Wauwatosa School District -

Question: There is a graphic being shared that lists “swag” purchased by the district. Can you illuminate the context of this list? Were these all district purchases? Were some of these costs reimbursed? For instance, school specific costs?

Question: The capital referendum states that it "asks our community to provide $60 million over 20 years". Is that amount the principle only or inclusive of estimated interest costs? If only principle, why aren't we explaining to the community that over 20 years they will in fact be providing more that $60 million? I understand that until the bonds are finalized the interest rate is TBD but we should still have a close estimate.

Question: Open enrollment has been noted to generally be a negative factor in the fiscal health of a school district and our school district has a high percentage of open enrollment. I do acknowledge the social and community benefits and support open enrollment, when used appropriately. I have seen this confirmed, but have not seen any financial analysis of the impact. If open enrollment was eliminated today, what difference would that make financially? I recognize that closing schools and right sizing staffing is a component of this, with complexities layered in. This is important as the referendum is asking Wauwatosa residents to fund operating shortfalls that appear to be impacted by open enrollment students - noting that the households of these open enrollment students will not participate in funding the referendum requests. How is that equitable or financially sustainable? I also know that questions were asked regarding open enrollment in the survey, but I don't believe this pertinent information and context was available. Therefore, the community feedback is hard to rely upon.

Question: I know that if the referendum fails, all electives will be cut. Do you administrators know what that will do to students? Most post-secondary schools have elective requirements in order to apply. Do you understand that you are ruining your students futures to save money?

Question: Were the four new schools built specifically for STEM?

Question: I have heard of many large payments being made this year by WSD (raise to Dr. Means, $55,000 office remodel at Fischer building) but I haven’t heard what steps WSD has taken to make cuts to help balance what they are asking of the community. Has there been any steps taken to help cut costs at the District and administrative level? Wauwatosa is also in a deficit and had a large list of steps they have taken to help cut costs. I appreciated seeing what they had done prior to them listing the increased costs to taxpayers. I would love to see a list from the district on what ways they have found to cut costs. Thanks!

Question: One of your answers to a question posted says there is 1 FTE to operate APPSE. Is this person at the district office, East or West High School?

Question: The election is only a few weeks away. The district must have a plan in place to make immediate changes if there is not a yes vote. What is the plan if there is a no vote? I have reviewed the large list of potential items on the chopping block and I keep hearing there will be cuts but no formal plan on which of these will go first. Should I assume everything on the list will be cut Nov 7 if there is a no vote?

Question: Why does the operating referendum include an additional $4 million for curricular materials? Could you please explain what “curricular materials” are, and why they are not included as part of the operating budget? Thank you!

Question: In a recent Journal Sentinel article that outlined all of the areas school district referendums this fall, it showed that the Tosa operational referendum is far and away greater than any other school district in the area. The next highest ask is $26.4 million over 4 years in Mequon, while Tosa's is over $60 million over 4 years. I understand our school district may be bigger, but why aren't any comparable sized districts asking for as much?

Question: I heard WSD received a $3.3 million dollar increase in General Aid from the state DPI. What does that mean and is that a budgeted revenue increase? https://dpi.wi.gov/sfs/aid/general/summary.

Question: 1. I’ve heard that APPSE will be on the cut list. Why? Its a credited class for the students who participate? 2. How much money does the district contribute to the Destination Imagination program in salary and transportation?

Question: I am interested in hearing about how the proposed boundary changes (if we go to a k-6 model) were determined. I know that the district has not redrawn boundary lines in decades, which is problematic, and I fully support redrawing these. However, there are some seemingly odd decisions on these new maps. For instance, students in zone 25 would be crossing both 76th street and North Ave, bypassing Roosevelt, and walking to Washington. Can you please give some insight into how these boundaries were determined? Thank you!

