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.
1:27 — Public Hearing Regarding Act 95 Waiver
The Board held a public hearing about Clark Street Community School’s request for a waiver from Wisconsin’s requirement, under Wis. Stat. Sec. 118.58, to rank students by their grade point average (GPA). Rather than using traditional grades, Clark Street Community School (CSCS) uses a competency-based learning system and is seeking the waiver to continue its model of individualized learning. The public hearing provided opportunities for Board discussion of and community input on the waiver request.
2:17 — Resolution Seeking Waiver of Act 95 Requirements
Following the public hearing, the Board approved the resolution to seek a waiver from the state requirement to rank students by their GPA. The resolution allows CSCS to request the Department of Public Instruction’s approval to instead form their class ranking by students’ exemplary artifacts.
12:38 — Superintendent’s Report
In her Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Dana Monogue expressed gratitude to MCPASD staff, who are back in schools and District buildings to prepare for the new school year. She also shared excitement about welcoming back students for the first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
In addition, Dr. Monogue shared that District leaders will host several community engagement sessions about the upcoming operational referendum in the coming months. She encouraged community members to visit MCPASD’s referendum webpage to learn about meeting times and find referendum updates.
13:45 — Seclusion & Restraint Annual Report
Director of Special Education Cindy Malcheski shared a report on occurrences of seclusion and restraint in MCPASD schools during the 2025–26 school year. This includes the number of students involved in these incidents and the number of students with disabilities who were impacted.
Incidents of seclusion and restraint both decreased from 2024-25 to 2025-26. Malcheski attributed this to ongoing Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) training as well as Ukeru training. Every building has a trained NVCI team to support staff in safe disengagement strategies. Ukeru training, which uses soft blocking tools to keep students and staff safe, reduces the need to restrain in times of imminent danger.
Malcheski expressed optimism that these prevention and training measures will further decrease incidents of seclusion and restraint in the 2026-27 school year. She also reaffirmed the District’s commitment to supporting all students’ social-emotional learning skills and their sense of belonging in our school communities.
30:32 — Co-Curricular Report
Middleton High School Athletic Director Brad Crandell and Assistant Athletic Director and Activities Coordinator Tyree Gamble shared a report on athletics, activities, and events from the 2025–26 school year.
Several athletic programs earned historic state championship titles in the past school year: Boys Volleyball had an undefeated 39-0 season; Boys Swim and Dive achieved its fourth consecutive championship; Girls Swim and Dive achieved its third consecutive championship, as well as first and second place individual diving finishes; Boys Golf earned a state championship with a record-setting tournament score of 2-over par; and Wrestling crowned an individual state champion.
High school music programs and activities also excelled at state and international competitions. The Marching Band and Color Guard earned second place at state as well as several caption awards. The Boys and the Girls/Non-Binary Ultimate Frisbee teams both defended their state championship titles. MHS’s Debate, Declarative Education Clubs of America (DECA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) teams also saw team and individual achievements at the state and international levels.
Other highlights for MHS Athletics and Activities included the expansion of livestreaming capabilities for events, production of the Beyond the Scoreboard podcast, expansion of partnerships with middle schools and fall sports head coaches, launch of a new monthly coaching newsletter, and more. Strategies for growth in the upcoming school year will include increasing activity access for CSCS students, collaborating with the Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), introducing new clubs, upholding inclusive environments for all students, enhancing the strength and conditioning program, and more.
Crandell and Gamble also expressed appreciation for all student participants and staff advisors for their work to create diverse and engaging opportunities.
1:19:58 — Discussion of Employee Handbook Revisions
Director of Employee Services Dr. Barb Buffington and Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing shared proposed revisions to the MCPASD Employee Handbook for the 2026–27 school year.
The District conducted a handbook survey among all staff groups, levels, and work locations in March 2026. Staff shared positive feedback overall about having the handbook as a resource. Handbook committees reviewed the survey results and suggestions during meetings with support staff and certified staff as well as meet-and-confer sessions with the Middleton Education Association to finalize the recommendations for revision.
The Board will vote on approval of the handbook revisions at its Sept. 14, 2026, meeting. Read the report and proposed revisions.
1:27:55 — Discussion and Potential Action to Approve the Offer to Purchase and Addendum for the Property Located at 7240 Maywood Avenue
Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jan Chynoweth discussed the recommendation for MCPASD to purchase the residential property located at 7240 Maywood Avenue, adjacent to Middleton High School, to serve as the instructional site for Cardinal Academy, the District’s transitional program for students ages 18-21 with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The purchase would be funded with one-time Tax Incremental Financing proceeds, which are non-recurring dollars for a capital purchase. These proceeds are not available to support ongoing operational costs. The purchase would not increase the tax levy and would not draw from the general fund.
Cardinal Academy currently shares a building with the Early Learning Center (ELC) at 2429 Clark Street in Middleton, which also houses the Early Childhood and four-year-old kindergarten programs. Leaders shared the main reasons for the proposal to purchase the residential property as the new site:
Student capacity: Cardinal Academy student enrollment has grown significantly in the past few years, rising from 11 students in the 2023-24 school year to 25 students for the 2026-27 school year, with enrollment projected at 31 students in 2027-28. As enrollment rises, the ELC will not be large enough to accommodate all students.
Age appropriateness and safety: Leaders noted that housing adult students with IEPs in the same building as our youngest learners is not developmentally appropriate for either group, as all students deserve settings that reflect their age and stage of life. An approved purchase would allow Cardinal Academy students to have the best possible instructional environment.
Moving the Cardinal Academy instructional site to this property would preserve and strengthen several efficiencies, including immediate access to student services and therapy staff without additional travel time, closer access to high school facilities and activities, and no additional transportation routes needed.
Projected annual operating costs are estimated at $3,600, and projected accessibility modifications would be scoped and budgeted at $50,000.
Following discussion, the Board approved the purchase of the property, in an amount not to exceed $485,000, with one-time Tax Incremental Financing proceeds.
1:48:20 — Approval of DPI Food and Nutrition Contract for 2026–27
The Board approved the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Food and Nutrition Contract for the 2026–27 school year. This includes meal prices and school nutrition programs in which the District participates. The Board is required to approve this contract every year.
1:48:54 — Approval of Annual Meeting Agenda and Resolutions
The Board reviewed and approved the draft agenda and proposed resolutions for the 2026 Budget Hearing and Annual Meeting on Sept. 22, 2026. The resolutions include:
Modification of the apportionment of the nine-member MCPASD Board of Education to five geographically-designated school board seats (one each for Areas I, II, III, IV, and V) and four open at-large seats available to any qualified elector residing anywhere in the District. These changes will be implemented gradually with each seat’s natural point of re-election beginning with the Spring 2027 election.
Adoption of the tax levy
Approval of transportation for students at the District’s expense
Next Board Meeting
The Board of Education’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the District Services Center at 7106 South Ave. in Middleton.
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