The Plymouth School District Board of Education met at 7 p.m. March 20, 2012 in the Plymouth High School Amphitheatre. The board:

• Accepted a $10,000 donation from the PHS booster clubs for the restroom and concession stand initiative, as well as other donations. learn more
• Reviewed the district’s plans for Summer School. learn more
• Heard an update on the recent bond refinancing. learn more
• Heard an update on the 2012-13 budget. learn more
• Heard an update on the support staff employment handbook. learn more
• Learned of several support staff changes. learn more
• Approved an out-of-state travel request.  learn more
• Listened to reports from the board president and superintendent. learn more

Click here to watch video of the most recent Board of Education meeting, courtesy of Plymouth Community Television.

 

Donations

The board accepted $10,000 from the Plymouth High School booster clubs to defray the costs of new restrooms and concession facilities at the football and soccer fields.

Four years ago, the board agreed to pay off the remaining $84,000 for the facilities, with the understanding that the booster groups would pay the money back over 10 years.

This fourth installment leaves a balance of $37,000, well ahead of schedule, said Coach Gale Grahn.

The clubs held a variety of other fundraisers throughout the year, including a golf outing that raised about $2,500. Orders for personalized bricks are still being accepted, Coach Grahn said.

The board also accepted donations of:
• $1,614 from Fairview PTO for 6 microscopes.
• $1,420 from Parkview PTK for 5 microscopes.
• $316.51 from Parkview PTK for student transportation to the Appleton Children’s Museum, and engraved room signs at the school.
• $250 from Bedford Underwriters for PHS students to attend Physics Day at Great America.
• $173.27 from Sargento Inc. and its employees for Horizon Elementary School. 
• $95 from Fairview PTO for admission to Above & Beyond Children’s Museum.
• $55 from board member Pam Holzhaeuser.

 

Summer School update

Chris Scudella updated the board on plans for Summer School, a valued opportunity for students to keep learning through the summer.

Mrs. Scudella outlined several changes to this year’s program:

• Because the July 4 holiday falls midweek, Summer School will be split into two sessions, a two-week session from June 18 to 29 and a three-week session from July 9 to 27. This allows families to make different vacation arrangements, she said.
• Fees, which were $25 for last year’s 5-week session, will be $10 for the first session and $15 for the second.
• Because of the installation of windows at Plymouth High School, most classes will be held at Riverview, Horizon and the green space and pool of the high school.

The district will be offering 80 classes during Summer School, nearly all of which will be offered both sessions. New classes are:

• Creating Young Writers: This writing workshop will engage students in kindergarten through third grade in relaxed, playful and expressive writing opportunities designed to explore the secrets of good writing.
• 21st Century Creations: This class for students in grades 5 to 7 will use online tools like Voki, Fotoflexer and ToonDoo to create many unique products while earning badges on Edmodo.
• Plymouth News: This writing course for students in grades 5 to 8 is designed to enhance the writing skills of middle school students as well as inform them of current events.

Science Adventure Week will be offered the week before Summer School and Project Lead the Way the week after, for a total of seven weeks of educational opportunities this summer. In addition, several music courses will be offered in August.

 

Refunding bonds

The board learned of the successful issuance of $9.6 million in general obligation refunding bonds, which is expected to save district taxpayers $817,000 over the next 13 years.

The original bonds were issued in 2005 to fund updates primarily at Riverview, though each property received some updating or remodeling. Interest rates have dropped significantly since then, allowing the district to refinance the debt.

 

2012-13 budget update

The board heard an update on the 2012-13 budget from business manager Jon Miller, who projects a deficit of $370,000 to $390,000.

That will be partially offset by an expected surplus of $250,000 for the 2011-12 school year, he said.

The district budgeting process is starting in the hole, Mr. Miller said. Revenues will be down next year, partly due to declining enrollment and also to the end of federal stimulus funds.

Some factors should help the district’s financial picture:

• Support staff will begin paying toward their retirement and more toward their health care.
• No salary increases are budgeted.
• The district office is down .8 people.
• The district is realizing bank savings due to fewer service charges and lower interest rates on the district’s line of credit.
• Many departments are budgeting zero increases for supplies and equipment.

Unknown factors that could affect the budget are health insurance premiums and the open enrollment balance.

Superintendent Clark Reinke said the administration is in the process of reviewing staffing needs for 2012-13, with the goal of keeping the number of employees static.

 

Support staff employment handbook

Work on the support staff employment handbook continues, Dr. Reinke said.

The administration presented a number of recommendations at the board’s last Committee of the Whole meeting, which prompted a lively discussion.

Revisions and final edits now are being made, before the document is sent to the district’s attorney for review. The matter will be discussed at the April 9 Committee of the Whole meeting and is expected to be acted on at the April 17 board meeting.

The changes will take effect on July 1, once the current contract with the support staff expires.

 

Support staff changes

The board learned of several support staff changes:

• Donna Koenigs has submitted her intent to retire after 27 years of service in the Food Service Department at Plymouth High School. 
• Amber Hartenstein has been hired as a special education aide at Riverview.
• Bonnie Townsend has been hired as a special education aide at Riverview.

 

Out-of-state travel request

The board approved a request from Plymouth High School physics teacher Paul Krzyzaniak to take students to the annual Physics Day Program on May 18 at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill. 

 

President’s report

Board president Mark Rhyan asked people to keep a couple of dates in mind:

• April 3, the general election. He encouraged people to vote, and to get in the habit of voting, as we’ll likely have gubernatorial and legislative recall elections in May and June as well. Representatives at the recent legislative breakfast indicated that there is no shortage of legislative activity affecting the schools.

• July 7, when the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team will be visiting Fond du Lac as part of a tour of the country. Mr. Rhyan had dinner with several team members during a recent visit to the area and was amazed by their perspective on life. While in Fond du Lac this summer, players will be in a parade and play in a round-robin tournament, while raising money for the advancement of prosthetics and mental health of our country’s veterans. Learn more:  www.woundedwarrioramputeesoftballteam.org

 

Mr. Rhyan also said he, along with Dr. Reinke and PHS Principal Dan Mella, met recently with local law enforcement to discuss ways to educate people regarding the drug problems in our community. While officials seem to have a good handle on the problem in the schools – thanks in large part to Police Liaison Officer Todd Kronberg – we must be sure to keep it in check, he said.

 

Superintendent’s report

Superintendent Clark Reinke highlighted several recent student and staff accomplishments:

• Plymouth High School presented “Oklahoma!” as its spring musical. learn more
• Riverview students competed in a district musical festival. learn more
• PHS students competed in the Junior Achievement Business Challenge. learn more
• PHS business teacher June Winkel was awarded a grant. learn more
• Board president Mark Rhyan received the Sargento Founders Award.

Summary prepared by Jamie Piontkowski, Plymouth School District communications coordinator