|
Watch the October 14th Board meeting on YouTube. Find the meeting agenda on our website.
|
Do you know how to access materials for each Board meeting? The School Board uses BoardDocs to share materials, including attachments, for its Board meetings and committee meetings, as well as Board policies. When you open the BoardDocs website, navigate to the upper right corner to select either Meetings or Policies.
|
|
Celebration of Excellence
|
|
On behalf of MGSD Greg Benz, CTE Coordinator, nominated five businesses through the WASB Business Honor Roll that partner with the District: Wisconsin Built, Monona East Side Business Alliance (MESBA), Forward Pharmacy, Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce, and UW-Health Career Pathways. Businesses had representatives present to accept their award, and even a few students and an MG grad to speak on their experience through the Youth Apprentice program. (Materials) (begins at 0:53)
2nd graders at Cottage Grove School participated in singing the National Anthem at the recent Youth Night football game. CGS had parent-teacher conferences the night of the school board meeting, but put together a video overviewing their experience. (Materials) (begins at 25:57)
|
|
Student School Board Representative, Elsa Beuthling, provided an overview of last week's homecoming events. She also provided an update on various clubs and activities on the work they've done this fall. (begins at 28:02)
|
|
Waiver of Liquidated Damages for Breach of Individual Teacher Contract (Materials)
The Board approved the waiving of liquidated damages for breach of individual teacher contract as presented in their closed session. (begins at 40:45)
2025-26 Support Staff Handbook Revisions (Materials)
The Monona Grove Education Association (MGEA) and District administration have met on several occasions to review and discuss potential revisions to the Support Staff Handbook. These discussions focused on clarifying existing language, addressing areas identified for improvement, and ensuring alignment with current practices and policies. The Board approved the revisions. (begins at 41:09) The Support Staff handbook will be updated and on the Staff Resources section of the website no later than October 17 (the draft is available in the September 8 Personnel Committee meeting materials).
Policy Series for 2nd Reading (Materials)
Several policies have had revisions made, some through Policy Committee review and others through 34.2 NEOLA release. Specific policies and rational can be found in the materials. The Board approved the Policy updates as presented. (begins at 48:34)
|
|
Policy Series - 1st Reading (Materials)
The Policy Committee met on September 16th and recommended presenting the policies in the materials for 1st read. The policies listed under "policy committee review" will be sent back to the committee for additional review and brought back for another "first read." The policies listed under "34.2 Neola Release" will move forward for a second reading. (begins at 49:16)
Summer School 2025 (Materials)
Superintendent Fredrich shared a 2025 Summer School review. (begins at 56:48)
|
|
As part of our ongoing commitment to monitor enrollment trends and maintain optimal learning environments, we provided a point-in-time snapshot of current enrollment by grade level across our K–8 schools. Class sizes were determined by Policy 2313.
The enrollment trends at that time indicated increased class sizes across multiple grade levels, with many sections within our targeted range. This was a positive development, as it supported the efficient use of resources while continuing to allow for high-quality instruction.
Within our monitoring system, any grade level that exceeded the established range was identified as being on “watch.” Although new student enrollments were still occurring, it was too early to determine final numbers for the 2025–26 school year, particularly as we awaited un-enrollment notifications and Open Enrollment (OE) seat acceptances. These variables continued to be monitored daily throughout the summer.
We consistently saw 4K at both Winnequah and Taylor Prairie exceed the maximum recommended class size. Therefore, at Taylor Prairie, a current full-time teacher who was scheduled to teach one section of 4K and serve as a half-day building substitute was issued a full-time contract for 4K. At Winnequah, we also needed one additional section of 4K; therefore, we sought the addition of a 0.50 FTE teacher. These adjustments were approved at the July 2025 Board of Education meeting. (begins at 1:01:10)
|
|
The School Board heard an update on the TLE Committee from Rachelle Miller (materials), from the Policy Committee from Janice Stone (materials), from the Finance & Operations Committee from Philip Haven (materials), Personnel Committee from committee co-chair Elizabeth Cook (materials), and the Monona Grove Education Foundation from Susan Manning (materials). (begins at 1:02:59)
|
|
4K-5 Classroom Reading Tour
Our 4K-5 Classroom Reading Tour kicked off this week! Students are enjoying engaging reading activities across all grade levels.
CGSFO Playground Project
We are thrilled to share that Cottage Grove School now has an accessible and inclusive playground addition! Completed just before the 2025-2026 school year, this $36,000+ project features interactive equipment and a “pour-in play” surface for all students to enjoy.
This achievement was made possible by the dedication of CGSFO parents, generous community donors—including the Cottage Grove Community Foundation, Monona Grove Education Foundation, Madison Gas & Electric Foundation, and the Kids Fund—and support from partners like Huston and Impact Together Consulting.
Thank you to everyone who helped create a space where all students can play, explore, and grow!
School Year Observance Days
Wisconsin's 21 special observance days are part of state statutes governing general school operations (Wis. Stat. sec. 118.02). Federal law has moved the celebration of many legal holidays to Monday, however, state law recommends that each Wisconsin Special Observance Day be held on the day itself. When an observance day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it should be observed on the preceding Friday or the following Monday. Honoring observance days can teach the elements of tradition that preserve U.S. society and foster an awareness of our cultural heritage. Observance days can be part of a rich social studies curriculum that gives these individuals and events proper emphasis, both in the context of Wisconsin and U.S. history and in relation to their effect on or improvement of our political, economic, and social institutions. (begins at 1:09:59)
|
|
Policy Committee - October 21, 2025 at 8:00am, District Office
Teaching, Learning, and Equity Committee - October 21, 2025 at 4:00pm, virtually
Finance & Operations Committee - October 23, 2025 at 4:00pm, virtually
Board of Education - Special Meeting - October 28, 2025 at 6:00pm, Granite Ridge School 1st Floor Flex Cafe
Board of Education Workshop - October 28, 2025 at the conclusion of the Special Meeting, Granite Ridge School 1st Floor Flex Cafe
Personnel Committee - November 3, 2025 at 2:30pm, virtually
Board of Education - November 11, 2025 at 7:00 (6:00 if Closed Session is necessary), District Office
|
|
