[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6234155,"mediaKeyId","3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2","parentId",3411948,"title","Teachers, union and administrators spar over pay; district unveils proposed pay bumps and hard‑to‑fill range","audioSeconds",3304,"startMs",1374000,"endMs",4678000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2&start=1374&end=4678","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2/thumbnail_1374000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6234155/Wisconsin/Teachers-union-and-administrators-spar-over-pay-district-unveils-proposed-pay-bumps-and-hardtofill-range","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234155-c011c13435cb72fc3b17a5c4eb634cae/orig.mp4?Expires=1773529700&Signature=QLFFD0XA5JtkNHRkAf2vCU7h8Rq88Y5Js5Gt11YqGNPCvcBPZiq2WbMuzfkj~nI38nRuBPB-UyO2Azu-1UdQW99UkNDqqVW25~iOuVKUlOE7QKPqKWdrm2L1rqoUDw5e1Kr8pAIV3zzC5-Zid3k1G87vJ6-M1E4BLdjZxkZdKH3mmWVOnjybRt6eNkMcYqR-m49Z7-lcfzRwGhZxAsNzrSk7MpvXvqKHSr6BFx2cs97UM9ijQMWLMMDAx-RnV15PrhSzEHbbEH3NtqiF2cmxuRFcgSE8RTkfqHawKCTyNxaqqViO4HwLxkR3-wpRrKFqw3fjyZv9lrpOtRqwMXTQwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District","date","2025-05-21T01:00:08.533Z","article","Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District board members heard multiple public comments May 19 urging predictable teacher pay and good‑faith bargaining, while district administrators outlined a proposed compensation plan that would raise teacher minimums and create a separate pay range for hard‑to‑fill positions.

Union leaders, longtime teachers and community members said the district’s bargaining approach has been dysfunctional and demoralizing. “The urgent need for good faith bargaining on teacher salaries,” said Alec Elfenbein, president of the Oak Creek Education Association, as he urged the board to “come to the table and prepare for meaningful salary discussions.” Terry Grogan, vice president of the Oak Creek Education Association and a special education teacher, told the board teachers have lost purchasing power since 2011 and cited district surpluses as evidence the district can afford increases: “The district looks to be in very good shape and could easily afford to give… a salary increase to match the CPI of 2.5% next year would cost just over a million dollars.”

Ted Craig of the Wisconsin Education Association Council said bargaining sessions have repeatedly opened with an offer of “0” from administration: “When we schedule a bargaining session, management… shows up and says, we’ve already decided what is gonna happen as far as your pay. And what we’re offering here is 0.” He told the board the practice harms morale and retention.

On the administration side, Troy Hamlin (district administrator) presented the district’s compensation plan. Key elements described in the presentation include a $1,000 increase to teacher minimums and the teacher fourth‑year step, higher hourly add‑ons, creation of a new pay range for “hard‑to‑fill” teacher positions (listed in the presentation as technical education, family and consumer science, science, business and special education) and $2,000 stipends tied to PBIS work funded through Title IV federal funds. Hamlin said the hard‑to‑fill range targets primarily teachers in their first four years of service and is intended as a pilot to reduce mid‑year vacancies that have often proved difficult to fill.

Board members and administrators framed the pay discussion as part of multi‑step budget planning. The district’s business reports shown at the meeting noted recent surpluses and interest revenue; speakers cited a prior year surplus of about $3,800,000 and cumulative post‑2011 surpluses “nearly $12,500,000,” with interest income of roughly $1,100,000 last year. Administrators also outlined an accounting change related to HRA forfeitures—about $400,000—that will require a budget adjustment to reclassify revenue and expense.

No formal change to bargaining protocol was adopted at the meeting. The board did not vote on the compensation plan; Hamlin said the plan and related employee handbook changes are scheduled for action at the June 9 meeting. In the meantime, multiple public speakers asked the board to intervene in bargaining so teachers and administration can negotiate in good faith.

Discussion versus action
- Discussion: Multiple public comments from union leaders and teachers described long‑running bargaining concerns, loss of salary value since 2011, and requests for a predictable salary schedule. Administration described the proposed compensation plan and the budget context.
- Direction/Next steps: Administration presented the compensation plan for board consideration and scheduled action items (compensation plan and staff handbook) for the June 9 meeting. Hamlin said stipends funded by Title IV would be considered temporary and that staff would be notified those payments depend on federal funding.
- Formal action at this meeting: None on the compensation plan; the agenda and personnel items were approved (see separate article on personnel). The board will consider compensation and handbook approvals June 9.

