Merton Community School District Board of Education Minutes

Merton Community School District Board of Education Minutes MERTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education Monday, May 18, 2026 6:00 p.m. Merton Intermediate School Little Theater Dean Dobbertin called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. Dean Dobbertin announced the meeting was properly posted. Board members in attendance were John LaFleur, Dean Dobbertin, Patrick Griffin, and Amanda Wise. District Administrator Russ was in attendance. There were no reporters and no citizens in person. Approval of Agenda Motion by Dean Dobertin , second by Griffin to approve the agenda as presented with donations approved separately. Motion carried 4-0. Community Forum No citizens spoke to the Board Student Showcase No student showcase this month. Approval of Consent Agenda Items Motion by Dean Dobbertin to approve consent agenda items with donations to be approved separately. Second by John LaFleur. Approval of Minutes, Approval of Financial Report, and Bill Listing. Motion carried 4-0. A. Approval of Minutes Approved Board Meeting Minutes from Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM. B. Approval of Financial Report, Bill Listings, and Donations Approved Direct Deposits #90008082-900068195 in the amount of $189,932.27. Approved Direct Deposits #90006196-900068308 in the amount of $187,779.97. Payroll Wire Transfers #202500293-202500322 in the amount of $372,999.87. Total Payroll in the amount of $750,712.11. Accounts Payable Checks #57566-57607 in the amount of $208,766.76. AP Wire Transfer# 202500308-202500314 in the amount of $9,240.55. Credit Card transaction #42026 in the amount of $18,856.00. ACH/Direct Deposit #252600073-252600076 in the amount of $304.77. Total Accounts Payable of $237,168.08. Total Disbursements in the amount of $987,880.19. C. Personnel Actions No personnel actions this month Delegations to be Heard There were no delegations to be heard. District Administrator's Report/Principal's Report Dr. Ron Russ presented. This month we would like to recognize all of our activities and athletic advisors/coaches who have spent time with our kids developing them outside of the classroom walls. These individuals, many of them volunteers, have committed time from their families to give our kids a wonderful experience in an area of passion or curiosity. Dr. Russ also discussed our events for America's 250th including spirit days and participation in the Merton Memorial Day parade. Open Records Requests No open records requests outside of typical state/nation-wide requests. Donations (action)-addressed separately from other agenda items. Lake Country School Booster Club kindly donated acoustic equipment to our Intermediate band, including 2 powered loudspeakers and one powered subwoofer. Motion to approve the donation as presented by Patrick Griffin, Second by John LaFleur. Motion carried 4-0. Committee Reports A. Finance Committee The finance Committee met on May 11, 2026 to review the 2025-2026 July-March Budget Update, including revenues and expenses plus a 3 year look back. They also discussed the 2026-27 Budget Update. This included a preliminary budget presentation, discussion of the preliminary revenue limit, and discussion of the preliminary budget for the 2026-2027 school year. B. Policy/Personnel Committee The Policy/Personnel Committee met on May 12, 2026. This meeting included the first Review of New Policy 528.1(Employee/Student Communications). The District will partner with WASB to come up with training that highlights the expectations of staff communications. The committee also reviewed changes to Policy 443.5R (Student use of Electronic Devices). The committee is recommending eliminating the use of PED's during passing times at Intermediate School. This would mean no use of PEDs from bell to bell. Lastly, there was also discussion of the 2026-27 Student Handbook Draft and the 2026-27 Proposed Employee Handbook Revisions. C. Student Achievement Committee The Student Achievement Committee met on May 18, 2026. Included in their discussion was a review of Arrowhead Freshman Data; the Professional Learning Plan for 2026-2027; the Four-Year Old Kindergarten Curriculum Renewal and Design Report and the Student Achievement Committee Annual Reports. New Business A. 2026-27 Preliminary/Proposed Budget Presentation (Discussion) Dr. Russ gave a Preliminary Budget Presentation to the board that was presented to the Finance Committee on May 11, 2026. This was the basis behind the proposed budget that will be asked to be acted upon in the next agenda item. Dr. Russ noted that some key factors in determining the budget are state aid and student enrollment numbers. State Aid estimates will be released in July. No increase in state aid is anticipated this year. Using current scenario assumptions, we are looking at a balanced budget for the upcoming