September 2025 Board Considerations
Monthly Update on CFAUSD Board of Education Activities
Purpose
Governor Evers Visit to CFMS
Co-Student Board Representatives
Josiah Isenberger (L)
Chloe Johnson (R)
Senior Rise and Shine Breakfast
September 23, 2025 Regular Board Meeting
Showcase a School
Student Representative Report
Josiah Isenberger and Chloe Johnson, Co-Student Representatives, provided their monthly report; click here for more information.
Recognition of Alisha Neinfeldt - 2025 Wisconsin History Teacher of the Year
The Board formally recognized Alisha Neinfeldt for being named the 2025 Wisconsin History Teacher of the Year. Ms. Neinfeldt is in her fourth year at Chippewa Falls Middle School where she teaches 8th grade Social Studies on the Eagle Team. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, serves as the treasurer for the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies (WCSS), and is the organizer and leader of the annual 8th grade Washington D.C. trip. Ms. Neinfeldt will receive her award at the WCSS annual conference in March; click here for more information.
Halmstad Elementary School
Ryan Lowe, Halmstad Elementary Principal, presented an update on the English Language Arts resources that are used in our elementary schools and highlighted the transition to the Science of Reading. All teachers and administrators have been trained in the Science of Reading through the AIMS Pathway, and instruction now emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Forward Exam results show steady growth in proficiency across grades 3–5, with notable increases since 2024. The Science of Reading work also ensures compliance with Act 20 and continues to strengthen student reading achievement; click here for more information.
Science Field Trip 2025: Morgridge Institute for Research
In July, Chi-Hi Chemistry teacher Kari Skaar took seven students on a five-day field trip to the Morgridge Institute for Research at UW–Madison. Students got a taste of college life while staying on campus and had the chance to work side by side with professors, graduate students, and researchers on science experiments in the lab. Kizeng Lor, Abigail Grabinski, Madalyn Zwiefelhofer, Ava Walters, and Camryn Ramis shared highlights from their experience with the Board; click here for more information.
Communicating with the Board
Superintendent Search Update
Brian Hanes, Lead Consultant with McPherson & Jacobson, presented a summary of the stakeholder report, compiled from both survey responses and feedback gathered during in-person sessions. The job opening is slated to be posted from September 24 to October 27. Mr. Hanes also led a review of potential interview questions with the Board, who will now rate them to determine the final set for the semi-finalist interviews the week of November 17-20; click here for more information.
Daktronics Video Board Update
Chad Hable and Mike Thompson presented an update on the utilization of the Daktronics Video Board that was purchased in May 2024. The Booster Club owns the video board and manages advertising sales, while the Chi-Hi Media Productions class, led by Scott Sikkink, creates the content and helps with advertising sales too. More than 62 students have been trained on the software and operations and the video board has already generated over $70,000.00 in revenue. 10% of the proceeds go to the Media Productions class for equipment and maintenance and the remainder goes to athletic teams. Kaylee Hagmann is currently taking her second Media Productions class and has enjoyed creating content and connecting with local businesses; click here for more information.
Monitoring Operational Performance
OE-11: Instructional Program
Katie Coppenbarger, Director of Teaching & Learning, provided an overview of the OE-11 Instructional Program monitoring report. The Board agreed that the district is in compliance on monitoring report OE-11 Instructional Program; click here to review the report.
Board Consent Agenda
Approval of Financial Reports
The Board approved the August financial reports as presented; click here for the detailed report.
Approval of New Hires, Resignations, Retirements, and Leaves of Absence
The Board approved the new hires, resignations, and retirements as presented by the Human Resources Department; click here for details.
Approval of Board Meeting Minutes
The Board approved the August meeting minutes; click here for details.
Consideration of Monitoring Report Summaries
The Board approved the monitoring report summaries as presented; click here for details.
Superintendent's Consent Agenda
Consideration of Seclusion and Physical Restraint Annual Report
The Board approved the seclusion and physical restraint annual report as presented; click here for more information.
Consideration of 66.0301 Physical Therapy Services Cooperative Agreement between Veritas Classical Academy and CFAUSD
The Board approved the 66.0301 Physical Therapy Services Cooperative Agreement between Veritas Classical Academy and Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District as presented; click here for details.
Consideration of 66.0301 Parent Facilitator Cooperative Agreement between Eau Claire Area School District and CFAUSD
The Board approved the 66.0301 Parent Facilitator Cooperative Agreement between Eau Claire Area School District and Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District as presented; click here for details.
Consideration of Girls Golf Co-op Agreement for the 2026-2027 & 2027-2028 School Years
The Board approved the Girls Golf Co-op Agreement for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years as presented; click here for details.
Matters Reserved for Board Action
Consideration of Policy Committee Meeting Notes
The Board approved the 09-11-2025 policy committee meeting notes and remove the paragraph of Sue Kern notes; click here for details.
Consideration of NEOLA Policy Revisions
The Board approved the recommended NEOLA policy revisions as presented; click here for details.
Consideration of November Board Meeting Date
The Board approved the recommendation to reschedule the November regular board meeting to November 18, 2025.
Communicating with the Board (if applicable, click on the report heading for greater detail)
Chad Trowbridge, Director of Business Services & Finance, provided an enrollment update. The 3rd Friday Count took place on Friday, September 19, 2025 and those findings will be reported to DPI on October 3rd.
Jeff Holmes, Superintendent of Schools, provided a brief overview of the NEOLA technical changes
Superintendent Search Update
CFAUSD Dual Credit Enrollment Report
Katie Coppenbarger, Director of Teaching & Learning, provided an overview of the district’s dual credit enrollment report.
*Please note that the above information is provided pending the approval of Board minutes at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
Alisha Neinfeldt Named Wisconsin History Teacher of the Year
CONNECTING WITH YOUR BOARD OF EDUCATION
Your CFAUSD Board of Education
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
Upcoming Board Events
Website Issues
Email: verdonjb@chipfalls.org
Website: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/
Location: 1130 Miles Street, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: (715) 726-2417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chippewafallsschool