MONROE — On Jan. 14, the Monroe School Board:
● Recognized fourth-grade teacher Linda Moser for her dedication to the district since 1978 upon her announcement of intention to retire. District Administrator Rick Waski said “Linda’s contributions to the district have been sizeable.”
● Accepted 16 donations from individuals and businesses within the community for the Monroe Middle School arts, Builders Club, scholarships for a trip to Washington D.C., Backpack Buddies, moving the Monroe High School technical education equipment and elementary and high school music programs.
● Approved the 2019-20 open enrollment spaces numbers throughout the district. Waski said numbers were similar to past years. Districts must have their board determine the number of available seats for the upcoming open enrollment period. Administration recommended there be no limit as in previous years. Pupil Services Director Joe Monroe said special education spaces are limited due to the resources available in comparison to students being served. He said autism numbers continue to increase and that the district has yet to turn anyone away, but did recently have to consider one student before acceptance. Case manager limits for the upcoming school year include: 73 spread unequally among five managers for Abraham Lincoln Elementary School; 79 among six managers at Northside Elementary School; 144 among nine managers at Parkside Elementary School; 102 among eight managers at MMS; and 84 among seven managers at MHS.
● Acknowledged the Lamp of Learning Student Excellence Award recipients from Parkside, Abe Lincoln, MMS and MHS as well as the staff member recipient.
● Heard information on a Spanish learning program for elementary students currently being used by Greendale Schools in southeastern Wisconsin that impressed teachers from Monroe when they visited the school in September. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Terri Montgomery said when students are exposed to a second language early, their first language proficiency “increases exponentially” and it has the potential to push them toward a third language.
The program will be funded through the next four years by a Colony Brands donation of roughly $590,000. Business Administrator Ron Olson said, “to be frank,” that the corporation may also be looking to benefit by attracting young professionals to the area through bolstering curriculum for potential students.
The district would similarly benefit. The informational item will be voted on by board members during their Jan. 28 meeting.