Board of Education Meeting Recap

Thirteen staff members with a combined 333 years of service to VASD are retiring this year. Dr. Clardy and the BOE thanked them for impacting the lives of thousands of students over the years and for committing to the lifelong learning needed to be successful educators. While they will be missed, they are wished the most joyous retirement imaginable! Check out a video with a brief clip of each one of them here.

Library Plan Progress Report

Relevant Policy: Operational Expectation (OE) 11: Instructional Program, Results (R) 2: Academic Achievement

Executive Director of Academic Services Engelkins, VAHS Library Media Center Director & District Librarian Teresa Voss, and Glacier Edge Librarian Andrea Frey shared a Library Plan progress report with the BOE. The Library Plan and all the work of VASD librarians are grounded in service to VASD students and staff. VASD has 8 librarians and 9 school libraries for 11 schools, serving over 5800 students and over 890 staff. The libraries provide access to over 125,000 books, the Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium for eBooks, digital audio, and magazines, and multiple databases. They reviewed the goals and subgoals and provided an update for each one (see below).

Goal 1: Collection Development
VASD Librarians will engage in collection development practices to ensure equitable access to print and digital resources to meet the social, emotional, cultural, and learning needs of our community.

2024-25 Review

Goal 1.1 - Professional learning around collection development practices

• Attended workshop at CCBC on stereotypes in folk & fairy tales

• Elementary School Program Outcome work: folk & fairy tales

• Shared out common lists from workshops and webinars

• Met with new vendors to expand the selection pool for resources

• Continued to use the collection development sheet for guidance

• Spent $447,283.00 Common School Funding for the combined library budgets on books, databases, audio, etc. (increase of $48,000)

• Added Arabic books to VAHS
  
  

Goal 1.2 - Professional learning around size/age (selection/deselection)

• Used data from the collection analysis to guide book purchases

• Deselected over 8500 physical resources to improve student visibility, age, and content

• Added over 10,000 books since July 1st, and more are still coming in
  
  

Goal 1.3 - Professional learning around databases

• Used Examining Database Tool to analyze the following databases: FactCite, PebbleGo

• Brought in SWANK Digital resources district wide

• Met with potential vendors: Gale Elementary, Lightbox
  
  

Goal 1.4 - Collaborate with district/school/VAEA leadership and community

• Continued to create collaborative and flexible spaces with additional furniture and signage

• Partnered with the public library for MakerSpace activities

• Had some conversations with school and district leadership around equitable access to the library

Goal 2: Standards
VASD librarians will complete their work around the districtwide library standards and K-5 curriculum.

2024-25 Review

Goal 2.1 - Develop K-5 curriculum and scope/sequence

• Finished up the scope and sequence

• Refining “I can” statements

• Working on Digital Citizenship strands

Goal 2.2 - Collaborate and co-teach

• Led staff development on resources & databases

• Connected library resources with the new Language Arts and Social Studies curriculum

• Began project work to acquire more Asian American Pacific Islander resources to support student learning on Act 266, which amends state statute 118.01(2)(c)8 to include Hmong Americans and Asian Americans.

Goal 3: Literacy & Library Collections
VASD librarians will strengthen student, staff, family, and community literacy and library opportunities.

2024-25 Review

Goal 3.1 - Strengthen collective connections between literacy and libraries

• Hosted district wide Battle of the Books with over 500 students participating

• Teams placed high in the state competition

• VAHS team placed 1st

• VASD Reads book hand out

• District wide Bookmark Competition

• Summer book checkouts for students and staff

• Virtual author visit for Battle of the Books

Goal 3.2 - Strengthen individual site connections between literacy and libraries

• Guest readers

• National Library Week activities

• Connected with the public library on summer reading programs

• Partnered with Madison Reading Project and public libraries

• Connected with authors

• Personalized book bundles for summer reading

VAHS Librarian & District Librarian Voss shared the group’s plan for next year for each goal as follows:

Goal 1:

• Continue to examine collections and meet students’ needs

• Work on deselecting items to create up-to-date materials representative of our students and school

