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Merrill board approves early-literacy plan, first reading of third-grade retention policy and funding for LETRS training
Summary
The Merrill Area School District Board approved an Early Literacy Remediation Plan, advanced a new third-grade promotion/retention policy for at-risk students and authorized purchase orders to fund LETRS facilitator training and Lexia materials.
The Merrill Area School District Board of Education on May 14 approved an Early Literacy Remediation Plan, advanced a first reading of Policy 54.11 on third-grade promotion and retention for at-risk students and authorized purchase orders to fund LETRS facilitator training and related materials.
School leaders said the actions implement Wisconsin Act 20 and support the district’s first-year rollout of new early-literacy assessments and teacher guidance. Amanda Patterson, director of curriculum and instruction, and Rachel Sippel led the presentations and answered board questions during the Curriculum, Technology and Pupil Services committee review.
“The combination of each of their leadership has ensured a cohesive and successful first year of the implementation of act 20 where teachers have the information they need to best support our early learners with literacy,” Patterson said during the recognition segment for the Act 20 implementation team.
On motions brought forward in the board meeting, Paul Crew moved to approve the Early Literacy Remediation Plan; Mike (board member) seconded, and the motion carried. The board then approved first reading of Policy 54.11, the third-grade promotion and retention policy tied to Act 20 implementation; Ron Liberty moved and Mike seconded that motion, which also carried.
Board members next approved a purchase order for LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) facilitator training and related Lexia materials. Paul Crew moved to recommend approval of a purchase order “for letters training and facilitator training for Lexia Learning Systems LLC using a combination of curriculum title 2 and goals refunded,” and Mike seconded; the motion passed.
Board documents attached to the meeting record show staff will use a combination of curriculum funds and federal Title II funding to pay for LETRS and facilitator training. District staff and board members noted the funding and training are part of a multi-step strategy that also includes use of early-literacy assessment tools, teacher coaching and personal reading plans for K–3 students.
The board’s actions were procedural approvals required to begin training and to align district policy with Wisconsin Act 20’s literacy goals; no changes to compulsory attendance or graduation rules were discussed. The measures will guide instruction and remediation during the 2025–26 school year.
