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Board approves fund-balance, purchasing, staff-student, reading and copyright policy updates
Summary
The Waunakee School Board approved multiple policy updates June 9, including a change to the district’s fund-balance target range, revisions to purchasing approvals, new staff–student relationship guidance, a reading/grade-promotion policy required by Act 20, removal of an attendance bar for graduation ceremonies, and updated copyright rules.
The Waunakee School Board approved multiple policy revisions on June 9, adopting updates the district said reflect recent board workshops, state law, and model language recommended by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB).
Key approvals included:
- Fund balance policy: The board changed the district’s fund-balance goal from a single 15% target to a 10–15% range, a change discussed at earlier board workshops.
- Purchasing policy: Administrative approval levels were adjusted following a board workshop suggestion; the board’s approval role for major purchases remains unchanged.
- Staff–student relationship policy: The board approved a new administrative rule (an addendum) that the district said was developed with staff and the teachers’ association (WTA) after administrative review and employee feedback.
- Reading/grade-promotion policy: Required under Act 20, the board approved a new standalone policy to be on the books by July 1; implementation will begin in September and staff will review data over the coming year.
- Graduation ceremony attendance requirement: The board removed an attendance-based bar to participation in graduation ceremonies, citing equity and the once-in-a-lifetime nature of the event.
- Copyright and intellectual-property policy: The board adopted WASB model language and updated local rules after consultation with library media staff and the district’s technology director.
“There are two policies that we brought forward for revision,” said Ted (staff member) while introducing the fund-balance and purchasing changes, and he described both as follow-ups from earlier board workshops. On graduation participation, Tim (staff member) said, “If a student has really met the graduation requirements in all other respects…we think it should be removed.”
Most revisions were approved by single motions or grouped votes. Board members directed staff to continue community communication for policies that represent a shift in practice, especially the reading/grade-promotion policy and the fund-balance target.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve fund-balance, purchasing and open-enrollment policy revisions (grouped): approved (voice vote). - Motion to approve staff–student relationship policy: approved (voice vote). - Motion to approve reading/grade-promotion policy (Act 20): approved (voice vote). - Motion to remove attendance requirement from graduation participation policy: approved (voice vote). - Motion to approve updated copyright policies (WASB model language and local rule changes): approved (voice vote).
