Board appoints Newcomer Hamilton principal
The Hamilton School Board appointed Rebecca Newcomer Hamilton High School principal at its May 7 meeting. Newcomer, who has been a high school administrator in the Waukesha School District for the past seven years, will begin her new post effective July 1. She replaces Candis Mongan, Hamilton principal since 2006 who will become principal at Oak Creek High School.
Newcomer has spent her 21-year career in the Waukesha School District, the first 13 years as an English teacher at South High School and then as an instructional coach for two years before moving into administration. She was an assistant principal for nearly two years, then principal for five years at North High School and is currently South High School principal.
Willow staff honor custodian
Willow Springs Learning Center staff members honored their head custodian before the Hamilton School Board. Principal Renae MacCudden and staff planned the surprise recognition for Dewayne Jackson because he takes every opportunity to go above and beyond for Willow Springs students and staff. A dozen staff members shared their favorite moments when Jackson took care of things for them and their students.
District extends contract with Teachers On Call
The Hamilton School Board approved a 2-year contract extension with Teachers On Call (TOC) to provide substitute staffing services through June 30, 2021. The School Board accepted the recommendation from Human Resources and Organizational Development Director John Roubik to renew a contract with the company that offers an automated process to secure substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. The district has used TOC for six years.
Because TOC provides services to more than 100 school districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota, it provides a larger pool of substitutes and its economy-of-scale allows for greater operational efficiencies than a single school district could produce. Consequently, substitutes are eligible for an enhanced compensation packet that school districts did not typically offer including paid holidays, bonuses, insurance and more.
The hourly rate is set by the district, and a 27 percent mark-up to TOC covers payroll, benefits, retirement, taxes, liability, unemployment, workers’ compensation, background checks, physicals and other indirect personnel functions such as recruitment, monitoring compliance with state and federal mandates, time sheets, hiring and communication.
Winter teams recognized
Teams that were conference champs or competed at state were recognized. School Board President Gabe Kolesari and Superintendent Paul Mielke, Ph.D., presented each team with a certificate. Those recognized were:
Cheer – State champions
Boys Soccer – State finalist
Girls Bowling – State qualifier
Wrestling – Individual state qualifiers
Boys Swim and Dive – Individual state qualifiers
Poms – State qualifier
Boys Basketball – Conference champions and sectional finalist
School career opportunities highlighted
Hamilton High School Associate Principal and Extended Learning Opportunities Coordinator Mark Otto presented four items to the School Board.
- The School Board approved continued participation in the Carl Perkins grant consortium offered through CESA #1 which provides the district with $15,121 in grant funding this year, an increase from $13,934 the previous year. The purpose of the grant is to provide students with academic and technical skills to succeed in a knowledge- and skills-based economy. It supports career and technical education that prepares students for postsecondary education and careers. The consortium provides grant-writing management, interaction with professionals from other districts, exposure to what is occurring at state and national levels and consultation services.
- The district’s Extended Learning Opportunities Program annual report was accepted. The program grew out of the school-to-work initiative that aimed to connect education and employment where 4-year college degrees were not required. Experiences in the program include apprenticeships, mentorships, internships and job shadowing. The program strengthens partnerships with the business community to prepare students for the world of work, regardless of the education or career track they choose. While some career development opportunities occur at the elementary and middle school level, a majority of activities are for high school students. They include career speakers, Youth Apprenticeship, work experience, academic assistants, Robotics, Earl College Credit Program, DECA, Healthcare Career Academy, Manufacturing Career Expo, Reality Check and Schools2Skills.
- Participation in the Waukesha County School-to-Work consortium for 2019-20 was approved. The School-to-Work Consortium provides grant funding that supports co-op, youth apprenticeship, work experience programs and K-12 career-related initiatives. Participation in the consortium is voluntary and provided at no cost to the district.
- The district’s Education for Employment (E4E) was accepted. The plan identifies, coordinates and assists in preparing students to be college and career ready. It identifies work that has been done, identifies gaps, coordinates and aligns services in the district. Hamilton, like most districts, is adjusting its E4E plan to coordinate implementation of students’ Academic and Career Plans.
New intermediate school causes staffing shifts in 2019-20
The district will have the full-time equivalency (FTE) of 3.62 more certified staff members next year. Significant shifts will occur as elementary and middle schools lose one full grade when grades 5 and 6 attend Silver Spring Intermediate School. Staff will drop by nearly 24 FTEs at the elementary level and 22 FTEs at Templeton. Nearly 49 FTEs will work at Silver Spring. Hamilton High School will see an increase of .43 FTEs as a result of a psychologist and social worker reassignment.
Board officers elected
School Board members elected Gabe Kolesari as their president, Jennifer Waltz as vice president, Dawn Van Aacken as clerk and Jay Jones as treasurer.
CESA contract approved
A $299,583 contract for 2019-20 with the Cooperative Educational Services Agency was approved. The contract provides services such as occupational and physical therapy, alternative and charter at-risk schools at lower costs than if the district purchased them independently.
Personnel action
In personnel action, the School Board:
- accepted the resignations of Special Services administrative assistant Elizabeth Rose, effective June 30;
- appointed Elizabeth Rose as Silver Spring Intermediate School administrative assistant, effective July 1; Karen Figarino, Woodside associate kitchen employee, effective May 13; Zachary Beckman, Templeton special education teacher, effective Aug. 21; Tyler Schoemann, Lannon and Marcy music teacher, effective Aug. 21 ; Roberta Semrow, Silver Spring administrative assistant, effective July 1; Rebecca Newcomer, Hamilton principal, effective July 1 ; John Schaeffler, Hamilton pm custodian, effective May 23 ; Jessica Landergott, Woodside fitness education teacher, effective Aug. 21 ; Pawel Skrzypek, Hamilton pm custodian, effective May 28 ; and Celina Pauly, Maple guidance counselor, effective Aug. 21.