[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6586258,"mediaKeyId","5548369-8f8616080af341fa9386318d71afbfa2","parentId",5548369,"title","Board roundup: budget recommendations, several policy votes, and personnel actions","audioSeconds",5780,"startMs",6989000,"endMs",12769000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5548369-8f8616080af341fa9386318d71afbfa2&start=6989&end=12769","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5548369-8f8616080af341fa9386318d71afbfa2/thumbnail_6989000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586258/Wisconsin/Board-roundup-budget-recommendations-several-policy-votes-and-personnel-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586258-352763a57ed5f065dfd1241eb9347eec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770638297&Signature=jQcTx468h2oGVXtCQAX-otRj41YK5CcZWgGjObJQxlGTqAKHxwuFA7NfMYRj5C6YqYZ5n2E8olmtxI7UQpo07LeRsk-VT4QeL2HjPR2e5KKmsHPSjqufz~QMUNMBU-KbFGOHURtSjmEHHM90s8XvwvmvqZTHge9sWVfahHfSHcCLDdgfXNuoaCok28G4orV7Ai0jTlQ--zePx-33R1GO9zKLgrnqlRPLTchieMVw85MPu2XkOKvT2MO3Qs9dGvyZq5QbhddrVMnUN~vTCbIhRNJtAXt9w9ufFTqINvdo5V8j3rKOoaUC4KJENvcgvlJEJuQQw8MtQhEA9jd8Uvpu0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School Board of Wisconsin ","date","2025-08-07T01:27:02.2Z","article","The Beloit School District Board of Education took multiple formal actions on Aug. 5, including votes on budget recommendations, several policy readings and personnel matters. Below is a summary of recorded actions and outcomes from the meeting.

Ad hoc budget finance recommendations approved (4-2)
The board approved several recommendations from the Ad Hoc Budget Finance Committee to be incorporated into the 2025-26 budget, voting 4-2 on a package that included use of OPEB funds to eliminate a pay freeze for teaching staff and to offset insurance increases for employment groups. The board also directed further work to restructure COLAC (central office/leadership) staffing with a target reduction discussed by the committee. The motion carried 4-2.

Policy votes and committee referrals
- Policy 1-81, Rules of Order: Approved for final reading (5-1). The board approved the revisions after discussion about timing limits and other procedural clarifications; the measure passed on final reading 5-1.
- Policy 1-85.4, Policy Committee: Approved (5-1). The board amended the policy to add Human Resources to the committee title and approved the change for final reading.
- Policy 3-45.6 Rule 4 (award high-school credits for demonstration of world language proficiency — Spanish): Approved unanimously for final reading.
- Policy 4-43.5, Student Use of Mobile Phones (443.5): Referred back to Policy Committee (4-2) after public comment by a BEA organizing team and discussion at the dais.
- Policy 8-60, Visitors to the Schools: Approved with small wording edits (4-2) to clarify superintendent authority and visitor guidelines.

Athletics addendum matrix: deferred for more information
The board deferred action on the athletics addendum matrix after detailed questions about cheer/dance classifications, JV/assistant roles and equity of uniform provision. Administration committed to provide more details about positions filled, historical usage and cost-savings calculations; the board asked for a revised packet before re-voting so that coaches and students can be paid under an approved matrix.

Personnel and consent items
- The board approved Exhibit A personnel recommendations in closed session when the board reconvened in open session, and approved a reclassification of the facilities director position to facilities manager (unanimous).
- Consent agenda items passed, with one meeting-minutes item (item D) receiving an abstention from a board member who did not attend that meeting.

