By Taylor J. Hale
Reporter

STEVENS POINT — Stevens Point Area Public School District officials passed a motion to merge the Human Resources and the Business Services Committees into a single entity at the School Board meeting on April 22.

The consolidation was geared to help more board members be in attendance at meetings, allowing for a more open flow of information. Board Treasurer Amy Dailey proposed the motion, seconded by Board Member Jeffery Ebel, which included the elimination of the Policy and Legislation Committee.

“I think we should merge HR with Business Services. The meetings are 10 minutes, you know, three times a year,” Ebel said about Human Resource meetings.

Not all felt the combining of the committees was in the best interest of the district. Board Member Trish Baker felt the merger would limit meeting times. She also feels keeping the committees separate allows for more opportunities for citizen board members to participate in the district.

“We have a variety of people coming in on each of those committees,” Baker said. “It opens it up for more opportunity, and it allows more people to think about if they may want to join the board.”

Baker also noted that committees allow for a more relaxed atmosphere when contrasted to full-fledged board meetings, providing more in-depth discussions. The reorganized committees now allow for four citizen board members.

The newly merged Human Resources and Business Services Committee will meet on the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Educational Services Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m. Officials approved the motion by a unanimous voice vote.

Contact Taylor J. Hale at [email protected] with Portage County news and information.