Madison Reporter

The Board of Education meeting on September 9, 2024, commenced with President Sheila Hibner reading the agreement to comply with the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) using the current internet content filter. The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District employs the Linewize Internet Content Filter to block developmentally inappropriate content for students.

In her Superintendent's report, Dr. Dana Monogue expressed gratitude for staff efforts in making the first week of school positive and welcoming. She also reminded families about transportation challenges at the start of each school year, including adjustments to routes and minor delays due to ongoing road construction. An email reminder was sent to families on September 6, 2024.

An update on cellphone policies for secondary schools was provided by administrators from middle and high schools. At Middleton High School, cellphones are not allowed during class periods and must be stored in backpacks or collected by teachers. Glacier Creek Middle School requires all personal devices to be off and away from 8:00 am to 3:36 pm, with no device use in classrooms or other restricted areas. Kromrey Middle School mandates that phones be off and stored in lockers during school hours.

Key similarities across these policies include prioritizing a distraction-free learning environment and escalating consequences for policy violations. Differences include more flexibility at the high school level compared to stricter middle school policies.

Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing presented an enrollment update, noting an increase of 160 students from last year's count of 7,042 to a current total of 7,202 students. This growth is attributed to open enrollment rather than residential growth.

The Board also approved boundaries for parochial and private schools as part of standard practice in Wisconsin to ensure proper districting and resource allocation.

Community members can access board meetings online via MCPASD TV on YouTube.