• Continue to collaborate with school and district leadership for equitable library programming, staffing, and spaces

• Examine databases to determine which still meet our needs and examine gaps, especially in connection with new curriculum being adopted

Goal 2:

• Continue to expand collaborative co-teaching opportunities

• Reflect on the elementary curriculum to see if it builds upon experiences

Goal 3:

• Continue to strengthen connections between literacy and libraries

Member Murphy thanked the team for their excellent work. She wondered what would happen after next year? VAHS Librarian & District Librarian Voss stated that the team will develop another three-year plan for the BOE’s consideration and then implement it. Dr. Clardy stated that the next plan can include a continuation of the current goals if that is what’s most appropriate. Executive Director Engelkins highlighted the extensive work and partnership of library staff across the district, collaborating with classroom teachers and incorporating related educational activities and resources into library time.

Budget, Finance, and Operations Update

Relevant Policy: Operational Expectations (OE) 6: Financial Administration

Onsite Health Clinic Proposal and Related Budget Amendment

Deputy Superintendent Chad Wiese, Director of Human Resources Rachelle Hady, and Director of Finance Pete Grender provided information on the potential onsite health clinic and a related budget amendment.

The purpose of the onsite clinic is to improve the overall health of VASD staff by increasing customized and direct access to healthcare, while reducing time away from work, limiting healthcare expenses, and reducing exposure to volatile health insurance renewals. An onsite clinic was Part of Dean Health Plan’s response to VASD’s Request For Proposal (RFP). The idea aligns with VASD’s ongoing vision to innovate and support all employees in ways that will help them be successful at work. The concept aligns with multiple BOE policies as follows: supporting employee well being and health equity (OE 10, OE 4), easing wellness and mental health access (Strategic Framework, Equity Framework), reducing employee absenteeism and decreasing the need for substitutes (OE 4 and all Results policies), and helping to create financial stability through reduced insurance claims (OE 5).

The onsite clinic model will include the following:

• An Advanced Practice Provider offering primary care and acute care services with preventive health initiatives identified through claims history.

• Nurse Care Management, referral navigation, and lifestyle coaching for preventive actions with on-site visits as applicable.

• Mental Health services offering coaching, counseling, and therapy with referrals as needed.

The one-time build is projected to cost $500,000 - $700,000 (exam rooms, technology closet, reception area) in an existing building and about $700,000 annually (salaries, furniture, technology system, etc.) The estimated Return on Investment (ROI) will be realized in avoided claims as shown in the table below.

Deputy Superintendent Wiese and Director Hady shared that SSM Health will staff the clinic, manage appointments, technology related to their operations, and invoice VASD for operations. VASD will manage patient eligibility (employees and immediate family members), and collaborative wellness opportunities and programs. The entities will collaborate on hiring clinic staff, claims review, and utilization incentives.

Member Murphy confirmed that the floor plan shown on the slides is an example floor plan and not the floor plan of the VASD clinic. Deputy Superintendent Wiese stated that the diagram on the slide is a sample of what the 1200-2000 square feet clinic would look like. He confirmed that this will not be new square footage.

Member Stier Christensen asked if the onsite clinic will be in the high school and pointed out that it’s important that the onsite clinic location doesn’t introduce any security risks and has a separate entrance. She raised a concern about introducing germs and illness into buildings. Deputy Superintendent Wiese confirmed that the onsite clinic will not be at the high school and that the location is being finalized.

The BOE asked if we have any guarantees that we’ll see a reduction in claims as a result of having an onsite health clinic. Dean is not able to project these numbers or make a guarantee, per Deputy Superintendent Wiese. Member Hanes stated that there would be no impact on the cost of VASD’s insurance until renewal. Deputy Superintendent Wiese concurred.

