Board approves signing bonus, trip, policies and superintendent contract; several other items pass unanimously

The Fond du Lac School District Board of Education on Jan. 27 approved a series of motions including a signing bonus for special education hires, an out‑of‑country high‑school trip, changes to the district's policy on law‑enforcement investigations at schools, and a two‑year contract for Matt Steinbarth as superintendent.

The board voted unanimously on multiple items. Among them: a $5,000 signing bonus for special education teachers and professional staff hired for the 2025‑26 school year (7‑0); approval of a high‑school trip to Rota[n], Honduras, scheduled for March 2026 (7‑0); and revisions to Board Policy 55.40 regarding investigations involving law enforcement and other government agencies (7‑0). The board also approved the superintendent contract for Matt Steinbarth, a two‑year agreement effective July 1, 2025, with an initial salary of $190,000 (7‑0).

Separately, the board voted 6‑1 to rescind Policy 2264 and return to the 2020 Title IX framework reflected in Policy 2266 after a Jan. 9 federal district court decision invalidated the 2024 Title IX regulations. Board member Godfrey cast the lone dissenting vote on the Title IX motion.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (minutes, executive session minutes, personnel recommendations and bimonthly financial report): motion by Godfrey, seconded by Laverins; roll call 7‑0; outcome: approved. - $5,000 signing bonus for special education teachers and special education professional staff (2025‑26 school year): motion by Henschel, seconded by Godfrey; roll call 7‑0; outcome: approved. Board discussion clarified the payment schedule for employees on limited‑term contracts: limited‑term hires will receive $2,500 at hire and the remainder if rehired the following year. - High school trip to Rota[n], Honduras (March 2026): motion by Godfrey, seconded by Laverins; roll call 7‑0; outcome: approved. Miss Diedrich, the high‑school organizer, described the trip as part of the FID class and noted time for fundraising. - Board Policy 55.40 (investigations involving law enforcement and other government agencies): motion by Henschel, seconded by Godfrey; roll call 7‑0; outcome: approved. Board discussion and staff remarks emphasized that a valid judicial warrant is required to authorize entry to school facilities and that immigration agency administrative documents are not judicial warrants for purposes of the policy. - Title IX policy change (rescind Policy 2264 and revise Policy 2266 to reflect 2020 rules): motion by Henschel, seconded by Laverins; roll call 6‑1 (Godfrey voted no); outcome: approved. Staff explained the action follows a federal district court ruling that invalidated the 2024 Title IX regulations, returning districts to the prior regulatory framework and requiring a small number of edits to the district's 2266 policy. - Superintendent contract (Matt Steinbarth, two‑year contract covering 2025‑26 and 2026‑27; salary $190,000 starting 07/01/2025): motion by Schrader, seconded by Henschel; roll call 7‑0; outcome: approved.

Board members moved these items during the regular session and each vote was recorded by roll call; vote tallies reported above match the roll calls read into the record.