Board approves strategic framework, several district contracts and reinstates prior harassment/non‑discrimination policies

The Wisconsin Rapids School Board acted on a cluster of consent and business items, approving the district’s 2025–26 strategic framework, multiple business-services purchases and contracts, and reinstating earlier harassment and nondiscrimination policy language while rescinding other recent Title IX policy changes.

Strategic framework: The board approved the 2025–26 Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools strategic framework (presented as the district’s strategic planning framework), which lays out commitments on literacy and critical thinking, equitable systems and multi-tiered supports, family and community partnerships, and financial stability. The committee recommended approval and the board adopted the framework by motion.

Business services consent items approved include the following (as presented at the meeting): - Lease agreement with CESA 5 to continue space at East Junior High for the Wood County alternative school: $27,000 for the 2025–26 fiscal year. - Floor finishes (wax supply and floor services) from multiple vendors: NASCO Inc. $24,554.34; Schilling $4,677.04; Hilliard Floor Care Supply $3,942.53 (presented as consolidated floor-finish approvals). - Time-tracking and substitute management software: transition to Skyward time-tracking and Red Rover substitute management (three-year combined cost presented as approximately $64,001.47; the district said this represents multi-year savings compared with the prior vendor). - Rams tennis courts: Holbrook Tennis Court Services quote for $94,600 to be paid from 2025–26 capital projects/community service budgets. - Desktop computer purchases: 45 ByteSpeed performance mini desktops at a total cost of $32,001.75 (includes five-year warranty and freight). - 900 HP Chromebooks and management licenses from ByteSpeed / PDS at a total cost of $224,550 (presented as about $219 per device including management and freight). - Internet access contract: three-year Solaris contract for 10 gigabit internet at an annual cost of $55,200; district staff said approximately 80% of that is funded through the federal E‑Rate program with 20% from the district technology budget.

Policy action: By motion, the board rescinded recently adopted Title IX policies from April 2024 and reinstated earlier policy language identified by policy numbers in the packet as 411.11, 400/110.11 rule 1 and rule 2 (described in the meeting as existing harassment and nondiscrimination policies). The board cited recent legal guidance and instructed administration to use the prior policy language while broader Neola policy updates are considered.

Financial approvals: The board noted January 2025 receipts and approved district disbursements. The motion approved receipts of $10,197,654.63 and disbursements of $4,582,347.44 as presented.

Votes and outcomes: Each of the consent items and motions discussed above was approved by the board in voice vote or roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes. Where the meeting recorded roll call votes (for the business-services block of items), trustees answered in the affirmative and the motions carried.

Why it matters: the contracts approved fund routine operations (internet, classroom devices, building maintenance), vendor transitions intended to save multi-year costs, and a capital surface project for tennis courts. The policy rescission reflects the district’s decision to revert to prior harassment and nondiscrimination language while staff considers model policy updates.

Ending: The board approved the items as presented. Staff will implement the contracted work and return any policy recommendations to the board for future consideration.