9/8/25
Wauwatosa School Board Meeting
1. Meeting Opening
A. Call to Order/Roll Call
not recorded/uploaded to YouTube
2. Inservice
A. Discuss Secondary Mathematics
not recorded/uploaded to YouTube
3. Adjourn into Regular Board Meeting (0:07)
The board adjourned from the inservice into the regular meeting, confirming the agenda as written.
4. Public Comment (0:27)
General Information and Support
- Rita Wisnewski (6:02): Provided an overview of the PTA and PTSAs in the district, highlighting their activities and support for school programs.
- Carrie Sykes (17:20): Expressed gratitude for the new cell phone policy and asked how its effectiveness would be evaluated.
Concerns About District Leadership and Transparency
Chris Merker (12:58): Raised concerns about the district's large increase in short-term borrowing. He also asked whether the district has missed a $600,000 Medicaid filing. He asked that the board clarify their "official position on neutrality of public officials" with implementation of previous referenda underway and exploring "a mammoth facilities plan that would require back-to-back referenda" in 2026.
Concerns About Policy and Planning
Joe Makhlouf (9:20): Critiqued the board's proposed policy changes, suggesting that the board already has plans in place and is adjusting policies to fit those plans.
5. Consent Agenda (19:00)
A. Consent Agenda Motion
No items were pulled for separate discussion. Heidi Bach moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Liz Heimerl-Rolland. The roll call vote was unanimous.
B. Approve Minutes from August 25, 2025
The minutes from August 25, 2025, were approved as part of the consent agenda.
C. Approve Policy 0141.1 - Student Representation at Board Meetings
Policy 0141.1 on student representation at board meetings was approved as part of the consent agenda.
D. Approve Policy 6800 - System of Accounting
Policy 6800 on the system of accounting was approved as part of the consent agenda.
E. Approve Policy 7440.03 - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)
Policy 7440.03 on small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) was approved as part of the consent agenda.
F. Approve Policy 7530.01 - Cell Phone Allowance
Policy 7530.01 on cell phone allowance was approved as part of the consent agenda.
G. Approve Policy 7530.02 - Staff and School Officials Use of Personal Communication Devices
Policy 7530.02 on staff and school officials use of personal communication devices was approved as part of the consent agenda.
H. Employee Transactions
Employee transactions were approved as part of the consent agenda.
6. Strategic Goal: Instruction + Leadership (40:00)
A. Curriculum Implementation Monitoring Update
- Nicole Marble presented an update on curriculum implementation monitoring, highlighting progress in math and literacy programs.
- Sarah Burzynski (41:00): Asked about monitoring metrics. Marble explained quarterly assessments and teacher feedback.
- Liz Heimerl-Rolland (42:00): Inquired about equity in implementation. Marble noted targeted support for underserved schools.
7. Strategic Goal: Systems + Structures (1:30:38)
A. Action to Approve Health Insurance Stop Loss Coverage (1:30:44)
- Sarah Burzynski presented the health insurance stop loss coverage, recommending approval to protect against high claims.
- Heidi Bach (1:32:00): Asked about coverage limits. Burzynski confirmed $250,000 per individual.
- Jason Wautier (1:33:00): Inquired about premium costs. Burzynski noted they are stable.
- Liz Heimerl-Rolland moved to approve, seconded by Heidi Bach. The roll call vote was unanimous.
B. Discuss Short Term Borrowing (1:31:52)
- Scot Ecker discussed short-term borrowing options to cover cash flow needs, recommending a line of credit.
- Sarah Burzynski (1:33:00): Asked about interest rates. Ecker explained rates are competitive.
- Liz Heimerl-Rolland (1:34:00): Inquired about borrowing amount. Ecker noted up to $5 million.
C. Discuss Proposal to Replace the Variable Speed Drive System for Centrifugal Chiller #1 at West High School (1:50:07)
- Kevin LaFountain presented a proposal to replace the variable speed drive system for Centrifugal Chiller #1 at West High School, estimating $150,000.
- Jason Wautier (1:51:00): Asked about urgency. LaFountain explained the system is failing and needs immediate replacement.
- Heidi Bach (1:57:00): Inquired about funding source. LaFountain noted it would come from the maintenance budget.
8. Governance: Second Readings and/or Action to Approve Policies
A. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 0144.5 - Board Member Behavior and Code of Conduct (1:59:38)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 0144.5 for approval after second reading, outlining board member behavior and code of conduct. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Sarah Burzynski. The roll call vote was unanimous.
B. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 2262 - Child/Youth Care Programs (2:01:35)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 2262 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Liz Heimerl-Rolland. The roll call vote was unanimous.
C. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 2412 - Homebound Instruction Program (2:02:47)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 2412 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Jason Wautier. The roll call vote was unanimous.
D. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 2431 - Interscholastic Athletics (2:03:43)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 2431 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Heidi Bach. The roll call vote was unanimous.
E. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 2460 - Programs for Students with Disabilities (2:04:45)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 2460 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Sarah Burzynski. The roll call vote was unanimous.
F. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 3425.01 - Administrator Benefits (2:06:32)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 3425.01 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Liz Heimerl-Rolland. The roll call vote was unanimous.
G. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 5111.03 - Children and Youth in Foster Care (2:10:32)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 5111.03 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Jason Wautier. The roll call vote was unanimous.
H. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 5215 - Missing and Absent Children (2:11:25)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 5215 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Heidi Bach. The roll call vote was unanimous.
I. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 6152 - Student Fees, Fines and Charges (2:12:09)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 6152 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Sarah Burzynski. The roll call vote was unanimous.
J. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 6231 - Budget Implementation (2:12:59)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 6231 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Liz Heimerl-Rolland. The roll call vote was unanimous.
K. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 7440.01 - Video Surveillance and Electronic Monitoring (2:13:59)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 7440.01 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Jason Wautier. The roll call vote was unanimous.
L. Second Reading and/or Action to Approve Policy 7440.02 - Smart Sensor Monitoring Equipment (2:14:49)
Heidi Bach presented Policy 7440.02 for approval. No discussion occurred. Bach moved to approve, seconded by Heidi Bach. The roll call vote was unanimous.
9. Governance: First Readings of Policies (2:52:09)
A. Review Policy 5330 - Administration of Medication/Emergency Care
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 5330 on administration of medication/emergency care. No discussion occurred.
B. Review Policy 6830 - Audit
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 6830 on audit. No discussion occurred.
C. Review Policy 7100 - Facilities Planning
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7100 on facilities planning. No discussion occurred.
D. Review Policy 7240 - Site Acquisition
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7240 on site acquisition. No discussion occurred.
E. Review Policy 7300 - Disposition of Real Property
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7300 on disposition of real property. No discussion occurred.
F. Review Policy 7410 - Maintenance
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7410 on maintenance. No discussion occurred.
G. Review Policy 7410.01 - Principals' Building Responsibility (Rescind)
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7410.01 on principals' building responsibility, recommending rescission. No discussion occurred.
H. Review Policy 7420 - Hygienic Management
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7420 on hygienic management. No discussion occurred.
I. Review Policy 7430 - Safety Standards
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7430 on safety standards. No discussion occurred.
J. Review Policy 7440 - Facility Security
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7440 on facility security. No discussion occurred.
K. Review Policy 7450 - Property Inventory
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7450 on property inventory. No discussion occurred.
L. Review Policy 7455 - Accounting System for Capital Assets
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7455 on accounting system for capital assets. No discussion occurred.
M. Review Policy 7460 - Conservation of Natural and Material Resources
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7460 on conservation of natural and material resources. No discussion occurred.
N. Review Policy 7530 - Lending of District-Owned Equipment
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7530 on lending of district-owned equipment. No discussion occurred.
O. Review Policy 7540 - Technology
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7540 on technology. No discussion occurred.
P. Review Policy 7540.01 - Technology Privacy
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7540.01 on technology privacy. No discussion occurred.
Q. Review Policy 7540.03 - Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7540.03 on student technology acceptable use and safety. No discussion occurred.
R. Review Policy 7540.04 - Staff Technology Acceptable Use and Safety
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7540.04 on staff technology acceptable use and safety. No discussion occurred.
S. Review Policy 7540.06 - District-Issued Staff Email Account
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7540.06 on district-issued staff email account. No discussion occurred.
T. Review Policy 7540.07 - District-Issued Student Email Account
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7540.07 on district-issued student email account. No discussion occurred.
U. Review Policy 7540.08 - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7540.08 on artificial intelligence (AI). No discussion occurred.
V. Review Policy 7541 - Electronic Data Processing Disaster Recovery Plan
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7541 on electronic data processing disaster recovery plan. No discussion occurred.
W. Review Policy 7542 - On-Site Access to District Technology Resources from Personally-Owned Communication Devices
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7542 on on-site access to district technology resources from personally-owned communication devices. No discussion occurred.
X. Review Policy 7543 - Remote Access to the District's Network
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7543 on remote access to the district's network. No discussion occurred.
Y. Review Policy 7544 - Use of Social Media
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7544 on use of social media. No discussion occurred.
Z. Review Policy 7550 - Cooperation with Local Governments
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 7550 on cooperation with local governments. No discussion occurred.
AA. Review Policy 8305 - Information Security
Heidi Bach reviewed Policy 8305 on information security. No discussion occurred.
10. Governance (3:25:45)
A. Action to Approve Potential WASB Resolutions to be Forwarded to WASB for the 2026 State Convention
- Chris Bauer presented potential WASB resolutions on funding equity, mental health, and special education, recommending approval to forward them to WASB.
- Heidi Bach (3:26:00): Asked about resolution priorities. Bauer confirmed focus on special education funding.
- Sarah Burzynski (3:27:00): Inquired about submission process. Bauer explained resolutions would be forwarded by October 2025.
- Liz Heimerl-Rolland moved to approve, seconded by Jason Wautier. The roll call vote was unanimous.
11. Adjourn (3:42:20)
Lynne Woehrle called for a motion to adjourn at 9:57 p.m. The motion was made by Sarah Burzynski, seconded by Liz Heimerl-Rolland. The roll call vote was unanimous, with Sarah Burzynski, Chris Bauer, Heidi Bach, Phillip Morris, Liz Heimerl-Rolland, Lynne Woehrle, and Jason Wautier voting yes.