PESHTIGO – The Peshtigo School District Board of Education met on Wednesday, May 13, for their regular and reorganizational meetings.
The meeting opened with public comments, during which City of Peshtigo Mayor Katie Berman thanked the district for their partnership with the local food pantry as well as the graduating students who have volunteered.
Afterwards, community members came out to speak on school safety needs.
Municipal Judge Cindy Sutek said that the district should be looking into hiring a school resource officer (SRO).
“Effective SRO programs can help connect at-risk students with needed services before they are referred to juvenile court. This can reduce the number of youth cases that go to formal court proceedings and they can also prevent minor infractions from escalating into criminal charges,” she shared.
District parents Cassidy echoed her thoughts, adding that the timeframes for discussing SROs should happen before fall and that the district should begin applying for grants to cover an SRO right away.
In other safety updates, a representative from Singlewire Software — a Madison-based company — presented their InformaCast safety communication platform.
InformaCast is a software that manages daily communications and emergency situations through existing district hardware like the overhead paging system and classroom phones. The system helps districts comply with proposed legislation by giving teachers panic buttons via phones, physical buttons or computers. Singlewire partners with RapidSOS to automatically alert 911 dispatch during an incident.
The software is a subscription based on users and devices, avoiding the need to purchase expensive hardware.
Later, the InformaCast software was selected within a phone bid from Heartland Business Services for $126,274. The new Hartland phone system is estimated to have a life expectancy of seven to 10 years and the software is a three-year subscription.
Another presentation was given by Jerry and Mike from Performance Services regarding the updated Peshtigo Middle/High School building project.
Currently, the team is finishing up administrative areas and the main entrance before moving furniture in and completing any final touches.
The presenters showcased the media center’s refinished laminated wood beams, a structure that is historically significant because it was the first of its kind built in the United States. They also previewed a new history wall at the main entrance, which will feature a mural of district traits and honor historically significant community names selected by a committee.
Photos and renderings were also shared of the commons, the new secure reception area, the expanded Tech Ed auto lab and the welding stations.
Director of Buildings and Grounds Josh Seefeldt spoke on the projects continuing through the summer, sharing that the elementary school will receive a secured entry vestibule similar to what is being built at the high school.
During the reorganizational meeting, the following nominations were accepted:
All committee appointments were kept the same, with the addition of Malke as the chairperson of the finance, personnel and negotiations committee.
Additionally, Larsen will remain the CESA 8 Delegate. Jon Kukuk will be the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) delegate and Malke will be the alternate.
The school board approved the resignation of elementary teacher Jill Vannelli and the retirement of high school special education teacher Janet Thibado. The following elementary teachers were approved for hire: Anita Conn, Brody Waara and Maggie Thill.
In financial news, the lowest track bid was accepted at $128,875 from American Systems of Wisconsin. The lowest parking lot bid was accepted at $66,300 from Peshtigo Asphalt.
The five year food service contract with Taher was accepted. There will be a 3% price increase as dictated by the federal Department of Public Instruction.
At the elementary school, breakfast will be $2 and lunch will be $3.45. At the middle/high school, breakfast will be $2.25 and lunch will be $3.55.
Superintendent Patrick Rau explained that the lunch pricing and profit is kept at around a balanced budget, with the goal of not accruing debt.
The following donations were accepted:
The meeting closed with the superintendent’s report. Rau provided updates on expected increases in state special education funding and discussed health insurance renewals.
Rau then addressed public concerns over safety, where he assured the community that their concerns regarding school safety and an SRO were heard and said he will be investigating funding options and local partnerships.
The school board will meet next at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, where Rau will share information on SROs as well as additional safety and security updates.
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