The Wautoma Area School Board unanimously voted to eliminate student registration fees for the 2022-2023 school year during their May 9 regular meeting at Parkside School.
With ESSER funds available through 2024, it was recommended by the Finance Committee to approve the elimination of student fees for the second year in a row. These fees will cover athletics and registration costs for all students; however, there will be fees assessed if a student damages school property, including their chromebook, as well as for any high school students taking duel-credit courses who fail the subject. District Administrator Tom Rheinheimer informed the board there has been no decision made at the Federal Level on school lunch fees for next year at this time.
The Board also discussed the implementation of special education programming being offered at Redgranite Elementary beginning this fall. Currently students who were in need of special programming are transferred to Riverview and Parkside Schools for their education. Families and board members would like to see the students stay at their home school, as Redgranite currently has a handful of students who qualify for the program. The discussion of a Special Education Program in Redgranite was held previously, but at that time there wasn’t enough students from the school had qualified in the past.
Earlier in the meeting, the Board was presented with a proposal for the Wautoma High School baseball press box project. The total material cost of the project is estimated to be $32,700, with the construction and electrical labor provided as an in-kind donation. Community members have already expressed their support for the project, with the Koats Family wishing to donate $12,000; Little League and Wautoma Booster Club donating $4,000 each; and Drexel Building donating $5,000. The district would be left with a cost of $7,700, which would come from Community Fund since it would be utilized by the community along with the school district.
During administrative reports, Wautoma Middle/High School Athletic Director Adam Vaughan conveyed his appreciation to the district’s transportation department, stating the bus drivers have been working hard to get students to athletic events throughout the spring season. Board member Ross Peterson also commented on the benefits of the district keeping their bus drivers employed within the district instead of outsourcing their drivers.
Wautoma’s spring athletics have seen some ups and downs this season due to the weather conditions, but overall have been going very well. Vaughan also expressed appreciation to the groundskeepers who have been making sure the fields were ready to be played on. “We have been fortunate enough to get double digit games in, while other districts have only been able to have five games,” Vaughan stated.
The following agenda items were approved by the board: the resignations of Thomas Bagnall, Parkside School Social Studies Teacher, Andrea Braatz, Parkside School Science Teacher, Brittany Laber, Riverview Elementary Teacher, Jennifer Wagner, Riverview Elementary Teacher, Josiah Tropp, McComb/Bruchs Performing Arts Center Executive Director, and Sharon Kendrick, A+ After School Enrichment Leader; the employment of Douglas Beattie, Parkside School Principal, Kayla Gill, Wautoma High School Family & Consumer Science Teacher, Sophie Drew, Parkside School Science Teacher, Amanda Stafford, Riverview Elementary Teacher, Amy Szilveszter, Riverview Elementary Teacher, Samantha Rogers, Parkside School Elementary Teacher, Falen Erdmann, Parkside School Social Studies Teacher, Jenna Simacek, Cheerleading/Spirit Squad, Middle School Advisor – Football, Sarah Nelsen, Steering Team Representative, Riverview Grade 3, Ravin Schmitt, Steering Team Representative, Riverview Grade 2, Additional Camp Parkside Staff, and A+ Summer Camp Staff; Creation of School/Community Relations Coordinator Position; Creation of a Middle School Musical Director Extracurricular Position; Creation of an eSports Spring Advisor Extracurricular Position; Revised Policy 5330: Administration of Medication/Emergency Care, 2nd Consideration; Revised Policy 5722: School-Sponsored Publications and Productions, 1st Consideration; Revisions to Policies 2431, 2440, 2623, 5230.01, 5410, 5421, 5430, 5451.01, 5451.02, 5460 – 1st Consideration; and an increase in Support Staff Hours for Supervision Purposes.
