Winneconne board approves policy updates, gym handrails and device lease

The Winneconne Community School District Board of Education voted Feb. 2 to approve a package of policy revisions, authorize purchase of handrails for the high-school gym bleachers and approve a lease to acquire staff laptops and elementary Chromebooks.

The policy package included revisions to Policy 12-10 (board–district administrator relationship), Policy 12-40 (evaluation of the district administrator), Policy 24-31 (interscholastic athletics), and Policy 51-36 (personal communication devices). The policy committee presenter (Committee member S3) summarized the changes and told the board the revisions were recommended by the committee. On Policy 51-36, the presenter said the policy adopts language required by Wisconsin Act 42 and requires districts to prohibit personal communication-device use during instructional time while allowing explicit exceptions for emergencies, health-care needs, IEP/504 plans and teacher-authorized instructional use. The presenter also noted the district must submit any updated policy to the Department of Public Instruction by Oct. 1 if changes are made.

"Students may possess personal communication devices in school, on school property, during, after school activities and at school related functions. However, they must be powered off and stored out of sight during school hours," the policy committee presenter summarized in explaining the draft language, which also prohibits use that could reasonably create an impression of harassment or intimidation.

A motion to approve the four policies as presented was made and seconded; roll-call votes recorded aye from board members and the motion passed. The board did not adopt any additional exceptions beyond those described in the draft language.

On a facilities item, administration requested approval to purchase retrofit handrails for high-school gym bleachers, citing safety concerns for spectators and visitors. Administration showed sample images and said staff searched multiple vendors before finding hardware compatible with the district's fold-up bleachers. "We finally found something that can work," an administrator (Administrator S5) said, urging the board to approve the expenditure as a safety priority.

A motion to approve the handrail purchase was made and seconded and passed on roll-call vote. Administration said the vendor order would be placed promptly.

The board also approved a planned lease for staff laptops and elementary Chromebooks. Financial staff (S9) explained the contract is a lease that can result in district ownership at the end of the term; leasing now locks in price increases and can provide an extra year of use at lower cost. "This is a lease, but we own them at the end of the term," the staff member said.

A motion to approve the lease was made and seconded and passed on roll-call vote.

After the votes, the board moved to executive session to discuss the district administrator's mid-year review under state statute 19.85(1)(c). The board said it would reconvene in open session and may take action on items discussed in executive session.

What this means: The district adopted updated governance and operational policies (including the personal-device policy required by state law), approved a safety capital purchase for gym bleachers and approved a multi-year technology lease. Next formal steps include implementation of the policies, procurement and deployment of the handrails, and ordering the leased devices; the board scheduled follow-up work in committee and moved into executive session for personnel matters.