At its regular monthly April meeting, the School Board unanimously approved a request to name the renovated baseball field in honor of retired MPHS Coach, Principal, and Teacher Ted Evans.

Meeting video: https://youtu.be/PZPXrm_CLn8

The dedication will take place Friday, May 6 at the home game vs. Riverdale.

Athletic Director Vickie Dahl spoke regarding the reasoning behind the naming of the field. 

Ted coached baseball for 23 years. His teams compiled over 250 wins with two conference championships, six regional championships, one sectional runner-up, one sectional championship, and one state appearance. He was a coach in the 1987 All-Star Classic, which was played at Milwaukee County Stadium. Coach Evans was selected to the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998.

Mr. Evans was a longtime teacher and coach for the Mineral Point Unified School District starting in 1972 before becoming High School Principal. He retired at the end of the 2010-11 school year but currently still serves as the SWAL Conference Commissioner and continues to be active with our school and community.

Ted started the Mineral Point Alumni Foundation in 1992. The fundraising efforts of this foundation make it possible to offer senior scholarships, improve our athletic facilities, and support other school programs.

Stay tuned for more information as the date approaches.

(Go to the 40 minute, 15 second mark)

Other business:

— The meeting began with recognitions of: State Future Business Leaders of America, State Skills USA, State Forensics, State Honors Music Project, and Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Awards. (This begins the meeting video)

— Election results from Tuesday, April 5 were shared. William Harris and Christie Johnston were the two candidates who received the most votes, each earning them a three-year term on the School Board. Incumbents Gary Sullivan and Sarah Syvrud were thanked for their service. (Go to the 25 minute mark)

— The Board unanimously approved (with Skelding absent) a resolution to be submitted to the Department of Public Instruction regarding the early start waiver for the 2022-23 school year. The District will hopefully know within the next week if the waiver is approved and can share the calendar for next school year at that time. (Go to the 45 minute, 30 second mark)

— Approved by a 4-2 vote (with Sullivan and Syvrud voting no and Skelding absent) an update to the covid mitigation plan. The document can be found on the website: https://mineralpointschools.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/

The major changes include no requirement for contact tracing and an update to the masking matrix.

(Go to the one hour, 54 minute mark)

— The Board unanimously approved (with Skelding absent) a list of capital maintenance projects to be completed with Fund 46 monies (a fund that can only be used on capital maintenance items). (Go to the 51 minute, 45 second mark)

— The Board unanimously approved (with Skelding absent) the health insurance plan for the 2022-23 school year. It is a 4.9% increase over the 2021-22 school year. (Go to the one hour, 16 minute mark)

— The Board approved by a 5-1 vote (with Sullivan voting no and Skelding absent) a 3% CPI increase for certified and support staff for the 2022-23 school year, and a one-time $1500 stipend from ESSER funds, and a one-time step also funded by ESSER funds. (Go to the one hour, 19 minute, 45 second mark)

— The Board tabled the additive schedule and summer contracts until a special meeting April 25. (Go to the one hour, 39 minute mark)

— Unanimously approved (with Skelding absent) the summer school wage schedule. (Go to the one hour, 43 minute, 15 second mark)

— The Board received an update regarding the 3rd Grade vacancy for the 2022-23 school year. (Go to the 29 minute, 45 second mark)

— Superintendent Mitch Wainwright presented his monthly budget comparison. (Go to the 33 minute, 30 second mark)

— High School Principal Matt Austin led a discussion on the district/community book club “The Twin Thieves.” (Go to the 36 minute mark)

— Unanimously approved (with Skelding absent) the credit card statement and bills payable. (Go to the two hour, 42 minute, 30 second mark)

— The Board unanimously approved (with Skelding absent) the retirements of Marsha Kjelland (District Bookkeeper) and Kelly Riechers (Middle School & Middle/High School Athletic Administrative Assistant), as well as the resignation of Jeff David (Elementary Music Teacher). (Go to the two hour, 45 minute, 30 second mark)

— A special meeting of the Board will take place Monday, April 25 at 6:30 pm. This will also be the oath of office for new members. The next regular meeting will be Monday, May 9 at 6:30 pm.