At the recent Chilton School Board monthly meeting, Building and Grounds Committee chair Randy Lisowe updated the board on their meeting with Hoffmann Planning and Design in October, during which they reviewed the timetable for the Elementary School remodeling project, adding they expected bid packages back Dec. 1.

He said the turf for the new athletic complex will cost $636,000.

Lisowe continued that during the Building and Grounds Committee meeting held Nov. 9, they discussed the concession stand and bathroom that had been proposed for the new athletic complex, noting the concession stand was not included in the referendum. He said the concession stand will cost $750,000, and Bob Cullen, along with other contractors who work with him, has offered to cover the majority of the cost for materials and labor, but the project is still short $250,000. The board approved a motion made to have a campaign to secure donations in the amount of $250,000, which would be added to the $500,000 already received, for the construction of the new concession stand and restrooms. Committee member Terry Criter noted that because the contractors would want to do the work in the spring, the donations need to be made by early next year.

High School English teacher and school newspaper advisor Zach Platner introduced several members of the Prowler staff, including web master Abigail Waggoner, puzzle writer Gauge Kautzer and reporters Alex Bowe and Kira Bailey, who highlighted different aspects of the paper for those present. They stated the paper was published about two times per month in the Tri-County News, and it is posted around the school as well as on the website, chsprowler.com. High School Principal Shawn Rude complimented the students for doing a great job with the paper, noting that more students have been getting involved over the years, and the paper has added more features like games and comics.

The board approved many gifts to the district, including $191 for September and $204 for October from the Weber Oil gas pump number eight fundraiser; $500 from Doug Everson in memory of his wife, Christina Everson, to the Chilton Public School Library; and $150 from the Chilton Booster Club to the Engler Center for the Performing Arts (ECPA) Student Leadership team. ECPA Executive Director Jenie Farrell said the money would be used for the upcoming student-led production of “Clue,” which just started rehearsals and will be staged Feb. 2 and 3.

The board also accepted donations from the Patron Circle to the ECPA, including $10,000 from CompuSteel Detailing; $500 from the Pleshek family; $500 from Chilton Furniture; $500 from Baus Family Dentistry; $250 from Vande Hey Brantmeier Automotive Group; $150 from Karls Mechanical; and $500 from the State Bank of Chilton. Farrell said these funds would go towards updating some of the aging technology in the Engler Center.

Many donations to the Chilton High School Tech Ed. Program were also approved by the board, including $2,000 from the Fox Valley Section of the American Welding Society to be used for a new spot welder and additional teacher training; a 2006 Cub Cadet Series 5000 tractor with bucket from Ken Ortlieb; truck wheel rims from Pat’s Tire which will be used in the advanced metals class; a Shopsmith Mark V Home Workshop System and Delta 3-in-1 Table Saw from Oran Braatz; sandblasting services from Ryan Brandes; welding materials for student use from Amerequip in Kiel and New Holstein; welding materials for student use and painting services from HUI in Kiel; and welding materials for student use from Miller Electric.

Additional gifts to the district accepted by the board this month included $250 from the Calumet County Agricultural Association to the Bowling Club; pots and hanging baskets from Judy Hacker to the CHS greenhouse; and $5,000 from the Quinney Fishing Club, $1,500 from the Brothertown Fishing Club, and two cases of one-pound propane cylinders from Worthington, all for use by the Conservation Club. Rude said the Conservation Club is preparing for ice fishing and they want to get a trailer to haul their equipment.

The board approved a field trip request by Speech and Language Pathologist Luke Johnson to take his students to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on Dec. 9, along with students from Mr. Mallmann’s and Ms. Zipperer’s cognitive disability classes. Johnson said he had received a field trip grant back in March 2020 which finally can be used to cover the costs of the trip for the students. The board also approved a field trip request by Art Instructor Jane Schmitz to take her students to the Art Institute in Chicago the same day. Schmitz said this was a great opportunity for her students to experience the Art Institute as the students have not been able to travel much the past few years.

Middle School Principal Matt Kiel told the board that Toys for Teens had collected $1,800 after three days of fundraising, and the Chilton Lions Club would match their total on Dec. 6. He said the Student Council will then go shopping for gifts which they donate to the Salvation Army to distribute to the Chilton community. Kiel also reminded those present that the holiday band and choir concerts for Middle School students will take place in the Engler Center on Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. for grades five and six, and 7:30 p.m. for grades seven and eight.

Rude let everyone know the high school band and choir winter concert will be in the Engler Center Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., and Elementary School Principal Courtney Schultz said the 5-K students would have their holiday concert on Dec. 16. The Elementary School students will have their winter concert in the Engler Center on Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. for first grade, 6:30 p.m. for second grade, 7 p.m. for third grade and 7:30 p.m. for fourth grade.

Lisowe reminded those present that the WASB State Convention will take place in Milwaukee Jan. 18-20. He also noted the deadline to file notification of non-candidacy for School Board election is Dec. 23, while the deadline for filing declaration of candidacy and campaign registration statement is Jan. 3. It was also noted that school offices will be closed Dec. 26, 27, 29 and 30, and may be closed on Dec. 28.

The board approved a resignation from Leah Cisler as head varsity volleyball coach and fifth/sixth grade volleyball coordinator.

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