School Aid a “Welcome Relief”
Submitted by: Citizen Journalist Rick A. Talford
Elmwood, WI- The July Board Meeting for the Elmwood School District was held on Monday July 19th at 7 pm in the Boardroom. Prior to the meeting starting, the members of the board discussed the Northstar All Star Football Game held in Oshkosh, WI. The Head Coach for the game was the Elmwood Football Coach, Jerry Hannack, and his Assistant Dick Jones was also selected for the coaching staff. This was going to be recognized by the Board during the meeting, but it slipped by without notice. I believe there will be more discussion during next months meeting.
The Administrative Report was provided to the Board by Principal Paul Blanford. The WASB Aid had been announced to be $96,588.00 for the Elmwood School District. These are funds received from the State Budget for School Aid, to help out the smaller rural schools. The program helps schools with less than 722 students, and have less than 10 students per square mile in the district. These funds are able to be used for any budget areas the school may need. “A Welcome Relief” Stated School Board President , Greg Nelson.
The Action Items were then discussed. The Varsity Assistant Volleyball Coach will be Becky Baier. The Varsity Assistant Coach position for Track will remain open, as Heather Sand did not take the position at this time. That position was tabled for the next meeting. A quick glance at the SAGE program was reviewed without any action needed. The current Director of Special Ed is now being filled by Todd Paavola, the School Psychologists. Todd is also shared with Glenwood City, as a Psychologist.
The Information Items were then reviewed, starting with the Annual Nursing Service of the Year Report. Traci Lien provided a six page analysis of the services provided to students and faculty for the past year. The visits and accidents/illnesses counted for 1,078 logged visits.(excluding diabetic checks or insulin administration) with 622 visits requiring school nurse intervention. 92 of the visits required further documentation with injury/illness reports. 18 reports were completed for illness, and 80 reports were for injuries, which were mostly received during inside recess in the gym, outside recess, or during Phy Ed.
123 students in K-5 participated in the fluoride mouth rinse program offered free through a state grant, rinsing once weekly. The Diabetic Nursing Care reported 1,379 blood sugar checks and 496 insulin administrations for two students that needed daily monitoring. A Variety of screenings were done with 176 Vision tests, 136 Hearing tests, 72 Head Lice checks, 36 Blood pressure checks were done in a “Healthy Living” Class, and 72 Blood pressure tests were conducted on Staff members along with hypertension education and counseling. Immunization Records were reviewed, as well as Staff Training, Classroom Special education, Safety, Social Services, H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza Monitoring, H1N1 Vaccination Clinics, Annual Policy Review, and Goals for the upcoming year completed the outlined information. It was also noted that Jeff Banks of RCMC has been replaced by Ben Rockwell for providing the Defibulator Training. The District Policy Update had two areas to speak over with the Meal Prices being the first. Last month it was decided to raise prices about thirty cents across the board, and this month they made a change to the policy in regards to informing parents earlier when their account have gone negative. Now when the account gets five dollars behind, a letter and phone call both will be made, in order to keep the accounts positive. A Meeting will be scheduled between Parents and School Administration for accounts getting twenty five dollars behind. The second area reviewed was for meal allotments for activities taking students away during meal times. In the past they gave the students three dollars and fifty cents, they are looking into changing this to five dollars for Breakfast, six dollars for Lunch, and nine dollars for Supper. This will be brought up again during next months meeting. Ending the Open Session part of the meeting was the 2010-2011 School Budget Update, with nothing really to report or take action on.
Update......This was posted on the web page for the pierce county herald....
(The three candidates are: Joe Zirngibl, K-12 Principal in Siren, Kyle Luedtke, Middle/High School Principal in Royall and Paul Blanford, Elementary/Middle School Principal and Assistant High School Principal at Elmwood.)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
EVB Meeting July 2010
Elmwood Prepares for UFO Days
Submitted by Citizen Journalist Rick A. Talford
Elmwood, WI- The Elmwood Village Board met Monday, July 12th for their monthly meeting, and discussed the upcoming UFO Days celebration coming the last full weekend of July. The Board Lifted the Open Container rules to allow drinking in the streets for the weekend. They also provided Class B Retailers Picnic Licenses for the Community Club, having a Food/Beer Tent in front of the Village Auditorium and also having a Class B License for the Car Show at Butternut Park. Temporary Operators Licenses were also provided for the Community Club for serving the beer. Larry Hofacker was present from the Community Club to speak on the Donation Request for the Fireworks. He explained to the Board that the cost for the fireworks have leveled out this year, after having an eighteen percent increase two years in a row. Village President Bill Stewart then stated that he and the Village Clerk looked into last years amount they donated, and he believed the five hundred dollars they donated would be about the same this year. Bruce Hartung then added that the amount was a budget item already, and made the motion to approve the donation.
