An update on digital learning, changes to the Employee Policy Manual, proposed future calendars and the election of officers comprised a busy Neenah Joint School District Board of Education meeting on May 5.
District office administrators Chad Buboltz, Matt Anderson, Susan Hull and Steve Dreger provided results from recent surveys conducted with staff members and parents regarding the digital learning environment. Feedback from the surveys is being used to guide future decisions regarding digital learning and has already resulted in the change of having four dates in May reserved for art, music and physical education at the elementary level.
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 that drew the most questions was 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 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. The calendars and Employee Policy Manual proposals will be voted upon at the next meeting on May 19.
Brian Epley was voted president of the Board of Education, replacing Michelle Swardenski whose term expired. Carol Hollar-Zwick was voted vice president. Lauri Asbury will remain treasurer, Betsy Ellenberger will remain clerk and Jeanine Drier will continue as secretary.
In action items, the Board approved a resolution to borrow $47 million toward the projects identified in the referendum. A public hearing will be held on May 12 for informational purposes regarding the resolution. The Board also approved remaining with Robert W. Baird as the District’s financial advisor for the upcoming debt issues related to the referendum.
The Board approved hires for Jami Hintz as Director of Human Resources, Cassandra Krueger as an elementary social worker, Abbie Sliwicki as a teacher at Lakeview, Tim Wypiszynski as a teacher at the high school and counselor at Downtown campus, Kathryn Larson as a teacher at Taft. End-of-school year resignations were approved for Roosevelt teacher Danielle Pluta and Taft educational assistant Kelley King.
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