Monday, April 29, 2013
With changes in benchmarks for Wisconsin statewide reading and math tests, Waukesha students performed just above the statewide average.
Use Patch's interactive database to see the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations scores in Waukesha and other area districts for the last three years. Students in the Waukesha School District saw lower scores in statewide math and reading tests this year, but those changes are almost entirely due to tough new standards that kicked in this year. In Waukesha, 37.8 percent of the students who took the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations (WKCE) in November 2012 scored at proficient or advanced in reading. That's compared to 82.5 percent who hit that mark in 2011. The 2012-13 results were released last week. In math, 49 percent of the Waukesha students were proficient or better this year, compared to 78.6 percent last year. …
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
David LaBorde has served as the interim principal since David Tower's abrupt departure in January.
David LaBorde, the interim Waukesha West High School principal, will remain at Waukesha West High School next school year. LaBorde was unanimously hired by the Waukesha School Board to be the full-time, permanent principal at Waukesha West. “He is focused on student success,” said Board Member Steve Edlund while reading through LaBorde’s list of qualifications. LaBorde started serving as interim principal at the school in January. He previously served as principal at New Berlin West High School. LaBorde retired in 2009, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Student representatives from Waukesha West had high praises for LaBorde’s work the past few months while talking to the Waukesha School Board on Wednesday. He is well liked among…
Friday, April 5, 2013
A 17-year-old high school student told lawmakers that he would like see his peers at failing schools receive the same level of education he is receiving.
A Waukesha North High School student told lawmakers that it's not fair for students to be forced to stay in a school that's failing and should expand the state's school voucher program statewide. Adam Kouhel spoke out in support of the voucher program at the Joint Finance Committee hearing on the state budget held Thursday at Greendale High School. The hearing was the first of four being held around the state to give residents the chance to have their say on Gov. Scott Walker’s 2013-15 budget. After the hearings, the committee will vote on any changes before sending their version on to the Assembly and Senate. Instead of enjoying a nice day out during his spring break, the 17-year-old student opted to sit for seven hours to wait his turn …
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Gov. Scott Walker is proposing to expand the voucher program to families in suburban areas who have underperforming schools in their district.
Gov. Scott Walker announced a plan that would expand school vouchers to families in suburbs like Waukesha who have underperforming schools. Vouchers are currently available to low income families in Racine and Milwaukee. Walker is proposing to expand the program to eight other school districts in the state. “Every child, regardless of their zip code, deserves access to a great education,” said Walker in a release. “While it is our goal to help struggling schools succeed, we need to make sure students and parents can choose the best option and make sure each child receives a truly great education.” The choice program will be open to school districts with at least two underperforming schools who receive school report card grades of "fails …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
The School District of Waukesha is unhappy that a decision by the Town of Waukesha would exclude its property from receiving municipal water from the City of Waukesha.
Disagreements about the City of Waukesha’s future water service area with the Town of Waukesha is becoming a problem for the School District of Waukesha. The future water service, which was designated by the Southeastern Regional Planning Commission, included portions of the Town of Waukesha. While the water service area would allow certain town properties to obtain Lake Michigan water if the city is successful in its diversion request through the Great Lakes Compact, the town has opted to exclude all properties south of the Highway 59 area. But the School District of Waukesha has a $1.4 million property that is located outside of the revised future water service area – and the district wants to use municipal water and sewer at the …
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Students would be allowed to receive credit for playing high school sports but would be required to take one online course, if school board approves changes.
Students who compete on a school-sponsored sports team might be able to receive credit for their physical education requirements to graduate high school. The Waukesha School Board will consider revising its graduation policy at its meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the school district’s offices, 222 Maple Ave. Students in the Waukesha School District are required to have 25 credits to graduate. As a part of that requirement, students need to take one semester of physical education during freshman and sophomore years and another semester at some point during the junior or senior year. Students who play sports would be able to satisfy that requirement by completing a full season of a school-sponsored sport, if the policy is approved by the …
Sunday, November 18, 2012
The Waukesha School Board approved a four-year contract for school resource officers, agreeing to pay more for what they call a valuable program.
Wednesday night, the Waukesha School Board unanimously approved a four-year contract for school resource officers, agreeing to pay more for what they call a valuable program. The increase in cost is worth the money, according to the district. “What started out as an efficient way to respond to calls at the high school has become an important part of our schools,” School Board Member Joseph Como said. "They've embraced the programs we have in the schools," Como added. "They've become friends with the students and administration and they're trusted by the students. They’re really incorporated into the schools." All three principals affirmed their support of the program, Como said. The program costs about $300,000 to run, according to a memo …
Thursday, November 15, 2012
For the cost of $77,150, the consultant will help the district develop a program for teacher compensation and benefits.
Approval of a $77,150 contract to hire a national organization to help the Waukesha School District design a compensation and benefits package for teachers has been delayed until next month, although the district remains committed to project. For $77,150, the work is focusing on two areas, according to the district: Battelle for Kids, a not-for-profit-organization, would help the district develop a comprehensive compensation and benefits for teachers after meeting with district stakeholders, according to Christine Hedstrom, assistant superintendent for human resources. The school board’s human resources committee tabled approval of the contract until next month because not all committee members received information about it. Hedstrom said …
Monday, September 24, 2012
Union wants to review school district's financial figures before submitting its wage increase proposal.
The Waukesha School District is prepared to offer its teachers a 0.5 percent wage increase for the 2011-12 school year, but the union is not yet prepared to give a wage proposal as it moves forward with negotiations. The wage increases, if accepted by the union, would be paid to the teachers retroactively. After the 2011-12 contract is settled, school officials can begin work on the 2012-13 teaching contracts. The settling of the past school year’s contracts were delayed because of changes in the state’s Act 10 collective bargaining law that limits public unions from negotiations except for wages. The school district’s last contract expired in June 2011. Teachers had wages frozen for the 2009-10 school year and received a 1 percent wage …
Monday, September 17, 2012
The School District of Waukesha canceled a meeting about contract negotiations to obtain more information about what a Dane County judge's ruling means for the district.
Editor's Note: This article was updated at 5 p.m. Monday to include comments from Mayor Jeff Scrima about the impacts to the city. A Dane County judge’s decision to strike down the state’s collective bargaining law has left area officials wondering what to do next. The School District of Waukesha was set to hold its initial session to bargain with the teachers union over 2011-12 teaching contracts Monday. But that meeting is on hold because Judge Juan Colas ruled Friday evening that the controversial law is null and void, saying the law violates both the state and U.S. Constitutions. As a result, the school district decided to cancel the meeting while trying to get more information. Superintendent Todd Gray said Monday the timing of the …
WaukeshaMom
6:40 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Sounds like you need to go back to school to be a teacher if their life is so lavish Mr. Lundt... When dropping off my kids I love looking at all the teachers parking their BWM's, and strutting into dripping in diamonds.... more ›