Facility Advisory Committee to review growth, needs
A committee to study community growth, enrollment projections and facility needs will be convened and will present its report to the Hamilton School Board by Jan. 17, 2023. The School Board approved a charge for a 2022 Community Facilities Advisory Committee to review available data and develop recommendations that could include conducting a referendum.
A parent from each school and representatives from the community, senior citizens, businesses, employees, administration and the School Board will comprise the committee.
School Board members agreed the committee would:
- review subdivision growth and projections;
- review current district enrollments and enrollment projections through 2026;
- review elementary attendance boundaries in light of enrollment projections;
- review current facilities and analyze space utilization and physical condition of facilities and identify needs;
- review implications of financial impact on school district in addressing facility needs;
- identify preferred options to address facility needs;
- analyze and illustrate potential public support for recommendations to be presented for Board review; and
- present a report to the Board of Education no later than January 17, 2023.
Approval of additional Speech and Language Pathologist
An increasing number of students needing speech and language services transferring into the Hamilton School District has exceeded our Speech and Language Pathologists recommended number of caseloads. Hiring an additional Speech and Language Pathologist (.60 FTE) will address needs at Woodside, Maple Avenue and Marcy Elementary Schools for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year.
Elementary Principals give report on school progress, initiatives
Principals from all four elementary schools gave a joint report to the School Board about how they worked together to review currant data and begin adjusting plans to tackle new goals. The elementary goal is to have 80 percent of students identified as proficient/advanced in the areas of math and reading, as measured by the Wisconsin Forward Exam by 2025. The School Board approved the plan.
It was also noted populations continue to grow each year. Maple Avenue Elementary experienced considerable growth this year. Lannon Elementary has returned to a population equal to its population when it served K-5, prior to the addition of Silver Spring Intermediate School.
Intermediate Principals give report on school progress, initiatives
Principal Deanna Wellens and Associate Principal Susan Schramka gave a report to the School Board reviewing last year’s data and focusing efforts on common goals. Two areas of focus will be improving writing skills and increasing students’ sense of belonging at school. The School Board approved the plan.
Approval of 2023-24 calendar planning parameters
Human Resources Director John Roubik presented parameters that will be used for the development of a 2023-24 draft school calendar. They include:
- maximizing student instructional time to exceed state requirements;
- scheduling student break times that best fit the academic needs of students;
- including spring break during the last full week in March;
- maintaining days set aside for professional development and time for teachers to prepare and close out their classrooms;
- offering opportunities for parents and teachers to confer about student progress; and
- maintaining 192 teacher contract days.
In his report, Roubik noted that September 1, 2023 falls on a Friday which may lead us to start school after the Labor Day holiday. He also noted, that in 2024, Easter Sunday falls on March 31 which is during the district’s usual spring break. Input from parent officers and district staff will be sought with a recommendation to the School Board expected by Dec. 19, 2022.
Approval of 2022 Summer School Report and 2023 Summer School dates
Enrollment for the 2022 program was 1704 students. Recommended dates for the 2023 program are June 19 through July 14, with Tuesday July 4 off in celebration of the holiday.
Approval of revised facility rental procedures and fees
The process for renting school district spaces, including the new concession stand at Hamilton High School, has been updated. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Shelli Reilly proposed the update to make the process more clear and efficient. The fees are comparable to surrounding districts.
Personnel matters
The School Board approved the appointments of:
- Jennifer Breier, paraprofessional – Special Services at Hamilton High School, effective Sept 26;
- Mitchell Koppelmann, paraprofessional – Title I at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective Oct 3; and
- Jesenia Mendez, custodian I, a.m. at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective Oct. 5.
The School Board approved the modification of contract of:
- Katie Kasper, English as a Second Language teacher at Lannon, Marcy and Woodside Elementary Schools and Silver Spring Intermediate School. Increasing from 50% to 70%, effective Oct. 5.