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.
2:05 - Superintendent's Report
In her Superintendent’s Report, Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue shared that summer school programming began today, Monday, June 22, at Sauk Trail, Kromrey, and Middleton High School. She thanked everyone involved in planning and supporting this important opportunity for our students.
3:15 - Sauk Trail Elementary Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) Report
Sauk Trail Principal Chris Dahlk and Reading Specialist Rebecca Saeman reviewed the school's year-end Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) report with the Board. The AGR program is funded by the State of Wisconsin and supports student achievement through reduced class sizes, instructional coaching, and targeted one-on-one tutoring.
During the 2025-26 school year, Sauk Trail used AGR funding to provide additional academic support for students in kindergarten through third grade. These strategies included maintaining smaller class sizes, providing instructional coaching for teachers, and offering individualized tutoring for students who needed additional support.
The report highlighted positive academic outcomes across several grade levels. Second-grade students demonstrated growth in both literacy and mathematics, with 69% meeting literacy benchmarks and 70% meeting math benchmarks by spring. Third-grade literacy performance also improved throughout the school year, increasing from 62.7% of students meeting benchmarks in the fall to 68% in the spring.
The report also noted continued progress in student attendance. Sauk Trail's chronic absenteeism rate decreased from 13% in the 2023-24 school year to 9.8% in 2025-26. District leaders credited part of this success to the school's Walking School Bus program, which helps students arrive at school safely and consistently. A Walking School Bus is a supervised group of students who walk to school together along a designated route with adult volunteers, promoting attendance, physical activity, and community connections.
Looking ahead, Sauk Trail will continue focusing on foundational literacy instruction, vocabulary development, support for multilingual learners, social-emotional learning, and attendance improvement efforts to help all students succeed.
Board members also thanked Dahlk for her dedication to putting students first throughout her career and for her ongoing commitment to supporting student success at Sauk Trail.
22:20 - Food and Nutrition Department Annual Update
Food & Nutrition Services Supervisor David Montag and Director of Finance and Operations Erin Wheeler provided the Board of Education with an overview of the District's Food & Nutrition Services program and shared highlights from the 2025-26 school year.
The Department operates 12 kitchens across the District and is supported by a team of 47 employees who serve students through breakfast, lunch, milk, catering, retail, and summer meal programs. During the 2025-26 school year, Food & Nutrition Services served more than 650,000 student meals and 8,500 staff meals. The Department also increased à la carte sales by $75,000 and sold more than 217,500 cartons of milk. Students were offered multiple meal choices each day, including three options at elementary schools, six at middle schools, and seven at high schools.
The presentation also highlighted the Department's commitment to supporting local agriculture and providing fresh, nutritious food for students. Through partnerships with local producers, the District purchases locally sourced produce and yogurt whenever possible. The Department also collaborates with organizations such as WayForward and the Wisconsin School Nutrition Program Co-Op (WISNP) to support food access, sustainability efforts, and community partnerships throughout the District.
Food & Nutrition Services operates as a self-funded program with an annual budget exceeding $3 million and has maintained a positive fund balance for more than 30 years. Department leaders noted that this long-standing financial stability is a significant accomplishment at a time when many school nutrition programs across the state and nation are facing increasing financial pressures from rising food and labor costs.
Looking ahead, Department leaders shared plans to build on the success of a new three-week menu cycle introduced this spring. The team will use student feedback and participation data to refine recipes, reduce food waste, and continue enhancing the dining experience for students. Sustainability efforts will remain a priority through composting initiatives, recyclable products, and strategies to reduce waste in school cafeterias.
The Department also noted future challenges, including rising food and staffing costs, aging equipment, credit card processing fees, and evolving federal nutrition regulations. Despite these challenges, the Department remains committed to providing high-quality meal options while maintaining the program's long-standing financial stability.
52:51 - Constituent Engagement Surveys
District leaders shared the results of the 2025-26 District Engagement Surveys, which gather feedback from students, families, and staff to help guide continuous improvement efforts across the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District.
Student participation remained strong across all grade levels. Elementary participation reached 91%, middle school participation increased to 85%, and high school participation rose significantly to 68%, the highest participation rate at the high school level in the past five years.
At the elementary level, student-teacher relationships continued to be one of the District's strongest areas, reflecting positive connections between students and staff. Students also reported feeling supported by trusted adults at school. While the results were encouraging, the District will continue focusing on helping students build positive relationships with one another and strengthening students' sense of belonging within their school communities.
