The Mineral Point School Board held its regular monthly meeting Monday night and tackled a full agenda.
Video link: https://youtu.be/9eoF8y01xZ0?si=GVqj2wFIsYiYXS3t
The meeting began with recognizing the following accomplishments:
— Nationally Certified Therapy Dog (Bocephus Ottoway)
— WI Association of Agriculture Educators Section 4 Outstanding Program (Mike Robinson)
— WI Association of School Boards Level 1 Recognition (Will Harris)
(This begins the meeting video)
— Superintendent Mitch Wainwright provided a District Enrollment Update. Compared to this time last year, the District is up 12 students.
(Go to the one hour, 35 minute mark)
— The Board discussed the upcoming November 5 operating referendum.
In collaboration with a supportive community, the Mineral Point Unified School District has a proud tradition of providing high-quality levels of education for all students.
Unfortunately, state funding has not kept pace with increasing inflation. Six of the last 10 years, schools received $0 increase in aid. Additionally, districts are working under revenue caps that were put in place in 1993. In order to stabilize funding to help ensure a promising future for all students, the District is asking local voters for an operating levy increase that will help maintain high levels of programming.
Without a referendum, our operational budget will not be able to maintain our current programs and services.
When a district passes a recurring referendum, it means that the money is added to its base revenue and stays there. It does not mean our District is asking for $1,300,000 each year.
The intent is to levy up to an additional:
- $700,000 for the 2025-26 school year;
- $150,000 for the 2026-27 school year;
- $175,000 for the 2027-28 school year;
- and $200,000 for the 2028-29 school year, for a total of an additional $1.3 million.
The School Board has stated its commitment to debt defeasance in an effort to keep the mill rate stable. Therefore, the anticipated tax impact for a successful operating referendum would be an additional $62 per $100,000 of assessed value annually.
Additionally, the Board is committed to fiscal responsibility, using only the amount of revenue authority necessary to maintain current programs and does not intend to levy the full amount unless it is absolutely necessary each year.
There are 81 schools (out of 421) in the state with an operational referendum scheduled in November. Locally, those in CESA 3 (southwest Wisconsin) include Argyle, Belmont, Cuba City, Darlington, Dodgeville, Iowa-Grant, Ithaca, Mineral Point, Platteville, Prairie du Chien, and River Ridge.
In April 2024, the following local CESA 3 schools held successful operating referendums: Barneveld, Highland, Potosi, Richland, and Southwestern.
There will be a Community Information Meeting next Wednesday, September 18 at 6 pm in the Middle/High School Cafeteria.
Much more information can be found at: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024-referendum/
Please contact Superintendent Mitch Wainwright at mitch.wainwright@mp.k12.wi.us or 608-987-0740 with referendum questions, or to set up a presentation for your community group.
(Go to the one hour, 44 minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the hiring of Harlie Voseberg as an elementary food service employee. (Go to the two hour, 32 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the credit card statement and bills payable. (Go to the three minute, 45 second mark)
— The Board provided a monthly update on its priorities (Recruit and Retain Staff, Providing a Safe Social and Emotional Environment for Everyone, School Board Governance). (Go to the nine minute mark)
— The Board heard a high school student report from Matthew Goninen, Student Body President, on happenings at school so far to start the year off. (Go to the 12 minute mark)
— The Board heard a report on the duties, responsibilities, and advancements of the athletic department from Athletic/Activities Director Chris Carr. (Go to the 16 minute, 45 second mark)
— The Board heard a report from Options in Education Coordinator Amanda Heisner regarding the latest happenings at the OIE School and the unique opportunities provided there. (Go to the 36 minute mark)
— The Board heard Building Administrator reports on academic goals and a first week wrap up. (Go to the one hour, three minute, 30 second mark)
— Board President Aaron Dunn provided a District Stakeholder Update. (Go to the one hour, 28 minute, 30 second mark)
— Superintendent Mitch Wainwright provided his monthly budget update. (Go to the one hour, 32 minute mark)
— The Board held a first reading of the following policies and will be brought back for a vote at next month’s meeting:
First Reading of Policies
- 113 Non-Discrimination in District Programs, Activities, and Operations
- 423 Full-Time Public School Open Enrollment
- 652 Revenues from Investments
- 665 Fraud Prevention and Reporting
- 671.5 Employee Compensation Paid From Federal Grants
- 723.1 Emergency Drills
- 732.2 Threats of School Violence
- 724 Indoor Environmental Quality Management
- 725 Asbestos Management
(Go to the one hour, 59 minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved updates to the following policies:
- 225.1 Evaluation of Administrative Staff
- 447.11 Use of Seclusion and Physical Restraint (including rule 447.11)
- 662.2 Community Programs and Services
- 672 Purchasing
- 811.1 Parent Involvement
(Go to the two hour, two minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the district seclusion and restraint report. (Go to the two hour, six minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the finalization of the Ad Hoc Committee dealing with cell phone/social media use.
(Go to the two hour, eight minute, 30 second mark)
— Approve a Capital Maintenance Fund (Fund 46) purchase for security camera software update. This will be a switch to a better, less expensive, more capacity option. (Go to the two hour, 13 minute, 30 second update)
— The Board discussed business such as the upcoming WASB regional meeting at CESA in Fennimore October 9, the next Building Staff Representative meeting, and Strategic Plan meeting. (Go to the two hour, 20 minute, 30 second mark)
Other Business:
— The next regular meeting of the Board will be held Monday, October 14 at 6 pm.