Citizens approve tax levy at Annual Meeting
Citizens approved the Hamilton School District tax levy at the Annual Meeting held before the School Board’s regular August 18 meeting. The tax levy, the portion of the budget paid through local property taxes, totaled $42.5 million, up from $41.5 million the year before. The total budget was $84.2 million, up 4.08% from 2024-25. The increase in expenses is a result of enrollment growth, the operating referendum approved by voters in April 2024 and an additional School Resource Officer for school safety which will be paid for using Fund 80 outside the regular revenue limit levy.
In addition to the levy approval, citizens increased School Board member salaries to $5,500 from $5,335 and approved lease agreements of district-owned land for farming purposes.
Additional School Resource Officer approved
Hamilton School District will have a second school resource officer (SRO) beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Board members approved the contract between Waukesha County and the Hamilton School District. A second SRO will significantly help with coverage across the district and will also ensure law enforcement availability after normal school hours. This expense will be covered by Fund 80, outside the regular revenue limit levy. Hamilton was the only K-12 school district in Waukesha County with just one SRO.
Additional teaching staffing approved
Due to projected enrollment needs, increased staffing for the English Learner program is recommended for the 2025-26 school year.
Additional special education staffing approved
Due to increased student needs, additional special education staffing is recommended at Woodside Elementary, Silver Spring Intermediate, Templeton Middle and Hamilton High Schools during the 2025-26 school year.
Reports and documents approved
Reports and documents were approved, including:
- Employee Absence Report for the 2024-25 school year
- Agreement Between the Hamilton School District and the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee
- New Curriculum Documents for Academic and Career Planning, grades 9-12
- New Curriculum Documents for Social Emotional Wellness, grades 9-12
- Course Modifications and Additions for Hamilton High School Communication Arts 9 Honors
- Artificial Intelligence Guiding Documents
- Behavioral Consequences Progressive Discipline Guide
- Reviewed and Revised Board Policies
Personnel matters
The School Board approved the appointments of:
- Vasanthi Malla, Educational Support – Special Services at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective September 2
- Shelly Ciardo, Educational Support – Special Services at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective September 2
- Julie Batzler, Special Education – Teacher at Marcy Elementary School, effective August 25
- Erin Mueller, Educational Support – Literacy Interventionist at Marcy Elementary School, effective September 2
- Leslie Dickerson, Special Education Teacher at Willow Springs Learning Center, effective August 25
- William Hirschfeld, Educational Support – Special Services at Hamilton High School, effective September 2
- Sabrina Nikula, School Psychologist at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective August 25
- Amy Freel, Educational Support – Literacy Interventionist at Maple Avenue Elementary School, September 2
- Shannon Ripple, Educational Support – Special Services at Hamilton High School, effective September 2
- Ashley Hayes, Educational Support – Literacy Interventionist at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective September 2
- Yi-Wen Wu, Educational Support – Instructional and Supervision at Woodside Elementary School, effective September 2
- Sharon Banh, Educational Support – Literacy Interventionist at Woodside Elementary School, effective September 2
The School Board approved the resignations of:
- Kristina Kender, Educational Support – Title I Math at Templeton Middle School, effective August 4
- Jason Crawford, Educational Support – Instructional and Supervision at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective August 5
- Christine Raasch, Educational Support – Special Services at Woodside Elementary School, effective August 6
- Allison Hertel, World Language – Spanish and French at Hamilton High School, effective August 8
- Brenda Strom, Associate Kitchen Employee at Hamilton High School, effective August 11
- Bronwyn Phillips, Grade 4 Teacher at Woodside Elementary School, effective August 15