The Iola-Scandinavia School Board will meet Monday evening, Jan. 12, to consider resolutions authorizing a multi-year revenue limit increase and to set a referendum election, as board members gather to review finances, staffing matters, and district operations at the elementary school in Iola.
The regular meeting of the School District of Iola-Scandinavia Board of Education will take place at 6 p.m. in Room 6 at the elementary school, 450 Division Street. Board members will attend to approve routine business, review reports, and take action on budget-related resolutions that will determine whether voters are asked to approve exceeding state revenue limits for non-recurring purposes over four years.
Public input will be scheduled early in the meeting. Members of the public who wish to speak will be required to register in advance by completing a public input card, providing their name, address, and the topic they intend to address. Speakers will be recognized by the board president before addressing the board.
The board will then be asked to approve the consent agenda, which will include minutes from the Dec. 8, 2025, regular board meeting and the Jan. 5, 2026, working committee meeting. The consent agenda will also cover the auditing and approval of checks, the treasurer’s report, and pupil activity accounts.
Several fundraiser requests will be presented for approval, including a high school softball Rib Fest dinner, the softball team’s “Egg My House” fundraiser, a K–3 basketball camp hosted by the high school girls basketball program, and a baseball camp sponsored by the high school baseball team.
Board members will also review and consider acceptance of gifts and donations. Items listed include a $200 donation from Kevin and Jackie Hoffman, a $1,000 donation from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Benevolence Committee, a $500 stipend from the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials to support high school band travel to Milwaukee, and a $2,500 grant from the Krause Foundation designated for a sound system at Taylor Field.
District presentations will follow, beginning with a report from the student representative. Additional presentations will focus on the fitness center, the middle and high school, and Girl Scouts activities connected to the district.
Administrative reports will include updates from the business manager, the principal, and the district administrator, providing information on operations, enrollment, and ongoing initiatives.
In his administrator’s report, Chris Nelson will inform the Board that the “Donovan Group has begun work and the referendum planning. We have met virtually and have shared several ideas. We have scheduled weekly meetings, and we have also scheduled an in-person meeting on January 15th. They are working on a comprehensive roadmap to follow through April.”
School board news and updates will include information about the upcoming Wisconsin Association of School Boards meeting and convention scheduled for Jan. 21–23, as well as updates from CESA 5 meetings.
Under committee reports, the Building and Grounds Committee, chaired by Boris, and the Personnel and Nominations Committee, chaired by Kirmse, will present updates. The board will consider hiring recommendations for volunteer coaching positions, including Mike Blum and Josh Hardel as middle school girls’ volunteer basketball coaches and Travis Bassett as middle school track coach. A resignation effective June 5 from Scott Tappa, business education teacher, will also be addressed.
The Finance Committee, chaired by Krogwold with lay members Erikka Flowers and Mark Sether, will provide an update on the financial impact of a potential operational referendum. Additional committee reports will come from the Transportation, Curriculum, Policy and Legislation, and Negotiations committees. Curriculum discussions will include middle and high school course requests.
New Business
The new business will center on two key resolutions. The board will consider a resolution authorizing the district budget to exceed the state revenue limit for four years for non-recurring purposes ($1.6 million in 2026-27, and $2 million per year for three years starting 2027-28). A second resolution will address calling a referendum election on April 7, 2026, to seek voter approval for that revenue limit increase.
The board will also review proposed school calendars for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years, special education open enrollment for 2026–27, open enrollment space availability, and potential resolutions to be presented at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards State Education Convention.
Future agenda items will include confirmation of upcoming meeting dates in February and March.
The board will adjourn into executive session later in the meeting to review employment, compensation, or performance evaluation data, including the district administrator’s annual review, as permitted under Wisconsin law. The board will then reconvene in open session to take possible action related to the executive session discussion.
