Personnel news highlighted action at the School Board meeting.
The School Board appointed Bryan Ruud as business services director. Ruud has been the district’s buildings and grounds manager since 1993. He replaces Alex Dittrich who will retire at the end of the school year.
Woodside Elementary School Principal Diane Loppnow’s request for early retirement was accepted. Loppnow’s nine-year career in the district was highlighted with many personal and professional accomplishments including reopening Willow Springs in 1991, opening Woodside in 1999 and serving for several years as district technology project manager and summer school director. Loppnow’s retirement is effective July 20, following this year’s summer school session.
Hamilton High School communication arts teacher Debbie Figueroa will serve as a mentor to her colleagues as part of the recently awarded Technology Literacy Challenge Grant. The School Board authorized hiring of a full-time communication arts teacher to fill her regular position during the 2000-2001 school year.
Instructional Services Supervisor Dee Baumann, Ph.D., gave an update on the Supervision-Evaluation Committee’s work. The committee met March 20 to consider subcommittee recommendations. New guidelines were established for goal setting. Working in goal-setting teams, teachers will share their goals and implement and evaluate them in terms of student learning. Bauman presented guidelines for the goal-setting process that includes:
- Teachers will participate in three- to six-member, self-selected teams.
- Teams will meet at least three times annually including the first half hour of the October and February early release days.
- Each member will identify a goal to submit to his or her supervisor by Oct. 20. A final form with reflection on the goal is due May 14, 2001.
- All teachers will be trained in the new goal-setting process at the beginning of the school year.
Supt. Kathleen Cooke indicated that new state-mandated licensure regulations will require in 2004 that all new teachers work in teams to develop and present career portfolios.
Bauman also reported on implementation of the optional half-day kindergarten program for 4-year-olds at Willow Springs Learning Center. Some 186 students enrolled in the 4K program offered for the first time this year. Additionally, 20 3- and 4-year-olds are enrolled in the special education Early Childhood Program.
A parent survey distributed in February shows strong parental satisfaction with the program. More than 90 percent of the respondents agree or strongly agree that their child:
- is motivated to learning through challenging and meaningful curriculum;
- shows evidence of learning; and
- feels emotionally secure in school and likes school.
Parents also gave high marks for teacher communication to the home and an atmosphere that welcomes and appreciates parental involvement.
An addendum to the Medallion School Partnerships contract for before and after school parent-paid daycare at each elementary school was approved. Medallion will be allowed to operate childcare services at each elementary school from 6:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and from 3:25 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The School Board approved a request from Athletic-Activities Director Mike Gosz to increase athletic training services provided by Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls. A certified athletic trainer or physical therapist will be available five days a week from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for practices, at 80 nontournament events and at five all-day tournaments. The total cost for the annual services will be $4,600. This is an $1,800 increase over last year when services were provided four days a week for practices.
School Board policy that stipulates how recipients of the district’s Academic Excellence Higher Education Scholarship are determined is up for modification. The School Board saw the first reading of the proposed policy change that identifies procedures if there is a tie among seniors for highest grade point average.
The original policy states that a committee will establish and adopt tie-breaking procedures. The proposed changes state that in the event of a tie, the following tie-breaking procedures will be used in the order listed:
- Students intent to attend eligible school in state
- Highest ACT or SAT I scores
- Number of Advanced Placement courses taken and AP grade point average as of Feb. 15
- Curricular and co-curricular leadership activities.
In personnel business, the School Board:
- accepted the resignations of Templeton teacher Diana Gahm and Templeton aide Susan Rizor;
- appointed Ann Armbruster as Woodside 5K teacher, Kristine Christus as Maple Avenue communication arts teacher, Peter Ferge as Hamilton communication arts teacher, Patrick Gain as Hamilton science teacher, Sara Hackbarth as Marcy third grade teacher, Dawn Haren as Templeton science teacher, Amy Hilgenberg as Woodside 5K teacher, Kaye Hunt as Marcy 5K teacher, Jason Nerison as Templeton cleaner, Kristy Porath as Lannon 5K teacher, Gretchen Sciortino as Woodside 5K teacher, William Serb as Hamilton communication arts teacher, Amy McQuin as Lannon second grade teacher and Karen Peters as Marcy 5K teacher.
- granted leaves of absence to Hamilton and Templeton art teacher Keri Chandler for the 2000-2001 school year and Hamilton social studies teacher Kathleen Glusick for the first semester of 2000-2001.