June 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  This is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting.

Description:  Notice of this meeting was published in the Waterford Post on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and was posted at the District Office (Door #7), at Door #19, and was published on the District's website. This meeting was also noticed by way of posting at the following municipal locations: Town of Raymond, the Town of Waterford, the Village of Rochester, the Village of Vernon, the Village of Waterford.
Minutes posted on the District's website include: the regular monthly board meeting of April 21, 2025, special board meetings of April 28 and May 12, and the Curriculum Committee meeting also held on May 12. 

Description:  At this time the board would like to invite any member of the audience to stand with comments about items of interest or concern that do or do not appear on the agenda this evening. Please begin by stating your name and address. It would be appreciated if you would limit your comments to three minutes so that we can keep the meeting moving in a timely fashion and allow others an opportunity to speak. We ask that you remember that Wisconsin law prohibits us from discussing specific employees or their job performance. Thank you for your support of our school district.

Description: 

The 2025-26 Waterford Union High School Employee Handbook is presented for Board review and approval. The Handbook has undergone its annual update to ensure alignment with current legal standards, district policies, and operational practices. Notable updates for this edition include:

• Clarification of Definitions and Employment Categories: Enhanced descriptions of employment classifications, including regular, part-time, substitute, and seasonal employees, for clearer application across staffing decisions.

• Expanded Family and Medical Leave Section: Comprehensive updates were made to reflect current FMLA/WFMLA federal and state legal requirements. These include clearer definitions of qualifying conditions, notice procedures, certification expectations, leave substitution rules, and health insurance continuation during leave.

• Updated Contact Information: Revisions were made throughout to reflect current staff assignments, department contacts, and emergency response personnel.

• Post-Employment Benefits and Reduction in Force Provisions: Reorganization and clarification of sections related to severance, recall rights, and post-employment benefits for both contracted and non-contracted staff.

• Revised Compensation and Leave Policies: Adjustments to sick leave accrual, vacation scheduling, bereavement leave, and holiday eligibility reflect more consistent language across employee groups.

• Appendices and Supporting Documents: Updates to reimbursement forms, extracurricular compensation schedules, and the nondiscrimination statement ensure consistency with legal and financial practices.

A redlined version of the Handbook showing tracked edits has been retained for administrative reference.

Description:  Every three years, Waterford Union High School works with a committee of students, staff, and parents to examine and make potential updates to the Student Handbook. Last year, the behavior Matrix was updated. This year, a committee was formed and met during the month of May to have discussions, make recommendations, and look for updates. What follows is a set of updates and changes that are recommended for approval for the student handbook.

Description: 

The District Design Team (DDT) held its fifth project development meeting on June 3, 2025, to review progress across design, engineering, and construction scopes in preparation for summer 2025 and beyond. The meeting included stakeholders from district leadership, Nexus Solutions, River Valley Architects, JDR Engineering, Graef, and food service consultants.

Key Updates:

• Project Schedule: Reviewed detailed plans for summer 2025 activity, including abatement/demolition of the house structure (bids were due June 5 and Gunderson excavating was selected), exterior landscaping, and construction of the WSEC ramp (ETA Aug/Sept). Roofing (EDM-8, EDM-9) will also be competitively bid.

• Design Advancements: Reviewed architectural concepts for:

  • Art room reconfiguration
  • Tech Ed expansion
  • LGI/study hall conversion
  • Updated site logistics, including trash and loading dock, retaining walls, and possible bus line-up changes.

• Mechanical & Electrical Systems:

  • Design confirmed for a new mechanical room for the Mapleview area
  • A dedicated HVAC unit will serve the new study hall/LGI space
  • The kitchen water heater requires replacement; a new grease collector (MS-15) will also be installed.
  • Electrical system upgrades (ES-2) include the addition of a new emergency generator, with discussions underway regarding priority load allocation.

• Fire Protection:

  • An updated building-wide sprinkler plan (EDA-11) was reviewed, with feedback requested on placement and implementation schedule.

• Food Service Enhancements:

  • Mixed-use model confirmed (trays and disposables)
  • ADA-compliant tray return window
  • Plans to purchase the current leased RO system and review a new water softener for the equipment
  • Reconfiguration of the salad bar area to remove the existing enclosure and open space

• Interior Finishes:

  • Flooring and door/window options discussed; further review scheduled

Next Steps:

The next DDT meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2025, and will focus on the review of the 50% plan set. Work continues to ensure scope alignment with the $25.55 million total project budget ($24.9M referendum + $650K Fund 46).

Description:  Attached is a draft of the Award Resolution to be considered by the Board in connection with the above-referenced financing. After the bid opening earlier that day, the Board will be provided the final Award Resolution at its meeting on June 16 for consideration.

Description: 

The preliminary 2025-26 budget reflects the District’s commitment to financial stability while responding to declining enrollment and increased capital investments. Key budget assumptions and highlights include:

General Fund (Fund 10)

• Revenues: $17,124,600
• Expenditures: $17,103,437
• Projected Operating Surplus: $21,163
• Fund Balance: Expected to increase slightly to $7.19 million, maintaining a 42.0% reserve level

Tax Levy

• Total Levy: $13,131,974 (↑ 7.4% from prior year)

  • Fund 10 (Operating): $9,046,873
  • Fund 39 (Debt Service): $3,231,433
  • Fund 80 (Community Service): $853,668

• Mill Rate: Projected at $4.18 per $1,000 of valuation

  • A $300,000 home would see a school tax of approximately $1,255, up from $1,197 in 2024-25.

Equalization Aid

• 2025-26 Aid Estimate: $4,893,429

  • A decline of 10.6% from the prior year, driven by reduced enrollment and rising property valuation

Enrollment & Membership

• Aid Membership: 876 (↓ 2.8%)
• Three-Year Average FTE: 851
• Enrollment continues to decline modestly, which pressures both aid and revenue limits

Long-Term Outlook

• Projected structural deficits begin in 2026-27 (approx. $621,000) and deepen through 2029-30 if adjustments are not made.
• Fund balance is projected to decline to 21.1% of expenditures by 2029-30 without intervention.

This budget positions the District to meet operational and debt obligations while preserving financial flexibility. Further adjustments may be made upon receipt of final aid certification and updated enrollment data.

Description:  The Board is asked to take action on the latest revisions to Policy 5722.