Muskego Norway Schools

School Referendum Drops By $4 Million

The Muskego-Norway School Board reviewed school improvement plans that would drop potential funding costs to $29.9 million, down $4 million from the original proposed costs of $34 million, according to Muskego Norway Schools Superintendent Joe Schroeder.  

At the Board meeting on Monday, July 17, school officials offered four options to reduce project costs after voters turned down the $34 million referendum in November, 2010.

While there arguably has been community-wide agreement that the District must address aging and cramped schools, Board members have stated repeatedly they believe voters see the value and need to improve school facilities but also want to ensure the most fiscally sound and responsible path is chosen.

Two options for addressing community needs appeared to be frontrunners favored by the Board.

In one possible scenario known simply as Option 2, funds would be directed to 4 sites:  1) A new Bluhm Park Elementary School would be built to hold 650 students and provide road access to McShane Drive. 2) Mill Valley Elementary would be expanded & renovated to bring its capacity up to 450 students. 3) A secure entry would be installed at Bay Lane/Country Meadows. 4) A new gym, secure entry, and HVAC system would be added to Lakeview Elementary. Option 2 would cost up to $34,360,000 , while Option 3 could carry a total price tag of up to $34,720,000. That total would drop to $29.9 million, however, if the Board uses $5 million from its existing fund balance to pay down the costs and receives favorable bids on the projects.

Superintendent Schroeder said the fund balance could be replenished upon the sale of two existing structures that will be retired under the new plans: Muskego Elementary and Tess Corner Elementary Schools. 

Board members Eric Schroeder and Dean Strom expressed concern over short-term borrowing that would have to take place in order to fund the project. Eric Schroeder in particular appeared concerned with ensuring that the request posed to voters would come in at under $30 million.

In order to maintain Muskego's status as a district of choice for new incoming families, and therefore our property values, we MUST address the conditions of our elementary schools! If residents take the time to learn about the conditions at Muskego Elementary and Tess Corners, they will understand that these facilities are at the end of their life and something must be done.

WFA Education Recipient Muskego-Norway Shines at School Board ...

Applications are also being accepted for the Wisconsin Forward Award Board of Examiners through April 30, 2011. The organization seeks candidates from all sectors of Wisconsin’s economy, including business, healthcare, education, and manufacturing, not-for-profit, service, and government. Examiners review applications and provide feedback to Wisconsin organizations based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. The Wisconsin Forward program provides training and mentoring opportunities. Examiner training is held in late July.

2011-2012 Criteria Workshop with Dr. Mark Blazey June 29-30 in Madison, WI

Considered a foundation course for examiners and applicants, Mark Blazey returns to Wisconsin to unleash the power of the new 2011-2012 Criteria for Performance Excellence this June. The training is being underwritten by Edgewood College. Visit our events page for registration details.

Joe Schroeder, Superintendent of Muskego-Norway School District, was named Superintendent of  the Year by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators.  Joe was honored at a luncheon held during the annual Wisconsin Association of School Boards convention in Milwaukee this week.  Muskego-Norway is a Wisconsin Forward Award Mastery recipient.  During his thoughtful remarks, Joe talked about the Baldrige framework used to align strategy and guide district performance.

Later  in the day Joe was joined by members of the M-N administrative team, Kelly Thompson and Alan Groth during a breakout session entitled, Leadership Tools for Monitoring and Ensuring Performance.  The trio shared multiple-level scorecards as well as a CPR card used to provide comprehensive assessment of overall district health and ensure achievement of strategic aims.  This session will be repeated at our Excellence at Work conference February 24 (see the conference tab above).

Congratulations Joe!  The honor is well deserved.

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