Middleton-Cross Plains board hears Q2 strategy map update; approves midyear budget amendments and tables board-salary policy

Superintendent Dana Minogue gave the Middleton-Cross Plains Area Board of Education its quarter‑2 update on the district strategy map at the Feb. 24, 2025 meeting, reporting progress on literacy, interventions, professional learning and community priorities and answering board questions on screening timing, staffing and planning.

Nut graf: The update covered implementation of Act 20 reading requirements and statewide screeners, staff professional learning tied to literacy, plans for compensation review for non‑certified staff, and other community‑facing priorities; the board approved midyear budget amendments and tabled the first reading of a policy change to board salaries until the language is clarified.

What the board heard

- Literacy and screening: Minogue and staff summarized results from the January statewide screener (AIMSweb) used to meet Act 20 requirements. Presenters said about 25% of students from kindergarten through third grade qualified for a reading plan under state requirements; teachers told administrators the screener largely matched educator expectations. Minogue said the district will move the screener to the fall next year so reading plans can be in place earlier.

- Interventions and supports: The district reported active interventions based on reading‑plan results and ongoing social‑emotional screening. Special-education professional learning (co‑teaching and specially designed instruction) and a planned replication of a Verona self‑contained intervention model were noted.

- Staff compensation and committees: Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Jared Rosing described work on compensation modeling for non‑certified staff and a paraeducator committee already in place; the district has surveyed other non‑certified groups and plans to share draft recommendations. The board identified bargaining and compensation review steps for this year.

- Community priorities and other work: Minogue reported the sustainability committee and capital improvement planning are active; the district paused a comprehensive 4‑K evaluation pending improved local census data. An AI assessment baseline was completed and staff said they will contract an outside firm for further planning; Minogue offered to share the baseline report with the board.

Votes and formal actions

- Approval of minutes: The board approved minutes from the Feb. 10 regular board meeting (motion passed by voice vote).

- Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda item, "approval of bills payable" (voice vote).

- Budget amendments: The board voted to approve midyear budget amendments for fiscal 2024‑25 presented by Jared Rosing. The presentation noted these adjustments follow Department of Public Instruction reporting conventions, cover grant carryovers and insurance/open‑enrollment changes, and reflect revised special education aid estimates (staff said they expect closer to 29–30% rather than an earlier 33% figure). The motion to approve passed by voice vote.

- Board policy I‑D0.4 (board salaries): The board held a first reading of proposed updates to policy I‑D0.4 to reflect board salaries approved at the annual meeting. During discussion members questioned whether a CPI automatic adjustment language should be included and whether that language could be permanent. After remarks and a request to confirm the annual meeting record, a motion was made and seconded to table the policy; the motion to table passed by voice vote. The initial approval motion was withdrawn prior to the table vote.

Board questions and clarifications

Board members asked for more detail on why the district will move reading screening to fall (Minogue: to align with an annual cycle and get plans in place earlier), on the district census process used for 4‑K planning (administrators explained the district manages its own local census outreach and will alter timing and outreach methods), and on the status of the AI assessment baseline (Minogue said a brief baseline report exists and she can share it; the district will engage a third party for next phases).

Ending

The board approved the budget amendments and tabled the policy language for later revision. The superintendent and business office staff will return with follow‑up materials — including the AI baseline, compensation proposals and clarified policy language — at upcoming meetings.