Home » News » Clintonville News » Clintonville schools to buy radios

Clintonville schools to buy radios

The purchase of a handheld radio system for administrative, office and custodial personnel was unanimously approved by the school board on Monday, Jan. 13.

The total purchase amount was $16,787, and the winning bidder was Nielson Communications, of Green Bay.

Superintendent Tom O’Toole said another bid in the $15,000 range was also received, but that system would not have given the same quality of service, while costing more for an additional warranty that was Nielson had included in their bid. “The second bid would not have fit our needs,” said O’Toole. “The first bid may come down. The amount listed is the maximum quote amount.”

The board was informed that the repeater system will improve communication and safety. The digital, in-house system can’t be monitored by scanners outside the building.

Building and Grounds Manager Steve Reinke noted that the district has applied for a $3,000 grant through the Community Foundation, which may help defray the total cost if the district is awarded that grant.

Support Staff Hires

A pair of support staff hires were scrutinized by the board. The hire of Dena Peters, high school Secretary/Clerical II, effective Jan. 8, was approved, as was the hire of Clara Kopplinger, middle school Secretary/Clerical II, effective Jan. 23.

“I had several calls about this,” said Schley. “Was the middle school secretary position posted?”

O’Toole said the middle school position was posted at the same time as the high school position—on Dec. 10—but the positions were not posted as building-specific. He said the same pool of applicants was used for both the middle school and high school positions.

“The people I talked to didn’t know which location they would be working at if they were chosen,” said Schley. “Who interviewed them?”

O’Toole said interviews were conducted by himself, High School Principal Lance Bagstad, Activities Director Scott Werfal, Middle School Principal Sam Santacroce, and high school secretary Bonnie Parry.

Board member Judy Magee said she had received an email about this issue as well, and board member Jim Dins asked if the job posting and hiring process needed to be re-done. Board member Ben Huber added that the district benefits from as wide a field of applicants as possible.

No motion was made to revisit the job posting or hiring process.

The motion to approve these two hires was approved by a 6-1 vote, with Schley voting no.

The following items were approved by the board:

• The resignation of Erika Sween, social studies/alternative education teacher, effective Jan. 17, 2014;

• Support staff resignations of Linda Buelow, middle school Clerical II, effective Jan. 14, for the purpose of retirement; and Jenni Yaeger, Rexford-Longfellow Para II, effective Jan. 2;

• An extra-curricular contract for Dennis Brei for completing the Pit Director assignment for the fall 2013 school musical;

• The resignation of Jenny Goldschmidt, Business Manager, effective June 30, for the purpose of retirement;

• An early graduation request from a student in the Class of 2014, providing that all graduation requirements are successfully met;

• A high school trapshooting club team as a school club activity, with no costs for the group to the school district;

• Verification of candidacy for the candidates who have filed nomination papers to be on the school board spring election ballot on April 1. There are two vacancies, each for three-year terms. Candidates will appear in the following order on the ballot: Ben Huber (incumbent); Tom Neely (incumbent); and Jim Schultz (challenger);

• The first reading of revisions to Policy #5119-Open Enrollment; and

• The first reading of revisions to Policy #5127-Graduation Requirements.

The board adjourned into closed session to discuss personnel items, but no action was taken upon their return to open session.

The next regularly scheduled school board meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, in the middle school IMC.

Scroll to Top