Lake Country School District board approves referendum contracts, accepts retirements and a resignation

The Board of Education of the Lake Country School District met Feb. 16, 2026, in the Lake Country School library and voted unanimously to approve six resolutions, including contracts tied to upcoming referendum work and several personnel actions.

The board approved Resolution #1269 to award JM Brennan a mechanical services contract for referendum-related work totaling $2,490,165. The board also approved Resolution #1267, a $456,595 contract with LaForce Electronic Security Solutions for referendum-related security services, and Resolution #1268, a $327,304.70 contract with Newport Network Solutions for low-voltage and technology work. Together those three contracts total $3,274,064.70. Each contract was approved on recorded motions and carried 5-0.

The board also approved Resolution #1266 to pay an Attolles Law invoice for legal services in the amount of $4,478.50 and Resolution #1265 to authorize the CESA 2 Business Services Support Agreement as provided in the meeting attachments. All motions passed unanimously.

In Resolution #1264 the board approved personnel actions: the retirements of Amy Larson, 1st-grade teacher, and Pam Probst, 3rd-grade teacher, both effective June 30, 2026, and accepted the resignation of Melissa Schoeder, Director of Business Services, effective March 30, 2026. The motion on Resolution #1264 was recorded 5-0.

Administrators and committee chairs told the board that the contracts and other work are tied to planned capital improvements and the district’s upcoming March referendum. Administrator Chad Schraufnagel announced a referendum information presentation to be held Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. in the school library and said a second mailing about the March referendum would be distributed; the board also discussed scheduling a special meeting before March 1 to address a detachment petition related to the Westrock apartment complex.

The board convened to closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) at 6:10 p.m. to consider employment- and personnel-related matters, including an administrator contract. The board returned to open session at 6:38 p.m.; no action was taken on closed-session items. The meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution #1264 (personnel hires, reductions, resignations, retirements, leave of absence): Motion by Heather Wooten; seconded by Pete Maurer. Outcome: approved, 5-0. Noted retirements: Amy Larson and Pam Probst (effective June 30, 2026). Resignation: Melissa Schoeder (effective March 30, 2026).

- Resolution #1265 (CESA 2 Business Services Support Agreement): Motion by Jhawn Newman; seconded by Heather Wooten. Outcome: approved, 5-0. Contract terms provided in attachment (amount not specified in the minutes).

- Resolution #1266 (Attolles Law invoice): Motion by Jhawn Newman; seconded by Steve Maurer. Outcome: approved, 5-0. Invoice amount: $4,478.50.

- Resolution #1267 (LaForce Electronic Security Solutions contract): Motion by Jhawn Newman; seconded by Pete Maurer. Outcome: approved, 5-0. Contract amount: $456,595.

- Resolution #1268 (Newport Network Solutions low-voltage/technology contract): Motion by Matt Sherman; seconded by Steve Maurer. Outcome: approved, 5-0. Contract amount: $327,304.70.

- Resolution #1269 (JM Brennan mechanical services contract): Motion by Matt Sherman; seconded by Heather Wooten. Outcome: approved, 5-0. Contract amount: $2,490,165.

Next steps and context

Administrators indicated the approved contracts are part of the district’s planned capital work associated with an upcoming referendum; a public information presentation on Feb. 19 and additional mailings about the March referendum were announced. The board noted a detachment petition related to the Westrock apartment complex that must be addressed by March 1 and said it would schedule a special meeting as needed.