Augusta board considers future plans

by Bridget Cooke

In a special trip up to the Wildlands School classroom at Beaver Creek Reserve, the Augusta School Board met for their November meeting to discuss further planning of the tentatively anticipated renovations scheduled for the upcoming year as well as listened to updates regarding the implementation of programs.

Talks surrounding the available cost options were a focal point of the meeting, and considerations were made in the anticipated borrowing amount of $6.6 million and the expectancy that repairs and upgrades will not require the total amount. 

The roof was an especially sticking point. Administrator Ryan Nelson handed out quotes on specific materials, noting the hopeful impulse to incorporate a metal roof left the board with two estimates, both between $3-4 million. A rubberized option put them in a better position. Another item was the pool updates, which certain members suggested should be powered through solar resources if possible. 

Nelson took in suggestions and stated he would reach out to consulting firm ICS Consulting Inc. to further help the representatives ascertain which direction the district would like to go if no halt is placed on the project and the time for petition, which is rapidly approaching in the first half of December, has been completed.

Another facet of the discussion brought to the board’s attention by Nelson was the change in the property value of the school. State laws specify if a school’s facilities become worth more, they receive less in aid funding. The superintendent went to a Baird Financial Workshop, and upon seeing their anticipated forecasting, said the administration should be mindful of the funding formula in Wisconsin.

Given this factor, the board members evaluated their options. One being to continue forward proposed with their figures and go on just as they had planned, keeping in mind $6.6 million will probably not be fully utilized and every piece of the project can be completed in 2015, tackle only the most critical issues or create a plan which focuses heavily on the elementary repairs, but also incorporates significant pieces from the high school planning. Both the plan to do the projects spread out and take on the most in need could be done in phases, Nelson specified. 

However, board members voiced their hesitancy to hand pick only certain facets of the renovation plan, noting the topic of urgency as subjective. Board President Byron King also pointed out that if one piece not fixed during the first phase suddenly fails, their plans would be much less effective.

State Act 32 currently allows districts to proceed with such changes without affecting operating position for the current school year, though things could change in the future.

Another topic was the choice of contractors. There was some conflict between members of the board regarding which company would be best suited to work on the roof projects. Nelson concluded the discussion by notifying members that he would talk to ICS and H&H Energy Management and was hopeful a decision could be made in regard to the best contractor.

Dean of Students Nicole Steinmetz announced certain elements of the WKCE testing were finished and sent out, though more would have to continue later in the year for elementary students. In her report of PBIS referrals, it was noted they were scheduled to stay below half of last year’s amount and shared some positive input from Fall Creek instructors who visited to observe as a part of Augusta’s spotlight standing.

Two recent events were highlighted, including a PBIS at Home Workshop with a dinner, which was a way to illuminate certain pieces of the Positive Behavioral Intervention Systems program and helped parents better understand how to utilize it at home. Another was the Trailblazers Math Night where eight teachers aided nearly a dozen parents in comprehending pieces of math homework their children may bring home.

The system for coaches’ evaluations was narrowed down and the administration is looking to wrap them up for the fall. The process was outlined to accommodate for more successful assessment of coaches. Any head coaches were to have their evaluation forms completed by the athletic director as well as the high school principal, which would leave the head coaches to evaluate their own assistants.

There was also utilization of the educator effectiveness model, which included evaluation of newer teachers now coming to an end and moving onto more veteran instructors.

Future dates of meetings were established. The next regular, monthly meeting was set for Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in the library/media room of the high school. The board also scheduled an expulsion hearing for Thursday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. 

In light of recent comments made through citizen concern, the board did address the choice of setting a common evening for meetings and sticking by it instead of fluctuating due to important events outside of their duties as school board members. King noted that the board votes as a board, not as an individual, specifying it as important that they set a meeting date when as many members can be present as possible. 

Other items addressed:

• Hiring of Summer School Coordinator Paul Henrichs, approved

• Hiring of Office Secretary/21st Century Grant Coordinator Audrey Boettcher, approved

• Approval of Youth Options request

• Approval to adopt a club Trap Shooting Team

• Four wording changes made to Employee Handbook, including long-term pay for substitute teacher, co-curricular contracts and clarifying single health insurance premiums policy

• Notification to the board of a new program through the high school to utilize long-term tutors from UW-Eau Claire 

• News provided to the board specifying the near completion of the weight room

• Possible new hire of current sub-bus driver, will possibly be taken on full time with recommendation being brought to the board in December meeting

• Notification that high school saw slight decrease in academic ineligibility

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In September 2013, Cooke was hired as the editor of both the Augusta Area Times and the Tri-County News. She can be reached via ateditor@media-md.net or (715) 597-3313. Follow us on Twitter or check out our Facebook page for more updates!