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.
1:08 – Farewell Message – Sheila Hibner’s Last Meeting as Board of Education President
Board President Sheila Hibner began the Board of Education meeting – her last as a board member – with a message of thanks.
Hibner said it was the highlight of her career to serve the students, staff, and families of the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. She also said she will always be a champion for the District and our schools.
We thank Sheila for her dedication and years of service to our entire District community. Her hard work has made a lasting impact on students, staff, and families, and we wish her the best of luck in her next chapter of life.
2:05 – Recognition – Megan Sipiorski Wins High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award
Middleton High School’s Megan Sipiorski was honored for being named the 2025 Wisconsin High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies—a prestigious award that reflects her outstanding impact in the classroom and beyond.
Megan’s innovative Legislative Semester program gives students a hands-on experience in how government works, helping them move beyond textbooks to truly understand the complexities and importance of civic engagement. She also serves as the advisor for the school’s Model United Nations club, where she fosters skills in diplomacy, leadership, and global awareness.
Principal Peg Shoemaker called Megan’s passion for education and dedication to students inspiring, while WCSS President Sarah Kopplin commended her for creating a classroom environment where civil discourse thrives — and students learn that disagreement can happen with respect, empathy, and open-mindedness.
The Teacher of the Year award recognizes educators who spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and continually grow in their craft. Megan embodies all of these qualities and more.
Congratulations to Megan on this well-deserved honor. Her work is making a difference at Middleton High School and across the state.
46:11 – Superintendent's Report
In her Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Dana Monogue began by congratulating the cast and crew of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, for their recent performance. She praised the production as an enjoyable and uplifting show, brought to life by a talented group of students.
Dr. Monogue also shared highlights from last week’s annual Years of Service celebration, where the district recognized 190 dedicated staff members. She expressed deep appreciation for those who continue to make a lasting, positive impact in the lives of students and families year after year.
47:50 – Literacy Update
District leaders provided a comprehensive update on the first year of implementing MCPASD’s new K–8 literacy curriculum. The presentation was delivered by Dr. MaryBeth Paulisse, Dr. Jan Chynoweth, Elm Lawn Elementary Principal Lisa Rust, and Glacier Creek Middle School Principal Ken Metz.
This year marked the launch of Savvas myView Literacy/miVisión Lectura for elementary students and Savvas myPerspectives for middle school students—curricula aligned with the Science of Reading and designed to support explicit instruction, structured routines, and differentiated learning. The District’s implementation plan included early professional development for administrators and instructional coaches, followed by phased training and ongoing coaching support for teaching staff.
Feedback from staff and classroom observations pointed to strong alignment with literacy standards, effective instructional routines, and meaningful use of vocabulary and comprehension strategies. Staff also expressed the need for additional time to plan and for more support in writing instruction.
They also shared the District’s efforts to meet the requirements of Wisconsin Act 20, which mandates early literacy assessments and intervention plans for students in grades 4K–3. Teachers administered the first round of AimswebPlus assessments in January and developed Personal Reading Plans for students identified as at risk. Spring assessments are underway, with staff updating reading plans and communicating progress with families.
They noted that early data suggests positive momentum. Star Reading results from winter 2024 to winter 2025 show more students meeting benchmark levels and fewer students in high-risk categories across grades 1–8. Gains were also seen among multilingual learners and students with disabilities, though achievement gaps persist and will continue to be a focus. Spanish literacy scores showed a slight decline, possibly due to increased participation this year; further analysis is needed to understand this trend.
The District’s professional development strategy has emphasized curriculum training, LETRS coursework for elementary educators, and collaborative data analysis. Looking ahead, the focus will shift to deepening instructional practices—especially in writing—and preparing for the second year of implementation. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to using data to guide instructional decisions and to ensuring that all students build strong foundational literacy skills.
1:21:16 – Wellness Report
Wellness Coordinator Kalise Horst, along with Director of Employee Services Barb Buffington, provided an update to the board regarding the Wellness program in our District.
Throughout the 2024–2025 school year, the Wellness Team has led a variety of initiatives to support employee well-being, ranging from physical fitness and health education to mental health resources and community-building activities. Highlights included virtual learning sessions, yoga and fitness classes, monthly wellness challenges, and special events such as the Back to School Kickoff, the Color Run, and the upcoming Amazing Race. These efforts drew strong participation, reflecting continued interest and engagement among staff.
The MCPASD Employee Health Clinic also reported key successes. Staff accessed personal health coaching, attended specialist visits like dermatology and urology, and benefited from services such as student-athlete physicals. With an 81% average fill rate over the past six months, the clinic remains a well-utilized resource.
In addition to physical wellness, the District expanded resources to address mental health and workplace stress. This included a new Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 counseling, virtual fitness coaching through LIFT, job coaching pilot programs, and more accessible guides to the $150 Living Healthy Rewards program. Employees also now enjoy access to the District pool for themselves and their families, and new healthy meal options have been added through Nutrition Services.
The team has prioritized outreach through building visits, a representative Whole Being Team, and a user-friendly website offering tools and resources. The March 2025 wellness survey, with 405 staff responses, indicated strengths in areas like physical activity and supportive relationships, while also highlighting common challenges—such as time constraints, stress, and work-life balance. Staff shared interest in additional wellness time during PD days, more exercise opportunities, and reduced workload.
Looking ahead, the Wellness Team plans to expand offerings for the 2025–26 school year. This includes increasing Professional Development (PD) day wellness options, strengthening community partnerships, and enhancing access to mental health resources. There will also be new learning opportunities focused on work-life balance and personal growth, such as summer courses; book studies; and regular communications with tips, recipes, and strategies to support overall well-being.
1:34:40 – Legislative Information Update
Board members discussed how to best address questions from community members about the changes within the federal Department of Education and the potential impacts on our District.
Information on the federal level is changing frequently – almost on a daily basis – and the Board is closely monitoring all changes. The Board is taking a conservative financial approach and is committed to upholding its core mission of taking care of every child.
Members of the Legislative Committee proposed bringing a report to the Board after their next meeting to share factual updates based on information from the Department of Public Instruction. This would contribute to a potential public statement from the Board that shares the most accurate and up-to-date information as possible.
1:48:48 – Approval of CESA 2 Contract for 2025-2026
Each year the District receives services from CESA 2. The board approved the CESA 2 Contract for 2025–2026.
The contract includes continued support for professional development, special education services, and Act 20 literacy requirements. MCPASD will maintain membership and renew key services such as the Professional Resource Center, Title III Consortium, and IEP-based supports.
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