
MTSD Momentum Newsletter
April 24, 2024

Dr. Mary Gavigan Sworn in to MTSD Board of Education
New Board member, Dr. Mary Gavigan, reads her Oath of Office
Dr. Mary Gavigan was elected to the MTSD Board of Education during the recent election on April 2. Mary has been a Mequon resident since 2010 and is a retired educational professional with previous experience as the executive director of CESA #1, superintendent in the Whitefish Bay and Stoughton school districts, and a former principal and teacher. Incumbents Shelley Burns and Andrew Hopkins were re-elected to the Board for their fourth and second terms, respectively. In March, the Board wished a fond farewell to member Paula Taebel, whose second term expires this month. As a school community, we thank Paula for her years of leadership, service, and dedication to the Mequon-Thiensville School District!
Steffen Middle School Announces New Principal
The Mequon-Thiensville School District is pleased to announce that Mr. Sam Nadolsky has been selected as the next principal of Steffen Middle School. The MTSD Board of Education approved the appointment at their regular business meeting on Monday, April 22. Mr. Nadolsky will begin in the role this summer, following the retirement of Dr. Deborah Anderson, who has served as the Steffen principal for 22 years.
Mr. Nadolsky comes to MTSD from the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, where he currently serves as an associate principal at West Milwaukee Intermediate School. Sam has additional experience in the Shorewood School District as an interim principal and seventh-grade math teacher at Shorewood Intermediate School and an Advanced Learning Coordinator (Gifted and Talented) for the district. He holds a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from UW-Eau Claire and a master’s degree in educational policy and leadership from Marquette University.
2024-2025 School Year Budget Update
Zero-Based Budgeting Update
During the April 22, 2024 regular business meeting of the MTSD Board of Education, the Board received an update on the Zero-Based Budgeting process from Sarah Viera, Executive Director of Business Services & Operations. Zero-based budgeting requires buildings and departments to start from zero and build a budget based on what is needed to operate their building or department, ensuring every line item has a job. The preliminary budget presented to the Board was considered to be “all in” and represents a continuation of the high-quality educational experience and service that is the hallmark of MTSD. At this point in the process, no decisions have been made around lessening the deficit.
Initial draft budget assumptions include:
starting from an operating deficit of $1.4 million
revenue remains mostly flat
no significant change in staffing levels
slight decrease in enrollment, but an increase in our 3-year rolling average for revenue limit calculation purposes
The resulting projected budget deficit for the 2024-25 school year is $6.4 million, which is up from the $4 million projected last fall. This increase is attributed to the prioritization of salary adjustments resulting from the teacher strategic compensation project review, a substantial increase in the cost of insurance and benefits, essential non-tech repairs and maintenance, the new elementary ELA curriculum implementation mandated by Act 20, and non-capital technology upgrades.
Next steps in the budget development process include continued review of the preliminary draft budget with district administrators, as well as the dissemination of a community survey to gain feedback on a possible operating referendum for the November 2024 election. A link to the survey will be shared when the survey opens on Monday, April 29.
Safety & Security Reminders
Severe Weather Week
The week of April 8-12, 2024 marked Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. We are grateful for the cooperation of our students in practicing these drills, and to the teachers and staff members who helped facilitate these annual drills. We’d like to take this opportunity to remind our school community about the ways MTSD manages prevention and preparation for school safety and security concerns. Please take a moment to read this overview of Safety & Security in MTSD. Thank you for all that you do to keep our school community safe, secure, and resilient.
Beware Phishing Attempts & Report Suspicious Messages
Phishing attempts continue to make their way across the district. Emails such as the one below have been sent to MTSD staff members, families, and students over the past few months. If you receive a suspicious email in your account, please report the message as phishing or spam. Do NOT click on any links within the message.
Grad Greetings Now Available!
The Homestead High School PTSO is thrilled to be able to continue to offer Grad Greetings for our Senior Class. Grad Greetings are a fun Homestead tradition! Family, friends, teachers, employers, neighbors, and even pets can purchase messages of congratulations and best wishes for Homestead graduates at $3 each.
All Grad Greetings are due May 1st.
