EM School Board approves grant applications to improve technology

By Cara L. Dempski

ELK MOUND — The Elk Mound school board approved the district’s request to apply for grant funds as part of its November 21 meeting.

Superintendent Eric Wright invited CESA 10 representative Sarah Lipke to address the board regarding how to fund $148,000 worth of technology infrastructure using E-Rate and TEACH grants to fund all but approximately $20,000 of the project.

“Long term, we could look at doing cabling in all three buildings,” Wright stated. “Talking to Mike (van Slambrouck, district technology director), the cabling currently in place has been here quite a while.”

Lipke explained the E-Rate and TEACH grant options to the board, stating E-Rate is a federal program that provides a five-year window for districts to spend up to $150 per student to make upgrades for network technology. The upgrades would be limited to hardware, equipment, labor and maintenance to provide internet access to students and instructors. The money is not allowed to be used to purchase items like Chromebooks or tablets.

The Wisconsin Department of Administration released funding in September for the Technology for Educational ACHievement program, or “TEACH.” These funds are available for sparsely-populated districts that see a significant need for free or reduced lunches. The grant application was due November 11. The program funded needs to occur from July 2016 through the application year, which gives districts until June 2018 to spend it.

Because the E-Rate and TEACH programs are prorated according to district needs, this means the district will receive approximately $90 per student for E-Rate reimbursement, $40 for TEACH, and the district pays the final $20 per student. Translated, this means the district would be responsible for approximately $20,000 of the total $148,000 estimated to complete the project.

Additionally, because the school receives 80 percent of its budget as state aid, districts are responsible for only 20 percent of the $20,000, which means only $4,000 would come out of the pockets of taxpayers.

The district technology director had only six weeks to complete a needs assessment, speak with vendors, and complete the TEACH application.

Van Slambrouck stated “What we planned for is the next generation wireless support that will be coming out. It will allow for larger pipes to our wireless access points, and larger connections to desktop hardware if we still have it in the future.”

The board approved completion of applications for both grants, and Wright said he will come back later for approval of the project if the funds from both sources are granted.

Wright continued discussion of district financial planning and improvements with a discussion of a list of prioritized needs. Included on the list were things like new textbooks, flooring repairs, and the roof of the elementary school building. While the list is not definitive for what needs repair with the current budget, Wright said it is good to have a list for everyone to see what might need work soon.

“Safety things, if they come up, always jump to the top,” Wright said of the lists.

The superintendent told the board the roof specialist who recently checked the elementary school roof said it will last approximately four or five years more, but maintenance and administration were keeping an eye on it for any changes or needed repairs.

Wright and Sivertson then explained the Mound View roof would likely cost $500,000 and the board will need to be informed regarding any changes in roof structure or safety that would require replacement in time for any potential future referenda.

Sivertson then asked Wright for an update on the demographic study approved during the August regular meeting. Wright said he has the completed report, and will present it to the board at a later time, but was surprised that the district has not grown as quickly as the board anticipated.

The board president, Sivertson, then informed the board the legislature is currently considering expanding the state voucher program to include more schools and funds to increase program availability to more students. He discussed the impact this has on teachers and districts in the state.

“My question is, if we keep giving state money to private schools, at what point do they become public schools?” Sivertson stated.

He also said the legislature will be examining ways to address a shortage of teachers not just in Wisconsin, but across the country.

In other business, the board:

• Read district policy 731.21 regarding the use of drones on school property a second time, and approved it.

• Read rule and policy 188 regarding board member participation in meetings via technology a second time, and approved it.

• Approved the 2017 – 2018 school calendar.

• Approved resignation of food service worker Kelly Hunt. She has accepted a position elsewhere, and her last day was November 16.

• The board then met in closed session. Wright later stated no action was taken during the session.