Question: I am looking at the survey results. Is all data shown 'in total' weighted by respondent type? Survey respondents over represent staff and parents. Are you reporting averages or median responses for cost cutting measures? I believe 5.5 is not the median response but rather the middle of the scale. Typically for 1-10 point scaled questions, top and bottom 2 (or 3) box and mean would be reported to show whether respondents are truly indifferent or polarized. Why are you reporting something without making it clear what you are reporting? Can you provide top 3/bottom 3/mean data? This question is vague and unclear - can you elaborate by what is meant by 'Should the district adjust school attendance boundaries?' Some respondents may interpret as expand and others as contract. No decisions can be taken based upon these vague results - they are as bad as the phrasing of state-wide referendum questions made to confuse respondents v gain clear input. What was the intent of this question? Did you intend to dupe residents with this question, expanding enrollment boundaries beyond the limits of Wauwatosa, while at the same time saying you were able to lower open enrollment? Are you reporting average responses in 'How is the district doing in each of the following areas? Top box and bottom box % would be helpful. Can you provide this information? Can you report the 'likelihood to recommend' question, typically called Net Promoter Score, as it was meant to be reported? NPS is: 1. Categorize responses Divide respondents into three groups based on their answers: Promoters: Respond with a score of 9 or 10. These are loyal customers who are likely to recommend your brand. Passives: Respond with a score of 7 or 8. These customers are satisfied but not enthusiastic, and may be at risk of switching to a competitor. Detractors: Respond with a score between 0 and 6. These unhappy customers can damage your brand and may discourage potential new customers. 2. Calculate the percentage of promoters and detractors Divide the number of people who rated you positively by the total number of respondents. Repeat for the people who rated you negatively. 3. Subtract the percentage of detractors from the percentage of promoters This is your NPS score. For example, if 70% of respondents are promoters and 10% are detractors, your NPS score is 60. Essentially a +NPS is a positive indicator of health and a - NPS is a negative indicator of health

Question: 1. I'm still confused about the WVA ( Wauwatosa Virtual Academy.) To my recollection the WVA was always part of the school district; not the county programs. When did this change? How could WVA be a county program when the majority of students are Wauwatosa residents and some open enrollment students? I also was told by a school board member that WVA is an underperforming school. Has it always been underperforming, and if so why does it remain open? There are other Wisconsin public virtual schools that are doing well, that Wauwatosa students wanting this option could enroll in. 2. I know this has already been brought up many times, but .... what if the person submitting the question is willing to have their name posted. (This would be optional.) Then would the administrators answering that particular question be willing to post their name(s) at the top or bottom of the answer? I feel transparency from a school district is always critical.

Question: I have heard that the WSD has mismanaged funds, exceeded budget, and been financially irresponsible. Administration cites state legislature and funding, and the fact that Tosa schools were not routinely maintained or upgraded as direct contributors to our financial issues. Are there any other factors that have put us in our current financial position? And, is there a long term solution proposed that may close the financial gap we are experiencing notwithstanding a change in legislation?

Question: Can you provide me the sources underlying this response re consideration of school closings? I did not see it in the survey. What is the source of 'community reaction' sentiment and is it weighted by Wauwatosa population (i.e. weighting down input from district employees, weighting down parent, weighting up the rest of the community)? Is the response rooted in quantitative evidence? What is the evidence that closing 1-2 schools would be harmful? What is the financial gain? What is the irreversible harm? How do we justify keeping so many schools open when our population is declining and the community wants to lower the % of students in open enrollment? Are you suggesting we expand the borders of the city of Wauwatosa to increase enrollment and keep these schools open? Or are you suggesting that we keep the borders of Wauwatosa the same but expand the school district borders to include adjacent portions of Milwaukee to keep these schools open? These concepts are as insane to me as the rumor that the school board was considering combining with MPS...

Question: The Heard It Through the Grapevine web page states that "questions will be responded to within 48 hours on our Heard It Through the Grapevine web page..." I submitted a question over 84 hours ago and have yet to get a response. Why has no one responded to my question?

Question: Wouldn’t it make sense to not allow tuition waivers/open enrollment at Montessori, since it’s lottery based and there’s a resident waiting list? Also true for the elementary STEM schools?

Question: I heard that since we had such a large referendum last time, the state has classified us as a "wealthy" district and something like top 4 or 5 wealthiest in the state now. I heard this has significantly impacted our state funding. 1. How much less in $'s per year (millions? thousands?) is Wauwatosa receiving because of the past referendum? 2. Was any sort of breakeven analysis down with the last referendum so that we could have still maximized the state's money and also had a smaller referendum? 3. Is it accurate to say this is the state's funding problem if we created part of the funding problem ourselves?

Question: I have heard that there is a plan to close WSTEM Elementary School. However, reading through the responses it indicates: "The issue of proposal closing an elementary school is not a financial windfall for the District. Considering the split opinion of this topic in the community, it holds little merit for the District administration to consider as an alternative. While the concept of closing a school may be appealing to some in the community as a public policy issue, it does not help the District financially." Why is the district considering closing WSTEM if it does not help the district financially?

