The Stanley-Boyd Area School District Board of Education met Monday, April 27 at 6:30 in the high school library. Included on the night’s agenda were several items, including election of board officers, a construction update, and an early charter school discussion.

The meeting began with election of board officers, with Denise Hoffstatter elected as board president, Renee Mahal as board secretary, Ryan Lewallen as board vice president, Toni Seidl as board clerk, and Becky Peterson as board treasurer.

All were unanimous.

Following officer election the student council delivered a detailed update on high school activities. A recent blood drive, held April 17, collected roughly 20 units despite being cut short due to severe weather, raising $1,000 for student scholarships.

Also related in the student council report, council president Caroline Johnson reported that the student council had distributed personalized teacher appreciation gifts and outlined plans to expand student leadership next year. Another key initiative involves embedding student council members into every homeroom to deliver PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) messaging directly to peers, with measurable progress reported in student behavior as a result. Given as evidence Monday was the news that student disciplinary write-ups had dropped from approximately 1,100 two years ago to around 700 this year at the same point in time.

Following the student council report, board members moved to find the district in compliance with SL 11 Instructional Materials selection as well as SL 14 Extra Curricular Programming. Motion to find the district in compliance with SL 11 was made by Board Member Chad Verbeten and seconded by Board Member Toni Seidl, while motion to find the district in compliance with SL 14 was made by Seidl and second by Board Member Bob Geist. District Superintendent Jeff Koenig emphasized that all programs are regularly evaluated and that participation is actively encouraged across student groups as part of SL 14.

Also from Monday, the board updated policy language, clarifying certain staff classifications and doing an update on electronic and social media policies.

“The first one is actual mandated language,” Koenig said of one clarifying custodial and cleaning staff classifications to ensure consistency in access to benefits such as dental insurance. The other major change meanwhile had to do with the district’s approach to electronic media and social media policies, with handbook language removed and replaced with reference to official district policies, The change allows the district to more efficiently update rules in response to legal or regulatory changes without needing to revise multiple documents.

At the same time, Koenig acknowledged growing community frustration over certain safety-related restrictions,  with an example given as fully extended or retracted bleachers during events. Koenig stressed these policies are based on manufacturer guidelines and insurance requirements and are necessary to limit district liability.

Personnel matters meanwhile took up a substantial portion of the meeting. The board also approved updates to the employee handbook, including minor adjustments to insurance language and a shift to referencing formal board policies for electronic and social media use.

More notably, the board approved a revised wage schedule for support staff and teachers. Changes include the addition of longevity-based pay increases at 15 and 20 years of service, something many employees had requested. The revisions also standardize pay step increases across job categories such as paraprofessionals, secretaries, and food service staff.

Paraprofessionals start at $17.75 under the current pay schedule, increasing at five year increments with $19.25 per hour after five years and $19.75 per hour after 10 years. New increases for paraprofessionals approved as of Monday include a jump to $20 per hour after 15 years and $20.25 an hour after 20 years.

“This is something a good portion of the support staff wanted,” Koenig said, “because they want to know years of service matter.”

Previously there were no pay increases after 10 years.

Substitute work meanwhile is paid at base rate with part-time employees working additional hours paid at their pay rate. Secretaries meanwhile start at $20.99 per hour, with the pay schedule increasing in 25 cent increases every five years, while bus drivers will receive a raise of 50 cents more per route or $1 per day from current base rate, set at $43.50 for regular bus runs. Certain sports positions are also impacted

As for teaching staff, they will receive an approximately $660 or 3.4 percent increase from the current pay schedule, with the lowest class (class A1) starting at $50,966 and the highest (class M) making $80,106 under new adjustments.

The otherwise limited increases were attributed to budget constraints, including a more than $300,000 rise in health insurance costs and a tighter state funding outlook for the biennial state budget, which funds state aid to school districts.

Koenig also provided a detailed update on the district’s ongoing construction project Monday, noting visible progress around the school. Work has begun on the pool area, where windows have been removed and masonry installation is underway. Work crews are expected to install structural supports in the coming week, as well as beginning formation of new entryways while removing the existing stairs near the elementary music room. The project is expected to accelerate significantly over the summer months, with the entrance expected to remain open through graduation on May 22.

Most major construction is projected to be completed by early October, with occupancy following later in the month. The district aims to keep the main entrance open through graduation, though that timeline could change depending on construction needs.

The project paid for with Fund 46 capital improvement savings and awarded to Hoeft Builders for $2.897 million earlier this year, is being undertaken in response to feedback received by the board during a failed gym referendum, during which many community members shared an interest in enhanced school safety.

Koenig meanwhile also addressed the aging electronic sign near the entrance Monday, which has experienced ongoing technical issues. While no replacement is included in the current project, the district is considering options for a future upgrade.

One of the most forward-looking discussions meanwhile centered on a potential charter school focused on trade education. Still in the early stages, the idea remains to be explored in greater detail with possible future application for a state grant of approximately $1 million for the project.

The proposed charter school would operate as a separate public school within the district, with its own governing board, graduation requirements, and specialized programming. While the district would retain oversight of the charter, it would not manage daily operations.

The concept as shared Monday envisions a trade-focused high school that would serve both resident and open-enrolled students. Potential offerings might include career pathways tied to industry certifications or partnerships with technical colleges.

It was stressed however that the proposal remains in its earliest stages. Key questions including facility location, program design, staffing, and total cost have yet to be resolved. Additional funding sources, including business partnerships, would likely be necessary.

Board members were reminded that any charter school would ultimately require board approval before moving forward.

Closing out the Monday board update, members approved the purchase of 10 interactive BenQ display boards to replace older smart boards in the district. The quote approved for $31,999.20 from Krista computers with five year warranty and 20 NFC cards will see 10 RP04 series boards with 75 inch diameter installed at Stanley-Boyd, the newer units eliminating the need for projector bulbs and offering improved durability and functionality as well.

Also approved Monday by the board was the purchase of 225 Chromebooks from Krista Computers for a total of $80,434.63, the HP Fortis 11.6 inch Chromebooks including WiFi 6 and a 60 month license agreement, among other perks. The 60-month license agreement in particular factored into the board’s decision to choose Krista over competitor Howard, which although cheaper at $79,875 did not include the license agreement and is based in Mississippi, rather than Chippewa Falls. Motion to approve the new Chromebook purchase was made by Verbeten and seconded by Seidl, passing unanimously.

Closing the board update from Monday, April 27, board members discussed the CES 10 annual meeting in Aug. 6, with Board Member Lanse Carlson representing the district at the meeting. Carlson is also on the CESA 10 board, with two years left in his term.

The next school board meeting was set for Monday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m., with graduation set this year for Friday, May 22 in Oriole Park, with rain date of Saturday, May 23.

Towards meeting end, a motion was made and seconded to enter closed session under Wisconsin State Statute 19.85(1)(c) to discuss staff contract negotiations.

The board returned to open session at 8:08 p.m.  Motion was made by Geist, seconded by Hoffstatter, to approve administrative contracts as presented.  All present voted yes.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.