District gets favorable rate on referendum bonds
Because of the district’s strong Moody’s rating, interest rates to finance the referendum projects were better than expected. School Board members authorized the sale of $12.5 million in building and improvement bonds to KeyBanc Captial Markets at an interest rate of 4.12 percent. School officials conservatively projected the rate would be 5.25 percent. Up to an additional $12.5 million will be sold in the spring of 2025. The lower rate will reduce the overall financial impact on taxpayers.
Community members recognized with Community Service Award
The Hamilton School District presented Jill Polifka and Heide Hongsermeier with its 2024 Community Service Award. These two community members advocated for the passage of the April 2 referendum and worked tirelessly to keep community members informed and involved.
Open Enrollment applicants on waitlist
All applicants from non-resident families to be enrolled in the District through Open Enrollment will be placed on a waiting list for the 2024-25 school year. Due to increasing resident student enrollment, the School Board did not create any new Open Enrollment seats in January. When the Open Enrollment application period ended on April 30, the District had received 134 nonresident requests for entry into the district. Administrators will monitor enrollment throughout the summer to determine if any space will be available for 2024-25 placement.
Salary compensation adjustments approved
The School Board approved compensation increases for employee groups. Most employees can expect to see an approximately 4% increase in 2024-25. However, total aggregate salary compensation per group varies because of adjustments for certain individuals and banding of positions to create a minimum and maximum salary within a job level.
Employees can expect a message from the Human Resources Office with more specific information regarding their employee group adjustments.
The employee groups and their total aggregate compensation approved were:
- Teachers – 4.31% increase
- Paraprofessionals – 4.30%
- Nutritional services staff – 4.88%
- Custodial and maintenance staff – 4.19%
- Administrative assistants – 4.53%
- Confidential support staff – 3.86%
- Administrators – 4.12%.
Southeastern Wisconsin School Alliance contract approved
School Board members authorized the district to renew participation in the Southeastern Wisconsin School Alliance (SWSA). The alliance provides school leaders from southeastern Wisconsin with objective, non-partisan information and training as they work with policymakers regarding education issues. The annual cost to participate in SWSA is $3,200 per school district.
Reports and documents approved
Several reports and documents were reviewed and approved including:
- Bloodborne Pathogens Procedures
- Emergency Nursing Services Policies and Procedures
- Special Education Procedures Handbook
- Updated Partnership with Mental Health Services Resources Provider for 2024-25
Personnel matters
Board members approved the appointments of:
- Abigail Piette, Grade 3 Teacher at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective August 26
- Madelyn Laszewski, Special Education Teacher at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective August 26
- Jessica Leitner, Kindergarten Teacher at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective August 26
- Kristina Nora, Special Education Teacher at Templeton Middle School, effective August 26
- Rebecca Solsrud, Grade 4 Humanities Teacher at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective August 26
- John Ziemer, Technology Education Teacher at Hamilton High School, effective August 26
- Sheila Frafjord, Business Ed Teacher at Hamilton High School and Templeton Middle School, effective August 26
- Dominic Bauer, Principal at Hamilton High School, effective July 1
- Jennifer Gierach, Grade 6 Teacher at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective August 26
Board members approved the resignations of:
- Vauhn Morris, Paraprofessional – Special Education at Templeton Middle School, effective end of the school year
- Cynthia Caruso-Stemper, Special Education Teacher at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective end of the school year
- Danielle Kulibert, Paraprofessional – Title I Reading at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective end of the school year