South Central Reporter

Germantown School District 60 Board of Education met Aug. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Vice President Jessica Hemker with the following members present: Matt Korte, Terry Biggs, Jessica Hemker, Andrea Linders and Nicole Peters. Also in attendance: Superintendent Robin Becker, Assistant Principal Trisha Weekley, SEL/RtI/Special Education Coordinator Kristine Beer, Board Secretary Leigh Ann Arentsen and Teacher Representative Carrie Hall. Board members Lee Deerhake and Ashley Winters were absent.

Motion (2024/25-25) to approve the agenda was made by Mr. Korte with a second by Mr. Biggs. Motion carried (5-0).

Reports:

1. Assistant Principal Report:

a. Summer School for the Soul wrapped up with a Back to School Retreat at Mrs. Becker’s house which included SEL activities along with time for staff bonding in the afternoon. It was a great way to kick off the school year. Not only did it provide more helpful SEL training for the staff, but it also was a great way for the new staff to get acquainted with everyone in a casual, fun setting.

b. EmpowerED Meetings are designed for our new teachers to help them adjust to GES and introduce them to how we do things throughout the year. They also participate in a book study on a topic that will be helpful to the entire group. This year there are 5 new teachers in the group along with 4 of our paraprofessionals who were invited to join as they are working towards completing their teaching degrees.

c. BIGS Bootcamp is a new House based Leadership Program this year. This bootcamp is being led by Katie Mense who will teach the older students aka the “Bigs” how to help the younger students aka the “Littles” that they are paired with during House activities throughout the year.

2. Superintendent Report:

a. FY 25 Budget is a work in progress. Evidence-Based Funding dollars for FY 25 have been finalized and we will be receiving $100,000 more than last year’s allotment. Budget hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on September 11, 2024.

b. CD Investment Update. Our two current CD’s for Working Cash & Capital Projects are maturing. They will be renewed for 5 months at 5% interest. We are going to take $500,000.00 out of the Education Fund and start a 9 month CD earning 4.95% interest.

c. Capital Campaign Update. Currently around 1000 tickets have been sold to date. The sponsorship revenues are around $320,000 with expenses still under $100,000.00. Things will start to ramp up as September 21 gets closer with weekly meetings.

3. IASB Liaison Report: Nothing to report this month.

Motion (2024/25-26) to approve the items of consent as follows was made by Mr. Korte with a second by Mrs. Peters. Roll call vote showed the following: Korte, aye; Biggs, aye; Linders, aye; Peters, aye and Hemker, aye.

Items of Consent

1. Approve Minutes of July 17, 2024 - Regular Board Meeting

2. Approve Minutes of July 24, 2024 - Negotiations Meeting

3. Approve Bills/Payroll for August 2024

4. Review of closed Session Minutes for Public Release – January 2024

5. Approve Destruction of Verbatim Recording of January 2023

6. Approve Financial Reports for July 20, 2024

a. Budget

b. Balance Sheet

c. Fund Balance

d. Bulldog Activity

7. Appointment of Leigh Ann Arentsen as FOIA Officer

New Business:

Motion (2024/25-27) to approve the 2024-25 Strategic Plan was made by Mrs. Peters with a second by Mr. Korte. Motion carried (5-0).

Motion (2024/25-28) to approve Contract for Social Work Services was made by Mrs. Linders with a second by Mr. Biggs. Roll call vote showed the following: Biggs, aye; Linders, aye; Peters, aye; Korte, abstained; and Hemker, aye.

Motion (2024/25-29) to approve the Risk Management Plan was made by Mrs. Linders with a second by Mr. Korte. Roll call vote showed: Linders, aye; Peters, aye; Korte, aye; Biggs, aye and Hemker, aye.

Motion (2024/25-30) to approve Second Reading of PRESS Policy March 2024 and June 2024 was made by Mr. Korte with a second by Mrs. Peters. Motion carried (5-0).

Motion (2024/25-31) to approve the Threat Assessment Plan was made by Mrs. Peters with a second by Mr. Biggs. Motion carried (5-0).

Motion (2024/25-32) to enter closed session at 7:31 p.m. to discuss Collective Negotiating Matters Between the Public Body and Its Employees or Their Representatives, or Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules for One or More Classes of Employees and the Appointment, Employment, Evaluation or Dismissal of Employees was made by Mr. Korte with a second by Mrs. Linders. Motion carried (5-0).

Motion (2024/25-33) to return to Open Session at 7:54 p.m. was made by Mrs. Peters with a second by Mrs. Linders. Motion carried (5-0).

Motion (2024/25-34) to approve the 2024-25 Germantown Teachers Organization Collective Bargaining Agreement was made by Mr. Biggs with a second by Mr. Korte. Roll call vote showed the following: Peters, aye; Korte, aye; Biggs, aye; Linders, aye and Hemker, aye.

Motion (2024/25-35) to approve Superintendent salary was made by Mr. Korte with a second by Mrs. Peters. Roll call vote showed the following: Korte, aye; Biggs, aye; Linders, aye; Peters, aye and Hemker, aye.

Motion (2024/25-36) to approve Support Staff salaries was made by Mrs. Linders with a second by Mr. Biggs. Roll call vote showed the following: Biggs, aye; Linders, aye; Peters, aye; Korte, aye and Hemker, aye.

Motion (2024/25-37) to reassign Caroline Kenow to the role of Full Time Substitute Teacher was made by Mrs. Linders with a second by Mrs. Peters. Roll call vote showed the following: Linders, aye; Peters, aye; Korte, aye; Biggs, aye and Hemker, aye.

Motion (2024/25-38) to accept resignation of Kierra Winkeler as JV/Varsity Girls Basketball Coach was made by Mrs. Peters with a second by Mr. Biggs. Roll call vote showed the following: Peters, aye; Korte, aye; Biggs, aye; Linders, aye and Hemker, aye.

Motion (2024/25-39) to hire Kayla Sutton as Individual Care Aide/RtI Paraprofessional was made by Mrs. Linders with a second by Mr. Korte. Roll call vote showed the following: Korte, aye; Biggs, aye; Linders, aye; Peters, aye and Hemker, aye.

Motion (2024/25-40) to hire Brad Schroeder as Supervisor/Custodial Helper was made by Mr. Biggs with a second by Mrs. Peters. Roll call vote showed the following: Biggs, aye; Linders, abstained; Peters, aye; Korte, aye and Hemker, aye.

Motion (2024/25-41) to hire JV/Varsity Girls Basketball Coach was left open.

Motion (2023/24-42) to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 p.m. was made by Mr. Korte with a second by Mr. Biggs. Motion carried (5-0).

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