SPASD In Focus Newsletter | 2/21/25
Highlighting important issues with clarity and transparency.
Hello, SPASD Community,
We know how important it is to stay informed about what's happening in our schools, and we also know that sometimes information can get twisted or misunderstood. That's why we are committed to open and honest communication with you—our parents, caregivers, staff, and key communicators. This newsletter is designed to provide clear, accurate, and timely updates on important District matters, directly addressing any rumors or misinformation we have heard and proactively sharing information about the work we are doing to support our students. We value your partnership in ensuring that our students thrive, and we believe this starts with keeping you in the loop. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please email me at bgsaron@sunprairieschools.org.
My best,
Dr. Brad Saron, Superintendent
We are pleased to share that Johnson Block CPA has successfully completed the 2023–2024 financial audit of the Sun Prairie Area School District (SPASD). The auditors provided a favorable, or “clean,” review of the District’s finances, meaning no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies were found in our financial statements, federal awards, or state awards.
This result reflects our District’s commitment to responsible financial management and transparency in using resources to support students, staff, and schools. Thank you for your continued trust and support.
Our Nutrition Team is committed to providing high-quality meals while being mindful of reducing food waste and managing costs effectively. To support these efforts, we are making a small adjustment in our middle schools and high schools regarding extra condiments.
Here’s what’s new:
✅ Condiment cups listed on the menus will continue to be included at no extra charge with meal purchases.
✅ Only four high-cost condiments will result in a 50-cent charge should a student want more than what is provided with their meal purchase:
marinara cup
salsa cup
sour cream packet
salad dressing packet
✅ This change applies to middle school and high school students only.
Our goal is to encourage responsible consumption while allowing us to maintain the high standards of our meal program. Thank you for your understanding and support! If you have any questions, our Nutrition Team is happy to help.
We're excited to launch our new video series, Like No One Else: Student Stories. In this series, students from across our District share their unique experiences and opportunities, offering a personal glimpse into their journeys. Watch our Facebook page for a new student each week.
This week we are featuring Caroline, a fourth-grade student at Northside Elementary and a member of the POETICS Club (Poets Of Every Type, Inspiring & Changing Society), which she describes as a fun space to express herself through poetry and go on exciting field trips. She joined last year after a friend encouraged her, and it’s her first club experience.
At the January 10, 2025, Board meeting, a few initial uses for funds from the 2024 operating referendum were shared for the 2025–2026 school year. These include:
Expansion of the STEM partnership with Madison College
Additional shuttling to and from the high schools to ensure that students can maximize learning opportunities
Addition of capstone classes for juniors and seniors
In total, these enhancements will amount to less than $700,000.
We are committed to being responsible stewards of your tax dollars and to ensuring that every investment benefits our students. We will continue to communicate how we are using referendum funds. Check out the website that hosts the District's referenda history.
A letter was recently sent to all staff, families, and high school students, reminding them that we remain resolute in our School Board’s Equity Statement. You can read the entire letter HERE.
We are excited to announce, pending Board approval on February 24th, that Mr. Jim Ertel will serve as the new principal of Sun Prairie East High School. Mr. Ertel holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and History from UW–Stevens Point and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, with a certificate in K12 Principalship, from Viterbo University.
Currently, Mr. Ertel is serving as interim principal at Sun Prairie East and has spent nearly all of his career as an educator and administrator in various roles as a Sun Prairie Cardinal. Over the past fifteen years, Jim has served as a social studies teacher, dean of students, and most recently as our associate director of athletics and activities before taking on the interim principal role this fall. Upon Board approval, his interim designation will be removed, and he will continue in this leadership role on a permanent basis.
Mr. Ertel is excited to continue to make Sun Prairie East High School and the larger Sun Prairie community his home. He is grateful for the opportunities that the community has afforded him and his family over his career, and he is looking forward to improving outcomes for all students. Mr. Ertel is ready to lead Sun Prairie East by building trust, collaborating, and exercising steady leadership and vision. He is also eager to continue the important work of ensuring that every Cardinal has the skills to be successful and achieve their dreams.
