South Central Reporter

Germantown School District 60 Board of Education met Aug. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Andrea Linders the following members present: Lee Deerhake, Nicole Peters, Ashley Winter, Taylor Beckmann, Kennedy Brauer, Jessica Hemker and Andrea Linders. 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 Kelsey Peppenhorst.

Motion (2025/26-22) to approve the agenda was made by Mrs. Winter with a second by Mr. Deerhake. Motion carried (7-0).

Reports:

1. Assistant Principal Report:

a. Summer School for the Soul Retreat Update: This year’s retreat theme was emotions. As educators, emotions play a powerful role in how we teach, connect with students, and support one another. The retreat offered time for reflection, conversation, and strategies to help staff recognize, process, and manage emotions in healthy and constructive ways. Following a morning of SEL-focused activities, the afternoon was dedicated to staff bonding and connection.

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 2 new teachers in the program.

c. Technology was the next topic. New teacher equipment was installed just prior to the start of the new school year as the shipment came later than anticipated. As a result, there were some challenges to start the school year. We have worked through most of the challenges and continue to troubleshoot issues as they arise.

d. BIGS Bootcamp is a House Leadership Program launched last school year. The camp is designed to equip our older students, the “Bigs”, with the skills to effectively mentor and support younger students, the “Littles,” during House activities. The two-day event was developed and is led by Mrs. Katie Rakers.

2. RtI/Special Education/SEL Coordinator Report:

a. Mrs. Beer provided a follow-up report regarding the potential need for an individual care nurse. While this is not an immediate need, it is anticipated that such support will be necessary at some point moving forward.

b. She also reported on the start-of-year benchmark assessments that are being administered to support RtI planning and decisions.

3. Superintendent Report:

a. An overview of the proposed FY26 budget with a primary focus on the Education Fund was shared. The budget will be approved at the September meeting.

b. A discussion was held on LED lighting. To promote energy efficiency, the district is exploring the installation of motion sensors for hallway and restroom lights, along with dusk-to-dawn sensors for exterior lighting. The goal is to determine whether this project can be incorporated into the upcoming 10-Year Health Life Safety Plan.

c. An update on the Capital Campaign was given, noting that a marketing plan for the Final Push to close the remaining funding gap has been developed and will be presented at the next Capital Campaign meeting.

Motion (2025/26-23) to approve the items of consent as follows was made by Mr. Deerhake with a second by Mrs. Peters. Roll call vote showed the following: Deerhake, aye; Peters, aye; Winter, aye; Beckmann, aye; Brauer, aye; Hemker, aye and Linders, aye.

Items of Consent

1. Approve Minutes of July 16, 2025 - Regular Board Meeting

2. Approve Minutes of July 23, 2025 - Negotiations Meeting

3. Approve Bills/Payroll for August 2025

4. Review of closed Session Minutes for Public Release – January 2025

5. Approve Destruction of Verbatim Recording of January 2024

6. Approve Financial Reports for July 2025

a. Budget

b. Balance Sheet

c. Fund Balance

d. Bulldog Activity

7. Appointment of Leigh Ann Arentsen as FOIA Officer

New Business:

Motion (2025/26-24) to approve the 2025-26 Strategic Plan was made by Mr. Beckmann with a second by Mrs. Brauer. Motion carried (7-0).

Motion (2025/26-25) to approve Contract for Social Work Services was made by Mrs. Peters with a second by Mrs. Brauer. Roll call vote showed the following: Peters, aye; Winter, aye; Beckmann, aye; Brauer, aye; Hemker, aye; Deerhake, aye and Linders, aye.

Motion (2025/26-26) to approve the Risk Management Plan was made by Mrs. Brauer with a second by Mrs. Peters. Motion carried (7-0).

Motion (2025/26-27) to approve Second Reading of PRESS Policy April 2025 and June 2025 was made by Mrs. Winter with a second by Mr. Deerhake. Motion carried (7-0).

Motion (2025/26-28) to approve First Reading of Security Camera Video Viewing Policy was left open.

Motion (2025/26-29) to approve Threat Assessment Plan was made by Mrs. Hemker with a second by Mrs. Brauer. Motion carried (7-0).

Motion (2025/26-30) to approve Resolution to Transfer Budget Items within the Education Fund was made by Mr. Beckmann with a second by Mrs. Peters. Roll call vote showed the following: Winter, abstained; Beckmann, aye; Brauer, aye; Hemker, aye; Deerhake, aye; Peters, aye and Linders, aye.

Motion (2025/26-31) to enter closed session at 8:07 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 Mrs. Peters with a second by Mrs. Winter. Motion carried (7-0).

Motion (2025/26-32) to return to Open Session at 8:44 p.m. was made by Mrs. Peters with a second by Mrs. Winter. Motion carried (7-0).

Motion (2025/26-33) to approve the 2025-26 Germantown Teachers Organization Collective Bargaining Agreement was made by Mr. Deerhake with a second by Mr. Beckmann. Roll call vote showed the following: Beckmann, aye; Brauer, aye; Hemker, aye; Deerhake, aye; Peters, aye; Winter, aye and Linders, aye.

Motion (2025/26-34) to approve Superintendent Salary was made by Mrs. Winter with a second by Mrs Brauer. Roll call vote showed the following: Brauer, aye; Hemker, aye; Deerhake, aye; Peters, aye; Winter, aye; Beckmann, aye and Linders, aye.

Motion (2025/26-35) to approve SEL/RtI/SpEd Coordinator Stipend was made by Mrs. Hemker with a second by Mrs. Peters. Roll call vote showed the following: Hemker, aye; Deerhake, aye; Peters, aye; Winter, aye; Beckmann, aye; Brauer, aye and Linders, aye.

Motion (2025/26-36) to approve Support Staff Salaries was made by Mrs. Peters with a second by Mrs. Winter. Roll call vote showed the following: Deerhake, aye; Peters, aye; Winter, aye; Beckmann, aye; Brauer, aye; Hemker, aye and Linders, aye.

Motion (2025/26-37) to approve Resignation of Danielle Ribbing as Paraprofessional/Individual Care Aide was made by Mrs. Winter with a second by Mrs. Peters. Roll call vote showed the following: Peters, aye; Winter, aye; Beckmann, aye; Brauer, aye; Hemker, aye; Deerhake, aye and Linders, aye.

Motion (2025/26-38) to approve Intent to Retire - Robin Becker was made by Mr. Beckmann with a second by Mr. Deerhake. Roll call vote showed the following: Winter, aye; Beckmann, aye; Brauer, aye; Hemker, aye; Deerhake, aye; Peters, aye and Linders, aye.

Motion (2025/26-39) to hire Paraprofessional/Individual Care Aide was left open.

Motion (2025/26-40) to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m. was made by Mrs. Winter with a second by Mrs. Peters. Motion carried (7-0).

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