Middle and high school survey results showed positive trends across many categories, including feelings of safety, belonging, and support from teachers and staff. Students reported growth in several areas related to learning and school culture, and nearly every area measured at the high school level improved compared to the previous year. At the same time, the feedback highlighted opportunities to continue helping students feel represented and valued in their learning experiences and ensuring students receive support when they need it.
Family engagement remained a significant strength for the District. A total of 2,318 family survey responses were received, matching the highest participation level on record. Family survey scores improved across all four survey pillars: Family Support, Culture of Belonging, Communication and Information, and Community Value. Families also expressed strong confidence in the District, with the recommendation score reaching an all-time high.
Survey results showed families feel welcomed in schools, value communication from both schools and the District, and believe MCPASD provides engaging learning experiences and meaningful opportunities for students. The District will also continue improving how it connects with families, particularly families of color and Spanish-speaking families, and making it easier for families to find information and access support when needed.
Staff survey results reflected positive perceptions in several areas, including relationship-building with students and families, collaboration among colleagues, and creating a culture of belonging. Staff also reported a strong commitment to student success and shared responsibility for helping all students achieve. Areas for continued growth include workload management, opportunities for innovation and reflection, and ensuring staff feel supported through meaningful feedback and professional collaboration.
District leaders emphasized that the survey results highlight many strengths across MCPASD, including strong relationships, a welcoming school environment, and high levels of family support. At the same time, the feedback provides valuable insight into where the District can continue to grow and better serve students, families, and staff. The District will continue using this feedback to strengthen relationships, improve communication, foster belonging, and ensure all members of the MCPASD community feel heard, valued, and supported.
1:29:06 - Recommended Policy Revisions
The Board of Education reviewed recommended updates to policies governing Board committees and officer roles. The proposed revisions clarify committee responsibilities, meeting expectations, and the duties of Board officers to support effective governance and transparency.
The updates also outline the roles of standing committees, including Finance, Policy, Legislative and Community Engagement, and Teaching and Learning, while providing greater clarity on leadership responsibilities for the Board President, Vice President, Clerk, and Treasurer.
The proposed changes are intended to strengthen Board operations, improve communication, and ensure clear expectations for those serving in leadership and committee roles.
1:39:03 - Approval of 2026-2027 Preliminary Budget
The Board of Education reviewed and approved the District’s preliminary budget for the 2026-27 school year. While the budget remains an estimate, it reflects current projections for enrollment, state aid, staffing, and operational costs. The preliminary budget includes several investments aimed at supporting student success, including additional staffing for multilingual learners, special education services, advanced learning, and student mental health supports.
The budget also includes a pilot full-day 4K classroom at Northside Elementary and staffing adjustments to accommodate enrollment growth across the District. These investments reflect the District’s continued commitment to meeting student needs while planning responsibly for the future.
District administrators shared that the preliminary budget will be presented to the community during the annual budget hearing in September. The Board will adopt the final budget and certify the tax levy in October after enrollment figures, equalized property values, and final state aid amounts are confirmed.
1:45:08 - Approval of Public Depositories for 2026-2027
The Board of Education approved the financial institutions and investment entities that will serve as the District’s official depositories for the 2026-27 school year. These organizations provide banking, purchasing card, investment, and trust services that support the District’s day-to-day financial operations and long-term financial management.
The recommendation was reviewed by Director of Finance and Operations Erin Wheeler during the Finance Committee meeting before being brought to the full Board for approval.
1:40:40 - Approval of 2018 Capital Referendum Summary & MHS Facilities Improvements
The Board of Education reviewed a final summary of projects completed through the 2018 Capital Referendum, including improvements at Park Elementary School, Pope Farm Elementary School, and Middleton High School. The update also highlighted recent athletic facility improvements at Middleton High School, including upgrades to the Bob Joers Aquatic Center, tennis courts, and baseball and softball fields.
District leaders reported that the athletic facility improvement projects were completed under the overall project budget, with total costs coming in approximately $291,000 below budget.
The Board also learned that approximately $1 million in remaining interest earnings from referendum funds is expected to be transferred to reduce future debt payments. Administrators estimate this could lower the tax levy by about $9 annually for a property assessed at $100,000.
The Board approved the 2018 Capital Referendum Summary and MHS Facilities Improvements report.
1:41:15 - Approval of Revised Board Policy III F EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
The Board of Education approved revisions to Board Policy III-F, Employee Handbook. The updates clarify the process for reviewing and approving handbook changes for certified and support staff, helping ensure transparency and consistency in employee policies across the District.
Next Board Meeting
The Board of Education’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the District Services Center at 7106 South Ave. in Middleton.
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