The Mineral Point School Board began its meeting Monday night by honoring four businesses named to the 2018 Wisconsin Association of School Boards Business Honor Roll. (Scroll past the video for more article text)
Honored were: Badger Welding, Midwest Roofing, The Orthopedic Institute at Southwest Health, and SSM Health.
Badger Welding: Badger Welding of Mineral Point has been a great partner for the welding classes at Mineral Point. When the school installed a new laser cutter, employees helped set it up and provided training with students. They have been wonderful mentors and a great support system for students interested in welding.
Midwest Roofing: Midwest Roofing of Dodgeville is a Victory Club Donor for the Stadium Project, the second highest donation level available. Their support was key in helping the fundraising project come to fruition, with the first varsity football game being played on the field end of August 2018. Their services were also utilized for a summer roofing project this year at the middle/high school building.
Orthopedic Institute at Southwest Health: Mineral Point School District has a fabulous relationship with the Orthopedic Institute at Southwest Health in Platteville. Coaches and students find Athletic Trainer Brad Vamstad a valuable asset to the district, being knowledgeable, friendly, and diligent with his work. In addition, the Orthopedic Institute at Southwest Health is a Championship Club Donor for the Stadium Project, the highest donation level available. Their support was key in helping the fundraising project come to fruition, with the first varsity football game being played on the field end of August 2018. Southwest Health is also welcoming of our students interested in science and healthcare to tour their facilities to learn more about these career paths. Also new this past spring was a scholarship available for MPHS Seniors from Southwest Health.
SSM Health: SSM Health (formerly Dean) is a Championship Club Donor for the Stadium Project, the highest donation level available. Their support was key in helping the fundraising project come to fruition, with the first varsity football game being played on the field end of August 2018. In addition, the SSM Dean Clinic in Mineral Point is very generous in allowing one of their employees, Dr. Aaron Dunn, to serve as a voluntary sideline physician for football games.
To view the rest of the businesses named to the State Honor Roll this year, click here: https://www.wasb.org/communication-services/wasb-business-honor-roll/2018-business-honor-roll/
(This portion of the meeting begins the video)
Other business:
– Students and building administrators shared reports on how the start of the school year is going.
High school students Caden Carey, Liam Stumpf, Cole Wilson, Ben Basting, Mallory Lindsey, McKenna Reichling, Zoe Hay, and Ella Chambers took turns speaking about the positive and exciting change in school climate to begin the year.
(Go to the 8 minute, 31 second mark)
– Interim Superintendent Mitch Wainwright presented a preliminary enrollment report for 2018-19. Final numbers won’t be known until following the 3rd Friday count for the State on September 21.
With that said, the number of physical bodies in Mineral Point Schools is up 41 from the 2017-18 school year. That chart can be viewed here: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=43169590
Board member Aaron Dunn wished to point out that, there’s been a lot of talk recently around declining or steady enrollment, especially as it pertains to proposed renovations at the elementary. However, 41 students district wide is a significant increase for a single year.
(Go to the one hour, six minute mark)
– The Board discussed the hiring of a search firm for a superintendent.
Board treasurer Larry Steffes said he wished to start it as soon as possible, in order to have a wider search with a bigger pool of candidates.
Board clerk Everett Lindsey stated he believed the Board should see how Interim Superintendent Mitch Wainwright’s performance is before going through the process of looking for someone else, and believed it was too soon to have proper metrics to evaluate Wainwright.
Board president Jeff Basting said, in less than a month, the district had 30 applicants through WECAN when the job was posted this summer.
Board member Andy Busch suggested the matter be sent to the Personnel Committee, and the committee could research search firms and bring back a list, along with price quotes, at the November meeting. This passed unanimously with Kelly Gundlach absent.
(Go to the one hour, 17 minute mark)
– The Board unanimously approved (with Gundlach absent) the proposed recommendations for budget reallocations of funds due to a surplus as laid out here: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=43176361
(Go to the one hour, 31 minute mark)
– Unanimously approved (with Gundlach absent) the BOOST agreement. Mineral Point is a member of a five school consortium that offers and receives course content via telepresence. The coordination, maintenance, licensing, and fees are shared between the five schools.
(Go to the one hour, 38 minute, 30 second mark)
– Building safety updates were shared, with some of this discussion happening off camera for safety and security reasons. (Go to the 49 minute mark)
– Communications Director Joelle Doye shared a referenda communication update, including a draft of the first mailing with the Board. (Go to the one hour, 11 minute mark)
– Approved by a 5-0-1 vote with Basting abstaining and Gundlach absent the credit card statement and bills payable. (Go to the one hour, 46 minute mark)
– The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, October 8 at 6:30 pm.