Regular Board Meeting: May 23, 2022
Student representative Hanna DeGrace came forward and introduce the Board to the 2022–23 student representative Abby Bruss before providing the Board with an update on activities taking place at each school building in the last months of the school year.
Superintendent Stousland introduced County Line Principal Andy Eisenbach. Eisenbach described the presentation by 5th-grade students before handing it off to County Line Music Teacher Amie Beeman. Students Kinsleigh Wilke, Izzy Pyka, McKenzie Feely, Quinn Borchard, and Chloe Lessila showed the Board and community how a ball and bucket can be used as a musical instrument with their presentation.
Superintendent Stousland introduced Rockfield Principal Dana Croatt. Croatt explained to the Board how the Rockfield recycling program was started. Students Krue Burkette, Morgan Ohman, and Brynn McKenna described how the recycling program works, and how they’ve communicated to the grade levels and gone into classrooms to promote the program.
Superintendent Stousland led discussions by describing some of the data that was collected in the district's April Communications survey and provided to the Board in the packet. Stousland then highlighted the usefulness of the district's smartphone app. Brief Board discussion.
Director of Student Activities & Athletics Sara Unertl led discussions providing the Board with an update on all fall, winter, and spring sports, mentioning the Warhawk Pride newsletter that is posted weekly on the GHS website. Unertl highlighted the alumni that were honored throughout the year, students that had signed their commitment letters, and WIAA honors for two students. Soderberg thanked Unertl for all that she has done for the program.
Medved led discussion on the tentative Board meeting schedule as presented. Soderberg and Medved both mentioned returning to the school buildings on a rotation schedule for the meetings.
Medved led discussion on Board committee assignments as presented. Reinemann said that if Human Growth & Development still had anopen position, she would take it.
The following citizens addressed the Board regarding the WIAA game, policies, joint Board meeting with the village, Richfield's growth, and the Community survey: GEA representative Amie Beeman and Scott Hefle.
Motion by Barney, second by Ewert to approve the April 25, 2022, Board of Education minutes, and the April 25, 2022, Closed Session minutes. Motion carried.
Ewert led discussions on the Teaching & Learning Committee meeting, the why and how things are done, with Director of Teaching & Learning Chris Reuter mentioning the process of adopting curriculum, the internal review team, and providing transparency to stakeholders. Ewert provided information on the 4K program and an informational night that was scheduled for parents at each elementary building. Brief discussion on courses.
Loth led discussions on the May 9, 2022, Finance Committee meeting mentioning the approval of vouchers and variance report.
Motion by Loth second by Soderberg to approve the RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ESCROW ACCOUNT WITH RESPECT TO AND THE DEFEASSANCE OF CERTAIN OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 2017A, DATED APRIL 12, 2017. Soderberg asked Altendorf to describe the purpose. Motion carried.
Loth stated a motion to approve with a positive recommendation from the Finance Committee to approve the 2022–2023 Meal and Milk prices. It does not require a second. Motion carried.
Loth stated a motion to approve with a positive recommendation from the Finance Committee to approve the 2022–2023 Facility Use Fee Schedule. It does not require a second. Motion carried.
Loth stated a motion to approve with a positive recommendation from the Finance Committee to contract Convergent Solutions to replace the Germantown School District phone system in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 purchased from the appropriate accounts in the general fund. It does not require a second. Motion carried.
Loth stated a motion to approve with a positive recommendation from the Finance Committee to lease purchase HP laptops with warranty from Vanguard Computers and finance the lease-purchase through a 4-year lease arrangement with Corporate Leasing Associates in an amount not to exceed $23,661.00 with an annual P & I payment of $6,369.54, as presented and charge to the appropriate capitalization and lease accounts in the general fund. It does not require a second. Motion carried.
Loth stated a motion to approve with a positive recommendation from the Finance Committee to purchase security cameras in an amount not to exceed $53,960.00 as funds allow from the appropriate accounts in the general fund. It does not require a second. Medved asked Altendorf about using ESSER funds could be rolled into this because of security. It does not require a second. Motion carried.
Loth stated a motion to approve with a positive recommendation from the Finance Committee to award Audio Engineering not to exceed $20,340.00 to complete zones 2 & 3 of Kennedy Middle School's clock upgrade funded from the Building and Grounds Fund 10 if funding is available. It does not require a second. Brief discussion. Motion carried.
Loth stated a motion to approve with a positive recommendation from the Finance Committee to award Mid-State Equipment not to exceed $57,463.58 to purchase a John Deere 3046R tractor with attachments funded from the Building and Grounds Fund 10 if funding is available. It does not require a second. Brief discussion. Motion carried.
Loth stated a motion to approve with a positive recommendation from the Finance Committee to award the Cooperative Education Service Agency No. 6 (CESA 6) a contract not to exceed $31,000 for writing professional development for the 2022–2023 school year. It does not require a second. Motion carried.
Loth stated a motion to approve with a positive recommendation from the Finance Committee for Filtration Concepts not to exceed $46,234.00 to install disinfecting UV lighting on the air handling units at Germantown High School and Amy Belle funded from the ESSER Funds. It does not require a second. Motion carried.
Barney led discussions on an update from the May 23, 2022, Insurance Committee meeting stating that USI had given an update at the meeting and that the plan is to move forward with self-funded. More information would be coming to the Board.
Director of Human Resources, Mike Nowak led discussions on the resignations of Marc Lehnerer and Brett Stousland. Motion by Soderberg, second by Reinemann to approve the resignations of Marc Lehnerer and Brett Stousland and thank them for their years of service to the students, their families, and the Germantown School District, and approve posting and filling the vacancies. Motion carried.
Director of Teaching and Learning Chris Reuter led discussions on the Summer School contracts. Motion by Reinemann, second by Pawlak to approve the contracts as presented. Motion carried.
Director of Pupil Services Todd Lamb led discussions on extended school year contracts. Motion by Reinemann, second by Barney to approve the contracts as presented. Motion carried.
Director of Pupil Services Todd Lamb led discussions on the IEP diagnostic contracts. Motion by Reinemann, second by Pawlak to approve the contracts as presented. Motion carried.
Superintendent Stousland led discussions on the overnight travel request for HOSA. Motion by Loth, second by Reinemann to approve the overnight travel request for the Germantown High School HOSA students and chaperone to travel to Nashville, TN, from June 21, 2022, to June 26, 2022, as presented. Motion carried.
Superintendent Stousland led discussions on the overnight travel request for SkillsUSA. Motion by Barney, second by Loth to approve the overnight travel request for the Germantown High School SkillsUSA program to travel to Atlanta, GA, from June 20, 2022, to June 24, 2022, as presented. Loth wished them all the best. Motion carried.
Superintendent Stousland led discussions by mentioning that there were 17 donations this month, stating the donations. Motion by Reinemann, second by Barney to thank the donors for their generosity and approve the donations as listed. Medved thanked the donors for the continued donations that keep coming in. Motion carried.
The Board entered into Closed Session at 8:19 p.m.
A recording of the meeting can be viewed here.
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Regular Board Meeting — June 27