Renovation plans under way at Boyceville schools
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By Renee Bettendorf
BOYCEVILLE- At their meeting on May 15 the Boyceville School Board learned from District Administrator Nick Kaiser that planning for the various renovations which will be paid for by the recent successful referendum is underway.
Right now they are looking at the bus garage, the science wing and creating secure entrances at TCE and the Middle/High School. Kaiser said they want to have all the design plans finished by July so they are ready to start researching bids in the fall.
“We want all our ducks in a row,” he said of the process.
Kaiser also told the board that he recently attended a Boyceville Village Board meeting as a representative for the Community Ed Advisory Council. He shared with the village board plans to convert the existing tennis courts at Andy Pafko Park into pickleball courts.
“They were excited about that, we’re going to move forward,” he said.
Board Vice President Jeremy Mittlestadt wondered if the new courts would be done by Pickle Fest. Kaiser said it depends on the contractors’ schedule. He doesn’t think the construction will take long, but the surface will need about a month to cure before it can be used.
Board Treasurer, Sharon Formoe pointed out that after the courts are finished pickleball lessons could be offered through community ed.
“That would be a great extension,” agreed Kaiser.
Also in his report, Kaiser congratulated the class of 2024. Later in the meeting the board officially approved awarding the diplomas.
“I’m very proud of their efforts and accomplishments over the years and wish them the best in the next phase of their lives,” he said.
Reports
In his report to the board TCE Principal Jerim DesJarlais said staff has been working on generating more accurate report cards for students. Through ongoing professional development, including support from CESA staff, TCE report cards are more aligned than previously, said DesJarlais. Going forward, report cards will be issued twice per year instead of three times; once at the end of the first semester and again at the end of the school year.
He also reported that the fifth grade staff and students joined staff and students from High School Science Teacher, Russell Reibrahndt’s science class to learn more about the ecology of Tiffany Creek. Volunteers from Trout Unlimited and the DNR were also present to help students learn skills like casting a fly fishing rod and tying a fly for fly fishing. They also released some trout that were raised in an aquarium at TCE.
“The kids had a really fun day doing that,” said DesJarlais.
DesJarlais said installation of Clevertouch devices has begun. The Clevertouch boards will replace the schools’ aging smart boards. Wireless keyboards with wireless mouse and rolling desks have all been delivered to pair with the Clevertouch. These will allow the staff to move around the classroom and control the Clevertouch from anywhere, he said.
Middle/High School Principal, Patrick Gretzlock told the board that Kate Webster who was approved at last month’s board meeting as the new Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Advisor for the 2024/2025 school year has been job shadowing the current ag teacher and will be subbing in the class a number of times before the end of the school year.
“Kate has demonstrated an eagerness and interest in assuming her role and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to welcome her aboard in this unofficial capacity,” he said.
Also on the subject of staffing, Gretzlock said the instrumental music instructor that the board approved to hire last month has decided to not take the position. He said the job has been reposted and three applicants have applied.
He also said that data for both the ACT and the PreACT tests has been received. All juniors in the state take the ACT and sophomores take the PreACT. High School Science Teacher, Andy Hamm, is also the BHS/BMS Data Analyst, and he has already begun the process of delving into the numbers in an effort to better understand the students’ strengths and weaknesses, said Gretzlock.
Gretzlock was proud to report that BHS junior, Ryker Benitz scored higher than a 30 on the ACT. As a result, his name will appear on the BHS ACT Honor Board which is located by the gym.
“That’s quite an accomplishment,” he said of Benitz’s score.
In her report to the board Special Education Director, Rebecca Hanestad said eight high school students attended the Job Olympics at UW-Stout and participated in multiple activities. Four students won awards for initiative, overall worker, organization, and professional interview attire.
“The students did a great job, they represented Boyceville very well,” she said.
Hanestad thanked High School Special Education Teachers Sarah Stone and Jennifer Bignell for assisting seniors with scholarship applications and High School Guidance Counselor, Karlene Berry for her support and organization of the upcoming senior awards banquet and for supporting students with scholarship applications.
Hanestad also presented the PI 9.06 Nondiscrimination Report which is a lengthy document required by the Department of Public Instruction to be completed by school districts every five years. In the 42 page report the status of nondiscrimination and equality of educational opportunity in school districts is evaluated and she found very little that the district could improve on.
In other business the Boyceville School Board:
• Heard from DesJarlais and Gretzlock about events that took place at both schools during staff appreciation week which took place the week of May 6-10.
• Learned from Gretzlock that Loralie West and Owen Tuttle were the high school and middle school April students of the month respectively.
• Heard from Kaiser that the Festival of the Arts which was held on May 7 was a great event.
• Learned that a few small improvements will take place at the TCE ball field soon.
• Voted to purchase a new zero turn mower at a cost of nearly $20,000.
• Voted to have an irrigation system installed at the athletic field at a cost of nearly $30,000.
• Approved the hiring of Mary Novotney as a full time special education paraprofessional.
• Approved the hiring of Joan Kronebusch as an elementary teacher.
