Community Compass - November 2025
MCPASD Community,
Thank you for taking an interest in our new District-wide newsletter. We received a great deal of positive feedback after our first issue, and it's clear that our community values staying informed about the District. Your engagement truly strengthens our work.
We have exciting accomplishments to celebrate. Our Boys Volleyball team earned the state championship earlier this month, and our Girls Swim and Dive team secured their third straight state title over the weekend. These achievements reflect the hard work of our students and coaches, and we are very proud of them.
I'm also pleased to share that MCPASD earned the highest possible state rating on the state report cards for the first time. The 2024 to 2025 DPI school report cards show that our District Significantly Exceeds Expectations. This rating reflects the dedication of our students, staff, families, and community.
We are expanding our efforts to communicate clearly about school funding. Our team is preparing a detailed letter to the community, planning town hall meetings, and continuing to share updates through our website, newsletters, and social media. We want every family and every community member, including those not directly affiliated with the District, to feel informed and supported.
Thank you for your continued support. MCPASD is stronger thanks to our shared commitment to students and to one another.
Wisconsin’s school funding system operates under a unique structure that often leads to confusion about how state aid, local taxes, and revenue limits work together. In our last newsletter, we explained how the District’s budget and tax levy were set for the 2025–26 school year. Below is a deeper look at the main factors that shape school funding in Wisconsin and how they impact our District.
Key Points for 2025–26 School Funding in MCPASD
1. MCPASD is receiving less school general aid from the state.
The state did not increase school general aid, and our District received a significant reduction. This means a larger share of our funding now must come from local property taxes.
2. MCPASD can collect an additional $325 per student, but the state did not fund this increase.
The revenue limit went up, but the state did not provide new school general aid to support it. As a result, any increase must be covered locally.
3. MCPASD is part of the 71% of districts seeing a decline in school general aid.
Our decrease is due to rising property values in our community, fewer resident students, and the state’s decision not to invest more in school general aid this year.
Community School Funding Presentations
We invite families, staff, and community members to attend MCPASD’s upcoming Community School Funding Presentations. These meetings will provide a clear and accessible overview of how school funding works in Wisconsin, what recent changes mean for MCPASD, and how we continue to prioritize student success and fiscal responsibility.
District leaders will share important information and answer questions. Presenters include Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing and Director of Finance and Operations Erin Wheeler.
Presentation Dates and Locations
Dec. 11, 2025
6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Park Elementary School, Cafeteria
Jan. 15, 2026
6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
District Services Center, 7106 South Ave.
These sessions are open to all community members, including those who may not currently have students in MCPASD. We encourage anyone interested in understanding our budget, state funding shifts, and future planning efforts to attend.
Assistant Child Care Teacher Program
CAPS Program
ProStart Program
At MCPASD, student safety remains our top priority. One important part of maintaining a safe learning environment is knowing exactly who is in our school buildings at all times. To support this effort, we introduced Visitor Aware, a digital visitor management system that streamlines and strengthens our school check-in process for family members, community partners, and volunteers.
All visitors now check in using a secure electronic system rather than a paper sign-in sheet. This update enhances building security, improves efficiency in our front offices, and provides greater peace of mind for our students, staff, and families.
“With any new system, there are always a few bugs to work out, but overall the system has been very well received by staff and visitors,” said Safety and Security Coordinator Asher Torbeck. “The process is quick and efficient.”
Visitors check in using a photo ID during their first visit, creating a secure profile. After that, Visitor Aware uses facial recognition for quicker check-ins and will receive a printed badge upon entry. The system maintains real-time records of who is in each building and privately alerts office staff if something is flagged.
For those without a photo ID, staff can complete alternative verification. Visitor Aware only uses information to identify and track visitors safely and does not check legal, criminal justice, or immigration databases.
Visitor Aware supports a safer school environment by providing real-time visibility of who is on campus, strengthening communication between office staff and school administrators, and helping the District respond more effectively in emergency situations. It also creates a simpler and more consistent visitor experience across all schools.
“Visitor Aware is so user friendly,” Torbeck shared. “The check-in of both visitors and traveling staff has been much more consistent.”
MCPASD appreciates families and community members for their partnership in making our schools safe, supportive places for every student to learn and grow.
For more information, please consult the Visitor Aware webpage.
As a District, we are continually reminded of the strength, compassion, and generosity of our community. Over the past several weeks, your support has made a meaningful difference for MCPASD students and families facing food insecurity. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated to our recent food drive, held in partnership with WayForward Resources, the City of Middleton, the Middleton Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Middleton Business Association. Your contributions helped ensure families in our District have access to essential items and nourishing meals. This support is truly felt and deeply appreciated.
We also want to recognize the outstanding efforts of Middleton Meals Matter, a student-led nonprofit that continues to inspire us. Led by Middleton High School students, the organization has collected more than 60,000 pounds of food for WayForward Resources and Second Harvest Foodbank since its founding last year. Recently, Middleton Meals Matter was nominated by WayForward Resources and honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) of Greater Madison with the Youth in Philanthropy Award at the 2025 National Philanthropy Day Celebration. Their work demonstrates the incredible impact young people can have when they lead with compassion and commitment. We are proud of these students for making sure our neighbors in need have enough to eat.
Our District remains committed to ensuring all students have access to healthy, nutritious meals at school every day. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s school, school social worker, or our Food & Nutrition Services team.
Thank you for showing what it means to care for one another. Your support lifts up our students, strengthens our community, and ensures no family faces difficult times alone. We are grateful for every donation, every volunteer hour, and every act of kindness that helps make MCPASD a welcoming and supportive place for all.