Lesson plans and materials for the Human Growth and Development curriculum were approved by the Neenah Joint School District Board of Education at its June 19 meeting.
The discussion dominated much of the meeting, which lasted over four hours. A total of 22 speakers offered opinions during a 90-minute open forum and were fairly split in their views. The Board was also somewhat divided in its review of the lesson plans and materials, which were voted upon separately for each grade level. Board members Betsy Ellenberger, Margaret Murphy and Scott Thompson voted against the materials presented for grades K-3, believing that the materials were not appropriate for children at those young ages. Murphy also dissented for grades 4 and 5. The administration had removed some materials and revised some lesson plans since its original presentation on June 5 based on Board and community feedback.
Several amendments were offered by Board members to remove specific proposed materials or lessons. The only amendment that was approved was the removal of the entire gender lesson plan at grade 5, since Board members indicated that some revisions from administration were provided too late to fully review before voting.
In other action, the 2018-19 student fees were adopted with no changes from the previous year. The Board also approved a Police School Liaison Officer Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Neenah that had been originally presented on May 15. A few adjustments in regards to officer training and indemnification were made since the first review. The Board also approved legal services vendors for 2018-19, supporting Davis & Kuelthau for special education and specific litigation work and vonBriesen & Roper for all other legal work. Paul Hemmer will continue to serve as an independent hearing officer for expulsion hearings.
In personnel changes, Danielle Braun was hired as a music teacher at Shattuck, Lara Camber was hired as a speech and language pathologist at Horace Mann, Kelsey Hooyman was approved as a speech and language pathologist at Coolidge, Jill Weyers was hired as a cross categorical teacher at Spring Road and Tiffany Peterson was approved as an educational assistant at Washington
Members of the boys track and field team who individually placed at the state meet were honored for leading the team to a fifth place finish. Senior Colin Enz was specifically recognized for his individual state championship in the 400-meter dash.
The next regular Board meeting is set for July 24 at 6 p.m. A special facilities meeting will be held on June 21 at 5 p.m. at the Shattuck Auditorium.
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