Colfax school board retains same officers at district organizational meeting

By LeAnn R. Ralph

COLFAX — At the Colfax school district’s organizational meeting, the Board of Education decided to keep the same officers for another year.

Todd Kragness was re-elected as president; Kenneth Neuburg was re-elected as vice president; Christie Hill was re-elected as clerk; and Kyle Knutson was re-elected as treasurer at the April 24 meeting.

The Colfax school board also approved keeping the Colfax Messenger as the official newspaper, approved keeping the current auditor, Wipfli LLP, and approved keeping the current law firm, Weld Riley Prenn & Ricci. 

In addition, the Board of Education approved keeping board meetings on the third Monday of each month, with the exception of the April and the October meetings, which are on the fourth Monday of the month. 

The Colfax Board of Education also re-selected Christie Hill as the CESA No. 11 delegate, and Ken Neuburg was re-selected as the Wisconsin Association of School Boards representative.

During the April 4 election, incumbents Christie Hill, Jodi Kiekhafer and Kenneth Bjork were re-elected to the Colfax Board of Education. 

Lunch prices

In other business at the school board meeting, the Board of Education approved increasing lunch prices by 10 cents. 

The school district cannot increase lunch prices by more than 10 cents, noted Bill Yingst, district administrator.

The school board is not increasing the lunch prices in order to “make more money” but rather, to remain compliant with Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s pricing requirements, Neuburg said.

For 2017-2018, the DPI lists a weighted average lunch price equal to or above $2.86 as compliant with the DPI requirements.

Before the 10 cent increase, Colfax’s current weighted average lunch price was $2.60.

After the 10 cent increase, Colfax’s weighted average lunch price is $2.70.

Lunch prices for the 2017-2018 school year at Colfax will be $1.35 for four-year-olds; $2.60 for kindergarten through fifth grade; $2.75 for sixth through twelfth grade; and $3.75 for staff and adults. 

The breakfast snack price for kindergarten through twelfth grade will remain the same at $1.25.

Ala carte prices also will remain the same with salad at $1.75, an extra entree at $1 and additional milk at 35 cents.

Information included in the school board packet lists 3,342 paid lunches per month for grades 6 through 12, and 2,424 paid lunches per month for kindergarten through fifth grade.

Total revenue for 2016-2017 is listed at $15,492.90.

Swimming lessons

Another item of business for the Colfax Board of Education at the April 24 meeting was the cost of summer swimming lessons.

The fee for swimming lessons has not changed in a long time, and “I am not recommending a change,” Yingst said.

The goal is to offer swimming lessons that are affordable for families. Knowing how to swim can be an issue of safety, and swimming is something that once learned, students “will have it for their whole life,” he said.

The Colfax school board unanimously approved the summer swimming lesson fee for 2017 at $20 for one student and $30 for a family.

Other business 

In other business, the Colfax Board of Education:

• Learned that the staff recognition banquet will be held at the Whitetail Golf Course May 24. Besides a number of recognitions for years of service, three retirees also will be recognized: Eve Suckow; Arlene Hintzman; and Ronald Swartz. 

• Confirmed that school board members Ken Neuburg and Jodi Kiekhafer will be handing out diplomas at graduation on May 19.

• Learned that the district has received $53,549.97 in lottery credit funds from Dunn County and $10,592.83 in lottery credits from Chippewa County.

• Approved open enrollment applications of 12 new applications into the district and 24 new applications out of the district. Colfax does not require students to re-apply for those who want to continue attending school in Colfax as an open enrollment student. 

• Approved the retirement of Arlene Hintzman, a member of the district’s food service team. Hintzman’s last day will be May 31. In her letter of retirement dated April 13, Hintzman wrote: “I have truly enjoyed working as part of the District’s Food Service team, and I am so grateful for the many memories and friendships it has provided me over the years … while I look forward to enjoying my retirement, I will certainly miss everyone.”

• Approved authorizing the administration to adjust the budget so the numbers are as accurate as possible for the state to assist with receiving state aid estimates that are as accurate as possible.

Closed session

Yingst reported that during a closed session of the Colfax Board of Education April 24, Chad Sikora was selected as the maintenance and custodial supervisor to replace Ron Swartz upon his retirement in September. Sikora will be working with Swartz prior to Swartz’s retirement.