[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6206169,"mediaKeyId","3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91","parentId",3765707,"title","Board approves payroll deduction of health benefits for employees on unapproved unpaid leave","audioSeconds",531,"startMs",16089000,"endMs",16620000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91&start=16089&end=16620","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91/thumbnail_16089000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206169/Wisconsin/Board-approves-payroll-deduction-of-health-benefits-for-employees-on-unapproved-unpaid-leave","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206169-eef2e6adde699a49647cb3d5d8b05cbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775625166&Signature=LpG54PouSzWBprYIL0hTk5FoDD~VgfbbRgf3tayJGeYc9u7w6-EOHZtGTwzZW4ulRQee8db45tAobqC~KTYbAZ3eJgr9i62eM0HGNms9mIsKNAs98nKcP2kTiQwS1ybZVh2VOXrV-hCT~tcgE7OMM7KZSTtNz9ZTVcQurj-p2cHZ4CmnawOUYk~9sQlamhr-uuGxm9ipPYyWa8oKHJ9g6Rx1YsACX-5CWMHVpiRZhifdVqcVbo--9oWSxxnGuwgF03vfPc5zv~dn39nZBVBnVyWzPfYREztkL~D2qY-7Obc9xyd8tGp3EAIG1rRzyGUDXZfUoY77IHetlvJ-JBIxSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sparta Area School District","date","2025-06-11T14:40:09.823Z","article","The Sparta Area School District board approved an administrative change to allow payroll deduction of the district's per‑day health and dental benefit cost when an employee takes an unapproved unpaid day off after exhausting paid leave.

Administrators said the change responds to an uptick in unapproved absences this school year. District data presented to the board showed 38 classified employees and five certified employees had taken unapproved unpaid days through April, totaling 172 unapproved days. Under current practice, an employee who misses work without approval loses pay but retains district‑paid benefits; administrators said the proposed change will align benefit cost responsibility with pay for a missed workday and reduce a perceived operational burden on schools that must fill sudden absences.

Key elements: the district will recover the daily cost of the employee's health and dental insurance for full‑day unapproved unpaid absences via payroll deduction. Administrators said partial days would be handled through supervisory performance and attendance processes rather than daily benefit deductions. Exemptions would include employees on approved Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), military leave or other previously authorized leaves.

Administrators described follow‑up steps the district will take to reduce unapproved absences: better automated notifications to employees about remaining paid leave balances; progressive administrative steps for repeat occurrences (coaching, written reprimand, suspension or other disciplinary action as warranted) and continued support for employees with legitimate leave needs. Board members asked clarifying questions about the effect on substitute costs, WRS and the equitable treatment of staff; administrators said those topics are part of the handbook changes and payroll implementation details.

Motion: The board approved the change on consent; the decision will be implemented through an update to the employee handbook and related administrative rules for attendance and payroll processing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SASD Committee of the Whole Meeting 06.09.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Sparta Area School District board approved an administrative change to allow payroll deduction of the district's per‑day health/dental benefit cost when an employee takes an unapproved unpaid day off after exhausting paid leave.","taxTitle","Sparta Area School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",55388,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6206174,"Board approves meal‑price increases as food‑service fund nears depletion",1068,14575000,15643000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91&start=14575&end=15643","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91/thumbnail_14575000.jpg","/articles/6206174/Wisconsin/Board-approves-mealprice-increases-as-foodservice-fund-nears-depletion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206174-fc62ec50b4379aa54fcb4d1ac923059f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775625166&Signature=TJMZN0XXeFWriz3TwJKHODzYKz65hBh3R2uSthtHrcDZJ-sfGiXmgaxon-PgdIBL1UR5GjeWYHHFOwFKUG0IlnClw9Z6I3g3-pBTahpahSMwroLroIu~mwFMt-VF0pgYUXVlaJDjYEzmNvZ4g5SN4XfiNXokWCOsnsZCo9iWS2HqCVYfY-5OG6SPLse4NcXCE57TcE4GeaUbVAPo4h-LdV94wru0wW~hujW61xIped-vwMIda9w-RRO2yLDwx2se03l5ruRSu93EvtEHNg3V9sWQZgC2NBWoNRYYkQcJhy0Ll0zzNXvn2u8HJ8goSQEfZAISfyUlglDpr5wFFjJjxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sparta Area School District board voted to adopt proposed meal‑price increases for the 2025–26 school year as part of a plan to curb a projected shortfall in the district's food‑service fund (Fund 50).

