Board of Education Meeting Recap

Marcie Pfeifer-Soderbloom

May 8, 2025

Board of Education meetings can be viewed live on YouTube here and previous meetings can be reviewed here.

Distinguished Art Scholar Award Recipients

Students, families, and art educators filled the room with pride as this year’s Art Scholars were honored by the Verona Area School District (VASD) Board of Education (BOE). Each year, VASD art educators select one outstanding student artist from their school to receive the Art Scholar award. Before the Board meeting, guests enjoyed an art walk in the Verona Area High School (VAHS) Library Media Center, where each student artist shared the inspiration behind their piece. During the meeting, Dr. Clardy highlighted each honoree, reading reflections from their teachers that described the students’ artwork and celebrated the personal qualities, such as empathy, creativity, and leadership, that make them shine. Congratulations to all of this year’s Art Scholars!

Educator Appreciation Week

In honor of Educator Appreciation Week, the BOE and Dr. Clardy recognized the powerful role each member of the Verona Area School District team plays in the lives of our students as listeners, encouragers, supporters, problem-solvers, and role models.

Every hallway, classroom, lunch room, playground, and learning space reflects the care and creativity VASD staff bring to their work. The way they show up for students, through challenges and successes alike, builds a community where each student can acquire the skills necessary to achieve their personal goals, thrive in a diverse global society, and lead a healthy, self-fulfilling life.

Country View Elementary School Softball Field Land Sale Discussion

Relevant Policy: Operational Expectation (OE) 5: Financial Planning; Operational Expectation (OE) 12: Facilities

Deputy Superintendent Chad Wiese shared that VASD is considering a proposal to sell a portion of land north of Country View Elementary School (CVES) to the City of Verona. This parcel includes two softball fields, a parking lot, and adjacent green space. Currently, the VASD Buildings & Grounds staff maintains the field. In partnership with the Miracle League, the city plans to transform the area into a fully accessible recreational site featuring a rubber turf softball/baseball field and an inclusive playground.

The plan has support from key partners, including the VASD Head Softball Coach and the Verona Youth Softball organization, which currently uses the field. A shared-use agreement would allow continued access to the facility for school and club programming. The proposed sale price is approximately $250,000, and negotiations are ongoing. The following steps in the process would include a certified survey map, shared use agreements, and a formal offer to purchase. The sale of the property would require BOE approval.

Member White provided a positive response to this idea. Member Murphy stated that this feels like a win-win with Miracle League being able to use the field, VASD’s already stretched staff would be relieved from caring for the facilities, and Country View students still having access to the facilities.

Onsite Healthcare Clinic Construction Proposal

Relevant Policy: Operational Expectation (OE) 12: Facilities

Deputy Superintendent Wiese provided an update on the on-site healthcare clinic location, which is slated to be built on the ground floor of Central Office at 700 N Main Street in Verona. Several staff members will move to an existing building on VASD property in Fitchburg to accommodate the new Onsite Health Clinic. The project would follow a “Design Build” model and is expected to be completed by fall 2025, with a guaranteed maximum price of $750,000. Three contractor bids were received, and the district is moving toward finalizing contracts, coordinating with architects, and seeking Board consent for the project to proceed.

Member Hanes remarked on the VASD’s smart approach to growth, which can be undertaken because VASD purchased land and a building in Fitchburg. Member Murphy shared that having the clinic not within a school removes the potential complications about having the clinic within a school such as having non-school staff coming and going from the building. Member Murphy asked if this size clinic is reasonable to accommodate VASD’s staff? Deputy Superintendent Wiese responded that Dean is very excited about this space and is confident that it can adequately handle the traffic a district VASD’s size would generate. Member Peguero asked about the location of the entrance. Deputy Superintendent Wiese shared that the clinic entrance will be the same as the entrance people come in now to enter the lower level of Central Office. He pointed out that the clinic will meet all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements. Member Hanes asked if the costs associated with the design and build of the space will be covered by the budget amendment the BOE approved at the last meeting? Deputy Superintendent Wiese stated that yes, the BOE approved a budget amendment at the April 21, 2025 meeting which assured that the funds would be available if the project moved forward. The next step would be for the BOE to vote today (May 5, 2025) on whether or not to move forward with the project. Member Porco asked about access to the existing Information Technology (IT) room since the door faces what looks like clinic space in the rendering shown here. Deputy Superintendent Wiese clarified that this entrance will be moved so that VASD IT staff can access it without going into the clinic space.

Vote to Approve 2025-2026 BOE Meeting Dates, Times, and Location

Relevant Policy: Governance Culture (GC) 2: Governing Commitments

Member White motioned to approve the 2025-2026 BOE Meeting Dates, Times, and Location. Member Hanes seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Vote to Designate the Verona Press as the Official District Newspaper

Member Murphy called for a vote to approve designating Verona Press as the Official District Newspaper. The vote carried 5-0.

Vote to Retain Lake Ridge Bank as the Fiscal Depository for the General Fund, Payroll Accounts, and Debt Service Fund

Member Murphy called for a vote to approve retaining Lake Ridge Bank as the Fiscal Depository for the General Fund, Payroll Accounts, and Debt Service Fund. The vote carried 5-0.

Vote to Retain Legal Counsel for the District from the Firm of Renning, Lewis & Lacy S.C., the Firm of Godfrey & Khan, S.C., the Firm of Quarles and Brady, LLP, the Firm of Boardman and Clark, LLP, and the Firm of Axley Brynelson, LLP

Member Murphy called for a vote to approve retaining legal counsel for the District from the Firm of Renning, Lewis & Lacy S.C., the Firm of Godfrey & Khan, S.C., the Firm of Quarles and Brady, LLP, the Firm of Boardman and Clark, LLP, and the Firm of Axley Brynelson, LLP. The vote carried 5-0.

Vote to Approve Onsite Health Clinic Construction Proposal

Member Hanes motioned to approve the construction of the onsite health clinic as presented. Member White seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Vote to Approve the OE 12: Facilities Monitoring Report

Relevant Policy: Operational Expectations (OE) 12: Facilities

Deputy Superintendent Wiese and Director of Buildings & Grounds John Bremmer presented the OE 12: Facilities Monitoring Report.

OE 12 holds that the Superintendent shall ensure that physical facilities support the accomplishment of the Board’s Results policies. Evidence demonstrated compliance with all components of indicators 12.1, 12.1.2, 12.1.3, 12.1.4, 12.2.1, 12.2.2, 12.2.3, 12.3.1, 12.3.2, 12.3.3, 12.4.1, 12.4.2, 12.5.1, 12.5.2, 12.6.2, and 12.7.1. One indicator, 12.6.1 (staying under budget for capital maintenance), was compliant with exceptions because the district slightly exceeded the capital maintenance budget due to early summer project costs. The nature of Fund 41, which carries over annually, allowed this expense to be absorbed immediately by the 24-25 budget. Major facility work included roof and HVAC projects and new windows at Sugar Creek. The report emphasized the district’s continued commitment to safety, instructional quality, and effective maintenance.

Capacity Study and Enrollment Projections: Updated Insights and Strategic Considerations

Deputy Superintendent Wiese presented updated findings from the comprehensive capacity study conducted in collaboration with Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) and MDRoffers. This study included building walkthroughs led by school principals, analyses of classroom usage, and enrollment projections through 2040. The process categorized potential classroom conversions into three tiers based on ease of implementation and impact on student experience.