Board clears routine operational items: Wisconsin standards, WIAA membership, E‑Rate switch and special‑education aide increase

At its July 16 meeting the Merrill Area Public Schools Board of Education approved multiple operational items recommended by committees, voting on each by voice without recorded roll‑call tallies. Adoption of state standards: The board approved the adoption of the Wisconsin Academic Standards for the 2025–26 school year on a motion that was seconded and carried by voice vote. WIAA membership and activities code: The board renewed the district’s WIAA (Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association) membership for 2025–26 and approved an updated activities code of conduct and activities handbook for the 2025–26 school year; both motions passed by voice vote. E‑Rate switch project: The board approved the 2025 E‑Rate switch project for $22,553 to be paid from the district’s technology project fund; the motion was made by board member Ron Liberty and seconded by Mike Hornisher and carried by voice vote. Special‑education staffing: The board approved an additional 1.02 FTE special‑education aide position to be funded through the special‑education flow‑through, with the motion made by Paul Pru and seconded by Mike Hornisher; the motion passed by voice vote. Each motion was presented with a topic summary and recommended action from the relevant standing committee (CTP and Finance/HR where applicable). The meeting record shows the motions, seconds and that each carried; no individual recorded votes were provided in the transcript for these items.