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Board splits on personnel package; motion to approve Exhibit A minus economic layoffs fails 3‑3, resignations and retirements approved
Summary
After hours of discussion about proposed staff reductions and vacant positions, the board deadlocked 3‑3 on a motion to approve Exhibit A except for economic layoffs; the board later approved resignations and retirements from Exhibit A by unanimous vote. Speakers raised concerns about cutting a physical therapist and assistant principals.
The Beloit School District Board of Education faced divided votes May 6 over Exhibit A — the administration’s list of personnel actions that would take effect as the district addresses a major budget gap.
Board member Amy Levy moved to approve Exhibit A with the exception of items labeled “economic layoff”; Megan Miller seconded. On a roll call the motion failed 3‑3 (Megan Miller, Brian Nichols and Amy Levy voted yes; Joanne Ruh, Juan Romero and Tia Johnson voted no). After that vote board members subsequently approved the resignations and retirements listed in Exhibit A unanimously.
Discussion focused on two particularly contested personnel issues: elimination of one district physical therapist position and the planned reductions of assistant principal and student services roles in elementary schools. Adam Weisman, a district physical therapist, told the board cutting a PT would leave 29 students on an active caseload who “would not be able to be seen” in school and estimated outside billing costs as high as about $328,000 for a school year if students were referred to outside providers. He also warned that overloading remaining therapists could place them at risk of practicing outside the scope of licensure.
District staff responded that they have consulted the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and that a proposed model — one physical therapist with two physical therapist assistants supporting the district — would be within the supervisory and workload flexibility allowed by state guidance. An administrative staff member explained that the district is transitioning to more inclusive service models and that DPI has indicated the district could remain in compliance while managing caseloads through supervision and workload models rather than clinical caseload limits.
Why it matters: The vote reflects board division over how to balance budget reductions against program needs and regulatory constraints for special education services. Speakers warned that eliminating assistant principals and student services staff would increase behavioral incidents, strain teachers, and accelerate staff departures.
Votes recorded: - Motion to approve Exhibit A minus economic layoffs — FAILED (3 yes, 3 no). - Motion to approve resignations and retirements (subset of Exhibit A) — APPROVED unanimously.
Ending: Board members said they would revisit budget and staffing decisions as state aid information (the biennial budget) and enrollment numbers become clearer; administrators said they would notify affected employees and follow applicable labor rules.
