October 2026 School Board Considerations
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Open and timely communication is essential to a strong partnership between our school district and the community we serve. Board Considerations is designed to provide a clear and accessible summary of the discussions, actions, and key decisions from each Board of Education meeting. While the official meeting minutes remain the formal record, this newsletter highlights the important topics, provides helpful context, keeps our staff, families, and community informed about the work being done to support Student Success. We hope this resource helps everyone stay connected to the important decisions shaping our school district. |
WASB 2026 Business Honor Roll Recognition
The WASB (WI Association of School Boards) Business Honor Roll recognizes outstanding local businesses that support their schools. Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District nominated the following businesses to be recognized on the WASB 2026 Business Honor Roll.
- Ashley Construction
- Chippewa Falls Fire & EMS Department
- Chippewa Falls Police Department
- Royal Credit Union
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Southview Elementary School
Janet Goodman, Southview Principal, and Rachel Orlovsky, Financial Education Representative with Royal Credit Union, highlighted the Royal Credit Union School $ense Program. Southview has participated in the program since October 2008 to foster early financial literacy and practical leadership. Interested students go through a realistic hiring process, including an interview and training with Ms. Orlovsky. 15 Southview students were selected as tellers and marketers to process live deposits on a monthly rotation, gaining hands-on career experience that reinforces positive saving habits. Current Southview students Mara, Evelyn, Caroline, Alyah, and Jackie recently began their positions and Lydia is a former 2025–2026 teller who has since moved on to 6th grade.
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OE-2: Strategic Planning
Dr. Saron provided an overview of the OE-2 Strategic Planning monitoring report; the Board agreed that the district is in compliance on monitoring report OE-2 Strategic Planning for the past year. Read the OE-2: Strategic Planning report here.
Review of Board Policy, OE-2 Strategic Planning and Discussion of Potential Indicator Revisions
No suggested changes were made at this time.
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OE-6: Financial Planning
Chad Trowbridge, Business Manager, provided an overview of the OE-6 Financial Planning monitoring report; the Board agreed that the district is in compliance on monitoring report OE-6 Financial Planning for the past year. Read the OE-6: Financial Planning report here.
Review of Board Policy, OE-6: Financial Planning and Discussion of Potential Indicator Revisions
No suggested changes were made at this time.
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Approval of New Hires, Transfers, Resignations, and Retirements
Approval of Financial Reports
Approval of Public and Executive Session Board Meeting Minutes
The Board approved the public and closed session minutes for the 09/22/2026 regular board meeting, the closed session minutes for the 10/06/2026 special board meeting (expulsion hearings), and the closed session minutes for the 10/19/2026 special board meeting (expulsion hearing) as presented. Read the Board Meeting Minutes report here.
Consideration of Monitoring Report Summaries
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Approval of 66.0301 Cooperative Agreement for Speech & Language Services between the Eau Claire Area School District and Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District
Approval of 66.0301 Cooperative Agreement for Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Special Education Services between the Menomonie Area School District and Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District
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Consideration of Policy Committee Meeting Notes
Dennis Fehr, Committee Chairperson, provided an overview of the policy committee meeting notes; the Board approved the 09-29-2026 policy committee meeting notes as presented.
Consideration of Neola Policy Revisions
Dennis Fehr, Committee Chairperson, provided an overview of the recommended Neola policy revisions; the Board approved the Neola policy revisions as presented. Read the Neola policy revisions here.
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Motion by Peggy McKillip, to postpone agenda items 10.01, 10.02, 10.03, 10.04. 10.05, 10.07, 10.09 until the November regular board meeting; the Board approved the motion to postpone the agenda items listed below:
10.01 School Health Services Report
10.02 Report of Construction Projects Complete 2025-2026 and 5 Year Projection of Capital Projects
10.03 Third Friday Pupil Count
10.04 Medical Spend Update
10.05 Compensation Study Update - Classified Staff
10.07 Superintendent Entry Plan Update
10.09 Discussion of Board Activities
Community Conversation Update
Peggy McKillip provided an update on the community conversation. The design team met on October 20th and reviewed the feedback that was received. We had the highest participation rate to date with 177 responses and 1,453 answers completed.
Neola Technical Changes
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**Please note that the above information is provided pending the approval of Board minutes at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. |
School Board members, district administrators, and local community members got an inside look at the daily classroom experience. Guided by Principal Donna Goodman and two high school student leaders Brooke Z. and Deacon B., the visiting group stepped directly into the heartbeat of the high school. |
In April 2027 there will be two open seats on the ballot for the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District Board of Education. If you are interested in learning more about running for a school board seat, there will be an informational session on Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM at the District Office, 1130 Miles Street, Chippewa Falls, WI.
School board candidacy is open to residents, age 18 and over that reside within the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District. If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact Angela Seyer, School Board Secretary at (715) 726-2417 ext. 1803 or seyeral@chipfalls.org.
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After a quarter-century of dedication, leadership, and service to our school district, our District Business Manager, Chad Trowbridge's retirement was approved by the Board at the October 27 meeting. Chad's impact extends far beyond our district walls. Recognized as a distinguished school business executive among school districts both across the state and nationwide, he has served on numerous boards and earned accolades for his accomplishments in school business finance.
Under Mr. Trowbridge's guidance, our school district has remained well-managed and fiscally sound. He has navigated complex funding landscapes, state regulations, and multimillion-dollar budgets with precision, always prioritizing the needs of our students, teachers, and community. His deep understanding of school finance issues and his ability to turn fiscal challenges into opportunities for growth will be missed.
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Front row (l to r) Brooke Zwiefelhofer, Student Representative; Sharon McIlquham, Board Member; Peggy McKillip, Board Vice-President; Sherry Jasper, Board Clerk; Brayden Greene, Student Representative
Back Row (l to r) Dennis Fehr, Board Treasurer; Dave Czech, Board President; Dave Martineau, Board Member; Steve Olson, Board Member
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The Board of Education of the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District represents, leads and serves the district’s owners and holds itself accountable to them by committing to act in their best interests and by ensuring that all Board and district action is consistent with law and the Board’s policies.
The Board’s purpose is to assure that the District achieves the results described in the Board’s Results policies and that it operates according to the values expressed in the Board’s Operational Expectations policies.
The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District School Board members are committed to maintaining an open line of communication with residents of the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District. Anyone having specific questions relating to board policies or actions should call the Board of Education office at (715)726-2417 or by mail at:
Secretary of the Board of Education
1130 Miles Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
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Location: 1130 Miles Street, Chippewa Falls, WI
Phone: (715) 726-2417
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