District calendars for the next three school years were adopted along with the 2020-21 Employee Policy Manual at the Neenah Joint School District Board of Education meeting on May 19.
In addition, the Board approved a waiver to be submitted to the Department of Public Instruction for a waiver of mandated instructional minutes for 2019-20. The Board tabled a discussion to approve the financial audit. The District’s financial position was commended by auditor Lee Stumpf of Erickson and Associates. The only corrective action was having an external accountant prepare the documents. Stumpf noted no other District he works with does this and it is cost-prohibitive, but Board members wanted to explore the option and tabled the vote.
The primary changes to future calendars for the next three years involved parent-teacher conferences, which will now be spread over a two-week period to give staff members a larger break in between conference dates and assist parents with students at multiple grade levels. The proposal will also close school on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January and extend the school year one day in 2020-21 to conclude on June 4.
Nearly all of the changes to the Employee Policy Manual involved updates based on title changes, existing practice or other minor edits. The most notable change is in regards to new language for retirees who must be separated from the District for at least 26 weeks. The reason for the change is that the District would need to offer the retirees full insurance benefits if hired in any capacity during the first semester in order to comply with Affordable Care Act restrictions. The Board and administrators highly encourage retirees to fill jobs after the 26-week period ends.
The Board approved hires for Chelsea Waaler as a teacher at Coolidge, Rachel Fisher as a teacher at Spring Road and Brooke Chaltry as the administrative assistant for District facilities. An immediate resignation was accepted for Clayton principal Amy Schumacher and end-of-year resignations were approved for Lakeview educational assistant Debra Hopfensperger, Hoover teacher Michael Jacobs, Alliance teacher Amy Oostdik and Clayton teacher Morgan Gunnink.
The Board received a presentation from Milliman actuarial firm in regards to the other post-employment benefits liability, which will be fully funded at the end of this school year. Milliman representative Jack Chmielewski lauded Neenah as one of very few school districts in Wisconsin that is fully funded for pension benefits. He also said approximately just 25 percent of districts have even begun funding them.
There was a lengthy discussion about a sustainability policy and resolution that will be voted upon at the next meeting on June 2. The Board also reviewed a plan to have student representatives more engaged at meetings and involving students more at each school.
Senior student Zoe Galinsky was thanked for her two years of service as a student representative. Additionally, state wrestling champion Marshall Kools and all-time leading boys basketball scorer Max Klesmit were honored for their achievements. The Board also honored their senior scholarship recipients, Skembim Ademi and Austin Price.
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