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DISTRICT NEWS
for families
November 22, 2022
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DISTRICT MISSION: The mission of the Cedarburg School District is to provide an exemplary education that challenges students in a nurturing environment to develop into lifelong learners, to become responsible adults, and to achieve their goals and dreams. |
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Friday, November 11, Veterans Day, provided another opportunity for me to witness why Cedarburg is such a strong community. On that day, I had the privilege to observe the elementary and middle school students honor our veterans and their impact on Cedarburg.
The schools partnered with the American Legion Post 288 to organize a Veteran's vehicle parade. The parade began with the veterans driving through Parkview, Westlawn, and Thorson elementary schools' parking lots. The students and staff stood outside cheering and holding signs thanking and celebrating our veterans. I was present at Thorson when the vehicles drove through; it was extraordinary to see not only the students' reactions but the pride the veterans felt as they drove past.
At the vehicle parade's conclusion, many veterans proceeded to Webster Middle School for their traditional Veterans Day presentation. Watching the students participate in the flag-raising ceremony and their interaction with the veterans was memorable.
During this season of thanksgiving, I want to express my appreciation for our hardworking staff. The dedication to our students is truly remarkable. And thank you, the families of our students, for the time spent supporting our children's learning.
I wish you all the best over the Thanksgiving holiday season.
Dr. Jeridon Clark, Superintendent
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District & School Report Cards |
With the recent release of the 2021-22 District and School Report Cards, the Cedarburg School District is proud to be ranked 3rd in the state out of Wisconsin's K-12 public school districts. In addition, the District earned the highest rating of Significantly Exceeds Expectations on the State Report Card for the second year in a row! Learn More
The overall district score improved since the last report card in 2021-22, and we are incredibly proud that, for the second time, each of our five schools earned the rating of Significantly Exceeds Expectations. This performance is exceptional, and ALL students' achievement continues to be celebrated.
Webster Middle School ranked #4 in the state of middle schools with grades 6-8. Westlawn was #5, Parkview was #7, and Thorson was ranked #16 of elementary schools with grades 4K-5. CHS ranked #11 in the state of 9-12 high schools and #4 in high schools with an enrollment of 900 students or more.
"We are incredibly proud of all that our students and staff have accomplished, and this achievement recognizes the work of our entire 4K-12 system", said Superintendent Clark. "The educators, administrators, and support staff of the Cedarburg School District continue to do everything possible to facilitate the highest levels of student achievement and post-secondary readiness. We are committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all students".
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The 2022-23 Budget for the Cedarburg School District was presented and approved by the School Board at their meeting on October 26, 2022. Although the school year begins in early September each year, the budget is typically adopted in late October due to the timing of enrollment counts and the finalization of state aid allocations to school districts. Once these numbers are certified, the District can determine how much revenue they will receive for the upcoming year and how to set the tax levy. Since public school districts in Wisconsin work within revenue limits, the amount of revenue the Cedarburg School District is able to collect from state aid and the tax levy is capped, and the levy can only be set once those final state aid numbers are confirmed in mid-October.
For more detailed information on the 2022-23 Budget, the presentation to the School Board can be viewed via this link, along with the entire 2022-23 Budget Report using this link.
Some highlights of the 2022-23 Budget:
- Balanced budget in the General Fund using federal pandemic grant dollars (ESSER grants),
- Tax levy rate decrease of 93 cents, going from $7.43 per $1,000 of valuation last year to $6.50 this year (a 13% decrease) and
- Board commitment to staff compensation with a 4.7% inflationary increase and a $200,000 allocation to teacher salaries to help attract and retain high-quality staff.
In forecasting future budgets, the biggest challenge facing the Cedarburg School District will be rising costs due to inflation and the fiscal cliff created by using federal pandemic relief funds to balance the budget over the last two years. As a background, public school districts in Wisconsin did not receive an increase in revenue limits or per-pupil categorical aid in the most recent biennial state budget. They needed to rely on federal pandemic relief grants to balance their budgets. Now that those funds are starting to run out, public school districts are faced with the challenge of maintaining ongoing costs absent an increase in recurring revenue.
