[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",6208799,"mediaKeyId","3740638-6c5126581526fa9c41ab3b68828f9da4","parentId",3740638,"title","Special-education disproportionality: Waunakee staff report disproportionate referral rates for Black students, small numbers magnify shifts","audioSeconds",277,"startMs",3581000,"endMs",3858000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740638-6c5126581526fa9c41ab3b68828f9da4&start=3581&end=3858","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740638-6c5126581526fa9c41ab3b68828f9da4/thumbnail_3581000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6208799/Wisconsin/Special-education-disproportionality-Waunakee-staff-report-disproportionate-referral-rates-for-Black-students-small-numbers-magnify-shifts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208799-9f18aea81feb30862a025eb62079c682/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046189&Signature=HvYe1SfLBe8r0pkBZxW2ivxrfpLlbSDRdjMukWn5g~3B87mtt2AoSsQNf9HUyrtJycTeZZUX0tNeK8d~nbJ7m2NRKHoTHPMsIn-6X2a3SwGhblM8R0uS09sm-PDvuKM7RaeQkV3Sy8sxNnBcPYYt2iq1f4PvSGcg~H7dd2fqEFVn8kz8TYWAqsNd7P0oEAyLPhICpXT57CMGVUkeD3KlWgOV3i~pd2InaNdpw83unmBCZwfsX173QiRmA9WFVEw-vVXXzCKHj0WBpdDphbsZOcrQQCMy1o1XKOSVOqgOy0rS01~V-FZ-usEqN0pWAIHiIyb0H7ZJsXf4B74L0ZchTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waunakee Community School District, WI","date","2025-06-10T14:10:32Z","article","Tiffany Logan, Waunakee’s special-education director, presented a data overview on June 9 showing higher referral and qualification rates for Black students compared with white students — a difference that meets the state’s threshold for disproportionality.

Tiffany said the district’s total of 21 Black students in special education (the data set reviewed) produces a referral-rate percentage roughly double that of white students in the district. She reported that 76% of those students were identified for special education while enrolled in Waunakee schools and that 62% had been with the district since 4K or kindergarten; on average those students had been in the district about six years.

Tiffany noted the primary disability categories for the group were specific learning disability (SLD) and other health impairment (OHI), each representing about 28% of the subgroup. She cautioned that small numbers magnify percentage changes — a single family moving in or out can materially change the district’s percentages — and confirmed that DPI (the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction) reviews the district’s disproportionality plan and progress.

Board members asked about parent-initiated referrals; Tiffany said some referrals come from parents and that parental requests can influence counts in a small district. She described next steps: staff will dig into multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) processes, interventions and systemic steps that precede referral to better understand and address drivers of disproportionality.

Tiffany said the district will continue reporting to DPI and adapting its disproportionality plan with updated interventions and monitoring.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WCSD BOE June 9, 2025 Monthly Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","District staff presented data showing Black students in Waunakee were referred to special education at higher rates than white students, with 76% of those referred identified in-district and averages of six years in district; administrators said DPI will monitor and staff will adjust MTSS/referral processes.","taxTitle","Waunakee Community School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",58058,"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},6208804,"Board adopts ambitious district goal: all schools to \"significantly exceed\" expectations by 2029",304,2218000,2522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740638-6c5126581526fa9c41ab3b68828f9da4&start=2218&end=2522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740638-6c5126581526fa9c41ab3b68828f9da4/thumbnail_2218000.jpg","/articles/6208804/Wisconsin/Board-adopts-ambitious-district-goal-all-schools-to-significantly-exceed-expectations-by-2029","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208804-a6c6977943551448953d9585ab759f6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046189&Signature=caCmw9WhwoPleF22vLRQWgdh4WBtVlRjrRjqVG~piEYiXlguLZp2H-8vPUBeqNLu07GEhDYZT-8f7Xhu~~POmDEyEt0yayrjgXvvQxAMDyloVGMxsGfnV7b5utYFWZRdgwpC8XZCN6bX2n2~yJTkLTMM05F37WsqFMl~nlEbOr7pyZGxf0YOfv13iIfPg2gI8bXgcmocBWyNhoQfrYCabk8Twof~H~QTHqHkhk1VqLFszz3Tx-GSPWgVFTJtiWH7Mfe43AoB~~DgvUAAIVQqJWzTFpTlg6X5gQS31ZXr36eMcub9RsbOkb~sXqslhuJpBkQ4q3X8~gsKE4kexh2NBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waunakee Community School District Board unanimously approved a revised Priority Goal No. 1 on June 9 that sets an ambitious academic target: by 2029 the district aims for every school building to “significantly exceed expectations” on the Wisconsin State accountability report card, district leaders said.

