
MTSD Momentum Newsletter
March 20, 2024

2024-2025 School Year Budget Update
As we have shared previously, the MTSD administrative team is engaging in the process of zero-based budgeting (ZBB) to build the 2024-2025 school year budget. During March, building and department-level administrators presented preliminary budgets to the District director team, providing the opportunity to break down expenditures line-by-line and fostering healthy discussion about how each dollar is spent across our organization. Next steps in the ZBB process will include further analysis of line items by school and department, consideration of different service levels related to budget scenarios, and the compilation of an overall preliminary master budget that will be presented to the Board of Education later this spring. For the time being, the following outcomes have been recognized as part of the ZBB process:
The Zero-Based Budgeting process allowed us to more thoroughly engage in the budgeting process, truly taking the time to investigate how we spend each of our allocated dollars, line by line, rather than making assumptions based on prior yearsβ spending.
The Zero-Based Budgeting process allowed us to think more creatively about how we budget, considering levels of continued, minimal, and reduced operations.
We were able to discover that MTSD is under-charging rental fees for nearly every rental space in the district in comparison with other local school districts, and we will begin to consider plans to increase rental fees beginning in the new fiscal year, July 2024.
The District team is currently reviewing a community survey draft that will be shared with all Mequon-Thiensville community members and stakeholders in April to gauge their perceptions and knowledge of school finance and the budget crisis. We will continue to communicate budget updates and other developments as the process continues.
Flex Day Reminder
Now that we are looking ahead to the month of April, we want to remind all staff members and families about the Flex Day scheduled for Friday, April 26.
At this time, the Flex Day will be an instructional day for Homestead High School students ONLY. Our elementary and middle schools have enough instructional time built into their calendars to use the Flex Day as a No School Day for students and an Inservice Day for staff. While we hope that winter weather is finished for this year, we do know Wisconsin weather can be unpredictable. If any inclement weather days occur before April 26, we will re-calculate the instructional time at the elementary and middle school levels and provide an update as needed.
It's Time to Nominate an Outstanding Educator!
MTEF Excellence in Education Awards
The Mequon-Thiensville Education Foundation (MTEF) is encouraging parents, students, and colleagues to submit nominations for our Excellence in Education Awards now through April 19. All nominees receive a congratulatory note and your nomination form. Each of our SEVEN winners receives $1,000. It couldnβt be easier to recognize a deserving educator! Check out the details and access a simple nomination form at www.mtef.org
Complete 4K and New-to-MTSD 5K Pre-Registration Before May 1
Each year, MTSD holds a designated pre-registration window for four-year-old kindergarten and five-year-old-kindergarten (5K eligible students who did not did not attend 4K this year in MTSD). The purpose of pre-registration is to get an idea of 4K and 5K enrollment projections in order to develop class rosters and determine staffing needs. 4K families can also indicate their morning or afternoon class preference, and gain other useful information about the program. Online pre-registration for 4-year-old kindergarten and new-to-MTSD 5-year-old kindergarten students is NOW OPEN! Please feel free to share this information with any families in your networks with 4K or 5K students new to MTSD.
Resources for Supporting our Students
Board Briefs
The Mequon-Thiensville Board of Education held one working meeting, two closed sessions, one special business meeting, two policy committee meetings, one legislative committee meeting, and one regular business meeting this month.
March 4 Working Meeting
The Board engaged in discussion around finalizing updated objectives in the districtβs strategic planning process. The current 2021-2024 MTSD Strategic Plan is being updated to include an additional year, 2025, giving district leaders and the Board a longer runway to prepare for the next strategic planning process during the 2024-2025 school year.
The Board reviewed a first draft of Policy #5516 - Harassment and Other Prohibited Behavior.
The Board heard a presentation from Brian Nicol, of the Donovan Group, regarding possible timelines for a community survey to be shared as a means of gaining feedback from district stakeholders regarding the budget crisis.
March 7 Closed Session
The Board of Education convened into Closed Session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) for discussion of the Superintendentβs Evaluation.
March 12 Special Business Meeting
The Board met to approve the Homestead High School DECA Student Trip to Anaheim, CA for the International Career and Development Conference on April 27-30, 2024.
March 13 Closed Session
The Board of Education convened into Closed Session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) for discussion of the Superintendentβs Evaluation.
March 13 Policy Committee Meeting
Policies discussed included: #5516 - Harassment and Other Prohibited Behavior, #5600 - Student Discipline, #6920 - Fundraising on Behalf of the District, and #6910 - Gifts, Planned Giving, & Bequests.
March 13 Legislative Committee Meeting
The Legislative Committee discussed next steps in legislative advocacy.
March 18 Policy Committee Meeting
Policies discussed included: #6920 - Fundraising on Behalf of the District, #6910 - Gifts, Planned Giving, & Bequests, #5516 - Harassment and Other Prohibited Behavior, and #5600 - Student Discipline.
March 18 Regular Business Meeting
- The Board heard reports from Board Treasurer Paul Buzzell, a SOAR report from Steffen PTO Co-Presidents, Becky Wudy and Kim Theune, the Superintendentβs report from Dr. Joynt, and a Legislative Committee report from Shelley Burns.
The Board took action to approve a contract with Aramark Education Services for management of the Districtβs food service program.
The Board took action to approve the final revised 2021-2024 Strategic Plan Objectives.
The Board tabled a second reading of policy #5516 - Harassment and Other Prohibited Behaviors and approved policy #5600 - Student Discipline.
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
Share Your Feedback! The Annual Recreation Dept. Survey is Now Open!
Save the Date: 2nd Annual VIP Dance!
Registration is filling up and will close on April 23, 2024! The 2nd Annual VIP Spring Dance will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024. Boys and girls, itβs time to take your VIP (Mom, Dad or that special adult) out for a night of dinner, dancing and memories that you will cherish forever. Once again, Shully's will be hosting this wonderful event at the Watermark venue. The evening includes dinner, refreshments, photos and dancing with Kart Tunes DJ. Click here to register now, as spots are filling up quickly.
Register for Summer Academy Before April 15!
π£ MTSD is Hiring! π£
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) - Steffen Middle School
- Administrative Assistant - Donges Bay Elementary School
- Special Education Teacher (beginning in 2024-25 school year) - Homestead High School
- Long-Term Music Teacher (beginning 2024-25 school year) - Donges Bay Elementary School
- Special Education Paraprofessional - Steffen Middle School
- Assistant Gymnastics Coach - Homestead High School
*NEW* Increased Substitute Compensation Rates
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 - Spring Break βοΈ
Monday, March 25 - Monday, April 1
Spring Election
Tuesday, April 2
See what's on your ballot and find out where to vote
MTEF Giveback - Leonardo's Pizza
Wednesday, April 10 @ 3:00 p.m. - Close
Put a no-cooking day in the meal plan and 15% of your order will go to MTEF. Dine in or carry
out pizza, calzones, subs, pasta, or salad while supporting our students and all six schools.
Board of Education - Office Hours
Thursday, April 11 @ 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Egelhoff Community Room
Board of Education - Regular Business & Reorganizational Meeting
Monday, April 22 @ 6:00 p.m.
Range Line Community Center Conference Room
NO SCHOOL - Flex Day (Grades 4K-8 ONLY)
Friday, April 26
HHS has a regular school day