Access Board Meetings Online: Community members can stay informed by watching every board meeting on our YouTube channel, MCPASD TV. In the recap below, we have provided timestamps for the various sections of the meeting. These will help you follow along and jump directly to the parts of the video that interest you the most.
2:00 - Public Hearing Regarding Act 95 Waiver
The Board held a public hearing on Clark Street Community School’s request for a waiver from the state requirement to rank students by grade point average under Wis. Stat. Sec. 118.58. The hearing provided an opportunity for community input and Board discussion. Clark Street Community School uses a competency-based system rather than traditional grades, and the waiver would allow the school to continue its model of individualized learning.
3:07 - Resolution Seeking Waiver of Act 95 Requirements
Following the public hearing, the Board approved a resolution to seek a waiver from the requirement that Clark Street Community School rank students by grade point average. Because Clark Street Community School uses a competency-based grading system, the resolution authorizes the school to request approval from DPI to use exemplary artifacts for class ranking instead.
21:30 - Superintendent’s Report
In her Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Dana Monogue welcomed everyone to the 2025-26 school year. She extended a warm welcome to all new staff and expressed gratitude to the team that organized the New Educator Induction event last week.
Dr. Monogue also thanked all staff members who participated in the Good Neighbor Festival Parade this past weekend. She noted her appreciation to Board Members Marni Ginsberg, Jim Coursey, and Bob Green for attending the Mayor’s Brunch before the parade. She also thanked Board Members Katie Frank, Emily Evans, and Jim Coursey for joining the District in the parade itself.
The District also shared a welcome back video with families to kick off the school year. The video outlines exciting updates for 2025–26, including refreshed elementary mascot logos and the future-preparedness framework: A Cardinal’s Journey. It also highlights staff members’ preparation and dedication as they get ready to welcome students back.
23:14 - Introduction of New Administrators
Superintendent Dr. Monogue introduced the new administrators joining the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District for the 2025–26 school year. She welcomed:
Joanna Cree, Associate Principal, Kromrey Middle School
Tyree Gamble, Assistant Athletic Director and Student Activities Coordinator, Middleton High School
Brad Crandell, Athletic Director, Middleton High School
Barry Holloway, Associate Principal, Middleton High School
Carmen Klassy, Principal, Glacier Creek Middle School
Bobbie Reinhart, Principal, Middleton High School
Bill Richardson, Associate Principal, Middleton High School
Nicki Victor, Principal, Clark Street Community School
Dr. Monogue expressed excitement for the expertise and leadership each new administrator brings to the District and thanked them for their commitment to supporting students, staff, and families.
32:00 - Co-Curricular Report
Athletic Director Brad Crandell and Assistant Athletic Director and Student Activities Coordinator Tyree Gamble presented the 2024–25 Co-Curricular Report, highlighting another successful year for athletics and activities at Middleton High School and Clark Street Community School.
Athletic Achievements
The Cardinals captured 3 WIAA State Championships (Boys Soccer, Girls Swim & Dive, and Boys Swim & Dive) and celebrated a first-ever Middleton High School Track state champion in the 300M Hurdles. Two teams (Boys Volleyball and Boys Tennis) earned runner-up finishes.
Overall, the District recorded 15 Conference Championships, 12 Regional Championships, 7 Sectional Championships, and 17 State Appearances.
Dozens of student-athletes received All-Conference, All-State, Academic All-State, and All-American recognition, with 18 student-athletes across 4 programs earning All-American honors.
27 student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent, continuing their athletic and academic journeys at the collegiate level.
Eight coaches/programs were recognized as Coach of the Year, and 10 student-athletes earned Middleton High School Athlete of the Year honors.
Activities and Clubs
Marching Band, Color Guard, and Debate continued their streaks of state championships, while both the Boys and Girls/Non-Binary Ultimate Frisbee teams also captured state titles.
FBLA teams won two national championships, while DECA and HOSA students earned recognition at international competitions.
Dance and Cheer teams earned top placements at state and national events, while Homecoming and Prom drew record attendance.
Student unions, STEM clubs, and career and technical education organizations expanded outreach and participation, creating more leadership and learning opportunities.
Equity and Inclusion
The District successfully launched its Adaptive Sports League, giving students with disabilities opportunities to compete in soccer, floor hockey, and wiffle ball.
Middle school programming was expanded, providing new entry points for younger students into athletics and activities.
Participation data shows that 75.7% of Middleton High School students and 22.8% of Clark Street Community School students engaged in at least one sport or activity in 2024–25.
Importantly, students who participated in at least one sport or activity had an average GPA of 3.53, compared to 3.10 for students not involved, underscoring the academic benefits of engagement.
