Lena Student Sidney Sylvester Wins Young Entrepreneur Award

Discussion on possible teacher compensation adjustments for the 2023-2024 school year is among items on the agenda for the Lena School Board at its meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. on  Monday, March 20.

Also on the agenda in addition to routine bill paying and financial reports are setting board meeting dates for April, May, June, July, and August of this year; approving a Food Service Position Contract for the remainder of the 2023 School Year; and approving and Insurance Consortium renewal, CESA#8 Service Contract, and Start College Now Applications for the 2023-2024 School Year.

There is provision for public comment at the start of the meeting, and reports are expected from Student Representative Abbygale Garrigan, High/Middle School Principal Matt Hanson, and Administrator/Elementary Principal Ben Pytleski.

Highlight of the board’s meeting on Monday, March 6 was a Student Spotlight presentation by Sidney Sylvester, has been nominated as a finalist for the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Young Entrepreneur Live Competition.  He has a chance to win the First Place Young Entrepreneur Scholarship of $10,000, but is already guaranteed a $1,500 scholarship.  

Board members present for that meeting were Charles Imig, Timothy A. Goldschmidt, Ed Huberty, David McNurlen and Board President Lori Dufek, and Pytleski and Hanson also were on hand, as was Athletic Director Jeff Heimke.

By unanimous vote the board approved purchase of a stage for public events as presented.

Heimke reported that 52 out of 138 Lena students, 38%, are participating in winter sports.

The Wrestling team had two state qualifiers, and three seniors hit 100 career wins.

The Girls Basketball team had its first 20-win season since 2002-2003.

The board discussed renewal of insurance through the consortium, with the understanding that there will be a 10% rate increase. By unanimous vote the board approved approve a First Grade job posting for the 2023-2024 school year as presented.

Also by unanimous vote the board approved Lena’s  Academic and Career Planning Plan (ACP) as presented.
Student Representative Abbygale Garrigan was absent.

Hanson reported the high school had a female State Wrestling qualifier this year.

He also reported briefly on fun activities during FFA week, which had been the previous week.

Spring sports started practice on March 6, and the Blood Drive was successful, Hanson said. ACT testing was to be done on Tuesday, March 7.

The Senior trip was from Tuesday, March 7 through Thursday, March 9, which was also the date of the Spaghetti Supper.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 already marks the end of the third quarter, Hanson commented.

Pytleski noted that Parent/Teacher Conferences would be held on Wednesday, March 15.

Pytleski said on Tuesday, March 14, the 2023 Valedictorian and Salutatorian would be accompanying him to WOCO. He also reported the session with Senators meeting at the State Superintendent’s meeting had been good.

On Tuesday, March 7 the Lena school was to have two visitors from Greater Community of Green Bay and a person from Bellin.