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.
17:40 - Superintendent's Report
The Board of Education meeting began with the superintendent's report from Dr. Dana Monogue. She began by noting that we are halfway through the school year and have just started the second semester. Dr. Monogue expressed gratitude to students, educators, and families for their ongoing efforts and partnership and shared her hope for continued success in the months ahead.
Dr. Monogue welcomed Chief Steven Thompson, the new Middleton Police Chief, and shared her excitement for fostering a strong partnership to support our schools.
She highlighted that Monday, Jan. 27, was a professional development day for the District, during which staff members participated in various learning sessions. She thanked the dedicated staff who worked hard to organize these opportunities.
Finally, Dr. Monogue expressed her gratitude to Board Members Green, Hesselbein, and Durand for attending the Wisconsin State Education Convention last week and supporting the four presentations delivered by the District.
20:06 - High School Level Report
Principals and Associate Principals from Middleton High School and Clark Street Community School, along with Dr. Jan Chynoweth, Director of Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, presented their level report to the Board.
Clark Street Community School (CSCS)
Principal Jill Gurtner highlighted the strides made in literacy, staff collaboration, and student skill development, focusing on their commitment to fostering a community of engaged learners.
Literacy Efforts: The focus on literacy artifacts (evidence of students’ literacy development) showed progress in improving literacy among students, particularly those from marginalized groups. The school’s artifact-creation process significantly strengthened literacy skills, with measurable improvements tied to consistent instructional practices.
Collective Staff Practices: Staff turnover in recent years led to a renewed focus on CSCS Core Beliefs, resulting in better alignment and commitment among educators. Updated Standard Operating Procedures and professional development strengthened instructional consistency and cultural practices.
Student Showcase: This new initiative added a layer of skill development for students, focusing on speaking and visual communication. The showcase was both a learning opportunity for students and a platform for staff to collaborate on developing aligned instructional materials.
Middleton High School (MHS)
Principal Peg Shoemaker and her team shared the many ways Middleton High School (MHS) is helping students succeed through strong teaching, extra support for struggling learners, and opportunities for all students to thrive.
Improving Literacy Skills
MHS has made big strides in improving reading and writing skills:
Higher Test Scores: The school’s Fall 2024 STAR reading test results were much better than the past two years, with only 3.5% of students needing urgent extra help.
9th and 10th Grade Progress: Students in these grades saw their scores improve by nearly 20 points, on average, compared to Fall 2023.
Specialized Literacy Support: Through the Principles of Literacy (POL) program, 96% of participating students improved their STAR scores, and 73% showed better fluency scores. Fifteen students made enough progress to exit the program.
Supporting Students with Special Needs
MHS is also focusing on improving outcomes for students with special needs by providing better training for teachers and support staff. The school held co-teaching training sessions to help teachers work together more effectively and ensure that students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are getting the support they need.
Specialized Training: Teachers learned how to write clear IEP goals, use effective teaching strategies, and track student progress.
Lower Dropout Rates: Dropout rates for students with special needs have returned to pre-pandemic levels, showing that more students are staying engaged and on track.
57:10 - Capital Maintenance Projects for 2025-2026
The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District's Long Range Capital Maintenance Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to address mechanical systems, structural improvements, interior renovations, and site upgrades across District facilities from the 2024-2025 school year through 2034-2035.
This overview includes planned investments totaling $1,000,000 annually, focusing on key projects such as cooling tower replacements, bathroom renovations, playground resurfacing, and HVAC system upgrades. Each year prioritizes specific areas, ensuring that facilities remain functional, sustainable, and aligned with the District’s long-term goals.
1:06:21 - Update on Hourly Payroll Processing Change
Director Barb Buffington, Director Erin Wheeler, and Assistant Superintendent Jerrud Rossing provided a review of the upcoming transition from the annualized pay system to an actual hours-worked payment system for support staff in our District. Beginning July 1, 2025, MCPASD will implement this change to align with industry standards, address operational challenges, and ensure compliance with legal requirements. This shift provides clearer and more accurate payroll practices for non-exempt hourly employees.
