The Pecatonica Area School Board approved the new high school football head coach for the Pecatonica/Argyle team and were able to approve a couple additional referendum projects and tabled another at their meeting on Monday, January 19.
The school board approved the hiring of Preston Knutson. Knutson comes with coaching experience at Edgewood, Deerfield, and Abundant Life/St. Ambrose. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, linebacker coach and conditioning coordinator.
Six candidates submitted their applications for the position. The interview panel consisted of District Superintendent Dr. Dani Scott, Argyle’s Athletic Director Heidi Ganshert, a football parent, a head coach from another sport and a football player. The panel narrowed the applicants down to three people. Dr. Scott and Ganshert met and narrowed the applicants down to two. Two football juniors from each district sat down with the two applicants and made their recommendation to the board.
Luke Leonard, the new student representative on the board, was one of the students who recommended Knutson. He commented that when Knutson came in for his interview, he was very personable and “clicked”.
Trevor Doescher made the motion to approve Preston Knutson with Nick Huffman seconding. After the motion passed, board member Grace Knutson mentioned that they are not related so therefore she was able to vote.
Additional referendum projects
Dr. Scott gave more information on the additional parking lot in front of the high school at the corner of School Street and Cross Street. The parking lot would be 6,000 sq ft and would have 15 parking spots. The cost for the parking lot would be $69,000. This cost would be without curb, gutter or apron. It also does not include the removal of any trees.
Information from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation stated they would not be widening the road so it would not be taking away space from the current green area.
Brian Schlafli made a motion to approve the proposed quote with Nick Huffman seconding.
Grace Knutson questioned how many trees would come out and what the cost would be for them to be removed. Dr. Scott did not know that information. Cory DeSmet asked if this parking lot would truly help with handicap parking as those who park in that area would need to go up a slight incline to get into the gymnasium entrance on Cross Street. There was also questions if they could put in a sidewalk that could direct people to go into the back entrance of the school, on the east side, and if the incline going that direction would be better.
The board then decided to push the subject off until the February meeting. The motion was voted on and failed. A motion was made by Schlafli and seconded by Huffman to table the subject and that motion passed.
Replacement of the flooring in the district office, Dr. Scott’s office, Pecatonica Area Middle/High School Principal Dr. Mark Stateler’s office and the teachers’ lounge was the next item discussed. The plan was to replace the flooring with carpet except for the teachers’ lounge which would get vinyl flooring. The cost would be $20,000. That is without asbestos abatement. Knutson made the motion with Huffman seconding. The motion passed 4-1 with DeSmet against. Doescher abstained.
The last item was time sensitive for the board to get approved as it pertained to a conditional use permit at the elementary school.
As part of the original scope of the project, they installed an exhaust fan above the kitchen hood vent in the elementary kitchen. The inspector stated that because that space was touched, the entire area would need to be brought up to code. Dr. Scott gave the board two options: either purchase a brand new hood, get it hooked into the fire alarm system and rerun ductwork for a total of $30,000 or they could leave the existing kitchen hood, bring everything up to code. The issue with the second option is when the hood was installed around 20 years ago, in order to do fire wrapping, they had to cut a truss. Dr. Scott said there is no concern about stability and the roof is sound. Because of that, the second option has an estimated cost around $40,000.
With the first option, the new exhaust fan that was put in will work with a new kitchen hood so there is no additional cost to getting another new exhaust fan. Another issue is the subcontractor the school was using, NAMI, is booked out until next summer so they will have to go with a different subcontractor and they are not sure who it will be just yet. This issue will need to be resolved as soon as possible because the inspector has given the district a conditional use permit to occupy the building and won’t sign off on the work until this has been done. Knutson made the motion to go with the first option, seconded by DeSmet.
Strategic & Communications Plan Update
Dr. Scott provided the board with a list of suggested goals for the district after several strategic planning meetings. She stated that it became very apparent in the small groups that communication touched on all of their priority areas. She listed the suggested goals that will be discussed at future meetings. The goals will not be finalized until the March meeting. One goal was to prioritize fiscal responsibility and have long term sustainability. To do this the plan is to look to develop a long term financial plan to reflect future needs and promote fiscal soundness, identify more strategies to generate additional revenue specifically for operations but also to enhance student educational opportunities, create guided documents for the school board’s role including expectations and responsibilities, and identify strategies for increasing open enrollment in and decreasing open enrollment out.
The second goal was to foster staff learning and retention. The plan is to evaluation compensation and benefits for all staff on annual basis, solicit regular staff feedback by implementing stay interviews conducted by an outside third party, survey 10 percent of staff annually, and conduct employee engagement surveys.
The third goal is to provide relevant and powerful curriculum by increasing education retainment and career readiness through enhanced family communication and community connections, developing regular touch points or academic class choices and how they connect to career paths, include family and community members in class choices and career path planning, create opportunity for students and parents to collaborate during key transitional areas in their students educational journey, and emphasizing skill application and problem solving throughout regular offerings.
The final goal is to cultivate school pride and community connections by collaborating with community groups and businesses to welcome new families to the district, establish a volunteer requirement for students, have a broad emphasis on all extra curricular activities and achievements, explore the development of a pride based subgrant for all activities and communications that relates to school pride and culture, partnering with community organizations to promote school pride outside of school facilities, foster excitement and energy through return of dedicated Viking mascot, recognizing the strengths of all students, not just academic and cocurricular, and increasing community knowledge of students, staff and district administration. Cassie Perenchio, who is helping the district with communications, thanked the board for allowing her to collaborate with the district. She stated she is a proud 2005 graduate and added that at school she felt safe and secure and is honored to be back full circle to give back.
