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Board dissolves PR committee, renames communications group, approves handbook and routine items; moves to closed session
Summary
At its June 23 meeting the Rice Lake Area School District board dissolved the Public Relations Committee, renamed it the Communications and Public Relations Committee with a board representative named, approved the middle-school handbook second reading, approved bus transportation rates and other consent items, and voted to convene in closed session.
The Rice Lake Area School District board approved several governance, personnel and operational items on June 23 and then moved into closed session.
Committee and governance changes
The board voted to dissolve the former Public Relations Committee and rename/replace it with a Communications and Public Relations Committee that will meet more frequently and have a single board appointee. The board appointed Bert Richard as the board’s representative to the newly named committee.
Handbook and personnel
The board approved a second reading of the middle-school student handbook with added language clarifying electronic-device expectations and prohibiting possession or use of nicotine products (including vapes and e-cigarettes) on school grounds; disciplinary consequences and co-curricular eligibility impacts were added. The consent agenda — which included one resignation and eight employment recommendations (including adding three lifeguards for the new pool) and a membership renewal to the WIAA — was approved by voice vote.
Operational rates and committee updates
The finance committee reported a negotiated 4% increase requested by the bus maintenance/garage vendor for 2025-26 transportation rates; the board approved the 2025-26 bus transportation rates. The curriculum committee update included end-of-year achievement-gap reports from elementary principals and approved the new course additions discussed in a separate article.
Closed session
Following regular business, the board moved to convene into closed session; a motion was made and seconded, roll call was taken and the board proceeded into closed session.
Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes)
- Approval of June 9 minutes: approved (voice vote). - Consent agenda (one resignation, eight recommendations, pool lifeguards, WIAA membership renewal): approved (voice vote). - 2025-26 preliminary budget: approved (voice vote). - Middle-school handbook (second reading): approved (voice vote). - Dissolution of Public Relations Committee and renaming/appointment to Communications and Public Relations Committee: approved (voice vote); Bert Richard named representative. - 2025-26 bus transportation rates: approved (voice vote). - New high-school courses (Holocaust Studies; Modern History & 9/11; Fit for Life 2): approved (voice vote). - Policy 344.43 (promotion/retention third-to-fourth grade): approved (voice vote). - Motion to convene into closed session: approved (roll-call vote recorded in meeting transcript as yes/no by members present).
Next procedural step
Board members and staff will carry out committee work and administrative follow-up; staff indicated they will return with audit-informed budget adjustments and requested AP pass-rate data.
