The first reading of the 2023-24 Employee Policy Manual headlined the Neenah Joint School District Board of Education meeting on May 2.

Many of the adjustments to the policy manual rewrite existing language to reflect current practices. Some notable changes include allowing hourly staff to take off work in hourly increments and increasing the number of vacation days for non-certified staff after one year and five years of employment. Retired employees would also be able to return to work in the District by Oct. 1 rather than the start of the second semester.

Wage and salary ranges were also increased for all employee groups. Over 70 percent of non-certified staff will see their pay ranges increase by 1-2% and each exempt target level and maximum salary range was increased by 2%. Certified staff and administration will see 2% increases on their maximum salaries. The Board will vote on the proposed changes on May 16.

The Board approved certified staff and administrative contracts for 2023-24 and the continued use of an independent hearing officer to conduct expulsion hearings.

In other action, the Board approved policies for student entrance age, student promotion, placement and retention, and facility security. Teaching hires were approved for Gabe Retzlaff and Sydney Petersen in family and consumer science at the high school, Tracey Bast for first grade at Lakeview and Hallie Dix in art at Hoover and Clayton. Kelly Hintz was hired as a library media assistant at Lakeview and Coolidge and Mark Stauffer was approved as a District accountant manager.

End-of-school year resignations were approved for teachers Elizabeth Schmidt at Shattuck, Megan Alexander at Hoover, Kayleigh Arazia at Taft, Chelsea Schumann at the high school and Jordana Vazquez at Spring Road. End-of-school year resignations were approved for educational assistants Kelly King and Emily Esser at Hoover, Macenzie Hanson at Clayton and Kathryn Ansems at Coolidge and Roosevelt. High School counselor Emily Hennes was also increased from half-time to full-time.

The Board welcomed two new members in Lindsay Clark and Michelle Swardenski. Officers were selected and the Board re-elected Brian Epley as president, Lauri Asbury as vice president and Deb Watry as clerk. David Williams was chosen as treasurer.

Several individuals spoke during the open forum regarding the sale of the Shattuck property. The item was on the closed session agenda and was not discussed during the open meeting.