Board reorganization, budget moves and personnel changes: key actions from Plymouth Joint School District meeting

The Plymouth Joint School District board completed its annual reorganization and approved a slate of administrative and operational actions at its recent meeting.

Officer elections and appointments: The board reappointed or elected Bob Travis as board president, Dan Steiner as vice president, Sally as clerk and Tony as treasurer through vocal motions and seconds. The board also confirmed liaison and subcommittee assignments for personnel, facilities and policy work.

Finance and consent items: The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes, the financial report for July 1, 2025–March 31, 2026, and bills listed on the agenda. The board approved proposed increases to school meal prices for the 2026–27 school year; administration said the change is intended to help address rising food costs and move toward a balanced budget.

Donations and budget adjustments: The board approved four donations and corresponding budget adjustments presented by Scott: a donation from Fairview PTO for transportation, a donation from Horizon Path for transportation to museums/venues, $26,963 from PHS Model UN for travel to Carthage College, and a $411.84 donation from PHS WEAT for transportation to UW‑Milwaukee. Board members asked for additional detail on one donation and were told the administration would follow up.

Personnel actions: The board accepted resignations effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year from five staff members (Carly Lens, Kimberly Pelzel, Bradford Capsi, Jessica Ziddle and Andrea Miller) and noted support‑staff retirements (Kathy ShraMM and Pam Gellzer) and two new hires for special‑education aide positions. The minutes recorded service lengths for departing staff.

Travel approvals: The board approved out‑of‑state travel for Amanda Smith, choir teacher, to take students to Choirs of America Nationals at Carnegie Hall (April 2–6, 2027) and for Todd Williams to take FBLA students to the FBLA national event in San Antonio (June 29–July 2, 2026); expenses were stated to be the responsibility of students and parents, typically through fundraising.

Closed session: The board voted to convene into closed session under the Wisconsin statutes cited on the agenda to discuss employee compensation, contract renewal and possible issuance of preliminary notices of nonrenewal. A roll‑call was held and the named members recorded affirmative votes before moving into closed session.

What it means: The routine governance actions reposition board leadership for the coming year, enact small budgetary adjustments and set personnel and program follow‑up for administration to complete.