Granton Area School Board ….

Granton Area School Board

Regular Meeting, May 12, 2025

I. REGULAR BUSINESS I.A. Call to order: Meeting called to order at 6:48 p.m. by President Sheryl Young.

I.B. Roll call: Doug Eichten – absent, Mark Elmhorst – absent, Jamie Elmhorst – here, Erica Bender – here, and Sheryl Young – here. Also present were District Administrator Nancy Popp, Principal Amanda Kraus, district administrative assistant Char Johnson, and 12 community/staff members. Elmhorst arrived at 7:36 p.m.

I.C. Verification of notice to public: Notice to public was posted at the Granton School, Citizens State Bank, Granton Post Office, the school website, and published in the TRG.

I.D. Pledge of Allegiance: Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Sheryl Young.

I.E. Reorganization of the board – election of officers: Erica Bender nominated Sheryl Young as president. Motion to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried. Sheryl Young nominated Mark Elmhorst as vice president Motion to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried. Sheryl Young nominated Erica Bender as treasurer. Motion to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot. This motion, made by Jamie Elmhorst and seconded by Erica Bender. Voice vote. Motion carried. Erica Bender nominated Doug Eichten as clerk. Motion to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot. This motion, made by Jamie Elmhorst and seconded by Erica Bender. Voice vote. Motion carried.

I.F. Approval of agenda: Motion to approve the agenda as presented. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried.

I.G. Consent agenda: Motion to approve the consent agenda, which includes minutes of the May 14, 2025, regular board meeting, and review of financial reports. This motion, made by Jamie Elmhorst and seconded by Erica Bender. Voice vote. Motion carried.

I.H. Other I.H.a. Spotlight on Education: There was no Spotlight on Education this month.

I.H.a.i. Student of the Month: Students of the Month are: Elementary, Abigail Schnabel and Tadeo Aguilar-Tavera; MS, Juan Oritz; and HS, Bella Haumschild and Jaida Binder.

I.H.a.ii. Staff of the Month: Mr. Tim Steinbach and Ms. Rachel West are the Staff Persons of the Month.

II. STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE INPUT/REMARKS: A student council representative wasn’t able to make it to the meeting, so they sent the information for Mrs. Kraus to report. FFA had a kickball game earlier tonight. They have their plant sale going on currently and until May 17. Stop by and see all the plants they have. FFA has their spring awards night on May 14, and the Granton Dairy Breakfast is coming up on June 1. The track team has a meet in Marathon tomorrow and is nearing the end of their season. There is a yearbook signing event this Wednesday during WIN times. Last week was teacher appreciation week and student council members planned something for the teachers each day. The seniors last day is next Wednesday, May 21, and graduation is May 24.

III. PUBLIC COMMENTS: A community member messaged that the Granton School sign is no longer on display at the Granton Convenience Store and wondered if we knew why. A community member wondered about the English positions and band position. That person also mentioned that at the community meeting held in March, it was suggested that administrative staff stop into classes and talk with staff. They wondered if this was being done. There was also a suggestion of a 5-year plan and if any work has been done on that yet.

IV. AGENDA ITEMS IV.A. Check register: Motion to approve checks 47133-47220 and wire transfers 202400144-202400184 in the amount of $342,964.25. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried.

IV.B. Bank account changes: Motion to revoke Dennis Kuehn from all bank accounts and revoke signer authority. This motion, made by Jamie Elmhorst and seconded by Erica Bender. Voice vote. Motion carried. Motion to authorize Erica Bender, newly elected treasurer, to be added to all bank accounts and to have signer authority. This motion, made by Jamie Elmhorst and seconded by Sheryl Young. Voice vote. Motion carried.

IV.C. CESA 10 annual convention representative: Motion to approve Sheryl Young as the Granton School District representative for the CESA 10 annual convention being held on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried.

IV.D. 2025-26 student accident insurance: Motion to approve the 2025-26 Student Assurance Services student accident insurance renewal. This motion, made by Jamie Elmhorst and seconded by Erica Bender. Voice vote. Motion carried.

IV.E. 2025-26 property insurance renewal: We have not received the renewal yet. This item will be tabled until June.

IV.F. Open enrollment applications: Motion to approve the 202526 open enrollment applications. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried.

IV.G. Food service: This item is tabled until June. IV.H. Facilities: Mrs. Popp reported that Lochinvar is standing behind the warranty on the boiler. She is still working on details for transportation and installation of the new item.

IV.I. 2025-26 WIAA high school membership renewal: Motion to approve the 2025-26 WIAA high school membership renewal. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried.

IV.J. 66.0301 Shared IT agreement: We have not received the IT agreement from Loyal. No action at this time.

