Madison Board approves revised PreK–5 related-arts model after parent feedback

At a special meeting of the Madison Board of Education, Superintendent Donnie Cook presented a revised PreK–5 related-arts model and said the board approved the superintendent and administration's proposed budget at a 2.47 percent increase.

The revised model restores and modifies related-arts offerings for elementary students after parent and teacher feedback. Donnie Cook said the district added back theater for all fifth graders (18 lessons per year), increased Spanish in fourth and fifth grades to two times per week, expanded STEM/computer instruction to one time per week for K–3 and for upper elementary, and kept scheduled library time K–12. "We did increase Spanish, doubling the Spanish is what we looked at," Cook said. He also told the board the administration added staffing to support the model, including one world language teacher and additional music and theater positions, which the board approved as part of the budget process.

Why this matters: the changes affect daily schedules, staffing and the content students receive in the new school configurations. Cook said some reductions remain compared with prior years (for example, theater moves from 30 lessons to 18 lessons per year in grade 5), and that the district will seek other ways to augment reduced elements (after-school options and ensembles). He emphasized that individualized special-education services "supersede any model" and will continue to be provided under students' IEPs and Section 504 plans.

Key changes and implementation notes - PE: two times per week for several elementary grades as noted in the presentation. - Music and orchestra: year-long electives retained; ensembles time increased. - Theater: restored for all fifth graders at 18 lessons per year (reduced from the current 30 lessons); administrators said after-school options could augment theater instruction. - Spanish: increased to two times per week in fourth and fifth grades; small increases for kindergarten and exploration for pre-K were discussed. - STEM/computers: expanded to one time per week for K–3, providing more science instruction through STEAM curriculum and including coding. - Library/media: scheduled library time retained K–12, with teachers coordinating time with library media specialists. - Staffing: Cook said the additions that made these restorations possible include one world language teacher and additional music/theater staff; the board approved the budget that funds those positions. - Scheduling limits: Cook and parents noted scheduling in buildings that house K–5 together complicates options such as switching student groups for specials; principals will present more details to families at scheduled meetings.

Public engagement and next steps Cook said principals will present the model to fourth-grade families on Thursday and hold meetings for Jeffrey and Ryerson families on March 3 at 6:00 p.m. He also noted the district is still determining details about student transitions within buildings and bell times; those schedules were described as near-final. Parents and community members urged clearer, earlier communications about significant schedule changes and requested more transparent rationales behind the initial draft.

Public comments at the meeting reflected appreciation for the revisions but also frustration at how the draft was communicated and concern about remaining reductions. Maureen Burke, a parent, thanked the superintendent for listening but said, "I wish next year's fourth graders would be able to have more of the same experiences that this year's fourth graders have, but I do appreciate the adjustments made to Spanish for all and to theater and music for the fifth graders next year." Matt Azeveda, who has children at Ryerson and Brown, urged the board to retain mixing students across classes in related-arts periods, quoting student letters: "the way things are done now is the best way, in my opinion, because we get to mix up who we are with throughout the day. Being able to see my friends throughout the day made it so I wanted to go to school and helped me pay attention." John Huffman pressed for clearer explanation of why the drastic initial cuts were proposed and for the board to consider curriculum committee purview over such changes. Jessica Weiland suggested using added social studies and science time to redesign those curricula around project-based learning.

Votes at a glance - Superintendent's proposed budget (2.47%): reported approved (board-approved as part of this meeting; vote tally not specified in transcript). The superintendent said the budget approval included the additional positions supporting related arts. - Donation: Steady Photography to Folsom Middle School, $1,703.81 — motion moved and seconded; recorded as approved by the board (unanimous by voice vote recorded in the meeting). - Donation: Steady Photography to Brown Intermediate School, $1,404.42 — approved (unanimous by voice vote). - Donation: Jeffrey PTO to Jeffrey Elementary School, $4,500 — approved (unanimous by voice vote). - Minutes approvals (Jan. 7, Jan. 14, and additional Jan. 14 entry): motions to approve were moved, seconded and approved by the board (unanimous voice votes reported).

The superintendent concluded the report and said the central office and building administration had met multiple times with teachers and parents to revise the draft. The board and administration asked the community to attend the upcoming principal-led meetings, and trustees said they would continue to consider improvements to family engagement and communications going forward.