Strategic Plan Update: Advancing Success for Lake Geneva Schools in 2024-2025

Peter C. Wilson, Ph.D., Superintendent

The 2024-2025 school year marks the second year of the Lake Geneva Schools Strategic Plan. District and building administrators have worked diligently to establish clear goals and objectives for this school year. These goals were introduced to all staff during the August 2024 convocation, setting a purposeful direction for the year.

Mission & Vision

Lake Geneva Schools' mission is to “Engage. Educate. Empower.” our students, staff, and community while “creating and connecting opportunities for excellence” (our vision).

Strategic Plan Pillars

The Strategic Plan is structured around four core pillars: Student Growth and Achievement, Community Engagement, Human Resources, and Facilities, Finance, and Operations. These pillars embody our organization’s commitment to the mission, vision, and core values of Lake Geneva Schools.

The plan’s development last year truly embodies the support and commitment of the entire community. This plan serves as a foundation for Lake Geneva Schools’ effort to improve outcomes for every student in the coming years. It provides guidance for the development of annual strategic objectives that align with the four district pillars and five-year strategic objectives. This annual process provides a structure for the continuous improvement work to be completed over the long term to meet the Districts’ mission, vision, and commitments.

Pillar Highlights

Here’s an overview of the action steps for each pillar in the 2024-2025 school year.

Pillar 1: Student Growth and Achievement

Our focus is on aligning our K-12 curriculum to meet rigorous standards that foster student growth:

• Targeted Curriculum Alignment: Identifying essential standards in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies to ensure consistency and rigor across grade levels.
• Collaborative Leadership Structures: Establishing leadership development and grade-level meetings to support effective instruction.
• Behavior and Engagement: Using “CharacterStrong” programs and behavior tracking tools to enhance student engagement, paired with a school climate survey.

Pillar 2: Community Engagement

Strengthening communication and involvement across all stakeholders remains a priority:

• Community Connections: Hosting forums, forming a Community Action Committee, and establishing advisory groups for feedback and transparency.
• Digital Presence: Maintaining accessible websites and active social media to keep the community connected.
• Crisis Communication Plan: Developing a robust emergency communication plan for clear, responsive communication during crises.

Pillar 3: Human Resources

To attract and retain quality staff, we focus on professional development, mentorship, and communication:

• Teacher Support and Morale: Expanding our mentoring programs and aligning professional development with student needs.
• Compensation Review: Evaluating benefits and compensation to stay competitive and address staff needs.

Pillar 4: Facilities, Finance, and Operations

We are committed to ensuring quality facilities and financial stewardship:

• Facility and Budget Planning: Conducting facility needs assessments and budget planning with input from the Community Action Committee.
• Funding Opportunities: Exploring sponsorship processes for additional funding to support district objectives.

Moving Forward

Lake Geneva Schools takes great pride in being an integral part of our community as we fulfill our mission to engage, educate, and empower the students, staff, and community of Lake Geneva Schools. Our districts are known for their successful, robust academic and co-curricular programs, the incredible opportunities we offer to students throughout their time in our schools, and our talented staff members.

With the implementation of our strategic plan, Lake Geneva Schools will continue to enhance learning outcomes, strengthen community engagement, support our staff, and responsibly manage resources to sustain vibrant districts. However, it will take the entire community to continue to move us forward. I encourage everyone to review the Strategic Plan, ask questions, and seek ways to get involved. For more information, visit lakegenevaschools.com

Badger High School Breakfast with Santa

On Saturday, December 7, the Badger High School Performing Arts Department had the pleasure of serving over 500 guests breakfast. All who attended enjoyed live music from the music students, crafts, and a visit with Santa. What a wonderful morning of festive activities!

Lake Geneva Schools Participates in the Electric Winter Parade 

Fiscal Stewardship & Community Connection: A Look at Lake Geneva Schools’ Ongoing Commitment

George Chironis, Director of Business Services

A pillar of the Lake Geneva Schools Strategic Plan focuses on the districts’ facilities, finances, and operations. Lake Geneva Schools’ five-year objective is to develop and support premier campuses that increase the district’s appeal while demonstrating sustainable and responsible management of financial and operational resources.

Lake Geneva Schools has much to celebrate. Our districts are known for their robust academic and co-curricular programs, the exceptional opportunities offered to students, and our talented staff. The Business Office at Lake Geneva Schools works daily to assess budget needs, manage resources responsibly, and ensure we can continue to engage, educate, and empower students across our districts.