Why it matters
Teachers and bargaining representatives said predictable pay and functioning collective bargaining are critical to retention and instructional continuity. Administration counters that the district is recommending targeted pay moves and new pay ranges to address staffing shortages in specified areas, but final approval depends on upcoming board votes and budget adjustments.

Ending note
Board meeting materials and public speakers cited specific budget figures and a timeline for action: administration will bring compensation and handbook approvals to the board on June 9, and union representatives said they will continue to press for a transparent salary schedule and collaborative bargaining process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Oak Creek‑Franklin Joint School District board members heard multiple public comments May 19 urging predictable teacher pay and good‑faith bargaining, while administrators outlined a compensation plan that would raise teacher minimums and create a separate pay range for hard‑to‑fill positions.","taxTitle","Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",38486,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6234136,"Board approves personnel moves and student handbook updates; several administrative hires announced",225,2666000,2891000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2&start=2666&end=2891","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2/thumbnail_2666000.jpg","/articles/6234136/Wisconsin/Board-approves-personnel-moves-and-student-handbook-updates-several-administrative-hires-announced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234136-cd9c7959f180cccf38caf894268f2ebb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773529700&Signature=Agx4kYqZTR-8tLn3P0BYZdxqfXCcnO16oW1PFhez5hWQFKkGm6qNi01vZj59FMucB6zNeVHlWmNHGBEynUsPlBaC0VqgipMMTIGLYvXsjRoWqyZBxFL2vWE2FnUcne7HxH1tHEyCKR8rA4E2Twi9c1oxiOuY~aroJ66mjqzBYBYZp928uX3pQf7SJvy3zXfevHrO9g1LbAulGoDvTwNRtuqCGyoGZXMw~Pj6N6V96diIgQGfvF1qnaRpmajiDusb4uBW8pqUIZH9t-nPbeAFJnDLTNdalHzLNE3rlPk1NT9JGBZFCsLshuoey8z8lE02k1fbNS5KlC~eMzZ2CxNSlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oak Creek‑Franklin Joint School District board approved the personnel agenda and adopted student and family handbook revisions for the 2025–26 school year at its May 19 meeting.

Board member Meredith Whitman moved to adopt the student and family handbook updates for 2025–26; the motion carried. The personnel agenda was approved earlier in the meeting and included several administrative hirings and internal moves announced by district staff.

District leadership introduced new and reassigned administrators: Matt Stolberg will be principal at Cedar Hills Elementary School beginning next school year; Sarah Springers requested a 50% position and will move to East Middle School to work on social‑emotional learning and related duties; Alexis Ritter, formerly a Title I interventionist at Cedar Hills, will replace Stolberg as assistant principal at West Middle School; Terry Culvers, from Menomonee Falls where she served as a principal, will be the new principal at East Middle School; and Brian Skewers, currently dean of students at East Troy Middle School, will be assistant principal at East Middle School.

Superintendent and staff thanked the hiring teams, principals and central office staff for their role in recruitment and interview processes.

Why it matters
Administrative hires shape building leadership for the next school year and inform staffing and instructional priorities. The student and family handbook establishes expectations for students and families for the coming year and will guide school procedures.

Ending note
Board members congratulated new appointees and invited the community to welcome them to their new roles.","The Oak Creek‑Franklin board approved a personnel agenda May 19 that included administrative appointments and passed the student and family handbook revisions for 2025–26; several new principals and assistant principals were introduced.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6234141,"Edgewood Elementary students graduate from Milwaukee Art Museum docent program; district highlights arts partnership",542,638000,1180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2&start=638&end=1180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2/thumbnail_638000.jpg","/articles/6234141/Wisconsin/Edgewood-Elementary-students-graduate-from-Milwaukee-Art-Museum-docent-program-district-highlights-arts-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234141-3bcf608580bb255fa3dfa46997f23980/orig.mp4?Expires=1773529700&Signature=a~PsY61D-gjVHQ9n3lpJuMsZn30-Jv~Eu0hdr~yapt2hqoD9JeMnkUtgqOGwT1PpfWzs-Xp1COP~UNh2z9TEmofahYc3IX3mHlQtVl2Pz1SHDhja7LXlWN8boWur7bWbOJv6J2pP6qTHtiBLqz323oe93SdWBlfrlgEk-tXZxLIhuXeCk7-1gS4GBUFRn2cttBU0FEXounj1LPP21VldqvOVNmi3RiQbKov~7E3AXfd3laNlf37nlG3tSlMywCYGIvIummJjMR1mmLYeNZyRBpTg8Gi7WKGAID379zhOsE8YxS5BFbkxxQr2QHGe8do~8h6Xyaw1z3PnZxgwg4U-KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Edgewood Elementary’s art docent program and student presentations were showcased at the Oak Creek‑Franklin Joint School District board meeting May 19, highlighting a three‑year partnership with the Milwaukee Art Museum and in‑school art instruction.