Dr. Brown and curriculum staff outlined the rationale for the goal: investments in curriculum adoption, expanded professional development, continuous-improvement teams at each school and targeted work to reduce chronic absenteeism have created the structures the district believes can support a higher target. The goal was developed after earlier discussion at a February board workshop and was approved by the curriculum committee 3–0 before coming to the full board.

Proponents described the target as aspirational and data-driven: district staff cited pilot evidence from schools already meeting higher expectations and described plans for building-based continuous improvement teams, instructional coaching, and regular data checks to monitor progress. Board members acknowledged the goal is aggressive and emphasized that the district will continue iterative work if targets are not immediately met.

The board approved the revised first priority goal; other district priority goals were left unchanged.","The Waunakee board approved a revised priority goal to aim for all district buildings to \"significantly exceed expectations\" on the Wisconsin state accountability report card by 2029; the proposal grew from curriculum and leadership work and was advanced by committee.",{"_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},6208809,"Board removes attendance bar from graduation ceremony and approves new staff–student relationship policy",109,1736000,1845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740638-6c5126581526fa9c41ab3b68828f9da4&start=1736&end=1845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740638-6c5126581526fa9c41ab3b68828f9da4/thumbnail_1736000.jpg","/articles/6208809/Wisconsin/Board-removes-attendance-bar-from-graduation-ceremony-and-approves-new-staffstudent-relationship-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208809-6dce9355506ee93bd80878a581db6a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046190&Signature=eHeXKVn9zJ5L9fuNruew1IbRx9-QQXqfqrfFSGtT40Mc4KcGCUwjWAXnKowbo-Pu4P3pZhYoPXOoe2RwHjMeSov8KQqCN8I2~8uN6bnIZhsLudNfooa6rNs1dJ7QFq3bhWO5UIujZaeTfc1CTjSHvnBiGHSibulio5TJU0gKPkcHS-PalxM8kLkXE570MXTHzdJPRrMyJLDa~p7LFT3hrmf~y~4EV6SLfCADxg7exa2BuW9S0tFCZrjioVpPc92Ploi-Rufbrmallurqs~M0~M~ExPEHk-OZxSyvSH63UjFEz39ZXLKuk~IXAKRPFJ59N9Hn37s~z0QGamh-ahvv7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waunakee Community School District Board on June 9 voted to remove the attendance-based barrier to participating in the graduation ceremony and approved a new staff–student relationship policy following administrative review and input from employee groups.

Administrators said the attendance requirement was a long-standing rule that sometimes prevented students who had met academic and credit requirements from taking part in the ceremonial graduation event. Dr. Brown (Superintendent) and other board members characterized the change as student-centered and aimed at avoiding penalizing students — and their families — for attendance shortfalls when students otherwise have completed graduation requirements.

Separately, the board approved an addendum to the district’s staff–student relationship policy. The updated language had been administratively reviewed, shared with employees and the teachers association (WTA) for feedback, and reflects clarifications that administrators and the association agreed upon, board members said. The board approved both items after a short discussion and unanimous voice votes.

Board members and administrators noted the staff–student relationship policy was the product of district review and employee feedback, and the ceremonial-attendance removal applies only to participation in the ceremony; graduation academic requirements remain governed by separate graduation-requirements policy.","Waunakee board voted to remove an attendance-based restriction from the policy governing participation in graduation ceremonies and approved a new staff–student relationship policy after administrative review and employee feedback.",{"_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},6208814,"Board adopts fund-balance range and administrative purchasing changes",2025,685000,2710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740638-6c5126581526fa9c41ab3b68828f9da4&start=685&end=2710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740638-6c5126581526fa9c41ab3b68828f9da4/thumbnail_685000.jpg","/articles/6208814/Wisconsin/Board-adopts-fund-balance-range-and-administrative-purchasing-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208814-66e6ae65d5396be9236dc024747d8613/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046190&Signature=C0eTwOXozl1aS48ZkAvJAL4GoxbXClYR~asvM01T7hUrkHl5C0EXr4~pERr88peC9hu950KxpcPpLL7irlgGRBJTpDkFsbk6fx-9Mjl6naNke0txVmCAqHvg2WU-B20JccRGyXVzvdSHQeRX-i1I3JGkIZsM71zkmEecGssz0DCsG6KmLIl16ePrR-~Wv~qxq1tZLnprYxbFauxryt~kSDdIl-mhzkjOyU8ikCm2czaEQTqU9anSu2JocSdjCXuQQjHSi0afNeoQDMYtORkwChDsUZsjGk8xZBYPOEGaUXUGT~KVISCFcEPElTk~5VjUZrqHGzV7JGcBEJe1RpninQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waunakee Community School District Board on June 9 approved two interrelated policy revisions: setting a fund-balance goal as a range of 10%–15% and updating the district’s purchasing policy to change some administrative approval thresholds.

