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New Berlin School Board approves 2025'26 goals, adds 3-year academic KPIs and clarifies capital campaign language
Summary
The board approved 2025'26 goals with amendments to build rolling 3'5 year KPIs for graduation, ELA and math and to track the percentage of graduates who enroll in college versus trades; the board also edited capital-campaign wording to support administration 'if needed.
The New Berlin Board of Education approved its 2025'26 goals Monday after amending student achievement metrics and clarifying language around a possible capital campaign.
During discussion the board expanded Goal 1 to require a rolling three-year historical key performance indicator (KPI) for graduation rate and participation in extracurricular activities and to track academic measures including ELA and math; members also directed administration to report the percentage of graduates who go on to college and the percentage who pursue trades. "We just want information," one board member said during the exchange as members sought clarity on what the dashboard should display.
A motion to amend Goal 1 was moved by Mr. Seidel and seconded by Mr. Helmer; the amendment passed on a voice vote. The board also amended Goal 4 to change language about a capital campaign so the district will "support the administration with the capital campaign, if needed," language intended to avoid presuming the district will run a campaign.
Board members pressed the administration for more financial detail from the Education Foundation, asking for an annual summary that shows total fundraising and grants, expenses and available funds. Mr. Seidel said he would "want to see what did they bring in from grants... what did they bring in from fundraising?" Administration replied that Julie from the foundation typically presents in the spring but agreed to provide fall or winter timing so audited numbers are available.
The board also held first readings of two policies: policy 22 66 (non-discrimination) and policy 55 17 (student anti-harassment). Administration said legal feedback has been incorporated and the items will return for action at the next meeting.
The board adopted the goals in a final motion (moved by Mr. Seidel; seconded by Miss Crosby) and the motion passed by voice vote.
What happens next: Administration will add the amended 3'5 year targets to the district dashboard, provide the requested Education Foundation financial recap at a time when audited numbers are available, and return policies 22 66 and 55 17 for board action at a future meeting.