Over the winter, the Cedarburg School District will work through various budget scenarios and forecasts in preparation for the next state biennial budget set to begin with the 2023-24 fiscal year.
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School Bus Cameras
At the September School Board meeting, the installation of cameras on all school buses was approved. While the installation of these cameras comes at a cost for the Cedarburg School District, the cameras will provide a valuable resource to help resolve any issues that may arise on the bus. Due to supply chain issues, the actual installation of these cameras will probably not occur until sometime this winter. However, once the cameras are installed, the District will have access to video footage of bus routes that will help improve student safety and make it easier to monitor student and driver behavior while on the bus.
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Riteway App
In addition to cameras, the Cedarburg School District and GO Riteway are happy to announce the adoption of an innovative mobile device app for transportation called "Here Comes the Bus". This new app allows parents to view the real-time location of their child’s school bus through their smartphone, tablet or computer. With it, parents will have the information they need to send their children to the bus stop at just the right time, helping to protect them from inclement weather and other roadside dangers. What’s more, parents will now have peace of mind knowing their children haven’t missed the bus.
To ensure a successful rollout of "Here Comes the Bus", the Cedarburg School District and GO Riteway are looking for parents willing to test out this new app and provide valuable feedback. This feedback will be used to help resolve any issues with the app as GO Riteway transitions to this being their primary source of communication with parents. For parents interested in trying out the "Here Comes the Bus" app, please follow these instructions. After you have tried it out for a few days, we would appreciate your feedback using this short survey on your experience using the new app.
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CSD Employment Opportunities |
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Substitute Teaching
The current labor shortage impacts school districts much like any other business. We are in need of substitute teachers and substitute paraprofessionals. Anyone with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree can easily become certified as a short-term substitute teacher. Information about attaining the necessary certification is available at the Department of Public Instruction website: https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/apply-educator-license/sub-permit#Programs.
CSD Vacancies
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Technology Tips & Reminders |
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Keep Chromebooks Clean As a reminder, if you or your students need to clean a Chromebook, you can do so by simply using a damp cloth (water or a diluted glass cleaner works fine).
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CHS Baseball & Softball Turf Project
CHS Athletics is fortunate to have some of the best facilities in Wisconsin! We are currently seeking donations to turf the infields of the Varsity Baseball and Softball Fields. This project is privately funded. We're getting closer to our goal of $520,000 and are looking for your help! The fundraising deadline is December 9th - please help us reach our goal!
Not only will this project benefit our high student-athletes, but having turf would allow more access to the varsity fields for our youth organizations who could use it for their home games and practices. The turf infields for both varsity fields would provide significant benefits to the high school and community.
For more information about the project or to make a donation, please contact Athletic Director Jon Hannam at jhannam@cedarburg.k12.wi.us. Go Bulldogs!!
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Cedarburg Public Library Events |
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Student Open Study
Most Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays | 3-5:30
The community room is available for high school students to study, hang out, and snack! Snacks and study resources are provided!
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Genre Reading Challenge
September 2022 through April 2023 | Grades 3-8
Do you enjoy a challenge? Do you like to read? Once back at school, why not visit the library to pick up a simple paper tracker to log your titles by reading genre? This is an ongoing program until next spring! At the end of the program, participants will have a book list with their name on it and a small prize. For more information, go to www.cedarburglibrary.org.
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Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings |
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12/01 Curriculum Committee 6:30 PM IMC
12/21 School Board Mtg 6:30 PM IMC
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Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 23-25
No School Teacher PD
Dec. 9
Winter Break
Dec. 22-Jan. 1
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Cedarburg School District
W68 N611 Evergreen Blvd.
Cedarburg, WI 53012
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