By LeAnn R. Ralph
ELK MOUND — The Elk Mound Board of Education is ready to take the next step in preliminary work to determine what — if any — construction projects may be in the school district’s future.
The school district is working on getting accurate costs for some possible projects, but “this is all preliminary work right now,” said Eric Wright, school district administrator.
The Board of Education received an update on the facilities and cost study at the June 24 meeting.
The Elk Mound school board contracted with CESA 10 facilities management services to obtain recommendations and bids for preliminary mechanical, plumbing and electrical services. The school board hired MEP Associates for preliminary facilities work to determine cost estimates for construction projects and Rettler Corporation for cost estimates on the athletic field at the May 20 meeting.
The next step would be to have a focus group in late September or early October that would meet two or three times, Wright said.
At the first meeting, focus group participants will take tours of the middle school and the high school to see items identified as possible projects, he said.
The focus group will be open to anyone who wants to participate. Information on the focus group will be included in the school district’s newsletter and on social media, Wright said.
After the tours, the focus group will discuss their ideas about what could or should be included for projects, and then the focus group will give their feedback to the Board of Education, he said.
After that, the school board would determine if it would be appropriate to send out a survey to school district residents to give the board further direction, Wright said.
The facilities and cost study started with a facility assessment, which was part of the school district’s strategic plan to put a long-term plan together, he noted.
Other business
In other business, the Elk Mound Board of Education:
• Recognized for her notable educational contributions Kristi Johnson, who is a substitute teacher for the district. Wright said she is a “super-sub” who willingly takes on all the difficult jobs. “The kids enjoy her, and the staff enjoy her,” he said.
• Approved “cross walking” agriculture and science courses, which means students at Elk Mound High School can receive science credit for the veterinary science and natural resources classes. “Ag is now so much more than milking cows … there’s a lot of great opportunity for our students,” Wright said.
• Approved spending from the Fund 10 fund balance, if necessary, prior to July 1 to pay any outstanding invoices that come in before the end of the school year on June 30.
• Accepted the resignation of elementary teacher Annie Kongshaug.
• Accepted the resignation of head softball coach Sam Stelter.
• Accepted the resignation of regular school bus route driver Angie Klemp.
• Accepted the resignation of early childhood paraprofessional April Sarbeck.
• Accepted the resignation of early childhood paraprofessional Wendy Schindler.
• Approved the technology services agreement with CESA 10 for Mike Van Slambrouck.
• Approved adding a part-time paraprofessional at the high school for the 2019-2020 school year.
• Reviewed the result of the staff survey. The overall survey results were positive, and the next step will be to look for themes that can be implemented to make the school district better for the staff, the students and the community, Wright said.
• Confirmed that the next regular board meeting will be July 15 at 6:45 p.m., and the next regular meeting after that will be August 26 at 6:45 p.m.
During a closed session, the Elk Mound Board of Education:
• Approved hiring Amy Lokken as the school nurse.
• Approved hiring McKayla Brunner as the varsity softball head coach.
• Approved hiring Jacob Stuttgen as the archery club advisor.
• Approved hiring Ryan Deroeck as an elementary teacher.
• Approved hiring Derrick Tilus as the middle school and high school choir teacher.
• Approved hiring Amber Fox as the high school dance coach.
• Approved hiring Michelle Lee as the head powerlifting coach.
• Approved hiring Abe Ferguson as the assistant powerlifting coach.
