[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-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",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6206152,"mediaKeyId","3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe","parentId",3766240,"title","Students present Washington, D.C. trip highlights to Whitnall board","audioSeconds",311,"startMs",327000,"endMs",638000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe&start=327&end=638","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe/thumbnail_327000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206152/Wisconsin/Students-present-Washington-DC-trip-highlights-to-Whitnall-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206152-663e15eb7e962bddf0dc23e51e96326a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164410&Signature=aOXaU1kaCmmmlNJyiIaFbcrczfuNXnk9aFIw4gJAqn8VHYDIekFnQ94Ht7jTOpnOi4OF8w3TQLq3Ej3zRNKsHRnLjnILVeQOaHtkN3hEgVdRcZQWFC~j-Gf55ukqv-pTf6zWLLdBccnTZGfyDqxqomi9r8vOFK8R7U-uWoQQ6sU53zFSF8uu89AoA2AlPGeeBQkAazOk3kpdfKZTBVZBc-ddkxGfbA4ZZeYs4lsA2e8uQV8rfR2bfNnFhbfeQTvvMbsKx9Jpv4jnc558LaYZS1GxaXZkHVpWPVoaN8ATvTJ5SlybZiRUEGmwC3LYim3oDCjWoeIke0RYDNImMSPJdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-11T14:53:00.55Z","article","Students who traveled to Washington, D.C., presented a summary of a recent four-day trip to the Whitnall School District board, describing historical sites, museums and ceremonies they visited and reflecting on educational takeaways and social benefits.

The presentation matters as a demonstration of experiential learning and as administrative information for future trip planning and communication with families.

District staff introduced the students and thanked chaperones for planning the trip, noting they visited sites including Gettysburg, the National Military Park, the Pentagon Memorial, multiple Smithsonian museums, the U.S. Capitol, Mount Vernon, the Holocaust Museum, the MLK and Lincoln memorials, Arlington National Cemetery and Ford's Theater. Student presenters described specific moments: one student said the group was at the Pentagon Memorial at 9:37 a.m. when water under the benches stopped for one minute; another described the Arlington wreath-laying and a ceremony there.

Students reflected on learning moments and favorite memories: \"I think it was a great way to start off the trip,\" one student said of the Gettysburg visit; another said visiting Smithsonian exhibits and spending time with friends were highlights. Staff noted social benefits in comments on student interactions and peer connections; presenters reported students were surprised by how the experience deepened connections among students who do not typically interact in class.

Board members thanked students and staff for representing the district. The report was informational; no board action resulted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025.06.09 School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Students and staff summarized a recent 4-day Washington, D.C. trip, describing visits to Gettysburg, the Pentagon Memorial, Smithsonian museums, Mount Vernon and Arlington National Cemetery and noting educational and social benefits.","taxTitle","Whitnall School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",41824,"location","Wisconsin","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6206159,"District administrators outline proposed employee handbook updates, with emphasis on FMLA and clarity",173,3645000,3818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe&start=3645&end=3818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe/thumbnail_3645000.jpg","/articles/6206159/Wisconsin/District-administrators-outline-proposed-employee-handbook-updates-with-emphasis-on-FMLA-and-clarity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206159-acd02caa4b6bf99105e5aceea591efa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164410&Signature=PoOAvUfY7A-jmFbZV0xlnWQXLB7ukKuWW5p5omohEF5UHinMurkDnC~1Gb65F5jbEgu1t3JDs9mlm9Dx4HEZVQ0KmYO-E6ULSl4HINyyw7meqQtAIccQkFDL4lbjdr9B0g5MrSSzs7KKaDbXaLOR~kumIZq5uf32pH9Xpex-he8FW2VvRTFtb~Gyc04WqTDEku-KErMUWxN8U5XJlqyHt0ZB7By-sw6mZ7AJn~XUWMe7CAtlUaVTn46GXEK54GoAWdH2gn0Xwc~7d07d3c2uyeBhUamYz9UIbjCmGvL9bdYCwNA7coHMmliTbZHSbJG4XGn~33bmei5Cqa4TWjD2Qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human resources staff presented proposed additional updates to the Whitnall School District employee handbook ahead of its July 1 effective date, saying the revisions aim to increase clarity on Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) processes, jury duty, expense reimbursements and related procedures.

The matter is relevant because an updated handbook sets expectations for employees and reduces reactive HR issues by documenting procedures and statutory compliance.