Reports
An Anti-bullying Committee meeting will be scheduled for sometime in February.
The Personnel Committee stated they will be looking more at stipends and how they are distributed in the district along with seeing what other districts do. They want to make sure that staff are truly being paid for the work they do and have a properly calculated unit of how each job is being paid.
Rogers stated that Iowa County Sheriff’s Deputies are working with the fifth graders on their D.A.R.E. program. Fifth graders are also doing a Friday morning show to inform PAES students what is happening in the upcoming week. There will be an open house for Art around town on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 4-6 p.m. at the Blanchardville Public Library. PAES students have 35 pieces of artwork out in the communities of Blanchardville and Hollandale as part of a Rotating Community Art Program. Twentynine pieces are on display at the library. This installation will be up until early May. There are also rotating art frames located at Hollandale Grocery, Farmers Savings Bank, the Hollandale Village Hall and the River Bend Cafe in Blanchardville.
Dr. Stateler said that 98 percent of the course survey was returned and they will be working on the course schedule for next school year.
The district did incorporate some energy saving designs into the school to hopefully cash in on some energy saving rebates. They are projected to see a 23 percent reduction in energy cost and consumption and 25 percent decrease during peak electricity time and savings in gas consumption. This resulted in a $10,253.60 rebate from Focus on Energy through Alliant Energy. All of those design features will be paid for in 7 ½ years. The district currently has $13,181 in unpaid lunch balances and $7,249 in outstanding fees.
Pride of Pecatonica
The Pride of Pecatonica awards were given out to deserving students in the district that embody what it means to be a Pecatonica Viking.
The elementary Pride of Pecatonica winner was Clark Spease, nominated by fourth grade teacher Ms. King. King said that Spease is hard working, puts forth a great effort in class and is exceptionally kind to his classmates and other adults. He offers encouragement to others, has a positive attitude and a strong leadership. PAES Principal Chris Rogers added that Spease is always the first one to say hi in the hallway and he is a friend anyone can count on.
The middle school Pride of Pecatonica winner was Dakota Doescher, nominated by the middle school teachers team. They all commented that Doescher is nice, kind and has a fun personality. He has made a great transition to middle school and is a positive addition to have in class. He works hard, works diligently and is thoughtful and organized.
The high school Pride of Pecatonica winner was Miranda Barnes, nominated by six of the high school teachers. Barnes is very on top of things, is driven, and is always prepared. She asks thoughtful questions, sets and meets high expectations and a joy to have in class. Barnes is outgoing, talented in and outside of class, never backs down from a challenge and is kind to others. She is an amazing leader, exceptional student and human and excels at her classwork.
The staff member Pride of Pecatonica winner was Ryan Cassidy, the lead custodian at PAES. Dr. Scott and Mr. Rogers talked about Cassidy’s love for the school and his willingness to do anything without question. Rogers said that Cassidy truly bleeds green and gold for Pecatonica. Cassidy goes above and beyond and always asks how he can help. Rogers said that if they were ever to replace him, it would never be the same. Dr. Scott stated that there are no words to describe his love and commitment for the district and he alone has saved the district thousands of dollars for his work and dedication.
Other business
The board heard from three community members. Erin Anderson asked that the board look into a student being disciplined before the outside investigation being completed.
Roy Ruegsegger agreed with Anderson’s statement. He went on to stated that the board didn’t have the ability to pass the board member compensation and expenses item at the last meeting because it must be set at the annual meeting.
Bill Rindy asked about the hiring process for the head football coach.
Action items
Deb Langrehr, Director of Special Education/ School Psychologist, talked to the board about Project SEARCH. Project SEARCH is a nine to 12-month program that provides training and education leading to competitive employment for youth with disabilities. This program would be held at UWPlatteville. The student would remain a Pecatonica student (considered a super-senior) and would learn soft skills at UWPlatteville. The revenue and cost would equal itself out. Knutson made the motion to have a student attend Project SEARCH with Doescher seconding.
E-Achieve Academy Consortium would allow students to remain Pecatonica Area students and allow them to participate in extra curriculars but receive their education online at home. They charge a reduced rate of eight percent lower than the open enrollment rate.
DeSmet made the motion with Doescher seconding to approve the consortium.
The board also approved:
- Unlimited open enrollment for regular education and 0 open enrollment for special education.
- A one year extension of the faculty salary schedule with DeSmet making the motion with Doescher seconding. They will meeting again in February for more discussion.
- The second readings of board policy.
- Upham Woods overnight trip for fifth graders June 1-2.
- Donations: David and Gerald Spink, $100 on behalf of Katelynne Jorenby for junior prom; Erin Polkinghorn, $25 for band, on behalf of Summer Peterson; Loretta Doyle and Forschette, negative balances lunch, $100; Curt and Trisha Riener, $40 for junior prom, on behalf of Bo Stateler; Ruby Davis, $100 to the high school, in memory of Lynette Rasmesson; Pecatonica Alumni Association, $350 for sports in honor of assistants at the alumni basketball tournament; Diana Walsch-Matson, $100 to high school, in memory of Lynette Rasmesson; Kundert’s Main Street Market for junior prom, $962.09, results of Round-Up campaign.
- Advanced Health and Safety for $5,247.
- Demco Furniture for $16,131.16 for remaining furniture.
- PRA for $63,783.