Why it matters: These votes move the district’s budget development and policy work forward and set direction for staffing and program decisions for the 2025-26 school year. The deferred addendum matrix and the Fresh Start reconsideration signal additional near-term board work; parents and staff who follow district budgeting and extracurricular support should expect follow-up materials and potential special meetings in the coming weeks.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Board Meeting - 8/5/2025 (6:00 p.m.)","oneSentenceSummary","At its Aug. 5 meeting the Beloit School Board took multiple votes including approval of ad hoc budget recommendations, several policy readings, and personnel actions; the board deferred the athletics addendum matrix for more study.","taxTitle","Beloit School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",38334,"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},6586261,"High-school teachers urge delay to stricter phone ban; board sends phone policy back to committee",10024,1137000,11161000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5548369-8f8616080af341fa9386318d71afbfa2&start=1137&end=11161","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5548369-8f8616080af341fa9386318d71afbfa2/thumbnail_1137000.jpg","/articles/6586261/Wisconsin/High-school-teachers-urge-delay-to-stricter-phone-ban-board-sends-phone-policy-back-to-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586261-27967e72c1e4e80512d7a9839ed06e22/orig.mp4?Expires=1770638297&Signature=FZ~CXUyBO~TgoSfd1E5duC6AM1M7IF5JBNTxeajRnU3LMR6zdo7-UryzoVa9PuzXqoigZ531-G1jk4nGOVFp4SHtc2E-ovLZw7jqj42-LwqYTsDitMluAsaJyL1fcccmlJdBc7n6F0bK-Ny7Of2RrD7XkGIiRq6cW2KTwrS8PMxNblfYV4iFmIu7JSYw75yL2RunQBzbGhhB9lYxTN29s-vCT40lEqBpLHxdLX7hDZj6-whge5ioM3kizB0sQ-BuSKvJ61lNrub1ioIiCPPB8On7Wf1Oge9jIKveZptwK~3AmJ~sZAYrA67aO48aBT554syIuQk8s7vne-qsleFjAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beloit Memorial High School teachers and an organizing team representing the Beloit Education Association urged the Beloit School District Board of Education on Aug. 5 to delay adopting a districtwide tightening of the student cellphone policy and allow building staff to test an implementation plan.

\"We appreciate that the board wants to see the distractions of phones removed from the classroom,\" Becky (BEA high school organizing team) told the board during public comment, \"but our concern is that the proposed policy change would make enforcement more difficult.\" The BEA speakers said their building has drafted a plan that would require students to store phones in a secure location at the start of each class period, and that a blanket daylong ban could push students to use lockers or bathroom passes and increase lost instructional time.

Board members debated the proposed change during the policy-item discussion. Supporters of the stricter rule—including board member Brian Nichols, who sponsored the policy changes—argued other districts' experience shows improved focus and reduced conflict when phones are restricted. Opponents and some teachers said enforcement and family burden concerns required more groundwork and a building-level pilot.

After discussion the board voted 4-2 to refer the proposed revision of Policy 443.5 (student use of mobile phones and electronic devices) back to the policy committee for further work. Roll-call votes recorded: Joanne Rue — aye; Brian Nichols — nay; Tom Hankins — nay; Amy Levy — aye; Juan Romero — aye; Tia Johnson — aye.

Why it matters: The policy governs in-school student access to phones and affects teachers' classroom management. The BEA organizing team said a uniform, building-based implementation at Beloit Memorial would be easier for staff to enforce and would allow for review before districtwide policy changes. The policy committee will revisit the language and enforcement protocols and report back as part of its normal cycle.

Next steps: The policy committee will meet with BEA and building leaders to review the proposed policy language and the building-level implementation plan before returning a revised recommendation to the full board.

","A BEA-led high-school organizing team asked the Board to delay adopting a stricter district phone ban so building staff can implement a school-led plan; the board voted 4-2 to send the proposed policy back to the policy committee for further work.",{"_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},6586266,"Beloit board declines immediate takeover of Fresh Start program; agrees to revisit by Aug. 19",5151,2317000,7468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5548369-8f8616080af341fa9386318d71afbfa2&start=2317&end=7468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5548369-8f8616080af341fa9386318d71afbfa2/thumbnail_2317000.jpg","/articles/6586266/Wisconsin/Beloit-board-declines-immediate-takeover-of-Fresh-Start-program-agrees-to-revisit-by-Aug-19","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586266-67c601e154bd1e215f72e6975de4561e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770638297&Signature=Bz~Fr7bDg8v6N9m~K~pHDd3p5V-fiu0jWZdu4E4A7nXxn2AKhwpdw5xDlBKC4ApX9R2bVQ7OeA0UAIT6W83DKq--RhsFnIfP6f-S79T6FEINY0rNCf3288mNot2bjPaPHtrS-Mw9YRcXN9KN6aX~kVHvKYxEjXEXk438QSaL9BE9QcBEHzpqmYWFcrO6o3wz~q9CZmKDUlzYCIV7rBQRgqXcmQQshI1E8-jBeYvdNt3EKTMU0oxy4pJkzcMJykuslheow8CHK0QbdNOjZy2No7HaBfxnwv03gYPTehpqSAZ-SodSxYWQYHrEqBLmrbiGWCcsbrgpD2nQfAt64VmsTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beloit School District Board of Education voted down a proposal to transfer the Fresh Start alternative education program from Community Action to district operation on Aug. 5, rejecting the move 4-2 after a lengthy hearing that included presentations from district staff, program leaders and former Fresh Start staff.