Deputy Superintendent Wiese shared that the next steps will be as follows:

1. Finalize location and continue design of modified space

2. Request BOE budget amendment for build-out costs

3. Build ongoing costs into the preliminary 25-26 Budget

4. Review and sign a contract

5. Request BOE approval for construction

6. Communicate information about the onsite clinic to VASD staff

Member Hanes asked what a reasonable timeline is to have the clinic up and running? Deputy Superintendent Wiese said we would aim for sometime in the fall. He asked if staff members who don’t participate in VASD’s Dean health insurance could go to this clinic? Deputy Superintendent Wiese affirmed that they can use the clinic. Member Murphy asked who pays the salary for the staff? Deputy Superintendent Wiese said it’s a contracted service, meaning the clinic staff are SSM employees and SSM will bill VASD for the salaries. VASD will be responsible for the building.

Director Grender explained an option for a proposed budget amendment to cover the cost of the initial onsite clinic.

Annual Year of Service Employee Step

The team presented the final step increase percentages to the BOE in keeping with Operational Expectation (OE) 5.5 which states that the Superintendent will develop a budget that reflects anticipated changes in employee compensation, including inflationary adjustments, step increases, performance increases, and benefits. They proposed the following percentages for early approval of employee step increases for the 2025-26 fiscal year, totalling approximately $1.1M.

• Verona Area Education Association (VAEA) group: 2%

• Verona Education Support Professional Association (VESPA) group: approximately 2%

• Confidential, Technical, Supervisory (CTS) group: 2%

• Administrators (excluding the Superintendent, whose salary is negotiated separately on a different annual timeline): 1%

Vote to approve the FY’26 proposed year of service employee step increase as presented. Member White motioned to approve the FY’26 proposed year of service employee step increase as presented. Member Murphy seconded. The motion passed 6-0.

The Science Curriculum Renewal Team engaged in shared learning at the start of our process to articulate essential criteria for our evaluation tool. This learning included the following essential resources:

1. Verona Area School District Equity Framework

2. Next Generation Science Standards & Wisconsin Standards for Science

3. A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas

4. TWI Programming design

5. Disciplinary Literacy Essential Practices

6. Inquiry Practices and Processes, and exploring a corollary for science

The team created an initial evaluation tool and pressure tested it against some curricular materials. After reviewing the team’s feedback, a second version of the tool was created and used for the evaluation process.

Based on their learning, the team created a vision for equitable science instruction. Science education centers curiosity and exploration. Science classrooms promote a spirit of inquiry that fosters a lifelong love of learning, where students ask questions about the world around them. Standards-aligned instruction in knowledge and skills is grounded in facilitated and productive academic discourse and instructional strategies that promote collaboration. Students are seen, valued, and empowered to have a voice in their learning, as well as access and support to meet or exceed grade level standards in all three dimensions of the science. Students develop agency by connecting their worldview with how the world works. With this vision as a grounding foundation, the team reviewed various sets of standards as a basis of comparison for what would be available in curricular resources, reviewed performance indicators, and created curriculum review criteria and a rubric.

After the team narrowed down the curricular resources to their top two recommendations, teachers piloted the resources in classrooms for student feedback and the team had sessions with vendors on Tuesday, February 18th. Ahead of the vendor meetings, the team generated and submitted a list of questions to the vendors. The vendors responded, and the team had time to review these notes prior to the meeting. In addition to our team, Central Office partners attended the vendor sessions to hear questions answered and give input around supports for Multilingual Learners and Technology. The sessions allowed the team to have the vendors elaborate on their responses and for additional questions to be asked. The team submitted their final recommendation following these sessions.

The 6-8 team came to a consensus for Amplify as our recommended curricular resource. Feedback from the committee included the following: “This resource is very comprehensive and has a wide variety of assessment and differentiation resources.” and “The ease of the use of the resource, the clarity of the learning objectives (3-D statements)... and most importantly the authentic translation of the materials for TWI.” Feedback from Students included the following:

“I liked how we worked in groups to analyze the article so you could get multiple perspectives on what is important,” and “I liked that it was collaborative and we got to go into small groups.”There was clear evidence that Amplify is aligned to the Wisconsin Standards for Science and to the Three-Dimensional Performance Indicators, teacher and student resources are available in Spanish, Spanish is transadapted, and there are strong collaboration and disciplinary literacy skills embedded in the curriculum.

