Proposed budget has lowest mill rate in District history
If assumptions made in building the 2023-24 Hamilton School District budget are accurate, taxpayers will see the lowest mill rate in the District’s history. School Board members approved a $73.7 million budget that will be presented to voters at the Annual Meeting on August 21.
The mill rate is projected to be $7.52 per $1,000 of equalized property value. That is 18 cents lower than the current year. For each $100,000 of property owned, citizens will pay, on average, $752 to support local school taxes. The budget is 3.61% more than the current budget and assumes property values will increase 5.76% and state aid will increase 5.96%.
Hamilton prepares for first WIAA lacrosse season
Boys’ and girls’ lacrosse will become WIAA sanctioned sports during the 2023-24 school year. School Board members approved the WIAA Cooperative Team Sponsorship for Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse Co-Op Agreements for 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. The tri-op lacrosse teams will be with Menomonee Falls and Germantown high schools. Hamilton will be considered the home school. Forming a cooperative team provides the ability to compete in WIAA events while student interest continues to grow.
Woodside Elementary School in spotlight
Several Woodside Elementary School students joined Principal Melissa Horn and Teachers Bronwyn Phillips and Cate O’Connell to present information about the “Woodside 3/4 News Broadcasts.”
Update and approval of high school Wednesday late start schedule
School Board members approved continuation of the Hamilton High School Wednesday late start time that was piloted during the 2022-23 school year. There has been positive feedback from staff as the additional time increases professional development and collaboration opportunities.
Update and approval of Hamilton High School Alternative Education Program
School Board members approved continuation of the Alternative Education Program for the 2023-24 school year and beyond. The first year of the program has been successful. Students have increased their attendance, grades and credit attainment.
Professional Development Plan approved
School Board members approved the 2023-24 Professional Development Forecast from Instructional Services Supervisor Catherine Drago. The plan revolves around key goals of the strategic plan, especially assessment and social-emotional wellness expectations.
Chapter 220 Program down to 5 students
A total of 5 students will continue to participate in the Chapter 220 Voluntary Integration Program in the 2023-24 school year. The state began phasing out the program about 8 years ago, only funding students who were already in the program. Chapter 220 is a state-funded voluntary integration program that brings Milwaukee Public Schools students to suburban districts. Before Legislators phased out the program, as many as 110 Milwaukee students attended the District.
Personnel matters
School Board members approved the appointments of:
- Gayle Brezonick, Associate Kitchen Employee at Silver Spring Intermediate and Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective September 1;
- Carl Grunewald, Applied Engineering & Technology Teacher at Hamilton High School & Templeton Middle School, effective August 23;
- Kyle Kuechle, Mathematics Teacher at Hamilton High School, effective August 23;
- Kristen Dembroski, Instructional Coach ‐ Literacy at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective August 23; and
- Gwendolyn Husslein, Director of Finance for the Hamilton School District, effective July 1.
School Board members approved the retirement of:
- Paula Becker, Associate Kitchen Employee at Hamilton High School, effective end of 2022‐23 school year.
School Board members approved the resignation of:
- Melissa Laughlin, Literacy Interventionist at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective end of 2022‐23 school year.