Madison Reporter

The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Board of Education held its latest meeting on September 29, 2025, covering several topics related to school operations and student support.

Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue began by thanking staff, students, and community members for their roles in Homecoming Week and the Middleton High School Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. She said these events brought together families, alumni, and the wider community to celebrate school spirit and honor those who have contributed to the athletic tradition at Middleton High School.

Board Member Bob Green provided an update on advocacy efforts from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB), where he serves as Vice President and Director of Region 12. He reported that WASB representatives recently met with state congressional leaders in Washington, D.C., focusing on increasing investment in K-12 public education. "Their discussions highlighted priorities such as expanding mental health supports for students, protecting public school funding from being diverted to non-public options, increasing Title I and Title IV funding to address achievement gaps and student health needs, strengthening teacher and principal recruitment and retention, expanding broadband access and cybersecurity support for schools, enhancing child nutrition programs, and boosting IDEA funding to better serve students with disabilities." Green explained these actions are part of a broader push by WASB and national partners to advocate for strong public schools.

Director of Technology Brian Miles presented the district’s annual update regarding compliance with the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA), a requirement under the federal E-Rate program. He explained that the district uses Securly Internet Content Filter on all managed devices to block inappropriate content based on age or role. The filter also includes a parent application allowing families oversight outside school hours. Digital citizenship instruction is integrated into curricula across grade levels.

An update was also given about artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives within MCPASD by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jan Chynoweth; Brian Miles; Dr. MaryBeth Paulisse, Director of Elementary Curriculum; and Ken Metz, Director of Secondary Curriculum. Since August 2024, guidelines for safe AI use have been developed with input from a dedicated AI Team. After an AI readiness assessment in February 2025, professional learning has expanded alongside updates to the district’s AI Framework. Enterprise-level tools such as Brisk, Gemini, and Notebook LM are now available to staff—and high school students under safeguards—with digital literacy instruction adjusted accordingly by grade level.

Assistant Superintendent Jerrud Rossing shared an enrollment update showing growth at the start of the 2025–2026 academic year: “As of Sept. 19, total District enrollment is 7,260 students (4K–12), which is 103 more students than last year’s official count.” The next board meeting will include official numbers from Wisconsin's “third Friday count,” which determines state reporting figures used for funding decisions.

The Board approved updated parochial school boundaries for transportation eligibility after reviewing recommendations from administration concerning Catholic school attendance areas.

Additionally, an amended contract was approved between MCPASD and the City of Middleton Police Department regarding School Resource Officers (SROs). The agreement provides three SROs—two at Middleton High School and one serving Kromrey Middle School plus feeder elementary schools—and clarifies that law enforcement will not share student records with third parties unless legally required or permitted.