Board approves staffing reductions, non-renewals and a half‑time German/EL position to cut roughly $448,000

The Wilmot UHS board approved a set of staffing reductions and final non-renewals intended to reduce projected budget shortfalls. Administration recommended eliminating or reducing multiple positions and the board approved the recommendations.

Administration presented a proposed reduction package for 2024–25 totaling 6.45 full-time-equivalent positions and estimated at about $448,000 in savings if enacted. The presented changes included: elimination of one alternative-education teaching position (the teacher had resigned), elimination of one special-education teaching position (Ryan Gardner's position), reduction of one school-counselor position (to about two-thirds time by a volunteer), conversion of a full-time German position to a half-time German/EL role, reduction of the library media specialist position from 1.0 to 0.4 FTE with a shared-services arrangement under consideration, and elimination of three currently vacant support staff positions.

Administration also presented final notices of non-renewal for two positions (a third previously discussed position was removed from consideration because the employee resigned). The board moved and approved the non-renewal notices as presented.

Because only 12 students had requested German and no German 3 enrollments were projected, administrators recommended replacing the full-time German position with a half-time German/EL post that would run German I and II plus EL supports; the board approved that change and authorized posting for a half-time position. The administration noted online options for higher-level German were limited and that the district had explored other language offerings (French, Mandarin, ASL) but faced program-transition and budget constraints.

The board approved the staffing report and attendant motions as presented.