June 2023

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved a concept proposal for a resigned boat launch on Lake Street off Allen Boulevard If the redesign is approved by the common council the boat launch will no longer allow motorized craft and will create more green space near the lakeshore.

The redesign of the boat launch was originally overseen by the city’s parks and recreation committee. In its recommendation to the common council members of that committee expressed that the aspects of redesign fell outside the scope of the committee. The council then referred the redesign to the public works, public safety and sustainability committees and the plan commission. 

Director of Planning and Community Development Abby Attoun presented the concept proposal to the plan commission and the recommendations from the public works and sustainability committees.

MIDDLETON–Driven by inflation, competition for employees and meeting its goal of being in the top 25 percent of Dane County school districts’ wages, the Board of Education Monday approved a 13-20 percent pay increase for Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) support staff.

In April, the board approved a six percent base pay increase for all continuing district staff, which had been promised in the referendum that was approved last fall.

To prevent newly hired employees from earning the same as continuing staff, the board also approved a 5.25 percent increase in the base pay for new hires.

Support staff, which includes paraeducators, drivers, food service staff, and custodians, need a further wage adjustment as the district had experienced a, “really, really high turnover and a really, really” difficult time filling those vacancies, Assistant Superintendent Jerrod Rossing told the board.

MIDDLETON­–Nancy Acker-Skolaski, 68, of Waunakee, lost her long and courageous battle with cancer on June 6, 2023. She was born April 3, 1955, to Walter J. and Magdalene (Ziegler) Acker. She graduated from Waunakee High School in 1973.

After they spent many years working for Felly's Flowers and Greenhouses, Nancy and Stan took over her father’s orchid business in 1990 and spent 17 years working side by side, providing gardening tips and smiles to all their customers. Nancy's incredible floral design skills were sought after for weddings, proms, and many other special occasions.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) sent a message to families on June 15 letting them know the Title IX investigation into alleged football bullying had concluded.

The correspondence was signed by MCPASD Board of Education President Sheila Hibner and Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue and reads as follows:

As the school year comes to a close, we hope you are looking forward to a relaxing summer break.  We want to provide an update regarding the bullying and harassment situation that we have been addressing at our high school campus within our athletics program.  After an expansive and detailed process, the investigation has come to a conclusion.

We know how difficult this has been, specifically for the members of the football team and their families. We believe in them and will support the players, coaches, and administrators at the high school campus to make sure they receive the support and resources they need to move forward.