Loyal School Board Approves Employment Matters, 2024-25 Fees, and More
Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 -- 12:00 PM
The Loyal School Board began their recent meeting with public comments, specifically concerning the 4K – 12 Principal hiring process.
The Board also accepted the resignation from Amanda Rohloff, the Middle School Reading Interventionist. Amanda has accepted a position teaching social studies at a school in Chippewa Falls. They wish Amanda the best in her new position. Her position is currently being advertised on WECAN and, if any staff member is interested in applying, they are asked to contact the Superintendent or the Principal.
For the 4k-12 Principal position, a committee of 8 people (2 board, 4 staff members, 2 administrators) reviewed the applications received and selected five individuals to interview. Interviews were conducted, references and licensures were checked and a decision was made to offer a position to one person.
They tabled the decision, at the time, as they offered a contract, but the individual had not yet accepted the position; so there was no agreement to approve at this time. They will keep the District posted when they have hired a 4K-12 Principal.
The board approved Kaila Fitzl for the part-time school counselor position. It will be a .50 FTE position with one day per week shared with Greenwood on a 66.030 agreement.
Several fall sports coaches were approved including, for volleyball:
- Jaedyn Pieper as Head Coach,
- Viki Pieper as JV Coach,
- Lindsey Theis as JV2 Coach,
- And Kristen Aumann and Keli Geiger as the Middle School Volleyball Coaches.
For Cross Country:
- Hannah Olson as the Head Coach,
- Dan Pieper as the High School Assistant Coach,
- Nicholas Konopa as Middle School Coach.
The football coaches were approved earlier this year.
The district was also approved to participate in a Free Lunch Program for the 2024-25 school year. The program would provide free lunch and breakfast to all students. The grant would reimburse the district for students who qualify for free meals under “direct certification.”
$4.25 for each lunch and $2.28 for each breakfast served. This would cover approximately 15% of our student body. The rest of the meals served would be reimbursed at $.40 for each lunch and $.30 for each breakfast served. The balance of the cost of the meals served would be the School District of Loyal’s expense; estimated at more than $45,000.
The Board discussed the program and, as we will be eligible for the program for the next four years, knowing how many of the District’s families are struggling to pay for school meals and the importance of keeping the students well fed. They will revisit it next year and possibly put money in the budget for the program. No action was taken.
The Board also approved 2024-25 Registration Fees, Athletic fees, Admissions, and other fees. The following Consumable Product Fees were approved including:
- Elementary - $25.00,
- MS/HS - $35.00,
- Family Maximum - $70.00.
Athletic Fees for all sports as we have done previously were approved. Fees will be:
- $30.00 per sport for MS,
- $40.00 per sport for HS,
- With a $130.00 per family maximum.
Admission fees for sports events:
- $4.00 for adults;
- All students are free,
- Season Passes $35.00.
2024-25 Meal prices will be:
- K-12 Reduced Breakfast - Free,
- K-12 Breakfast $1.60,
- Adult Breakfast $2.25,
- K-12 Reduced Lunch $.40,
- K-5 Lunch $3.10,
- 6-8 Lunch $3.25,
- 9-12 Lunch $3.35,
- And Adult Lunch $4.75.
They had one Seclusion and Restraint incident in 2023-24. It was one student, one time, and the student had an IEP. The Board also heard the SAGE/AGR End of Year Report. Principal Doug Dieckman reviewed the report.
The district received a DPI School Nutrition Team Equipment Grant to cover the cost of a new dishwasher. Their current dishwasher is 39 years old. They will be purchasing a Hobart Model No. CL44-BAS+BUILDUP model from Streich Equipment for $43,746.
The School District of Loyal will be responsible for the cost of installation and any plumbing or electrical updates that may be incurred (approximately $15,000). Under the grant agreement, the dishwasher needs to be installed by August 2.
The Board President requested three board members to meet to start planning the School District Strategic Plan. The first meeting would be the three members and the first order of business would be to decide on forming the committee - staff members, community members, students, etc.
The Board also heard the Administrators’ Reports. Principal Doug Dieckman reported, in the past 30 days:
- End of the school year wrap up;
- Budget review with the Superintendent;
- And Continue to contact candidates for vacant positions.
In the next 10 days:
- Close out ALL open action items for the 2024-25 school year;
- Meet with Pupil Services team (incoming School Psych and SPED director);
- Fill all remaining vacant positions;
- Confirm all budget requisitions are processed for ordering.
Superintendent Chris Lindner read a thank you card from Coni Meyer. He also thanked Mr. Dieckman for four great years at Loyal and wished him the very best in his next position.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.