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Votes at a glance: McFarland board approves consent agenda; withdraws from Dane County School Consortium; authorizes superintendent to back dissolution; OKs WEA
Summary
At its March 17 meeting the McFarland School District Board unanimously approved the consent agenda, voted to withdraw from the Dane County School Consortium, authorized the superintendent to vote for dissolution of the consortium if called, and approved transfer of students from online providers for lack of engagement.
The McFarland School District Board of Education took several formal actions March 17, 2025. The board voted unanimously on each motion listed below.
Consent agenda approved (5–0): The board approved minutes of the March 3, 2025 meeting, general fund vouchers and purchasing card transactions, and professional staffing recommendations. The clerk requested approval of general fund vouchers numbered 183302 through 183558 and 293216 through 293256, and purchasing card transactions dated Jan. 21, 2025 through Feb. 20, 2025. Motion to approve was made and seconded; the board approved the consent agenda 5–0.
Withdrawal from Dane County School Consortium (5–0): The board voted to withdraw McFarland School District from the Dane County School Consortium interagency agreement, effective June 30, 2025, by providing the required 90 days’ notice. No district in the consortium had agreed to assume the fiscal‑agent role previously handled by Monona Grove; McFarland’s administration said the district lacks capacity to serve as fiscal agent for the multi‑district grant administration. The motion to withdraw carried unanimously.
Authorization to vote in favor of dissolution (5–0): The board authorized the district administrator to vote in favor of dissolving the Dane County School Consortium should a dissolution vote arise. Board members were told that if the consortium dissolves, remaining fund balances would be distributed to member districts and each district would assume direct grant responsibilities to the Department of Workforce Development.
Approval of WIVA/Insight student transfers due to lack of engagement (unanimous): At the district’s recommendation, the board approved returning students enrolled at Wisconsin virtual academies back to their resident districts because of lack of engagement. The list presented included 1 second grader, 1 fourth grader, 1 fifth grader, 1 sixth grader, 3 seventh graders and 7 eighth graders; administrators said virtual providers had taken multiple engagement steps prior to the transfers.
What the board said and why it matters: Superintendent and district staff emphasized that youth apprenticeship programming and other services will continue despite the consortium changes; the district will work with the Department of Workforce Development and local staff in the short term to maintain programs. Board members emphasized concern for the affected students and asked administrators to ensure re‑enrollment processes are clear and that families receive assistance with transitions.
Roll call and vote counts: All formal votes recorded during the meeting were unanimous (5–0). The board recorded no abstentions or recusals in these items. (Where a motion’s mover was not plainly identified in the transcript, minutes will list the motion and seconder.)