John, a district administrator involved with HR, said the district recently hired a new HR staff member who reviewed the handbook and recommended clarifying provisions and adding proactive guidance. \"We have a new, HR person... and when she started... she kind of started going through the handbook and said there's some things in here that I'd really like to do,\" John said. He described the proposed additions as focused on preemptive clarification rather than substantive policy changes and identified FMLA as the largest chunk of recommended clarifications.

A board member asked whether the changes were substantive or largely editorial; John replied they were mainly to reduce ambiguity and provide better guidance to employees. He told the board to submit questions prior to the vote scheduled for the next meeting so HR can respond.

No vote occurred at the meeting; staff said the revised handbook will take effect July 1 and requested board members send questions to HR before the next meeting when the board will consider formal adoption.","Human resources staff described proposed changes to the 2025-26 employee handbook proposing clearer language around FMLA, jury duty and expense reimbursement; proposed updates will be finalized before the handbook takes effect July 1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6206161,"Board approves 2025-26 professional, technical and administrator salary increases",38,3796000,3834000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe&start=3796&end=3834","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe/thumbnail_3796000.jpg","/articles/6206161/Wisconsin/Board-approves-2025-26-professional-technical-and-administrator-salary-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206161-f29dab6127ce6bc43fc25d4651aa086d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164411&Signature=R4r-sDk79kIMu3zAVwouCozaijpjCjON-mXE0FG2vYhdeEGjbwVjEZTigtbwItwupgBc11eRNRR0aJ06b5x-aNsZkk7kFniqSUcx9PlFY9CmYLCot4bytgQrE96YEnODI-ZZLEuMQ7DpzgW9RTjDFUnCRAA3HJzaXp3jqTg6mVlAXkK6Izq3FHETdj3TTcWr5PST0NHjKRFZDLHAXt3JAMPdTylnRNRMqHD-gqZnBanXDHaOcuG9dR~WEGsXi0TBsc4rzSTqkzttWL20jNI~q3KhEVdP1q~6IihQz9bh4HieIYXgziwFJXv6waiAqcFQuEXw~nkCCGhiCUmmfwZyFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the meeting the Whitnall School District board voted to approve salary increases for professional, technical and administrative employees for the 2025-26 school year.

The action matters to district staff and budgets because salary changes affect compensation, personnel budgeting and labor relations.

The motion to approve the 2025-26 professional, technical and administrator salary increases was moved and seconded during the action-item portion of the meeting. After a call for discussion and none being offered, the board approved the motion by voice vote: \"All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Seeing none, 6 a passes,\" the board chair said.

No further details on the percentage increases or budget line items were provided during the vote; the district indicated personnel and budget staff would implement the approved adjustments. The board did not record individual roll-call votes during the public motion; the item passed by unanimous voice vote as shown on the meeting audio.","The Whitnall School District board voted unanimously to approve salary increases for professional, technical and administrative staff for the 2025-26 year during the meeting's action items.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6206166,"Board reviews state-mandated grade promotion and retention policy under Act 20; implementation timeline explained",371,3296000,3667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe&start=3296&end=3667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe/thumbnail_3296000.jpg","/articles/6206166/Wisconsin/Board-reviews-state-mandated-grade-promotion-and-retention-policy-under-Act-20-implementation-timeline-explained","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206166-c971f9c601abf04d9153836cf420ef2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164411&Signature=FG2NrSiKo9LJttUROzhhVUShpyS3X5VcNvypHu821zpluHXuvL4wheQE7tmJAcolvpbvygvhZtMlchx4wcrKCOBqfrLgaInGGsJqAzhVFgHOk4TnTNQTixxu0bGeWNE0u6boG9skeNtb~wrJZKiQZ2eZopQ-JleTfvXdNRIgFwMbFTtlUgITG5YbvhQa~X0xN6Bdhgz2Vd430ZHYEzhXKT~5Xj4nIKsdOf5dMI50pqY7pc7bi8V-nTGvJGlqGLOl38alU7NTb0iMvq4YYu68Y3aTaZzAXFc4bxM-IDfLod4-bG7Te4Bea6bJDOLj4TAtwovwwwljBI-eKjoiuM0Yhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whitnall School District board discussed a new grade promotion and retention policy drafted to comply with Wisconsin's Act 20, which mandates a reading-based retention framework. Administrators said the policy must be adopted in the district policy book by July 1, 2025 and will become effective for implementation on Sept. 1, 2027.

