The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District was named one of two recipients of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s 2026 Stewardship and Sustainability Award, according to an April 20 announcement. The award recognizes school districts for their leadership in promoting green and healthy learning environments.
This recognition highlights the district’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, student leadership, and community partnerships. The award comes as schools across Wisconsin seek to implement more sustainable practices while involving students in meaningful ways.
“We’re deeply honored to earn this state-level recognition for our sustainability efforts,” Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue said. “It reflects our commitment to the environment alongside our focus on student leadership and student-driven initiatives as well as our partnership with our Board of Education and broader community to drive positive change.”
In recent years, Middleton High School’s Green Team advocated for a Board of Education pledge that all district operations would be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2035. Steps toward this goal include installing solar panels at six schools, adding an electric bus, and making infrastructure upgrades aimed at achieving net carbon neutrality. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing accepted the award on behalf of the district during a ceremony held April 11 at Escuela Verde in Milwaukee.
The district also prioritizes equitable access to nutritious meals through local farm-to-school partnerships and food recovery programs that donate unused packaged meals to a local pantry. Rossing said during the ceremony that solar panels now provide up to 95% of Elm Lawn Elementary School’s electricity needs; other schools with similar installations include Pope Farm Elementary, Sauk Trail Elementary, Park Elementary, Glacier Creek Middle School, and Middleton High School.
According to the official website, Dr. Dana Monogue serves as superintendent while MCPASD promotes community engagement through extracurricular activities and supports education from early childhood through high school with programs emphasizing literacy, math, social-emotional learning, and preparation for global challenges. The district achieved the highest ACT composite scores among public non-charter schools in Dane County and statewide according to its official website. MCPASD serves both Middleton and Cross Plains area communities in Wisconsin according to its official website.
During a separate event on April 20 at Elm Lawn Elementary School—one of the sites with new solar panels—State Representatives Mike Bare and Alex Joers honored MCPASD’s achievements. Green Team students continue encouraging further progress on sustainability initiatives throughout the district.
