Board approves grants, calendars, open-enrollment tallies, technology purchases and staffing changes
May 14, 2026 | Merrill Area School District, School Districts, Wisconsin
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The Merrill Area Public Schools Board of Education approved a package of routine and policy motions at its May 13 meeting, including grant applications, calendars, technology purchases and personnel-structure changes.
Key board actions and outcomes
- Head Start supplemental funds: The board approved the 2026–27 state Head Start supplemental application as recommended by administration.
- MATA calendar: The Merrill Adult Diploma Academy 2026–27 calendar was approved.
- Open enrollment: The board approved two motions covering open enrollment into and out of the district: one motion approved 341 new students open-enrolling into MAPS and 592 continuing open-enrolled into MAPS; a separate motion approved 42 new students open-enrolling out of MAPS and 201 continuing open-enrolled out. Board discussion referenced enrollment movement linked to Bridges Virtual Academy.
- Physical education credit: The board approved awarding 0.5 physical-education credit for students who complete two WIAA-sponsored athletic seasons beginning in 2026–27; administrative guidelines will be developed to implement the policy and the board asked staff to track eligible students and uptake.
- Technology purchases: The board approved a VMware license renewal for $10,933 to be paid from the technology budget and a 2026 student-device refresh contract for $167,995 (technology budget).
- Coaching stipends and staffing: The board approved revised athletic coaching stipend structures for high school and middle school for 2026–27 and approved a consolidated activities director / Merrill High School assistant principal position on a 260-day contract effective 2026–27, with corresponding updates to the administrative compensation plan.
- Donation: The board approved a $2,500 donation from the Merrill Special Olympics Booster Club for a special-needs prom; the item was brought separately because it exceeded the $2,500 policy threshold.
- Consent agenda: The consent agenda carried and included minutes for 04/15/2026, 04/27/2026 and 05/06/2026; claims vouchers and receipts totaling $2,837,105.69; donations totaling $215; and personnel reports contingent on contract releases. Two abstentions were recorded (one by Amber on the April 27 amendments and one by Jacqueline on May 6) but the motion carried.
Most motions were approved on voice vote with no recorded opposition in the public record. Several board members asked for follow-up data on implementation (for example, PE credit uptake and device-refresh phasing) and staff said they would route detailed discussion through committee process where appropriate.
Next steps: Staff will move several items (facilities follow-up, implementation guidance, and data tracking) to committee agendas and return to the board with additional detail as requested.
Key board actions and outcomes
- Head Start supplemental funds: The board approved the 2026–27 state Head Start supplemental application as recommended by administration.
- MATA calendar: The Merrill Adult Diploma Academy 2026–27 calendar was approved.
- Open enrollment: The board approved two motions covering open enrollment into and out of the district: one motion approved 341 new students open-enrolling into MAPS and 592 continuing open-enrolled into MAPS; a separate motion approved 42 new students open-enrolling out of MAPS and 201 continuing open-enrolled out. Board discussion referenced enrollment movement linked to Bridges Virtual Academy.
- Physical education credit: The board approved awarding 0.5 physical-education credit for students who complete two WIAA-sponsored athletic seasons beginning in 2026–27; administrative guidelines will be developed to implement the policy and the board asked staff to track eligible students and uptake.
- Technology purchases: The board approved a VMware license renewal for $10,933 to be paid from the technology budget and a 2026 student-device refresh contract for $167,995 (technology budget).
- Coaching stipends and staffing: The board approved revised athletic coaching stipend structures for high school and middle school for 2026–27 and approved a consolidated activities director / Merrill High School assistant principal position on a 260-day contract effective 2026–27, with corresponding updates to the administrative compensation plan.
- Donation: The board approved a $2,500 donation from the Merrill Special Olympics Booster Club for a special-needs prom; the item was brought separately because it exceeded the $2,500 policy threshold.
- Consent agenda: The consent agenda carried and included minutes for 04/15/2026, 04/27/2026 and 05/06/2026; claims vouchers and receipts totaling $2,837,105.69; donations totaling $215; and personnel reports contingent on contract releases. Two abstentions were recorded (one by Amber on the April 27 amendments and one by Jacqueline on May 6) but the motion carried.
Most motions were approved on voice vote with no recorded opposition in the public record. Several board members asked for follow-up data on implementation (for example, PE credit uptake and device-refresh phasing) and staff said they would route detailed discussion through committee process where appropriate.
Next steps: Staff will move several items (facilities follow-up, implementation guidance, and data tracking) to committee agendas and return to the board with additional detail as requested.
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