Board gets first look at budget
Hamilton School Board members took their first official look at the 2009-10 budget at their regular meeting. The budget totals $48.8 million, which is a 3.46 percent increase over the current budget.
The budget was created with the assumption that the state will not increase the level of state aid to schools and the district will educate 25 additional students. The tax rate is projected to be $9.41 per $1,000 of equalized property value – a 1.3 percent increase over the current rate.
The School Board set the Annual Meeting for June 15 when residents will be able to vote on the levy. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Hamilton Fine Arts Center. It is preceded by the Annual Public Hearing which begins at 6:30 p.m.
Scott appointed new Instructional Services supervisor
The Hamilton School Board appointed Robert Scott, Ph.D., the new Instructional Services supervisor at its April 20 meeting. Scott, who has been the New Berlin School District curriculum coordinator since 2006, will begin his new post effective July 1. He replaces Margaret Bauman, Ph.D., who announced her retirement after serving as head of Instructional Services since 1989.
Scott began his career in education in 1977 as a school social worker in Niles, Mich., and then taught special education students in several Wisconsin communities including Sheboygan, Portage and Oregon. He became principal of Evansville High School in 1993, and later moved on to Oregon High School where he was principal from 1988 to 2006.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in social science education from Michigan State University, his master’s degree in exceptional education from the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Milwaukee, and his doctorate in educational administration from UW-Madison.
Scott has been active in the National Staff Development Academy and Council and helped plan and implement Cardinal Stritch University’s Principal Induction Program.
“We have big shoes to fill with the retirement of Dr. Bauman,” said Hamilton Superintendent Kathleen Cooke, Ph.D. “I believe that Dr. Scott brings excellent experiences, qualifications and interpersonal skills to help us continue promoting high student achievement as we move forward with our new strategic plan.”
Bus contract extended
The contract for transportation services with Dairyland-Hamilton, Inc. was extended to the 2013-14 school year. The district is in the fourth year of a five-year contract. By extending the contract, the district will receive a $50,000 credit.
Annual increases have averaged 3.37 percent over the past six years and is calculated on a formula that uses the unemployment rate, usage and the Consumer Price Index. School Board members noted that the district’s transportation costs are the lowest in Waukesha County.
Three members take oath of office
Three board members were sworn in for another three-year term following their successful election. Dawn Van Aacken, Lynn Kristensen and Deborah Briggs were re-elected April 7. Van Aacken was challenged by Ron Fricke, and the other two board members were unopposed.
Personnel news
In personnel business, the School Board appointed Megan Rauter as a special education teacher at Marcy for the 2009-10 school year.