Board OKs preparation for training facility bids
The district is one step closer to building a multi-purpose athletic and classroom training facility at the high school. The Hamilton School Board authorized administrators to develop contracts with a construction manager, architect and associated engineers to create bid documents.
View of proposed training facility from student parking lot.
School Board members are expected to take action on the contracts within the next two months. Cost of the facility, which will be funded through the district’s maintenance budget and fund balance, are not to exceed approximately $4.832 million. It is estimated to be less than one-third the cost of a fieldhouse.
Members of the community Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) expressed support Oct. 16 for the proposed building that would allow the high school weight room to be relocated with additional space for indoor athletic practices and training.
Although popular in southern states, the training and classroom facility would be the first of its kind in a Wisconsin school district. It offers much needed practice and training space for athletes who are using hallways and the cafeteria because gym space is limited. Nearly 40 girls and boys teams and squads as well as the marching band could take advantage of the dedicated indoor practice space.
District keeps Chapter 220 at same level
The number of seats available for students to enroll in the district though the Chapter 220 will remain at 110, a number that has been consistent for the past 10 years. In addition, school administrators have calculated that the district will not have enough classroom space to take additional Open Enrollment students for the 2014-15 school year. Both programs that allow nonresidents the opportunity to be a student in the district are offered through the state. Chapter 220 is a voluntary integration program that brings Milwaukee Public Schools students to suburban districts. Open Enrollment allows students to attend public schools outside of their districts if space is available.
Youth Options requests approved
A total of 13 high school students requested admission to the Youth Options Program that will allow them to take classes next semester at area postsecondary schools such as the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha and Milwaukee, Waukesha County Technical College, Carroll University and Marquette University. Hamilton Principal Candis Mongan noted, as in the past, many students will not be able to take the courses because of scheduling conflicts or full classes. A total of 19 students requested admission to Youth Options last year.
Youth Options is a program mandated by the state that allows students who have completed 10th grade, are in good academic standing and have no disciplinary problems to attend a technical college or university if they have exhausted their high school curriculum.
District ready for RtI
Instructional Services Supervisor Katie Little, Ph.D., and Special Services Supervisor Mardi Freeman updated the board on the district’s readiness for Response to Intervention (RtI) which will take the district from a discrepancy to an RtI model in addressing the needs of students who struggle in core academic areas.
Personnel news
In personnel business, the School Board:
- approved the resignation of Maple Avenue assistant cook Yvonne Zywicki;
- appointed Grace Norton as Maple Avenue assistant cook, Beth Erfert as a Marcy associate kitchen employee, Megan Sykes as a Templeton paraprofessional, James Birch as Marcy paraprofessional, Anna Zorn as a Templeton paraprofessional, Samantha Meyer as a Marcy special services paraprofessional, Ashley Pfeifer as a Templeton special services paraprofessional, Jessica Dwyer as a Marcy paraprofessional and Jennifer Moderski as a Maple Avenue Title I paraprofessional; and
- modified the contract of Hamilton replacement reading specialist Lynn Panek-Heeren from 50 to 60 percent.