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Superintendent: staffing review, construction progress and solar feasibility under way in West Salem
Summary
Superintendent Ryan told the board the district is reviewing job descriptions ahead of 2026 staffing, construction on the elementary gym is about 40% complete and vendors have proposed solar installations with an estimated three-year return on investment.
Superintendent Ryan updated the West Salem School Board on district staffing preparations, construction progress and preliminary solar proposals during the board's strategic-initiatives report.
"A couple of things that we're working on in the district," Ryan said, noting the district has started a district-wide review of job descriptions in preparation for next school year's staffing cycle. He said administrators are beginning staffing conversations and updating job descriptions to ensure accuracy before hiring decisions.
Ryan described recent crisis-planning work with consultant Dave Smolski and area leaders to refine the district's communication plan in the event of an incident. "Dave was here and has helped us write our communication plan," Ryan said, adding he met with community leaders in La Crosse to discuss collective responses to potential incidents.
On construction, Ryan said the elementary school gym is roughly 40% complete. "We're about 40% complete at the elementary school with that gym. The trusses are in place. The roof is on," he said, and added that contractor Lettiger is scheduled to finish roof panels when temperatures allow. He also said approvals for the high-school project are completed at the state level and contractors are bringing in backfill for a retention wall.
Ryan said the district has engaged vendors to evaluate adding solar to the two new-building projects. "There's a three-year return on investment if we would put something up," he said, and the administration will continue to investigate feasibility and costs.
The board acknowledged the update and had no immediate questions; administration said further details about staffing and the strategic-plan process will be brought forward during upcoming sessions with staff and community stakeholders.