year. All facility projects are included in the budget already. It is important to know that the preliminary budget will change ahead of September's Annual Meeting Budget. The final budget will be set in October after student counts and state aid are finalized. B. Adoption of 2026-27 Proposed Budget (Action) The Finance Committee is recommending the board to approve a preliminary budget to begin spending July 1, 2026. Patrick Griffin made a motion to approve the preliminary budget as presented, second by Amanda Wise. Motion carried 4-0. C. Final Review of Merton Values Report (Action) The recommendation contained in the report includes keeping Second Step programming for the 2026-27 School Year for 5K-5th Grade and the District creating their own Merton Values Curriculum to be implemented in the 2027-28 school year (amongst others). Motion by Patrick Griffin to approve the Merton Values Committee Report, including the recommendations as presented. Second by Amanda Wise. Motion carried 4-0. D. First Review of 4K Curriculum Report (Discussion) This was an opportunity to ask questions regarding the 4K curriculum report that was formally presented to the Student Achievement Committee. No questions/discussion presented. E. First Draft/Review of New Policy 528.1 Employee/Student Communications (Discussion) This was an opportunity to ask questions regarding the New Policy 528.1 Employee/Student Communications as previously discussed. No questions/discussion presented. F. First Draft/Review of changes to Policy 443.5R Student use of Personal Electronic Devices Rule (Discussion) This was an opportunity to ask questions regarding changes to Policy 443.5R Student use of Personal Electronic Devices Rule as previously discussed. The board discussed the likelihood of a "check in, check out" policy vs keeping the phone stowed in a locker as well as the use of smart watches. At this time PEDs will not be subject to a "check in, check out" policy. The use of smart watches will be addressed on a case by case basis for now. G. First review of 2026-27 Employee Handbook revisions (Discussion) This was an opportunity to ask questions regarding the 2026-27 Employee Handbook revisions as previously discussed. No questions/discussion presented. H. First review of 2026-27 Student Handbook revisions (Discussion) This was an opportunity to ask questions regarding the 2026-27 Student Handbook revisions as previously discussed. No questions/discussion presented. I. Approve 2026-27 Letters of Appointments (Action) The administration presented the Board with the Letters of Appointment (LOA) for the 2026-27 School Year. These LOAs cover both year-round and school-year employees. The wages represent an approximate 2.63% increase from wages on the 2025-26 Letter of Appointment. The Board also will be giving out retention bonuses for support staff if they worked the 2025-26 school year and are working on December 20, 2026. Each individual will receive their own Letter of Appointment once the board approves their assignment and details. Motion by Patrick Griffin, second by Amanda Wise to approve the 2026-27 letters of appointment as presented. Motion carried 4-0. J. Open Enrollment Student Approvals and Waitlists (Action) This year's Open Enrollment period has ended and the district is required to approve, deny, or waitlist students who are electing to possibly participate in the state's Open Enrollment program. Open enrollment was discussed in two separate categories: open enrollment in, and open enrollment out. Open enrollment in : The administration is recommending the board make a motion to approve all open enrollment applications and all alternate open enrollment applications not incoming with an expulsion order or an IEP more than speech only. Motion by Patrick Griffin to approve all open enrollment applications and all alternate open enrollment applications not incoming with an expulsion order or an IEP more than speech only. Second by John LaFleur. Motion carried 4-0. Open enrollment out: The administration is recommending the board make a motion to approve all students who have applied out of the Merton Community School District. Motion by Patrick Griffin, second by John LaFleur to approve as recommended. Motion carried 4-0. Future Agenda Items and Meetings 1. June 29, 2026 @ 6:00 PM (Open Session) a. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting 1. Final Reading of employee handbook 2. Final Reading of Student Handbooks 3. Final Reading of Policies 443.5(R) and 528.1 2. July 13, 2026 @ 6:00 PM (Open Session) a. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting 3. August 24, 2026 @ 6:00 PM (Open Session) a. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting Motion by Dean Dobbertin, second by Patcik Griffin to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried 4-0 . Respectfully submitted, Amanda Wise District Clerk WNAXLP July 8 2026 LWIX0549833