Food‑service staff reported they served about 214,032 breakfasts and 270,000 lunches this year. Federal reimbursements remain the largest revenue source; staff said reimbursement rates for free breakfast are $2.84 (severe needs) or $2.37 (regular free), and reimbursements plus paid purchases still fall short of the district's average cost per breakfast of $3.21. For paid breakfast the district currently receives $2.54–$2.64 per meal (depending on grade band), leaving a loss of roughly $0.37–$0.84 per paid breakfast served.

District food‑service and finance staff outlined recommended changes that the board approved: a modest increase across most items and a specific change for universal elementary breakfast sites (Southside, Herman, Montessori and Salt — the transcript labels one site as \"sales\" which administration clarified as the name of a program location). Under the approved schedule, paid students at universal breakfast locations would pay $0.50 per breakfast (reduced rate 30¢, free unchanged). Other increases would generally range from $0.20 to $0.25 for breakfast and lunch paid rates; adult prices would also rise modestly. Free and reduced charges remain unchanged for eligible students.

Food‑service administrators presented a five‑year fund history showing a fund balance spike during COVID when federal emergency programs reimbursed schools at higher rates, then a steady decline after universal free meals ended. The department projected a roughly $85,000 loss if prices stayed unchanged; applying the newly approved price increases to current‑year meal counts would shrink the deficit to an estimated $20,000, staff said. Food‑service leadership said the fund balance is used for equipment replacement and to cover the program's operating costs because federal rules require the food fund to be self‑supporting.

Board members asked for competitive comparisons with neighboring districts and further details on adult meal pricing and a la carte cost controls. Staff said they would provide local benchmarking and additional detail about pricing and cost controls, and stressed efforts already made to control expense (reducing low‑nutritional salad‑bar items, portion control via wraps and salads, limiting complimentary condiments such as multiple ranch cups).

Motion and vote: The motion to adopt the proposed 2025–26 meal pricing passed on a roll‑call vote; trustees indicated unanimous support by those present (6‑0, one absence). Staff will implement the new prices for the upcoming school year and return any comparative benchmarking requested by the board.","The board approved proposed meal‑price adjustments for 2025–26 after food‑service staff reported serving 214,032 breakfasts and 270,000 lunches this year, a projected $85,000 fund‑50 deficit and a proposal that would reduce the deficit to roughly $20,000 by raising some paid meal prices (free/reduced eligibility unchanged).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6206179,"Board approves '9 to 5' musical after weeks of public debate; orders clearer co‑curricular vetting",4658,5800000,10458000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91&start=5800&end=10458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91/thumbnail_5800000.jpg","/articles/6206179/Wisconsin/Board-approves-9-to-5-musical-after-weeks-of-public-debate-orders-clearer-cocurricular-vetting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206179-dcefcd25758234ef27101a75e1929704/orig.mp4?Expires=1775625166&Signature=U7dkTrKwJB2Vs~9FdUP0~lGP-J88seT-VzyJM~8fii49m57Tr0I8tBMdSwKOR85wrh3z7VqvhwD9cEdKMaDkz-2ykdIX22zj2ZfvX2rKuk80HR2hZiMOeh6P9R3z5Z0wtBibEuiYBkYOfchQ1m6vA6-54tpVuklLtDHByjISEIkTdruuAvmjAUqY~1jizf7NMLV5wwoIcqSyXqvpjDKzu04Kyohg-7MZ-QTsY0GznfvxydH3TjTbqRkGMyBKOwGoyHHpegDx3tDjifDRYep6vtDJ7ZVbkJCRPlG30jyJ8m3Ca~sYOA~VJZt9xvBKVW8eUfNkEnuSzgfIVv0IyUnRNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","By a 6‑0 vote the Sparta Area School District board moved to allow the Sparta High School fall musical selection, \"9 to 5,\" to proceed and directed district administration and the performing‑arts booster club to create a written, collaborative vetting and communication process for future co‑curricular productions.

