Neillsville School Board Approves Insurance Renewals and Other Items at April Meeting

Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 -- 11:00 AM

The Neillsville School Board began their meeting by selecting board positions.

Sue Voigt was elected as President, Dewey Poeschel was elected Vice President, Paul Opelt was elected as Treasurer, and Deanna Heiman was elected as Clerk. Deanna Heiman was also approved as the CESA 10 delegate for 2026-2027 and Herman Seebandt as the WASB delegate for 2026-2027. Dewey Poeschel was approved as the alternate WASB delegate for 2026-2027.

The Board also approved the Security Health Plan Insurance renewal and the Delta Dental Insurance renewal. The Board also approved the out-of-state field trip request from Michelle Anding for FCCLA students to travel to Orlando, Florida, on July 5th - 10th, 2026, as presented. The Board also approved the Educators Rising Club application. The Board denied the mid-season co-curricular payment schedule.

The Board approved some donations including feminine hygiene products, the donation from Dirt Bros, the monetary donations from Unity Bank’s Spirit Card in the amount of $2,042.65 and $300 towards the Kindness in Community Club for negative lunch account balances, and the monetary donation from Atmus Filtration Technologies in the amount of $10,000 for the elementary playground project.

In employment matters, the Board approved the retirement of:

• Mi Ra Liedtka from her food service assistant position.

The Board approved the resignations of:

• Keith Van Dornick from his chorus teaching position effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year,
• Paige Gruenling from her elementary teaching position effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year,
• Daisy Werner from her elementary teaching position effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year,
• Briana Post from her middle school teaching position effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year,
• And John Schuller from his middle school football coaching position.

The Board also approved the hiring of:

• Elizabeth Ruzic for a teaching assistant position for the 2026-2027 school year,
• Adalade Vance for the 4K teaching position,
• Kyra Rakovec for an elementary teaching position,
• And Samantha Olson for an elementary teaching position.

The Board also approved:

• The 2026-2027 support staff wage scale,
• The 2026-2027 Certified Staff wage scale,
• And the salary schedule for confidential staff.

The Board also approved the:

• Teaching assignment transfer of Jessica Brown for the middle school teaching position effective for the 2026-2027 school year,
• And approved the Memorandum of Understanding for leave for Bella Opelt.

The Board also approved the:

• Bus driver contracts for 2026-2027,
• The teacher contracts for the 2026-2027 school year,
• The Director of Special Education and Instructional Facilitator Contract for Kory Poeschel,
• The Principal Contract for Marcy Kunze,
• The Principal Contract for Jesse Bernhagen,
• The Principal Contract for Jennifer Aspenson,
• And the Administrator Contract for Corey Peterson.

The Board also approved the initial adoption of a long list of policies.

The Board also heard the Administrators’ Reports. Elementary Principal Marcy Kunze reported on:

• Attendance;
• PBIS updates;
• Summer school scheduling;
• 4-year-old kindergarten registration;
• Forward state testing;
• Fastbridge and aimsWeb screeners;
• Spring concerts;
• Field trips;
• And Star Lab.

Middle School Principal Jesse Bernhagen reported on:

• Attendance;
• Earth science lessons;
• Climate and culture survey;
• Career and STEM trips;
• Forward state testing;
• And Solo and Ensemble band results.

High School Principal Jennifer Aspenson reported on:

• Enrollment;
• State testing;
• Academic letter presentation;
• Cloverbelt scholars;
• Mock interviews for 10th graders;
• BLAST activities;
• Prom;
• FFA updates;
• And Solo and Ensemble band results;
• And the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Transportation Director Adam Krause reported on:

• Driver numbers;
• Ongoing bus garage organization;
• Diesel fuel from new vendor;
• And accommodating the busy spring with sports and field trips.

Building and Grounds Director Mark Spencer reported on:

• Upcoming bids;
• Onsite contractors;
• Track shed update;
• Work on the football field;
• And staffing challenges.

District Administrator Corey Peterson reported on:

• The strategic planning survey and focus groups;
• The district social media report card;
• Wisconsin school referendum results;
• And the CESA 10 annual convention.

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