Regular Board Meeting: January 23, 2023
Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter provided a District Administrator Update mentioning the three (3) early graduates from GHS, the Wisconsin Education State Conference, the Board of Education open seats, the winter sports season, the DECA team competition at KMHS, the Black Student Union and MESA group are hosting a film documentary called the Exchange in the PAC, and the January Board of Education presentations at this meeting.
The GSD Student Representative shared updates on what is happening in our schools. AMY BELLE will have a PTA Fundraiser in February called Dinner with the Arts which includes an artwork display around the school, a spaghetti dinner, a talent show with student performers, and raffle baskets. With the help of the KKids program, there will be a “Souper” Bowl soup donation with items to be donated to the St. Boniface Food Pantry. COUNTY LINE is ready for 2023. The PTA hosted a snowball event where students made crafts and enjoyed hot chocolate. The CBS Chief Meteorologist came in to visit and talk about the weather. 2nd and 4th graders performed in a music concert. ROCKFIELD was busy in December with their Annual Running Reindeer. After winter break, students participated in an all school flashlight reading. The Rockfeld Green Team partnered with the GHS Environmental Club to encourage using metal sporks in the cafeteria. MACARTHUR students are setting goals and priorities to strive to be their best. Perseverance has been a big focus so far and a Miss Wisconsin volunteer came to speak with the students about perseverance. Students received a whole school celebration with hot chocolate and hot apple cider to recognize their good behavior. KMS after school sports, clubs, and activities are in full swing and include Volleyball, AVA Club, Student Study Skills, Forensics, Best Buddies, Young Writers Club, Yearbook, Junior Key Club, MESA, Newspaper, Math Counts, and Ski and Snowboard. The Junior Key Club is running a sports drive to collect new and gently used sports equipment and shoes which will be donated to The Cream City Charity. GHS has been busy studying for final exams and just finished up their 1st semester. Sports and activities are in full swing. The DECA team competed at KMHS and earned over 45 metals and qualified 15 students for the state competition this Spring. Boys and girls basketball, girls gymnastics, boys and girls hockey, boys swim & dive, and the wrestling teams have all been competing hard this season.
GHS Principal Joel Farren thanked the Board for approving the initial Dean position back in the Fall of 2019 which then turned into a Dean/ACP Coordinator position. Principal Farren introduced Assistant Principals David Smith and Andrew Rooney to provide an Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Update of the work done over the last year. During the summer, data was tracked and presented on the class of 2022 workforce snapshot in regards to academic career and life skills. Three goals were developed during the summer presentation: increased ACP engagement (XELLO, Edficiency), real-world experiences in the classrooms (community partnership), and improved college and career readiness (career tracts/pathways). The Board thanked GHS for the comprehensive report and the hard work that is being done to help our students.
Director of Teaching & Learning Jake Misiak provided an update on the 4K Satisfaction Report mentioning the current theme of a Wonderful Winter and the wonderful job the 4K teachers are doing. The parent satisfaction survey shows that our parents are satisfied/very satisfied with the structure of the Ready Set Go Conferences, the outreach activities, the structure and content provided during the October conferences, and would 100% recommend the Germantown 4K program to prospective families. 4K registration opens on January 24th and in the spring there will be another 4K Family Information Night.
Director of Teaching & Learning Jake Misiak and Director of Instructional Technology Julia Leeson provided the GSD Annual Assessment Report mentioning the State Report Card with GSD having an overall score of 77.3 and exceeds expectations. The State Report Card priority areas are achievement, growth, target group outcomes, and on-track to graduation. Highlighted for GHS are the ACT scores which show a downward trend however the scores are still above state averages, Advanced Placement (AP) exams show an upward trend on scores, and the ACT Aspire is changing to the Pre-ACT this year. Highlighted for the District is the Forward Assessment which shows the number of students who are advanced or proficient is growing. Board discussion.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter and Marketing Communications Manager Mandi Race shared the GSD Parent Communication Report mentioning the communication survey sent to parents which included seven (7) questions. Schools were rated on communication efforts and as a whole, the district is rated as being effective. Parents would like monthly newsletters and answers given will help as a guide on what information parents would like to see in the newsletters. Parents most frequently use the GSD/school websites as their platform for communications. Next steps are discussion on newsletter frequency, exploration of Smore account options, and posting on social media/website three times a week.
Motion by Barney, second by Pawlak to approve the Board of Education Minutes from December 19, 2022. Motion carried.
Ewert provided an update to the Board from the January 17, 2023 Teaching & Learning Committee Meeting mentioning the continuing conversations around the curriculum building process standards adoption and the human growth and development policy and the state statutes that dictate the actions of the learning that we need to provide.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter led discussions on the 2023-2024 Open Enrollment Seats. Motion by Reinemann, second by Pawlak to approve 19 new open enrollment seats (10 - 5th grade seats at Amy Belle, 1 - 4th grade seat at Rockfield, and 8 - 5th grade seats at Rockfield) for the 2023-2024 school year in addition to applications for existing students already attending Germantown Schools that have moved, and approve zero special education seats for the 2023-2024 school year. Motion carried.
Director of Human Resources Mike Nowak led discussions on the 2022-2023 Teacher Resignations. Motion by Pawlak, second by Reinemann to approve the resignation of Christopher Timm and thank him for his service to the students, their families and to the Germantown School District and approve posting and filling the vacancy. Motion carried.
Director of Human Resources Mike Nowak led discussions on the 2022-2023 Teacher Contracts. Motion by Barney, second by Pawlak to approve the 1.0 FTE limited-term contract for Edward Hay at $27,900. Motion carried.
Director of Human Resources Mike Nowak led discussions on the 2022-2023 Administrator Resignations. Motion by Reinemann, second by Ewert to approve the resignation of Jennifer Johannsen and thank her for her service to the students and families of Germantown School District and approve posting and filing of the vacancy. Motion carried.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Reuter led discussions on the donations received. Motion by Reinemann, second by Barney to thank the donors for their generosity and approve the donations as listed above. Motion carried.
A recording of the meeting can be viewed here.
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Regular School Board Meeting — February 27, 2023