MERTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education Monday, July 21, 2025 6:05 p.m. Merton Intermediate School Little Theater President Kent called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. Kent announced the meeting was properly posted. Board members in attendance were Nicole Cotton, Dean Dobbertin, Rebecca Imes, Justen Kent, and Patrick Griffin. District Administrator Russ was in attendance. There were no reporters and seven citizens in person. Approval of Agenda Motion by Cotton, second by Imes to approve the agenda as presented. Motion rescinded by Cotton, second by Imes. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Imes, second by Griffin to approve the agenda moving discussion surrounding potential Board member limitations with a spouse working under a teacher contract to the top of the agenda before the approval of the consent agenda items. Motion carried 5-0. New Business A. Discussion surrounding potential Board member limitations with a spouse working under a teacher contract (Discussion) The Board discussed the limitations of a Board member if a spouse was on the Board. There are no Board Policies that prohibit an immediate family member of a Board member from being hired. State statutes guide what can be voted on and not voted on by the Board member as defined as a conflict of interest together with the State Ethics Board. Concerns were brought up regarding the limitations that a four (4) member board potentially creates a 2-2 tie in some cases, meaning the vote does not pass. Other concerns were brought up regarding undue influence on potential complaints against the immediate family member. Discussion around the process in which an employee is hired was discussed and would be followed regardless of position. Questions were asked of Dr. Russ surrounding hiring processes, other recommendations that were turned down by the board (there was one in 2011), candidate considerations of parents and/or community members, and potential legal concerns. Kent turned over his duties as Board President at this time to Vice-President Imes and recused himself for the Consent Agenda items. Approval of Consent Agenda Items Motion by Dobbertin, second by Imes to approve the consent agenda items (Approval of Minutes, Approval of Financial Report and Bill Listing). Motion carried 4-0. (Kent recused himself) A. Approval of Minutes Approved Board Meeting Minutes from Monday, June 9th, 2025. B. Approval of Financial Report, Bill Listings, and Donations Approved Direct Deposit #900065524-900065648 in the amount of $193,739.50, Direct deposit #900065524-900065648 (ran WEA match) and #900065969-900066038 in the amount of $86,047.31, and #900065709-900065773 in the amount of $111,074.07. Payroll Wire Transfers #202400364-202500008 in the amount of $500,335.09. Total Payroll in the amount of $891,195.97. Accounts Payable Checks #57101-57155 in the amount of $436,399.52. AP Wire Transfers #202400362-202400362 in the amount of $457.65, #202400363-202400363 in the amount of $1,196.05, and #202400370-202400370 in the amount of $1,129.71. Credit Card transactions #202400384-202400384 in the amount of $28,544.78 and #202400361-202400361 in the amount of $38,159.42. ACH/Direct Deposit #242500109-252600003 in the amount of $6,250.06. Total Accounts Payable of $512,137.19. Total Disbursements in the amount of $1,403,333.16. C. Personnel Actions (Action) Motion by Cotton, second by Dobbertin to approve the teaching contract for Callie Bickert. Motion carried 4-0. (Kent recused himself) Motion by Cotton, second by Griffin to approve the teaching contract for Nicole Vander Laan. Motion carried 4-0.(Kent recused himself) Motion by Cotton, second by Griffin to approve the teaching contract for Lindsay Kent. Motion failed 2-2. Dobbertin and Imes voted no. (Kent recused himself) Motion by Griffin, second by Cotton to approve the letter of appointment for Barbara Bruch. Motion carried 4-0. (Kent recused himself) Motion by Griffin, second by Cotton to approve the letter of appointment for Melanie Trewartha Schmidt. Motion carried 4-0. (Kent recused himself) Approved the letter of resignation from Abby Steiner. Motion carried 4-0.(Kent recused himself) Vice-President Imes turned the meeting back over to board President Kent. Delegations to be Heard There were no delegations to be heard. District Administrator's Report Open Records Requests Dr. Russ let the board know there were more open records requests this month, mainly requesting information for Act 20 and staff email addresses. Donations Dr. Russ indicated there were no donations this month. Committee Reports Finance Committee Dr. Russ informed the board the Finance Committee met on July 15th and discussed the proposed 2025-2026 student fees and school lunch prices. The Committee is recommending a $5 increase to Explore course fees and athletics/activities. The Committee is recommending a $0.20 increase to lunch prices. The Committee also recommended a transfer of $300,000 from Fund 10 to Fund 46. New Business A. Discussion about possibly moving 4th grade to Intermediate School for the 2026-2027 school year (Discussion) The board discussed if there might be a need to think about possibly moving fourth grade to the Intermediate School building. This topic had previously been brought to the board in the fall of 2022. At this time, the Primary School is down one section compared to where it was in the fall of 2022 as well as the Primary School has added two classrooms since that time period. At this time, there is adequate space for all students in both buildings. Should a need arise to shift due to an increase in sections the district could accommodate that with the space we have. Over the past two years, the District has seen less than 20 new students in grades 1-8 in each of the past years. B. Approval of 2025-26 Academic Standards Declaration (Action) Motion by Cotton, second by Imes to approve the 2025-26 Academic Standard Declaration to be: "The Merton Community School District is committed to using benchmarked and rigorous academic standards that set the highest expectations for student performance and prepare students in the District for success in college and career development. Our Curriculum and Instruction Department works closely in the Curriculum Renewal and Design process to understand the influence of multiple factors in determining the specific learning targets (what we want students to know and be able to do) to direct student learning. To align expectations for students with the District's desired learning targets for high school readiness, the School Board is committed to supporting content units of study through our board-adopted curriculum process (Policy 330). In creating these learning expectations, the District carefully looks at multiple sources to best prepare our students for future college and career success and then creates standards that best fit the needs of the Merton Community School District students. These sources include the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards, Wisconsin Essential Elements Standards, ACT College and Career Readiness Standards, and other locally developed academic expectations. Motion carried 5-0. C. Approval of 2025-26 Student Fees and Food Service Fees (Action) Motion by Cotton, second by Imes to approve the 2025-26 Student Fees and Food Service Fees as presented. Motion carried 4-0. Kent abstained. D. Approval of New Doors for Intermediate School and Concession Stand (Action) Motion by Griffin, second by Cotton to approve the Milwaukee Plate and Glass proposal to replace Intermediate Doors 9, 10, and the Concession Stand doors. Motion carried 5-0. E. Possible Designation of Fund 46 Investment (Action) Motion by Griffin, second by Cotton to approve $300,000 into the District's Fund 46 investment account. Motion carried 5-0. Future Agenda Items and Meetings 1. August 25, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. a. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting 2. September 9, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. a. Annual Meeting/Budget Hearing 3. September 22, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. a. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting 4. October 27, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. a. Approve 2025-26 Budget b. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting Motion by Griffin, second by Cotton to adjourn at 7:08 p.m. Motion carried 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Nicole Cotton District Clerk WNAXLP September 17 2025 LWIX0367976