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STEM governance board outlines contract renewal, enrollment and outreach as contract deadline nears

Fond du Lac School District Board of Education · January 13, 2026
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Summary

A post‑meeting workshop brought the STEM Academy governance board to the table to review contract language, confirm DPI benchmark compliance, report 174 current students, explain open‑enrollment procedures and outline a new outreach video series to boost visibility and enrollment.

Trustees convened a workshop with members of the STEM Academy governance board to review a proposed contract renewal, hear program highlights and discuss enrollment and outreach strategies as the current contract approaches expiration at month’s end.

Erin Stuffle, president of the STEM Academy governance board, introduced board members and said the governance board’s role is to ensure the charter school fulfills its contract with the Fond du Lac School District and to promote project‑based STEM learning. "I'm Erin Stuffle. I'm the current, board president of the STEM Academy governance board," she said when introducing herself to trustees.

STEM representatives told trustees the Department of Public Instruction performed a benchmark compliance check on the draft contract and returned it with the benchmarks met. Governance members urged timely finalization: the existing contract expires at the end of the month and the governance board recommended a carefully timed renewal and an annual meeting cadence going forward.

On enrollment, STEM staff reported current enrollment of about 174 students and described contractual capacity calculations (26 students per class, with two middle‑school classes per grade in the contract); they noted that available physical space, not demand, limits immediate growth. STEM also described a new outreach plan that includes a video series and open‑house "exploration nights" during the March–April enrollment window and a schedule of showcases and community events to boost districtwide awareness.

STEM and district officials discussed cross‑program opportunities with the ACE Academy and shared plans for an annual report and more regular district‑governance communication. Administrators thanked the STEM governance board for its service and asked the board to provide event materials and videos so the district can amplify enrollment outreach.

Next steps: district and STEM staff will finalize remaining contract language, complete the renewal for board consideration before the current contract expiration, and continue outreach during the open‑enrollment period.