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La Crosse School District work session, date not confirmed yet

1 h 43 min

Meeting video · YouTubeLa Crosse School DistrictDate not confirmed yetWatch on YouTube ↗Opens at 0:00 in a new tab

This board doesn’t post agenda times. Click a board member to jump to where they first speak; we list only members whose voice our check named. Video length 1 h 43 min.

  1. Who spoke · first speaks at
  2. Trevor SpraguePresident
  3. Tim AlbertsTreasurer
  4. Loretta HassWASB Alternate
  5. Scott NeumeisterBoard member
  6. Molly FuchsClerk
What happened

What happened at this meeting

La Crosse board hears legal briefing on social media use and budget overview 39:35

  • An attorney who works with the school district briefed the board on school board powers, ethics law, public records and board members' use of social media. 4:26
  • A district staff member gave an overview of school finance and said the board would adopt the '26-'27 original budget in October. 1:02:36
  • Trevor Sprague read a motion to move into closed session for employee negotiations, and a roll call was taken, but no result was announced. 1:41:28

Until Nov 4, lines where a board member takes a side don't name the member. Why →

Item by item (8)
  1. Opening and introductions 1:49
    • Trevor Sprague said the discussion was requested by Molly Fuchs after a public speaker raised concerns about Facebook posts and public comment. 1:49
    • Board members introduced themselves and said how many years they had served on the board. ~3:19
  2. Legal briefing on board powers and ethics 4:26
    • An attorney who works with the district said that since 1995 Wisconsin Act 27, school boards have been broad powers entities that may act unless prohibited by statute. 4:26
    • The attorney said the Code of Ethics for Local Public Officials bars board members from using their positions for financial gain for themselves, immediate family or associated organizations. 22:11
    • Trevor Sprague asked whether a volunteer coach must abstain from general athletics decisions, and the attorney said the action must substantially and directly affect the activity. 30:07
  3. Board members' use of technology 31:35
    • The attorney said replies to an email sent to a quorum of board members can create a walking quorum in violation of the Open Meetings Law. 32:35
    • The attorney said text messages and emails about district business, including on personal accounts, are public records. 33:19
    • A staff member said district emails to board members are sent BCC to avoid a walking quorum. 39:13
  4. Social media and the First Amendment 39:35
    • The attorney said board members keep First Amendment rights, but those who use social media to engage constituents act as governmental actors and should not block people, delete comments or engage in viewpoint discrimination. 39:35
    • The attorney recommended separate personal accounts with disclaimers and said social media posts related to district business must be retained as public records. 39:35
  5. Board discussion of social media conduct 53:53
    • One board member said board members should show decency and respect whether or not they are using a personal account. 54:15
    • One board member said the board member's comments were not illegal and said the board could move forward. 55:59
    • One board member said the matter was not placed on an agenda because they did not agree it rose to a policy violation, but said harm was done. 57:53
  6. School finance and budget overview 1:01:14
    • A district staff member said about $10 million goes each year from the general fund to the special ed fund. 1:06:00
    • The staff member said the state estimated special education reimbursements of 42% and 46%, while the district estimated 35% for '25-'26 and would budget 38% for next year. 1:27:59
    • The staff member estimated a net revenue change of $648,567 with an estimated loss of 97 FTE, and said vouchers cost the district over $3 million for '25-'26 in response to a question from Scott Neumeister. 1:30:43
  7. Questions on vouchers and enrollment 1:36:17
    • Loretta Hass asked how many private schools receive vouchers, and a staff member said the district is responsible for vouchers for its residents attending private schools in the program, including outside La Crosse. 1:36:26
    • A staff member said a request for information to the state had not received a reply. 1:39:10
    • One board member said efforts such as a marketing firm to pick up 8 students could offset declining enrollment. 1:40:41
  8. Motion to enter closed session 1:41:28
    • Trevor Sprague read a motion to move into closed session under Wisconsin statute 19.85 sub 1 sub e for employee negotiations. 1:41:28
    • A motion and second were made, and a staff member called the roll. 1:42:24

Written by software from the meeting's transcript and checked sentence by sentence against it.

Other meetings

Other meetings of this board

Video: posted by the district as “Board of Education Workshop - June 1, 2026”