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Board approves handbooks, equipment purchases, insurance renewals and training; moves to closed session
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Merrill Area School District board approved multiple handbooks, purchases (including BenQ boards and a graphics department printer), insurance renewals, the Safe and Civil Schools training contract, calendar changes and consent items, then voted unanimously to enter a closed session on personnel and related matters.
The Merrill Area School District Board of Education on April 16 approved a series of routine and program items, including handbooks for the 2025‑26 year, technology and equipment purchases, employee benefits renewals, training contracts, calendar modifications and a consent agenda that included claims totaling $2,796,696.01. The board then voted by roll call to convene a closed session to discuss personnel matters and parental opt‑out requests under Wisconsin statutes.
Key votes (motion, mover, second, outcome):
- Approve 2025‑26 support staff and teacher handbooks. Motion by Paul Pru.; second by Ron Liberty. Outcome: approved.
- Approve Smart Start Summer Reading Program for August 2025 (program and funding). Motion by Jacqueline Bremer; second by Mike Hornisher. Outcome: approved.
- Approve Elementary Student Handbook 2025‑26. Motion by Ron Liberty; second by Jacqueline Bremer. Outcome: approved.
- Approve Prairie River Middle School Handbook and course descriptions 2025‑26. Motion by (board member identified as) Nubs; second by Mike Hornisher. Outcome: approved.
- Approve High School Student Handbook/Planner 2025‑26. Motion by Paul Pru.; second by Mike Hornisher. Outcome: approved.
- Budget revision to purchase BenQ interactive boards for Pine River School for Young Learners, amount not to exceed $17,000. Motion by Jacqueline Bremer; second (not specified). Outcome: approved. (Recommended by Head Start Policy Council.)
- Approve printer purchase for the Graphic Arts Department from Up and Running Solutions, using CTE/center grant funds (friendly amendment accepted). Motion by Mike Hornisher; second by Nubs. Outcome: approved.
- Approve Pool Employee Handbook 2025‑26. Motion by Paul Pru.; second by Nubs. Outcome: approved.
- Renew health insurance with Spires health plan as presented. Motion by Mike Hornisher; second by (recorded as) Swall. Outcome: approved.
- Renew dental insurance for FY26 with rates remaining the same as presented. Motion by Ron Liberty; second by Nubs. Outcome: approved.
- Approve voluntary benefits offerings as presented. Motion by Mike Hornisher; second by Jacqueline Bremer. Outcome: approved.
- Approve second reading of Policy 4.120, Employment of Support Staff (remains in accordance with Fair Labor Standards Act). Motion by Mike Hornisher; second by Paul Pru. Outcome: approved.
- Approve Safe and Civil Schools training purchase order for $20,000, training materials approximately $10,810, and travel expenses (funding to come from Title grants as noted in the motion). Motion by Jacqueline Bremer; second by Ron Liberty. Outcome: approved.
- Modify the 2024‑25 school calendar to make May 23, 2025, a school day for all students (adjustment of the calendar). Motion by Paul Pru.; second by Nubs. Outcome: approved.
- Approve sale of decommissioned HP laptops (recorded as sale of 450 units) to RePower (repowering vendor). Motion by Ron Liberty; second by Paul Pru. Outcome: approved.
- Approve changing the May regular board meeting date (action resulted in the board scheduling the next regular meeting for May 14, 2025). Motion by Ron Liberty; second (recorded). Outcome: approved.
- Consent agenda approved (items A–D), including minutes of 03/19/2025; claims, vouchers and receipts totaling $2,796,696.01; donations totaling $7,034; and personnel report contingent upon contract/settlement conditions. Motion by Ron Liberty; second by Mike Hornisher. Outcome: approved.
After the open‑session votes, the board moved to convene an executive closed session under Wisconsin Statutes section 19.85 for the purposes described on the agenda (personnel matters, parental requests for student assessment opt‑outs, and related confidentiality). Motion to enter closed session by Paul Pru.; second by Ron Liberty. The roll call vote recorded all present board members voting aye.
Several motions included committee recommendations (Finance Human Resources or the Curriculum/Technology/Pupil Services committee) and the meeting minutes indicate the board adopted the committee‑recommended language where applicable. The agenda materials and motions frequently noted funding sources (CTE grants, Head Start Policy Council recommendation, Title grants) when funding was specified.
