School Board Meeting November 18, 2024
Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter provided a District Administrator Update mentioning the conclusion of the fall sports team and giving a shout out to the boys volleyball team and the girls swim team; two new business items will be discussed tonight, one related to strategic planning and the other will be an ad hoc committee; Johnson Nursery was on site to look at the progress of the GHS courtyard project - Johnson Nursery is a huge donor for this project; and there is an academic awards ceremony for GHS students later this week.
The Germantown School District Student Representative provided an update on what is happening in our schools. AMY BELLE: Students met three Superheros (Defender of Danger, Captain Respecto, and Responsibility Ranger) during this month's Bellefest to help learn about being respectful, responsible and safe. Students participated in a vote for their favorite book character. COUNTY LINE: A “Glow Lunch” was held to celebrate student achievements, 3rd graders took a trip to the Milwaukee Art Museum, and students participated in the November Comet Code Assembly to highlight the school’s core values. MACARTHUR: An assembly was held to focus on this month’s value word, gratitude; the school participated in an all-school food drive; PTA organized fun activities to include a bingo night and fall book fair; there will be an all-school spelling bee in December; and MacArthur has achieved three consecutive years of growth as recognized by the state report card! ROCKFIELD: 3rd graders visited GHS to watch a play, 1st graders will be visiting the Mequon Nature Preserve, 4th graders will be taking a trip to the Milwaukee Public Museum, PTA organized a Rocktober celebration and an upcoming dine and donate event, and the school’s word of the month is gratitude. KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL: Students have the ability to sign up for many different activities including boys basketball, wrestling, a musical rehearsal, and the ski and snowboard club. KMS students will participate in the spelling bee again this year. The PTA will be hosting a fundraiser at Chipotle. GERMANTOWN HIGH SCHOOL: First quarter has ended, an Academic Award Ceremony will be held to recognize student’s achievements, and student-athletes who are pursuing their sports at the next level participated in a signing ceremony.
County Line Elementary School Principal Kelly Schultz introduced six 5th grade students who shared a presentation on their trip to Upham woods. Three County Line teachers shared information on the learning that is happening in the classrooms.
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Melissa Timmerman shared information on the Spring Elections for school board members mentioning the Spring Election is April 1, 2025, GSD has three seats up for election, the Election Notice will be published on Friday, November 22nd, candidate packets are available for pickup at District Office starting November 26th, the deadline to file ballot access documents is January 7, 2025 by 5:00 p.m., and election information will be available on the GSD website as it becomes available.
School Board President Russ Ewert shared information from the Village of Germantown Planning Commission meeting.
The following citizens spoke: Lydia Paw regarding LGBTQ+ educational materials removal, Lucy Schmitz regarding LGBTG+ educational materials removal, Sharon Kiernan regarding LGBTQ+ educational materials removal, Jennifer Gienke regarding LGBTQ+ educational materials removal, Kara Brandl regarding LGBTQ+ educational materials removal, Melissa Garves to read a statement from the Germantown Community Coalition, Brad Schiereck regarding LGBTQ+ educational materials removal.
Motion by Pawlak, second by Brown to approve the Consent Agenda. Dr. Reuter highlighted the donations. Motion carried.
Higginbotham provided an update from the November 4, 2024 Teaching & Learning Committee sharing information on the professional development learning day for teachers, the three-year school Library Plan (24-27), the DreamBox renewal, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Gateway custom and upgrade kits, and the lifeguarding course proposal.
The Teaching & Learning Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Full Board to approve offering PE-361 - Lifeguard Training with the opportunity for CAPP credit. Motion carried.
Loth provided an update from the November 18, 2024 Finance Committee meeting mentioning the approval of vouchers, the 8th grade math tables, the PLTW Gateway custom and upgrade kits, the DreamBox renewal, and the Cybersecurity Software. .
The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Full Board to approve the purchase of 64 tables with an amount not to exceed $15,527.68 out of the General Fund. Motion carried.
The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Full Board to approve the purchase of PLTW Gateway Custom and Upgrade Kits for an amount not to exceed $22,440.00. The purchase of PLTW supplies would come from a combination of funds budgeted for at Kennedy Middle School, the Teaching and Learning Budget, and from the CTE Incentive Grant. Motion carried.
The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Full Board to approve the purchase of DreamBox Learning for an amount not to exceed $19,200.00. The purchase of DreamBox would come from common school funds. Motion carried.
The Finance Committee brings forward a positive recommendation to the Full Board to purchase the Forward Edge Xpel cybersecurity services for the amount not to exceed $50,094 annually from the General Fund. Motion carried.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter led discussions on the Germantown School District Strategic Planning Process mentioning this planning process will lead to the development of a three-year plan to establish a clear vision and focus of goals, actions, and accountability for the Germantown School District. Motion by Pawlak, second by Higginbotham to approve the Germantown School District Strategic Planning Timeline and Actions to begin in November 2024. Motion carried.
Board President Russ Ewert and Director of Business Services Brittany Altendorf led discussions on the development of an Ad Hoc Transportation Committee to review RFPs and select a vendor for the district’s transportation services. Motion by Brown, second by Higginbotham to approve the formulation of an ad hoc transportation committee to review RFPs and make a recommendation to the Finance Committee and full Board for future transportation services for the students of the Germantown School District. Motion carried.
Director of Human Resources Mike Nowak led discussions on the additional hourly advising positions, winter coaching contracts, and Destination Imagination contracts. Motion by Pawlak, second by Brown to approve the hourly advising positions, winter coach positions, and Destination Imagination positions as presented. Motion carried.
For more information about the Germantown School District Board of Education, please visit our website.
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Regular School Board Meeting — December 16, 2024