Prescott School District
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
November 15th, 2023
APPROVED MINUTES
Members Present: Matzek, Block, Holub, Rudolph, Stoeckel
CALL TO ORDER by Board President Matzek, subject to section 19.83 Wisconsin Statutes @ 6:00 p.m. in the Prescott High School Library.
BUSINESS MEETING:
Board President, Mike Matzek, adopted the consent agenda, including Business Items “October 18th, 2023 Regular Board Minutes,” “Board Checks/Finance” which includes October payroll checks, advised deposits, general fund checks, activity fund checks, district wires, and district ACH as presented by the Finance Department. Acceptance of “Non-licensed personnel” including new hires (Kahlen - HR Generalist and Benefits Specialist, Lawrence Martinez - Food Service, Valerie Degezelle - Food Service, Morgan Lundeen - HS Para, Gabriella Hernandez - HS Para). Acceptance of ALICE training reports for all school buildings.
Motion by Block, seconded by Rudolph to accept resignation for “licensed personnel” for Lauren Burks - Occupational Therapist. Motion carried.
Motion by Block, seconded by Holub to accept the first reading NEOLA policies for version 32.2 that include “rescinding, merging or noncontroversial” changes. Motion carried.
Motion by Holub, seconded by Rudolph to approve the high school proposal for the students and courses presented by ECCP and Start College Now for the Spring 2024 classes. Motion carried.
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION:
Dr. Spicuzza gave an update on the request for proposals for 14.6 acres of school district land off the 1010 Dexter Street property. Dr. Spicuzza reiterated that this was mentioned at the October board meeting, sent to adjacent property owners, and posted to the PSD website and Pierce County Journal. Dr. Spicuzza engaged in conversations with Israel Haas (Coulee River Trail), Matt Wolf (City of Prescott), and Chamber of Commerce and former mayor, Mike Hunter.
Dr. Spicuzza spoke on the budget and future implications for determining an operating referendum in the Spring of 2024. Our finance team is working with Baird Financial to project out scenarios and projected shortfalls. Dr. Spicuzza mentioned that with nearly a $1,000,000 shortfall, a referendum is likely to happen if we want to keep our people and programs. A December “work session” is scheduled for Monday, December 4th at 4:30 pm in the Prescott High School library to discuss in more detail.
Director of Teaching and Learning, Michael Kosmalski, continued his academic update from last month showcasing our new DPI State Report Card. Prescott is doing exceptionally well in both ELA and Math categories in comparison to nearby districts and the state overall. Prescott is #1 in the MBC for Achievement and #1 in the MBC Student Growth. We are in the top 10.3% in Academics in the State of Wisconsin.
Activities and Athletics Director, Andrew Caudill, proposed a possible revenue-generating idea revolving around the “naming rights” of our outdoor athletic fields. We are in the initial stages of determining if there’s a community desire for this, along with the monetary value it would bring to the district.
Dr. Spicuzza gave an update on the status of the current infrastructure referendum work and the next steps for Summer 2024 (and beyond) work to be done. We’re looking at HVAC, electrical and plumbing work to be done at the elementary, intermediate, and middle schools, along with window replacements at the elementary and roof replacements for both elementary and middle school.
Dr. Spicuzza reminded the board that the Type A Publication for Board Election Candidacy will be published in the Pierce County Journal on 11/22/23. Declaration of Candidacy must be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. on 1/2/24.
Motion by Block, seconded by Holub to go into Closed Session under two exemptions 19.85(1)(e) and 19.85 (1)(c) at Prescott High School Room 117 at 8:36 pm. Wis. Stat. §§ 19.85(1)(e): Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business. Wis. Stat. §§ 19.85 (1)(c): Dismissal, Considering promotion, compensation, and performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.
Motion by Block, seconded by Stoeckel to adjourn from closed session and move to open session at 10:10 pm. Motion carried.
Motion by Stoeckel, seconded by Block to adjourn meeting at 10:11 pm. Motion carried.
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