Ellsworth Community School District Regular school board meeting September 14, 2020

The Ellsworth Community School District Board of Education met for a regular school board meeting on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the High School Cafetorium. The meeting was held in person with school board member, Dana Glor, and Lisa Voisin from Baird who will be presenting later in the meeting, participating via ZOOM.

The meeting was called to order by President Doug Peterson at 6:01 pm. Members present identi ed by a roll call

vote: Susan Beck- yes, Kurt Buckner- yes, Katie Feuerhelm- yes, Dana Glor- present via ZOOM, Gary Kressin- yes, Steve Mark- yes, and Doug Peterson- yes.

Motion was made by Kurt Buckner, seconded by Susan Beck to amend the meeting agenda order to move the School District Re nancing topic presented by Lisa Voisin from Baird into immediate discussion. Motion carried unanimously.

Due to technical issues, the school board continued on with the original meeting agenda order instead of the School Dis- trict Re nancing topic.

Motion was made by Susan Beck, seconded by Katie Feuerhelm to approve the August 4, 2020 special school board meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion was made by Susan Beck, seconded by Kurt Buckner to approve the August 10, 2020 regular school board meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion was made by Susan Beck, seconded by Gary Kressin to approve the August 24, 2020 special school board meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer Buckner present- ed the June 2020 nancial

report. Motion was made by Gary Kressin, seconded by Susan Beck to approve the nancial report as presented.

Motion carried unanimously.

With the technical issues resolved, Lisa Voisin from Baird presented information on an opportunity to re nance the

school district’s 2016 bonds.

The potential cost savings to the district would amount to approximately $700,000.

Lisa noted that if she can lock in a favorable interest rate, this would be a formal action item at the October 12, 2020 school board meeting.

Treasurer Buckner present- ed the August 2020 nancial

report. Motion was made by Susan Beck, seconded by Kurt Buckner to approve the nancial report as presented.

Motion carried unanimously.

Discussion was held regard-

ing staf ng options in the

event of a district wide shut down due to the pandemic.

Motion was made by Steve Mark, seconded by Gary Kressin in the event of a long term shutdown, the school board would be enacting the furloughing of speci c employees to be identi ed at that time with that of cial action taking place at a school board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Discussion was held regarding the current employee handbook language that provides for ten calendar days’ notice in the event the school district implements employee furloughs. Motion was made by Kurt Buckner, seconded by Susan Beck to change the number of calendar days’ notice from ten days to three days. Motion carried unanimously.

Superintendent Cain pre- sented nancial information

for the proposed classroom

ampli cation systems at the

High School and the Middle School. He noted the total

cost as identi ed in the quote

is $108,312.62. Motion to approve the installation of the High School and the Middle School ampli cation

systems as presented was made by Gary Kressin, seconded by Katie Feuerhelm.

Motion carried unanimously.

School Board Committee reports: The Curriculum Committee did not meet.

The Negotiations and Personnel Committee did not meet.

The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee did not meet.

The Budget and Finance Committee did not meet.

The Communications Committee did not meet.

Treasurer Buckner updated the school board members on updates from his CESA meeting.

There were three registrants for open period for public comment: 1. Matt Anderson addressed the school board in gratitude for the allowance of fall sports.

2. Jill Rosenberry, Ellsworth Elementary School teacher, addressed the school board regarding the furloughing of staff teaching assistants.

3. Kari Jennings, Ellsworth Elementary School teacher, addressed the school board regarding the furloughing of support staff.

Motion was made by Susan Beck, seconded by Gary Kressin to table the public hearing and the resolution approval for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction COVID-19 Flexibility Application. Motion carried unanimously. Motion was made by Gary Kressin, seconded by Katie Feuerhelm to approve the personnel report as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Hires: V e r non Andrews, Bus Driver Brandy Blanch, Ellsworth Middle School Special Education Teaching Assistant Scott Herem, Bus Driver Nicholas Place, Ellsworth Elementary School Custodian Nicole Pizza, Ellsworth Elementary School General Education Teaching Assistant Tammy Roehl, Ellsworth Elementary School Teaching Assistant long term sub Adam Stejskal, Part time Custodian Ashley Wilk, Ellsworth Elementary School Teaching Assistant long term sub Transfer: Tessa Figi, transfer from 60% sub to Ellsworth Elementary School long term substitute teacher Alisa Frion, transfer from Ellsworth Elementary School Food Service 1 to Ellsworth Middle School Food Service 2 Jill Rosenberry, transfer from Title 1 teacher to Ellsworth Elementary School second grade teacher long term sub Erin Tomlinson, transfer from Title 1 teacher to Ellsworth Elementary School online learning teacher Resignation: Madeline Bayer, Ellsworth Elementary School teacher long term sub Brandt Peterson, Ellsworth High school .50 FTE Science teacher Extra/Co-Curricular: Kimberly Bruesewitz, Virtual Learning Coordinator- .50FTE RyanChristenson, Virtual Learning Coordinator- .50 FTE Josh Erlandson, 8th grade Assistant Football Coach Lisa Groh, Mentor Marcia Jahnke, Building Level Team Leader- 11th grade Lydia Krueger, Assistant 7th grade Volleyball Coach Motion was made by Katie Feuerhelm, seconded by Kurt Buckner to set October 6, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the High School Cafetorium as a school board workshop date for the Kraus Anderson Facility study. Motion carried unanimously.

Ann Huppert, Athletic Director/ Pool Director, presented information on the plan for fall sports due to COVID-19.

Sporting event spectator guidelines from Pierce County Public Health were reviewed which included three options and the de ning crite ria for each option. As iden-

ti ed under the Better Option

from Pierce County Public Health, the school district recommendation for spectators included four tickets per player for outdoor events for football and two tickets per player for indoor events for volleyball. Additional recommendations include no spectators from visiting teams, masks for event workers, coaches, and players when not actively participating, and volleyball players must wear face coverings while participating. All spectators must maintain six feet of physical distance at all times unless within the same household.

Motion was made by Steve Mark,seconded by Kurt Buckner to accept the recommendation as presented.

Roll call vote: Susan Beckyes, Kurt Buckner- yes, Katie Feuerhelm- yes, Dana Glor- yes, Gary Kressin- yes, Steve Mark- yes, Doug Peterson- yes. Motion carried 7-0.

Superintendent Cain updated school board members on the start of school information including COVID cases and protocols, sub training, health aides, staf ng, and

the school lunch program.

Superintendent Cain updated school board members on the current school district population including the number of students participating in both in-person and online learning. He noted that the nal student popu lation for membership count purposes will be documented on Friday, September 18th.

Ann Huppert, Athletic Director/ Pool Director, presented information regarding the reopening of the swimming pool. Protocols regarding social distancing, face coverings, cleaning and disinfecting, pool and locker room capacity, recording attendance, swimming lessons, open swim, and pool hours were discussed.

Superintendent Cain presented school board policy 3430 and 4430 pertaining to Leaves of Absence. Current practice and handbook language state all unpaid leaves of absence are approved by the District Administrator which is contrary to current school district policy which states the Board of Education will approve all unpaid leaves of absence.

Superintendent Cain noted the technical change to the policy to align with the handbook language. Per school board policy, this is information presented to the school board and does not require school board action.

Motion was made by Kurt Buckner, seconded by Katie Feuerhelm to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 pm.

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