Tax Rate

The Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District and the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District continue to carefully manage the budget. For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the combined mill rate is $6.65, which is significantly lower than the $9.68 that was predicted during the 2021 referendum. This continues a trend of fiscal responsibility, down from a peak of $12.49 in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. This consistent reduction in the mill rate demonstrates the districts’ careful financial management, even with the referendum approved by voters in 2021. Our districts continue to accomplish this through diligent budget stewardship.

As you look at your tax bill, please remember that the school district is only one part of your overall property taxes. Rising property values and other local taxes, which are outside the district’s control, may also impact the total tax amount.

School Funding & Operations During Increased Inflation

Since 1993, Wisconsin school districts have operated under state-imposed Revenue Limits, which set a maximum on the amount a district can raise through state aid and property taxes. Beginning in the 1998-1999 school year, school funding was tied to inflationary increases, providing annual adjustments to match rising costs. However, this link to inflation was removed in the 2009-2011 state budget, replaced with a flat dollar amount—and in some years, there was no increase at all. Recently, while state aid increased, the revenue cap did not, meaning that increases claimed for education were actually reductions in property taxes rather than increases in available funds. Between 2010 and 2024, the Lake Geneva districts received $3,380 less per student than inflation would suggest, resulting in ongoing financial challenges. Just as household expenses like utilities, groceries, and fuel have increased, so have the district’s operational costs, from buying supplies to feeding students and fueling buses. Despite these constraints, we remain committed to responsible budget management, ensuring we maximize resources for our students and community.

Commitment to Community

Lake Geneva Schools encourages community members to connect with the districts. Learn more about the districts and hear monthly strategic plan updates by attending our monthly board meetings, volunteer in our schools, or attend school district events.

Additionally, we are pleased that our school facilities are available outside of regular school hours. We continue to develop meaningful partnerships with various organizations that utilize our facilities for after-hours events; whether it's housing your sports leagues, adult education classes through our Community Education Department, or local non-profit meetings, our school buildings serve as a hub for both educational enrichment and community engagement. We invite the community to consider utilizing our facilities for their activities.

Moving Forward

In conclusion, the Lake Geneva Schools remain committed to fostering a thriving, well-managed educational environment for our students and community. Through careful fiscal stewardship and a focus on sustainable facilities and operations, we continue to enhance our campuses while managing resources responsibly. We invite our community members to stay engaged with the district, attend board meetings, volunteer, or explore the many opportunities our schools offer beyond the classroom. Together, we can continue to build a future that benefits our students, our schools, and our entire community.

Community Education

Badger Community Education is dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering the local community. We hope you find a class that interests you and sign up!

Interested in becoming an instructor? Contact: Jake Popanda, Community Education Coordinator, (262) 348-2000 ext. 2006, jake.popanda@badger.k12.wi.us

Lake Geneva Schools Communication Protocol

Whom do I contact with a question or suggestion? 

Lake Geneva Schools’ communication protocols help promote direct, open, and respectful interactions so that we quickly and efficiently resolve problems and concerns. The communication protocol starts with the staff member closest to the situation, as that person usually has the most information. However, at times, additional personnel are required to resolve specific concerns.

Bullying, Harassment, School Safety Reporting

If you have information regarding bullying, harassment, or other non-emergency school safety concerns and would like to report this information, please click here to learn more, fill out a school-specific reporting form to the best of your knowledge, and submit it.

Food Services

What's for breakfast and lunch? Click the button below for menus and other important Food Services Information.

FREE Student Breakfast

Lake Geneva Schools (Badger and Joint #1) is excited to continue to offer students FREE Breakfast for the 2024 - 2025 School Year.

School breakfast is healthy, convenient, and helps students do well in school. Every student at Badger High School, New Visions Charter School, Lake Geneva Middle School, Star Center Elementary School, Eastview Elementary School, Central-Denison Elementary School, and Maple Park Charter School is eligible to receive a healthy breakfast at their school each day until the end of the school year for no charge.

We are extremely happy to provide this service to our community. We encourage all students to participate!

Text Alerts

Lake Geneva Schools has the ability to use SMS (text) messaging as another communication channel to share important information with families and staff regarding school closures or changes to the school day schedule. Federal law requires recipients to opt-in to receive such messages.

How can I opt-in to receive text messages?

📱Text the word “YES” or Y to 67587 from each wireless device on which you wish to receive texts.

📱Confirm that all text device numbers you wish to receive messages on are listed in your contact information: Families – verify that your cell phone is your primary phone number in your PowerSchool parent portal.

Community Backpack

The Lake Geneva Schools Community Backpack is your online bulletin for youth-related community activities and educational opportunities. Learn More

Share News With Us

Share your news, event summaries, photos and/or give us a "heads up" on your upcoming events so we can promote your successes. Email photos@badger.k12.wi.us

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