On Monday, Nov. 9, the Monroe school board:
• Adopted the Education for Employment Plan for the school district. The plan is required to be submitted to the state Department of Public Instruction every five years and outlines how the prepares K-12 students for future employment. The document adopted is an update to the district's plan from five years ago. It includes information on collaborations and partnerships the district has with Blackhawk Technical College and area businesses; an overview of the district's career and technical education curriculum; and information on work-based learning, technical preparation programs, career development and school counseling, 21st Century and employability skills, and professional development needs and opportunities.
• Agreed, on the recommendation of Superintendent Larry Brown, to begin monthly recognition of students and staff within the district. The board plans to begin recognizing individuals in January.
• Learned the absenteeism rate is at 3 to 4 percent, a normal range for this time of year, Brown said. Last month, up to 10 percent of students were out sick. Brown said staff and District Nurse Lori Soderberg have done an excellent job educating students about the importance of hand-washing and covering coughs to help stem the spread of seasonal flu and H1N1.
• Approved short-term borrowing of up to $2.5 million from Wisconsin Community Bank at an interest rate of 3.5 percent. The interest rate last year was 3.75 percent. The school district uses short-term borrowing several times throughout the year to cover expenses until aid money and tax payments are received. The money is repaid when revenues come in.
• Approved a donation of $500 from the Monroe Optimist Club to MMS eighth-graders to be used to start a business making fabric bowls. Each bowl will cost about $5 to make and will be sold for $10; profits will be given to a local charity.
• Accepted the resignation of Nikolina Heinmann as tray washer at Monroe Middle School.
• Adopted the Education for Employment Plan for the school district. The plan is required to be submitted to the state Department of Public Instruction every five years and outlines how the prepares K-12 students for future employment. The document adopted is an update to the district's plan from five years ago. It includes information on collaborations and partnerships the district has with Blackhawk Technical College and area businesses; an overview of the district's career and technical education curriculum; and information on work-based learning, technical preparation programs, career development and school counseling, 21st Century and employability skills, and professional development needs and opportunities.
• Agreed, on the recommendation of Superintendent Larry Brown, to begin monthly recognition of students and staff within the district. The board plans to begin recognizing individuals in January.
• Learned the absenteeism rate is at 3 to 4 percent, a normal range for this time of year, Brown said. Last month, up to 10 percent of students were out sick. Brown said staff and District Nurse Lori Soderberg have done an excellent job educating students about the importance of hand-washing and covering coughs to help stem the spread of seasonal flu and H1N1.
• Approved short-term borrowing of up to $2.5 million from Wisconsin Community Bank at an interest rate of 3.5 percent. The interest rate last year was 3.75 percent. The school district uses short-term borrowing several times throughout the year to cover expenses until aid money and tax payments are received. The money is repaid when revenues come in.
• Approved a donation of $500 from the Monroe Optimist Club to MMS eighth-graders to be used to start a business making fabric bowls. Each bowl will cost about $5 to make and will be sold for $10; profits will be given to a local charity.
• Accepted the resignation of Nikolina Heinmann as tray washer at Monroe Middle School.