Elk Mound Board of Education approves 2016-2017 budget variance, 2017 strategic plan

By Cara L. Dempski

ELK MOUND — The Elk Mound Board of Education had a lot to discuss last month.

The board approved nearly $200,000 in Fund 10, Fund 27 and Fund 46 changes for the 2016-2017 fiscal year before also approving the district’s new strategic plan.

The district representatives voted in favor of the budget changes during the June 19 regular meeting after learning the Fund 10 general fund picked up extra revenue of $80,000 in inter-district payments and $70,000 in other financing over the course of the year.

The extra $150,000 allowed the district to spend another $115,000 on instructional staff, $25,000 on support staff, and $10,000 on non-program expenses.

District superintendent Eric Wright explained the district is waiting on its final bills for the fiscal year, but noted there was a recent expense after one of the chillers at Moundview Elementary was struck by lightning earlier this year. The repair cost the district approximately $70,000.

The Fund 27 general fund was previously approved at $1,426,500, but was amended and approved for $1,396,500, which is a decrease of $30,000.

The Fund 46 construction line item was approved last year for $10,000, but increased to $50,000 on the amended budget.

Wright disclosed the $40,000 increase is money left over after all planned expenses are met, and was placed in the fund for emergency expenses.

Strategic plan

The strategic plan committee was comprised of board members, school staff, district residents, and local business owners.

The new plan is the result of a six-month community planning process facilitated by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, and deviates from the 2016 plan by providing more specifics regarding the board’s actions to accomplish goals.

The previous plan was couched in terms meeting six goals: providing a safe, clean, well-maintained physical environment; providing adequate facilities and staff to accommodate changes in student population; integrating technology into curriculum to enhance student learning; providing enrichment programs and activities to maximize the potential of all students; promoting mutual respect and dignity for all; and providing students with educational challenges and encouraging social responsibility.

The newly-adopted plan separates desired outcomes into a group of five themes: student academic opportunities, staff, family and community outreach, technology, and facilities.

Under student academic opportunities are goals such as expanding dual credit course options by the start of the 2018-2019 school year, evaluating the academic and career planning (ACP) plan to give students opportunity to match their interests with potential career choices, and updating the district mission and vision statement after obtaining parent, staff and community input.

The board will also solicit student input regarding after-school clubs and activities to support student enrichment, and will research science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) programs to evaluate and determine viability for the district.

According to the staff section of the new plan, professional development will be based on student performance data and staff input with additional professional development opportunities provided during the summer.

Administrative staff will also conduct a comparative salary and benefits study for all staff by the end of the 2017-2018 academic year to ensure Elk Mound is able to compete with neighboring districts, and the district will change its marketing and advertising techniques to include salary and benefit information in job postings by May 2018.

The family and community outreach section aims to collaborate with families and the community to provide learning and student development.

Among the outcomes under this section are twice-yearly listings of district volunteer opportunities posted in each building, on the district website, and in the district newsletter, a feasibility study for use of school facilities and extended open hours, and the offering of three to four age-appropriate learning opportunities starting with the 2020-2021 school year.

The technology section indicates the district technology plan will be reviewed annually, and any purchases, implementation or staff professional development will be carried out via the identified practices.

The district will also evaluate online and virtual learning offerings annually, and will educate students on the opportunities; the board will be updated on these offering every July. The board will also examine its marketing and branding strategy through social media and other web-based technology to give students, parents and community members access to school information on a yearly basis.

The strategic plan stipulates a facilities assessment will be completed by the end of the 2017-2018 fiscal year as the first of three facilities outcomes. This assessment will include a summary of all district structures and infrastructure, and suggestions for upgrading, replacing, or adding to the structures or infrastructure.

The assessment will be presented to the board by the end of June 2018, and a summary will be shared with the community.

The board will gather information from students, staff and district residents regarding the assessment by October 31, 2018. The information will assist the administrative team in creating a prioritized facilities list.

Cost estimates for the list will be provided by January 31, 2019, and presented to the school board in February 2019.

The school board approved the full document on recommendation of the committee.

Other business

In other business, the school board accepted the resignations of middle school volleyball coach Bethany Hubert, middle school teacher Erin Tomlinson, high school assistant football coach Jesse Zurbuchen, and elementary school dishwasher Maureen Kraft. Each resignation was unanimously approved.

The board also adopted policies regarding foster care rule, employment references and verification, school food service management, school meal account charges and collections. The policies were approved unanimously after they were read a second time.

A 2017 van was approved for purchase after some issues were discovered on the previous van, and the next two board meetings were scheduled for July 24 at 6:45 p.m. and August 21 at 6:45 p.m.

Superintendent Wright noted the August board meeting coincides with the district annual meeting, which is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Local parent Amy Zurbuchen was recognized for several years of service to the district as the coordinator for the school concessions stand. Zurbuchen is stepping away from her duties this year.

The board then moved to closed session to approve the hiring of Emily Pikel as the new middle and high school choir teacher, Hailey Ribich as a new elementary school teacher, Nicole Resch as the new middle school volleyball coach, Tammy Briggs as the part-time middle school student council advisor, Zach Stephens as a new middle school teacher, Theresa Thao as the new middle school yearbook advisor, Kevin Garnett as the new high school football coach, and Kyle Hazen as the new middle and high school assistant cross country coach.

Each of the new hires was approved via unanimous vote.