Boyceville school board hears legislative budget priorities, athletics updates

By Cara L. Dempski

BOYCEVILLE — Boyceville superintendent Kevin Sipple informed the school board of the tentative education budget priorities for the legislative session starting in January 2017 during the board’s November 7 regular meeting.

Sipple said the legislature will be looking at things like raising the revenue cap per pupil by $200 for each year of the biennium and may look at raising the low revenue ceiling from the current limit of $9,100.

Other items the legislature may cover during the session starting in January are expanding summer school to help students retain learning from one school year to the next, emphasizing more mental health options in schools, raising the reimbursement rate for special education from 26.49 percent to 33 percent, increasing transportation aid for schools in rural areas, working on ways to recruit and retain quality instructors, and early childhood programming.

Athletic director Brian Roemhild presented a recap of the fall sports seasons and estimates for what the winter teams will look like.

Roemhild’s recap of fall sports included all conference awards for football, volleyball, and cross country. He recognized junior football player Micadin Kahl, who was named a Dunn-St. Croix conference first team wide receiver. Kahl led the conference in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Senior Madysn Riek was also recognized for being chosen as the Dunn-St. Croix player of the year for volleyball.

Roemhild also told the board the school district had placed fourth in this year’s conference sportsmanship award after having placed 10th in 2014.

The athletic director provided estimates for participation in winter sports. Initial estimates for the high school girls’ basketball team was 16-17 participants, and Roemhild said that the number may be closer to 22 or 23 players. The boys’ basketball team is estimated to have between 16 and 18 players, and the wrestling team may see over 18 participants.

Roemhild is anticipating 15-20 middle school wrestlers, approximately six cheerleaders, and dance team will likely have between eight and 10 members.

Building principals Nick Kaiser and Steve Glocke provided updates on each of their buildings. Kaiser reported there will be a Veterans Day program on November 11 at 1:30 p.m. at Tiffany Creek Elementary. Students and teachers have been working hard to put together a program for everyone to enjoy.

Kaiser also informed the board that the PTA was having a recruitment event as part of Tiffany Creek’s family fun night celebration on Monday evening, and he hoped more parents would get involved to continue a strong relationship between the school and parents.

Glocke recognized the 23 students inducted into the National Honor Society in a ceremony held at 7 p.m. November 7, two students who participated in the UW – Eau Claire Honors band the weekend of November 5, students selected to participate in the Dunn-St. Croix all-conference band and choir, and the academic decathlon team.

The middle and high school principal also informed the board that a Veterans Day celebration would be held in the Gymnasium at 10:40 a.m. on November 11.

In other business, the school board:

• Heard a special education report from Bonnie Barker. Barker explained the “small steps” initiative to help students learn about growth mindset.

• Learned the state education conference is scheduled for January 17-19, 2017.

• Approved the treasurer’s report.

• Approved an unpaid leave request for teacher Keri Peterson.

• The board then adjourned to closed session. Superintendent Sipple later stated no action was taken during the session.