Board adopts updated AP Economics text; committee discusses state Act 20 third-grade policy and middle school schedule options

The School District of Waukesha Board of Education on May 14 approved a replacement AP Economics text and heard committee briefings on a new state literacy law (Act 20) implementation and proposed middle-school schedule changes.

On a unanimous 9–0 vote, the board adopted Krugman's Economics for the AP course to replace the district’s existing AP Economics resource, which the teaching team said had not been substantially revised since 2006. Betty Koenig, presenting the Teaching & Learning Committee recommendation, said the updated text better aligns instruction with AP macro and micro exams. The motion to adopt the text was moved by Koenig and seconded by Anthony Zenobia.

Why it matters: the adoption sets the textbook resource for AP Economics classes starting when the district implements the new curricular cycle and is part of routine curricular resource renewal.

Act 20: promotion and retention discussion The committee also discussed a new policy required by Wisconsin Act 20 (2023). As presented, the law requires school districts to adopt a policy governing promotion from third to fourth grade by July 1, 2025, with an enforcement date no later than Sept. 1, 2027. The T&L committee reviewed a Neola-drafted policy based on Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction guidance and planned additional revisions based on board feedback before bringing a final policy back for approval during the June meeting cycle.

Board members pressed for clearer communication to families: Thomas Harland asked for a review of the district’s communication plan to ensure incoming kindergarten families and current families understand the assessments and possible retention pathways. Administrators confirmed that assessment results tied to Act 20 have been communicated but acknowledged they would provide clearer messaging about the potential future retention policy.

Retention debate—on record Board member David Brooks thanked district staff for Act 20 work and stressed the long-term consequences of continuing social promotion when students do not reach grade-level reading benchmarks. Brooks referenced research and urged the district to prioritize student literacy even when retention decisions are difficult.

Middle-school schedule Administrators presented two proposed middle-school schedules, one of which would require an earlier start time; both retain daily core instruction with extended literacy and math blocks in grades 6–8 and allow for two elective blocks per grade. The recommended elective model offers electives on an every-other-day basis to give staffing flexibility between middle and high schools. The district will collect more feedback from staff, students and families and return the schedule for further T&L consideration.

Board action and votes - Motion: Adopt Krugman’s Economics for the AP Economics course. Mover: Betty Koenig; Second: Anthony Zenobia. Vote: approved, roll call 9–0.

Next steps Administrators will revise the draft third-grade promotion and retention policy to reflect board feedback and publish clearer family communications. The middle-school scheduling team will gather additional input before returning options to Teaching & Learning and the full board.