Board approves 11 personnel items including new special‑education teacher and bilingual ELL aide

At the Sept. 8 meeting the Wisconsin Rapids School District board approved the Personnel Services Committee’s recommendations PS1 through PS11, a package of 11 personnel actions and related handbook language changes.

Items approved included listed professional staff appointments, professional and support staff resignations and retirements, and several role‑based stipends. Brian Oswald, director of human resources, described the Elementary Library Media Specialist role and the committee’s recommendation of a $17.50 stipend for that position for the 2025–26 school year. The committee also recommended a $17.50 stipend to coordinate the common school fund budget for the 2025–26 school year.

Other approvals and changes

- Fitness club stipend: Wisconsin Rapids Middle School will start a fitness club meeting twice weekly for six to eight weeks; the committee recommended and the board approved a 2% co‑curricular stipend for the club leaders (PS8).

- Additional special‑education teacher at Woodside Elementary: Steve Hepp, director of pupil services, told the committee that recent transfers increased special‑education caseloads at Woodside; the board approved adding one full‑time special‑education teacher position at Woodside (PS9). The district said it will look to use transfer of service funds to help pay for the position.

- Changes to personal‑day language: PS10 approved recommended changes to professional‑staff handbook language permitting building administrators to oversee personal‑day usage on Mondays and Fridays; the change became effective Sept. 8, 2025.

- District‑wide bilingual ELL aide: The committee recommended and the board approved adding one district‑wide bilingual ELL aide to strengthen instructional support and family communication; the district said transfer of service funds would be considered to help fund the position (PS11).

Board action

A motion to approve PS1 through PS11 carried by voice vote. Committee minutes reported no public comment and the Personnel Services Committee adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

Speakers

- Brian Oswald, director of human resources (government) - Steve Hepp, director of pupil services (government) - Troy (committee chair) (government)

Authorities

- Professional staff handbook (district policy) — PS10 amendments to personal‑day language were approved and are effective Sept. 8, 2025.

Provenance

topicintro: {"block_id":"block_1221.37","local_start":0,"local_end":420,"evidence_excerpt":"The Personnel Services Committee met on Tuesday, September 2. The meeting was called to order at 06:43PM and we did not have any public comment. Before us tonight are 11 actionable items. Does anybody want any of those held out? Perfect. PS1, the Committee recommends and I move to approve the following listed professional staff appointments."}

topfinish: {"block_id":"block_1511.59","local_start":0,"local_end":220,"evidence_excerpt":"We have a motion to approve PS1 through PS11. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Those motion is carried."}