The messages are then assembled into a personalized printed booklet unique to each graduate, serving as a keepsake that will be treasured for years to come. The more messages, the bigger the book! The books will be distributed the day seniors pick up their graduation tickets, cords, and yard signs (approximately 1 week before graduation).
To order a Grad Greeting go to: https://forms.gle/ kP7dhUmpVky3tyL57
And once you are done submitting the form with the Grad Greetings, the place to pay for them is here: https://homesteadhsptso.membershiptoolkit.com/store/ product/GRADGREET
Thank you so much for your support of our Senior Class. If you have any questions, please email Homestead High School PTSO at: homesteadhighschoolptso@gmail.com
Share Your Feedback on School Meals at MTSD
Aramark, our food service provider, invites all MTSD elementary families and middle/high school students to take the Student ViewPOINT survey to help inform and improve the school meal program across all MTSD schools. Your feedback will help enhance our food service program and better meet student needs and expectations.
When:
This survey is open for five weeks from April 10 - May 13, 2024
How:
This is an electronic survey that can be taken at any time and requires less than 10 minutes to complete.
Visit www.studentvp.com and (if prompted) enter passcode: 2024
Hungry for more? Read The Feed!
The Aramark team at the Mequon-Thiensville School District is rolling out a brand new newsletter designed to help students and families find out about upcoming events, showcase what's new in our school kitchens, read about culinary creations, and more!
Congratulations to our 2023-24 MTSD Retirees & Years of Service Honorees!
Board Briefs
The Mequon-Thiensville Board of Education held one working meeting, one closed session, one legislative meeting, one policy committee meeting, and one regular business meeting this month.
April 4 Working Meeting & Closed Session
The Board heard a MTSD Strategic Compensation Update from Amanda Sievers and Sarah Viera.
The Board of Education convened into Closed Session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of Deliberating or Negotiating the Purchasing of Public Properties, the Investing of Public Funds, or Conducting other Specified Public Business, whenever Competitive or Bargaining reasons require a closed session (teacher negotiations).
April 9 Legislative Committee Meeting
The Legislative Committee discussed next steps in legislative advocacy.
April 10 Policy Committee Meeting
Policies discussed included: #5516 - Harassment and Other Prohibited Behavior, #6910 - Gifts, Planned Giving, and Bequests, #6920 - Fundraising on Behalf of the District, #9210 - Parent and District Support Organizations, and #0155 - Organization - School Board Committees.
April 22 Regular Business & Reorganizational Meeting
The Board signed Board Policy 0123 - Members of the Mequon-Thiensville School District Board of Education shall be asked to sign a copy of this Code at the Board Organizational Meeting, indicating that they agree to adhere to its provisions.
The Board approved employee transactions, including the hire of Mr. Sam Nadolsky, who will begin as the next principal of Steffen Middle School on July 1, 2024.
The Board approved the 2024-2025 Services Contract with CESA #1 and the Waunakee School District (Dane County New Teacher Project) for the 2024-2025 School Year.
The Board heard a Treasurer’s Report from Board Treasurer Paul Buzzell, SOAR Report from the Homestead High School PTSO, the Superintendent’s Report from Dr. Joynt, and an update from the Legislative Committee.
The Board voted to approve Board Member Andy Hopkins as a representative to serve as the Board of Education Representative for the Annual CESA #1 Convention.
The Board took action to approve Board Member Mary Gavigan to fill the vacant Policy Committee seat.
The Board heard a second reading policy #5516 - Draft Harassment and Other Prohibited Behavior.
The Board heard first readings of policies #6910 - Draft Gifts, Planned Giving and Bequests and #6920 - Draft Fundraising on Behalf of the District.
The Board heard an update on the 2024-25 school year budget development process from Sarah Viera, Executive Director of Business Services & Operations.
Board officers were nominated and elected in the following order:
President - Jason Levash
Vice-President - Shelley Burns
Treasurer - Mary Gavigan
Clerk - Andrew Hopkins
All Mequon-Thiensville community members, MTSD families, and staff members are encouraged to attend meetings of the MTSD Board of Education. As a reminder, all Board of Education meeting agendas and video recordings of past meetings can be found on the MTSD Board of Education website. For detailed agendas and PDFs of Board presentations, please visit BoardDocs.
