August 2026 Board Considerations

Purpose

Open and timely communication is essential to a strong partnership between our school district and the community we serve. Board Considerations is designed to provide a clear and accessible summary of the discussions, actions, and key decisions from each Board of Education meeting. While the official meeting minutes remain the formal record, this newsletter highlights the important topics, provides helpful context, keeps our staff, families, and community informed about the work being done to support Student Success. We hope this resource helps everyone stay connected to the important decisions shaping our school district.

Group picture of adults and students and a large Cardinal mascot

Opening Day for Staff

Picture of 2 men holding an oversized check

Booster Club Donation of $185,000

August 25, 2026 Regular Board Meeting

Showcase a School

Booster Club Donation

Steve Gibbs, Booster Club Vice-President, presented a $185,000.00 check to the Chi-Hi Athletics Fund for the 2026-27 school year. Due to the Booster Club’s continued commitment to raising funds for our student athletes, participation costs remain low and teams have the gear and equipment they need.

Introduction of New Administrators

Dr. Saron, Superintendent of Schools, and President Czech introduced and welcomed back the new administrators for the 2026-27 school year.

Britny Gabert, Director of Student Services & Special Education
Scott Kowalski, CVHS Principal
Dr. Brad Saron, Superintendent

Monitoring Operational Performance

OE-5: Personnel Administration

Sara Denure, Director of Human Resources, provided an overview of the OE-5 Personnel Administration monitoring report. The Board voted that the district is in compliance with noted exceptions on monitoring report OE-5 Personnel Administration. Read the OE-5: Personnel Administration report here.

Review of Board Policy, OE-5: Personnel Administration and Discussion of Potential Indicator Revisions

No revisions were recommended at this time.

Focus on Results

R-2.2: Personal Interests and Strengths

Scott Marty, Director of Educational Technology, and Melissa Olson, Assistant Director of Teaching & Learning, provided an overview of the R-2.2 Personal Interests & Strengths monitoring report. The Board voted that the district has made reasonable progress on monitoring report R-2.2 Personal Interests and Strengths. Read the Personal Interests and Strengths report here.

Review of Board Policy, R-2.2: Personal Interests & Strengths and Discussion of Potential Indicator Revisions

No revisions were recommended at this time.

Board Consent Agenda

Approval of New Hires, Resignations, Retirements, and Transfers

The Board approved the new hires, resignations, retirements, and transfers as presented by the Human Resources Department. Read the New Hires, Resignations, Retirements, and Transfers report here.

Approval of Financial Reports

The Board approved the July financial reports as presented. Read the Financial reports here.

Approval of Board Meeting Minutes

The Board approved the public and executive session board meeting minutes for the 07/28/2026 regular board meeting and public session meeting minutes for the 08/11/2026 special Board meeting as presented. Read the Board Meeting Minutes report here.

Consideration of Monitoring Report Summaries

The Board approved the monitoring report summaries as presented. Read the Monitoring Report Summaries here.

Matters Reserved for Board Action

Resolution Authorizing Temporary Borrowing in an Amount Not to Exceed $7,100,000; Issuance of Tax and Revenue Anticipation Promissory Notes; and Participation in the PMA Levy and Aid Anticipation Notes Program

Chad Trowbridge, Business Manager, provided an overview of the temporary borrowing needs for the 2026-27 school year. This annual process helps the District manage cash flow and meet its financial obligations until revenue is received; the Board voted to approve the resolution as presented. Read the Resolution Authorizing Temporary Borrowing report here.

Consideration of Policy Committee Meeting Notes

Dennis Fehr, Committee Chairperson, provided an overview of the 08-18-2026 policy committee meeting notes; the Board approved the 08-18-2026 policy committee meeting notes as presented. Read the Policy Committee Meeting Notes report here.

Consideration of NEOLA Policy Revisions

Dennis Fehr, committee chairperson, provided an overview of the recommended policy revisions; the Board approved the recommended NEOLA policy revisions as presented. Read the NEOLA Policy Revisions report here.

Communicating with the Board (if applicable, click on the report heading for greater detail)

Enrollment Update

Chad Trowbridge, Business Manager, provided an overview of the current enrollment numbers.

Woldt Donation Process

Dr. Saron and Chad Trowbridge are scheduled to meet with Chi-Hi staff who submitted project proposals.

Community Conversation / Strategic Plan Refresh Update

The second design team meeting was on Tuesday, August 18. The team finalized the online survey questions, reviewed the updated stakeholder list, and discussed the drop-in mini-sessions that are scheduled for:

September 8 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Halmstad Elementary

September 10 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Chippewa Falls Middle School

September 14 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Jim Falls Elementary

September 17 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Chippewa Falls High School

September 30 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Chippewa Falls YMCA Community Room

More information on the Community Conversation, including links to the survey can be found on the district webpage: Community Conversation 2026.

Superintendent Entry Plan Update

Dr. Saron provided an overview of the Superintendent Entry Plan. Throughout August, he collaborated with various community stakeholders, including the Mayor of Chippewa Falls, the Chamber President, and leadership from the Chippewa Falls Police Department, McDonell Area Catholic Schools, CESA 10, Veritas Classical Academy, and the Chi-Hi Booster Club. For September, primary objectives include site visits across the district schools and hosting Community Conversation mini-sessions.

Educational Technology Department Update

Scott Mary, Director of Educational Technology, provided an EdTech update regarding ParentSquare, SmartSites, and High School AI use.

Student Handbook Revision

Scott Mary, Director of Educational Technology, reviewed updates to the Chi-Hi student handbook regarding Academic Integrity, reflecting new high school AI usage.

Summer School Programming

Katie Coppenbarger, Director of Teaching & Learning, provided an overview of this year’s summer school programming.

*Please note that the above information is provided pending the approval of Board minutes at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

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CONNECTING WITH YOUR BOARD OF EDUCATION

As board members, we are elected to represent the interests of our community. Meeting with community members is a key process in this role. If you are interested in having board members come to your community or civic organization to talk about our district and answer questions you might have, please reach out to our Board Secretary, Angela Seyer at (715) 726-2417, ext. 1803. We would be honored to visit you.

Your CFAUSD Board of Education

Top row - Board Officers (l to r) - Dave Czech, President; Peggy McKillip, Vice President; Sherry Jasper, Clerk; and Dennis Fehr, Treasurer

Bottom row - Board Members (l to r) - Steve Olson, Dave Martineau, and Sharon McIlquham,

Additional Board of Education Information

The Board of Education of the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District represents, leads and serves the district’s owners and holds itself accountable to them by committing to act in their best interests and by ensuring that all Board and district action is consistent with law and the Board’s policies.

The Board’s purpose is to assure that the District achieves the results described in the Board’s Results policies and that it operates according to the values expressed in the Board’s Operational Expectations policies.

The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District School Board members are committed to maintaining an open line of communication with residents of the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District. Anyone having specific questions relating to board policies or actions should call the Board of Education office at (715)726-2417 or by mail at:

Secretary of the Board of Education

1130 Miles Street

Chippewa Falls, WI 54729