East Troy board approves payments, hires, benefits changes and multiple policy updates; facilities advisory sets tours

At its meeting the East Troy Community School District Board of Education approved routine financials, accepted staff resignations, authorized multiple hires and teacher contracts, adopted several policy changes, and received an update on facilities planning.

Finance and contracts: Committee member (speaker 9) moved to approve March 2024 payments totaling $1,953,844.37 and receipts of $3,052,851.10 as reflected in the financial statements; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board also approved the complete list of teacher contracts for the 2024-25 school year (packet begins page 54); administration reminded the board that, per statute, contracts are to be sent to teachers by May 15 and may be returned by June 15.

Personnel actions: The board accepted the resignation of Melissa Snyder as the district’s alternative learning specialist effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year; a separate resignation letter from longtime custodian Jim Atkinson (last day June 14) was read aloud in recognition of his 38 years of service. On staffing recommendations, the board approved the hire of Allison (Ali) Hutchison as the speech and language pathologist following interviews and background/reference checks. The board also approved the hiring of Rayna Brown for a high-school English position and approved the recommended candidate for a full-time high school business education position listed in the packet as Wyatt (transcript shows variations in spelling). All hires were approved by voice vote.

Benefits: Administration reported on a health insurance renewal with WCA GHT approved at a special meeting on April 15. Staff (speaker 10) said active employee plans remain similar (deductibles of $2,000 and $4,000, same network and benefits including NICE Healthcare), wellness grant funding of $7,500 and health-club reimbursements of $120–$240 per month, and a change to retiree coverage allowed a net renewal at negative 1%, producing slightly lower premiums for active employees. Staff said the district will provide individual assistance to retirees who must seek plans on the individual marketplace.

Policies: The board approved a new policy titled Care of District Property (first/second readings complete), noting one wording change to replace a mandatory phrasing with discretionary language regarding disciplinary measures for students who damage property. The board also approved policy 8-29 (naming of school facilities), policy 8-40 (gifts/grants/requests), and policy 8-51 (advertising in schools) together as related items. In first readings, administration presented administrative rule 3.45.5 (clarifying transcript and transcript/GPA handling for accelerated middle-school students taking high-school courses) and proposed policy 3.61.1 (selection of library instructional materials) changes to speed review and keep books in circulation during reconsideration.

Facilities advisory update: Staff member (speaker 6) updated the board on the Citizens Facility Advisory Committee (CFAC): tours of the high school, middle school and Prairie View are scheduled this week starting at 06:00, and a slide deck will be distributed in advance. CFAC will reconvene May 2 (with an optional May 8 meeting) to focus on capital-improvement priorities and repair-vs-replace decisions; staff noted that timeline decisions could affect whether a resolution moves in August, November or is delayed into the next cycle.

The board concluded with routine communications and adjourned by voice vote.