NORTH CRAWFORD - After months of investigation and obtaining public input, the North Crawford School Board took action at their Tuesday, August 16 meeting to approve finalized language of two referendums to exceed the revenue limit for recurring purposes, and for borrowing for capital improvement projects.

Those two referendums will appear on the ballot for the November 2022 Partisan General Election, for voters in the North Crawford School District in Crawford, Vernon and Richland counties. The referendums were passed unanimously by school board members on a roll call vote. The board also unanimously approved a resolution notifying the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction that the school board has approved the resolutions.

The language of the resolution to exceed the revenue limit for recurring expenses is as follows: 

“BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the North Crawford School District, Crawford, Richland and Vernon Counties, Wisconsin that the revenues included in the School District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $300,000 for the 2022-2023 school year; by an additional $250,000 (for a total of $550,000) for the 2023-2024 school year; by an additional $200,000 (for a total of $750,000) for the 2024-2025 school year; and by an additional $150,000 (for a total of $900,000) for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, for recurring purposes consisting of operational expenses.”

The language of the resolution to borrow for capital improvement projects to district facilities and grounds reads as follows:

“BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the North Crawford School District, Crawford, Richland and Vernon Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $4,500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project at the school building and site consisting of: capital maintenance, building infrastructure and site improvements, including roof and window replacement; renovations and facility updates, including Americans with Disabilities Act improvements and upgrades to instructional space; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.”

“We are finalizing dates to host Community Referendum Meetings,” North Crawford Superintendent Brandon Munson said.  “Once the dates are decided, the district will begin advertising those dates with the hope of having high turnout at each of the meetings, where citizens can learn more about the upcoming referendums, and ask questions.”

School Forest project

North Crawford Elementary School Principal Amanda Killeen reported that an effort is underway to restore the North Crawford School Forest for use as an outdoor education and recreation space. The forest is located just outside of Gays Mills on West Point Road.

“A date will be announced soon for interested volunteers to learn more about the district’s hopes to revitalize our school forest,” Killeen said. “In the meantime, anyone with ideas or that is interested in volunteering can contact me.”

District Showcase

The school board recognized Carrie Galindo, Summer School Coordinator, for organizing and coordinating an excellent summer school program this year. 

“The program was well attended, and provided students with a mix of academic and enrichment classes,” Munson said.  

The board also recognized Harry Heisz and the custodial crew for their hard work in getting the building ready for the return of staff and students. 

“This was an especially difficult task this summer considering the department is down a staff member, we opened a new child care center, we had three different construction projects happening in the building, and we started school two weeks earlier than usual,” Munson explained.

School staffing

Superintendent Brandon Munson reported to the board that the school is fully staffed out in front of the first day of school on August 18, except for an evening custodian.  He said that the district is currently advertising and recruiting for that position.

In closed session, the board approved:

• hiring of Ashley Hagen to provide part-time athletic training services.  Ms. Hagen will provide five hours/week of athletic training services to high school athletes throughout the year

• hiring of Rita Fortney as part-time coordinator of health services. Ms. Fortney is contracted for 400 hours for the school year to coordinate school nursing and health services.

In other business

In other business, the board:

• heard a report from elementary principal Amanda Killeen about professional development taking place to ready elementary staff for students returning to school

• heard that the elementary was recently recognized by the Wisconsin Response to Intervention Center as a Silver Award Winner for their academic intervention program

• heard a report from middle/high school principal Rob Sailer on beginning-of-the-year activities, as well as some of the goals for the new school year

• heard a report from student services director Cara Wood about the district's involvement in the ‘Sources of Strength’ program, and plans for the coming school year

• approved the 2022-23 District Safety Plan with minimal updates