SHEBOYGAN – Sheboygan Area School District Board of Education, at its Sept. 12 Committee of the Whole meeting, ratified the collective bargaining agreement and base wage settlement with the Sheboygan Education Association with a base wage settlement of 4% in the aggregate.
Prior to the vote, the board heard public input from a number of community members who spoke in support of the increase and in support of the work of SASD teachers and staff.
In June, the board approved a preliminary budget that included a 4% salary increase for the teachers, administrative and support staff employee groups.
The SASD received a $325 per-student increase in the state budget, which equates roughly to a 3.5% increase.
Using the increase from the state funds, coupled with savings in other areas, the district budgeted for a 4% wage increase.
The 4% wage increase fell short of the consumer price index, which was 8% last year. Historically, the district aims to provide wage increases that match or exceed CPI, which is why administration recommended a stipend.
The Board of Education also approved the payment of a one-time stipend for all employee groups. The stipend would assure that all employees would receive an 8% increase for the 2023-24 school year through a combination of a salary increase and the stipend amount. The cost of the stipend is $3.3 million.
The stipend will be paid from the SASD Fund Balance, which can be likened to a savings account. After stipends are paid, the fund balance will remain within the suggested range to maintain both a favorable bond rating and a positive cash-flow position, the district said.
There is no tax impact to paying a one-time stipend out of the SASD fund balance, the district said.
The approved salary increase and one-time stipend are part of a balanced preliminary budget. All public school districts are governed by the state on a revenue limit and cannot increase taxes above the limit set by the state without going to a referendum.
The board will hold its annual public hearing on the proposed 2023-24 budget Oct. 24.
104-year-old reflects:104-year-old RoseMarie Senkbeil worked at Polar Ware during WWII. She reminisces about life in Sheboygan, family and faith.
Welcome to your weekly dose.Here is more news from throughout Sheboygan County.
Maywood to host snowshoe-making workshop
Maywood, 3615 Mueller Road in Sheboygan, will host a two-part snowshoe-making workshop Nov. 4 and 11. The sessions run 9 a.m. to noon both days. Registration for the program ends Oct. 1.
Instructor Laurie Hylen will guide participants in the creation of wood-framed snowshoes. Participants will use various type of knots and a diagrammed lacing pattern to create a pair of Ojibwe-style snowshoes. This style of snowshoe is long and narrow with a tail and pointed, up-turned toe.
Session one will consist of reviewing and preparing materials and the beginning of lacing the shoes. Session two will consist of completing of the lacing and instructions in sealing of the shoes and attaching of bindings. Participants will receive a jar of sealant and bindings as part of the workshop fee.
Both youth and adult sizes of shoes will be available. Shoe sizing is based on the user’s height, weight and anticipated usage. Participants will select their size as part of the registration process. Details on each option can be found in the registration form.
Cost of the workshop is $185 for Maywood Association members and $200 for the public. Registration forms and links to online registration are available at GoMaywood.org.
For more information or to have a registration form emailed, contact Maywood at [email protected] or 920-459-3906.
Final Discovery Bird Walk of the season, Geocaching 101+ planned at Kohler-Andrae
Kohler-Andrae State Park, 1020 Beach Park Lane, Sheboygan, is planning the following events. Vehicle admission is required. For more details, call 920-451-4080.
- Discovery Bird Walk: Sept. 26, 8-10 a.m. Meet master naturalists Janet and Andy Raddatz to observe birds and nature in the park. Walks may take two to three hours depending on what is seen. Participants can leave at any time. Wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather. Take insect repellant, sunscreen and binoculars. For ages 12 and older and children must be accompanied by an adult. No pets allowed. This is the last walk of the season. Meet at the Black River Trail parking lot, P1.
- Geocaching 101+: Sept. 30, 2-4 p.m. Try an approach to geocaching using smart phones to find caches already located within Kohler-Andrae. Participants must be present at the start to participate. Download the Geocaching app before going to the park for the most fun. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Amphitheater near parking lot 4.
Sheboygan Area School District breaks ground on 26th student-built home
Sheboygan North and South high school students, staff and guests attended a groundbreaking ceremony for House Construction Project 2023 Sept. 12 at the construction site in the Stonebrook Crossing Subdivision on the south side of Sheboygan.
According to a news release, Project 2023 is the 26th home that will be built by SASD students enrolled in Career & Technical Education classes from Sheboygan North and Sheboygan South high schools.
South High School graduate Emma Gosse designed this year’s house. Her design was selected last spring from plans drawn by all students enrolled in the Project Lead the Way Civil Engineering and Architecture class.
This is the eighth home built under the direction of instructor and project manager Ted Schermetzler and the third student-built home in the new Stonebrook Crossing Subdivision by Werner Homes.
Learn more about the House Construction Program at https://www.sheboygan.k12.wi.us/programs/house-construction-program.
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Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.