
MTSD Momentum Newsletter
December 20, 2023

2024-2025 School Year Calendars Approved by the Board of Education
The Mequon-Thiensville School District Board of Education approved the 2024-2025 MTSD school year calendars at their regular business meeting on Monday, December 18. Note: 4K dates will be added later this year.
Now Open: The MTSD Annual Climate & Culture Survey
Positive school climate is an essential component of successful and effective schools. To understand perceptions of our schools' and our district's climate and culture, we invite all Mequon-Thiensville School District parents and guardians to participate in our annual Climate & Culture Survey, which focuses on seven categories including: Student Relationships, Learning Environment, Safety & Well-Being, Physical Environments, Contracted Services, Family Engagement, and Overall District Quality. Our schools and the district use these results to enhance the educational experience and environment for all students and families, while monitoring progress toward strategic goals.
You can expect results to be posted on the MTSD's public website and shared via the January Momentum district newsletter. Please take this survey with your child's school in mind. If you have children in more than one MTSD school, we invite you to complete a survey for each school you are connected to. Please set aside 10-15 minutes to complete the survey by Friday, January 5. Your feedback is appreciated and essential in driving our improvement.
2023 Community Task Force Drafts Final Report to MTSD Board of Education
During a working meeting of the MTSD Board of Education on Monday, December 4, two co-chairs from the Districtβs 2023 Community Task Force presented the task forceβs recommendation for mitigating budget shortfalls. The Community Task Force was convened in October following a charge from the MTSD Board of Education to evaluate the top alternatives from a recent analytical process and suggest prioritized revenue-generating solutions for current and future budget deficits.
Task Force Co-Chairs Joe Nelson and Katie Ott presented the Board with the recommendation of pursuing a November 2024 operating referendum as part of a βbundled approachβ combining the three potential solutions outlined in the Boardβs charge; philanthropic giving and continued exploration of reducing expenses while using Fund 46/Fund Balance, or the Districtβs βcash on hand,β if needed. As it relates to a recurring versus a non-recurring referendum, the Task Force favored a non-recurring referendum.
During the presentation, co-chair Joe Nelson noted that the Task Force βdid not relish the idea of going to an operating referendumβ but that it appeared to be the only realistic option given the scope of the Boardβs charge and the challenging timeframe.
On Monday, December 18, the Mequon-Thiensville Board of Education continued a discussion regarding the Task Forceβs recommendation during their regular business meeting, hearing a presentation on the basics of operating referendums from a representative from Baird Public Finance.
2023 Strategic Plan Update
The MTSD Strategic Plan, which is updated every three to five years, is a critical tool in guiding our school districtβs mission, vision, and strategic direction, unifying efforts across our organization. The MTSD Board of Education launched a comprehensive strategic planning process in fall 2017 with an end goal to establish our 2018-2021 strategic plan. Following a comprehensive updating process, the 2021-2024 Strategic Plan was approved by the Board of Education and released in April 2021.
At the November 20 Board meeting, the District Directorβs team presented a progress report on the current and expected performance of the District based on defined metrics in the strategic plan. Metrics include key performance indicators (KPIs) for each goal area and action items as outlined in the Strategic Plan Action Plan.
Update Your Emergency Contact Information in Infinite Campus!
It's time to get ready for inclement weather during the upcoming winter season. Please take a moment to verify and update your emergency contact information in Infinite Campus. If you do not review your information and communication preferences in Infinite Campus, we cannot ensure that you will receive emergency notifications from the district. This is the ONLY way we are able to notify all of our families of delays, closings, or emergencies in a timely and efficient manner.
Save the Date: MTEF Mardi Gras Bash βοΈππ·
Have you heard? Pre-sale tickets for the Mequon-Thiensville Education Foundation (MTEF)'s Mardi Gras Bash are now on sale!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Shully's Watermark in Thiensville. Festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment, a silent auction, and raffles. Dinner begins at 7 p.m., followed by the Fund-A-Grant paddle raise and dessert. Music will be provided by Joe Wray, with additional entertainment provided by some of our very own Homestead students and musicians!
