Colfax school board approves open enrollment, change in athletic code policies
By Marlys Kruger
COLFAX — It was a quiet night at the monthly Colfax school board meeting January 21 with just a few items on the agenda brought up for approval. One of those items was the final reading of open enrollment policy for the district. The Department of Public Instruction has increased the time frame for students to open enroll to another district with the dates set at Feb. 4-April 30 and the DPI prefers parents use the on-line application process if they choose to go this route.
An addition was made to the athletic policy referring to appropriate behavior for athletes representing Colfax with “inappropriate use of electronic social media” on the list of violations starting with the 2013-14 school year.
The board also agreed to post an internal notice for a high school agriculture teacher/summer ag program teacher for the upcoming year. A Wisconsin DPI License in High School Agriculture is required for the job.
A gift of $5000 was accepted by the board from the Sanger Foundation on behalf of Steve and Karen Sanger which is to be used for any students who might need assistance. The district has been getting this donation from the Sangers for the past several years.
Summer school classes, swimming lessons, music and agricultural programs were approved for this summer and high school driver’s education information is now available to students and parents in the high school office. The program once again will run through the Safety and Respect Driving School at a cost of $330 which is not paid by the school district.
District Administrator Bill Yingst received a letter from the DPI stating the Family and Consumer Sciences course “Food Science” meets the requirements of a science equivalency credit for students.
Current board members Joel Hilson and Todd Kragness will run un-opposed in the upcoming election and all seven board members will attend the state convention Jan. 22-25 in Milwaukee. There are 16 resolutions to be discussed and voted on at the convention. Colfax board president Don Berge will be recognized at the convention for 30 years of service to the board.
Yingst provided a list of mill rates for all 39 schools in the CESA 11 district which showed Colfax to have the fourth lowest at 8.78 . Webster has the lowest at 6.0 while Elmwood tops the list at 15.85.
Grades 7-12 principal John Dachel informed the board of some upcoming events including Winter Carnival Week Feb. 4-7 at the high school with the crowning of the king and queen at the dance Thursday night after the boys basketball game at Glenwood City. Sports tournaments are right around the corner with conference wrestling Feb. 2 and the sectional meet Feb. 16, while boys basketball begins playoffs Feb. 19 and the girls start Feb. 26. The dance team will compete in the regional meet Jan. 26 at New Richmond.
The FFA Alumni Toy and Craft Show will take place in the high school gym Feb. 24, Dachel stated.
Elementary principal Trevor Hovde gave updates on the Accelerated Reading, DIBELS and Lexia Reading programs and also said the school enrollment had increased by 11 students from last year.
The special education report was given stating a meeting for all special education parents will be held Jan. 28 to present information on how iPads can be used for children with disabilities. The 4th Annual Youth Transition Conference is scheduled for March 21 at UW-Eau Claire. The conference is a service for teens and young adults with disabilities and their parents to learn about options for them during and after high school.