The proposal, presented by Superintendent Dr. Daryl Garrison and Jeff Stenruss, director of CTE and alternative education, would have housed Fresh Start at the Cunningham Building under Beloit Learning Academy oversight and staffed it with five new positions funded principally by state per-pupil revenue and a local HOME grant. Dr. Garrison told the board the district had modeled costs at a target enrollment of 28 students and estimated recurring staffing costs of about $326,000 covered by per-pupil revenue plus $50,000 in community development dollars; he said other grant support (for incentives and student pay) was uncertain and therefore not included in the core budget.

\"We've had lots of conversations,\" Dr. Garrison said during the presentation, describing Fresh Start as an education and job-training program that blends academics, construction work and life skills and has historically produced high graduation rates. Jeff Stenruss laid out program components including academic instruction, a construction-based house-build that yields industry-recognized credentials, community-service projects and case management.

Representatives from the old Fresh Start program and district alternative-education staff described the program's results and limitations. Alina Henry, the outgoing Fresh Start program manager, said the program historically operated as a two-year YouthBuild model with an active follow-up placement component: \"This year specifically, we had a 70% placement for last year's graduates,\" she told the board.

Board members questioned sustainability and staffing risk. Board member Amy Levy pressed whether the district could absorb the program if fewer than the modeled 28 students enrolled, noting that hiring five staff ahead of enrollment created a short-term financial risk. Board member Tom Hankins and others pressed for clearer data about student outcomes and program costs; Dr. Garrison said the district had contributed about $240,000 to the program under the prior partnership and that the district would need firm enrollments to ensure break-even staffing.

After discussion, a motion to approve the transfer failed in a roll call vote. The vote recorded: Joanne Rue — yes; Brian Nichols — no; Tom Hankins — no; Amy Levy — no; Juan Romero — yes; Tia Johnson — no. The motion therefore failed 4-2.

Following the failed motion, Board Member Amy Levy moved to reconsider the matter and set a deadline for further review. The board voted unanimously to reconsider and agreed to reexamine the Fresh Start proposal no later than Tuesday, Aug. 19. President Tia Johnson encouraged the administration to continue work with community partners and report back.

What changed and why it matters: Fresh Start is an alternative-route program that mixes academic credit recovery with hands-on construction and workforce training and historically enrolled roughly 40 students with support from AmeriCorps, Department of Labor grants and city HOME funds. Community Action's recent decision to stop operating the program because of uncertain federal funding forced the district to consider whether to take it on directly. Supporters argued the program returns otherwise-disengaged students to graduation and provides industry credentials; skeptics cited budget risk if enrollment or outside grant support did not materialize.

Next steps: District staff will continue planning and return to the board for a reconsideration and possible vote no later than Aug. 19. The board left open the option of staging a special meeting to allow faster action if the administration and staff can provide the requested clarifications and firm enrollment counts.

","After weeks of planning and questioning over cost and staffing, the Beloit School District Board voted down a proposal to bring the Fresh Start alternative education program in-house and later voted to reconsider the decision at a special meeting no later than Aug. 19.","actionData","errors"]

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Board roundup: budget recommendations, several policy votes, and personnel actions

High-school teachers urge delay to stricter phone ban; board sends phone policy back to committee

Beloit board declines immediate takeover of Fresh Start program; agrees to revisit by Aug. 19