M-T Recreation Department News
Summer Academy Registration Deadline Extended!
We've had an amazing turnout of students taking courses for the upcoming summer, but there is still room for more! Registration for both sessions of Summer Academy has been extended until Friday, May 31! Classes that are still open will be available, but those that are full have been taken offline.
For more information about Summer Academy and to view the course guide, please click here.
Questions about Summer Academy? Email Beula Sundararajan at bsundararajan@mtsd.k12.wi.us.
Register for Summer Programs
This guide highlights all SUMMER activities, classes, and sport camps for preschool, youth, adults and families. You will also find information on Summer Camp, Summer Academy, Kids' Campus, and 4K Wrap Care. Don't miss out on all the great classes we offer. REGISTER NOW!! Classes fill up very quickly!!
Click here for SUMMER Activity Guide
Click here for Online Registration Page
Homestead Theatre Presents: Pride & Prejudice
Come see a literary favorite, Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice!
Finding a husband is hardly Elizabeth Bennet's most urgent priority. But with four sisters, an overzealous match-making mother, and a string of unsuitable suitors, it's difficult to escape the subject. When the independent-minded Elizabeth meets the handsome but enigmatic Mr. Darcy, all feelings of attraction are muted by his pride and her prejudice. As their worlds keep colliding, their attraction increases. But they first must overcome their own weaknesses and many other obstacles before the most famous courtship in history can begin.
Adults $10
Students $8
Reserve your Ticket at GoFan.com
Homestead High School
James Barr Performing Arts Center
5000 W. Mequon Rd.
Mequon WI 53092
Join Us For Gallery Night @ HHS
Please join us for Homestead Gallery Night on Friday, May 3 at 6:00 p.m. showcasing the best artwork from our talented Homestead artists!
Opening Night begins at 6 p.m. and the Awards Ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. Our juror this year is Kathryn Martin Meurer, a Homestead parent and an artist, lecturer and outreach coordinator for UWM Peck School of the Arts.
Thank you to Blick Art Materials for sponsoring most of our awards. Thank you also to the Homestead PTSO for a grant to cover the cost of mats/mounts for displaying the artwork.
Please note that Gallery Night will take place in a new location this year: Inquiry Wing Zone 1. Enter through door 45.
Save the Date: MTSD Night @ Lakeshore Chinooks
The Lakeshore Chinooks baseball team is hosting a school appreciation night for MTSD during their game on Thursday, June 27. Tickets for students are free, but must be redeemed along with a paid parent/guardian ticket purchase before June 13, 2024. Ticket vouchers, order forms, and information sheets are available in the elementary and middle school front offices.
📣 MTSD is Hiring! 📣
We encourage all community members to regularly check our certified and support staff listings on WECAN. Current highlighted positions include:
- Principal (beginning in 2024-25 school year) - Lake Shore Middle School
- Special Education Paraprofessional - Donges Bay Elementary School
- Long-Term Music Teacher (beginning 2024-25 school year) - Donges Bay Elementary School
- Special Education Teacher (beginning in 2024-25 school year) - Homestead High School
- Assistant Gymnastics Coach - Homestead High School
Connect With Us! 💻
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 🗓️
Flex Day (NO SCHOOL - Grades 4K-8 ONLY)
HHS has a regular school day
Friday, April 26
HHS Theatre Presents: Pride & Prejudice
April 26 & 27 @ 7:00 p.m. and April 28 @ 1:00 p.m.
HHS James Barr Performing Arts Center
Last Day to Order Grad Greetings
Wednesday, May 1
Board of Education - Special Business Meeting
Monday, May 6 @ 6:00 p.m.
Range Line Community Center Conference Room
4K Open House (for Pre-Registered Students)
Tuesday, May 7 @ 5:00 p.m.
Donges Bay, Oriole Lane, Wilson & Range Line
Board of Education - Regular Business Meeting
Monday, May 20 @ 6:00 p.m.
Range Line Community Center Conference Room
Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
Monday, May 27