germantown Planning Commission meeting. Director Tracy Pawlak shared information from the Park & Rec Commission meeting.
Motion by Barney, second by Pawlak to approve Consent Agenda items A-E. Dr. Reuter highlighted the donations. Mr. Nowak highlighted the teacher contracts. Motion carried.
Pawlak provided an update from the June 9, 2025 Buildings & Grounds Committee meeting mentioning the work order completion report, the Facilities Condition Assessment: Priority Level 1 Crosswalk, and the building tour schedule and dates.
Higginbotham provided an update from the June 9, 2025 Teaching & Learning Committee meeting mentioning the NextPath purchase which was sent to the Finance Committee to be recommended to send to the Board for approval.
Brown provided an update from the June 9, 2025 Personnel Committee meeting mentioning teacher contracts and resignations, the staffing update, the employee handbook modifications, and the administrator resignation.
Motion with a positive recommendation from the Personnel Committee to approve the modifications to all of the Employee Handbooks as presented. Motion carried (Barney - abstain).
Motion with a positive recommendation from the Personnel Committee to approve the resignation of Jon Fox and thank him for his years of service in the Germantown School District. Motion carried.
Loth provided an update from the June 16, 2025 Finance Committee meeting mentioning the approval of vouchers, the June variance report, the 2025-2026 preliminary budget, the 2024-2025 committed fund balance, the NextPath purchase, the 2025-2026 district copy paper purchase, and the Hydroponic Vegetable Gardens at GHS.
The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Full Board to approve the 2025-2026 preliminary budget as presented. Motion carried.
The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Full Board to commit the amount of $120,000 to the June 30, 2025 General Fund Balance sub-account Committed Fund Balance for the purchase of core literacy materials K-8. Motion carried.
The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Full Board to approve the purchase of NextPath and professional development for an amount not to exceed $20,000 using a grant/general fund. Motion carried.
The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Full Board to purchase white copy paper from Complete Office of Wisconsin at the price of $29.55 per case and purchase color copy paper from Veritiv at the price of $49.95 per case. Motion carried.
The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Full Board to approve the construction project of classroom A102 and the purchase of 10 fork farm flex units for Hydroponic Vegetable Gardens at GHS with a not to exceed cost of $125,000.00 funded from the Food & Nutrition budget. Motion carried.
Athletics & Activities Director Dr. Sara Unertl led discussions on the KMS and GHS Co-Curricular Handbooks mentioning minimal changes were made. Motion by Barney, second by Higginbotham to approve the 2025-2026 KMS and GHS Co-Curricular Handbooks. Motion carried.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter led discussions on student handbooks. Motion by Higginbotham, second by Barney to approve the proposed Germantown School District Student Handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion carried.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter led discussions on the Germantown School District Strategic Goals: academic achievement, growth for each student, workforce engagement and environment, and community relationships. Motion by Higginbotham, second by Pawlak to approve the Germanton School District's Strategic goals for the 2025-2028 school years. Motion carried.
Director of Teaching & Learning Jake Misiak led discussions on summer school contracts. Motion by Pawlak, second by Higginbotham to approve the summer school contracts as presented. Motion carried.
Director of Pupil Services Katie Kohel led discussions on the Extended School Year Contracts. Motion by Pawlak, second by Barney to approve the Extended School Year contracts as presented based on negotiated wage after July 1, 2025. Motion carried.
Director of Human Resource Mike Nowak led discussions on the certified teaching staff wage increase for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Motion by Pawlak, second by Brown to approve a 2.95% pay rate increase and the outlined distribution for certified teaching staff as presented for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, effective July 1, 2025. Motion carried.
Thank you to Mr. Nowak for his years of service and good luck in retirement.
For more information about the Germantown School District Board of Education, please visit our website.
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Regular School Board Meeting — July 15, 2025