Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Amery board approves state-mandated cell-phone policy, forms finance oversight committee and signs off on routine items
Summary
The Amery School Board approved three policies (board member remote participation, homeless-student policy, and the state-mandated student cell-phone policy Act 42), created a finance oversight committee, approved college-credit program applicants, accepted donations, and approved personnel motions including several retirements.
At its March meeting the Amery School Board approved multiple policy and committee actions, completed routine votes and authorized the creation of a finance oversight committee.
The board unanimously approved policy 188 on board-member participation via technology (second reading) and board policy 426 regarding support for homeless students; trustees noted policy 426 aligns the district with federal McKinney‑Vento requirements ahead of universal monitoring.
The meeting’s most contested policy discussion centered on policy 443.5, the student electronic‑device policy required by state Act 42. Board members debated enforcement mechanics (a potential "bell-to-bell" ban versus building-level rules), privacy and search questions, and exceptions for students with IEP or Section 504 needs. The policy explicitly includes an emergency exception: "The rule shall permit students at all grade levels to use a personal electronic device as needed to contact a responsible adult in any emergency situation that involves an immediate threat to the health, safety, or property of any person," a board speaker read as part of the policy text. After extended discussion about enforcement and logistics the board moved, seconded and approved policy 443.5.
The board also voted to create a finance oversight committee (superintendent, two board members and director of finance, plus others as appropriate) to provide more regular financial review; members suggested the committee would be formally staffed during the next round of annual committee assignments.
Additional actions approved included acceptance of Start College Now and Early College Credit Program applicants for nine students, acceptance of multiple community donations (including $1,557 raised at the Warrior Pump to support a hockey trip), and approval of personnel actions and retirements. The meeting concluded with a motion and roll-call vote to enter closed session for a superintendent performance evaluation under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c).