The meeting included lengthy public comment: students, parents, former teachers and a retired judge described the performing‑arts program as \"lifesaving, educational and award winning;\" many urged the board to trust directors and boosters. \"Let these directors and kids continue the work they started and give us another stellar performance,\" said Kelly Arnold, a grandmother of a cast member. Former board member and retired judge David Rice said the musical is voluntary and parents decide whether to allow participation: \"That's who should make the decision, the parents.\"

Directors and boosters described statewide recognition: musical director Skyler Erickson noted Sparta won two Jerry Awards at the state level and that the program invests hundreds of hours into production work. Skyler said cancelling a show undermines students and robs them of developmental opportunities, and urged the board to trust directors' judgement.

Administration explained the timeline behind the district's earlier decision to caution against the show as written. Sam (district administration) said the district and the musical director reviewed the script and public information and determined the piece includes material the administration deemed better suited to older audiences (references to sexual‑harassment themes and implied drug use were cited). Sam said district administrators were concerned about 13‑ and 14‑year‑old students potentially being placed in roles that could put them in an uncomfortable position and that, in the administration's view, the instructional and supervisory context the classroom provides was different from an unsupervised performance setting.

Board members heard both sides. A trustee read Board Policy 2240 (\"Controversial Issues in the Classroom\") aloud and said the policy allows controversial issues to be taught when tied to instructional goals, while others said the voluntary nature of productions and parental choice weigh in favor of allowing the community to decide. Booster‑club representatives said the boosters fund and operate the productions to a large extent (boosters paid $9,110 for the performance rights), carry their own liability insurance, and arrange janitorial coverage and transportation to contests.

Motion and vote: Trustee Colin Burns Gilbert moved to approve \"9 to 5\" for fall 2025 and to require stakeholders to develop an action plan to improve communication, consistency and vetting of co‑curricular activities going forward. The motion was seconded by Trustee Gonke and passed on roll call, 6‑0 (one absence).

The board also asked administration to produce a formal process that clarifies when a production is considered a district student activity (subject to district policies) versus a booster‑led event, and to convene the boosters, directors and student representatives to draft vetting standards. Administrators scheduled a follow‑up collaborative meeting for late June to begin that work and to return with proposed procedures and an escalation path so disputes can be raised and resolved earlier in the season.

The decision does not erase the strong divisions reflected in public comment. Supporters emphasized student opportunities and artistic learning; some community members urged caution given the musical's adult themes and the possibility of younger audience members attending. The board's next step is to create and publish clear rules for co‑curricular material selection, communication and appeals so future disagreements are resolved before production work has proceeded at scale.","After more than two hours of public comment and board discussion, the Sparta Area School District board voted 6‑0 (one absence) to allow the SHS fall musical \"9 to 5\" to proceed, and asked administration and boosters to develop a formal process for selecting and vetting co‑curricular productions going forward.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6206183,"Board debates overhaul of high‑school baseball and track; directs staff to study engineering, drainage and partnerships",3743,1279000,5022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91&start=1279&end=5022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91/thumbnail_1279000.jpg","/articles/6206183/Wisconsin/Board-debates-overhaul-of-highschool-baseball-and-track-directs-staff-to-study-engineering-drainage-and-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206183-a00a10a327786751cd0f5030773d951c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775625166&Signature=W8x3Pl6HY5YjTA4Qp4x0s88nwQTvzPN4PlgrdEMwnMvLAXdI6~Jya43aN78CY-sE0LwHvflhngkQqq2nYK4D0~Nhynho9SoE3zYFNFK9aLx2MebGTauTWhCvqLWA0O~6RsB2jZzP2~O5qa-TCMMCIN-zu23IB3Bju17ZuS26H5EiaicvhDbRJ7o~pl6NJnP0kvJ61D2x0f6Kg543WHq54RmU53vhqlVSZ4FEWAW5Ay9Tf35uCApsB-834iCNkMyTqYnXGj~-dzVLLrn-No86dgEnV3sGScs4cbe3goJgzmNli-Ptjc1SiB9TfY43AbfooPNeeO~2ppKQ~Jx0UCO2vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Coaches, parents and administrators spent substantial time examining safety and long‑term planning for the high school athletic complex, with particular attention to the baseball field and the track.