IV.K. Personnel: Discussion on personnel items moved to executive session.

V. OTHER REPORTS V.A. School Board Committee reports: Visioneers held their art sale in conjunction with the elementary spring concert on May 9. They also attended a design challenge in April. The K-12 art gallery show is coming up on May 19. The Granton School Foundation hosted a food truck for staff appreciation last week. They also have the Sweet Treat Social coming up on Friday, June 6. Advance tickets are currently on sale for this event.

V.B. Principal’s report: 1) Banquet season has been off to a great start and will be wrapping up with the FFA spring awards night coming up on May 14, and the NHS/academic/music awards night coming up on May 21; 2) Seniors are wrapping up their high school career. The district will be sending them off on May 21, and they will be walking the halls with their caps and gowns on Friday, May 23, and graduate on May 24; 3) The behavior report was presented.

V.C. Superintendent’s report: 1) Continuing to look at ways to collaborate with neighboring districts; 2) The board will be asked to approve the sixth grade teacher and middle/high school English teacher tonight. Both positions will be filled full-time with in-person teachers. We have interviewed for music and are waiting to hear on that offer. Still working on the SPED position. We are fully staffed for paraprofessionals for the coming year. We are looking for an athletic director and the food service department has been reorganized and those positions will be posted in the newspaper and on Indeed. Interviews have been completed for the basketball coaches for next year; 3) Thank you to the board, student council, the Young family, the sixth-grade FACE classes and foundation for finding ways to treat the staff all week for staff appreciation and thanks to the staff for all that you do to make our students successful; 4) Nothing new to report for finance at this time. Still continuing to work on budget for next year; 5) Transportation for next year will look different. Stay tuned for further information on that.

V.D. Other: 1) The athletic director has reported that G2 basketball coaches for next year have been hired. Upcoming seventh-12th grade girls and boys should attend a meeting with coaches on Wednesday, May 21; 2) Middle school spring sports will be ending soon, and high school will be starting playoffs; 3) sixth-eighth grade track and field co-op with Neillsville has two more meets. There has been some difficulty with communication from students regarding transportation needs and if they quit. 4) Sixth-eighth grade softball co-op with Neillsville has two more games; 5) HS track and field has two meets and then starts regionals; 6) HS baseball co-op with Neillsville has eight more games in regular season between JV and varsity; 7) HS softball co-op with Neillsville has five more games in the regular season; 8) Questionnaires were given to all students in current grades three-11 to get more of a count of participants for next year’s sports; 9) Transportation is a concern for co-op sports and also for our own transportation; 10) Please remind staff, students, and families to keep Class Tag notification on in the summer for updates on fall sport information as some of those start before school does; 11) Still looking for games and concession workers for home volleyball and basketball games.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE: There was a thank you card from the Steinbach family.

VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION VII.A. Convene in executive session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85 (1)(c) Motion to convene in executive session at 7:31 p.m. for the purpose of discussing/taking action under Wisconsin Statute 19.85 (1)(c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Roll call vote. Douglas Eichten: absent, Mark Elmhorst: absent, Erica Bender: yea, Jamie Elmhorst: yea, and Sheryl Young: yea. Motion carried.

VII.B. Return to open session: Motion to move from executive session to regular session at 9:51 p.m. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Mark Elmhorst. Roll call vote. Douglas Eichten: absent, Erica Bender: yea, Jamie Elmhorst: yea, Mark Elmhorst: yea, and Sheryl Young: yea. School board president Sheryl Young, reported no action was taken in executive session.

IV.K.a. New hires: Motion to approve hiring Madelyn Nelson as elementary teacher. This motion, made by Mark Elmhorst and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried. Motion to approve hiring Courtney Schoessow as middle school/high school English teacher. This motion, made by Jamie Elmhorst and seconded by Erica Bender. Voice vote. Motion carried.

IV.K.b. Resignations: Motion to approve the resignation of Ashley Behselich as child care worker and to thank her for her service. This motion, made by Mark Elmhorst and seconded by Erica Bender. Voice vote. Motion carried. Motion to approve the resignation of Melissa Zenner as child care worker and to thank her for her service. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried. Motion to approve the resignation of Etazhanae Baker as second-grade teacher and to thank her for her service. This motion, made by Mark Elmhorst and seconded by Jamie Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried.

IV.K.c. 2025-26 teacher and bus driver contracts: Motion to approve the 2025-26 teacher and bus driver contracts as recommended by the board. This motion, made by Mark Elmhorst and seconded by Erica Bender. Voice vote. Motion carried.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn at 9:52 p.m. This motion, made by Erica Bender and seconded by Mark Elmhorst. Voice vote. Motion carried.

Sheryl Young, president Erica Bender, treasurer

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