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Board hears first readings of Littlest Learners handbooks; center staffing and wages outlined
Summary
Board reviewed first readings of the Littlest Learners family and employee handbooks and heard operational details: licensed capacity ~150, hours 5:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m., classroom model up to 11 rooms, and lead teacher wages presented at $18–$20 per hour.
At the March 23 meeting the Rice Lake Area School District received first readings of the Littlest Learners family (parent) handbook and a separate employee handbook for the district-operated child care center.
Bren Schiefer, identified in the transcript as the Littlest Learners center director, introduced the documents and thanked the board for approving her employment. She told trustees the center will be licensed for about 150 children with the potential for 11 classrooms and operating hours of 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The administration described the handbooks as guided by Department of Children and Families requirements and noted the documents will return for a second reading and final approval at a future meeting.
Schiefer outlined a proposed wage schedule included in the employee handbook. Lead teachers with Wisconsin registry levels would start at about $18 per hour and range up to $20 an hour depending on level; assistant teachers were listed in the mid-$15 range and food-service staff with ServSafe certification at around $18 per hour. The center currently shows community interest and registrations; administration reported about 52 registrations so far while noting the center's full licensed capacity is higher.
Board members asked operational questions about staffing ratios, how part-time enrollments would be handled for children under age three and whether the district had begun recruitment. Schiefer and administration said staffing plans include a lead teacher in each classroom and assistants scheduled to cover the day, that part-time spots would be restricted for younger age groups because of ratio rules, and that hiring efforts were underway with several lead candidates in place.
Because both handbooks were presented as first readings, board action was deferred. Trustees were asked to review the handbooks during the three-week interval before the next meeting when the documents will return for second reading and possible approval.
