School board approves health insurance renewal

Meeting at the HACIL building Monday Feb. 19, Hayward Community School Board members acted on several items and received several reports.

In actions Monday, the board:

Voted to renew employee health insurance through Holden Insurance for 2024-25. Premiums will increase by 2 percent, a total of $94,000. There is a one-year rate cap of 7% for 2025-26. Employee deductibles will increase to $3,000 for the single plan and $6,000 for the family plan. The school district pays 95% of the premium and the employee pays 5%.

Approved the 2024-25 school calendar. There will be an open house at all schools on Aug. 28. The first day of classes for students will be Tuesday Sept. 3.

Received an Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) report from Primary School Principal Wade Reier.

Approved dental insurance renewal with Dental Dental through the Northern School District Co-op at no increase in premium.

Accepted the resignations of Taylor Kunkel as assistant girls soccer coach, Katherine Christians as speech language pathologist, and Patrick Harrison as spring weight room supervisor.

Voted to hire Laura Taylor as tribal, community and school liaison.

7) Approved a change in address for the school district office to the high school, at 10320 Greenwood Avenue. Offices were previously located at the intermediate school. The new offices opened to the public on Feb. 16.

Finance Committee chairman Dr. Harry Malcolm said that for the 2024-25 school district budget, they are looking at taking $3.38 million from the district fund balance, of which $2.3 million will be for capital projects and $1 million for operations.

Supt. Craig Olson reported that Jake Borchardt and Matt Frye have been hired as School Resource Officers (SROs).

The Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) recognized board member Lynell Swenson for demonstrating a high level of commitment to public school students by participating in WASB professional development opportunities over the past 14 years.

Four HHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members spoke to the board regarding career and technical education clubs, including FBLA, the Future Career and Community Leaders of America and Skills USA. Brock Titus said they hosted a Feb. 14 Career Fair, to which 50 businesses were invited.

Special education teacher Julie Zawistowski spoke about a $3,600 grant from the Hayward Foundation for Educational Enrichment (HFEE), which funded alternatives for fidgety students to regulate themselves.

All of the items purchased "have made a positive impact on our students academically, behaviorally and emotionally," Zawistowski said.

Donations

The board acknowledged the following recent donations to the school district:

1) Jamie Principe from Advance Printing donated the production fee of the HHS History Wall project, valued at $400.

2) The High School Technology Education Department received a $3,000 donation from Northland Area Builders Association to purchase a new jointer.

3) The District received a $100 donation from the First Lutheran Church Women's group, to be used as needed.

4) The Hayward Wesleyan Church conducted a hygiene drive for supplies for middle school students.

Donors Choose grants

Stacy Wilson received her grant, "Eat to Success", valued at $440, and her grant, "Cursive Handwriting for the Win!", valued at $213.

Elizabeth DiSera received her grant, "Social, Emotional Learning Books," valued at $250.