Boyceville School Board accepts $17,000 in grants, buys new bus

BOYCEVILLE — The school board accepted some $17,346 from four different sources to fund projects at the school. They also approved the purchase of a new school bus, heard reports and recognized an outgoing board member.

The grants presented to the school include a $1,000 grant from Fairmount Minerals to Amy Carlson-Phillips for second grade ipads. The AnnMarie Foundation present grants for three projects including: $2,300 for four iPads, four cases, and four sets of headphones for Ashlee Wisemiller’s classroom. $1,323 for three ipads 2’s and three Otterbox cases for Amy Carlson-Phillips classroom and $1,375 for a Robotics kit and coding software to Andy Hamm’s Physics/Engineering students.

The other two grants were a $9,225 grant for a 2013 Wisconsin Schools of Recognition Teacher Fellowship to Deb Bell and a $2,500 grant from Monsanto to the Wrestling program.

New Bus

The school board approved the purchase of a new 71-passenger school bus at their meeting of April 15. Superintendent Kevin Sipple reported that the district had planned on purchasing a new bus every other year. But he told the board, “we have funding in this years budget to purchase a bus.” He explained that the district has saved money because of lower interest rates on school loans and spent less on legal costs, so money is available to make the purchase. He also indicated to the board that next year’s budget looks very tight.

The board approved the purchase of the new bus, which should be delivered by the middle of May. The bus is diesel power conventional style bus. The board did also approved the addition of luggage boxes to be installed under the body. The total cost of the new bus is $88,870.

There was also discussion about purchasing a LP or natural gas powered bus in the future. Although Sipple indicated that the mileage was very low at present. ”They can only make about four miles to the gallon” he told the board.

Outgoing Board Member Honored

The board also recognized outgoing board member John Zavodny for his years of service to the school and community. Superintendent Sipple presented Zavodny with a certificate for his service. Zavodny did not seek re-election to the board in this month’s election.

Near the end of the meeting the two members that were elected to the board took their oath of office. They are new member Jeremy Mittlestadt and re-elected member Tim Sempf with Board Clerk Steven Bird having the honors of reading the oath.

Reports

Athletic Director, Pat Gretzlock reported to the board that 38 percent of the high school students participated in winter sports. He indicated that it was about the same percentages that were involved in the fall sports program.

Gretzlock also reported on three events that will be hosted in Boyceville with the WIAA D3 baseball/softball seeding meetings set for May 8 and May 15. But because no ball has been played as of yet, “setting the seeding will be hard.” To that point he said that because of the weather conditions all non-conference baseball have been cancelled as well as cross over games between big and small schools in the conference. He noted that it will be an eight game baseball season.

Other events scheduled at Boyceville are the D3 Regional Track meet on May 20 and the D3 Sectional Cross Country Meet on October 26.

Gretzlock also informed the board about the Colon Cancer Alliance Fundraiser. Gretzlock told the basketball players that he would donate $1.00 for each three-pointer made and thirty-three cents for each one attempted to the fundraiser. “I did it to honor my father,” Gretzlock said. He donated $187.59.

He also informed the board that the school was the winner of the Hospitality Award from the Indianhead Official Association.

During his report, Gretzlock told about the meetings he has attended with the WIAA. Board member John Zavodny questioned him if there was any discussion about private schools and their placement during tournaments. Gretzlock said there was some at one meeting, “but it is not on the agenda.”

During her report to the board, Director of Special Education Bonnie Barker informed the board that April is Autism Awareness Month. She said that last month she told the board that one in 88 kids are affected by Autism, but now her report said that a government study released in March of this year indicated that the incidence rate for children with autism may be closer to one in 50 school-aged children.

Superintendent Sipple reported that he attended a regional legislative listening session in Elk Mound. The emphasis was on school vouchers and exceeding revenue limits. Sipple expressed his disappointment with one of the legislators who indicated that he hoped the legislation could be figured by with someone smarter than he was. Sipple will also be attending a Joint Finance Committee meeting in Baldwin on Thursday and he hoped that those people were knowledgeable on the subject.

He also said that he would be attending the WASB new member gathering with new board member Jeremy Mittlestadt at Durand.

High school principal Steve Glocke reported that the Technology Committee continues and will be wrapping up the goals and activities for our three-year plan. He also informed the board that the Honors Banquet will be held on May 8. “It is the 26th year, he told the board.

Elementary Principal Nick Kaiser reported on the kindergarten screening and told the board that he expected up to 43 for next year. But noted that in the past years that number has grown over the summer. He invited the board to an “Opera for Youth” which will be at the Tiffany Creek Elementary school on April 25 at 1:30 p.m.

“This is a group from Madison,” he informed the board, “and 16 of our kids will get to be part of it plus two staff members will play the part of the step sisters.”

Glocke also presented a list of 48 seniors that have completed their requirements for graduation and the board approved these 48 for graduation