January 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  This is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting.

Description:  This meeting was noticed by way of publication in the Waterford Post on Thursday, January 15, 2026, was posted at the District Office (Door #7) and at Entrance #19, and was published on the District's website. Minutes from the regular board meeting of November 17, 2025 are posted on the District's website.  The meeting was also posted at the following municipal locations: Town of Raymond, Village of Waterford

Description: 

The Board is asked to review and approve the payment of district bills in accordance with established policies, procedures, and budgetary authorizations. The attached listing reflects routine operational expenses and obligations incurred in the normal course of district business. Approval authorizes the administration of the bills presented.

Description:  Each year, all Wisconsin public school districts are required to inform parents/guardians of the educational options available to students, including: public schools, private choice schools, charter schools, virtual schools, full-time open enrollment, and other options within the school district's boundaries. Attached is a list of the educational options available to students residing in the Waterford Union High School district.

Description:  At this time the board would like to invite any member of the audience to stand with comments about items of interest or concern that do or do not appear on the agenda this evening. Please begin by stating your name and address. It would be appreciated if you would limit your comments to three minutes so that we can keep the meeting moving in a timely fashion and allow others an opportunity to speak. We ask that you remember that Wisconsin law prohibits us from discussing specific employees or their job performance. Thank you for your support of our school district.

Description:  Kennadee Borup-Schwerman, Student Council Sergeant at Arms, will share a report of student activities.

Description:  District policy prohibits the possession or consumption of alcohol on school property." In a prior instance, the Board approved a one-time exemption to this policy to allow alcohol service on school grounds for Balloonfest. The Village has inquired whether a similar exemption could be considered to allow Balloonfest to be held on school property with alcohol service. This item is presented for discussion only to determine whether the Board wishes to reaffirm the ability to grant limited, one-time exemptions to this policy, or whether such exemptions should no longer be considered going forward. No action is requested.

Description: 

Last week’s work session focused on finalizing the District’s multi-phase construction plan, including abatement, demolition, mechanical upgrades, life-safety work, and staff relocation planning. Priorities included confirming the phased schedule, tightening scope and invoice controls, resolving contractor scope issues before mobilization, and ensuring clear staff communications.

Work is scheduled to begin within the next 1-2 weeks, with a confirmed start date of the 19th. Initial work in the D-Wing will begin with asbestos abatement, with demolition proceeding concurrently where allowed. Summer work has been front-loaded to reduce future disruption and includes boiler replacements and relocations, along with VAV upgrades requiring careful HVAC coordination.

Planning also addressed access control, emergency egress, and near-term plumbing work, as well as continued monitoring of unresolved gas-odor reports in the Tech Ed area. The staff-facing phasing map is being corrected to clearly show life-safety scope, classroom impacts, and door and window replacements. Classroom renovations will occur in small rotations with temporary relocations, and all planned abatement will be completed this year.

A contractor scope dispute was resolved prior to mobilization, allowing a contractor change without schedule impact. Site logistics and communications are being finalized, and a staff meeting was held last Friday to prepare staff with expectations and answer questions.

Description: 

This item represents the first reading of Neola Policy Revisions - Vol. 35-1. These revisions are part of Neola’s regular policy update cycle and reflect changes in state and federal law, regulatory guidance, and best practices in school district governance and operations.

The first reading is intended to provide the Board with an overview of the proposed revisions and an opportunity to review the changes prior to consideration for adoption at a future meeting. No Board action is requested at this time.

Administration will review any questions or feedback raised by the Board and, if necessary, seek clarification from Neola before bringing the revisions back for a second reading and possible action.

Description: 

Charlie Verbos, Director of Public Finance with PMA Securities, will be at the meeting to ask the Board to consider a resolution establishing parameters for the competitive sale of up to $10,900,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026, representing the remaining voter-approved borrowing authority from the February 18, 2025 referendum. This issuance will fund the remaining costs of the district-wide facility improvement project, including the Maple View renovation, technical education spaces, infrastructure and safety upgrades, ADA accessibility improvements, site work, and related furnishings and equipment .

The resolution sets clear guardrails for the financing, including a maximum principal amount of $10.9 million, a maximum term of 20 years, and a maximum true interest cost of 5%. It further authorizes a competitive sale process and delegates final award authority to the Board President or Vice President to accept the bid that results in the lowest true interest cost within the approved parameters. This delegation is necessary due to board meeting dates falling on federal holidays and ensures the District can access the market at an optimal time without delaying the project or increasing costs.

As outlined in the PMA Securities financing plan update, the proposed issuance is scheduled for competitive sale on February 9, 2026, with funds anticipated to close on March 2, 2026. The structure is designed to meet construction cash-flow needs, maintain level combined debt service, provide future financial flexibility, and allow the District to earn interest on proceeds while avoiding additional levy impact beyond what voters approved .

This item is procedural in nature and does not authorize additional borrowing beyond the approved referendum amount. Adoption of the parameters resolution positions the District to complete the second and final issuance efficiently, responsibly, and in alignment with the Board’s previously approved financing plan.

Description:  The adjusted, proposed calendar for the 2026-27 school year is attached for the Board's consideration, maintaining a 190-day contract, shifting one in-person workday to a structured work-from-home day. This option preserves contractual days and compensation, provides flexibility for staff, and still allows the District to potentially reduce operational costs associated with building use while avoiding a permanent reduction in the instructional calendar.

Description: 

School boards are required to designate the number of regular educational and special education spaces available for the next school year. The number of regular educational spaces is defined by grade. The number of special education spaces is designated by available special education and related services. Space determinations must only be made and approved by the school board at its January board meeting. If the board does not intend to deny applicants due to space, it may make that determination and document it in its January board meeting minutes.
   
Both state and federal laws prohibit discrimination against a pupil based on the pupil’s physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability. The board may not deny open enrollment based on the pupil’s eligibility or need for reasonable accommodation in a Section 504 plan. An application may only be rejected if there is no space in the special education or related services required in the pupil’s IEP or if the special education or related services are not available in the nonresident district.

Description:  Attached are the resolutions that will be voted on at the WASB State Education Convention 2026 Delegate Assembly scheduled for Wednesday, January 21 at 1:30 p.m.  Board member Purtell will serve as the WUHS District's representative at the WASB Delegate Assembly. After reviewing the list, the Board may wish to discuss the resolutions to provide direction as to the collective opinion of the Board.