\"Our baseball field is viewed by many of the coaches in the MVC as unsafe and many times unplayable,\" Coach Nate Mitchell told the board during public input, describing persistent standing water in the infield after rain, deep uneven turf that causes ankle injuries, and a batting cage with dangerous holes that allowed balls to pass through and strike players.

Board members and staff described the larger capital project and the need to treat the site holistically. Administrators said the district's $87,000,000 project budget includes a prioritized list of alternates and contingency items; concrete and other on‑site work could reduce unit costs if bundled into the bid package. The board has already approved ADA sidewalk upgrades for Meadowview and the high‑school complex and has administrative priorities that could be added if funds remain.

Consultation with external contractors and vendors also informed the discussion. Representatives from Winona Nursery visited the site and told the team the baseball infield is roughly \"50/50\" — about half could be repaired and half might need full replacement. Winona staff raised drainage as a central concern and recommended an athletic‑field engineer to assess tile drainage, grading and whether a partial field redo would be effective without a comprehensive drainage solution. Several board members emphasized that pouring ADA dollars into a complex without a decision on the field's future risks wasting funds if a larger rebuild is later required.

Discussion covered a broad list of elements beyond turf work: new fencing, dugouts and seating, lighting, restrooms/concessions, parking and ADA access. Some board members suggested considering Memorial Field (a city‑owned venue near Perch Lake) as an alternative location for varsity games, noting Memorial already has concessions, bathrooms and lighting; administrators said they would explore partnerships with the city but cautioned that the district has not yet had those conversations in detail.

Outcome: The board did not vote to fund a specific construction package but directed administration to begin exploratory work. Administrators said they will:

- Seek an athletic‑field engineer to produce a comprehensive assessment of drainage, grading and estimated costs for repair versus full replacement;
- Gather cost estimates for fencing, dugouts, bleachers, lighting and restroom/concession construction;
- Explore a possible partnership with the city to relocate varsity games to Memorial Field and report on parking, ADA implications and logistics; and
- Return to the board with estimates and recommendations before bid day (administrators noted bid day is in January and recommended starting engineering work now if the board wants these items bid as alternates).

