Access Board Meetings Online: Community members can stay informed by watching every board meeting on our YouTube channel, MCPASD TV. In the recap below, we have provided timestamps for the various sections of the meeting. These will help you follow along and jump directly to the parts of the video that interest you the most.
0:45 - Recognition – Boys Swim & Dive Team: State Champion -
Congratulations to the Middleton High School Boys Swim & Dive Team for securing their third consecutive Division 1 State Championship! Coaches Wes Lagerhausen, RJ Leiferman, Mike Keleny, and Krishna Lakkaraju, along with the entire team, were recognized by the Board of Education for their outstanding achievement.
Their performance was nothing short of spectacular, earning high praise from the Wisconsin State Journal, which described it as "utter dominance."
The team claimed eight event victories, swept all three relay events, and shattered three state records. They finished with 273 points, mirroring last year’s total, and dominated the competition, finishing well ahead of runner-up Verona (175 points) to achieve a second consecutive Madison-area sweep.
This year, Middleton more than doubled their event wins from the previous championship and secured a runner-up finish. Most notably, they set a new state record in the 200-yard freestyle relay, giving Middleton control of all three relay records.
A huge congratulations to Coaches Wes Lagerhausen, RJ Leiferman, Mike Keleny, Krishna Lakkaraju, and the dedicated athletes of Middleton High School's Boys Swim & Dive Team! Your hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship continue to make us proud.
21:20 - Superintendent's Report - In her report, Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue congratulated the Choral Department for another successful Country Breakfast event at MHS over the weekend. She highlighted the incredible talents of our students on display and noted the event’s strong attendance.
Dr. Monogue also recognized Coach Kevin Pauls and the MHS Boys Soccer Team for earning the 2024 United Soccer Coaches High School Fall Team Ethics & Sportsmanship Award—a testament to their dedication and integrity on the field.
Lastly, she expressed her appreciation to Coordinator of Safety and Security, Asher Torbeck, and our law enforcement partners for hosting a second Safety & Security Night at KMS last week, reinforcing our commitment to a safe and supportive school environment.
22:50 - AGR Report from Sauk Trail Elementary - Principal Chris Dahlk presented the Sauk Trail Winter AGR Report, highlighting the school’s ongoing efforts to reduce achievement gaps through the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program. Funded by the State of Wisconsin, the AGR initiative supports targeted strategies to improve student learning outcomes.
A key focus of the program is reducing class sizes, ensuring that teachers can provide more individualized attention and implement high-impact instructional strategies. Additionally, the school continues to prioritize data-driven instructional coaching for teachers, allowing them to refine their approaches and respond to student needs in real time. One-on-one tutoring, provided by literacy interventionists, further strengthens student support by addressing gaps in foundational skills.
This year, Sauk Trail adjusted its assessment methods to align with state requirements under Act 20, transitioning from Fastbridge and STAR assessments to AimswebPlus assessments in the winter. These new assessments provide valuable insights into student progress, helping educators fine-tune instruction to better meet individual needs.
While the data shows areas for continued growth, it also highlights strong foundations in both literacy and math, particularly in Kindergarten and First Grade, where proficiency levels remain steady. The transition to the new assessment system has offered valuable learning opportunities, and the school is committed to refining strategies that will continue to support student success at every level.
Sauk Trail is focused on expanding literacy and math initiatives to ensure that every student has the tools they need to succeed. Professional development in foundational literacy skills, including phonics, spelling, and reading fluency, will be strengthened through LETRS training and specialized instructional approaches. The school is also emphasizing oracy skills, helping students build confidence in speaking and comprehension.
Beyond academics, Sauk Trail is reinforcing its commitment to social-emotional learning (SEL), recognizing that student well-being is key to academic success. Attendance initiatives will also be a priority, ensuring that students are present, engaged, and making the most of their learning experiences.
45:00 - SRO Update - The District's School Resource Officers, along with Safety Coordinator Asher Torbeck, provided an update to the board regarding their work in enhancing school safety, fostering relationships with students, and responding to incidents across district schools.
The presentation included reports from both the Cross Plains Police Department and the Middleton Police Department, covering their activities in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Cross Plains Police Department Update
The Cross Plains SRO responded to 178 calls for service at district schools, addressing incidents related to traffic, juvenile walk-aways, threats, criminal investigations, and property checks. Additionally, officers spent approximately 200 hours on school-related investigations and 41 reports were submitted through the Speak Up Speak Out program.
Beyond enforcement, the SRO engaged in daily relationship-building activities, such as greeting students, participating in lunch and recess, conducting safety checks, and leading classroom instruction, including 5th-grade Second Step lessons. Officers also attended PTO events, Parks & Rec programs, and student activities to strengthen community connections.
Middleton Police Department Update
The Middleton Police SROs, assigned to both middle and elementary schools, responded to 111 calls for service and provided regular safety presence through duties such as bus supervision, lunch and recess monitoring, and classroom instruction on topics like online safety.
At Middleton High School, officers handled 216 calls for service, with 106 Speak Up Speak Out reports between the middle and high schools. Officer presence included hallway monitoring (10 hours per week), lunch duty (5 hours per week), special event coverage, emergency drills, and student safety education. Officers also played a key role in community events like youth academies, fun runs, and prom safety initiatives.
Training and Ongoing Safety Efforts
Both Cross Plains and Middleton SROs undergo extensive specialized training, including crisis intervention, behavioral threat assessment, active shooter response, cultural awareness, and juvenile justice practices.
Throughout the year, district-wide safety initiatives included:
Staff safety training before the school year
Monthly safety drills for students and staff
Dane County School Safety Training in partnership with Emergency Management
Annual full-scale safety exercises with MCPASD
Ongoing internet safety programs
1:19:30 - Federal Grants - Director Erin Wheeler reviewed the District's federal funds for the 2024-25 school year, outlining allocations, uses, and contingency planning. The District received $4.15 million in federal funding, with the majority supporting staffing, professional development, student services, and special education programs.
Title I-IV grants fund multilingual education, parent engagement, and school safety initiatives, while IDEA funding supports special education staffing and services. Additional grants provide resources for career and technical education, homelessness support, and mental health programs. New funding includes $300,000 for restorative practices training and $200,000 for an electric school bus. The District follows a reimbursement-based model, claiming expenses quarterly to ensure fiscal responsibility while preparing for potential shifts in funding. By focusing on equity, student success, and long-term improvements, these federal funds continue to enhance educational opportunities and community support across the district.
1:29:50 - Youth Center Agreement with City of Middleton - For over 10 years, MCPASD and the City of Middleton have partnered to support the Middleton Youth Center. Assistant Superintendent Jerrud Rossing and Director Erin Wheeler presented proposed updates to the Youth Center Agreement, addressing rising costs and staffing changes due to the end of the PASS AmeriCorps program in 2025.
To maintain services, the City is adjusting staffing and funding for the Youth Center, leading to a proposed increase in MCPASD’s annual contribution. Facility use at Kromrey Middle School will also be modified to better support program needs. Transportation for students will continue at no cost to the City. The School Board will review the agreement on March 17, followed by City Council consideration on March 18, with future funding to be reassessed based on program needs and participation.
1:42:44 - First Reading of Policy Revisions - The Board reviewed updates to several policies, including those related to the district’s mission and vision, educational philosophy, governance, equity, and board member responsibilities. This item was tabled for further review and consideration.
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