Question: On the form to enter the questions for Heard It Through the Grapevine it states questions will be responded to within 48 hours. However, after submitting a question, it states you will get a response within 72 hours. Which time frame is correct?

Question: Thank you to the school board and administrators for the thoughtful and detailed discussion on Monday night, and thanks as well to the many parents who spoke and shared their perspectives, especially as regards the future of STEM programming. If the board were to approve a final contract for WSTEM, is there any planned impact on Wilson during and after the wind-down? With a program of >100 students possibly leaving the building, is the thought that the building would remain full after implementation of JK-6, plus the addition of whatever percentage of WSTEM enrollees are Wilson-zoned? Is there any planned need to redraw the boundary lines for Wilson? We understand that many of these decisions are interrelated and not yet settled. As you know, Wilson has a somewhat recent history of facing closure, so our community is particularly keen to remain updated and sympathetic to the current WSTEM situation. Thank you in advance.

Question: A fellow community member brought to my attention that there is a question on grapevine that has an answer that starts with “The District is committing to keeping all of its elementary schools open with successful passage of the upcoming capital referendum.” However, the administration’s recommendation discussed on Monday was to close one of the district’s elementary schools (WSTEM). Can you clarify this discrepancy?

Question: First of all kudos to the person/people that came up with this idea! 1.When replying to each question, is it possible that the person responding put their name at the beginning or end of their response? 2. For the upcoming Finance and Resource Committee meeting 10/16/24 WVA (Wauwatosa Virtual Academy) is not listed as a school. If they aren't a school then where is their staff allocated? 3. Today when looking at submitted questions, there were no longer any of the responses?

Question: Whoever is answering the grapevine questions keeps suggesting that there would be no savings realized by closing one or more elementary schools. Yet, the long term facilities plan that is linked in one of the responses indicates that the district is facing $ 8,401,721 in deferred maintenance costs for Washington Elementary alone. Please explain... how would closing Washington, and thereby not sinking $8.4 million in maintenance costs into the facility, NOT result in any savings?

Question: I am writing as a concerned parent and community member, as my family utilizes the Rec. Department for many activities. I have not seen any mention of cuts to rec programming in the event that the operational referendum fails. Has there been any discussion regarding how the failure of the operational referendum would impact the rec department? I appreciate any information you can provide, or suggestions about whom to contact. Thank you!

Question: I’ve heard if the referendum fails in November you’ll go back to the ballot in April. What will change in terms of the ask for the community? Is there a plan for what a second go at it would look like?

Question: This is a multiple question, all related. I heard when the district closed Wilson, Lincoln, Underwood and McKinley for rebuild/remodel, they moved all the furniture to the third floor of Tosa East, then gave it away for free to a parochial school. The furniture was gently used and the parochial school was grateful to receive the barely used desks, chairs, lamps, etc. While it’s nice to donate, 1. Why wasn’t this furniture reused in the district? 2. How much was spent on new furniture for the 4 schools? 3. Why wasn’t this offered to teachers who post on Buy Nothing asking for furniture for their classrooms and/or teacher spaces? 4. How much of the 2024 referendum is designated for more new furniture at the schools or Fisher building? Thank you for addressing all 4 questions.

Question: The way that I understand it, the operational referendum is a 4 year agreement and largely funds teacher pay and benefits. Is that correct? To achieve and sustain a high quality school district, we must attract and retain high quality teaching staff. What is the budget strategy for teacher compensation after the expiration of the operational referendum in 4 years, knowing that the cost of salary & benefits will only increase over those years?

Question: 1. What accounts for the $80,00 APPSE expense. I know that year after year, the APPSE teams engage in ambitious and lucrative fundraising efforts. I know that 2 years ago the team raised more than $90,000 dollars. What makes up this $80,000 line item. 2. On both the middle and high school pages, there is a line item titled "Academic Support Classes Non special-ed/ESL". The cost to the middle school is $400,000 and serves 47 students (3.48% of the student population). In High School, that same line item comes at a cost of $720,000 serves 271 students (13% of the student population). The MS expense accounts for 4.0 FTE, and HS 7.2 FTE. This is a cost of over $1million dollars to serve just over 300 students. Can you please identify what these classes are, what the programming, as well as who the students are that are engaged in these classes? 3. When I examine the whole sheet and compare FTE to expense, the multiplier is 100,000. Is the message here that each FTE employed by WSD, costs $100,000 in salary and benefits?

