The Owen-Withee school board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 28. Under the Consent Agenda, they approved minutes, payment of bills, Peter Devine as head baseball coach, Kristine Kodl as middle/high school secretary and a new five year agreement with Rural Virtual Academy (RVA).

The first item under new business was to approve the Fitness and Forward Center Handbook. President Julie Wendler asked how much the Forward Center and Fitness Center were being used. This was not immediately known but administration can check on it. Board member Adam Simington wanted to know why the Fitness Center is only open early in the morning and in the evening. The response was that it is used for physical education classes during the school day. During the summer, the Fitness Center is open more hours. A volleyball league is going to start meeting in the Forward Center on Sundays. They will be paying $60 per team for use of the facility. People will be charged an additional charge to have their key fob open the Forward Center. The Handbook was approved.

Dean Schmelzer was approved to be the WASB Delegate, with Julie Wendler as the alternate. In addition, Joan Jalling and Angela Greschner are planning to attend the WASB Convention. Todd Nelson is still not sure whether he will attend.

Fund 80 Community Service dollars will be used to help pay for new wrestling mats for youth wrestling. It will be a 30’x30’ mat and the cost is approximately $3,600-$4,000. Board member Todd Nelson questioned paying for a mat for a youth program that isn’t school sponsored. The mat they have is in pretty bad shape and can’t be cleaned. The organization will be fundraising to help pay for the program also. The thought behind the school paying for the mat out of the community fund is that it will help grow the wrestling program. There was also a question of this setting a precedent for other youth sports to ask the district for help. It was pointed out that the district maintains a field for youth football and that really isn’t any different. A motion approved spending up to $4,000 for the new mat. The lock on the door will be flipped so that youth wrestling won’t have access to the rest of the building.

In discussion of the operational referendum, there was nothing to address. It was noted that a few people did stop in to ask questions about the referendum. It was also pointed out that enrollment is no longer declining.

The Board of Canvassers for the election will be Angela Greschner, Stacy Rasmussen, and Julie VanArk.

Under Administrator’s Reports, Elementary Principal Julie VanArk said October had been a busy month with parent/teacher conferences and the Scholastic Book Fair. Conferences were well attended. Students enjoyed Elementary Ag Day at the Wells Farm. VanArk said that the FFA students were amazing and that it “was a good opportunity to see high school kids doing great things.” They also had Grandparent’s Day. It was moved to the Forward Center and the elementary gym to alleviate overcrowding in the classrooms. They had 265 grandparents attend this year. The Owen-Withee-Curtiss Fire Department also came to give lessons on fire safety in October. VanArk said it isn’t just important for students to learn about fire safety, but they also need to learn not to be afraid of firefighters when they have their suits on. They also have plans for a Halloween parade. The Professional Learning Community (PLC) is working on Tier 2 interventions and piloting their bookworms curriculum. They also have a Title I Family Night coming up, where they will be demonstrating their writing curriculum. They will also update parents on Wisconsin’s new reading law.

Middle/High School Principal Nate Johnson reported that Homecoming activities went well. He thanked Holly Hatlestad and Trent Klemm for stepping up to be the new Student Council advisors. Attendance was down slightly for parent/teacher conferences, with only about 40 families attending. They also had Red Ribbon Week to promote an alcohol and drug free life. This involved dress-up days and other fun activities. Travis Engel chaperoned five students to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Five former O-W students earned their FFA American degrees. Volleyball is done for the year. Football is moving on in the playoffs and one student has advanced to state cross country. Middle school boys basketball practice has begun. The PLC team is making plans to provide teachers with professional development and support.

District Administrator Randy Bergman reported that the electric sensors in the Forward Center were not working and the company that installed them has gone bankrupt. He said Total Electric will come in and fix it. The total cost is $6,620. The janitors currently have to turn on the lights in the morning and they have to stay on all day. The money will come from Fund 46.

It was also noted that Dean Frederick won a first place World Forage Management Cup. One of the board members saw it announced in Hoard’s Dairyman. Caleb Green won the Lorraine Missling Outstanding Early Career Educator Award.