Chippewa Chirp
May/June 2026
Certified staff contracts will be available in your Skyward account by May 15.
Please review and sign your contract as soon as possible. The final deadline is 4:00 PM on Monday, June 15.
Signing early is recommended—it’s easy to forget, and completing it right away ensures your position is secured for the upcoming school year. It also helps the district plan for staffing and student needs.
If your contract is not signed by the deadline, it will be considered a resignation. Reminder emails will be sent until your contract is completed.
Even if you sign early, you may still submit a resignation without penalty through June 15.
If you have any questions or need help, please reach out.
As we prepare for the 2026-27 School Year, we are implementing a necessary change to our required training schedule. Due to new state statutes, the completion deadline for some of our essential training modules is shifting to September 1st.
To ensure a smooth transition, all staff members will gain access to the training content in mid-July, allowing you plenty of time to complete it at your convenience anytime between then and September 1st.
Furthermore, we recognize the importance of dedicating time for this essential requirement. We have worked diligently to allocate sufficient time during the Back to School Week, and supervisors have been instructed to block this time off and refrain from scheduling any other activities. We believe this protected time, along with the time not scheduled for you during the first week back, will provide sufficient opportunity for everyone to complete the training.
Training completion is a core expectation of employment. Therefore, any employee who has not completed the required training by September 1st will, regrettably, need to be placed on unpaid leave until the training is finalized
As a reminder, classified/support staff evaluations require annual completion.
- Teacher/Certified summary year, other Teacher/Certified staff positions, and probationary positions should be completed by June 5, 2026.
- Nine, ten-month, classified/support staff evaluations should be completed by May 18, 2026.
- Eleven & Twelve-month classified/support staff evaluations should be completed by June 10, 2026.
NEW THIS YEAR FOR SUPPORT STAFF:
- We have moved to using a google form for completing evaluations this year. There is NO CHANGE in the wording or the process of the evaluation, just the platform has changed. Steph Myers will be in touch with admins and supervisors about what this process will look like as it will be a new change.
Please reach out to Steph Myers (x1901) if you have any questions!
We will continue to partner with Frontline education for our absence management and certified staff evaluations for the 26-27 School year.
Due to Summer School now being held on Friday, June 12, 2026, we will begin our compressed workweeks the week of 6-15-26 and ending 7-31-26
Office Hours - Open to the Public: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday.
Access to the buildings will be restricted starting Thursday evening and buildings will be open again Monday morning.
Click here for more information
Per our employee handbook, the last 5 student contact dates will be blackout days in Skyward and no time off requests will be allowed to be entered. If a building principal approves and a substitute has been secured, then they can make a request to Human Resources that this day be approved. The last five student contact days this year are: June 1st through June 5th. Please reach out to Steph Myers, Ext. 1901 with any questions.
Planning to Retire? Please Let Us Know Early
If you are an hourly staff member considering retirement, please notify Human Resources as soon as you’ve made your decision — and no later than two weeks before your retirement date.
Providing early notice benefits everyone. It allows us to support you by sharing important retirement information, answering questions, and helping ensure a smooth transition. It also gives the district time to plan ahead so coworkers and students experience minimal disruption.
There are no negative consequences to turning in an early notice — and it is greatly appreciated.
Click here for a brief presentation for support staff considering retirement.
Click here for details on applying for your WRS retirement benefits.
Before making a decision to leave CFSD, please take a moment to look at the full picture of your compensation — not just your hourly rate or salary.
👉 Review what happens to your pay and benefits upon resignation with CFSD. Click Here for more information.
Look at the Total Compensation — Not Just the Pay Rate
When comparing a new job offer, it’s important to compare apples to apples. A higher pay rate does not always mean a higher take-home paycheck.
Ask yourself:
- What will health insurance cost with the new employer?
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Does the new employer contribute to the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)?
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Will you lose post-employment benefits such as sick leave payouts or your MidAmerica balance(certified staff only)?
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Are there hidden costs like higher deductibles or no HSA contributions?
What You Currently Receive at CFSD
CFSD offers benefits that add significant value to your overall compensation:
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Family health insurance for only $320 per month (Single/$178 a month)
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$192.90 per month Family HSA contribution a net cost for family health insurance $127 a month ($75.22 per month single HSA contribution a net cost of $102.78 a month)
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Access to the Cardinal Healthy Primary Care Clinic, which helps you avoid deductible costs
Secondary incentivized health care options (Solarte)
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Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
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Post-employment benefits such as sick leave payouts and MidAmerica funds (certified staff only)
These benefits can easily offset — or exceed — what might appear to be a higher salary elsewhere.
Don’t Leave Money Behind
Have you checked your MidAmerica balance recently? (certified staff only)
Do you know how much you would forfeit by resigning?
Call 800-430-7999 or log on at www.mymidamericajourney.com
Before making your final decision, be sure you’re evaluating your total compensation package, not just the base pay. CFSD’s benefit package is designed to provide long-term financial security and value — both now and in retirement.
Planning Ahead for Major Life Events
If you are thinking about growing your family, scheduling surgery, or planning for another major medical event, it’s important to understand how Family Medical Leave (FMLA) works when starting a new job.
When you begin new employment, you are NOT eligible for Family Medical Leave until you have worked at that employer for 12 full months.
FMLA provides important protections:
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It protects your job while you are out.
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It protects your benefits during your leave.
If you need extended time off before you qualify for FMLA, you may not have those same protections at a new employer. This could mean:
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You may be responsible for paying the full cost of your insurance (such as COBRA premiums).
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Your employer may not be required to hold your position during an extended leave.
This is not meant to discourage you — just to help you plan ahead and avoid unexpected financial stress.
If you are considering a major life event or medical procedure, it’s always a good idea to review your leave eligibility and benefits in advance so you can make the best decision for your situation.
If you experience one of the changes below over the summer please be sure to update your information in skyward:
Moving - Address or Phone Changes
Marital Status Change
Complete a new W4 and interoffice mail it to Human Resources
Update your WRS &/or Life Insurance Beneficiaries do so by completing the beneficiary designation form.
Change your Health Savings Account Signer/Beneficiary, do so by contacting Northwestern Bank at 715-723-4461
Update skyward Emergency Contacts
Notify Human Resources if you need to add or remove someone from your insurance.
Bank account changes or closure, these MUST be completed in a timely manner to avoid not getting paid or your money being sent to a closed account. Skyward Tutorials - Instructions
for instructions on updating your banking information in Skyward.
Name Changes will require a copy of your new social security card and driver’s license given to Human Resources
Click here for a checklist of items to update during a life change
Here are just a few reminders about time off. Please reach out to Steph Myers (x1901) with questions.
Employees are responsible for being properly licensed for the age group and content areas they teach. The following resources may be helpful to you:
License Lookup: A quick look at your license
If you have questions or need support with the application or renewal process, please get in touch with Carrie Hoff, Ext. 1804.
If you need non-emergent medical attention, please get in touch with the Cardinal Healthy Primary Care Clinic for treatment options at 715-738-2700.
All Classroom Supplies must be purchased through our Purchasing Agent Jill Holmlund 715-738-2660 extension 1807.
Purchase Requisition information and directions can be found by visiting the Staff Portal. Please utilize the eCommerce ordering process.
Clinic Hours
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Second Saturday of each month: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
**Closed during lunch 1 - 2 pm
Located at 140 W. Elm Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Phone: 715-738-2700
You can also text Dr. Joles directly at 608-327-9747
