Cadott School Board - Changes coming, as sixth grade prepares for a move

Cadott School Board

By Ginna Young By the next school year, Cadott is preparing to shift sixth grade to the junior/senior high school building, in order to incorporate wrap-around care. The move would free up classrooms and areas.

It would also help attract and retain families in the district.

“I have not heard any negatives,” said district administrator Josh Spaeth, at a school board meeting Jan. 13.

There would still be four days of 4K, but the elementary could have care and activities for them the fifth day, as part of that wrap-around care.

“We lose about 14 kids right now, just in the 4K class alone, due to daycare issues, that I think would come back,” said Spaeth.

Casey Yeager, board member, wanted to see how the board felt, to see if there were any concerns on their part. Board member Kevin Roshell questioned if there are any issues in other districts, who have the sixth grade at the high school building, but Spaeth said they all have done the middle/high school in one building for years. It must work smoothly, because none have switched back.

“I guess for me, it’s not a concern,” said board member Brad Sonnentag, adding he wants to see communication remain from the administration about the switchover.

Board member Andrea Wahl expressed concerns over the grade levels, with age-appropriate books, but high school principal Christi Machler says other schools use the same media center for sixth through 12th grade. If they wish, parents can have their child on a “no check-out” list for certain books/authors.

Rod Tegels, board member, wanted to make sure the resources are there to cover the move. Spaeth assured him that there is one teacher, per core, per grade, although they are short one ELA teacher, but have planned for that.

It was also brought up that maybe the district is trying to get the kids to grow up more than they’re ready, but elementary principal Brad Rogers did not agree.

“They’re ready for that independence, they really are,” he said.

There will not be a lot of interaction with the older grades, because of the way the schedule and classrooms will be set up, and Machler had no reports of altercations between upperclassmen and middle school students.

“It just doesn’t happen,” said Machler. Another change coming down the road, is a trimester schedule, which would mean increasing graduation credit requirements, but there are benefits.

“The big one, is the focus enrichment intervention time,” said Spaeth.

Students would also receive direct help from the teacher, which will be built in. The current class time of 40 minutes is not enough to get through a lesson, so class times would be increased to 67 minutes long, without stretching out the time to lose student interest.

“It’s that happy medium that we’re hoping for,” said Machler.

A trimester schedule also eliminates study halls that are not needed and would allow for incentives. A privilege card can be granted for the last resource time of the day, to seniors who are caught up on work and passing classes, where they can leave campus 30 minutes early. Freshman, sophomores and juniors who are caught up on grades, have no discipline issues and no homework out, can spend the remainder of the time in a resource “room,” such as the commons, and can be on their devices or play games.

“And that minimizes the amount of students in all of our actual classrooms, to just the students that we need to do direct instruction with,” said Machler.

See CHANGES COMING / Page 3

Sheanne Hediger, Baker Tilly, reported on the Cadott School audit, Jan. 13, sharing that the district looks to be in good shape. Baker Tilly bases that statement off the financial records that the district provides.

Photo by Ginna Young Changes coming, as sixth grade prepares for a move

– Continued from Front Machler is also re-evaluating the core pathways at the high school. Cadott is one of only two schools around who don’t require a senior English class, while students can finish science after their sophomore year, and certain social studies classes are optional.

“I just look at a kid who’s taking their ACT or a college entrance exam, and they haven’t had a math or science in two years,” said Machler. “That’s kind of concerning to us.”

Machler would like to have requirements at each grade level.

Wahl asked if the change begins for the 2026-27 school year, would it affect Start College Now programs, but Machler said, no, those would fall under senior requirements.

Cory LaNou, board president, thinks that students feel there’s nothing more the school can offer them by their senior year, and is worried about burnout.

“So, I really think if we start to give them something worth being there, that’s important,” said LaNou.

Machler agreed, that the school counselors say students want to get as many of the required classes/courses over and done with, long before their senior year.

“I don’t know how that’s setting them up to be successful with what they want to do as a next step,” she said.

As for the elementary, Rogers knows they need to treat essential learning as essential, with a focus on the basics.

“Basics are not easy – but we need to be good at the basics, as we’re building that foundation,” said Rogers. “And, then, ultimately, what we focus on grows.”

They’ve also instituted awards to celebrate success and hard work, such as the Golden Dust Pan for custodial staff, the Golden Scoop for food service, the Golden Pallet for art, the Golden Book for librarians, etc.

“So, it’s just another level of being positive,” said Rogers.

The elementary has also had good attendance, even with what Cadott is calling the “quademic,” with attendance higher than other years.

“Which is actually surprising to me, with the level of sickness we have currently,” said Rogers.

In an update about the addition to the tech ed center project, there was some news no one wanted. It’s a common practice to start work before having state approval, because the project is so schedule-driven, so CESA sent the project site plan review and got the blessing to proceed.

However, the reviewer changed.

“Nine times out of 10, it’s not an issue,” said Brian Antczak, CESA.

This time, the new reviewer had a different interpretation of the code, and increased the separation of the existing and expected firewall. That means the price would increase on that portion of construction.

CESA got a direct pricing request from Hoeft Builders, which came in at $185,511.14, but are trying to find a more competitive price for the sheet rock work. The cost will use contingency funds that were set aside, but since it’s a big chunk of funds, CESA needed approval from the board.

Wahl questioned if they could argue the interpretation of the reviewer and Antczak said they could ask for a variance, but the project could be held up for nine months, before a decision is reached. With that in mind, the board gave approval, in the hopes the cost will not be as much as expected.

The board also approved the hire of part-time high school cook Donna Warminski and assistant track coach Katelyn Knapp, and the end-of-school year resignation of Kriss Toll.

They also discussed HSA contributions, which are set to deposit half in January, the rest in June. It was mentioned that maybe the payments could be made monthly or bimonthly.

“The last thing I want to do is affect the staff…but at the same time, we have to be fiscally responsible,” said Spaeth.

Yeager shared that some staff members, who were concerned, because they were counting on that money to pay some bills, had reached out to her.

“What do we do if staff members are in a pinch?” asked Yeager. “We want people to make it and not do it in a bind.”

Board members felt more information was needed and decided to table the matter for the time being.