Question: During a time when the district leaders are attempting to build trust with the community, why the lack of transparency regarding who is responding to questions asked here. “Various district personnel” provides zero accountability to the responses. Additionally, how can the public be assured that the response given is true and accurate? Is there a fact checking process in place, or does one of the “various personnel” craft a response and post?

Question: My question is how is the decision to cut specific programming being made within the district? Is there specific programming that more students use within the district, such as band and orchestra, versus Montessori school that would make sense to keep and then cut other programming that affects less children? Is there programming at the secondary level that the numbers of students that participate in it is greater than other programming and then therefore other programming (which impacts less students) should be cut first? Is the district looking at numbers of kids programming impacts when looking at classes/specialty programming/sports and extra curriculars when deciding which programming they are cutting first?

Question: I was reading through portions of the long-range facility plan. In one part, it states, “When viewing the existing opportunity through a financial lens, it is clear that the most fiscally-responsible strategy does not meet the Wauwatosa community’s desires.” (See section titled ‘Long Range Planning Strategy, Meeting Community Expectations). What is the ‘’most-fiscally responsible strategy’ referenced?

Question: If the referenda fail in November, will the District put it back on the ballot in April?

Question: You said "While the concept of closing a school may be appealing to some in the community as a public policy issue, it does not help the District financially." Question: why was it proposed as a consideration then?

Question: As a follow up to my question regarding why the 2075 TF recommendation to close at least 1 elementary school was ignored, your response indicated it wasn’t listed as a top priority for task force members. You provided the graph that listed the top priorities. The item with overwhelming support by task force members was that the district should create a long term facilities plan before going to a facilities referendum. Why wasn’t that done?

Question: Both the previous CFO and the current CFO have presented us with numerous financial analyses that show open enrollment costs the district/taxpayers money and has a negative financial impact to the district. Most recently Scot Ecker did a thorough analysis and said that by accepting open enrollment dollars, it also affects our state funding negatively. He stated that Wauwatosa is not using the open enrollment policy as it was intended, such as filling a few empty seats in a classroom. He also stated that we are around 18% and no other district in our area has an open enrollment % even close to ours. Most recent community survey showed teachers, parents and community wanted to significantly decrease open enrollment. When is the board going to solidify a decision on open enrollment now that we are being made aware of how much it is costing taxpayers? Will a decision be made before the referendums? I do believe a lot more taxpayers would be voting yes to such large referendums if they knew the tax dollars would be used for resident students and that we didn't continue with a program that costs the district revenue and extra resources. Thanks!

Question: I'm a student at East and have heard that elective classes would have to be cut if the referendum doesn't pass. Are world languages at risk of being cut and if so which ones would be cut?

Question: I know it's too early to have a definitive answer about whether the teacher salary increases enacted in 2023-2024 have improved teacher retention, but could you provide numbers for teacher retention rates from the 2020-2021 school year through the 2024-2025 school year? I'm curious to see if there was any change after the salary increases.

Question: Wauwatosa Montessori students are chosen by a lottery system or sibling preference. I know of Tosa families who are/were on a waiting list. Why would the district allow 13 (7% WM enrollment) out of district students to use tuition waivers and then later open enroll, when we have resident students wanting/ waiting to go there?

Question: Grapevine recently showed the results from the Spring 2024 School Perceptions survey. You stated that the question was "If closing one or more schools as a cost saving option was favorable" YES=10 NO=1 MEDIAN=5.5 RESULTS: STAFF 5.65 PARENTS=4.83 . These responses are neither overwhelmingly yes or no. They are a maybe. What were the results from the community who are neither staff or parents? The question does not specify choices of closing elementary, middle schools or high schools. Knowing what we know, now that the district has listed more than 6 months after the survey their projected devastating cuts and 1 month before the election, the answer from the community to this question would overwhelmingly be "yes." Also please repost the final survey results from the 2075 task force in a larger font. My computer would not allow me to enlarge it. It is unreadable on my end as posted. Thank-you.

Question: With regards to the secondary schools being reconfigured, what year will the reconfiguration take place? Would it be 2029-2030 like the plan to change to change to K-6? Also why would no current middle school families be allowed on the adhoc committee as a change in secondary school configuration would affect their kids in high school should the implementation be 2029 school year?

