The Wautoma Area School Board approved the Administrative Team Reconfiguration that will take effect in the 2026/27 school year during the monthly meeting held at Wautoma High School on October 13.
The Board approved the following plan for next school year: Redgranite Elementary Principal/Summer School Coordinator Melinda Albrecht; Parkside School EC-2nd Grade Principal Sarah Pietkauskis and 3rd-6th Grade Principal/DAK Alex Kitchner; Wautoma High/Middle School 9-12 Principal Jennifer Johnson, 7-8 Principal Doug Beattie, 7-12 Assistant Principal/Athletic & Activities Director Adam Vaughn, Online Coordinator (Back up AP if needed) Jared Esala; District Pupil Service Director Stacey Endicott, and 4K-5 Director of Teaching & Learning, District Mentoring Coordinator (4K-12), and District Coaching Coordinator (4K-12) Brittany Meier.
WASD Business Manager Eric Highlander presented his monthly report, with the news that the district’s property value has increased, though enrollment decreased. The district is anticipating that this will amount to lower state funding, as this is interpreted as having a higher amount per student.
Later in the meeting, the Board went more in-depth on enrollment numbers for this school year. Redgranite Elementary was the only school to see an increase, from 129 students in the 24/25 year to 132 for the 25/26 year. Riverview Elementary decreased from 302 students in the 24/25 year to 268 in 25/26, Parkside decreased from 478 to 443 students, and the high school decreased from 399 to 276 students. The Board’s next step will be to investigate the cause of the decrease. Morrin theorized this could be a result of students moving to virtual schooling and lower birth rates. A more comprehensive list will be compiled to show where students moved. In an effort to address the growing interest in online schooling, the district is currently working on introducing a virtual program through Wautoma.
Morrin also complimented the district on a successful Homecoming week, stating, “I was impressed with Homecoming and with the excitement shared among the community.” This is Morrin’s first Homecoming as district administrator.
The Board went on to approve District 4-Year-Old Kindergarten Classes for the 25/26 school year. There will be three classes, including a half-day option, at Parkside and one class in Redgranite.
Parkside School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Advisor Penny Meek also gave a presentation, with the request of allowing middle school students the opportunity attend the National FBLA Conference with their parent/guardian if they qualify. Participants compete in a variety of events in their regional and state competitions. The top four finishers of each state event then qualify to attend the national conference, with the top eight students used as alternates.
The district must sign students up for the competition, but travel accommodations must be made by the parent or guardian. A parent concern in the 23-24 school year led to the creation of a new policy, which led to middle school students being unable to attend. Meek believes these students should be allowed to attend if they qualify. The school is not associated with the trip, and a parent/guardian is responsible for chaperoning their student. The district is just responsible for registering the student due to FBLA guidelines.
In the 21-22 school year, FBLA had six individuals and one team qualify for the National Conference in Chicago, who then went on to place in the top 10 of the nation. The Board will discuss this further and bring it back for approval before the national conference next summer.
The Board went on to approve the resignations of: Amy Hennick, Redgranite Elementary A+ Enrichment Leader, Helen Busse, Riverview Elementary A+ Enrichment Leader, Andrew DeKeyser, Track & Field High School Assistant Coach; the employment of: Hannah Coodington, Alisha Van Den Berg, Jenna Simacek, and Brianna Kulibert, Redgranite Leadership Committee, Stephanie Sattler, Girls Soccer High School Assistant Coach, Chase Mastricola, Track & Field High School Assistant Coach, Alexandra Klapoetke, Volunteer High School Volleyball Coach, David Gruszka, Volunteer High School Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach, and Amy Szilvester, Parkside A+ Tutor.
The Board also approved: SY2025-2026 WASD Professional Staff Handbook and Support Staff Handbook (2nd Consideration), 25-26 Category B (in-state) Field Trips, and 25-26 Fundraisers.