Beth Kaufman, principal of Edgewood Elementary, introduced art teacher Mrs. Begada and the art docents. She said the museum partnership “fosters creativity and self expression in our students” and noted a recent graduation presentation at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Begada described the program’s curriculum and the museum docent volunteers who guide student visits. She said Edgewood’s students frequently visit the museum, study collections and develop visual literacy through writing, drawing and discussion.

Student docents spoke to the board about their projects. Third‑grader Rosie Whitman explained how her piece showed the senses and referenced pop‑art influences; Jonah Peek described learning about portraiture and creating three‑dimensional cardboard portraits; a fifth‑grade graduate read an excerpt about Roy Lichtenstein’s The Crying Girl and explained the pop art movement. Begada said that the district’s graduation pieces from the art docent presentations are on display in the children’s area of the district library through the end of the month.

Why it matters
The program is a long‑standing partnership with the Milwaukee Art Museum that provides repeated museum visits, critical‑thinking practice and public‑speaking experience for students. Administrators thanked teachers and docents and acknowledged Begada’s years of service; the board recognized Begada’s upcoming final year.

Ending note
Board members and parents were invited to take photos with the student docents; the district will return student works to the schools at the end of the month.","Edgewood Elementary showcased its three‑year art docent program and partnership with the Milwaukee Art Museum, with student presentations and a display of student work in the district library.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6234146,"Oak Creek High computer science team wins statewide coding competition; teachers highlight program growth",171,83000,254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2&start=83&end=254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2/thumbnail_83000.jpg","/articles/6234146/Wisconsin/Oak-Creek-High-computer-science-team-wins-statewide-coding-competition-teachers-highlight-program-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234146-13aaaf3eddd7ac7c71d9fc88ea70ddec/orig.mp4?Expires=1773529700&Signature=gmq4hlNzOC3yvd6XX~LSl2uqdNeFPW2JWZ1gMvkWlR0j9SKnHXOK7bymWEnr2q2iIx9EoEPuYeLy7vwYU6bY2T0soq7XgzYPPT34qQrg5wXwHGIYnSyCQ5~9Spy9xYeXRg~x0MVEWfl7cHVZbgRUVZ8JsP4KhK7AiBwFJ56fZsTdWtnDiCg0a0W5ro4QBoiJYkMjNJpxE-Xbna66EcTwZNu-xQvfJF7vBhnwJmvlqEhQPJLIWl4VUgGo3Y9c7h1wJ5UVHy1-tj0q7jW~RRpOppIBMdFo4u-u1WxYmYYCaoc0poJWRTFmVU1cnXmFq7hzTWUVWnyHEe-lWgNAZMgHxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Creek High School students who won first place at the Wisconsin Dairyland coding competition were recognized by the Oak Creek‑Franklin Joint School District board May 19, and teachers used the moment to describe rapid growth in the district’s computer science program.

“Thank you for recognizing our students’ first place finish at the Wisconsin High School coding competition,” said Kathleen Barrett, one of the computer science teachers at Oak Creek High School. Barrett told the board that in 2024–25 the school had about 70 students in AP or college‑level computer science courses and 261 students in foundation‑level computer science courses, and that enrollment in computer science has grown from 136 in 2020–21 to 331 in the current school year.

Jacob Millizer, a member of the computer science department and the math department, described the competition at Marquette University on April 16: “On April 16, we took 4 teams to a statewide competition of computer science, problem solving, and storytelling, and our team of Astro, Kyle, and Josh earned first place in the Gold Division.” Millizer said the winning team earned a perfect score on a series of technical and creative problems that drew on skills developed in Oak Creek High School’s intro to computer science and video game development courses.

Students who were recognized also spoke to the board. Joshua James, a sophomore, described the competition format and how the team divided tasks; Kyle Bridal, a senior, said the event “deepened my passion for computer science and gave me more confidence in my skills.” Board members invited the team for photos and congratulated the students and their teachers.

Why it matters
Teachers and administrators said the program’s growth and competition success reflect expanded course offerings and real‑world skills development; Barrett noted the district’s computer science participation rate is higher than state and national averages she cited at the meeting.

