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.
1:42 - Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue and members of the Board of Education extended their heartfelt condolences to the Abundant Life Christian School community following the tragic incident. The MCPASD is keeping the students, staff, and families in our thoughts and stands in solidarity with the Abundant Life community during this difficult time.
2:36 - Oath of Office for Board Appointee in Area IV
The Board of Education meeting began with the Oath of Office for Jim Coursey, representing Area IV. Mr. Coursey will serve in this position until the April election. He brings nearly 30 years of public service experience to the role, including extensive work with health and human services agencies and educational programs. A recent addition to the Middleton community, Coursey moved his family here specifically for the district's educational opportunities. He has two daughters in MCPASD schools and is currently hosting two foreign exchange students, demonstrating his strong commitment to education and our school community.
3:55 - Middleton VFW Supports Students with $500 Donation
Thank you to the Middleton VFW for their generous $500 donation to Middleton High School! This contribution will help provide yearbooks to students in need, ensuring they can preserve and celebrate their school memories.
A special thanks to Andrew Shuck for delivering the check on behalf of the VFW. Your kindness and support truly make a difference in our school community!
15:30 - Superintendent's Report
In her Superintendent's Report, Dr. Dana Monogue celebrated the Middleton High School Model United Nations Club for their impressive achievements at the International Model UN Conference in Chicago. The club earned the prestigious title of "Outstanding Small Delegation," with Dina Abdel-Megid and Truman McRay receiving individual honors. Dr. Monogue also wished the students the best of luck as they prepare to attend a conference in Boston this February.
17:48 - Safety and Security Update
Safety and Security Coordinator Asher Torbeck provided his first update on District safety and security to the Board of Education. He began his presentation by introducing Middleton High School’s new School Resource Officer, Kevin Thompson.
Asher's report highlighted key achievements, including the successful implementation of staff safety training, Situation Response Team (SRT) development, and enhanced building safety protocols. He detailed the district-wide safety drills, compliance with state-mandated requirements, and efforts to maintain trauma-sensitive practices during drills. He emphasized the importance of consistent safety presentations, communication improvements, and family engagement through events like the October Safety and Security Night, which drew significant participation.
Looking forward, Asher outlined plans for a reunification training drill in February 2025 and further development of the Standard Reunification Method to ensure preparedness across schools. He concluded by reinforcing his commitment to maintaining safety best practices and fostering collaboration with families and local law enforcement.
45:39 - Act 95 Plan Going Forward
Peg Shoemaker, MHS Principal; Jill Gurtner, CSCS Principal; Liz Merrick, MHS Assistant Principal; and Silvia Romero-Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, provided an update to the Board regarding Act 95 implementation within the district.
They discussed the Wisconsin Guarantee, established under Act 95, which ensures guaranteed admission to University of Wisconsin institutions for high school students meeting specific class rank criteria. Students in the top 10% of their class at the end of Grade 11 are guaranteed admission to all UW universities except UW-Madison, while students in the top 5% are guaranteed admission to UW-Madison, provided they meet the Early Action application deadline.
The presentation outlined challenges for high-performing schools like Middleton High School, where a large number of students achieve a 4.0 GPA. To comply with Act 95, the district will implement a weighted grading system starting in the 2025-2026 school year, assigning a 5.0 weight to Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This system will be applied retroactively to current 9th–11th grade students by July 2025, enabling eligible juniors to apply for guaranteed admission to UW-Madison by the August 1, 2025, deadline. Current seniors will not be affected.
The communication plan includes an informational staff meeting on December 17, a letter to families on the same date, and a recorded family information session during the Course Fair on January 8, 2025. The district also plans to explore additional courses for weighted grading during the 2025-2026 school year to align with educational goals.
59:40 - Update on Phase 1 of Sustainability Planning
Assistant Superintendent Jerrud Rossing provided an update on Sustainability Planning for the District.
He detailed the progress on the District's sustainability goals, initiated with the adoption of a sustainability resolution in March 2021. The district has since developed a Greenhouse Gas Inventory and a Comprehensive Renewable Energy Roadmap. Following the approval of a Directed Engineering Study in October 2024, the district partnered with McKinstry Essention, LLC, to explore energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities, including solar installations, geothermal HVAC systems, and district-wide energy efficiency audits.
The study identified several key projects for Phase 1, including solar arrays at five district schools, a geothermal retrofit at Sauk Trail Elementary, and retro-commissioning for energy efficiency. The estimated project cost is $13,555,000, with funding expected from sources like the Inflation Reduction Act ($2,768,000) and Focus on Energy ($298,000).
The next steps include presenting a contract with McKinstry and a financing plan to the Board of Education at the January 13, 2025, meeting. The plan will address funding for critical sustainability projects, including building and fleet electrification and expanding renewable energy initiatives across the district.
1:16:26 - Approval of Emergency Crisis Plan
Each year, the Board is required to approve the district's emergency crisis plans. After reviewing copies of the district and school-specific crisis plans, the Board approved them. For security reasons, these plans are not shared with the public.
1:17:29 - Acceptance of 2023-2024 Audit Report
Brian Anderson, Partner at Wipfli LLP, presented the findings of the District's annual financial audit during the Finance Committee meeting. The audit confirmed that the District's financial statements are in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, with no material misstatements or significant deficiencies in internal controls identified.
The administration recommended approval of the audit findings, which the Board subsequently approved. The audit also highlighted the implementation of updated accounting policies and the thorough evaluation of estimates, such as depreciation and pension liabilities, ensuring accuracy and reliability in financial reporting.
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