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Merrill Area School District board approves policies, contracts and student trips at June 17 meeting
Summary
At its June 17 meeting the Merrill Area School District board approved a package of policies, handbooks, contracts and student trips, accepted the consent agenda including $3.36 million in claims, and authorized a closed session to review pre‑expulsion records.
The Merrill Area School District Board of Education met Wednesday, June 17, 2026, and approved a series of policy updates, contracts and student travel requests, while scheduling a closed session to review student disciplinary histories.
Board Chair John Smith opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. and the board adopted Policy 5136 on personal communication devices after a motion from board member Paul Pru and a second from Mike Hornisher. The board also approved the 2026–27 transportation handbook, a change originally noted in the district’s transportation update.
Other actions approved by voice vote included the AGR (Achievement Gap Reduction) year‑end objectives, an eighth‑grade trip to Washington, D.C., and New York City planned for June 2027, and a Merrill High School band and choir trip to Florida (March 2027). The board increased the school nurse’s annual contract from 181 to 190 days beginning in 2026–27 with an approximate cost increase of $3,174 and approved an adoption of SAS My Perspectives as the Grade 6–8 ELA resource for six years at a district cost of approximately $91,767.40 to be paid from CNP and Title II funds.
On financial matters, the board approved the district’s property, casualty and liability insurance coverages for 2026–27 and continued contracts for services over $10,000 for fiscal year 2027 with cost variances limited to the lesser of 5% or $10,000. The board also designated Incredible Bank, PMA Financial Network and the Wisconsin Investment Series School Cooperative as district depositories for FY27.
The consent agenda—approved by motion—included minutes from May 13 and June 3, 2026; claims, vouchers and receipts totaling $3,356,961; donations (amount in the record was partially illegible and is therefore not specified); and a personnel report contingent on contract releases and applicable liquidated damages.
Procedurally, John Smith moved and the board voted to convene in closed session under Wisconsin Statutes section 19.85 and 118.125 to review the pre‑expulsion history chart and discuss student records and personnel matters.
Motions and major approvals were made on the record by named board members during the meeting; votes were taken by voice and are recorded in the minutes as carried unless noted.
