Cadott School Board; Gym updates scheduled to go, painting bid approved
By Julia Wolf
The gym updates at the Cadott High School are getting closer to reality, as members heard an update on how the project is going, April 12.
Some scheduling for bidded work on the project began.
They also looked into whether an additional electrical access point is needed, to ensure there is power for the HVAC system and any future needs. Ryan Beachem, director of buildings and grounds, says he checked into the electrical access, and says the building has more than enough power.
District administrator Jenny Starck says a scoreboard that includes stats has also been discussed.
“Nothing definite has been decided yet,” said Starck on the scoreboard, since additional data can make scorekeeping more diffi cult for volunteers. “We want something that’s easy to use.”
Al Sonnentag, board member, says he called around, and schools with more information on their scoreboard usually have a third person helping with scorekeeping.
“That’s the same thing I heard, too,” said Beachem.
The district also received bids for painting the gym.
Outgoing board president Rod Tegels says he has heard concerns from the public that the gym remodeling project should not be a top priority for spending and said he would like to save the decision for the next board.
Board member Brad Sonnentag asked if the gym is already scheduled to be painted. Starck said it is not, because the painting bid has not been approved yet.
“The prior meeting, there were bids that were approved that are scheduled,” said Starck.
She says the HVAC, bleachers and flooring are already approved.
“The only thing we have left is the paint,” said Beachem.
Outgoing board member Mark Schley asked if information on the cost of the project was shared with the community. Starck says the information has been in the Courier Sentinel and will be in The Stinger (school newsletter), going forward. Beachem says the gym portion of the remodeling project will be under $500,000.
Members approved the lowest bid from Shay Painting, for $12,800, with five in favor (A. Sonnentag, B. Sonnentag, Ced Boettcher, Donna Albarado, Becca Blanchette) and two opposed (Tegels, Schley).
Tegels says he has also heard from staff members who were concerned after receiving an email. Tegels says he was told the email made it sound like getting a COVID- 19 vaccination is mandatory.
Starck says the only email that went out was a schedule for those who already received the first dose of the vaccine. Tegels says he also heard concerns that names were on a spreadsheet, which could be a breach of privacy or violate HIPAA.
“The perception of this is it’s mandated, top-down,” said Tegels.
Starck said some of it was logistics for scheduling floating subs. She said it was an option for those who did not make the previous vaccination clinic, but was not mandated for anyone. Tegels asked if board members could see the email and Starck said she would forward it to them.
The board voted to keep COVID vaccines voluntary for staff.
B. Sonnentag suggested the district consider adding human resources staffing to help with matters like this in the future. The issue will be on an upcoming agenda.
Stark also presented a draft of proposed staffing changes for the 2021-22 school year. She says the changes would be staff neutral. Starck says it comes down to getting the best results with the staff that they have.
“Based on some concerns earlier, what we are looking at is the current half-time dean, half-time AD (athletic director) position, would become one full-time dean of students position,” said Starck.
She says student issues happen throughout the day, and some days are busier than others, which makes it hard to find time to work on the AD duties during the day. The dean position will focus on student behavior success.
A half-time math teacher, half-time science teacher would become a half-time AD and half-time science position, as part of the changes. The change allows time to be set aside during the day to work on athletics, without as many interruptions.
Schley asked how the district will support the person working the AD/science position, to prevent burnout.
“I think we are looking at options that will allow that person to not be at every single event,” said Caleb Hundt, junior/senior high principal.
A secondary English Language Arts position would become a seventh and eighth grade interventionalist. The changes were approved later in the evening.
During public comment, Cadott parent Amy Wellner said she thinks masks should be optional in school.
“There’re pros and cons, no matter how you look at it,” said Wellner.
She suggested setting a percentage rate, that if infections hit that, masks go back on.
During the business portion of the meeting, Schley said he would like to see the district use data to make changes to masking expectations.
“I think we need to start looking at trying to give the kids some options during school, so they’re not stuck in these masks all day,” said Schley.
Starck says long-term planning has been difficult with the pandemic and that they are waiting until two weeks after spring break, and the second dose of vaccinations for staff who wanted them, before seeing where the numbers are.
Jessica Hager, school nurse, added, that with the mask mandate being off, the district could look at using face shields as an alternative, if numbers continue to trend downward.
“I also know that we have a lot of concerned staff and families, that are worried about health and safety reasons, still,” said Hager. “We have to weigh that concern in there, as well.”
The administration will work on a plan to present at the upcoming committee meeting Monday, April 26.
The eSucceed contract for 2021-22 was also tabled until the Monday, April 26, committee meeting, after board members expressed concerns about student learning.
The board also accepted the retirement of Dan Kohls, head elementary custodian.
I’ve had many great years working for the school, wrote Kohls in his retirement letter. I would be happy to come back as a sub or short-term employment.
The resignation of first-grade teacher Bridget Schilling, was also approved, as she has been accepted into graduate school to study school psychology.
This school has truly felt like home to me, and while I know that I will love my future in school psychology, I will always treasure and miss my time spent teaching in Cadott Elementary School, wrote Schilling in her resignation letter.
Rhonda Pederson, also submitted her letter of resignation from her position as junior and senior high school secretary, which was approved by the board.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to work in this position for the past 15 years, wrote Pederson. I will take many memories with me and the district will always be my home.
The board approved one year of unpaid leave of absence for Angela Esh, special education teacher, if the district is able to find a qualified replacement.
Members also accepted the resignation of James Bremness, head volleyball coach and assistant boys high school basketball coach, as he has taken a new job in Colorado, and will move in May.
It has been a great honor to have returned to my hometown and coach in the athletics, wrote Bremness.
Resignations were also accepted from Jake Anderson, JV boys basketball coach; Jake Barone, JV girls basketball coach; Eric Bourget, middle school girls basketball coach; and Kolton Dupey, high school track coach.
Members also approved the hire of Kaylee Evergreen, fourth-grade teacher. They also renewed contracts for coaching staff.
Following a closed session hearing, members also approved a non-renewal, because of layoffs.
A. Sonnentag said in the past, there was a volunteer third coach for baseball and softball, but noticed two seasons ago, there was not. He said he would like board thoughts on potentially adding a third paid coach for those teams.
“I have not talked to the coaches, whether they want one or not,” said A. Sonnentag, adding it is something he thought would be nice as a parent watching the games.
Tegels says he agrees the district needs to take a look, and either be for athletics and serve them, or not offer them.
“Because we’re kind of in the middle of this, we want to offer them, but don’t want to support them,” said Tegels.
Starck said she could bring something to the next meeting, if board members would like.
Boettcher says he agrees the whole athletic picture needs to be looked at, adding other teams are operating with volunteer coaches, too. Members sent the issue to committee for further discussion.
As a reminder to the public, there will be a chance for the public to give input on the strategic plan Wednesday, May 19, from 6-8:30 p.m., at the high school. Starck says there will also be options to participate virtually.