Crandell and Gamble outlined several priorities for the 2025–26 school year. They shared that the District will continue with the MCPASD Athletics Hall of Fame to honor individuals and programs that have made a lasting impact. They also emphasized expanding race and equity initiatives across all programs to ensure greater access and inclusion for all students. In addition, they highlighted plans to grow student leadership opportunities through the Cardinal Leadership Coalition, while continuing partnerships with 3D Coaching and strength and conditioning programs to support athletes of all levels. Finally, they plan to strengthen communication and culture-building efforts through a monthly department podcast and ongoing professional learning for coaches.
1:09:00 - Seclusion and Restraint Annual Report
Director of Special Education Cindy Malcheski presented the annual Seclusion and Restraint Report for the 2024–25 school year, as required under 2019 Wis. Act 118. The report provided the Board with data on the number of incidents of seclusion and restraint, the number of students involved, and the number of students with disabilities impacted.
Malcheski explained that each building has staff trained in Crisis Prevention Institute’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), which emphasizes verbal de-escalation and strategies to reduce risk behaviors. In addition, the District introduced the Ukeru system last year, which focuses on comfort rather than control and equips staff with cushioned blocking tools to keep both students and staff safe. Two MCPASD staff members are now District-wide Ukeru trainers.
During the 2024–25 school year, the District offered eight refresher NVCI trainings and three initial trainings, along with Ukeru training for select building teams during the second semester. Malcheski noted that incidents of seclusion were slightly higher than last year, while restraint numbers were comparable. She emphasized that both strategies continue to be used only as a last resort when there is imminent danger to self or others.
Malcheski expressed optimism that the use of Ukeru techniques will help further reduce seclusion and restraint incidents in 2025–26. She closed by affirming the District’s ongoing commitment to social-emotional learning and to ensuring that all students feel a strong sense of belonging in MCPASD schools.
1:16:16 - Communications Report
Director of Information and Public Relations Shannon Valladolid presented an overview of the Communications Department’s work in 2024–25, which focused on communications, public relations, and interpretation and translation services.
The MCPASD Communications Team consists of:
Shannon Valladolid, Director of Information and Public Relations
Carrie Brooker, Public Relations Specialist
Jenna Skarlupka, Public Relations Specialist
Soly Rodriguez, Multilingual Support Specialist
Ari Aranda, Language Support Specialist
Olivia Vernon, Administrative Assistant to Information and Public Relations/Front Desk
Valladolid shared that the department’s work centers around five core areas: website and digital communications; branding and strategic messaging; community engagement and event support; media relations and storytelling; and interpretation, translation, and multilingual services. MCPASD’s websites continue to be one of the District’s most used communication tools, serving over 300,000 users with 5.3 million engagement actions. The team is leading the transition from Google Sites to Thrillshare, ensuring greater accessibility, consistency, and ease of use.
This past year also marked the launch of a District-wide branding refresh. Elementary mascot logos were redesigned to bring clarity and consistency, while preparations are beginning for a District logo redesign committee. This process will engage students, staff, Board members, and community representatives to ensure broad input and alignment with the District’s vision of Engage. Empower. Evolve.
The Communications Team also supported a wide range of events that build relationships and strengthen community ties. These included the New Educator Induction, Good Neighbor Parade, Community Connections Breakfast, and the first Realtors Breakfast, which provided real estate professionals with resources to highlight MCPASD schools as an asset to prospective families. In addition, the department hosted its first Media Breakfast to deepen relationships with local reporters. This effort resulted in stronger coverage in the Times-Tribune and features in larger outlets, including CBS Evening News.
Print and digital storytelling also remained a cornerstone of the team’s work. The Community Connection magazine was mailed to 40,000 households, complemented by other major publications such as the Back-to-School Guide, Welcome Packet, and Staff Guide. Video production and social media also expanded the District’s reach, engaging more than 12,000 followers across platforms.
Meeting the needs of multilingual families continues to be a top priority. The interpretation and translation team reduced turnaround times from weeks to just days, while also providing in-person interpretation at Middleton High School, Kromrey Middle School, Summer Academy, and open interviews. Staff also translated District-wide publications and provided specialized support in sensitive meetings and events.
WMTV 15 news recently highlighted how MCPASD supports multilingual language learners and their families. Watch the full story on WMTV 15 News.
.The work of the Communications Department has been recognized at both the state and national levels. The team received multiple awards from the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association and the National School Public Relations Association for publications, video production, and strategic campaigns.
Valladolid closed by emphasizing that the Communications Department’s mission is to build trust, strengthen community connections, and ensure that all families feel informed, valued, and included.
