Winneconne board approves attendance and discipline policy updates, sets listening sessions and hires varsity coach

The Winneconne Community School District board on Nov. 4 approved a package of policy updates and several administrative actions, including setting community listening dates and hiring a varsity girls soccer coach.

The board approved revised Policy 5200 (attendance), which added excused‑absence categories recommended by state law, and Policies 5610 and 5610‑3 addressing suspension/expulsion and alternatives/reentry plans. The revisions add a 30‑calendar‑day reference for attendance considerations, expand excused‑absence instances for severe weather and for military honors, and recommend non‑exclusionary discipline approaches, especially for younger students.

"The recommendation from the committee is to put a check mark in that last sentence that I read," a policy committee member said while reviewing the disciplinary language. Board member Verich moved approval of the three policies; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all board members voting aye.

The board also approved two community listening sessions, scheduled for Jan. 29 and April 30 at 6:30 p.m. (location to be determined) to increase public engagement; the board agreed to assign at least two board members to attend each session. Additionally, the board approved the hiring of a new varsity girls soccer coach (motion by Verich; second by Hansen) by roll call vote.

Near the end of the meeting, the board voted to move into executive session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85 to approve executive‑session minutes from Oct. 7, 2024; roll call votes to enter executive session were recorded as ayes.