Board members stressed the need to weigh short‑term safety improvements against long‑term strategic planning so decisions do not foreclose future options for fields or parking. Administrators will report back with engineering opinions, cost estimates and a recommended strategy for whether any athletic alternates should be included in the January bid package.","Coaches and parents urged immediate fixes for unsafe baseball and track facilities. The board discussed including athletic work as alternates in the district's $87 million referendum project, and directed administrators to explore an engineering assessment, costs, drainage solutions and possible partnerships with the city.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6206188,"Sparta school board weighs cutting spring pesticide applications after parent health concerns",678,1078000,1756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91&start=1078&end=1756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765707-3657ebb4d80fe6f8b85c30f867278e91/thumbnail_1078000.jpg","/articles/6206188/Wisconsin/Sparta-school-board-weighs-cutting-spring-pesticide-applications-after-parent-health-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206188-7ff740d67d6ce88875549e9f0648beba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775625166&Signature=TelnbBDQSepzo8SHDjmUV1VLarsX4ks2o9KMA-iECYSjgXeFQlqC4yzMP2-c2Njdfg5dqsZaltbn~RtkREiAWDT154oR7LAaD6uhawfywT5AQqAo0SxSiN5qlbXDhjtY2PWSObCqDNoU1eHrueMKOUwW4yc-fg1EGT7Jwk0cYlFPHIGdgMaSh770NdDOi72heNLzzB9Rh6rUlUi15XA0xBBws5UAl2ZP2ewqNkDNCmV1EgwBlMEPm4WWA1xXUzpXSkPvroaFOVV7jL8QgH2QSYyzRCLpqxO3T656D-4Sr46RHeM7F76VqSWBwWcEkXyXcQw6-nQ2c0JwAgodeFB6Ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Sparta Area School District board heard pleas from parents and a staff presentation about the district's lawn-care program and whether it should reduce or alter use of pesticides and herbicides on school grounds.

\"Please stop spraying our playgrounds,\" parent Missy Brooks told the board, describing herself as \"a concerned parent, a member of this community, and a cancer mom\" and saying her child Emmett is one of six childhood leukemia cases in Sparta. \"Six cases of leukemia alone should be enough to make us stop and say, what can we change and what risks can we reduce?\" she said.

Board members and administrators discussed the district's current contract and possible next steps. A district presenter said the program treats roughly 90 acres districtwide, focusing on athletic fields and areas immediately around buildings and public entrances. The district currently pays about $23,000 annually and purchases four applications each year (May, June, July and August). The provider, Lawnkeepers, uses a granular product (marketed as TurfCo 5,000) applied at one \"cart\" per 1,000 square feet (946 milliliters per cart), of which staff said only about 10.3 milliliters is active product because the vendor dilutes the material as an abundance-of-caution practice for school districts.

The presenter said the annual program combines pre-emergent control for crabgrass and broadleaf weeds with fertilization, insect control (including ticks and fleas) and treatments for grubs and ground bees or wasps. The company indicated to staff that a three-application schedule (June, July and August, avoiding the school month) is a common approach among neighboring districts and could maintain turf quality while eliminating the May pre-emergent application, which would likely allow more dandelions and clover to appear in early season.

Parents and at least one board member asked about nonchemical alternatives and the safety window after spraying. A board member who reviewed the product's Safety Data Sheet told the group the SDS notes the product is water‑soluble and \"may cause long term adverse effects in the environment,\" and raised concerns about nitrates contributing to eutrophication. The presenter said the vendor follows label and SDS guidance and that dilution practices for school accounts are more conservative than label minimums.

No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting. Administrators said they would provide additional information to the board, including options other districts use, whether organic or lower‑toxicity products are viable, and the expected effect on field appearance and maintenance if the district drops to three applications. The staff presentation and the public comments were framed as the start of a conversation rather than a final decision.

Board members urged administrators to return with cost comparisons, a list of possible product alternatives, any operational tradeoffs for athletic fields, and clear communication for parents about when and where applications would occur if the district changes frequency. Parents who requested alternatives emphasized educational uses of natural vegetation and the value of pollinator habitat on school grounds.

In closing, the board asked staff to gather more information and report back; no motion or vote to alter the contract was recorded during the discussion.","Parents and staff debated reducing the district's lawn-care pesticide schedule and alternatives after a parent cited childhood leukemia cases and staff described the current product, acreage treated and costs. No formal policy change was approved; staff said they would explore a three-application option and share more information.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves payroll deduction of health benefits for employees on unapproved unpaid leave

Board approves meal‑price increases as food‑service fund nears depletion

Board approves '9 to 5' musical after weeks of public debate; orders clearer co‑curricular vetting

Board debates overhaul of high‑school baseball and track; directs staff to study engineering, drainage and partnerships

Sparta school board weighs cutting spring pesticide applications after parent health concerns