Schools

MIDDLETON–Middleton High School (MHS) Theatre will present multiple performances for the 2022-23 school year. This season's theme is Fantasies and Fairytales.

The play “She Kills Monsters” will be presented on November 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. in Middleton High School’s Black Box Theatre.

Written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Katrina Williams Brunner, “She Kills Monsters” tells the story of high schooler Agnes Evans as she deals with the death of her younger sister, Tilly. When Agnes stumbles upon Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and ’90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.

MIDDLETON–The Board of Education for the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District last week adopted a 2022-23 budget that shaves 1.19 percent off the property tax mill rate while spending $1.411 million more than it takes in.

The rate at which the school district will tax property fell from $9.95 per $1,000 of assessed evaluation in 2021-22, to $8.89 in 2022-23, a 10.69 percent cut, according to the school district.

The mill rate decreased due partly to increase in the value of taxable property across the eight municipalities, which are entirely or partially in the district. District-wide the assessed value of property rose 14.67 percent to $9.174 billion, higher than the state average of 13.8 percent, and a record increase for the past several years. 

WHITEWATER–On the weekend of Oct. 15-16, the Middleton High School Marching Band finished their 2022 season at the WSMA (Wisconsin School Music Association) State Championships achieving second place and state champion runner up as well as first place color guard. With over 30 bands competing at the event, which was held at UW-Whitewater, the marching band is proud to tie its personal best from last year and represent the Middleton area.

"The marching season was a lot of hard work, but it was also very rewarding, not only because of how we did at state, but also because of all the priceless memories we made." said Naomi Janquart, a junior clarinet player.

When asked about the achievement of the color guard, Anika Cermak, a senior color guard captain stated "When we're performing, we have no idea where we will place. All we can do is trust the work we put into the show." 

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Cardinals are set to take on Madison East at the Middleton Homecoming game on Oct. 14, but events are scheduled throughout the week.

Theme Days for students are as follows:

Monday–“Home” Run: Jersey Day

Tuesday–Make yourself at “home”: PJs/comfy clothes

Wednesday–“Homies” day: Match your class color

Seniors: Black

Juniors: White

Sophomores: Pink

Freshman: Blue

Thursday–“Home” for the Holidays: wear your favorite holiday attire

Friday–We are “Home”: Cardinal Colors

Spirit Night is Oct. 12 on the Middleton High School (MHS) campus.

Events are as follows:

4 p.m.–Ninth Grade Cookout at Fireman's Park put on by the MHS Link Crew Leaders

6 p.m.–Homecoming Parade

7 p.m.–Spirit Night Powderpuff Football Game including

• Fireworks show to kick off the game.

• MHS Cheer Team Performance

• MHS Dance Team Performance

MIDDLETON – Electors in the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District Monday adopted a 2023 tax levy that would conditionally increase by 4.04 percent and bump taxes on a $400,000 house by $159.

The adopted tax levy is subject to adjustment by the Board of Education in October after the state verifies total student enrollment, certifies the amount of financial aid to the district and the equalized property valuations, Board Member Sheila Hibner, said in opening remarks.

By statute, school districts are required to hold an annual budget hearing and allow voters to approve tax levies to fund capital and operational expenditures. Although a 1993 state law that limits the amount of revenue a school district can raise from taxes and state aid exerts a large influence in those decisions, Jerrud Rossing, assistant superintendent of operations said after the meeting.

MIDDLETON–On Aug. 8, the Middleton Cross Plains Are School District Board of Education (BOE) approved an operational referendum question on the Nov.8 ballot.

Included were the results from the 2022 Community Engagement Survey. Overall, the community was supportive of all three operational referendum options that were presented in the survey.

The BOE unanimously voted to put a $24.9 million, non-recurring, operational referendum question on the ballot.

Throughout September and October, district leaders and the BOE will be holding several community engagement sessions to continue to educate our community on how this operational referendum will help with increased costs in day-to-day operations and continue to recruit and retain talented staff in the district. 

MIDDLETON–The Board of Education Monday approved putting on the November ballot a $24.9 million referendum aimed at replacing revenue lost to declining enrollment and heading off a projected $7 million deficit in 2023-24 school year.

If approved by voters, the referendum would raise $24.9 million for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) during the next four years by increasing property taxes by an accumulated $135 per $100,000 assessed evaluation.

The tax impact would be stepped up from $7 per $100,000 assessed property value in the first year, to $53, $39, and $36 per $100,000 in the succeeding years before expiring, according to the district. The referendum’s impact would be reflected in tax bills sent out in December.

MIDDLETON–Following a drag performance put on by French teacher Matthew Kashdan during Fine Arts Week (FAW), Middleton High School (MHS) administrative staff have decided to use a vetting process for future staff acts at the Staff Variety Show.

FAW is an annual event at MHS where staff and students are given the opportunity to perform in front of their peers. The week of performances ends with the Staff Variety Show. In the past, staff acts have not been reviewed before the show, with Principal Peg Shoemaker saying that she was “surprised” by Kashdan’s performance.

In the future, staff acts will undergo a vetting process to “mitigate [conflicts] in advance,” Shoemaker said. “I want to make sure that staff… are not put in situations that cause harm to them.”

MIDDLETON–Employees at the central office of the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) have had a frequent, furry visitor lately–Sammie the comfort dog. 

Sammie, who is half poodle and half mutt, belongs to the parents of the district’s wellness coordinator Kalise Horst. The four-year-old dog had trained to be a comfort dog at K9 State of Mind with trainer Amy Robinson and had been visiting assisted living facilities prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

One day Horst had an idea, maybe Sammie could come into the district office to visit employees and give them a chance to spend some time with a dog. 

“When I presented it, I said I can bring in a comfort dog at no cost to the district,” said Horst, who said she would like to start the conversation of having comfort dogs in the schools.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD)plans to survey the public to “test the waters” about conducting an operational referendum this fall.

Several focus or engagement group meetings have been held since February to convey budget challenges the district faces, the track record operational referendums have had in the past decade, and other subjects.

The group of approximately 85 participants said they had a good impression of the district. Also, they were nearly unanimous in favoring the district conducting a referendum to increase spending on ongoing operational costs, said Perry Hibner, a former district spokesman and now a lead survey strategist with the Donovan Group.

While there was overwhelming support in the groups for an operational referendum in theory, Hibner “guarantee(d)” that support would have lessened if the tax-impact cost to individuals were presented.