Bus routes for Willow Springs Learning Center approved
The administration recommended adding four dedicated bus routes exclusively for Willow Springs Learning Center students. This adjustment requires Dairyland to reroute buses throughout the entire district, resulting in potential changes to pick up and drop off times for other riders. Families will be able to view these route changes in Infinite Campus on Wednesday, January 29. Implementation of new routes will take place on Monday, February 10 to provide families time to prepare for these changes.
No space to take Open Enrollment students
School administrators calculated that the district will not have enough classroom space to take additional Open Enrollment students for the 2025-26 school year due to class size guidelines, space constraints and space for special education open enrollment.
Open Enrollment is a statewide program that allows students to attend public schools outside their districts if space is available. District administrators monitor enrollment throughout the year and report back to the School Board closer to the start of school if there might be room for students from outside the district.
Hamilton High School students presented
Hamilton High School students provided board members with an overview of the school’s AVID program and reasons why they chose to become involved. Students spoke about the importance of focused note-taking and organizational skills.
Templeton Middle School in spotlight
Templeton Middle School Principal Brad Hoffmann presented a School Spotlight video about the Student Council’s Adopt-a-Classroom Project. This is the third year students have collected donations to then deliver to 4K students at Rogers Street Academy in Milwaukee during the holiday season.
Co-Curricular Activities Report approved
Hamilton Athletic and Activities Director Jeff Newcomer presented the 2023-24 Co-Curricular Activities Report. During the 2023-24 school year, Hamilton High School sponsored 32 interscholastic sports (15 male and 17 female), 69 teams (36 male and 33 female) and 50 separate student activities. The report notes that 92 coaches and 91 activity advisors lead these activities. Some 34% of the coaches and 91% of activity advisors are district faculty members. Future recommendations include working with school and community groups to explore facility and program improvements.
Hamilton and Templeton course catalogs approved
The School Board approved the middle school and high school course catalogs. Revisions reflected language changes and updated curriculum. A health class for seventh grade students will be added. There is a significant update to the design of the high school course catalog.
Students approved for early graduation
The applications of 19 Hamilton High School students who requested to graduate early were accepted. The students met School Board policy requirements and are eligible to graduate in January 2025.
Reports reviewed and approved
Several reports and documents were reviewed and approved including:
- Reviewed and Revised Board Policies
- Hamilton High School Course Modifications for 2025-26 school year
- Non-Group Salary Recommendations
- District Status Report and Action Plan to Close Achievement and Improve State Report Card Scores
Personnel matters
School Board members approved the appointments of:
- Katharine Boehms, Speech and Language Pathologist at Willow Springs Learning Center, effective January 7
- Raven Small, Educational Support – Special Services at Willow Springs Learning Center, effective February 3
- Ahmet Batmaz, Custodian I, PM at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective February 3
- Guy Ruppenthal, Custodian I, PM at Woodside Elementary School, effective January 30
School Board members approved the retirements of:
- Lynn Richmond, Kindergarten 4 Teacher at Willow Springs Learning Center, effective end of the school year
- Karen DeShong, Grade 5 Math and Science Teacher at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective end of the school year
- Dawn Haren, Grade 6 Humanities Teacher at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective end of the school year
- Kathleen Bernard, Grade 4 Teacher at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective end of the school year
- Shelli Reilly, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services at District Office, effective May 7
School Board members approved the resignations of:
- Justin Engum, Mathematics Teacher at Hamilton High School, effective January 3
- Tiffany Wolf, Educational Support – Special Services at Hamilton High School, effective December 20
- Kristen Lee, Grade 5 Math and Science Teacher at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective end of the school year
- Sean O’Dwyer, Custodian I, PM at Hamilton High School, effective January 3