EM school board adopts fall budget variance, approves levy

By Cara L. Dempski

ELK MOUND — The Elk Mound school board adopted a budget variance and tax levies proposed during the annual meeting in August during its October 24 meeting. The move finalized the 2016-17 district budget.

District superintendent Eric Wright stated the budget variance is approximately $8,900, and the board approved a levy of $1,876,461 for the district general fund, and $873,617 for debt service related to the 2008 referendum.

Wisconsin school districts receive notice of intended state aid annually in mid-October, which means many districts are not able to approve proposed budgets until just prior to the November 1 deadline imposed by the state.

The board also heard reports from all three school buildings.

Principal Eric Hanson told the board the students at Mound View Elementary had a fun day learning about fire prevention and safety with the help of the Elk Mound Fire Department. The local Lions Club also took time to provide vision screening for elementary students.

Mound View students were also looking forward to a day of fun and celebration on October 31. Students were expected to do classroom work in the morning before a school-wide Halloween party in the afternoon.

Middle school principal Chris Hahn reported things are going well in his building, and the staff and students are looking forward to a Veteran’s Day program at 10:15 a.m. on November 11.

Paul Weber, the high school principal, voiced his appreciation of the Elk Mound Booster Club for a very successful craft sale/fair held October 22 in the high school and Mound View buildings. The hallways, gymnasiums, and cafeterias of both buildings were filled with nearly 100 booths of artwork, handmade crafts, direct sales representatives, and baked goods.

The high school is also scheduled for a Veteran’s Day program on November 11 that will be held at 2:30 p.m.

Superintendent Wright also informed the board that Elk Mound had been awarded a sportsmanship award by the Dunn-St. Croix conference. Referees rate teams, coaches, and fans on a five-point scale during every sporting event held at each school.

The referees submit a rating card to the conference commissioner. Each coach and team in the conference ranks the other schools’ teams and coaches and submit those scores to the commissioner also.

The conference commissioner compiles each districts’ score, and determines which schools win the award. Schools must reach a predetermined amount of points in order to qualify. Elk Mound is one of two conference schools to win this year’s award.

In other business, the school board:

• Accepted the resignation of lunchroom aide Becky Johnson.

• Approved the resignation of custodian Connie Linberg.

• Approved the resignation of assistant power lifting coach Jesse Zurbuchen.

• Approved revision of Policy 661, Depository of School Funds to include Wells Fargo and Associated Bank.

• Read Policy 731.21 for the Use of Drones, which states drones used for anything other than educational purposes cannot be used on school property without prior approval from the building administrator or district administrator.

• Read Rule and Policy 181 governing board member participation in meetings via technology, which states board members are able to take part in open sessions of regular meetings via technology, but will not be allowed to participate in closed session unless physically present at the meeting.

• Set a long-range planning meeting for November 21 at 5:30 p.m., to be followed by the regular board meeting at 7 p.m.

Policies 731.21 and 181 were read before the board for the first time. Superintendent Wright explained both items will be presented, and hopefully will be approved, during the November board meeting.

The board then shifted to a closed session, during which they:

• Approved an extra .5 hours for Middle School secretary Linda Sells’ contract to assist with bus duties and other tasks.

• Approved hiring Shawn Hoag as a district custodian.

• Approved hiring April Sarbeck as a lunchroom supervisor.

• Approved hiring Aaron Maves as the assistant power lifting coach.