The Mineral Point School Board held its regular monthly meeting Monday night.
Business tackled:
Recognized the following accomplishments:
- Retirees (Dan Burreson and Dan Van Galen)
- Jerry Overture Center Musical Awards
- State Trap
- Middle School State Track & Field
- State Track & Field
(This begins the meeting video)
— The Board unanimously approved (with Rachael Bergstrom absent) the consent agenda, which includes meeting minutes, bills payable, credit card statement, and committee reports.
(Go to the 13 minute, 30 second mark of the video)
— The Board held a first reading of the following policies. They will be brought back to a future meeting for a vote:
- Policy 343.46 Early College Credit Program
- Policy 341.2 Academic and Career Planning
- Policy 457 Wellness Policy
- Policy Act 20 Student Promotion
(Go to the 16 minute mark)
— The Board discussed potential nominees for the annual Wisconsin Association of School Boards’ Business Honor Roll. These will be voted on at a future meeting. (Go to the 23 minute mark)
— The Board discussed the projects the District will be completing this summer using Fund 46 (Capital Maintenance) monies. This is money taxpayers have already paid for that has been saved over the years for various projects.
Items include:
- High School science rooms remodel $440,000
- Middle/High HVAC update $270,000
(Go to the 27 minute mark)
— Heard year end reports from building principals.
(Go to the 36 minute 30 second mark for Brooke McGraw – middle school; one hour two minute mark for Tom Ingwell – elementary school; and one hour 31 minute mark for Matt Austin – high school)
— Superintendent Mitch Wainwright shared Administrative Team goals for 2025-26.
(Go to the two hour, 11 minute mark)
— Superintendent Wainwright reviewed the final 2024-25 budget.
In October, the Board approved approximately a $400,000 deficit, but Wainwright believes the actual deficit will come in around $300,000 due to additional revenue sources and pre-purchasing.
(Go to the two hour, 20 minute mark)
— The Board reviewed the Preliminary Budget Summary for 2025-26 and unanimously approved (with Bergstrom and Will Harris absent) passing the preliminary budget.
The final budget won’t be approved until later in the year, but in order for expenditures to begin at the start of the new fiscal year July 1, a preliminary budget needs to be in place.
Preliminary indications are about a $700,000 deficit for 2025-26, but could be lower by October when the tax levy is certified. The deficit will be offset by the approved operating referendum from last November, so a balanced budget will be approved.
Board Member Andy Busch stressed that these numbers might sound scary, but the finance committee was very excited to get the news that the deficit would be nearly exactly what was predicted last fall when going to referendum.
Superintendent Wainwright again thanked the community for its support.
(Go to the two hour, 23 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board unanimously approved (with Bergstrom and Harris absent) the SWEEP 1 & 2 contracts for the 2025-26 school year.
(Go to the two hour, 33 minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved (with Bergstrom and Harris absent) Farmers Savings Bank as the financial institution to use for short-term borrowing in the 2025-26 school year at an interest rate of 3.59%. Each year, the District approves a lender that will provide a line of credit. This line of credit is used to offset the timing of state aid payments.
(Go to the two hour, 33 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board unanimously (with Bergstrom and Harris absent) approved year-end budget amendments as presented — dollar for dollar, just moving money to different accounts.
(Go to the two hour, 34 minute, 45 second mark)
— Unanimously approved (with Bergstrom and Harris absent) the increase for 2025-26 meal prices at 10 cents across the board. The district has not increased its meal prices in three years.
(Go to the two hour, 37 minute, 30 second mark)
— Unanimously approved (with Bergstrom and Harris absent) an increase for game worker pay at athletic events.
The increase would be from $20 to $30, except $50 for triangular wrestling meets.
Board Member Busch believes it’s been 25 years since an increase has been made.
(Go to the two hour, 29 minute, 15 second mark)
— Unanimously approved (with Bergstrom and Harris absent) a $1000 stipend for distinguished evaluated staff in their summative year, instead of a double step on the salary schedule.
(Go to the two hour, 42 minute, 15 second mark)
— The Board discussed a couple of its upcoming gatherings including its Summer Retreat June 16 and Board/Staff Representative Meeting September 15.
(Go to the two hour, 47 minute, 30 second mark)
— Unanimously approved (with Bergstrom and Harris absent) the following hires for the 2025-26 school year:
- Alexa Hardyman, Psychologist
- Bret McGraw, Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
- Andrea Cool, High School English Teacher
- Jason Palzkill, High School Social Studies Teacher
(Go to the two hour, 48 minute, 30 second mark)
— Unanimously approved (with Bergstrom and Harris absent) the resignation of Chris Carr, Middle/High School Physical Education Teacher and Athletic/Activities Director.
(Go to the two hour, 57 minute, 15 second mark)
— The next regular meeting of the Board will be held Monday, July 14 at 6 pm.
— Please note — these meeting summaries are not to be considered official minutes. Rather, official minutes are approved at the following regular monthly board meeting.