Schools

MCPASD to Host Two Vaccination Clinics for Students, Community

MIDDLETON–As we approach the holiday season, the school district wants to ensure our community is healthy and safe! That's why the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) is partnering with SSM Health to provide two vaccination clinics to our community before winter break.

The clinics are for all children and adults, regardless of whether their families are affiliated with MCPASD. The dates and locations of the two clinics are as follows:

Dec. 14 at Park Elementary School, 1209 Park Street, Cross Plains from 3:30-7 p.m.

Dec. 20 at Pope Farm Elementary School, 816 Schewe Rd, Middleton from 3:30-7 p.m.

Depending on age, there are two different signup forms.

Every person receiving a vaccination is encouraged to sign up and complete the forms before the day of the clinic.

MADISON–A former Middleton High School (MHS) student filed suit against the school district and principal Peg Shoemaker alleging his privacy was violated and he was defamed when a widely distributed text message mistakenly stated he had brought a gun to school. 

The suit filed Nov. 23 in Dane County Circuit Court alleged that:

On Jan. 24, the then 15-year-old student was wrongly believed to have a gun on campus.

Shoemaker’s text stated:

“Middleton High Sch: Staff, We received word that a student was on campus with a gun in his backpack. The student’s name is: (redacted from the complaint). We believe he has exited the building but have not confirmed. Please continue to keep students calm.”

The student is a juvenile and is not being identified by the Times-Tribune. He denied in the suit that he brought a gun to school that day or any other.

MIDDLETON–Resignations and “retirements” have created five openings on next April’s ballot for Middleton Cross Plains Area School District Board of Education.

Long-term members Annette Ashley, 12 years, and Paul Kinne, nine years, both representing Area IV, said Monday that they will not seek reelection.

Newly appointed members Tabitha Hansen and Catherine Kells told Board President Bob Hesselbein that they would seek election next spring. Hansen is an Area III representative, and Kells is an Area II representative. Bob Green, Area II, also said he would seek reelection.

There were many thank you(s) voiced at Monday’s board meeting after the prior week’s successful referendum.

“It wasn’t close,” Hesselbein said of the outcome, in which nearly 63 percent of more than 23,000 votes cast approved the $24.9 million operational referendum.

MIDDLETON–Middleton High School (MHS) Theatre will present multiple performances for the 2022-23 school year. This season's theme is Fantasies and Fairytales.

The play “She Kills Monsters” will be presented on November 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. in Middleton High School’s Black Box Theatre.

Written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Katrina Williams Brunner, “She Kills Monsters” tells the story of high schooler Agnes Evans as she deals with the death of her younger sister, Tilly. When Agnes stumbles upon Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and ’90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.

MIDDLETON–The Board of Education for the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District last week adopted a 2022-23 budget that shaves 1.19 percent off the property tax mill rate while spending $1.411 million more than it takes in.

The rate at which the school district will tax property fell from $9.95 per $1,000 of assessed evaluation in 2021-22, to $8.89 in 2022-23, a 10.69 percent cut, according to the school district.

The mill rate decreased due partly to increase in the value of taxable property across the eight municipalities, which are entirely or partially in the district. District-wide the assessed value of property rose 14.67 percent to $9.174 billion, higher than the state average of 13.8 percent, and a record increase for the past several years. 

WHITEWATER–On the weekend of Oct. 15-16, the Middleton High School Marching Band finished their 2022 season at the WSMA (Wisconsin School Music Association) State Championships achieving second place and state champion runner up as well as first place color guard. With over 30 bands competing at the event, which was held at UW-Whitewater, the marching band is proud to tie its personal best from last year and represent the Middleton area.

"The marching season was a lot of hard work, but it was also very rewarding, not only because of how we did at state, but also because of all the priceless memories we made." said Naomi Janquart, a junior clarinet player.

When asked about the achievement of the color guard, Anika Cermak, a senior color guard captain stated "When we're performing, we have no idea where we will place. All we can do is trust the work we put into the show." 

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Cardinals are set to take on Madison East at the Middleton Homecoming game on Oct. 14, but events are scheduled throughout the week.

Theme Days for students are as follows:

Monday–“Home” Run: Jersey Day

Tuesday–Make yourself at “home”: PJs/comfy clothes

Wednesday–“Homies” day: Match your class color

Seniors: Black

Juniors: White

Sophomores: Pink

Freshman: Blue

Thursday–“Home” for the Holidays: wear your favorite holiday attire

Friday–We are “Home”: Cardinal Colors

Spirit Night is Oct. 12 on the Middleton High School (MHS) campus.

Events are as follows:

4 p.m.–Ninth Grade Cookout at Fireman's Park put on by the MHS Link Crew Leaders

6 p.m.–Homecoming Parade

7 p.m.–Spirit Night Powderpuff Football Game including

• Fireworks show to kick off the game.

• MHS Cheer Team Performance

• MHS Dance Team Performance

MIDDLETON – Electors in the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District Monday adopted a 2023 tax levy that would conditionally increase by 4.04 percent and bump taxes on a $400,000 house by $159.

The adopted tax levy is subject to adjustment by the Board of Education in October after the state verifies total student enrollment, certifies the amount of financial aid to the district and the equalized property valuations, Board Member Sheila Hibner, said in opening remarks.

By statute, school districts are required to hold an annual budget hearing and allow voters to approve tax levies to fund capital and operational expenditures. Although a 1993 state law that limits the amount of revenue a school district can raise from taxes and state aid exerts a large influence in those decisions, Jerrud Rossing, assistant superintendent of operations said after the meeting.

MIDDLETON–On Aug. 8, the Middleton Cross Plains Are School District Board of Education (BOE) approved an operational referendum question on the Nov.8 ballot.

Included were the results from the 2022 Community Engagement Survey. Overall, the community was supportive of all three operational referendum options that were presented in the survey.

The BOE unanimously voted to put a $24.9 million, non-recurring, operational referendum question on the ballot.

Throughout September and October, district leaders and the BOE will be holding several community engagement sessions to continue to educate our community on how this operational referendum will help with increased costs in day-to-day operations and continue to recruit and retain talented staff in the district. 

MIDDLETON–The Board of Education Monday approved putting on the November ballot a $24.9 million referendum aimed at replacing revenue lost to declining enrollment and heading off a projected $7 million deficit in 2023-24 school year.

If approved by voters, the referendum would raise $24.9 million for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) during the next four years by increasing property taxes by an accumulated $135 per $100,000 assessed evaluation.

The tax impact would be stepped up from $7 per $100,000 assessed property value in the first year, to $53, $39, and $36 per $100,000 in the succeeding years before expiring, according to the district. The referendum’s impact would be reflected in tax bills sent out in December.