Loyal School Board Hears Presentation on Book Vending Machine

Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 -- 10:08 AM

The Loyal School Board heard about a book vending machine at their recent meeting.

Mrs. Popp gave a presentation to the Board on a proposal for a Book Vending Machine. The cost of the machine would be $4,000 and it would be an incentive program to promote reading amongst students.

Erin Shafto gave a presentation to the Board regarding a high school dance team. This team would do a half-time performance at sporting events. Erin reported that there were 10 high school girls interested.  Both of these items will be discussed further by the Board at the May Board meeting.

Also, Cara Prior reviewed the notes from the Long-Term Strategic Planning Technology meeting. The committee has updated the five-year plan to include several items including updated core infrastructure/wiring.

They will be rewiring a good portion of the building for electrical to handle the increased electrical load from all the personal electronic devices. Adding data jacks, moving the wiring closet, moving the equipment to run TV to a centralized location, moving the server, and finish replacing the Smart Boards with TVs.

Also, survey appropriate stakeholders and work to keep open lines of communication regarding technology. Hold informational meetings; and encourage parents to be a part of keeping communication open.

Also, prepare students for post-secondary technological success (4 year college; 2 year college; technical training; workforce) by using curriculum rotation, mini lessons using cameras/surface; CTE-CAD will run again in 2022-23; Pilot Robotics 2021-22 school year; Manufacturing LAB (FAB Lab – introductions to automated manufacturing.); and, Science Olympiad.

Finally, emergency readiness which includes continued staff training; replacing the speakers/clocks; and educating students and parents on internet safety.  Harlan Hinkelmann and Carrie Becker were both re-elected to the Board of Education in the spring election. Clerk Tom Odeen administered the Oath of Office to each of them.

The District Schedule was briefly addressed.  They are in the process of finalizing this schedule and will be meeting with staff. They will also be hosting parent meetings to explain further.  The Board decided that they will be keeping the May 21, 2021 STAAR work day.

They had a brief discussion on the Softball Cooperative with Greenwood. They have only had a few days of practice and so far it seems to be going okay. They will discuss this again at the May meeting. If they want to continue with the cooperative they need to decide by June 1.  They also discussed the possibility of a Baseball cooperative with Greenwood. They looked at current and future numbers of players. They will address this topic again at the May meeting.

Also, the Board decided to change the mask guidelines for staff and students to be on a voluntary basis. All other COVID protocol is still in effect.  Also, they hired Kevin Rachu to be an assistant junior high baseball coach.

The Board also approved an overall average teacher salary increase for 2021-22 of 2.39%. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the detail of this package, they will review it in their staff meeting on May 7th.

They accepted letters of resignation due to retirement from Jackie Nelson and Treva Brodhagen.  They thank both of them and greatly appreciate all of the contributions they have made to the school. Best wishes to both of them in their retirement.  The Letters of Intent for 2021-22 were approved.

They will be sending out nomination papers for Teacher of the Year and Support Staff Person of the Year shortly. The committee will be meeting on Friday, May 14, at 7:00 a.m. to review the nominations and make the selection. They will need one elementary teacher, one high school teacher, and one past recipient of each of the awards to serve on the committee.

The Board Heard the Administrator's Reports.  Elementary Principal Nancy Popp reported the 50th Annual Easter Parade was held on March 31st. Both the Kindergarten and 1st graders were a part of the celebration.  Elementary testing is now complete and testing went well.

The 4K groups will be having graduation ceremonies on Tuesday, June 1st for the Tuesday/Thursday group, and Wednesday, June 2nd for the Monday/Wednesday group.  The Kindergarten is planning to hold an awards/graduation program on Thursday, June 3rd.  They are currently at 6 elementary students that are virtual.

Their elementary students and staff have been participating in a monthly dress up day to benefit the Loyal Splash Pad. Students and staff are asked to give any monetary donation that they are able too, to benefit the Splash Pad. The last dress up day raised $292.31. In total, Loyal Elementary has raised $1,129.95.

They are working on getting summer school schedules put together. It is looking like we will have a full group.  The plan is to keep class sizes to 16 students per classroom.

High School Principal Doug Dieckman reported that, in the past 30 days, spring sports season have begun for both HS and JH; Wisconsin Forward testing for grades 7 and 8 began; and Mrs. Scherer continues to meet with students to finalize 2021-22 schedules.

Also, the master schedule to include MS and district wide plan made available to staff; catching up on getting all academic awards updated and out to students; updated Athletic code being worked on by AD’s; and teachers worked on identifying their units of instruction for each class they teach.

He also stated they held Cloverbelt Scholar Athlete banquet for Matthew Szymanski and Katlyn Lindner; held Cloverbelt Scholar banquet for Jenna Waldhart and Savannah Schley; recognized Olivia Piller for winning the state InvestWrite Essay contest through the senior investing class; and planning ideas for next year: professional development theme, inservice time, before school training, etc.

For the next 30 days, he said they will continue to work through individual student schedules; follow up reflections being scheduled with teaching staff per observations; teacher budget packets for 2021-22 due April 30; and JH REACH activity will be on April 21st during period 3 and 4.

Also, 8th grade parent meeting to discuss high school on Monday, April 26; parent meeting to talk about what a middle school looks like is being scheduled; FFA Banquet on May 3rd; ACT Aspire testing will be on May 4 and 6; STAAR day on May 7th; and teachers next steps for curriculum work will be to identify state standards for each unit and build their learning targets with I can statements.

He also stated the Junior High dance is scheduled for Friday, May 7th at school;p rom will take place at Rustic Occasions on Saturday, May 8th. They plan to keep it as it has been in the past; and Band and Chorus POPS concerts will be held “live” on May 3(Band) and May 17(Choir).

Finally, the FFA is looking at a field trip on Saturday, May 15, paintball; Senior banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 19th; AP Physics and AP Chemistry exams first week of May; and end of the year planning with staff will continue along with setting up summer professional development time.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.