The comprehensive process for selecting the principal for Sun Prairie East High School involved multiple rounds of interviews with teams composed of Sun Prairie East students, staff, parents, and caregivers, along with other school and District administrators. We extend our sincere gratitude to the interview teams for volunteering their time to help with this incredibly important decision.
Read more about the input provided by staff, parents, and caregivers before interviews were conducted:
After 27 years of dedicated service as the District’s Business Manager, Phil Frei has announced his well-earned retirement, beginning July 1. Phil’s leadership, expertise, and unwavering commitment have had a lasting impact on our schools, staff, and community. We will deeply miss his guidance, but we are excited for him as he embarks on this next chapter. We wish him all the best in his retirement!
As we look ahead, the District is actively seeking applicants for this important role. The position is open to licensed school business managers, with the posting remaining open through February. Interviews are scheduled for March, and we hope to welcome a new team member by June to ensure a smooth transition.
Thank you, Phil, for your years of dedication. You will always be a valued part of our District’s story!
Last month, we showcased the additional support being provided at C. H. Bird Elementary School to provide a safe and caring environment for all students. Weekly communication is being sent home, updating families on what the week looked like and how they can reinforce expected behaviors at home. This month, the behavior focus has been Rest and Return.
Here are some key highlights:
✅ The school is making great strides in reading and math!
✅ Office assistance calls are decreasing!
✅ The staff continues to work on skills to foster a safe and supportive environment for all students!
Our District’s Black History Month 2025 theme, “Black Dreams Matter,” powerfully connects to the national Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor,” emphasizing the link between Black aspirations and contributions, struggles, and resilience in labor history. Labor has been a path to education, economic stability, and social mobility, playing a key role in liberation and agency, from enslaved workers seeking freedom to today’s fight for workplace equity. Despite systemic barriers like wage gaps and limited opportunities, Black laborers persist, driving innovation and cultural contributions that enrich society. Recognizing “Black Dreams Matter” honors Black labor as a courageous pursuit of hope, justice, and progress.
Some of the highlights from our District’s Black History Month celebrations so far include Sun Prairie West’s Black Student Union (BSU) Showcase this past Wednesday, February 19th; Sun Prairie East’s Soul Food Dinner coming up tonight, Friday, February 21st; and, for the first time ever, all nine of our elementary schools are hosting Read Your Heart Out events this month. There will also be a Dream Big Vision Board Workshop on Wednesday, February 26th. Register for the workshop HERE. Learn more about our District’s Black History Month celebrations by visiting our website.
Want to learn more about how we support student learning?
Listen to our most recent Homeroom podcast, where Dr. Stephanie Leonard, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Equity, is interviewed.
See the full lineup of past podcasts HERE.
Community Voices for Our Future
The School Board’s Community Voices group helps Board members better understand the expectations and perspectives of the diverse community they serve. The Board is looking for collaborative and future-focused community members who will engage in constructive conversations with our School Board members and work toward solutions and partnerships in supporting our students and families.
Apply to be a part of this group. Applications are due March 7, 2025.
Two-Way Communication
Superintendent Saron is hosting a series of parent/caregiver focus groups to increase our two-way communication goals and listen to our families. He is visiting all of our school campuses this spring to see the work in action. A component of those visits will include an opportunity to hear from staff.
Parent Leadership Council
The Parent Leadership Council meets once a month. This group is made up of our schools’ School Community Organization leaders. This group has been working toward a shared funding model for several years. We are happy to report that the official paperwork for SPASCO—Sun Prairie Area School Community Organization—has been filed, and officers have been appointed. This group has started brainstorming their first all-elementary school SPASCO fundraiser for spring 2026. They also started planning how to share funds for staff appreciation this spring.
