Neillsville School Board Approves Tax Levy at Annual Meeting

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024 -- 10:00 AM

The Neillsville School Board held the Annual Meeting as well as two regular meetings on Monday.

After District Administrator John Gaier reviewed the proposed budget, and answered questions from the floor, a tax levy of $4,694,650 was recommended. The Board then approved to set board salaries and per diems at the current rate and to authorize reimbursement for expenses.

They also approved that, until the next annual meeting, the school board be authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of all unused, outdated or obsolete supplies, equipment and materials.

The Board also approved to authorize the sale of any property belonging to or not needed by the School District of Neillsville. Finally, the Board approved to authorize temporary borrowing for cash flow purposes and to set the 2025 Annual Meeting date for October 20, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

Finally, the Board, along with Neillsville residents present at the meeting, approved to levy a school tax of $4,694,650 as recommended. After the Annual meeting, the Board held another regular Board Meeting.

The Board approved a Fund 10 levy in the amount of $3,800,000, Fund 39 levy in the amount of $819,650, and Fund 80 levy in the amount of $75,000, for a final tax levy of $4,694,650 for the 2024-2025 school year as presented.

The Board also approved Hazard, Young, Attea, & Associates' proposal for the administrator search services. In employment matters, the Board approved the resignation of Todd Fischer from his middle school football coaching position.

The Board also approved the hiring of Carmen Decorah for the food service lead. The Board approved the Letter of Appointment adjustment for Sasha Degenhardt and approved the amended teaching contract for Chelsea Opelt. Finally, the Board approved the Letter of Appointment for Alex Bloch for the weight room supervisor position.

The Board also held a regular meeting before the Annual meeting on Monday. A building project update was presented by Building and Grounds Director Mark Spencer and Jenny Polacek from Wendel Companies.

The Board also approved the softball field batting cage request, approved the Achievement Gap Reduction report, and approved the club application for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as presented.

The Board also approved two early graduation requests, approved the release of funds to the class of 2024 in the amount of $646.07, and approved the 2024-2025 Wisconsin Public Education Network membership as presented.

The Board also approved the five-year renewal for consortium membership with Rural Virtual Academy as presented. For donations, the Council approved fifteen hygiene kits from Mary and Abbey Rose, school supplies from Juanita Quartullo, and they approved the donation of two boxes of school supplies from Unity Bank.

Finally, during the Administrators’ Reports, Elementary Principal Marcy Kunze provided a report on:

• Attendance;
• Monthly character trait;
• Walk-to-school day;
• Parent teacher conferences;
• Field trips;
• And a data meetings update.

Middle School Principal Jesse Bernhagen provided a report on:

• Attendance;
• Guest speakers;
• Climate/culture;
• Walk-to-school day;
• Academics and expectations;
• Sports update;
• Parent teacher conferences;
• Homecoming;
• Leadership podcast;
• And upcoming events.

High School Principal Jennifer Aspenson provided a report on:

• Enrollment;
• Academics;
• Student activities;
• And the new topic group.

Finally, District Administrator John Gaier reported on the district social media report card.

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