Merton Community School District Board of Education Minutes

Merton Community School District Board of Education Minutes MERTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education Monday, December 15, 2025 6:05 p.m. Merton Intermediate School Little Theater President Imes called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. Imes announced the meeting was properly posted. Board members in attendance were Nicole Cotton, Dean Dobbertin, Rebecca Imes, John LaFleur and Patrick Griffin. District Administrator Russ was in attendance. There were no reporters and one citizen in person. Approval of Agenda Motion by Dobbertin second by Griffin to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Approval of Consent Agenda Items Motion by Griffin, second by LaFleur to approve the consent agenda items (Approval of Minutes, Approval of Financial Report, Bill Listing and Donations). Motion carried 5-0. A. Approval of Minutes Approved Board Meeting Minutes from Monday, November 17, 2025, at 6:05 PM. B. Approval of Financial Report, Bill Listings, and Donations Approved Direct Deposits #900066908-900067023 in the amount of $208,015.63. #900067024-900067139 in the amount of $193,571.91. Payroll Wire Transfers #202500143-202500177 in the amount of $411,602.71. Total Payroll in the amount of $813,190.25. Accounts Payable Checks #57335- 57376 in the amount of $140,278.16. AP Wire Transfers #202500142- 202500179 in the amount of $3,000.83, Credit Card transactions #112025 in the amount of $23,992.25. ACH/Direct Deposit #252600028-252600044 in the amount of $3,115.09. Total Accounts Payable of $170,386.33. Total Disbursements in the amount of $983,576.58. C. Personnel Actions (Action) There are no personnel actions to be heard. Delegations to be Heard There were no delegations to be heard. District Administrator's Report/Principal's Report Dr. Russ talked about the proposed library project. Input was provided by students and staff as to what they would like to see. Contractors have until January 14th to give proposals. At that time they will be reviewed for a potential approval in the January Board meeting. The School Perceptions survey for staff was discussed next. We had 91 participants this year, up from around 70 last year. Dr. Russ shared the overview of results as well as the detailed results with the board. Communication with staff, time for staff, and student support as far as disciplinary practices are probably the three areas that we can focus on the most as we move forward. Leadership will continue to work on these areas. A big strength is the support that we show our staff. Staff overall feels strongly supported by both the district and by their teams. Dr. Imes inquired about employee morale; recognition and time are things that we can look at to continue to try to boost morale. A discussion occurred around feeling appreciated by the school board. What does that look like? How can it be improved? Dr. LaFleur wanted to know some of the ways staff is recognized for jobs well done. One example is Staff Shout-Outs, which gives staff an opportunity to call out positive things they see in other staff members. Lastly, Dr. Russ discussed tax bills. They came out this month, and depending on your municipality you saw different changes. Per the state budget, we did not get any tax breaks to offset school funding increases. This is the first time in a long time that there were no state tax breaks this way. Next year will be a similar budget. September 2025 and October 2025 meetings contain more information. Open Records Requests There were no open records requests this past month. Committee Reports No committees this month New Business A. Review and potential approval of new roof on Merton Primary School roof section #1 (Action): Primary School roof section #1 is 30 years old and is our last roof to replace in the near future. An RFP was created and three contractors responded. The low bid came in from Waukesha Roofing at $97,002. This would be the cost assuming no current insulation would need to be replaced. Waukesha Roof would replace this at $1.90 per square foot. Still the lowest from the other companies bidding this project. Motion to approve by Dobbertin, second by LaFleur to approve the bid proposal from Waukesha Roofing. Motion carried 5-0. B. Final Reading of proposed changes to Policy 187 Public Participation at Board Meetings (Action): Continued discussion around Intermediate School remodel and reallocation of current spaces (library and after school rooms) (Discussion): The Policy and Personnel Committee is recommending that the "Community Forum" be placed within the regular monthly board meeting. Please see the proposed changes to Policy 187 Public Participation at Board Meetings. This is the second reading of the proposed changes. The Administration and Policy Committee recommend the Board make a motion to Approve Policy 187 Public Participation at Board Meetings that has been recommended by the policy committee and provided to the full board for its consideration and action. Motion by Griffin, second by Dobbertin. Motion carried 5-0. Future Agenda Items and Meetings 1. January 5, 2026 @ 6:00 PM-Primary School a. Closed Session (per Policy 222 and 225) for Administrative Contract review 2. January 26, 2026 @ 6:00 PM a. Open Enrollment Seat Declaration for 2026-27 b. 2024-2025 Audit Presentation c. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting 3. February 23, 2026 @ 6:00 PM a. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting 4. March 23, 2026 @ 6:00 PM a. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting Motion by Dobbertin, second by Griffin to adjourn at 6:43 p.m. Motion carried 5-0 . Respectfully submitted, Nicole Cotton District Clerk WNAXLP Publication Dates LWIX0457325