District staff presented statewide research showing 73% of districts face declining enrollment and flagged special-education funding shortfalls that could leave the district about $800,000 short; the board also viewed Farnsworth Middle School project videos and heard a solar project estimate with a six-year payback.
Board members discussed proposed WASB convention resolutions and a bylaw amendment to create two tiers of WASB membership. Members broadly favored most resolutions but a majority said they would not support a resolution to 'decouple' public and private school funding, citing risks to public education and special-education funding.
The Sheboygan Area School District committee approved a $107,800 offer to buy Lots 75 and 76 in Stonebrook Crossing for its student house-construction program; closing is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2026. Board members praised the program’s educational and community benefits.
The Sheboygan Area School District board approved a 2027 Europe field trip for the high school culinary department, a new Spanish course for heritage speakers at North High, and multiple committee recommendations (appointments, leave of absence, financial reports, gifts) by voice vote during the meeting.
Officials told trustees that $9.5 million in bond proceeds will be received Dec. 15 for Farnsworth and Urban schools, IT will require Google multifactor authentication for staff, and more than two-thirds of bus trips now use RFID student cards to track ridership.
Superintendent Dr. Conrad told the school board the district faces an approximate $1.6 million deficit, attributing part of the pressure to lower-than-promised special education reimbursement rates and about $7.3 million of local levy dollars flowing to voucher schools; trustees received the update and no layoffs were announced.
Board ratified sale parameters for general obligation promissory notes (not to exceed $9,000,500) after a facilities update that reported the project about $3 million over base budget but within a $6 million contingency; the board agreed to use parent and community newsletters, not a district postcard, for tax/refund information.
A volunteer-driven reforestation program with Lakeshore National Resource Partnership and the Sheboygan Rotary has planted 217 trees on six district campuses using a $25,000 DNR urban forestry grant and matching Rotary funds; the project pairs student learning with long-term canopy restoration.
District staff told the board that statewide report-card methodology changes mean 2024–25 scores establish a new baseline; the district reported 19 schools saw score increases and elementary math proficiency rose to 50.7% (up 3.7 points), while growth now carries roughly 44.7% of the accountability weight.
The board approved a taxpayer postcard — to be sent by Every Door Direct Mail — explaining state funding trends and property-tax drivers; members debated whether to cite the Wisconsin Policy Forum or DPI and agreed to send the postcard 'with or without' other districts' participation.
