Neillsville District Administrator Discusses Some Items from July's School Board Meeting

Friday, July 25th, 2025 -- 1:01 PM

The Neillsville School Board held their July meeting on Monday.

I spoke with District Administrator Corey Peterson and he discussed items from the agenda in more detail including the building projects update.

Listen to the interview with Mr. Peterson here!

If you have any questions or concerns on what’s happening at the District, you can contact Mr. Peterson in the Board Office.

(AI assisted transcription of the interview by Otter.ai):

Mr. Peterson: "Mark had delivered the update, along with Lance from CESA, who came on board as well as overviewing where we're at with our middle high school renovations, along with the front entrance project."

"Right now we take a look at the middle school, high school, a lot of activity going on in the hallways. We have a lot of our flooring has been up rooted, and we are now in the retooling side of things, making sure we're putting flooring back down."

"We are getting everything ready to go, getting all of our drops in for updates for the technology side of things. So, things are moving along very, very well there, taking a look at all the details and making sure planning it out."

"We'll start scoping out a more of a re-entry plan here, coming up here shortly, with the team to kind of figure out where we're at and how that aligns with the start of the school year."

"Front entrance, as people were able to see up front we are having some construction take place there. We are going vertical. We have some beams in place."

"We're looking at the roofing going on today. So, good time to be moving forward and we'll continue to venture forward as quickly as possible as we keep moving along with the front entrance."

Riley: "And the board did hear the annual seclusion and restraint report. Now that's something that's done every year, but can you just kind of touch on and remind our listeners what that is exactly?"

Mr. Peterson: "Yeah, seclusion and restraint report is an annual report that is itemizing anytime we use what we call a seclusion and or restraint. So, staff members are CPI certified to make sure that we are handling situations that can become difficult in the proper manner and so those trained staff would be enacting in a seclusion or restraint on each student."

"What we do is we itemize to take a look at it the middle, high school, and elementary levels as to what incidences took place. Make sure that they are reported out annually to itemize demographics on the student and who is being acted upon, but also along the way."

"Certainly, those are always communicated out when they are on the table at the time with the parents as well. But this is a report out to the state level to make sure that it is documented as to what is going on locally for our seclusion and restraint."

Riley: "The board also heard the annual safety drill report, again, something done every year, but if you could touch on what that is again?"

Mr. Peterson: "Yeah, safety drill report is just itemizing what we do each and every month here at the district to make sure that we are prepared for situations that could entail safety concerns. So, from tornado drills to safety drills."

"As far as could be more of a lockdown drill, an intruder drill, it could be the fact that your basic fire drill, all those things that come into play, and you itemize those throughout the year, usually one per month, but it all depends upon the flow pattern. But that's also an annual report that came forward, and we want to make sure and itemize that to the board and community as well."

Riley: "And the final annual report that the board heard at their meeting on Monday was the act 12 report. Can you touch on that one?"

Mr. Peterson: "So, this is a new entity, the critical incident report. It's itemized as and in doing so, it itemizes the situations at the high school level that involved more of a citation with the student body."

"So, we itemized out how many took place, what critical incidents, were they coded, and have that in alignment with state expectations to make sure and publish that and push that forward. So, that report is new to our docket this year, but will be an annual report."

Riley: "And then I wanted to touch on too the Board approved the WRSA membership. Can you touch on that please?"

Mr. Peterson: "Yeah, renewal of the membership there is to help just speak to small schools and the great work that we're doing. Collectively, this membership helps create a voice for the small schools."

"And it really promote all the great things that are going on and helps give ideas and input as to the next step planning for what can be looked forward to at this at the small school level and rural schools across the state, working together in unison for the betterment of all."

Riley: "Anything else you'd like to discuss?"

Mr. Peterson: "First and foremost, I want to say thank you to everybody who've I had a chance to meet and work alongside so far. It's been an amazing entry into the district."

"We welcome any conversations that we could have, and if there's other groups or organizations that I could match up with, please reach out to me so I can match up."

"The more people I meet the better. And so I've really, really been appreciative of the community outreach alongside the staff that I've worked with here. So far, it's been a great entry. And so thank you for everybody for bringing me on board there in their big arms."

"Beyond that, my report out at the meeting on Monday night, we talked a little bit about the state level with the budget and how that relates to Neillsville. And if we take a look at the state level budget, a couple highlights there."

"When we take a look at the general aid, the $325 revenue limit increase will be in place and available. However, there is zero funds coming from the state for this. So, just to be aware, every district is in the same boat there."

"But ultimately, this is the first time since 2010 that there will not be an itemized rate increase with the revenue limit from the state. A couple of the things that are in place right now, that we talked about at the board level, regarding the state budget."

"Right now, there are some federal funds being withheld. The determination is whether it's going to come back to the state in a block grant or not and the state will determine how to issue those funds."

"How does that relate to Neillsville? Right now, we are in the mix of around $46,000 that we are waiting for approval on. We're hoping to have that come back to us in that format."

"A few other things we talked about in relation to special education at state level, the budget has changed this year for special education funding. In the past, it's been around that 30 to 33% for funding."

"The goal this year is 42% with state funding. It is a some certain budget, though, so we will see if it reaches that 42% or not. However, as it relates to Neillsville, if we take a look at last year in particular, that would be roughly $150,000-$280,000 difference for us if we can move it to that 42%, so all good things there."

"July one aid estimates came out. So, we take a look at our aid estimate as to where we're at. We're estimated for $5.7 million this year in aid from the state. That likely will change before October, with the final numbers that could change because of enrollment numbers, property values and just revised data at the state level."

"We had an approval of our achievement and GAP reduction, so our five year plan is approved, which is a great thing for our district. What it allows us to do is keep a lower student ratio at the elementary level."

"So, that is a huge win for us and the great work that we're doing here at the lower levels to continue to build up our literacy and our math, to be able to help our students become great lifelong learners. And it's working, so we're excited about that."

"Finally, we finished off a preliminary audit, and we'll work to get those final results down the line here, but looking good from the audit side of things. So, very proud of all the work that everybody's doing to keep us in a very successful place."

"Lastly, we talked a little bit about the student transportation contract. Packets will be mailed out this week to families for back to school information and in that there will be a student contract for transportation."

"We are looking to itemize two drop spots per child so that we can better have safety and transportation efficiency in place. Please, parents, look for that coming back through. If there's any questions, please reach out to us and let us know how we can help."

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