Board of Education ponders possible referendum

By Cynthia L. Miller

Editor

BRODHEAD – Meeting in regular session Wednesday, Aug. 12, members of the Brodhead Board of Education began preliminary open discussions regarding the possibility of running a referendum next year.

The current $800,000 non-recurring referendum for the 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16 school years for the purposes of maintaining facilities, programs, and debt repayment will conclude at the end of the this school year. The board will look at projected deficits in the district budget and discuss solutions to the impending shortfalls. “We need to get the conversation started,” stated board member Michael Oellerich. If action is taken, a referendum could appear as early as on the February ballot, or on the April ballot.

Middle School Principal Lisa Semrow and Elementary School Principal David Novy reported that 538 students took part in the district’s summer school program, which included 49 4K students. Both principals remarked on how well the program ran despite the necessity of shuttling students back and forth between the Middle School and High School. The Elementary School was unavailable due to the replacement of floor tiles.

John King, facility and food service supervisor, reported the completion of summer projects, thanks to the excellent job by the summer workers. “We accomplished more work with less help,” King stated.

Superintendent Lenny Lueck informed the board that the WIAA has recently approved an executive staff recommendation directed at accommodating the recently passed state statue mandating eligibility for private, home-educated children on public school teams beginning this fall. The law prescribes eligibility at the public school in the district where parents or guardians reside. “In essence, home-schooled children can participate in co-curricular activities according to state statue,” stated Lueck.

In other business, the board outlined goals for the coming year, accepted a $500 monetary donation to the band department, and accepted the resignations of Daytona Seichter, Elementary School aide; and Trent Gerber, freshman football coach. Employment recommendations approved included: Ashley Erb as third grade teacher; Heather Smith, Middle School special education teacher; Bill Davis, head varsity wrestling coach and assistant varsity football coach; Jim Matthys, assistant varsity football coach; Jacob Wedig, assistant varsity and JV football coach; and Theresa Wyss, High School cheerleading advisor.