Owen-Withee School Board Hears Presentation on Hudl and School Farm

Thursday, March 17th, 2022 -- 10:01 AM

The Owen Withee School Board began their meeting with a presentation from the Booster Club regarding Hudl.

The head coaches of the sports that the District offers presented a request to upgrade the Hudl package. Hudl is a scouting/training program that allows for sharing of video and livestream events, athletic and other.

Currently, they have a package that only allows three sports, football and boys and girls basketball, to use the program. Upgrading will allow all sports to use the service and the District can livestream concerts, plays, meetings, etc. Currently, they are paying $2000 for the three sports.

The upgrade will cost $8000 and includes unlimited use of the service for as many sports and events as they wish. It also comes with 2 cameras and other administrative features. The Board will consider this purchase and take action at a later date.

The Board also heard a presentation on a School Farm. Travis Engel and Dee Wells presented the idea of creating a School Farm, using the farm to the north of the school that Dee and Jerry Wells purchased in 2021.

The Wells’ will refurbish the barn and add space for a classroom, storage and a bathroom. The Wells’ will retain ownership of the barn and “lease” the property to the school for use as an outside/farm classroom.

For the school’s part, they will be responsible for the electrical and heating bills. The Board unanimously approved the commitment to use the facility as a classroom. The development of the facility and the details of the use will be ongoing and outlined in a contract yet to be developed.

The Board also reviewed the District’s COVID Plan. After reviewing the plan, and with the easing of restrictions nationwide, administration is recommending that no changes are needed to the current plan. Language in the plan covers all practices for the current situation.

The Board also heard a Building Project Update. District Administrator Bob Houts presented to the Board the plan for traffic flow around the building during construction this spring and summer.

Parent pickup/drop off on the west side of the building will not see much, if any change. Bus pickup/drop off will need to change from the east side to the north side of the building.

Some parents who are picking their kids up after school on the north side of the building will need to move to the west side. Mr. Houts also had a sample of the red fascia for the new building and a sample of the concrete that will be used to create the walls of the cafeteria.

The Board also unanimously approved the rehire of Mabel Harms as a member of the Food Service staff, unanimously approved the increase of the early retirement benefit from $6000 to $8000, and unanimously approved the retirement of Gayle Baehr after 33 years of service to the District. The Board thanked Mrs. Baehr for her commitment to the district and her many years working with the students of OW.

The Board also unanimously approved the retirement of Mary Niemi after 35 years of service to the District. The Board wishes to thank Mrs. Niemi for her commitment to the district and her many years working with the students of OW.

The Board also discussed April 13th as a “Power Day.” The need for a Power Day was requested to provide for the installation of the transformer and power upgrades needed to be done for the new building project and the solar project. This requires two days to complete.

The thought was to extend spring break by one day and not have school on Wednesday, April 13th, allowing the power upgrade to be completed on the 13th and 14th.

Because the electricians cannot guarantee that the transformer will be here by then, the need for that day cannot be guaranteed. The project will be complete in late May or early June after school is out. No action was taken on this item.

The Board also discussed Summer School Pay. Summer school pay for teachers has been stagnant for at least 12 years. The Board unanimously approved increasing the pay for teachers from $20/hour to $25/hour.

Mr. Houts also presented to the Board the projected figures from the defeasance the Board undertook in October. The Board over-levied in October in an effort to stabilize the mil rate at $8 per thousand.

The extra money that was levied, $125,000 will be used to pay off the debt early. This defeasance will save the District $22,000 over the cost of the loan and will generate about $32,700 in additional state aid in the 22-23 school year.

Finally, the Board heard the Administrators’ Reports.

Elementary Principal Julie Van Ark reported on:

• The Read-In for Read Across America Week and the Child Development days that was held in early March;
• She also told the Board about Floats For Hope, on March 17th the student council will be selling root beer floats to the students as a fundraiser, the students have elected to use the funds generated by the project to support one of their own whose home has had a toxic material found in it that has caused quite a hardship for the family.

Middle and High School Principal Matt Cihlar reported on:

• A success session of Parent/Teacher conferences held in February;
• He congratulated Grayce Bottlemy and Aiden Smith on being selected to represent OW at the Cloverbelt Scholar Banquet and Grayce Bottlemy and Rob Wendler on being selected to represent OW at the Cloverbelt Scholar/Athletic Banquet:
• ACT Day was a big success last week, with students 6-12 having some activity to participate in with the junior class took the ACT test;
• Congratulations to all OW musicians who participated in solo and ensemble, the event was hosted by OW in February and pecial thanks to Mrs. Barth and Mr. Gutsch for their hard work, making this event so successful.

Mr. Houts presented WASB awards to two Board members. Mrs. Amacher received her Level 2 award and Mr. Milliren received this Level 3 award.

After an executive session no action was taken on a Non-Renewal of a Staff Member. The Board agreed to an offer to the OWEA. The offer will be exchanged with the bargaining unit in the next few days.

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