The policy matters because it establishes a district process—rooted in state law—for decisions about retaining students based on reading outcomes and sets requirements for notification, interventions and personal reading plans.

A district administrator explained the policy was prepared by Neola and largely mirrors statutory language while offering limited local flexibility. \"Neola wrote this policy, and then they gave us some options for customization within the policy that our district looked through,\" the administrator said. The presenter said the policy focuses specifically on reading and includes statutory exceptions such as prior repeated retention, documented interventions, students with individualized education programs and English-language learners.

The administrator clarified timing: the policy must be in the district code by July 1, 2025 but implementation is phased to affect the current kindergartners at the effective date of Sept. 1, 2027. \"Act 20 actually stipulated that by 07/01/2025, we have to have this policy on the books. Actually, we don't have to implement it then until 09/01/2027,\" a board member interjected during the discussion. Staff said the delayed implementation is intended to allow students to receive several years of science-based reading instruction before retention decisions apply.

Presenters discussed likely operational implications, including expanding summer-school offerings and developing protocols for what retention would mean in practice. \"From a programming standpoint, it's gonna be up to us then, the administration, and the schools to figure out, okay, like, if we would have to retain someone or we would make a decision to retain someone, how would that look?\" a district leader said. Staff advised that further guidance and policy updates from DPI and Neola may come in the next several years.

The discussion was informational; board members were invited to submit questions to administration and were told specific implementation details will be developed over time. No policy adoption vote occurred at the meeting.","Administrators introduced a Neola-drafted policy to comply with Act 20 requiring a reading-based retention policy; staff explained the policy is required on the books by July 1, 2025 and effective for implementation by Sept. 1, 2027, and outlined exceptions and next steps for programming and communications.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6206171,"Whitnall board reviews spring student engagement survey; staff note small year-to-year changes and areas for action",669,2122000,2791000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe&start=2122&end=2791","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe/thumbnail_2122000.jpg","/articles/6206171/Wisconsin/Whitnall-board-reviews-spring-student-engagement-survey-staff-note-small-year-to-year-changes-and-areas-for-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206171-72b0602aba3062987959eb4c80462fa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164411&Signature=bfdVCV59iMSmbdssKDUvk2hl2MSVIHuAM3Z93G-q-vzvvjI3bi76N5655LOejQmqffCvZEHsjxHzjP0JbzeykEUnl2-EnYWJOMxj33SDTw6EuNj~nBzfQ4pHzIfvFAJaESGqmrOt2TBYgWikBiAlB7y5W6NB6jECxeB4SL695gX~DtDDMwWD1xt9HxtUa6Zjk9zXSmDAiEg-U0K-bvTReB9eU2aleiURNcce~nHJEDTWDKVpDsFsTxLffyvS~mmnLPa7hHVgzVIi-OqZaJtvb9~oSfGajfbx19qk-jdiZKbdv5HGe-7F5gc0KOXOLHfLlHAzdJueZhy-SiVSGJSwxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Whitnall School District staff presented spring 2025 student engagement survey results at the board meeting, reporting mostly stable perceptions across the district and identifying areas for improvement in peer and staff-student respect.

The survey matters because it measures students' perceptions in three district values—advancement, belonging and courage—and informs building- and district-level action plans tied to the new strategic plan.

Jackie, a district staff member who co-presented the survey results, said the district invited students in grades 3\u001212 to participate and that 388 students left open-ended comments. \"Our most common negative themes are very similar to negative themes that we've seen over the last couple of years: Number 1 is students don't get along or the students are mean to me,\" she said. \"Our most common positive themes are 'I like this school' and 'I like the teachers at this school.'\"

Presenters said the top three positively rated items were: willingness to report a threat to school safety; teacher expectations that students do their best; and students knowing who to talk to about danger. The lowest-rated items were (by theme): students treating staff with respect; students treating other students with respect; and students solving problems with other students by talking to them.

Staff said small declines year-to-year (around one percentage point) are within expected variation and that more meaningful changes are visible over a two-year span. \"When we look specifically at our change over the last 2 years in those values of belonging and courage, especially in that value of courage, that's really excellent to see,\" Jackie said, noting a roughly 5 percent improvement in student respect themes over two years.

The district described next steps: building leaders will use the survey to craft local action plans; the district will continue measuring the same value constructs to track progress; and staff will use comment analysis to identify targeted supports. Presenters said they coded comments as positive, neutral and negative and that many comments contained mixed positive-and-negative feedback that required dual coding.

