Middle school scores 88.59 out of 100 in magazine’s ranking system

If you’re a bus driver for Stanley-Boyd, there’s good news. Labor Day is now a paid holiday!

If you’re a student or a teacher, there’s also good news: Stanley-Boyd earned mention in the 2022 school rankings are in from U.S. News and World Report, with results as follows.

With a total enrollment of 332, a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1, a graduation rate of 93 percent and an overall score of 70.78 out of 100 for the U.S. News and World Report scoring system, Stanley-Boyd is ranked fourth in the Eau Claire Area, and 153rd in the state. The college readiness index score for Stanley-Boyd meanwhile, was 16.8 out of 100. The college readiness index is a weighted averaged based 25 percent on AP or IB participation and 75 percnet on the quality adjusted AP or IB participation rate. Both are used when applicable, with 100 being the maximum score.

Nationally, meanwhile, Stanley-Boyd ranks in the top third of U.S. high schools, coming in ahead of 70.78 percent of the 17, 843 high schools total ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

Shifting down to the middle school rankings, Stanley-Boyd Middle School ranks 65th for Wisconsin middle schools, having a total enrolled student body of 249 and an overall score of 88.59 out of 100 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. With reading and math performances both “well above expectations for the high poverty district, Stanley- Boyd Middle School has a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1.

Photo by Joseph Back.

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Which brings us to the elementary scores and school remodeling plans.

First the scores. Over at Boyd Elementary, there is no data for math at reading for the pre-K program. With a total enrollment of 70 and a teacher to student ratio of 34 to 1, a full 100 percent of teachers are certified and 50 percent have three years or more of experience.

Shifting to Stanley Elementary and the kindergarten to fifth grade age range for the district, a total of 446 students are enrolled across the elementary grade levels, while the overall score by U.S. News and World Report puts Stanley Elementary at 78.13 out of 100 for a total score, and 226th in the State for elementary schools.

With a teacher to student ratio of 12 to 1, 59 percent of district elementary students are proficient in math and 43 percent are proficient in reading, while a full 100 percent of teachers are certified and 82.1 percent possess three or more years of experience. District scores in math and reading at the elementary level put it ahead of the State average, with just 44 percent are proficient in math and 41 percent are proficient in reading on the statewide level. So what of the remodel plans at Stanley- Boyd? “Just keep doing what you’re doing,” school board member Ryan Lewallen voiced of district remodeling plans at the Monday May 29 school board meeting. Focused on the southeast portion of the school and with $5 million in savings to pay for any work, the classroom remodel is due to have some hard plans by fall. Also included but not a priority, are drawings for a north side remodel to provide room for 12 buses.

Drainage from that project, should it go ahead, would be directed to the low spot west of the school.

Also in school board news is that the district is looking to hire from within, as the district opted not to renew its contract for three years with SocialSchools4EDU, which currently manages the district’s social media.

Decision not to renew the contract at a rate of $9,500 or else $8,500 for a threeyear contract had to do with cost savings, as hiring someone from within could save money. There was a danger with hiring from within and handing out passwords though, with students potentially involved based on who responded.

“One of those things with giving passwords out is that we have to be very selective on who can post. Because if someone goes rogue, it could go very bad for us in a hurry.” Koenig said of posting in the district’s name.

“I’d rather have someone here do it because they’re more within our school,” Lewallen said of his preference on the matter. Following a motion by Denise Hoffstatter seconded by Lanse Carlson to create a position and hire for social media, district employees who like social media should keep an eye out.

Following this, the consent agenda was approved, motion made by Geist and seconded by Toni Seidl. With Verbeten abstaining, the agenda passed.

“I move that we add Labor Day as a paid holiday for bus drivers,” school board member Lanse Carlson said.

“I’ll second that,” member Bob Geist said. With board president Denise Hoffstatter asking Secretary Sue Kiraly to “read to roll,” the motion passed. Following the approval of Labor Day as a paid holiday it was into lifeguard wages: now raised to $13 per hour from $10, with a motion by Seidl seconded by Becky Peterson passing to take effect May 22 at the Stanley-Boyd pool.

Interested applicants to the lifeguard position, must be certified, while those willing to work the 5 a.m. shift can expect a minimum of $14.25 per hour, the $3 pay raise also applying to this hard to fill post. But in case you were waiting for the other shoe to drop, it did.

“After we raise people’s wages, we have to increase our fees,” Koenig said of realities from outside agencies, with DPI feedback the district wasn’t charging enough on some things. Following motion by Geist that was seconded by Toni Seidl, the fee schedule, is as follows:

• Mileage reimbursement now 50 cents per mile

• Bus charge now 90 cents per mile

• Summer school retains a $5 deposit, with refund if the student shows up for the second day of class.

• A ten cent increase for lunch fees, bringing them to $2.20 for elementary, $2.50 for middle and high school, and $.4.75 for adults.

• A five cent increase for breakfast fees, bringing these to $1.55 for elementary, middle and high school students, and $2.61 for adults.

• Additionally, event tickets for adults are now $1 more, increased to $5. Visiting students pay $1, as before. But lest you think Stanley-Boyd fees are out of the ball park, that’s not the case, or so it seems. “I was surprised by what some of those districts were charging,” board member Seidl said of neighboring areas.

In the meantime and with school out, there’s still board homework. Members assigned themselves chapters 4 and 5 from “Boards that make a Difference,” with reading expected to be done by the next Board Conversation, generally held the third Monday and a week prior to the regular meeting.

Among the tentative remodel plans shared is this bathroom design with a sharedsink area, though final plans are not yet drawn. Image from LHB Architects.