School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – AASD – August 10, 2026

Appleton Area School District Packet Summary — 08-10-2026

Meeting Overview

The Appleton Area School District Board of Education packet outlines the agenda for the Regular Board of Education Meeting scheduled for August 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The agenda includes information items, consent agenda materials, reports, policy-related business, compensation proposals, curriculum updates, and future meeting dates.

Key Items on the Agenda

Curriculum Updates and Instructional Materials

• The packet includes a proposed update and textbook adoption for Small Engines & Transportation (7420), a dual enrollment course with Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC). The packet states the course was first adopted in July 2003 and is being updated to align with Wisconsin Engineering and Technology standards updated in 2024.
• The proposed Small Engines & Transportation materials have a projected cost of $4,380, included in the Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction budget. The packet notes that dual credit materials are purchased from FVTC.
• The agenda also includes Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards (WCRS) updates. The packet describes WCRS as a framework designed to integrate career readiness skills across K-12 disciplines and grade levels, including academic, self-management, and career-planning competencies.
• The packet states there is no financial impact associated with adopting the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards because the resources and related tools are provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Elementary Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum

• The packet includes a proposed transition to Sources of Strength as the universal elementary social-emotional learning resource.
• The packet states that Appleton Area School District elementary classrooms have used Second Step for more than nine years and that a review of SEL resources led to the selection of Sources of Strength for elementary implementation.
• The proposed K-5 implementation cost is approximately $65,000 through the student services department budget. The packet describes the resource as a one-time purchase rather than an annual subscription.
• The packet notes that an implementation plan has been developed for the 2026-27 school year and that teacher training is planned for August 25, 2026, pending approval.

Major Financial Items

2026-2027 Budget and Revenue Presentation

• The agenda includes a Business Services report featuring the 2026-2027 Budget Revenue Presentation.

Compensation Proposals

• The packet includes proposed compensation increases for several employee groups for the 2026-2027 school year.
• A proposed compensation increase for administrators, administrative assistants, Administrative Support Unit (ASU), and maintenance employees recommends a total compensation increase of approximately 2.63%, with an estimated total cost of approximately $596,300.
• The packet includes a proposed paraprofessional compensation increase. It describes a tentative agreement with the Appleton Education Association regarding base wages, subject to union ratification.
• The proposed paraprofessional increase includes a 2.63% base wage increase and an estimated total additional cost of approximately $249,300, including base wage and supplemental adjustments.
• The packet also includes a proposed compensation adjustment for the Superintendent for the 2026-2027 school year. The proposal describes a total annual increase of 2.63% to salary ($5,808) and tax-sheltered annuity ($278), with travel reimbursement adjusted according to IRS regulations.

Policy and Governance Items

Policy Updates and Proposed Adoptions

• The agenda includes Policy 731.3 — Security Camera and Electronic Monitoring Equipment. The packet describes the policy as a new policy addressing district use of security cameras and electronic monitoring equipment, including surveillance activities, recording access, records management, and prohibited conduct.
• The agenda includes Policy 870 — Public Concerns and Complaints. The packet states the update adds the Deputy Superintendent position as an additional point of contact for receiving and addressing public concerns and complaints.
• The agenda includes Policy 173 — Closed Sessions. The packet states the policy was identified for revision through a policy audit conducted by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards.
• The agenda includes Policy 422.1 Rule — International Exchange. The update includes adding the Pan Atlantic Foundation to the list of sponsoring organizations.
• The agenda includes Policy 528 — Professional Boundaries and Staff-Student Relationships. The packet states the policy was created to comply with 2025 Wisconsin Act 89, which requires school boards to adopt standards for appropriate staff-student relationships by September 1, 2026.
• The agenda includes Policy 528.1 — Staff Communications with Students. The packet states this new policy establishes standards for appropriate communication between district employees or volunteers and students.

Reports and Informational Items

English Language Arts Materials

• The packet includes English Language Arts materials items, including a proposed purchase for Steps to Writing Well with Additional Readings, 12th Edition (Cengage) for English Comp 1 (1275).
• The packet states the district is partnering with Fox Valley Technical College for another dual credit course offering and that Appleton Area School District is the first and only district piloting this course for the 2026-27 school year.
• The estimated cost for the English Comp 1 materials is $8,775 for print copies and digital resources for teachers and students.
• The packet also includes English Language Arts material updates covering multiple grade levels and courses, including proposed instructional materials for grades 6, 7, 10, 11, and 12.

Personnel Items

• The agenda includes personnel-related items covering professional educator new hires, educator changes, educator resignations, administrative hires, administrative resignations, and internships.
• The packet includes a proposed administrative hire for Alma L. Cendejas Ruiz for the roles of Associate Principal at Huntley Elementary and Principal at Appleton Bilingual School and The Omolade Academy, with a recommended start date of August 11, 2026.
• The packet includes proposed professional educator internships for the first semester of the 2026-2027 school year. The total internship cost listed is $5,000, including a $4,500 intern compensation stipend and a $500 professional development fee to the Department of Public Instruction.

Property and Community Items

Purchase of Right of Way and Easement

• The packet includes a proposed purchase of right of way and easement involving AASD property for the Town of Grand Chute W. Spencer Street Project.
• The packet states the proposal involves 27 square feet of additional right-of-way, a Temporary Limited Easement of 7,122 square feet, and a Permanent Limited Easement of 280 square feet of AASD land.
• The packet states the Town of Grand Chute established an approved offering price of $8,600 for the needed right-of-way.

Tax Bill Transparency Resolution

• The packet includes a Tax Bill Transparency Resolution regarding additional information on property tax bills.
• The resolution describes a request for property tax bills in the AASD attendance area to include a line item showing the amount of the AASD levy withheld to fund voucher and independent charter school payments.

What to Watch at the Meeting

• The Board is scheduled to review multiple curriculum and instructional resource items, including Small Engines & Transportation, Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards, Sources of Strength, and English Language Arts materials.
• Policy items include proposed updates and adoptions related to security monitoring, public concerns, closed sessions, international exchange, professional boundaries, and staff communications with students.
• Compensation proposals for multiple employee groups and the Superintendent are included as agenda items for Board consideration.
• Future meetings listed in the packet include a Board Work Session on August 19, 2026, a Policy Committee Meeting on August 21, 2026, a Board Meeting on August 24, 2026, and a Financial Planning Committee Meeting on August 25, 2026.