Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Grafton School District board elects officers, approves benefits consultant and curriculum purchases
Summary
At its April 27 organizational meeting the Grafton School District Board elected officers for 2026–27, approved a contract with R and R Insurance for employee benefits consulting, adopted multiple textbooks and curriculum updates, approved personnel hires and gifts, reviewed the budget and voted to enter closed session on personnel matters.
The Grafton School District Board of Education on April 27 held its organizational meeting, electing officers for the 2026–27 school year, approving a benefits consulting contract with R and R Insurance, and adopting several curriculum purchases.
The board conducted nominations and voice votes to fill leadership roles for the coming school year. By voice vote the board approved the slate of officers: a board member nominated Steve Nada for president and he was elected; Mark Taylor was elected vice president; Jerry Rossi was elected board clerk; and Blair Jamieson was elected treasurer. Jerry Rossi accepted the clerk position.
Superintendent Jeff Nelson highlighted district recognitions and upcoming events before the board moved into action items. "For the fourth year in a row, the district was recognized as a top workplace," Nelson said, and he also noted teacher and student awards including a Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellowship awarded to Robin Morgan and a $6,000 grant for John Long Middle School.
On benefits, the board approved administration’s recommendation to contract with R and R Insurance for employee benefits consulting after a presentation by a representative of the firm. Michelle, a representative of R and R Insurance, told the board the firm will provide a comprehensive benefits guide, school-site visits and year-round communication to help staff understand and use the district’s self-funded benefits program. Administration said it solicited four proposals, brought two finalists to a recent special meeting and directed staff to bring R and R forward for a contract vote.
The board approved several personnel actions and curriculum recommendations. The board voted to hire three staff members—Hope Eichler (school counselor, John Long Middle School/Grafton High School), Olivia Lancer (special education teacher, Woodview Elementary), and Brynn Schuler (special education teacher, Woodview Elementary)—and approved a position change for Samantha Ingracia from seventh-grade ELA teacher to instructional coach at John Long Middle School.
The curriculum committee’s recommendations from the April 13 meeting were approved. The board approved a six-year online-access purchase for the updated AP Statistics textbook at a listed cost of $9,263, purchase of 30 hard-copy Child Development textbooks for $5,670 for a new education CAPP course, and continued use of revised third-edition science lab materials with six years of online access at a listed cost of $5,790.
Administration also presented and the board approved the annual contract for CESA 1 services for specialized placements and services, with a projected cost of $67,893 for 2026–27. Topher, a district staff member who presented the budget update, told the board the third-quarter budget is tracking similarly to prior years and that the district is about $187,000 positive cumulatively after recent months of favorable results. He noted a 10% renewal that increased premiums starting in January and discussed stop-loss reimbursements, pharmacy rebates and claim variability.
Gift reports covering donations to music, athletics, robotics, playgrounds and other programs were approved, including restricted gifts and vendor donations that ranged from several hundred to several thousand dollars. The board also approved a student overnight trip request for the Grafton High School robotics team to attend an FTC invitational in Chicago on July 24; the team plans to seek an $800 competition fee grant from a local bank and families will cover other costs.
Before adjourning the public portion, the board voted to convene in closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) to consider employment-related matters including final notice of nonrenewal of teaching contracts, teacher contracts and employee compensation.
Votes at a glance: - Officers (president, vice president, clerk, treasurer): approved by voice vote. - Contract with R and R Insurance (employee benefits consulting): approved by voice vote. - Personnel hires and position change: approved by voice votes. - Textbook/curriculum purchases (AP Statistics $9,263; Child Development 30 copies $5,670; science materials $5,790): approved by voice votes. - CESA 1 service contract for 2026–27 ($67,893 projected): approved by voice vote. - Student overnight trip (GHS robotics to Chicago): approved by voice vote. - Gift reports: approved by voice vote. - Motion to convene closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(c): approved by voice vote.
The meeting moved to closed session to address personnel matters; no further public actions were recorded in the transcript.