In Other News- The Board made another change for the Auditorium Rental Contract, this time the change was made to the Non-Profit Group. Now, anyone that requires the elevator to be turned on, must sign the agreement that was made during last months meeting in regards to any maintenance needed due to abuse of the elevator. Stewart asked when this change was made, and Brian Buck explained they had a Committee meeting just prior to the Board meeting. Brian then gave information on a request by the Enrichment Council to hang a Quilt that was created ten to fifteen years ago with the creation of the council, that has anywhere from two to three hundred names of people within the community in print on it. They would like to get this hung in the Auditorium prior to UFO Days, he added. The Council also have four signs that date back to around the 1920’s that they would also like to be hung in the auditorium after they get framed. These are old local business signs that hung in the community. The Board approved the initial operators licenses for three people, and renewed another operators license for the Longbranch. There were no Committee and Board reports to be heard this month, so the board finished up by approving the bills and adjourning.
After the meeting adjourned a citizen requested to speak to the board, stating he wondered why the Village was not having Verizon Wireless come into the community and placing a antenna on the water tower. This would give the village income for allowing the antenna. Brian Buck and Stewart both responded, by stating that Verizon is on their way out, around the area. Stewart stated the company already came and removed their equipment from the County Sheriff Dept., while Buck stated the company dropped his contract claiming not enough customers in the area. The Citizen then had a complaint about some fireworks being shot off on HWY 72, and Stewart said the County responded to the complaint, due to the Village Officer was not on duty at the time. The Elmwood Officer added “They got spoken to”
NOTE- I also spoke to the Elmwood Officer and requested a copy of the report provided to the board on the Police Dept.’s activities, and he responded by stating they do not do that anymore. He is not the Chief, so he does not make out any reports to the board. I find this a bit troubling. Why is there no reports going to the Board or the Police Committee. The Officer has no protection of his job now, because he cannot prove what he does monthly for his job. I guess, the Village President did not want Elmwood Business to be provided to the Papers, now he has accomplished that. It continues to prove the Board wants information hid. No one is to know about all the Break Ins in the community,(unfortunatly, My Son is accused of being involved with these cases. He has also admitted to being part of them, but he is the only one being charged...No surprise there...) or if there are drunk drivers in the town. The Past is catching up once again in Elmwood. “What happens in Elmwood , Stays in Elmwood”. Citizens have the right to know what the police dept. is doing, and I will be investigating this much more, to find out the Citizens Rights to this information, and the Board Responsibilities in providing the information.
AN added bit of information or rumors if you want to say it that way......It has been said that the Village Board has already started making statements about getting rid of the officer they have, for a list of different reasons....Elmwood's Police Dept. has had many problems in the past years, mostly due to a board that believes they make the rules/laws to follow, whether they are legal or not..with the help of their attorney...This is something I have documented before from officer to officer..The Village may not like the officers speaking to me, but they do once the board crosses the line with them..One can only hope that soon there will be people with more ETHICS on the board to change this normal practice..It is very much needed for the small community....There has been plenty of bad talk about the reputation of the Board, and this has been spoken about at the meetings, and on the streets..
Submitted by Citizen Journalist Rick A. Talford
Elmwood, WI- The Elmwood Village Board met Monday, July 12th for their monthly meeting, and discussed the upcoming UFO Days celebration coming the last full weekend of July. The Board Lifted the Open Container rules to allow drinking in the streets for the weekend. They also provided Class B Retailers Picnic Licenses for the Community Club, having a Food/Beer Tent in front of the Village Auditorium and also having a Class B License for the Car Show at Butternut Park. Temporary Operators Licenses were also provided for the Community Club for serving the beer. Larry Hofacker was present from the Community Club to speak on the Donation Request for the Fireworks. He explained to the Board that the cost for the fireworks have leveled out this year, after having an eighteen percent increase two years in a row. Village President Bill Stewart then stated that he and the Village Clerk looked into last years amount they donated, and he believed the five hundred dollars they donated would be about the same this year. Bruce Hartung then added that the amount was a budget item already, and made the motion to approve the donation.
