School board members recognized
Winners of the April 1 School Board Election, Rachel Ziemer and Stacy Riedel were officially sworn in.
Marcy Elementary School in spotlight
Marcy Elementary School Principal Courtney DeArmond, First Grade Teacher Caryn Deeken and School Counselor Abby Much spoke to board members about screening tools called SAEBRS (Social, Academic and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener) and mySAEBRS that are used to identify students who are at risk for social-emotional behavior problems. Marcy Elementary School piloted the program during the 2024-25 school year.
Silver Spring Intermediate School students presented
Silver Spring Intermediate School students gave board members an overview of quad classes at their school. Each student explained what they enjoyed about Applied Engineering and Technology, Art, Family and Consumer Science and Health and Wellness.
Student fees, lunch prices to increase
Student fees and lunch prices will slightly increase for the 2025-26 school year. School lunch prices have not increased in 4 years. It has been 7 years since student fees were increased. The District will also extend its contract with Kemps Dairy for the 2025-26 school year.
Lunch Prices
| Current 2024-25 Lunch Prices | Proposed 2025-26 Lunch Prices | |
| Elementary | $2.70 | $2.95 |
| Intermediate | $3.05 | $3.30 |
| Middle School | $3.05 | $3.30 |
| High School | $3.05 | $3.30 hot lunch $2.00 breakfast |
| Bistro Box | $2.70 | $2.95 |
| Adults | $3.85 | $4.15 |
| Milk | $0.40 | $0.50 |
Student Fees
| Item | Current 2024-25 Student Fee | Proposed 2025-26 Student Fee |
| 5K-4th grade registration fee | $65 | $70 |
| 5th-8th grade registration fee | $75 | $85 |
| 9th-12th grade registration fee | $90 | $95 |
| Middle school athletic fee | $60 | $70/sport |
| High school athletic fee (proposed includes SAS) | $75 | $115/sport ($460 family cap) |
| Middle school Speed, Agility & Strength (SAS) | $75 | $75 |
| High school Speed, Agility & Strength (SAS) | $75 | $0 |
| Student parking | $200 | $220 |
| Family Athletic Pass | $75 | $60 – 2 tickets $90 – 3 tickets $120 – 4 tickets $150 – 5 tickets $180 – 6 tickets $210 – 7 tickets $240 – 8 tickets |
Budget draft presented
Every year the Hamilton School Board reviews a first draft of the District’s budget in spring. In May, a final budget to present at the Annual Meeting will be approved.
- The mill rate is expected to increase by $0.22 to $7.26.
- The $2.1 million excess of revenue over expenditures is for projected future spending.
- The budget is built based on the governor’s previous biennial budget of a $325 increase per pupil and a 30% reimbursement rate for special education. The state will not finalize the budget process until late spring or summer at the earliest.
Board meeting calendar approved
School Board members approved their 2025-26 meeting schedule. Board meetings will be held on July 21, August 18, September 15, October 7, October 20, November 17, December 15, January 26, February 16, March 3, March 16, April 20, May 5, May 18, June 2, June 22 and July 20.
Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan approved
A list of projects was approved. Annually, board members are asked to approve a Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan that covers at least ten years. Buildings and Grounds projects include roofing improvements, replacement and/or upgrades of heating, ventilation and asphalt repair and replacement. Information Technology improvements include replacements of computers, phones and cameras.
Reports, documents approved
Several reports and documents were approved including:
- Proposed WIAA By-Laws Revisions and Instructions to Delegate Report
- Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse WIAA Co-Op Agreements for 2025-26 and 2026-27
- New curriculum documents for Math, grades 4K-5
- Preliminary notice of Non-Renewals for the 2025-26 school year
- Student Transportation Drivers for 2025-26 school year
- Additional Seasonal Clerical Support for District Operations for 2025-26 school year
- Draft agenda for August 18 Annual Meeting
Personnel matters
Board members approved the appointments of:
- Omar Rodriguez, Custodian I, P.M. at Templeton Middle School, effective April 10
- Brianne Decker, School Psychologist at Hamilton High School, effective August 25
- Michelle Black, Manager Nutritional Services at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective April 29
Board members approved the retirements of:
- Grace Norton, Manager of Nutritional Services at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective April 25
- Karen Ludin, Educational Support – Instructional and Supervision at Willow Springs Learning Center, effective July 18
- Pamela Biron, Grade 3 Humanities Teacher at Marcy Elementary School, effective end of school year
- Eileen Swierczek, Educational Support – Clerical at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective July 30
- Mary Coady, Educational Support – Regular Instruction at Marcy Elementary School, effective end of school year
- Linda Weitzer, Associate Kitchen Employee at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective end of school year
Board members approved the resignations of:
- Jodi Zillmer, Educational Support – Special Services at Woodside Elementary School, effective April 11
- Rebecca Lloyd, Art Teacher at Hamilton High School, effective April 14