The new system will replace the current model of evenly distributed paychecks with pay reflecting actual hours worked each pay period, including overtime. It resolves challenges such as pay discrepancies for mid-year hires or resignations and provides transparent, detailed paystubs. To support employees who will experience paycheck gaps as part of the transition process, the District has introduced a one-time bridge loan, financial education sessions, and detailed payroll resources. MCPASD is committed to a smooth transition, ensuring support for affected staff and maintaining alignment with best practices across Wisconsin districts.
1:29:04 - Report on WASB State Education Convention
Board members who attended the State Education Convention last week shared their key takeaways.
Vice President Bob Green highlighted an AI session he attended with Bob Hesselbein. He noted that successful school districts often have an AI coordinator. Green also taught a class for new board members, emphasizing the importance of a strong working relationship with the superintendent.
Bob Hesselbein praised Superintendent Monogue’s presentations at the conference, calling them comprehensive and a great representation of our District.
Bartlett Durand shared his experience presenting two sessions and reflected on how fortunate our District is compared to others. While some districts face challenges like school closures, MCPASD has avoided many of these struggles.
1:39:20 - Approval of Phase 1 Sustainability Project and Funding
Assistant Superintendent Jerrud Rossing shared information and recommendations on the Phase 1 Sustainability Project developed by McKinstry for our District. The report outlined the steps that have brought the District to this point, project recommendations, and costs involved.
The District's commitment to sustainability began with the adoption of a sustainability resolution on March 22, 2021. This led to initial decarbonization planning, including developing a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory and conducting workshops to explore renewable energy pathways. A preliminary plan was established, identifying strategies such as energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy to meet District goals.
Subsequent steps included the development of the MCPASD Comprehensive Renewable Energy Roadmap, presented on Oct. 10, 2024, and the approval of a Directed Engineering Study by McKinstry Essention, LLC, at the Oct. 28, 2024, Board meeting. This study assessed the feasibility of implementing various energy-saving measures across District facilities.
Project Recommendations
The Phase 1 Sustainability Project includes the following key initiatives:
Geothermal retrofit at Sauk Trail Elementary.
Installation of an electric bus charger at the Transportation Center.
District-wide retro-commissioning.
Solar array installations at five schools:
Pope Farm Elementary (412 kW)
Elm Lawn Elementary (262 kW)
Middleton High School (1,252 kW)
Glacier Creek Middle School (628 kW)
Sauk Trail Elementary (111 kW)
The Board has requested more detailed information on the Phase 1 projects, which will return for approval at the next meeting on Feb. 10.
2:32:16 - Resolution Authorizing the Borrowing of Not to Exceed $10,485,000 and Providing for the Issuance and Sale of General Obligation Promissory Notes
The District plans to borrow up to $10.5 million to begin Phase 1, with debt payments covered by energy savings, ensuring no impact on the main budget. If federal tax credits change, the District may need to contribute $60,000 annually. The Board approved the borrowing.
Approval of Supervisor Contracts
The Board approved the supervisor contracts for the 2025-2026 school year.
Motion to Approve the SRO Contracts
The 2025-2026 School Resource Officer contracts with the Village of Cross Plains and the City of Middleton Police Departments were presented to the Board. Both departments and municipalities reviewed the agreements and suggested no changes. The Board approved the contracts.
2:35:47 - Approval of 2025-2026 Open Enrollment Plan
Assistant Superintendent Jerrud Rossing reviewed the proposed open enrollment data and policy at the Jan. 13 Regular Meeting, highlighting minor updates since the last report. The Board of Education approved the administration's recommendation for the 2025-2026 open enrollment seats and policy.
For regular education, 181 open enrollment seats were approved for 4K through seventh grade. Special education programs, however, have no available spaces across all services.
The Board also approved a policy update to give preference to siblings of currently enrolled students, ensuring a smoother open enrollment process for families.
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