Hartford J1 School District board ratifies teacher contract exchange, approves tech package and dental renewal

The Hartford J1 School District Board of Education on March 19 ratified an initial exchange of contract proposals with the Hartford Elementary Education Association and approved several district administrative items, including a technology purchase package and a dental-insurance renewal with no increase for the 2024–25 fiscal year.

On the labor item, the board considered the initial proposals exchange that sets the schedule for bargaining under the cited statutory process and voted to approve the exchange. Roll-call responses in the transcript recorded board members answering in the affirmative during the vote.

The board also approved the district’s 2023–24 technology package as presented, authorizing the purchase within a stated not-to-exceed amount. Board members raised concerns about cellular/authenticator coverage in some school buildings and noted the district may need to adjust related staff policies or address reception gaps before full deployment.

District staff reported a dental-insurance renewal (Delta Dental, agent M3) for the 2024–25 plan year that carries a 0% premium increase; the board approved the renewal by roll call. The motion passed with multiple board members recorded saying “Aye.”

The consent agenda — which included approval of minutes, bills and personnel recommendations — was approved by majority voice/roll call vote.

Before adjourning, the chair moved the board into closed session under Wisconsin statute 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of discussing individual administrative contracts and potential nonrenewal of individual contracts.

Ending: The board approved the listed actions and directed staff to proceed; the meeting moved to closed session to address personnel matters as noted.