VASD will offer a Summer Professional Learning Option on August 13 and 14, 2025, and provide Ongoing support with implementation during Late Start Monday Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), where staff will continue to utilize the cycle of inquiry to critically analyze the curriculum through an equity lens and the specific needs of their students.

Member Murphy expressed curiosity about how responsive the curriculum is to changes over time in a field that changes as rapidly as science. Ms. Howell shared that Open SciEd is an open source curriculum. Because it’s open source, there is a team of people who work on it continually. Then the vendor is responsible for incorporating those changes into the curriculum. Ms. Symes stated that Amplify is similar. Director Stocks Glover shared that she is particularly impressed with the instructional design that facilitates students engaging deeply with the content.

Member Porco motioned to approve the (R) 2.1.3: Academic Achievement-Sciences Monitoring Report as capacity building as presented. Member Hanes seconded. The motion passed 6-0.

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The purpose of a Board Workshop is to provide a publicly available venue in which the BOE discusses current issues. While no BOE action is taken during a workshop, the conversation may impact future BOE decisions.

The BOE continued to discuss various results policies, with a primary focus on Results (R) 2: Academic Achievement. Their conversation built on previous discussions around whether the current policy language lends itself to providing evidence of interest to the BOE. The group also grounded their conversation in this Results Draft document. Previous resources also referenced during the discussion include the Verona Area School District Board of Education-Results Policy Workshop 2025 and the VASD - Operational Expectations and Results Monitoring Criteria (DRAFT).

Executive Director Engelkins shared that the next time a Results Policy Monitoring Report will be presented is May 19, 2025. The BOE agreed to pressure test the next Results Monitoring Report against the Results Draft document.

Member Porco worked on revising and simplifying the results of previous documents and discussions into the Results Draft. Member Hanes praised this Results Draft, stating that it walks the line of staying in governance, and stays out of instruction and operations. It aligns with the BOE’s thinking during our last workshop that the BOE wants to know how we’re doing with the students who are enrolled in classes.

Dr. Clardy asked if the Results Draft has been or will be cross-referenced in terms of reflecting the Wisconsin State Standards. Member Porco stated that the BOE wants to honor VASD’s standards-based instructional model. Dr. Clardy asked if we would need to prepare and expect staff to do things beyond the Wisconsin State Standards. The BOE reviewed some content areas and pointed out where they may fall short of the standards or overshoot the standards. Member Hanes offered that the BOE can narrow the policy, akin to language such as “We will comply with all Wisconsin State Standards and [additional identified criteria]. Member Porco suggests students will learn [criteria here] based on the Wisconsin State Standards. Executive Director Engelkins clarified that there are standards we can pull in, and we would have comparative data because they are used statewide and, in some cases, nationally. For things of interest to the BOE beyond that, we can collect additional local data, but we wouldn’t have comparative data.

Member Murphy asserted that she feels the R1-R9 clarity in the Results Draft is strong. Member Stier Christensen asserted the same about the “Students Will” statements. Member Murphy checked in with some of the concerns that were raised last time regarding inclusivity. Member Peguero stated that this Results Draft version of work feels inclusive and clearer to me.

Member Stier Christensen wanted to be sure that the full BOE would be able to discuss any issues of concern so that the BOE, in turn, ends up with a collaboratively constructed policy that sits well with all BOE members. She also raised awareness that some of the proposed policies language would likely result in changes to some indicators and some of our longitudinal data. Dr. Clardy confirmed that this is understood, and that the team would consider reviewing the calendar as well to best align with data collection timelines given new indicators.

Member White shared that he is processing the Results Draft and wondering how things like “logic and reasoning” are operationalized and assessed.

They agreed that the next steps include Member Porco reviewing the Wisconsin Academic Standards based on the feedback the group has shared tonight and sharing an updated Results Draft with the BOE. The BOE thanked Member Porco for all of his work.