NIAGARA, Wis. — The Niagara School Board has approved a new science curriculum for next year.

The district will purchase the Dimensions Science program at a cost of $24,199. Several teachers with the district piloted the program last year and found it to be quality curriculum that meets Common Core standards.

It also includes a digital component, as well as a hands-on section. Kits are sent with experiments, including some things that can be reused for other experiments.

In other business, the board:

— Approved retirements for three staff members. Julie Butler is retiring after 16 years as an elementary teacher with the district and more than 40 years in education; Building and Grounds Coordinator Cecil Cretten in August after 14 years; and Lori Lamy, speech and language pathologist, after 10 years.

— Heard from auditor Scott Sternhagen of CliftonLarsonAllen that the district had a clean or unmodified audit with no deficiencies. The general fund had an increase of $108,000 over the budgeted amount, raising the fund balance to $888,000, or 16% of the budget. He said they recommend the fund balance be about 20% to 25% of the budget but that it slowly has been increasing.

— Approved the resolution authoring the issuance and establishing parameters for the sale not to exceed $3,995,000 in general obligation refunding bonds. This allows Baird Financial, which is working with the district, to sell the bonds when interest rates are at the best available. The district also authorized the issuance and sale of a $3,995,000 bond anticipation note, which will serve as a bridge loan until the bonds are sold. The district approved a referendum in November for facility improvements, including a new heating and air conditioning system.

— Approved the school calendar for 2021-22 with a student start date of Sept. 1 and end of the school year as June 2.

— Accepted the resignation of Lynn Dunkes as a paraprofessional. She has been with the district for several years and served in a number of areas, including the kitchen.

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.