Central High students, staff showcase classroom work; superintendent notes $70 million common school fund distribution

Central High School students and teachers presented examples of classroom work and curricular connections to the district’s theory of action, and district leadership used the superintendent’s report to describe a major state funding announcement for school libraries.

The Central High presentation included a science lesson focused on freshwater resources led by teacher Mark Hawksley, art projects and a new mindfulness physical-education course. Students described role-play negotiations over aquifer use, activism-themed art panels and mindfulness practices such as yoga and breathing exercises that teachers said help students manage ACT anxiety and build resilience.

Principal Brian Summerfield framed the presentations around the district’s theory of action: “The goal is that we want to move all our students who are currently at below basic and achievement to minimum basic,” he said, describing practice ACT results and the district’s focus on grade-level learning targets and scaffolding.

In the superintendent’s report after the showcase, administrators said Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Secretary Sarah Godlewski announced a $70,000,000 distribution from the Common School Fund — the largest in the fund’s history — intended for public-school libraries and technology. The board’s superintendent said the distribution will be used to improve libraries and school technology and acknowledged the state-level advocates who worked on behalf of districts.

Ending: Board members thanked students and teachers for the presentation and praised the district’s growing programs, while the superintendent said the state funding will support library resources across Wisconsin schools.