Question: I recently asked Grapevine about Montessori schools and was provided a spreadsheet to demonstrate the 13.48 FTE that represent $1.3m in expenses. I reviewed the spreadsheet and found $884,847 in salary expenses for 14.1 FTE. Did I miscalculate or perhaps the additional ~$415,150 spent on facilities or other? The program services 174/5470 resident students, or ~3%. If we factor in open enrollment numbers, that % further reduces. Our community has been asked to go to a referendum and has hard decisions ahead of us whether the referendum pass or not. I appreciate the district values this program, and again, I wish we could keep everything. It seems, however, many the other cuts being presented to the community impact a significantly higher % of the entire student population. At any point - referendum pass or fail - will the district reconsider Montessori? Thank you.

Question: I’ve seen district board members mention online the budget discrepancy identified this summer was a result of an error of the former CFO. One of my concerns as a voter is sound fiscal management. Can you share how a budget is approved before the board reviews and/or approves it? Does anyone but the CFO have to account for it? Thank you for helping inform me!

Question: I have heard on a previously answered question on “the grapevine” as well as in district documents and on the district Facebook page that “the community is opposed to closing elementary schools”. Can you provide the survey results that show that the community was asked about closing elementary schools specifically? Also, in a previously asked question on this site, it was suggested that the 2075 task force was opposed to closing elementary schools. Is that accurate? Did 66% of 2075 task force not recommend closing at least 1 elementary school?

Question: I am all for supporting our schools but there are a lot of questions I have heard. Based on recent settlement payment to a school board member for not being open with the public. What financial information was discussed in those meetings? It is stated on the district page that the $64 million shortfall in wages is not a long term solution. Can you please state your budget strategy for wages and benefits?

Question: Recently my wife asked a question in grapevine regarding Montessori and we appreciated getting a response. I also appreciate The Montessori program is a unique instructional methodology that the District is unable to replicate in any other place in the District. Is having a Montessori program a requirement by the state or federal government in a public school district? Thank you for clarifying an unknown.

Question: Enrollment is down +/- 2,000 students in the last 12-15 years and continues to decline. There doesn’t appear to be a baby boom on the horizon. Why won’t the district consider closing 1-2 elementary schools when the community survey suggested that was a good option? The walkable argument doesn’t hold up since students west of Wauwatosa Avenue can’t necessarily walk to Eisenhower and Whitman.

Question: Rumor has it that there will be a “tax rebate” for seniors to recoup the extra tax the referenda will bring to seniors should they pass. How will this work? Is there an application? Is it income based? Will every senior benefit? Details please!

Question: At the Senior Commission meeting last week, Dr. Means rattled off the names of the schools that would become ADA compliant if the referendum passes. What are those schools and would you elaborate on the ADA needs that would be addressed at each school?

Question: I’ve been told the district has administrators doing double duty answering these questions. Please name all of those administrators and any others who are answering these questions. I want names.

Question: How will the ad hoc committee in 2025 be formed for the secondary schools configuration plan? Will there be an application process? And what year would the change to the secondary schools plan be implemented?

Question: I've heard that non-required elective academic classes will be cut. But what about athletics? Are they required by the state and will they be affected by a "No" vote in the Operational Referendum?

Question: The District administration has recommended that the Wauwatosa Montessori School remain open. Why? It’s my understanding it’s used by a lot of Elmbrook school district residents because they don’t offer it. I would truly love to offer everything, and I’d hate to disparage anyone who relies on the program. When choosing preschools or childcare, Montessori programs are often at a premium. Families that can afford it, or can seek funding assistance, find a way. Why is it a regular tax payer offering in Wauwatosa school district? I appreciate your help in understanding this!

Question: One of the responses on the Heard it From the Grapevine page references a commitment to keep all elementary schools opened based on community response and the results of a community survey. Did the community survey also ask for feedback on closing/changing composition of middle school and high school buildings? If not, will a similar community survey be sent? If feedback was asked only on one option (closing elementary schools), the results could be skewed because they didn’t present options.

Question: I’ve heard that the proposed cuts affect all elective classes but not extracurriculars? Why would my child’s art teacher be let go and the football coach remain?

Question: In the event the operating referendum does not pass, the District’s schedule of Proposed Reductions includes $9 million in cuts to optional curricular programming. Since the school district exists primarily to educate students, why are there massive potential cuts to the academic curriculum, but not to middle and/or high school athletics?

Question: What are the total interest costs of both upcoming referendums? What is the anticipated interest rate if there are interest costs? Will the referendums trigger negative tertiary funding, if so, how much? Also, what are the estimated interest costs for the $350mm referendum in 2026?