In Other News- The Board made another change for the Auditorium Rental Contract, this time the change was made to the Non-Profit Group. Now, anyone that requires the elevator to be turned on, must sign the agreement that was made during last months meeting in regards to any maintenance needed due to abuse of the elevator. Stewart asked when this change was made, and Brian Buck explained they had a Committee meeting just prior to the Board meeting. Brian then gave information on a request by the Enrichment Council to hang a Quilt that was created ten to fifteen years ago with the creation of the council, that has anywhere from two to three hundred names of people within the community in print on it. They would like to get this hung in the Auditorium prior to UFO Days, he added. The Council also have four signs that date back to around the 1920’s that they would also like to be hung in the auditorium after they get framed. These are old local business signs that hung in the community. The Board approved the initial operators licenses for three people, and renewed another operators license for the Longbranch. There were no Committee and Board reports to be heard this month, so the board finished up by approving the bills and adjourning.
After the meeting adjourned a citizen requested to speak to the board, stating he wondered why the Village was not having Verizon Wireless come into the community and placing a antenna on the water tower. This would give the village income for allowing the antenna. Brian Buck and Stewart both responded, by stating that Verizon is on their way out, around the area. Stewart stated the company already came and removed their equipment from the County Sheriff Dept., while Buck stated the company dropped his contract claiming not enough customers in the area. The Citizen then had a complaint about some fireworks being shot off on HWY 72, and Stewart said the County responded to the complaint, due to the Village Officer was not on duty at the time. The Elmwood Officer added “They got spoken to”
NOTE- I also spoke to the Elmwood Officer and requested a copy of the report provided to the board on the Police Dept.’s activities, and he responded by stating they do not do that anymore. He is not the Chief, so he does not make out any reports to the board. I find this a bit troubling. Why is there no reports going to the Board or the Police Committee. The Officer has no protection of his job now, because he cannot prove what he does monthly for his job. I guess, the Village President did not want Elmwood Business to be provided to the Papers, now he has accomplished that. It continues to prove the Board wants information hid. No one is to know about all the Break Ins in the community,(unfortunatly, My Son is accused of being involved with these cases. He has also admitted to being part of them, but he is the only one being charged...No surprise there...) or if there are drunk drivers in the town. The Past is catching up once again in Elmwood. “What happens in Elmwood , Stays in Elmwood”. Citizens have the right to know what the police dept. is doing, and I will be investigating this much more, to find out the Citizens Rights to this information, and the Board Responsibilities in providing the information.
AN added bit of information or rumors if you want to say it that way......It has been said that the Village Board has already started making statements about getting rid of the officer they have, for a list of different reasons....Elmwood's Police Dept. has had many problems in the past years, mostly due to a board that believes they make the rules/laws to follow, whether they are legal or not..with the help of their attorney...This is something I have documented before from officer to officer..The Village may not like the officers speaking to me, but they do once the board crosses the line with them..One can only hope that soon there will be people with more ETHICS on the board to change this normal practice..It is very much needed for the small community....There has been plenty of bad talk about the reputation of the Board, and this has been spoken about at the meetings, and on the streets..
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
In School Testing Results Reviewed
School Board Hears Internal Testing Results
Submitted by: Citizen Journalist Rick A. Talford
Elmwood, WI - On Tuesday June 29th the Elmwood school board listened to Principal Paul Blanford for a lengthy explanation of the in-school testing done with all the students from Kindergarten through Eighth grade. The tests are named MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Mr. Blanford went through the results of the testing grade by grade, to give a detailed explanation on how the students did with Reading, Language, and Math. The school gave the tests to students in the Fall, and again in the Spring to gauge the amount of growth by them. The tests had what he called a National Average of growth to be followed to help them see if the students are progressing as they need to be. In a summary provided by Mr. Blanford, the students really did very well in most areas. Most of the scoring was very close or above the expected levels. This testing was also done with a shorter period than the national average as well, being the school did not get a good start this year implementing the tests until a few weeks had already gone by. Most of the areas required near thirty to thirty two weeks of learning time, and the school only had twenty six to twenty eight weeks. This could leave the results being a couple points off with the lack of time being taught. It was also stated the students in grades Three through Five had a new math program this year called “Math Expressions”. This new curriculum required teachers to introduce and teach math skills in a new way that are quite different than have been practiced before. Making it a bit more difficult for the students and the teachers. Overall it seems that this is going to be a very productive tool for the school and the teachers to help the students progress through the year. The school has the ability to provide this test four times a year to those kids that are struggling, to assist them in a more structured program.
