Middleton School District reports rising enrollment, seeks $2.47 million levy; CTE building set for Oct. 6 ribbon-cutting

Superintendent Gaitley told Middleton City Council on Sept. 17 that student enrollment has risen across the district and several schools are operating at or above capacity. He said Middleton High School is at 1,572 students (about 101% of capacity) and the middle school is at 1,064 students (about 101% of capacity). Gaitley said elementary boundary adjustments and the purchase of additional portable classrooms are part of a phased response to overcrowding.

Gaitley said the district will place a two-year supplemental levy on this fall’s ballot asking for $2,470,000 to fund positions currently paid with levy dollars, teacher aides, one of the district’s school resource officers and curriculum adoption, and to begin a year-by-year plan to replace aging one-to-one student devices. "We're going to be asking our patrons to vote this fall for a 2,470,000 levy," he said, and added that the levy equates to about $58 per $100,000 of assessed value based on last year’s numbers (up from about $35 per $100,000 previously). He cautioned that the estimate does not include growth for the coming year.

The superintendent also highlighted a new career and technical education (CTE) facility focused on construction and carpentry. He said the district received a state modernization grant (described in the meeting as roughly "1.125 dollars" in the transcript) and a local business, R and M Steel, donated structural steel. Gaitley invited council and staff to a ribbon-cutting and open house on Oct. 6.

On athletic facilities, Gaitley said a donor funded the new high-school practice soccer fields, including hookups for future lighting and site work; the district paid for sidewalks and fencing but the field turf and some phases would depend on further donor support. He described ongoing traffic and parking adjustments around 9th Street as staff work through logistics.

Council members pressed Gaitley for clarifications on headcounts and restroom capacity; Mayor Hutchins asked specifically about middle-school numbers and the superintendent confirmed the enrollments above. Council members also asked for cost comparisons and asked staff to present levy information at upcoming public meetings and to coordinate with the city’s outreach. Gaitley said he will make informational presentations at elementary schools and provide materials to the public in the next month.

The superintendent emphasized alternatives considered after an elementary bond failed last year (vote did not meet the two-thirds threshold required): boundary adjustments and renovating an older red-brick building (he cited a $10 million renovation estimate) or building smaller additions to existing schools. He said some state funds might be pursued to limit reliance on local tax increases.

Next steps: Gaitley said the district will publish levy materials and hold community information sessions; the council asked staff to include the matter in its October agenda cycle for any municipal fee or budget questions that intersect with school planning.