Hartford Union High School District board approves music trip, library plan, tech upgrades, budget amendment and vehicle purchase

The Hartford Union High School District Board of Education on a unanimous series of votes approved several administrative and capital items, including a student music trip to New York City, a DPI-aligned library plan, a technology switch replacement, a $400,000 budget amendment to move funds into the district capital fund, a payroll-services contract and the purchase of a reconfigured 2026 Ford Transit van.

Board members moved quickly through the consent and action items after student recognitions and superintendent remarks. The board unanimously approved a New York City field trip for HHS music and choir students, with administrators noting a maximum per-student cost of $2,400 for travel, lodging, meals and activities. Trustee Nolan Jacket made the motion; Heather Barry seconded.

Administrators next presented a library plan prepared for submission to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction that centers on academic and career planning, instructional technology use and curating a robust collection. The plan package included a concise, bullet-point guide to the selection and deselection process posted on the district library website; administration noted a reported 33% increase in materials available to students. Trustee Kenneth Miller moved to approve the library plan; Tiffany Stapleton seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

In technology business, the board approved a third reading of a network switch replacement project. Administration described the item as presented in board packet materials; the board approved the purchase on a roll-call motion (moved by Kenneth Miller, seconded by Tiffany Stapleton). The transcript contains a typographic variation of the project cost; administration and the board packet list the project budget as presented to the board.

On finances, the board approved a 2025–26 budget amendment that creates a $400,000 expenditure in Fund 10 to permit a transfer into Fund 46 (long-term capital improvements). Administration explained the transfer corrects the accounting treatment after a separate account was later established; Tiffany Stapleton moved, Nolan Jacket seconded, and the item passed on a required roll-call vote.

The board also approved continuing payroll services provided by CISA 6 for the 2026–27 school year at a not-to-exceed amount of $27,400, citing improved payroll processes and record cleanup under the vendor’s oversight. Trustee Kenneth Miller moved the contract; Heather Barry seconded.

For transportation, administration requested authorization to order a 2026 Ford Transit that will be converted and re‑certified for school use as a 10-passenger vehicle. The board authorized the purchase not to exceed $69,735 and asked staff to determine trade‑in or resale value for the district’s older unit when the new vehicle arrives.

Separately, the board approved nonrenewal of the district’s Wisconsin Association of School Boards membership for the 2026–27 year after a cost–benefit review comparing WASB services and overlapping alternatives. The board also approved solicitation of community and parent members for the Human Growth and Development Advisory Committee in accordance with Wisconsin Statute 118.019 to support the required three‑year curriculum review.

Each motion was moved, seconded and recorded during the meeting; the board president called for roll-call votes where required by statute or district practice. The actions are procedural and administrative; the board reiterated that public details and supporting documents for each item are available in the board packet posted with the meeting materials.

Next steps: administrators will (1) complete required DPI submissions for the library plan, (2) finalize vendor contracts and purchase orders for the technology and van projects and (3) proceed with the Human Growth and Development committee solicitation and subsequent board approval of committee members.