WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A new educational experience could be coming to Wausau after the school district’s Education and Operations Committee approved a parent group to apply for a start-up grant.
Superintendent Keith Hilts says the proposal would help create a charter school focused on outdoor and environmental learning, something that falls in line with the district’s goal of providing a variety of learning experiences. “We have the EEA Charter School, virtual K12 WAVE Charter School, a Montessori Charter School. We think this could be a nice, possible addition,” said Hilts.
A recent parent survey shows numbers to back up that assertion as well. More than 500 parents responded, with around 150 saying they support the idea of the school and would be interested in enrolling their children.
The group is applying for up to $750,000 in funding, which would be used for start-up costs and would not go to funding school operations. Once open, the school would be funded just like any other school; on a per-pupil basis.
The proposal received unanimous approval during Monday’s meeting. It now moves to the full board for consideration on September 12th.
FOUR FINALISTS NAMED FOR VACANT BOARD SEAT
The board also held a brief special meeting to narrow a list of eight interested candidates down to four finalists for their vacant position. Applicants were given time to address the board in support of their resumes if they wanted before the current board members voted for their top three candidates.
The four with the most votes advanced to the final interviews, which will be conducted on September 6th. Those four candidates are:
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Brandon Jensen
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Cory Sillars
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Gillian Battino
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Jo Ann Egelkrout
After the interviews are conducted the board will vote one of those finalists into the seat for a term expiring next April. Meaning if they’d like to keep the seat, they will have to run for re-election next spring.
