Energy-saving projects reported
Hamilton School Board members learned about initiatives underway in the district to minimize energy consumption from Buildings & Grounds Manager Jeff Grove. In his written report, Grove identified four key items that are underway to help the district save money. They include:
- Each school has a building management system that allow for separate temperature setpoints for winter and summer.
- Consulting engineers are developing a proposal to study the heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems at Hamilton and Templeton for possible energy-saving updates.
- The district will use an energy audit conducted by Wisconsin Focus on Energy to implement energy-saving measures.
- Wisconsin Building Services provided a lighting audit and proposal to update lighting and save about $37,000 annually in electric costs at the high school.
Lannon Site Plan approved
Lannon Elementary School Principal Richard Ladd gave an overview of the school’s progress and new identified tactics. Ladd reported that the previous plan had achievement significant accomplishments and was recommended for retirement last January. Staff members in past years focused on a schoolwide writing program, weekly communication between parents and teachers, and collaborative work across the staff.
A planning team that met in October to create a new site plan coined a vision statement of “Make ’em never want to miss a day!” to remind students, staff and parents of the excitement that attending school should inspire.
The site planning team identified the following new tactics in which Lannon will:
- maintain and enhance a positive, nurturing culture so that Lannon students will continue to strive for excellence;
- improve the building referral process to meet all students’ needs; and
- enhance the schoolwide writing program, allowing each student to develop necessary skills to communicate effectively in writing.
Election schedule given
School Board President Gerald Schmitz listed dates from the 2002-03 election schedule. Among them were the Dec. 27 deadline for incumbents to announce their non-candidacy, Jan. 7 deadline for candidacy declaration and nominations papers, Feb. 18 primary election if needed, April 1 spring election and April 28 taking of office. The terms of Butler representative Deborah Briggs, Menomonee Falls representative Jennifer Rude Klett and Lisbon representative Dawn Van Aacken are up for election this year.
Co-curricular report given
Athletic-Activities Director Mike Gosz described accomplishments in co-curricular areas. He highlighted recognition and honors that Hamilton teams and individuals earned in 2001-02. He also pointed to facility and equipment improvements including purchase of new federation-compliant pole vault pits and catching masks, weight room equipment purchases, new uniforms for five teams, reconditioning of an old wrestling mat, baseball diamond work and replacement of the Little Theater’s 30-year-old light board that can be used in the new auditorium.
Recommendations to the School Board included:
- devote an area north of the stadium as a soccer-only field;
- plan for additional gym space for use by school groups, youth organizations and the community;
- replace additional aging weight room equipment;
- resurface rather than filling cracks on the tennis courts;
- provide extra pay for coaches whose students advance in WIAA tournaments; and
explore ways to retain athletes who are being lost because school begins after Labor Day.
Personnel changes approved
In personnel business, the School Board:
- expanded Woodside Special Services aide Carolyn Kuester’s contract from 4 hours to 7.5 hours a day;
- accepted the resignation of Maple Avenue Special Services aide Chris Klesius.