MONROE - At a meeting Feb. 13, the Monroe school board:
• Heard from Derek Hoesly, 28, of Monroe during the time reserved for public comment. Hoesly asked the board to pass a resolution opposing any potential new legislation that would allow guns in schools. He said he became involved with the organization Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. No new bills regarding weapons on school property have yet been proposed this legislative session, but state Rep. Jesse Kremer, R-Kewaskum, said last year that he planned to pursue legislation that would allow people with concealed carry permits to carry weapons on school grounds. "I'm not against guns, but I am in favor of common sense on the issue," Hoesly said. He provided the board with a sample resolution from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and resolutions adopted by other Wisconsin school districts. Board members later said they'll talk about the issue at an upcoming meeting.
• Approved the retirement of Valerie Hoesly, Northside Elementary School kindergarten teacher.
• Accepted the resignation of Emily Rubrich, Monroe High School math teacher.
• Authorized hiring support staff members Laurie Crandall, Northside custodian; and Maureen Abraham, Monroe Middle School custodian.
• Gave initial approval for 17 policy reviews and revisions. Board member Dan Bartholf brought up a concern he has regarding an "unwritten rule" that students are generally not allowed to retake 4K (pre-kindergarten), even if they aren't mature enough to advance to kindergarten. He said some families might take their children elsewhere in order to allow them to retake 4K, which could decrease enrollment in Monroe. District Administrator Cory Hirsbrunner said the policy was created because some families were sending their kids to 4K a year early only to have them repeat it as a way to get an extra year of "free childcare." Board members and administrators agreed to talk with 4K staff about the issue and possibly introduce a new policy in the future.
• Accepted donations: $967.24 from Armstrong Family Dental for varsity and junior varsity softball uniforms; repairs to geared head drill press from Faith Engineering Inc. for the MHS tech department; $1,371.60 from Monroe Clinic for microphones for the Performing Arts Center; and $655.75 from St. Johns, $50 from Viola White, $2,000 from Monroe Clinic Foundation and $2,000 from Monroe Kiwanis Club for the Backpack Buddies program.
• Approved an alternative open enrollment out request for a Monroe student to attend school in Juda.
- Susan Endres
• Heard from Derek Hoesly, 28, of Monroe during the time reserved for public comment. Hoesly asked the board to pass a resolution opposing any potential new legislation that would allow guns in schools. He said he became involved with the organization Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. No new bills regarding weapons on school property have yet been proposed this legislative session, but state Rep. Jesse Kremer, R-Kewaskum, said last year that he planned to pursue legislation that would allow people with concealed carry permits to carry weapons on school grounds. "I'm not against guns, but I am in favor of common sense on the issue," Hoesly said. He provided the board with a sample resolution from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and resolutions adopted by other Wisconsin school districts. Board members later said they'll talk about the issue at an upcoming meeting.
• Approved the retirement of Valerie Hoesly, Northside Elementary School kindergarten teacher.
• Accepted the resignation of Emily Rubrich, Monroe High School math teacher.
• Authorized hiring support staff members Laurie Crandall, Northside custodian; and Maureen Abraham, Monroe Middle School custodian.
• Gave initial approval for 17 policy reviews and revisions. Board member Dan Bartholf brought up a concern he has regarding an "unwritten rule" that students are generally not allowed to retake 4K (pre-kindergarten), even if they aren't mature enough to advance to kindergarten. He said some families might take their children elsewhere in order to allow them to retake 4K, which could decrease enrollment in Monroe. District Administrator Cory Hirsbrunner said the policy was created because some families were sending their kids to 4K a year early only to have them repeat it as a way to get an extra year of "free childcare." Board members and administrators agreed to talk with 4K staff about the issue and possibly introduce a new policy in the future.
• Accepted donations: $967.24 from Armstrong Family Dental for varsity and junior varsity softball uniforms; repairs to geared head drill press from Faith Engineering Inc. for the MHS tech department; $1,371.60 from Monroe Clinic for microphones for the Performing Arts Center; and $655.75 from St. Johns, $50 from Viola White, $2,000 from Monroe Clinic Foundation and $2,000 from Monroe Kiwanis Club for the Backpack Buddies program.
• Approved an alternative open enrollment out request for a Monroe student to attend school in Juda.
- Susan Endres