Owen-Withee School Board Hears Update on Building Projects

Thursday, May 12th, 2022 -- 9:01 AM

The Owen-Withee School Board heard a presentation from Market & Johnson.

Two representatives from the company were on hand to update the Board on the progress of the building project and discuss the schedule for the next month or so. Utilities, including water, electrical and sewer are going in now. The footings for the cafeteria were poured on Monday.

Work will progress on the multi-purpose/kitchen space throughout May. Walls should start going up in early to mid-June. The ag/tech project is slated to start on May 31st .

The Board then held the Election of Officers:

• President is Dean Schmelzer,
• Vice-President is Charlie Milliren,
• Clerk is Angela Greschner,
• And Treasurer is Paul Heggemeier.

The CESA Annual Meeting Representative is Charlie Milliren. The WASB Delegate was tabled until the Board knows who will attend the convention in January. The Board also discussed the COVID plan. Administration discussed the current plan they have in place. Some discussion of the number of days of school missed by students due to illness occurred, but no changes to the plan were made.

The Board unanimously approved a resolution to use $125,000 of money levied in the November taxes to put into an escrow account to pay off the bonds for the referendum early. Because the bonds are not callable until 2028, the funds will be placed in an interest bearing account until then.

In employment matters, the Board approved the retirement of Ann Fitzl as the English Teacher. They thanked her for the many years committed to the District and for the terrific work she has done. They approved the resignation of Al Goerlitz as the RIP Teacher. They thanked him for the many years of dedicated service to the District.

The Board approved the contract for Nichole Hougard as the English teacher and Mabel Harms as the Food Service Director who will replace Belinda Stratton who will retire at the end of June.

The Board approved the resignation of Jessica Devine as an Elementary Secretary and approved the hiring of Mikel Olynick as the Elementary Secretary who will replace Jessica. Mikel comes from the Gilman area where has spent the past 20 years managing the family trucking company.

The Board also approved the 4.7% (CPI) salary increase for teachers, support staff and administration for the 2022- 23 school year. The Board unanimously approved the District’s membership in the WIAA for the 2022-23 school year.

The Board also approved the applications of students both entering and exiting the District for the 2022-23 school and the Board voted to move the CoCurricular assignments into Executive Session at the end of the meeting. After discussion, the Board approved the Co-Curricular assignments for the 2022-23 school year.

The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2022 will be held on Saturday, May 21st at 10AM in the high school gym. President Dean Schmelzer will help to distribute diplomas. Julie Wendler will present the diploma to her son, as is the tradition for Board members who have a child in the graduating class.

The Board also heard the Administrators’ Reports. Elementary Principal Julie Van Ark reported:

• That year-end assessments, using Fastbridge, are wrapping up this week, with review of data on Friday, May 20th;
• Students have been challenged to increase their reading at home to earn a Sixty Step Reading Celebration on May 20th;
• The elementary is hosting a Read-in for students on Tuesday and Thursday afterschool with twenty-two students having signed up and are attending;
• Summer school planning is well underway and transportation and meals will be provided;
• And swimming lessons will be offered again at the Colby pool.

High School Principal Matt Cihlar announced:

• That Prom was a great success and the junior class did an excellent job of hosting;
• Wednesday, May 11th is Community Service Day and students will do community service projects in the morning and have planned activities in the afternoon;
• The senior banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 18th at 6PM in the gym;
• Senior exams will be administered on May 18th in the afternoon and May 19th in the morning;
• And congratulations to all the musicians who participated in State Solo and Ensemble on Saturday in Eau Claire.

District Administrator Bob Houts:

• Presented an insulated cup to each of the Board members, this was the gift that was given to the teachers as part of Teacher Appreciation Week;
• He also informed the Board that on June 13th there will be a special meeting at 5:00 PM to dig into state report cards and what the data means and this will precede the regular scheduled meeting at 7:00 PM.

Board President Dean Schmelzer read a note from Brandi Arndt thanking them for the gift of the insulated cup and the breakfast that was held for Teacher Appreciation Week.

The Board also discussed and approved deferring the early retirement benefit for a retiring staff member until they reach the age of 58.

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