Roubik appointed new Educational Services director
The Hamilton School Board appointed John Roubik the new Educational Services and Human Resources Director at its March 17 meeting. Roubik, who has been principal of Bayside Middle School since 2002, will begin his new post effective July 1, pending release from his contract in Bayside. He replaces Dean Schultz, who announced his retirement last October after serving as head of Educational Services and Human Resources since 1996.
Roubik, 38, began his career in education in 1994 by teaching special education students at Kosiuszko Middle School in Milwaukee. Later, he taught special education at Bayside Middle School for six years before taking on the role as principal there.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in special education and master’s degree in administrative leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and his district administrator’s license from Cardinal Stritch.
The district conducted an extensive interview process that included gaining the perspectives of employee groups and parents.
“We believe Mr. Roubik’s background, experience, education and qualifications are an excellent match to carry on our tradition of academic excellence and collaborative problem solving,” said Hamilton Superintendent Kathleen Cooke, Ph.D.
Maple Avenue presents site plan
Principal Kristin Koeper-Hamblin presented Maple Avenue’s School Profile and reported on the school’s site plan which was developed in 2003. She provided an overview of demographic data.
The student population has been steady, going from 466 last year to 469 this year. The mobility rate of students increased from 8 to 13 percent in the past year, indicating that the number of families enrolling in and moving out of the school attendance area has gone up. Half the children who came to the school were in need of interventions such as Early Reading Empowerment, Early Mathematics Empowerment and Title I services. In addition, the number of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch increased from 14.4 to 16 percent in the past year.
The site plan tactics include:
- implementing a schoolwide writing program with common expectations;
- implementing an elementary reading scope and sequence of instructional strategies and assessments and developing common expectations within and across grade levels; and
- developing and implementing intervention programming for students at risk of academic failure.
Koeper-Hamblin said a strength of the school has been how well staff members know children, and there are no surprises when test scores come in. She reported numerous gains on the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concept Exam.
School Board member Deborah Briggs complimented the Maple Avenue staff for longitudinal test score results.
“It looks like a lot of good work has occurred at Maple,” Briggs said.
Board approve participation in CESA programs
The district’s participation in alternative school services offered through the Cooperative Education Services Agency (CESA) #1 will continue. The School Board gave authorization for administrators to continue contracting services for:
- Empower Academy – a program for high school students at risk school failure;
- Turning Point – an alternative school that serves elementary-age children with emotional behavioral disabilities;
- Passages Charter Middle School – serving middle school students who are at risk; and
- SOAR – an alternative program designed for severaly emotionally disturbed children in grades 4-8.
Approximately 18 students from the district are served through these CESA #1 programs and schools.
School fee increases OK’d
Elementary, middle and high school fees will increase by $5 and parking fees will go up by $10 next year. The School Board approved the increases after reviewing student fee comparisons with other school districts. With elementary at $30, middle school at $40, high school at $55 and parking at $90, Hamilton’s fees were on the low end compared to many other school districts. The new fees will be $35 for elementary, $45 for middle school, $60 for high school, and $90 for parking.
Secondary schools given OK to continue accreditation
The School Board authorized participation in the North Central Accreditation (NCA) process at Templeton Middle School and Hamilton High School for a cost of $625 for each school. The accreditation process helps schools focus on school improvements related to student outcomes. It aligns with the district’s site planning process and responds to the public’s demand for greater accountability. Hamilton has been a part of the NCA accreditation process since 1966 and Templeton since 1997. Last year, NCA changed the name of the evaluation component of its services to AdvancED.
Students get approval for Youth Options Program
The applications of 16 Hamilton students were approved for enrollment in the Youth Options Program for the first semester of 2008-09. The students qualify by completing their sophomore year, having good academic standing and no record of disciplinary problems. The students are able to take technical college or university courses at district expense if they have exhausted the curriculum offered in the district. Mongan reported that some students who apply to take Youth Option Program courses are not able to follow through on their intentions because of scheduling conflicts or full classes at the colleges they wish to attend. Students often list several courses on their application in case classes are full.
Board recognizes student art achievement
The accomplishments of five Hamilton High School students were recognized by the School Board. Hamilton Principal Candis Mongan and art teacher Kelly Golyzniak described the talents of Staci Simmons, Katherine Koloske, Andra Mudlitz, Chelsea Gustafson and Melanie Blend, who earned awards in the 2008 Scholastic Art Awards Wisconsin regional competition. Koloske and Simmons were on hand to receive their certificates from School Board President Gabe Kolesari.
Personnel news
In personnel business, the School Board accepted the resignation of Lannon reading specialist Dianna Kresovic who accepted a position as principal in the Oconomowoc School District.