In their last report for the school year from the Student Representative’s, Annabelle Paulson and Kaiya Meives shared many things happening or about to happen at school such as the upcoming May 20th NHS Blood Drive, a drama field trip, reality day for juniors took place,. They reported the Math Team placed second and the Advanced Team placed first, the softball team raised $1300 for Sources of Strength and mental health, music performances were recently held, and Forensics received the Excellence in Speech Award which is awarded to the top 5% in the state.
Principal Heather Schmitz presented each of the Student Representatives (Addison Walker was absent) with a gift and the administration and board members thanked the students for sharing with the board what happens each month during the school year.
In her Building Report, Principal Schmitz said the district applied for a 4th year of the mentoring grant to continue training teacher mentors, aiming to expand to five trained mentors by 2026-27. The program supports new teachers in their first three years and may also fund materials or stipends in the future. She said the 4K screening served 19 resident students, with at least 14 more on the open enrollment list, and included small-group assessments and parent meetings. Feedback from families was very positive regarding the process and experience.
She said twenty-five staff members requested a total of 466 hours for summer curriculum work focused on aligning CKLA, social studies, and science. Priorities also include developing standards-based report cards and completing Smart Panel training.
She noted the Spring Break Reada-Thon had 41 participants who read 6,877 minutes and 223 books, which raised over $1,800 for the library. Top classes earned rewards for participation and fundraising. Six high school students qualified for and performed at the State Solo and Ensemble, demonstrating strong musical achievement. Other notable reports was the Forensics team had strong results at State, earning multiple gold, silver, and finalist recognitions,.aA the State SkillsUSA competition, 26 students participated and earned multiple medals, with one student advancing to nationals, and the Junior Prom group received exceptional praise from the venue for their behavior, organization, and efficiency, highlighting student character and staff planning.
In her Superintendent’s Report, Robyn Oberfoell was hopeful that Governor Evers bipartisan agreement to add funding to schools and provide some property tax relief would pass, but that bill later failed in the Wisconsin Senate. Governor Evers visited Barneveld on Monday, May 11 to support mental health programs in schools. He met with 21 middle/high school students who are Sources of Strength Peer Leaders to hear about this year’s initiatives and events. She said he then participated in a Sources of Strength lesson in fifth grade, and eighth grade class shared their concerns with the cell phone ban, and Nolan Baryenbruch and Annalee Luna met with the Governor to talk about their upcoming trip to Georgia to represent Wisconsin and Barneveld School District at the SkillsUSA National Competition.
Oberfoell also reported that adult and student communication is the focus of Act 89, which was enacted in March. A special staff training will be implemented before school starts in September. And in a Facilities Update, she noted updates will include refinishing both gyms this summer and collecting estimates on replacing the alley doors and maintenance doors.
She also gave a shoutout to staff members who are celebrating a Milestone Years at Barneveld to include Ashley Handrick and Ashley Meudt for 5 years, Tami Roll and Chris Thousand for 15 years, 20 years for Eric Larson, and 30 years for Hedi Bosch and Rita Trevorrow.
Under Recognition, staff appreciation week celebrated 70 adults who serve the school and students every day at the Barneveld School District. Oberfoell stated that the staff members at Barneveld are Golden because of their leadership, compassion and resilience.
The Board also recognized and gave their best wishes to Rita Trevorrow, a kindergarten teacher who is retiring after serving the district for 30 years. The Board approved her resignation, and the district, board and administration send their best wishes to Rita.
The Board also thanked Jerilyn Faltz, a substitute teacher, for her kindness and generosity in providing doughnuts, cider, and hot chocolate to the entire staff on numerous occasions.
The Board also approved $5,694.46 in donations with gratitude to include:
-The Barneveld PTO for providing treats again for Staff Appreciation Week.
-An Anonymous Donor offered $500 to start an Eagle Ambassador Award, in which two staff members will receive $250 at the end of the school year. Nomination forms are accessible on the school website on the District Information page.
-$887.31 from Barneveld Athletic Boosters to HS Baseball
-$696.18 from Barneveld Athletic Boosters to Boys Basketball
-$1575 from the Bona DEA Project to Eagles’ Nest for Negative Lunch Balances
-$600 From Barneveld PTO for 3rd, 4th, and 8th Grade Field Trips -Donation: $250 from the Mullin Family to purchase a new piano cover
-Donation: $270 from the Barneveld PTO for a Music Field Trip -Donation: $915.97 from Barneveld Music Boosters to upgrade equipment
In Election of Officers, in unanimous votes, Jaci Haack was elected as Board President, Nick Meyer as Board Vice-President, David Moyer as Board Treasurer, and Denise Douglas as Board Clerk. In appointed positions, Haack was appointed to CESA 3 Board of Controls and as the CESA Annual Convention Representative with Meyer appointed as the WASB State Delegate.
With respect to School Board Committee Assignments, Douglas and Moyer to the Board’s Finance and Facilities Committee, Reese and Mickelson to the Board’s Policy Committee, Haack and Meyer to the Personnel Committee, Marlea Knox to the Community Recreation Committee, Douglas and Meyer to the District’s Scholarship Committee and Haack and Reese as Board Representatives for the 2027 Graduation Ceremony.
The Board approved the 2026-27 School Board meeting dates. Those meetings will be held the second Wednesday of each month beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the school library. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026.
Regarding the Superintendent and search process, the Board approved CESA 3’s Jamie Nutter to provide Superintendent Search Services for a new Superintendent for 2027-28. The tentative timeline would be to post the job application in October, conduct background checks between November 1-15, select a candidate(s) November 15, conduct interviews November 30 – December 4, and hire that person later in December.
With respect to Policy, the second reading of Neola Policy Updates 34.1 to include policies 1100, 1130, 3230, 4230, 1241, 2440.01, 2464, 3281, 4124, 5512, 6235, 8120, 8125, and 8600 were approved.
Under Finance, the Board approved a 2.63% pay increase for support staff and non-teaching employees for 2026-27.
Under Staffing, teacher contracts were approved and were issued this past Friday. All summer school contracts and summer curriculum projects and contracts were also approved. Also approved was the hiring of Ellie Wainwright as its new kindergarten teacher.
Under Operations, approved for the 2026-27 school year was a contract with SWTC for its Classroom and Behind the Wheel program, an overnight trip to Atlanta for the SkillsUSA Competitors, and a contract renewal with Taher Food Service.
The based on a recommendation from Taher Food Service, meal prices will increase by 10 cents, and band rental fees will increase from $60 to $100 for the school year, both were approved. Also approved was a Memo of Understanding with Iowa County Sources of Strength and the renewal to remain with Johnson Block Auditing and Accounting Services.
At the beginning the of the meeting the Consent Agenda was approved to include the Approval of Minutes from the April 8, 2026 meeting and the April Receipts and Expenditures. The next Barneveld Regular School Board meeting is scheduled for June 10 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the school library.