Merrill Area Public Schools Regular Board of Education Meeting July 15, 2026 – Minutes Blake called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM in the Board Room. Board members present: Ashbeck, De Rizzo, Hornischer, Proulx, Smith, Vorpagel-Gunther, Woller and Blake. Board member absent: Gremler. Others present: Superintendent Murray, MAPS Administrators, and Recorder Woller. MOTION by Proulx, second by Woller to approve the adoption of the Wisconsin Academic Standards for the 2026-2027 school year. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by De Rizzo, second by Hornischer to approve the 2026-2027 WIAA Membership renewal. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by De Rizzo, second by Woller to approve the updated version of the Activities Code of Conduct for the 2026-2027 school year. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Hornischer, second by De Rizzo to approve the three-year contract with Cartwheel, with a cost to the District of $7,350 during the 2026-2027 school year, $22,050 during the 2027-2028 school year, and $29,400 during the 2028-2029 school year using DPI Mental Health allocated funds. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Hornischer, second by Proulx to approve the revised 2026-2027 Support Staff and Teacher Handbooks as presented. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Proulx, second by Hornischer to keep the current expulsion philosophy as presented to the Board. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Hornischer, second by Proulx to approve the donation of piano class supplies from the Broecker Trust (Mike Geisler) valued at $5,256.60 for creating a space where the upcoming piano/music theory course can take place effectively in the Merrill High School Music Department. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Ashbeck, second by Vorpagel-Gunther to approve Policy 7540.03 Student Technology and Acceptable Use and Safety as a second reading. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Hornischer, second by Ashbeck to approve consent agenda items a through e, which includes: second readings and approval of Bylaw 0144.5 Board Member Behavior, Communications, and Code of Conduct; Policies 1213/3213/4213 Student Supervision and Welfare; Policy 7530.02 Staff and School Officials Use of Personal Communication Devices; Policy 7544 Use of Social Media; and, Policy 8462 Child Abuse and Neglect; minutes of the June 17, 2026, meeting; claims, vouchers and receipts totaling $4,268,892.85; donations totaling $500.00; and, the attached personnel report, contingent upon release of contract for hirings and upon the satisfaction of the appropriate liquidated damages for resignations, if relevant. Motion carried unanimously. Blake called for a motion to adjourn into executive (closed) session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes under Section 119.85(1)(c). The purpose of the closed session is to review administrators’ and supervisors’ evaluations; and, for the Superintendent's regularly scheduled formative evaluation and goal setting. MOTION by Proulx, second by Hornischer to adjourn into executive session. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. MOTION by Proulx, second by Smith to adjourn at 7:16 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nubs Ashbeck Board Clerk NA/tlw (The official minutes in their entirety are available by calling (715) 536-4581, by visiting www.mapsedu.org, or by visiting the MAPS District Office at 1111 N. Sales Street, Merrill, Wisconsin.) Published August 27, 2026 WNAXLP