Cadott School Board - Working to fit everyone’s needs keeps kids in district
By Ginna Young
Some may wonder why taxes have increased in the Cadott School District, even though the school levy went down. Well, as explained by superintendent Josh Spaeth Dec. 11, at a regular school board meeting, it’s because the individual property evaluation went up.
As for where the money raised – or revenue – goes, that’s largely accounted for from students who live in the district and open enroll out, whether through virtual schools outside of the district or to other physical schools. In fact, by open enrolling out, those students cost Cadott $870,000, per year, while students who homeschool take $500,000, annually, and voucher schools deduct another large chunk.
With all that combined, Cadott is watching $1.7 million go out the door, each year.
Also, historically, for roughly a decade, Cadott under levied, which means the district didn’t capitalize on state funding during that time.
“When you don’t levy to where you should, you leave a lot of dollars on the table,” said Spaeth.
For an example how virtual options have impacted Cadott, in 2003, there were four virtual schools in Wisconsin. There are now 58.
That’s why the board decided to non-renew their consortium contract with eSucceed.
“We’d like to move it in-house,” said Spaeth. While a good option to keep kids enrolled in Cadott in some form, eSucceed had some shortfalls, so when it didn’t meet its budget, the member districts had to kick in to make up the balance.
Cadott will likely go with the Wisconsin Virtual School, as well as looking at another option for interventions and personalized learning plans.
“It gives us options to obviously keep kids in the district and then also, if numbers are low, for teachers to teach courses,” said Spaeth.
There are more than 200 courses for kids to take in Wisconsin virtual courses.
“This is just not a Cadott problem, it’s a problem across the state,” said Spaeth. “That’s why I believe we got to have top-notch facilities, course work and individual learning plans, to make sure we’re fitting everybody’s needs.”
Exploring new courses at Cadott, was also approved, in the fields of astronomy, musical theater, skills for life, medical terminology, AP biology, biochemistry, issues in science, independent arts, ELA skills and advanced novels.
“If we don’t have the numbers, we’re not going to offer the course,” said Spaeth.
However, the courses could be offered online, if there are only one or two kids interested.
Also approved, was the remote learning plan that Cadott wants to keep up-to-date, in the event of a lengthy closure. Many schools send packets home with the students, which Cadott will do for at least the elementary, but teachers will be available during normal school hours, for any help the kids would need.
“So, when do we look at launching that?” asked board member Rod Tegels.
Spaeth said it would begin almost immediately, but that they would start small, say, for three days, if a big snow event is on the way.
“We’ll tweak things as we go,” said Spaeth. In addition to new course proposals, high school principal Nathan Steinmetz started conversing with teachers about eliminating study halls. The change is coming, because students are already getting one-on-one time in other avenues.
“We just have so much time built in already,” said Steinmetz.
The middle/high school is also looking at changing class schedules, with administration working with teachers to see what will best benefit students.
At the elementary level, the report card is going from points earned, to skills earned, which helps with the next steps for intervention.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback,” said elementary principal Brad Rogers.
The new look of the cards was revamped by elementary administrative assistant Kelly Brenny, showing where students are earning grade level expectation, with a lot of support, and informing parents of that.
“We’re just trying to paint as clear a picture as possible,” said Rogers.
The second reading of policies was also concluded during the meeting, with members agreeing to small wording changes for Policy 0142.1 – Electoral Process; Policy 0143.1 – Public Expression of Board Members; Policy 0144.3 – Conflict of Interest; Policy 0164 – Meetings; 1421 – Criminal History Record Check and Employee Self-Reporting Requirement; Policy 1630.01 – Family & Medical Leave of Absence; Policy 2340 – District Sponsored Trips; Policy 2521 – Selection of Instructional Materials and Equipment; Policy 3121 – Criminal History Record Check; Policy 5113 – Open Enrollment Program; Policy 5200 – Attendance; Policy 5505 – Academic Honesty; Policy 5517 – Student Anti-Harassment; Policy 7440.01 – Video Surveillance; Policy 7440.02 – Smart Monitoring Equipment; Policy 7540.08 – Artificial Intelligence (AI); Policy 8146 – Notification of Educational Options; Policy 8420 – School Safety; Policy 8500 – Food Services; Policy 8531 – Free and Reduced-Price Meals; Policy 8913 – Section 504/ ADA; Policy 6236 – Community Service Fund; and Policy 6610 – Non-district Supported Student Activity Accounts.
Members also approved the hire of dance coach Maygen Palecek.
