State of the School Address 2009-2010

Welcome to my annual address to the School Board, staff, and community regarding the state of affairs in our organization.  I use this opportunity to recognize our achievements over the past year and to share with you my thoughts on the challenges ahead of us. 

I would like to begin my Address by reminding you of the Board’s Ends Policies, namely Academic Achievement, Responsibility, and Citizenship.  This should be a reminder to all of us to focus on the whole child as we incorporate these core values within the academic instruction we deliver to our students in the classroom, and within the life lessons our students learn from their role models at home.

Speaking of Academic Achievement, the October Board Monitoring report will detail progress on several academic measures including WKCE, MAP testing, and the ACT.  It has been reported the WKCE will be phased out over the next two years in favor of tests providing more opportunities to benchmark student progress.  While this is good news for those who long ago recognized the deficiencies of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam, we must remember over the next two years or longer, the WKCE’s will continue to be used to measure our progress. We cannot think and act as if they are no longer important because they are being phased out.  To disregard their continued importance could put our District in catch-up mode when the change to a different testing system is implemented.  We should be proud of the fact our District met the challenges of the WKCE while it was in place and we will continue to meet those challenges as a new test is implemented.

The School District of Waupaca was in the forefront, several years ago, when we introduced the MAP, or Measures of Academic Progress, testing program.  We welcome the change in State testing as the new testing and reporting method more closely resembles the program we already have in place for students in Grades Pre-K through 6 and beyond in some cases.

Last year at this time I discussed the challenges we face as a District in the areas of finance, instruction, and school safety.  It is no surprise those challenging areas continue to dominate our agenda.  The District received devastating news when the State dropped its share of support for education in our District by $922,000.  This accelerated our long range budget reduction plan and is particularly harmful when over 60% of school districts in Wisconsin already spend more per pupil than Waupaca on a comparative expenditure measure.  The evidence continues to suggest we do well with the resources we have at our disposal.

A quick fix to this loss of State revenue would be to fill the gap with property tax dollars.  However, this School Board and administration recognize the effects of the economy on our families and will not simply raise property taxes to fill the gap.  We are fortunate to have the means and support, both within the organization and community, to partially mitigate this loss in revenue for now.  But we must realize rising class sizes and less support for students is inevitable in this economic environment and while I would like to say it won’t effect the education of our students, I can’t.  I will say we as an organization will do all we can to minimize the effects, but they will be felt nonetheless.

As our resources grow at a lesser rate than our expenditures, our needs and expectations become greater.  The District will continue to develop our Response to Intervention plan.  RtI is a Federal initiative requiring us to further identify and develop instructional plans for students who are struggling.  Meaningful interventions will be provided before students fail, thereby reducing the number of students identified as special needs students.  A number of staff and administrators worked throughout the summer to outline our version of RtI and I look forward to sharing that outline with our Board of Education and other interested partners at the December Board meeting.

The final issue I would like to discuss tonight is safety.  The District continues to work towards providing a safe environment for our students and staff.  Of particular concern this year is the threat of the H1N1 pandemic flu.  The Federal and State Departments of Health, working closely with the Department of Public Instruction, have developed plans for School Districts to help minimize the degree to which this particular flu will affect the students, staff, and families of our community.  The School District of Waupaca will be providing information to educate students, families, and staff of this particular threat. We will be asking everyone to continue to wash their hands, to cover their mouth while coughing and sneezing, and to stay home for an additional 24 hours after the fever has subsided without the use of aspirin or Tylenol.

We continue to face our challenges with optimism.  The School District of Waupaca is a wonderful place to work, play, attend school, and live.  As we continue to educate every child who walks through our doors, I am convinced our staff will make a positive difference in the lives of the more than 2500 students who enter our schools this fall. 

We continue to appreciate the parents and community members who support our schools by participating in the education of our students.  We value the continued support of our community and parents, who are always there to provide the “extras” making Waupaca special.  Thank you for all you do.

It has been my pleasure to serve the School District of Waupaca for the past seventeen years and I again thank you for allowing me the opportunity.  I invite all to work with us in continuing the fine tradition of the School District of Waupaca.  Thank you.

David P. Poeschl Ph.D.

District Administrator

School District of Waupaca