MONROE — On April 1, the Monroe school board:
● Approved volume 1 policy updates regarding bylaws, administration, programs, finances and relations based on the NEOLA system.
● Heard updates from Madison-based CG Schmidt on the bids for Parkside Elementary School and Monroe Middle School renovations as part of the successful fall referendum. With outlined financial planning, including contingency funds in the case of an unseen problem, the bids equal roughly $3.33 million and leave the district with more than $25,000 in surplus funds.
● Accepted a $300 donation in camera equipment from Rachel Long.
● Agreed to a sole bid from Custofoam Corporation of Mauston for fixing the east portion of the Parkside roof due to leaking at a cost of $38,580. Director of Building and Grounds Rich Zentner said work would have to be completed by June 30 to accommodate the work being done as part of the referendum project.
● Purchased portable food stations meant to alter the way in which meals are served at Monroe High School. The cost of roughly $62,000 for stations from Kavanaugh Restaurant Supply of Madison that will help the district meet calls from the state Department of Public Instruction requesting they use the high amount of capital reserved for kitchen and cafeteria updates. District Administrator Rick Waski said MHS Principal Chris Medenwaldt noted the change as a positive one, possibly encouraging students to stay on campus for lunch. The stations will be used for items like pizza, pasta and sandwiches.
● Accepted the lowest bid on buns and bread from Pan-O-Gold Baking Co. of Sun Prairie for 18 cents per hamburger bun, 16 cents per hot dog bun and $1.86 per loaf of bread.
● Heard gratitude from board member Les Bieneman, who attended his final meeting. He announced he would step down in December. Dylan McGuire won the open seat in the April 2 election. Bieneman said he was grateful for good students and good parents, teachers for persevering despite stressful circumstances and noted the former Wisconsin Education Association Council slogan, “Touch the Future” was what educators do. He also said District Administrative Executive Assistant Cindy Rupnow was “a consummate professional” and thanked all of the staff who work in utilities and administrative jobs. “Monroe has a lot going for it, but we’re not there yet,” Bieneman said. “We will be some day.”
● Hired Hannah Ormson as an elementary Spanish teacher as part of the new curriculum at a salary of $39,324 covered by funding from Colony Brands Foundation.
● Accepted the sole bid for milk from Prairie Farms Dairy of Dubuque for 22 cents per carton for skim, 22.56 cents per carton of 1% white milk and 24.6 cents per carton of fat free chocolate milk.
● Approved professional staff contract drafts, ensuring workers have jobs for the next school year, but have not yet finalized numbers.
● Hired Rebecca Stauffacher as MHS art instructor for the 2019-20 school year.
● Accepted the notices of retirement by custodian James Ripp and Northside Elementary Building Secretary Deborah Ruchti; and resignations of Abraham Lincoln Elementary School library specialist Lisa Schumacher, English instructor Andrew Miller and custodian Travis Shippy.
● Heard from Waski about a hearing for public input held by members of the state finance committee to take testimony from educators about the budget. Waski commended the members for hosting four statewide sessions without any requirement to do so, and acknowledged that many members said the proposal by Gov. Tony Evers for school funding was “just too much money,” though he was optimistic that state funding would be positive for schools.