Whether you attend the bash, become a sponsor, donate to the auction, or are able to join the Mardi Gras committee, every bit of support directly benefits MTSD students. Visit the MTEF website for details and to get your ticket today!
Board Briefs
The Mequon-Thiensville Board of Education held one working meeting, one regular business meeting, one policy committee meeting, and a legislative committee meeting this month.
December 4 Working Meeting
The Board heard a presentation from the MTSD Community Task Force Co-Chairs to review their final report and recommendations.
The Board conducted a Board Governance Mid-Year Check-In
December 8 Policy Committee Meeting
Policies discussed included: #3100 - Employee Handbook, #2271 - Educational Options for Higher Education, and #5516 - Harassment and Other Prohibited Behavior
December 12 Legislative Committee Meeting
The Legislative Committee engaged in planning and discussion around legislative advocacy communication and engagement.
December 18 Regular Business Meeting
The Board approved previous meeting minutes, employee transactions, and Title I carryover funds as part of the consent agenda
The Board heard a student report from Homestead senior Austin Krueger and a Parent-Teacher Organization report from Theoni Calvert, president of the Wilson Elementary School PTO
The Board heard an update from the Legislative Committee
The Board heard public comment from a citizen regarding the possibility of an operating referendum
The Board heard a review of audit reports and financial statements for the 2022-2023 fiscal year
The Board discussed next steps in considering the Districtβs budget shortfalls, including a presentation on the basics of operating referendums from a representative from Baird Public Finance
The Board discussed preparations for the 2024 WASB Delegate Assembly
The Board heard an update from the Policy Committee
The Board took action to approve a three-year contract with the Gordon Flesch Company to provide on-site services including operation of the Districtβs Print Center
The Board approved the 2024-2025 school year calendars
The Board heard a draft of policy #3100 - Employee Handbook
Winter/Spring Program Registration Now Open
This guide highlights all the winter/spring activities, classes, and sport camps for preschool, youth, adults and families. You will also find information on Kids' Campus and 4K Wrap Care.
Summer Academy Registration Coming Soon
We are working on finalizing plans for Summer Academy 2024. Look for more information to be shared soon regarding course offerings and registration!
Save the Date: Summer Academy 2024
- Session 1 (One week, M-F): June 17 - June 21
- Session 2 (Two weeks, M-Th): July 22 - August 1
π£ MTSD is Hiring! π£
Though the school year is well underway, opportunities for employment at MTSD are ongoing! We encourage all community members to regularly check our certified and support staff listings on WECAN. Current highlighted positions include:
- AVID Tutors (Elementary & Middle Schools)
- Building Substitutes (Districtwide)
- Special Education Paraprofessionals (Donges Bay, Lake Shore & Steffen)
- Recess Mentors (Elementary Schools)
BUS DRIVERS NEEDED
We are always in need of bus drivers to secure safe and reliable transportation for our students. Learn more and apply at: https://goriteway.com/careers/
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED
We are always in need of substitute teachers to provide consistent and reliable classroom coverage for teacher absences across all of our school buildings. Learn more and apply at: https://www.teachersoncall.com/
Connect With Us! π»
Throughout the school year, be sure to check out the great things going on at your school building by following your school's page on Facebook, as well as the MTSD Facebook page, MTSD Instagram account, and by finding us on LinkedIn.
Follow us on Facebook:
Follow us on Instagram:
Find us on LinkedIn:
Please note: The accounts linked above are the only official social media presence managed and moderated with support from MTSD Communications.
Important Dates ποΈ
NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
Friday, December 22, 2023 - January 1, 2024
MTSD Board of Education - Special Business Meeting
Monday, January 8 @ 6:00 p.m.
Range Line Community Center
NO SCHOOL - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 15
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thursday, January 18
MTEF Giveback - Panera Bread
Thursday, January 18 @ 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
MTSD Board of Education - Regular Business Meeting
Monday, January 22 @ 6:00 p.m.
Range Line Community Center
MTEF Mardi Gras Bash
Saturday, February 24 @ 5:30 p.m.
Shully's Watermark - Thiensville