In Public Input, Brian Tolonen spoke to the Board about the experience he had going to a Badger Boys State program. There were 850 boys from around Wisconsin that attended the event for a one week long program. The program gave the boys the chance to be part in their Governments politics. Brian explained the process in which they broke the boys up into two groups, naming them the Federalist and the Nationalists. Early in the week they had campaigning, elections, conventions, and schooling. A Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice was on hand for the Election announcements. Brian also spoke of his favorite speaker during the event being Charles Wiley, a Journalist who was captured in China, while on assignment. Brian also gave a bit of insight on the different areas of study he had while there, going through schooling for Peace Officer and Ecology. In Ecology they learnt more about the Oil Spill in Alaska, In closing, Brian told the Board that he would recommend this program to anyone interested. The program also taught the boys to get the student body involved by having a representative of the students speak to the board with their concerns. This was something Brian stated he would like to get implemented this year if possible. He stated that he learnt how to get more involved, how to say Thank You when needed, and he added that he now believes he does not have any great need to becoming a politician. He wanted to Thank Marty Reinier and the American Legion for Sponsoring him, as well as Thanking the Board for listening to him speak of his experience.
The Administrative Report was then given by Paul Blanford. He started with the WIAA News for the Fall of 2011. There has been a new format for the season. High School Football practice will start one week earlier, beginning on Aug. 2nd. The upcoming Girl’s and Boy’s Basketball will see a change also, with a fifth division being created, making a total of five divisions in the playoffs. This will place Elmwood in the Fifth Division. The local Athletic Directors are not really happy with this he added, due to concerns with the heat, shortened vacation time, and the possibilities of more injuries with three games being played in a ten day period. There will be two openings for the assistant volleyball and track coaching staff. As of now, it is believed that Becky Baier will take over with Volleyball, and Heather Sand will take over in Track.
Superintendent Adam Zenner then spoke to the board, stating the Superintendent search is still ongoing. There are currently seven applications in for the position that has a July 6th deadline. He spoke of the Buildings and Grounds Committee looking into a new Special Ed bus. There are funds available for this, that need to be used before September 30, 2011. He also noted a new Route bus needed, stating the board should look at a rotation every two to three years to keep from needing multiple buses at one time. All the asphalt areas around the school have been redone this past week, and look great. The flooring and asbestos work are getting close to done also. The only area with asbestos left now, is the elementary part of the school, with the levels not being at an unhealthy level. Zenner also spoke to the board about the Athletic Season passes and the possibility of increasing the fee’s. No action was taken. The school had their audit going on in the boardroom, so the meeting was held in the High Scholl Library. Everything is going smooth, he added, stating they are looking at paying off some debt this year. Adam finished up by telling everyone that this was his last board meeting, due to his resignation. He said “Thank You, and it was a pleasure working for the school district”
Greg Nelson then began the rest of the meeting, making a motion to approve the agenda and the consent agenda also. He then went into discussing the Action Items, the Breakfast and Lunch prices would be increased this year by about thirty cents per level. The last raise was two years ago, he added. There was an information items to be looked at as well, being the school Food Service Policy. The policy needs to be better simplified, was said. Right now, a account may get fifty dollars behind before a notice is sent home. A second notice is sent when it reaches seventy five dollars, with a third being sent at one hundred dollars. Kids are given a sandwich and a carton of milk when the account becomes delinquent, beyond seventy five dollars. Another area to be looked into, is the allowance to students that are participating in events that keep them away from home for meals. Right now the policy reads that when a student misses a meal, they are to be given three dollars and fifty cents for a meal. This is believed to be needing increasing, as the costs of food have increased. This policy covers the activities that are overnight only at this time. The Student Insurance program is also being looked into as an expense the school may look at dropping. This coverage is only used as a secondary insurance, and does not get used very much. The cost to the school is going up nearly twenty five percent this year, pushing it close to Ten Thousand dollars. This was only an information item with no action taken.
Finishing up the meeting, Mr. Nelson spoke of the Open House on August 31, 2010 from 4 pm to 7 pm. There is also a Surplus sale in the Bus Garage on July 23rd and 24th.
Submitted by: Citizen Journalist Rick A. Talford
Elmwood, WI - On Tuesday June 29th the Elmwood school board listened to Principal Paul Blanford for a lengthy explanation of the in-school testing done with all the students from Kindergarten through Eighth grade. The tests are named MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Mr. Blanford went through the results of the testing grade by grade, to give a detailed explanation on how the students did with Reading, Language, and Math. The school gave the tests to students in the Fall, and again in the Spring to gauge the amount of growth by them. The tests had what he called a National Average of growth to be followed to help them see if the students are progressing as they need to be. In a summary provided by Mr. Blanford, the students really did very well in most areas. Most of the scoring was very close or above the expected levels. This testing was also done with a shorter period than the national average as well, being the school did not get a good start this year implementing the tests until a few weeks had already gone by. Most of the areas required near thirty to thirty two weeks of learning time, and the school only had twenty six to twenty eight weeks. This could leave the results being a couple points off with the lack of time being taught. It was also stated the students in grades Three through Five had a new math program this year called “Math Expressions”. This new curriculum required teachers to introduce and teach math skills in a new way that are quite different than have been practiced before. Making it a bit more difficult for the students and the teachers. Overall it seems that this is going to be a very productive tool for the school and the teachers to help the students progress through the year. The school has the ability to provide this test four times a year to those kids that are struggling, to assist them in a more structured program.
