PESHTIGO – Multiple Peshtigo School District parents spoke during the public comment portion of the April 8 school board meeting.
These comments surrounded a safety and security breach that occurred on Monday, Jan. 26, when a man entered the school during a community blood drive with a firearm and knives on his person. The incident resulted in an arrest and the school determined that he entered the building when an exiting visitor held the door open.
Cassie Motkowski urged the district to host a community connect meeting and collaborate on an effective solution. Another parent, Paige, echoed the same sentiment, noting that the incident was “alarming” and asked the district to include parents in safety decisions moving forward.
Brittany Norr said that this incident “raised questions” about district operations, adding that preemptive measures need to be taken over “reactionary measures.” She encouraged the district to present more information on data regarding methods and costs for safety measures, like metal detectors, secured entry vestibules and school resource officers.
While the board is not able to respond to public comments, superintendent Patrick Rau previously said that a “secure vestibule and enhanced screening process will be implemented.”
Additional information about safety steps being taken by the district can be found in the Feb. 24 “School Scoop: Steps toward maintaining safety” article in the Peshtigo Times.
Moving forward, Rau led a discussion about kicking off a new strategic planning process. He said that the 2019 planning meeting was held in-person over a weekend with around 100 community members in attendance.
A facilitator came in to “lead the community through a process to clearly identify their [top three] highest priorities,” Rau explained, adding that this process directly led to the recent facility projects.
No specific days were set, but the board agreed that they want to hold another similar strategic planning process sooner rather than later.
Afterwards, the board took action on a variety of personnel updates.
Afterwards, the board then discussed the appointment of a new board member to fill the vacancy of the eighth seat — previously filled by Josh Seefeldt.
Rau said that two individuals contacted him and expressed interest, but only one came to the meeting.
Former school board president and member Mike Fifarek was interviewed at the board meeting. He shared that his three primary priorities were increasing safety within the school, looking into “nepotism” within the board and changing the bus drop-off location.
“Why do we have staff members park at the buildings and have the older kids park at the buildings, but we have the young kids get off a bus right next to the river? Why do we do that?” he asked.
Board member Jennifer Schwittay said that she has worked on the board with Fifarek for many years and thanked him for speaking out, but inquired into his commitment as he had joined, resigned and then came back multiple times.
Board memberTony O’Neill said that he would have liked to hear from multiple candidates before appointing a member.
Ultimately, the board took no action on completing an appointment. They deferred the decision to board president Gary Larsen, who was not in attendance at the meeting. He will share a decision at a later date.
In student updates, Peshtigo High School students celebrated prom on April 11. Two donations — $250 from Provident Health Foundation of Marinette/Menominee and $300 from Waupaca Foundry — went towards the post-prom celebration.
The plan for summer school programming was approved. Middle school and high school students will be able to enroll in remediation courses, workout/training programs and drivers education.
Elementary students can sign up for enrichment classes with fun opportunities during the June session. Some students will receive invites to attend a non-mandatory reading course in August designed for those on reading plans.
The school board will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, May 13.
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