Lisa Pugh, a member of the Stoughton Area School District Board of Education, opened the meeting’s substantive business with a summary of multiple state hearings and bills moving through the Legislature.

Pugh said the Senate Committee on Education would hear five bills beginning Jan. 6, four of which had already passed the Assembly, and warned that as bills move through the Senate they move closer to becoming law or being vetoed by the governor. She said subjects on the Senate agenda include a pilot program for professional development for science teachers incorporating certain pregnancy‑related topics in human growth and development curriculum, school policy changes on name updates, state participation in a federal tax credit for scholarship granting organizations, and substitute teaching at private choice schools.

Pugh also noted an Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety hearing set for Jan. 6 that includes AB 677, which she described as “a bill which would create a crime for grooming a child.” She told the board the Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges would hold an off‑site hearing in Pewaukee on Jan. 7 to consider bills on dual‑enrollment regulations and a proposal to broaden the state’s minority teacher loan program to more disadvantaged candidates.

The board member urged members and residents that anyone can testify at public hearings: “You go to the Capitol, you write out a slip and you don’t have to have written comments,” Pugh said, explaining how to register in favor or opposition. She pointed trustees to the Legislature’s website for committee agendas and hearing details.

Pugh reviewed recent gubernatorial actions, saying the governor signed two bills before the holidays relating to parental notification of alleged staff misconduct and allowing certain federally chartered youth organizations to provide information on public school property; she said the governor vetoed several other bills. Pugh also flagged federal reports that the administration had temporarily frozen childcare funds to states pending additional verification, and warned that any added reporting requirements could strain local 4K and childcare providers already operating on thin margins.

The board did not take action on state bills during the meeting; Pugh encouraged trustees and community members to follow committee agendas and to testify at hearings when desired.

The board listed outreach and WASB resolution preparation among upcoming local committee items members may discuss at the next full meeting.