Richland School Board Takes Action

A resolution to set the parameters for the sale of General Obligation Promissory Notes, not to exceed $15 million dollars was approved by the Richland School Board at Monday night’s meeting. The issuance of general obligation bonds is for the public purpose of paying the cost of facility upgrades which were approved in the spring referendum.

The state legislature passed a law requiring schools to use a curriculum founded in the science of reading. The board approved to spend the remaining Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for the purchase of a new reading curriculum. The difference will be paid from the fund balance, resulting in a net total of $148,300 to be spent from fund balance.

The second reading of the naming of Richland School District Facilities was held at last night’s meeting. Two circumstances will generally authorize a naming privilege: Naming in Recognition of Monetary Donation may be granted at the discretion of the Board of Education in recognition of persons or entities who provide at least 50% of the cost of a project or toward a fundraising goal, or in an amount to be approved by the Board of Education. Naming in Recognition of Distinguished Service may be granted at the discretion of the Board of Education in recognition of persons or entities the School District wishes to honor on the basis of their extraordinary service or leadership contributions to education, humanity, the School District, or the community, or on the basis of their status as a person of historical significance. If naming is to be authorized on the basis of distinguished service to the School District, consideration will not be extended until at least one year has passed since the individual last served the School District. The public was concerned that Avitus Ripp field would be renamed, so the policy includes a clause which states, “Any naming rights in effect as of January 1, 2024, within The Richland School District, shall be “grandfathered in” and subject to expiration on December 31, 2056, unless terminated earlier or extended as per the terms outlined in this policy.” The board unanimously approved the new policy.

In other actionthe board approved:

Amendments to the Promotion, Placement, and Retention Policy, concerning students going from fourth grade to fifth grade, and eighth grade students going to ninth grade. Instead of meeting all four of the criteria set fourth, they only have to meet one of the four. Board stated that this aligns with other districts.

To accept a contract with the Dane County New Teacher Project for the 2024-25 school year and the Peer Mentorship Grant funds to fund the work.

A staffing change in summer food service to allow the 12-hour a week position to work up to 36 hours a week at Administrative discretion to handle increases to the number of summer meals prepared.

Special Education staffing changes for the 2024-25 school year. An additional six students have moved into the district that require additional adult assistance per their Individual Education Programs. Two revisions are needed in special education staffing for 2024-25. The first revision is in three Special Education Aide positions: These three new positions would be for up to one Full Time Equivalent each, and will be primarily located at Richland Center High School within the Intellectual Disabilities (ID) classrooms. The estimated cost for these positions will be up to $159,600. The second revision is for a Cross-Categorical Teacher: In the 2023-24 school year, we have several special education aides working in the classrooms. It was determined that the needs of students in the district would be better met by hiring a teacher and not replacing two of the aides who are leaving the district for 2024-25. This is an estimated cost saving of $106,430. The new teaching position will be located at the Richland Center Intermediate School. The estimated cost for this position will be up to $98,160.

To accept Kraemer Brothers request to terminate the contract for the uncompleted parts of the Phase 2 high school roofing project, and to contract directly with Long Life Roofing to complete Phases 2 and 3 of the project for a total of $790,410 plus insulation replacement as needed.

Payment of $2,500 to Dr. Dale Sinnett and $400 to Kay Taylor for accompanying choirs and solo and ensemble events.

And various gifts from Ryan and Tiffany Lemke, Donors Choose, The Richland Hospital, and the Richland County Campus Foundation.

Richland School District Administrator, Steve Board, reported that all buildings and staff are now on the district’s summer schedule as of Monday.

Following closed session, the board approved:

The resignations of Jill Sharp, High School Special Education Teacher; and Paul Wiertzema, Intermediate PT Physical Education Teacher.

Contracts were approved for the 2024-25 school year. They include: Shelby Jones as the Primary School Physical Education; Brendan Wunnicke as the Elementary Bilingual ELA/Math Teacher; and JoLynn Moss as the ESL Teacher.

The Summer School Teaching Positions.

Also approved were the Coordinator Assignments, and Curriculum Instructional Coaching Assignments for the 2024-25 school year.