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Committee approves PD plan and calendar, adopts 4K literacy map and authorizes up to $16,500 for Kickstart Literacy; art trip moved to 2028
Summary
The Educational Services Committee approved the 2026-27 professional development plan and PD day calendar, adopted a 4K early literacy curriculum map, authorized up to $16,500 (referendum curriculum funds) for Kickstart Literacy materials and related supplements for 11 classrooms, and approved moving a student art trip from June 2027 to June 2028.
The Educational Services Committee of the Wisconsin Rapids School District approved several operational and instructional items after staff presentations and committee discussion.
A committee member moved and the committee voted to recommend approval of the 2026-27 professional development plan as presented; the motion carried by voice vote. District staff described the PD schedule and flexible inservice options, including August flexible days, a district welcome-back day, building-level activities, and a return visit by keynote speaker Dr. Brian Dinkens. Staff also noted added recordkeeping time requested by secondary teachers.
The committee then moved to recommend approval of the proposed 2026-27 professional development day calendar; the motion carried by voice vote. The adopted calendar includes flexible inservice windows (Aug. 17Aug. 31 options), a district welcome-back on Tuesday of the first week, and specified PD days during the academic year.
Terry Thomas, the districts 4K coordinator and principal of Pitch Early Learning Center, presented a multi-site curriculum review that began in 2024 and pilot results from four materials sets. After piloting Frog Street, Amplify, a foundational-skills set and the newly released Kickstart Literacy, the 4K team recommended Kickstart Literacy for its brief lesson spreads, sound cards, pre-writing activities and QR-linked lesson demonstrations. Staff acknowledged Kickstart lacks built-in readaloud books and proposed a common readaloud list to supplement the program.
Following that presentation, the committee voted to adopt the proposed 4K literacy curriculum maps for the 2026-27 school year and to approve materials acquisition not to exceed $16,500 to be funded from the referendum curriculum budget. CI (Curriculum and Instruction) had recommended approval (26 yes, 0 no). Staff said the $16,500 cap provides a cushion against price changes and covers supplemental mirrors and alphabet tubs to support lessons across 11 classrooms.
The committee also approved a requested date change for a previously approved Lincoln High School art trip (Italy, France and Spain), moving it from June 2027 to June 2028; staff noted the change would increase the per-student cost by about $220 and that one student had already expressed interest.
In each of the above votes the transcript records voice votes ("All those in favor? I.") but does not include roll-call tallies or recorded individual votes. The committee adjourned with reminders that June agendas will include achievement gap reduction and the early reading project.
Notes on funding and next steps: staff will place orders for Kickstart Literacy and schedule training for 4K staff over the summer; procurement will use the referendum curriculum budget. The materials purchase and PD scheduling are time-sensitive for fall implementation.