Ending note
Board members encouraged the students to return and continue working with the district; the presentation also previewed planned new classes, including advanced cybersecurity.","Oak Creek High School students won first place in the Gold Division at Marquette University's Wisconsin Dairyland coding competition; school staff described rapid growth in student participation and new course offerings.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6234150,"District outlines academic‑career planning expansion, new RTI supports and CTE growth",1118,2912000,4030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2&start=2912&end=4030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411948-ab6379240264f5ca8a8a24e9273035d2/thumbnail_2912000.jpg","/articles/6234150/Wisconsin/District-outlines-academiccareer-planning-expansion-new-RTI-supports-and-CTE-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234150-ff366c2c70a17cef58f8812528abf602/orig.mp4?Expires=1773529700&Signature=bXAnpMtIIOu8zf3oK~l6uAba9ry90vEVOxRxvskExX3hnAW8bEEUwoKcpABS~IO40iJcmO-B4YTIAvMVOg3UbmO0mmqDCx9KB0aNj34Hc8kmnSrRmG9Q~XtHmnUwIFANXGZom3tUOY6qAr5qjwqYnbfbX2Bg7LteWYilNmMZtLkQuPRwhMXriW9PL1AnGOLaPTM1gSiqFiBvwsuQ1S7-ukN5TUKtBg3Eq48gwbQWWgHvCBElv4qcMrOeWCnPYJru8lWFYanKc3wpJOAwpeJ19IPc5lSJ7OMrHIm3ksZLYSdrtIwtsBxAGf5bzZujGhrlMWZf-YvKaFFo4oPU9N5mPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 19 Oak Creek‑Franklin Joint School District meeting, counselors and administrators gave a multi‑level update on Academic and Career Planning (ACP), career technical education (CTE) opportunities and new districtwide implementation steps for Response to Intervention (RTI) and Student Intervention Teams (SIT).

Kim Liannis, a high school staff member involved in ACP, described the program’s mission as helping students and families plan successful college and career transitions. Middle‑school counselors Amanda Marino (West) and Christine Ruz (East) described transition activities that include family transition nights, fifth‑grade course programming visits, locker practice sessions and use of an online career exploration tool called Zello. Ruz said Zello helps students “interactively learn about their skills, their interests, and then it does a little match and helps them find some different careers that might align with those skills and interests.”

High school ACP work includes quarterly ACP lessons for grades 9–12, expanded youth apprenticeship participation, annual updates to the district’s education‑for‑employment plan and events such as Reality Day (March 6) and an annual career expo. Staff reported the district hosted a career expo with more than 70 businesses represented, and Oak Creek High School will host a Wisconsin Education Fair Oct. 3 that will invite colleges, technical schools and military recruiters during the school day for juniors and seniors.

Megan (district academic staff) presented plans to scale RTI and SIT systems used at West Middle School across the district. She described four systems that supported West’s growth scores—collaborative co‑planning, PBIS (behavior supports), RTI and SIT—then outlined district actions this spring: identifying interventions and progress‑monitoring tools, piloting ELA and math interventions, building uniform spreadsheets and data walls for monitoring, and scheduling professional development for August. She said the district will adopt STAR as a universal screening tool at the high school and implement tier 2 and tier 3 interventions at elementary grade levels and during high‑school “go time.”

Administrators framed the RTI rollout as a systems implementation project requiring training, scheduling and documentation. Megan said district plans include an RTI/SIT handbook and additional professional development to be delivered before the 2025–26 school year.

Why it matters
The ACP and RTI work affects course planning, student transitions from middle to high school, CTE pathways and interventions for students who are falling behind academically. Staff said the district’s goal is to align transition activities, expand experiential career opportunities and replicate practices that produced higher growth scores at West Middle School.

Ending note
Administrators said they will return with more aligned school‑by‑school presentations on state report cards and improvement plans in the fall; staff offered to provide follow‑up data, including counts of middle‑school students who enter high school with credits.","Oak Creek‑Franklin staff described Academic and Career Planning (ACP) work, CTE programming, increased youth apprenticeship participation and a districtwide rollout of Response to Intervention (RTI) and Student Intervention Team (SIT) systems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Teachers, union and administrators spar over pay; district unveils proposed pay bumps and hard‑to‑fill range

Board approves personnel moves and student handbook updates; several administrative hires announced

Edgewood Elementary students graduate from Milwaukee Art Museum docent program; district highlights arts partnership

Oak Creek High computer science team wins statewide coding competition; teachers highlight program growth

District outlines academic‑career planning expansion, new RTI supports and CTE growth