Byron Public Schools — Transcript
Sunday, August 23, 2026
School Operations and Readiness for New School Year
Financial Report and Budget Overview
Proposed Ban on Flavored Vaping Products
Constitutional Amendment Outreach Planning
City Council Update
Miscellaneous Policy and Agreement Approvals
Superintendent Goals Approval
Votes (7)
Discussion and Action on Vaping Letter
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:00]
The board discussed a draft letter intended for the Homestead County Commissioners, advocating for a county-wide ban on flavored vaping products. Personal anecdotes from board members and feedback from young adults highlighted that flavored vapes are seen as explicitly targeting youth. Concerns about enforcement and comparison to bans in neighboring counties (like Dodge County) were raised. The sentiment shifted towards strong support for the ban based on the observed negative impact on young individuals.
Action on PSO Contract with Byron Public Schools and RCTC
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:00]
The board considered the annual renewal of the contract with RCTC for Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSO) providers. It was noted that this contract offers a slight cost saving compared to individual agreements with providers.
Action on Management Plan for Indoor Air Quality
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:00]
This item involved the annual approval of the district's indoor air quality management plan. It was affirmed that IA (likely an internal department) is responsible for assembling and reviewing this plan to ensure compliance and coverage.
Action on Master Agreement Activity Workers (MOU)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:00]
The board discussed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to remove pay rates and stipends for event workers from the teachers' master agreement (Schedule C). The primary reason for this change, agreed upon by the union, is to allow the district more flexibility to adjust these rates outside of the lengthy collective bargaining cycle, while still requiring school board approval for any changes. This is also aligned with traditional practices in most master agreements.
Action on Revising Miscellaneous Wages Page
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:00]
This item was a direct consequence of the previous action, moving the event worker pay table to the miscellaneous wages chart. It was mentioned that while the initial change is structural, a future comprehensive evaluation of these rates will be conducted.
Action on the E-Learning Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:00]
The annual e-learning plan was presented for approval. Key updates included changes to dates and the addition of a specific section for Byron preschool, developed with feedback from preschool staff. A board member raised a concern about outdated 'bingo board' activities for e-learning days that encouraged outdoor activities during extreme cold.
Action on Superintendent Goals
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:00]
The superintendent presented his annual goals for board approval. There was a brief, humorous exchange regarding the numbering of the goals, with a suggestion to reorder them for clarity and emphasis on 'priority one'.
Notable Quotes (7)
I think it would be great if we could send this letter to our county commissioners and maybe eventually our city council. But um obviously I'm interested in hearing how you all are feeling about it.
They said, 'Oh, yeah. That's a that's a no-brainer to get rid of flavored vapes.' And they said, 'People can go over to Kassen and go to Dodge County.' That's what I was asking about Dodge County. But they said, 'Yeah, they're absolutely 100% geared towards young kids.'
I went and I looked it up cuz I was like cotton candy and like the names that you're listing off and I was like there's no other way. And I was like in my mind I'm like really has it gotten that extreme? Um so I did I went and looked I didn't ask I was like there is a coda and there's like all these other ones and I I do agree like they are definitely targeted towards kids after I looked at the names.
The big reason um that we talked through and that the union ended up agreeing with um about taking it out is that in the event that we had to change those um we wouldn't have to wait for we we don't want to potentially have to wait for the next negotiating cycle to change the contract that we could um we could just manage that ourselves as the district.
It's really important for me that you know that the any rate changes the school board, you all would still need to approve them before they effect. So, this isn't just Nate and Chad would decide to start charge or paying out less or paying out more.
I haven't seen them in a while, but the last time I talked about the bingo boards, half of the things on the bingo board were go outside and shovel a neighbor's driveway or go play out in the snow or like we're I know it was like extreme cold days. he used it and it's like half the things on the bingo board are go outside and do what we're not having school for. Like it made no sense to me.
only question I have is there a reason is there a reason that number two is number one? No, not really. Okay. Cuz I thought you No, because I when I was putting the when I was putting my goals together, I was I I just started with the SRP and SRM.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
An upcoming ballot item for which the district is planning community outreach and informational sessions.
A draft letter to be sent to county commissioners advocating for a ban on flavored vaping products.
An annual contract with RCTC for Post Secondary Enrollment Options providers.
An annual plan ensuring protocols for indoor air quality are in place.
The collective bargaining agreement for teachers, from which event worker pay rates were removed.
An internal document where event worker pay rates will now be listed, separate from the master agreement.
The annual plan approved for utilizing e-learning days, updated with new dates and preschool provisions.
The annual performance goals set for the superintendent.
A recently strengthened city ordinance regarding e-bike use and safety.
A public newsletter from the district, recently sent out with information on the constitutional amendment.