District chosen to pilot evaluation model
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) chose Hamilton as one of the school districts to pilot the new state Teacher Effectiveness Model in the upcoming school year. Superintendent Kathleen Cooke, Ph.D., reported to the School Board that the district had volunteered to participate in the pilot as a way to gain training and prepare staff to implement the new model.
The district will provide feedback to the DPI regarding the educator evaluation initiative, part of federal education reform intended to improve student learning.
DPI will fund the pilot in up to three district schools that have yet to be determined.
2013 Summer Opportunities dates set
The School Board accepted the recommended 2013 summer school dates as presented by Summer Opportunities Coordinator and Lannon Elementary School Principal Dick Ladd. The 2013 session will be June 19 – July 17. Next year’s summer school will start on a Wednesday instead of the typical Monday first day because the last teacher work day for the regular school year is June 12, with high school graduation on June 15. The later end dates are typical of other area school districts. The start date was moved to a Wednesday to allow for scheduling of summer school staff meetings, training and preparation. Pushing the schedule later in the summer would create problems for the cleaning and maintenance of school buildings in preparation for the start of school in fall.
One other change in the schedule is giving students two days off for the July 4th holiday. Normally, summer school is not in session on just July 4, but school attendance drops significantly when the holiday falls on a Thursday as it does in 2013.
Personnel news
In personnel news, the School Board:
- Accepted the resignations of Woodside physical education teacher Grace Kassander and Templeton seventh grade teacher Laura Jennaro;
- Appointed Shannon Stouthamer as a Marcy first grade replacement teacher, Rebecca Ribar, Ph.D., as a school psychologist, Theresa Craig as a Hamilton special education teacher, Renee Waldow as a Maple second grade teacher and Kathleen Kluck as a Marcy second grade teacher;
- Modified the contract of Hamilton communication arts teacher Misty Draeger from 83 to 100 percent.