Board approves series of finance, facilities and policy items; votes at a glance

The Green Bay Area Public School District Board on Feb. 14, 2025, approved a series of resolutions, contracts and policy revisions. Many items were passed by unanimous vote; a few drew debate or recorded dissent earlier in the meeting. Below are the finalized actions the board approved that evening.

Votes at a glance

- Parameters for sale of general obligation promissory notes: The board approved a resolution establishing parameters for the sale of not-to-exceed $105,000,000 in general obligation promissory notes and a combined not-to-exceed $136,175,000 total including taxable notes. District staff said the structure is intended to reduce arbitrage risk from tax-exempt debt and allow flexibility at pricing; the administration said the debt would be paid off in 10 years. (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

- Resolution establishing parameters for sale of up to $42,000,000 taxable general obligation promissory notes and up to $136,175,000 total: Approved (vote: carried, all board members voting in favor). District financial staff noted flexibility to shift between taxable and tax-exempt portions depending on market conditions.

- HVAC bid: The board awarded the HVAC system upgrade contract at John Dewey Academy of Learning to Sweet Garrett Mechanical for $1,343,650. (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

- Budget amendment: Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 65.905A, the board approved changes to previously adopted 2024–25 budget amounts. (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

- School renaming: Nicollet Elementary School was renamed Nicollet Elementary Community School. Board members stated the community school model aligns with state investments in mental-health and wraparound services. (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

- Annual drill evaluations: The board accepted written drill evaluations submitted by principals from all district schools under Wisconsin Section 118.07(4)(c). (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

- OPEB investment: The board voted to maintain district OPEB investments with CESA 6 OPEB Trust in the moderate growth portfolio (Investment Strategy 3). (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

- Curricular dogs (policy 383.2): Revisions to Board Policy 383.2 were approved. (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

- Searches of lockers, desks and other storage areas (Policy 446.1): Revisions were approved. (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

- Conflict of interest (Policy 522.4): Revisions to conflict-of-interest policy were approved. (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

- Harassment policy and complaint procedures (Policy and Rule 4.11.11): The board approved revisions to Policy 4.11.11 and associated complaint procedures; one board member recorded a "no" vote on the policy itself and one "no" vote on the rule, but the motions carried as presented. (Vote results: policy approved; complaint procedures approved with individual votes recorded.)

- Series 304 policy revisions: The board approved revisions to policies and rules in the 304 series related to pupil services and teaching and learning. (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

- Policy repeals: The board approved repeal of Policies 443.9 and 447.2 and Rule 447.2 (student detention procedures), noting the material had been merged into other policies. (Vote: carried, all board members voting in favor.)

Other action noted earlier in the meeting included approval of a new principal appointment (Jen Good) for Dan's Elementary, announced after a consent-agenda vote, and recognition items and public comments (crossing guard recognition; student council reports; a donation of books to the district). Many of the items above were presented by staff members who described technical or financial rationales; board members expressed gratitude to the community for support of the referendum funding.

Ending: The meeting concluded with a superintendent update and legislative report before adjourning into closed session for a personnel evaluation.