The 2018-19 budget and the 2019 health insurance plan were approved by the Neenah Joint School District Board of Education at its Oct. 16 meeting.
The budget is just over $95 million and is a 3.91 percent increase from last year. Despite the increase, the mill rate for local taxpayers decreased by 48 cents to $7.27 per $1,000 of property value. It remains the lowest for any Fox Valley district. The budget includes an increase of 17.67 FTE in staffing for this school year and maintains the 2 percent increase in salary dollars and 1.5 percent increase in stipend dollars based on performance. The budget also continues the investments in technology, maintenance and the District’s Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB).
The health insurance plan will change to WEA Trust insurance. Employees will have an option of choosing an embedded plan or a non-embedded plan. WEA Trust was one of two companies to offer a competitive bid and offers a wider network of coverage than employees currently receive with WPS. The proposal also maintains the District HSA contribution and reinstates employee rewards through the Vitality program that was discontinued recently.
The Board approved the resignation of Coolidge teacher Kelly Hintz, effective the end of the school year and approved policies regarding student health services and tobacco use on school property.
Lessons and materials for the Human Growth and Development curriculum for grades 6-12 were discussed by the Board. Some Board members expressed concerns with specific wording or materials. It was recommended that Board members review the materials and contact administration with any desired changes prior to voting at the next meeting on Nov. 6.
The District’s food service employees were honored as part of National School Lunch Week. Superintendent Dr. Mary Pfeiffer also noted that the community survey regarding facilities is ongoing with an Oct. 22 deadline. The results will be reviewed at a special Board meeting on Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. at the Shattuck Middle School Auditorium.
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