1:54:58 - Sustainability Report: Path to 2035
Representatives from McKinstry presented information on the proposed geothermal system at Sauk Trail Elementary School. They explained that geothermal heat pumps are MCPASD’s high-quality, decarbonized standard for heating and cooling in new schools, already in place at Pope Farm Elementary School, Kromrey Middle School, and Glacier Creek Middle School.
Sauk Trail Elementary School was identified as a strong candidate for geothermal because it is one of the oldest schools in the District, has a high facility condition index, and its current air conditioning system is at the end of its useful life. Boilers and radiators will also need replacement in the near future. Installing a geothermal system now would replace aging equipment, reduce long-term operating costs, and support the District’s renewable energy goals.
McKinstry highlighted that federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives and utility rebates will significantly reduce costs. The estimated $3.5 million implementation cost at Sauk Trail Elementary School would be offset by avoided equipment replacement and design costs, along with incentives, resulting in a net cost of $1.5 million. Over a 20-year period, the geothermal system is projected to provide $11.1 million in energy savings and $1.4 million in avoided equipment costs, leading to a total economic benefit of more than $2 million.
The project aligns with MCPASD’s path toward 100%renewable energy by 2035. Currently, the District has already achieved more than 50%renewable electricity through new solar installations.
2:05:45 - Enrollment Update
Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing provided an update on enrollment numbers for the 2025–26 school year. He reported that Elm Lawn Elementary School and Northside Elementary School each added a section in third grade, while 4K enrollment experienced a shift of 42 students, half of whom were residents and half open enrollment. When compared to the last second Friday count, 4K enrollment was 293 students. This year, 4K enrollment is currently at 253 students, including open enrollment, which is a decrease of 40 students.
Mr. Rossing noted that Pope Farm Elementary School continues to see resident growth, and open enrollment was not offered there. Some resident families are moving out of the District but choosing to remain enrolled through open enrollment because they want to stay in MCPASD schools.
Since the last Board meeting in July, the District reported 99 students enrolled in 4K through fourth grade and 22 students at the secondary level. Kromrey Middle School has absorbed more open enrollment placements, consistent with the Board’s approval from January 2025. Enrollment at Middleton High School and Clark Street Community School has seen minimal shifts. At the 12th-grade level, seven new students joined through the transition program and will continue with Cardinal Academy through age 21. In addition, a small number of exchange students have been added.
Since the last Board meeting, enrollment has increased by 121 students District-wide in grades 4K–12, most of whom entered through open enrollment. Mr. Rossing emphasized that numbers continue to change daily, noting that five new students were enrolled just this past Monday.
2:09:40 - Approval of DPI Food and Nutrition Contract for 2025–26
The Board reviewed the annual DPI Food and Nutrition contract for the 2025–26 school year. Each year, the Board is required to approve this contract in order for the District to participate in federal and state school nutrition programs. The contract outlines meal pricing, program participation, and administrative responsibilities for MCPASD schools.
Following review, the Board approved the 2025–26 DPI Food and Nutrition contract as recommended by administration.
2:10:40 - Resolution Awarding the Sale of a $1,525,000 General Obligation Promissory Note, Series 2025B
Director of Finance and Operations Erin Wheeler and Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing presented the resolution awarding the sale of a $1,525,000 General Obligation Promissory Note, Series 2025B. This borrowing is part of the financing package to support Phase 1 of the District’s Sustainability Roadmap projects, which include energy efficiency upgrades and solar installations across multiple schools.
The note, dated Sept. 9, 2025, will mature on Sept.1, 2027, and is designated as a tax-exempt obligation under federal law. The District’s strong AA1 Moody’s rating supported favorable borrowing terms, contributing to long-term savings.
Following review and discussion, the Board approved the resolution awarding the sale of the $1,525,000 General Obligation Promissory Note, Series 2025B.
2:13:38 - Approval of Annual Meeting Agenda and Resolutions
The Board reviewed the draft agenda and proposed resolutions for the 2025 Budget Hearing and Annual Meeting scheduled for Sept. 15, 2025. The agenda includes the 2025–26 District Budget Presentation, election of the Annual Meeting chairperson, the Superintendent’s Opening of the School Year Report, and the reading of the 2024 Annual Meeting minutes.
The proposed resolutions include the adoption of the annual tax levy, a levy for the capital fund, approval of transportation for students at district expense, adoption of School Board salaries for 2025–26, and reimbursement of Board member expenses.
Following review, the Board approved the agenda and resolutions for the 2025 Budget Hearing and Annual Meeting.
Click this link for the most recent expanded agenda/past agendas/minutes.
Directions to access agendas and minutes:
Click the link above.
Select "meetings."
On the left-hand side, you will see a display of all of the meetings.
Select your desired meeting.
Once you have selected the meeting, select "view agenda" or "view minutes."