Wausau School Board approves consent agenda, budget reconciliation plan, teacher contract renewals and Montessori charter renewal; moves to closed session

The Wausau School Board on the evening of its regular meeting approved a slate of routine and substantive actions, including a consent agenda, a budget reconciliation plan for 2026–27, teacher contract renewals, a wage adjustment for non‑teacher staff and a five‑year charter renewal for the Wausau Area Montessori Charter School, then voted to go into closed session to discuss personnel and contract evaluations.

The meeting opened with roll call and the pledge of allegiance before Principal Laura Pedretti and a group of fifth‑grade students from Main Elementary delivered a year‑end presentation. After public comment, the board moved through several agenda items that drew formal motions and voice votes.

Why it matters: the budget reconciliation plan and contract approvals set administrative and payroll parameters the district will use as it closes the fiscal year and prepares the 2026–27 budget; the Montessori charter renewal allows that charter school to continue operating under a five‑year contract with the district.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda: moved and seconded; motion carried on voice vote (consent items included personnel changes, multiple sets of minutes, payment of bills, budget status and donations).
- Budget reconciliation plan for 2026–27: motion to approve carried with one recorded abstention. The plan was presented earlier to the Committee of the Whole by Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Channel and was approved for budgeting purposes.
- Teacher contract approvals for 2026–27: Tabitha Gundrum presented the list of teacher contract renewals required by state statute; the board approved the contracts with one abstention recorded.
- Non‑teacher wage adjustment (2026–27): the administration recommended a 2.63% wage adjustment for all non‑teacher employee groups (teachers excluded pending negotiations); the board approved the adjustment.
- Wausau Area Montessori Charter School five‑year renewal: the board approved renewal after remarks from the Montessori governance representative thanking the board for ongoing support.

Superintendent remarks and context: Superintendent Bushman described recent district celebrations and student success events, noting that community partnerships contributed more than $300,000 in scholarships distributed at a recent scholarship night. "This is such a fun time of the year, but it is also a very busy time of the year," Bushman said, noting upcoming graduations and other year‑end activities.

Next steps and procedural items: after the votes, the chair requested a motion to enter closed session citing state statutes related to final notice of nonrenewal and contract evaluation (19.85(1)(c), 19.85(1)(e) and (g)). The board moved into closed session following roll call.

The meeting record notes donor acknowledgments for the district and that the board entered the district activity report into the official record. Additional documentation presented to the board includes a written third‑quarter legal expense summary and the budget reconciliation materials previously shared at the Committee of the Whole meeting.