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Board approves transportation safety plan, student transfers and a package of policy updates
Summary
The McFarland School District board unanimously approved an Unusually Hazardous Transportation Plan, approved student transfers from WEVA/Insight/Destinations Career Academy back to resident districts for lack of engagement, and adopted a set of administrative and student policies on second reading.
At its meeting the McFarland School District board approved three formal items after brief discussion: an Unusually Hazardous Transportation Plan, recommended student transfers to resident districts, and a package of policy adoptions that included curriculum, attendance and administrative items.
Unusually Hazardous Transportation Plan The board voted unanimously (5–0) to approve the Unusually Hazardous Transportation Plan as recommended by the Dane County Sheriff’s Department and the McFarland Police Department. Board member Tom moved the motion; Megan Fessler seconded. District staff said the plan makes only limited route changes for 2025–26 (notably a change to the grades 6–12 walk zone west of Highway 51) and that the district will monitor Highway 51 construction in 2026–27 which could require temporary adjustments. The plan will be posted on the district transportation website and staff said they will publish explanatory materials for the public.
Transfers from WIVA/WEVA/Destinations Career Academy and Insight School of Wisconsin The board unanimously approved recommended transfers of students back to their resident districts due to lack of engagement, as permitted under Wisconsin statute (student transfer rules). Board members spoke in the meeting about the human consequences: administrators reported the transfers affect K–8 students and a small number of older students nearing graduation, and emphasized that the decisions involve real children requiring outreach and support. The motion passed 5–0.
Policy adoptions (second reading) The board adopted on second reading a large set of policy updates covering district organization, curriculum development, student privacy, gifted programs, medication administration, third‑grade retention, staff ethics and financial controls among others. The board voted 5–0 to adopt the packet of policy revisions that administration recommended on second reading.
Votes at a glance - Unusually Hazardous Transportation Plan: motion by Board member Tom; second by Megan Fessler; outcome: approved 5–0. Note: staff will post the plan online and monitor Highway 51 construction for 2026–27 implications. - Student transfers (WEVA/Destinations Career Academy/Insight School of Wisconsin back to resident districts): motion by Bruce (board member); second by Board member Tom; outcome: approved 5–0. Staff noted transfers include multiple K–8 students and several older students. - Policy adoptions (listed as second reading package): motion moved and seconded at the meeting; outcome: approved 5–0. The packet included policies on curriculum, attendance, student privacy, medication, gifted programs and internal controls.
All three actions were approved unanimously; none carried dissent or abstentions recorded in the meeting minutes.