Steve (staff member) said the fund-balance policy change reflects conversations at an earlier board workshop and converts a single 15% target into a recommended range of 10%–15%. The intent is to provide the district greater flexibility in financial planning while maintaining a reserve target.

On purchasing, Steve and business staff described administrative edits to approval levels that will streamline operational purchasing; the board’s role — the purchases requiring board approval — remains the same, they said.

At the meeting the board approved the package of policy changes together with the open-enrollment revision and other policy items. Board members asked clarifying questions about timing and communication; staff said these are administrative updates that do not change the categories of purchases that must come to the board for formal approval.

The fund-balance classifications for fiscal year 2023–24 (final audited numbers) were also presented and approved as part of the year-end budget process. Staff noted the audited fund-balance figures will not be updated until the close of the 2024–25 audit cycle.

The board asked that staff provide materials explaining how the fund-balance range will be used in budgeting decisions going forward.","Waunakee school board approved a revision to its fund-balance policy, moving the target from a fixed 15% goal to a 10–15% range, and accepted administrative updates to the district purchasing policy that adjust approval levels while keeping board approvals unchanged.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":104,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":107,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6208819,"Waunakee board approves change to open-enrollment policy, replacing guarantee with preference",632,1317000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740638-6c5126581526fa9c41ab3b68828f9da4&start=685&end=1317","/articles/6208819/Wisconsin/Waunakee-board-approves-change-to-open-enrollment-policy-replacing-guarantee-with-preference","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208819-9a5143d4f27452e3a884b4c27836830a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046190&Signature=bANfFWWnHw8EdFek2S-SOiYxwiKItjx0dPLI0cihA8DjI6A38stalL5HLV3pbze92WUtVwBx8WblCigV7hoOiC4029JRDSy8EzbhMlxAxOCwHI3OOVLMTRxx2xTp82hpsYt5rxjasxrCIY6vlAj3NmfqH9HlIIHxajUq~idxVS3Kaex5W3i1Jak3lqvI2XLLSwn3CB7J8ZelURftoKrI6AQrZWWUgWWpYv3q7-xXidcYUhchsgX9Ro2UL1jT0CfhB1FcXFwNjNbZXqILKJwH~wA34ahpu0rTODw4JGQC5pqF3aHLe0MQPeqWIDcyqTH0ChwrY7XXAaw8w67sG8Yqig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waunakee Community School District Board on June 9 approved a revision to its open-enrollment policy that replaces a long-standing guarantee of acceptance for current district families who move out (and for siblings of accepted open-enrollment students) with a preference status.

The change narrows the guaranteed right to remain that the district had applied for more than 20 years and makes those students’s applications “preferred” — meaning they would receive priority over other new applicants but would not automatically override class-size limits or special-education capacity constraints, district administrators said.

Steve (staff member) told the board the state law governing open enrollment gives districts options about how to treat students who move out and siblings of open-enrollment students. The board’s previous practice had been to guarantee those students a continued spot; staff recommended switching to preference because guaranteed acceptance could force the district to exceed its class-size limits or special-education capacities. Steve said the recommended change would allow the district to honor class-size and special-education limits while still giving returning families priority over brand-new applicants.

Dr. Brown (Superintendent) and staff emphasized the change would not affect students already accepted for upcoming terms. Steve and Dr. Brown said the policy, if adopted, would apply to the open-enrollment period for the 2026–27 school year and that families who might rely on the previous guarantee should consult district staff (Annie and enrollment staff were named as points of contact) before making housing or enrollment decisions.

Board members asked about edge cases. Steve explained that, under state law and existing board policy, the district retains a narrow administrative option to require reapplication at transition points (for example, at a school transition) though that practice has not been used. He also said the district will continue to use its randomized computer selection system for lottery situations and that the policy change would be accompanied by direct communications from the district.

The motion to approve the revised open-enrollment policy was called during the meeting and the board voted to approve the change.

The district said it will notify affected families through the district’s communication channels and encourage families considering moves outside district boundaries to consult enrollment staff before finalizing plans.","The Waunakee Community School District Board voted to revise its open-enrollment policy to change guaranteed acceptance for former residents and siblings to a \"preference\" status; the change will apply to future application periods and district staff will notify families about the shift.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Special-education disproportionality: Waunakee staff report disproportionate referral rates for Black students, small numbers magnify shifts

Board adopts ambitious district goal: all schools to "significantly exceed" expectations by 2029

Board removes attendance bar from graduation ceremony and approves new staff–student relationship policy

Board adopts fund-balance range and administrative purchasing changes

Waunakee board approves change to open-enrollment policy, replacing guarantee with preference