Choosing greatness for our schools
A column of perspective from the district's community newsletter, Education Issues.
Many of our residents recognize that whether they have children enrolled in our schools or not, the Hamilton School District has an impact on their lives. Our goal has been to provide high quality programming for the children of our community while operating in the most fiscally responsible manner possible. The fact that Hamilton is one of the highest-achieving, yet lowest-spending districts in the are is testament to our quest to best serve the needs of taxpayers and students.
We are happy to share exciting news that demonstrates the success we have experienced in meeting our goals including:
- The district was named Government Agency of the Year in the Waukesha County Executive Awards Program presented by County Executive Daniel Vrakas based on our ability to leverage resources to provide high quality services to our community.
- A record number of Hamilton High School students were named Advanced Placement Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on college-level AP exams.
- Templeton Middle School is one of only 11 Wisconsin school that has earned the prestigious honor of being named Exemplary Middle School for four consecutive years.
- Sound financial management has resulted in an upgrade in the district's financial rating from Moody's Investor Service. The higher credit rating means that taxpayers will save $56,000 on top of more than $400,000 that had been anticipated through restructuring of $3.7 million of debt.
- Reduced energy consumption has avoided more than $427,445 in increased costs despite the fact that the district has added more than 100,000 square feet of new space.
- Hamilton High School's 2010 ACT composite score was the highest in the history of the school.
- District employees are regularly recognized for their professional accomplishments. Marcy Elementary School music teacher Rod Loren, Ph.D., for example, was chosen for the Fulbright-Hays summer seminar based on a rigorous review process.
We have much to celebrate in this community. Our accomplishments are significant, and they did not happen by chance. They are the result of dedicated individuals who care deeply about the well-being of others and who are committed to realizing the goals of the district's Strategic Plan. The schools belong to the community. By leveraging our resources to operate a strong educational system that functions in a fiscally responsible manner, the communities of the Hamilton School District are enhanced and all residents benefit.
Superintendent Kathleen M. Cooke
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Education
M.S. Education Administration and Supervision
B.S. Elementary and Early Childhood Education
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1993 - Present Superintendent, Hamilton School District
1992-1993 Assistant Superintendent, Oconomowoc School District
1990-1992 Director of Human Resources, Oconomowoc School District
1987-1990 Middle School Principal, Oconomowoc School District
1986-1987 Elementary School Principal, Oconomowoc School District
1985-1986 Program Evaluation Specialist, Oconomowoc School District
1979-1985 Elementary Teacher, Oconomowoc School District
RECOGNITIONS
2008 American Association of School Administrators/National School Public Relations Association "Connect-ED" Award
2002 NAACP Community Service Award
2000 Governor's Appointment to Work Based Learning Board
1999 State-of-the-State Address - Governor Thompson
1997 American Association of School Administrators Leadership for Learning Finalist
1996 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year
1996 Milw. Bus. Journal "40 Under 40" Future Community Business Leaders Award
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
- Association of American School Administrators
- Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators
- Mid-America Association of School Superintendents (President-2002)
- National Staff Development Council
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
- Phi Delta Kappa
- American Association of School Administrators Audit Committee, 1999-2002
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
- Menomonee Falls Rotary Club, 1994-Present (President-2002-03)
- Sussex Area Chamber of Commerce, 1994-Present
- Community Memorial Hospital Outreach Steering Committee, 1998-2001
- Sussex Senior Citizen Transportation Task Force, 1998-Present
- Waukesha County Technical College Board of Directors, 1994-2000
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