Board adopts English-learner plan, updates gifted program policy and aligns cell-phone policy with student handbook

The Board of Education on July 14 approved a district English-learner (EL) plan and adopted several policy updates and alignment changes to accompany the start of the 2025-26 school year. Jennifer Willoughby, director of early childhood and family education, told the board the EL plan was developed after the district joined the English Learners consortia through CESA 12 and is aligned with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's EL handbook. "It's aligned with DPI's, EL handbook, and it's going to be used as a reference and a guide for students, families, and staff," Willoughby said. The plan includes procedures for identifying, evaluating, serving and monitoring EL students and links to translated documents for families who prefer them. The board also adopted replacement policy 2464 (advanced learning instruction, gifted and talented). Administrators said the new policy incorporates state statutory language and administrative regulations and increases emphasis on family involvement. Staff said an accompanying handbook with implementation guidance is already posted on the district website and that additional administrative guidelines will be reviewed for deletion or alignment in coming months. Separately, the board approved Policy 5136 (electronic equipment and wireless communication devices) to align district policy with the student handbook and current classroom practices for grades 6-12. Administrators said the code of conduct details consequences for policy violations, and principals will work with district staff to clarify consistent, school-level consequences for repeat offenses. All motions passed by voice vote; no recorded roll-call tallies were shown in the meeting transcript.