School Board lifts policies that pertain to state assessments, high school final exams
Because the state is not requiring annual student assessments this year due to the pandemic, the Hamilton School Board voted to suspend its policies that pertain to student performance on state tests. 
Results of state tests normally are considered when deciding whether to promote or retain students at a grade level. Because the assessments will not be administered this year, the local policy is being suspended. In addition, the School Board lifted its policy of having high school final exams during a certain time period. Teachers will give modified final exams and will not be required to administer them on a specific date at the high school.
Rules on staff use of information technology adjusted
The School Board opened the door to allow staff members to use social media to communicate with students about non-classroom related content if they have advanced approval from their principal. Previous policy did not allow staff to use non-district applications or platforms to reach out to students for any reason. All communication regarding information and activities related to the classroom must still occur on the district’s student information system or platforms approved by the district, but staff who get prior principal approval may use non-district sponsored applications and platforms to communicate about school information not specific to the classroom.
Staff who wish to use social media to communicate about school clubs, activities and events must agree to adhere to guidelines for professional and ethical communication and provide administration with usernames and passwords for the account.
Superintendent Paul Mielke, Ph.D., said the revised policy will provide more freedom and more expectations for staff regarding professional use of social media. He said guidelines will be implemented to protect students, the district and staff.
Otto presents four reports on career, employment readiness programs
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 $12,429 in grant funding this year, an decrease from $15,121 the previous year. The grant supports career and technical education that prepares students both both postsecondary education and careers. Funds this year were used to support supplies and materials in Business, Family and Consumer Education, and Applied Engineering and Technology departments. In addition, it provided opportunities for teachers to attend conferences to support their curriculum.
- 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, most activities are for high school students. They include an elementary career guidance unit, creation of career portfolios, Junior Achievement participation, an entrepreneurship program, Project Lead the Way classes, career speakers, Youth Apprenticeship, work experience, academic assistants, Robotics, Early College Credit Program, DECA, Healthcare Career Academy, Manufacturing Career Expo, Reality Check and Schools2Skills.
- Participation in the Waukesha County School-to-Work consortium for 2020-21 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. During this school year, the consortium worked closely with Waukesha County Technical College to understand the 6-week instead of full semester classes it implemented and continued to pursue additional transcripted credit opportunities.
- The district’s Education for Employment (E4E) was accepted. E4E was established in 1985 in response to the growing concern over the number of youth who failed to make a successful transition from school to the world of work. E4E plans now coincide with Academic and Career Planning (ACP) of students. The plan identifies, coordinates and assists in preparing students to be college and career ready.
Summer curriculum work, training approved
Summer curriculum work, instructional initiatives and professional development workshops were approved. Instructional Services Supervisor Katie Little, Ph.D., said more of the events are being pushed to July and August in hopes of being able to have face-to-face collaboration in light of restrictions in place due to the pandemic. The events planned are:
- Grades K-12 curriculum team – planning for fall K-12 English language arts curriculum work;
- Grades K-12 English language arts professional development;
- K-8 science – grade level curriculum planning;
- Grades 9-12 science curriculum work;
- Grades 5-6 humanities integration curriculum planning;
- Fastbridge progress monitoring and screening training;
- Administrator Retreat; and
- New Teacher Orientation.
The budget for the summer work is $42,920 and is funded through the district’s Educational Services budget.
Pesonnel matters
In personnel matters, the School Board approved hiring of Jackie Leon as Public Information Office part-time administrative assistant, effective May 11, and Amanda Hunt as high school world languages – French teacher, effective Aug. 21.