Board approves insurance, teacher and nurse contracts, adopts third-grade policy; tables salary talks, moves to closed session

The Stevens Point Area Public School District Board of Education on May 6 approved the district's 2025–26 employee health plan provider, renewed teacher and nurse contracts, adopted a third-grade promotion and retention policy required under state law, and tabled a broader salary-and-benefits proposal pending bargaining strategy work. The board subsequently voted to convene a closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85.

Why it matters: The actions affect employee benefits and contracts for the coming school year, finalize the district's approach to third-grade students identified as at risk under Act 20, and preserve board negotiating options on wages while moving sensitive bargaining items into closed session.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (minutes from 03/10/2025, monthly bills, employment recommendations): motion by Dennis, second by Will; motion passed on roll call. (No separate tally given in the record.) - Resolution designating school district depositories: motion made and seconded during Business Services; carried as routine annual action. - Salary and benefits proposal (Human Resources): motion to table the salary-and-benefits proposal was made and seconded after staff reported the teachers' union certification; the board voted to table and to discuss bargaining strategy in closed session. - Health insurance carrier and dental: motion to contract with Aspirus Health Plan (Signature and Freedom Network options) and Delta Dental for 07/01/2025 insurance coverage; motion made by Will, second by G; voice vote — motion carries. - Teacher and nurse contract renewals: motion to approve teacher contracts (508) and four nurse contracts as presented; motion carried by voice vote. - Policy 5411 (third-grade promotion/retention for students identified as at-risk): motion to approve policy 5411 moved by Alex, second by G; voice vote — motion carries. The policy will be implemented on a cadence with full implementation planned for Sept. 1, 2027. - Motion to convene into closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85 (considering personnel and bargaining): motion by Alex, second by G; roll-call vote carried. Ms. Portzen recorded an abstention; other members voting in favor were recorded as yes on the roll call.

Details and procedural notes - The board explicitly tabled the district salary-and-benefits proposal because the teachers' union has been certified; the board said bargaining strategy will be discussed in closed session. No substantive salary changes were approved at the meeting. - The health plan renewal discussion included presentation of two offers: a 28.8% renewal from Security Health Plan and a 9.5% renewal proposal from Aspirus that would offer two networks (Signature and Freedom) so employees who use Marshfield Clinic can keep access via the Freedom Network with higher out-of-network cost-sharing. The board approved contracting with Aspirus and Delta Dental for dental coverage effective July 1, 2025. - The board approved distribution of teacher contracts (508) and four nurse contracts on the schedule required by contract distribution timelines. - The board adopted Policy 5411 to align with Act 20 requirements; staff said about 107 third-grade students currently have personalized reading plans and will have one more spring benchmark opportunity before determinations are made under the new policy.

Outcome and next steps - Insurance open enrollment and benefit-selection mechanics will follow the board decision; staff described an expected open-enrollment time frame in mid-to-late April for plan selection. - Salary-and-benefits negotiations will proceed in closed session and be brought back to the board when appropriate. - The district will finalize the mechanics for implementing Policy 5411 and report required counts to the state as prescribed.

Sources: motions, roll calls and presentations on the May 6 board meeting agenda and transcript. Closing roll call to enter closed session included one recorded abstention by Ms. Portzen; other members voting were recorded as yes.