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Amery board approves officer elections, policies, curriculum purchases, laptops and staff pay increases
Summary
At its annual reorganization meeting the Amery School Board elected officers, approved routine operational items and passed a package of purchases and salary changes including a $148,638.34 math curriculum order, 136 laptops at $1,144.39 each and salary-scale increases (support staff cost estimated at $102,941).
The Amery School Board used its annual reorganization meeting to elect officers, approve routine operational items and pass several operational expenditures and personnel actions.
Elections and governance: the board appointed Becky Schmidt as teller and, by unanimous voice vote, elected Sharlena as president and Steve Ostero as vice president; Gwen was approved as clerk and Larry as treasurer. The board also confirmed committee assignments and a CESA 11 delegate for the June convention.
Policies and administrative designations: trustees approved the 2026–27 regular meeting dates and designated the district’s official depositories. The board authorized continued use of Weld Riley for legal services and approved the annual authorization to use independent hearing officers for any expulsion hearings that may occur in 2026–27. The first reading of a proposed policy to authorize video and audio surveillance on district buses (policy 7-51-1) was presented and will return for final action in June; board policy 3-46 (student assessments) passed its second reading and was approved.
Purchases and contracts: the board approved the property and casualty insurance renewal presented by the district broker (the package was about $373,600–$374,500 this year, essentially flat to last year) and approved switching cyber coverage toward a different vendor as recommended by the broker. The board renewed membership in the WIAA for interscholastic athletics.
Curriculum and technology: trustees approved a seven-year math curriculum plan for grades 6–12, with district presenters citing a total price point of $148,638.34 for the materials discussed. The board also approved purchasing 136 Dell laptops at $1,144.39 per device (lease and warranty options were discussed at the meeting).
Compensation and personnel: the board approved salary scale increases for support staff (an estimated ongoing cost of $102,941), then approved increases for clubhouse childcare staff, certified staff and the administrative team; administration noted the total package was below the $500,000 figure used in budget modeling. The board approved open-enrollment ins and outs subject to space limitations and accepted multiple donations and grants, including book donations and community grants for school programs.
Personnel actions: trustees approved a slate of personnel items including a new employment contract naming Isaac Christiansen as director of finance and several reassignments and resignations.
Votes at a glance (selected outcomes): - Board president (unanimous voice ballot): Sharlena — elected. - Vice president (unanimous voice ballot): Steve Ostero — elected. - Treasurer (voice vote): Larry — elected. - Approve 2026–27 meeting dates: approved (voice vote). - Approve official depositories: approved (voice vote). - Authorize Weld Riley legal services for 2026–27: approved (voice vote). - Authorize independent hearing officers for expulsions in 2026–27: approved (voice vote). - Approve liability/property insurance renewal: approved (voice vote). - Approve WIAA membership renewal: approved (voice vote). - Approve Policy 3‑46 (student assessments): approved (voice vote). - Approve foreign language student trip (March 13–20, 2028): approved (voice vote). - Approve grades 6–12 math curriculum purchase: approved (voice vote) — cited cost $148,638.34 for the orders presented. - Approve purchase of 136 laptops at $1,144.39 per device: approved (voice vote). - Approve salary increases (support staff, clubhouse, certified, administrative): approved (voice votes); support staff increase estimated at $102,941 ongoing. - Approve open-enrollment applications: approved (voice vote). - Accept donations and grants: approved (voice vote). - Approve personnel actions (contracts, reassignments, resignations): approved (voice vote).
What to watch: the math curriculum adoption and laptop purchase will trigger implementation and professional development steps over the summer; the district’s financial disclosures earlier in the meeting and the subsequent personnel contract for a director of finance mean the board will be monitoring budget implementation and reporting closely in coming months.
The meeting adjourned after public comments and no closed session was required.