In Public Input, Brian Tolonen spoke to the Board about the experience he had going to a Badger Boys State program. There were 850 boys from around Wisconsin that attended the event for a one week long program. The program gave the boys the chance to be part in their Governments politics. Brian explained the process in which they broke the boys up into two groups, naming them the Federalist and the Nationalists. Early in the week they had campaigning, elections, conventions, and schooling. A Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice was on hand for the Election announcements. Brian also spoke of his favorite speaker during the event being Charles Wiley, a Journalist who was captured in China, while on assignment. Brian also gave a bit of insight on the different areas of study he had while there, going through schooling for Peace Officer and Ecology. In Ecology they learnt more about the Oil Spill in Alaska, In closing, Brian told the Board that he would recommend this program to anyone interested. The program also taught the boys to get the student body involved by having a representative of the students speak to the board with their concerns. This was something Brian stated he would like to get implemented this year if possible. He stated that he learnt how to get more involved, how to say Thank You when needed, and he added that he now believes he does not have any great need to becoming a politician. He wanted to Thank Marty Reinier and the American Legion for Sponsoring him, as well as Thanking the Board for listening to him speak of his experience.
The Administrative Report was then given by Paul Blanford. He started with the WIAA News for the Fall of 2011. There has been a new format for the season. High School Football practice will start one week earlier, beginning on Aug. 2nd. The upcoming Girl’s and Boy’s Basketball will see a change also, with a fifth division being created, making a total of five divisions in the playoffs. This will place Elmwood in the Fifth Division. The local Athletic Directors are not really happy with this he added, due to concerns with the heat, shortened vacation time, and the possibilities of more injuries with three games being played in a ten day period. There will be two openings for the assistant volleyball and track coaching staff. As of now, it is believed that Becky Baier will take over with Volleyball, and Heather Sand will take over in Track.
Superintendent Adam Zenner then spoke to the board, stating the Superintendent search is still ongoing. There are currently seven applications in for the position that has a July 6th deadline. He spoke of the Buildings and Grounds Committee looking into a new Special Ed bus. There are funds available for this, that need to be used before September 30, 2011. He also noted a new Route bus needed, stating the board should look at a rotation every two to three years to keep from needing multiple buses at one time. All the asphalt areas around the school have been redone this past week, and look great. The flooring and asbestos work are getting close to done also. The only area with asbestos left now, is the elementary part of the school, with the levels not being at an unhealthy level. Zenner also spoke to the board about the Athletic Season passes and the possibility of increasing the fee’s. No action was taken. The school had their audit going on in the boardroom, so the meeting was held in the High Scholl Library. Everything is going smooth, he added, stating they are looking at paying off some debt this year. Adam finished up by telling everyone that this was his last board meeting, due to his resignation. He said “Thank You, and it was a pleasure working for the school district”
Greg Nelson then began the rest of the meeting, making a motion to approve the agenda and the consent agenda also. He then went into discussing the Action Items, the Breakfast and Lunch prices would be increased this year by about thirty cents per level. The last raise was two years ago, he added. There was an information items to be looked at as well, being the school Food Service Policy. The policy needs to be better simplified, was said. Right now, a account may get fifty dollars behind before a notice is sent home. A second notice is sent when it reaches seventy five dollars, with a third being sent at one hundred dollars. Kids are given a sandwich and a carton of milk when the account becomes delinquent, beyond seventy five dollars. Another area to be looked into, is the allowance to students that are participating in events that keep them away from home for meals. Right now the policy reads that when a student misses a meal, they are to be given three dollars and fifty cents for a meal. This is believed to be needing increasing, as the costs of food have increased. This policy covers the activities that are overnight only at this time. The Student Insurance program is also being looked into as an expense the school may look at dropping. This coverage is only used as a secondary insurance, and does not get used very much. The cost to the school is going up nearly twenty five percent this year, pushing it close to Ten Thousand dollars. This was only an information item with no action taken.
Finishing up the meeting, Mr. Nelson spoke of the Open House on August 31, 2010 from 4 pm to 7 pm. There is also a Surplus sale in the Bus Garage on July 23rd and 24th.
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