Question: There was a post by Yes to Kids that states if we don’t vote yes, the Trade program is at risk of being defunded. Or I think they worded a Vote Yes keeps the Trade program. I would think the Trade program will be fine where a No vote or a Yes Vote.

Question: I have heard numerous plans if the referendum does not pass. I think to make an informed decision we need to know what the plan is if the referendum does not pass. There are so many groups spewing what will happen but I think the district should provide their plan if it does not pass and if this one passes but the next 2026 one doesn’t.

Question: It was previously stated that the school board would vote on a jk-6 configuration in November. Why has this been moved to October 28th? If the school board does vote to move to jk-6, when would that go into effect? How would 6th graders fit into the elementary schools? Would renovations be required?

Question: Dr. Means highlighted in a video some of the maintenance work that’s needed at East. I imagine there are deferred maintenance needs at West also. If we move to a 7-10 model, what are the District’s plans for maintaining and upgrading East and West which would house a much larger student population than they have now? I imagine the larger student population would make it harder to renovate or perform maintenance activities and that the buildings would require more maintenance given the higher usage.

Question: Has the School Board considered closing Montessori and moving the Administration to a smaller building?

Question: The materials I received from the school district state that the school configuration (i.e., JK-6 and 7/10 model) is yet to be determined. The same material states that the capital referendum for maintenance needs would address all deferred maintenance needs at Eisenhower, Madison, Roosevelt, Jefferson, Washington, and Montessori/Fisher. If the capital referendum passes, aren’t we essentially committing to keeping all of those schools open, suggesting that no elementary schools will be closed and instead looking at a JK-6 and 7-10 model?

Question: Originally, there was talk of closing some elementary schools. Now the conversation has shifted to a JK-6/7-10 model. Are both options still under consideration? If no, why not?

Question: Has it been officially decided that M-STEM is going away and being replaced with a 1-hour STEM elective? If not, when will that be decided and is that decision tied in any way to the referenda?

Question: It’s my understanding the district currently does not have a communications director. Who at the district and/or in the community is answering these questions and if in the district, are they being paid overtime to ensure all submitted questions are answered within 48 hours according to the rules established by the district?

Question: Are all questions that are submitted here going to be posted for the public to see?

Question: The board will be voting on moving 6th grade to elementary schools soon. Does this put us on a path for the 7 - 12 model? What other secondary models are being considered?

Question: Can you clarify why Wilson and WSTEM are listed on the same line? They are separate schools within the same building.

Question: I’ve heard a response will be given in 48 hours, I’ve also heard a response will be given in 72 hours. What is the correct response time? Maybe time will tell.

Question: I heard that if the referendum does not pass, non-required elective classes will be cut at all levels. Is that true? I am asking as a parent who is looking out for my child's education.

Question: I wish this form had the ability to choose multiple answers. I am a community member and a parent. I have students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. When will we learn of future school configurations? This feels like a big wild card as huge referenda loom. I am a strong vote yes, but I fear my vote may jeopardize my future middle schoolers experience. I want to fund our schools, but I do not support a k-6 7-12 model, and do not want my vote to be misconstrued. What is the timeline? I feel like stakeholders deserve to know.

Question: WSTEM is my kid's school, and it's not on your school list. Wilson is also not on your list of schools. I saw Yes to Tosa Kids campaign state that WSTEM is one of the many things on the 'What's at Stake" list for the referendum. I haven't seen evidence (or been told by Dr. Means) that WSTEM's future is dependent on the referendum. Could you please clarify how WSTEM'S future is dependent on the referendum passing?

Question: Through the rumor mill, I have heard about potential teacher cuts. This particular rumor notes that there will be 15 FTE (districtwide) cut over during 2025-2026 and 15 more FTE cut each year over the course of the subsequent 3 years (i.e. while the operational referendum is active). The justification cited in the rumor is to prevent as large of an operations referendum in 2028. How accurate is this rumor and what plans currently exist to reduce FTE districtwide?

Question: I have heard that Wauwatosa spends significantly more on instructional coaches than surrounding districts. Can you please provide a comparison?

Question: A school board candidate is claiming the following, is this true? “administrators are required to place at least 20% of teachers on performance plans, regardless of actual performance.”

Question: It seems plans are in the works related to contracting a transportation carrier and obtaining CDLs. Who will have CDLs? What will they drive? What role will the transportation carrier have? What service will they provide? Where can the public go to find updates on this topic?