The July 11, 2023, Board of Education meeting for the School District of Janesville, Wisconsin, commenced with a reminder about fire safety in light of recent wildfires in the area. A board member highlighted that over 800 acres had burned in Coloma and Waushara County due to debris burning, emphasizing the importance of extinguishing fires properly, especially during dry conditions.

Following this discussion, the board moved to the consent agenda, which was approved unanimously with a 7-0 vote. The first significant item on the agenda was the consideration of a resolution authorizing an Independent Hearing Officer (IHO) for the district. A motion for approval was made and seconded, and after a brief discussion regarding the need for a review of the pros and cons of the options available, the resolution passed with another unanimous vote.

The board then proceeded to approve the appointment of SAR Garrick as the IHO for the district, which also received a 7-0 vote in favor.

The meeting continued with a presentation on the preliminary budget for the 2023-2024 school year, led by Mr. McCray. He noted that the finance, buildings, and grounds committee had met the previous day to discuss the budget. McCray indicated that the budget was still in flux due to the recent signing of the governor's budget, which had occurred just five business days prior. He acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding potential line item vetoes that could affect the final budget.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep the board informed as more details about the budget became available. Overall, the discussions highlighted the board's proactive approach to both safety and fiscal responsibility as they prepare for the upcoming school year.