Board members asked about developmental trends. Jackie said responses typically form a bell curve across grade levels: higher positivity in elementary grades, more peer conflict in middle school, then improvements in upper grades. Presenters said the results will be referenced in the forthcoming strategic plan and used to inform safety and conflict-resolution initiatives.

This agenda item was informational; no vote was taken.","District staff presented spring 2025 student engagement survey results, highlighting top and bottom themes and plans to use the data to inform the strategic plan and building-level actions.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6206176,"Whitnall presents spring ACT and PreACT results showing gains driven by writing scores",718,951000,1669000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe&start=951&end=1669","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3766240-9745d701690944a1eb242f76e1b4d8fe/thumbnail_951000.jpg","/articles/6206176/Wisconsin/Whitnall-presents-spring-ACT-and-PreACT-results-showing-gains-driven-by-writing-scores","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206176-47c2bf0a62d829f35b132793ef6d7ac6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164411&Signature=mmzlIFhIjPcLPEFhasCmGR2BJo0VMFk-UIfznDcNp-3ScwZ5E~bL~qrKBSwpjlu8rH-h2mScIyEzmPaB~KpI4XZxhnmCdh35~yP0gsqjcncq2xZvyjio1KN5jqJeVQXuVJLAegE9gaEwCdhk3Mk8RF1itXV89ABmdNrYUZWRMEU0akOzmygoN6~WSkngWquoGrJ7toyzq3hjK57sKYV5A03rJqFcOHafabje7xWp6AnFru8lQsFLkR7GUx3uSwyjlz2~U7eiHvT1x-Iw1d3dUyualmjAO~8VGE8uZ53PGKtg1CBS3mdNWVd6kEWkn6h6-SVNHqM~CpUIv1Hyi05Dig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Whitnall School District leaders told the school board on a district update that spring ACT and PreACT results show measurable gains in English/language arts that staff attribute primarily to improved student writing scores.

The results matter because the ACT and preACT are the district's primary college-readiness measures and are used by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for benchmarking. District staff said the writing gains contributed substantially to the higher combined ELA average for the tested cohort and that the district will continue targeted interventions and practice testing to sustain growth.

Dana, a district assessment staff member, presented the data and cautioned that the figures were preliminary and unverified: \"this is all unverified, unconfirmed, fresh from ACT data. This is not full academic year students,\" she said. The presentation compared spring results with fall preACT scores and historical five-year trends, noting a district composite ACT average increase and particular growth in writing. \"Our average writing score this year was 7.6,\" Dana said, adding that the district's median writing score rose from a 6 last year to an 8 this year.

Charlie, a district staff member who spoke about trends over multiple years, said the district recorded a composite ACT average of 20.6 for the spring test cohort and that ELA growth outpaced math in part because writing is folded into the ELA composite: \"the real thing that made the difference this year for ELA score was our students' writing scores.\" Presenters showed that English and reading averages remained roughly steady while the scaled writing contribution raised the combined ELA number.

Board members asked how retests factor into publicly reported scores. Dana said the presentation covered state testing in March and that district- and state-level reporting practices differ: \"This is just our March state testing for ACT,\" she said, and noted that some reports that colleges receive can use students' best scores or superscoring depending on the institution.

For next steps, the district said it will maintain a K\u0012-12 focus on writing, expand fluency practice across content areas and increase targeted intervention supports in both math and reading. Dana said the district will also administer a full-length practice ACT for juniors in the fall to provide baseline scores and guide goal setting. She also noted that ACT, the testing company, has announced future changes that could affect how the state administers or requires the test.

Board members praised the writing emphasis and the sustained cohort growth. The presenters said the district will report cleaned, verified figures after DPI releases its public report in the fall and will continue to monitor scoring and time-on-test patterns to refine instruction and supports.

The presentation was informational; no formal board action was taken.","District staff told the school board that spring assessment results show an overall increase in ELA performance driven largely by higher student writing scores; leaders outlined next steps including continued fluency work, targeted interventions and a practice full-length ACT for juniors.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Students present Washington, D.C. trip highlights to Whitnall board

District administrators outline proposed employee handbook updates, with emphasis on FMLA and clarity

Board approves 2025-26 professional, technical and administrator salary increases

Board reviews state-mandated grade promotion and retention policy under Act 20; implementation timeline explained

Whitnall board reviews spring student engagement survey; staff note small year-to-year changes and areas for action

Whitnall presents spring ACT and PreACT results showing gains driven by writing scores