Cadott School Board - Commons is too small to hold every student

Cadott High School has a good problem – too many students in a lunch period and nowhere to put them. That’s why principal Christi Machler reported June 9, that she wants to increase the number of tables in the commons and put some in the small gym, as overflow, since they are maxed out. Machler also would like to switch to round tables, rather than rectangle, as well as getting additional student and teacher desks, with the sixth grade moving from the elementary to the high school. “I think there are ways, as a board, that we get creative in the next few years, to expand that commons area, for a reasonable cost,” said school board member Rod Tegels. Also discussed and approved, was school lunch pricing. “We’re depleting that fund,” said district administrator Josh Spaeth. In fact, the district is losing about $30,000-$40,000 a year, in funding. Therefore, it was agreed to raise the price by 10 cents, across the board, and revisit the decision in the fall, as federal funding is up in the air at the moment. Andrea Wahl, board member, questioned if the district can get their food any cheaper, but, because they are part of a consortium, most of the bulk foods come from there, at a good price. She also suggested looking into local Amish farmers, for fresh fruits and vegetables, but vendors have to pass federal guidelines. “We’re not the only school running into this,” said Spaeth. “We’re looking at all options.” The district is about $7,000 delinquent on lunch accounts, since some families are not filling out the paperwork to see if they qualify for free and reduced meals. “And we still allow our kids to eat?” asked board clerk Karen Winchell. Spaeth assured her the children get meals, whether or not there is money in their account. Also talked about, was the proposed cooling project for the high school, as the board believed the entire high school building was going to have air cooling. That is not the case, with an additional cost to have it spread throughout the building, including the commons, small gym and auditorium. “That’s not a need, in my opinion,” said Spaeth. “I would like to get all classrooms A/C.” It was agreed the board would like to see all design and price options, before deciding to move ahead with the project. They also approved the hire of middle school special education teacher Kerri Shakal; eighth-grade ELA teacher Christian LeSac; varsity head volleyball coach Kaitlyn Kozial; and middle school wresting coach Jon Erickson. Members also approved the resignation of special education teacher Nadia Kotek; paraprofessional Cathline Lein; and the retirement of paraprofessional Joe Semanko. The board also accepted $3,500, from the UW-Stevens Point aquaculture demonstration facility, for a chiller for Cadott’s aquaponics system. The new piece of equipment keeps water at an even temperature and allows the aquaponics students to raise different species of fish.