School District of Cudahy School Board Meeting Updates and Highlight
Next Meeting of the whole: Monday, February 23, 2026
Monday, February 23, 2026
Legislative Issues Update
Jim Papala attended SWSA (Southeastern Wisconsin Schools Alliance) February meeting
- Governor Evers working to move funding proposals forward.
WASB resolution recap. - Ongoing negotiations between the Governor and legislators.
Hope for increased Special Education funding still.
Increased state aid could help reduce reliance on property taxes.
Mike Johnson had AEF (Association for Equity in Funding) Update
AEF wants to present to the board a full overview of how AEF supports underfunded districts.
Result- Mike will forward an email for the board to review to see if they would like a full presentation.
Board Communication
Discussion about increasing communication not quite able to do after every meeting.
Working toward more seasonal/quarterly updates.
Fine-tuning messaging and checking links.
Information will be linked on the Board website.
Committee Meeting Updates
Policy Committee (Feb. 9, 2026) (click here for all updates)
A lot of updates being brought tonight for approval are legally required
Finance / Personnel (Feb. 11, 2026)
Planning ahead for 2026–27 budget.
Draft budget expected by June.
Audit expected to be ready within 1–2 months for approval.
Health Department (click here for all reports)
Annual meeting reviewing community data needs and strengths.
Top 5 Health Conditions and Behaviors concerns to be addressed:
Substance use (36%)
Nutrition & Physical Activity (31%)
Mental Health (30%)
Bullying (23%)
Older Adult Health (19%)
Top 5 Social and Economic concerns to be addressed:
Access to mental health services (23%)
Access to Housing (18%)
Community Violence and Crime (15%)
Access to Healthy Foods (13%)
Economic Stability (Employment & income) (13%)
Top 5 Strengths of the South Shore:
Neighborhood Safety (38%)
Education Access & Quality (30%)
Recreational Opportunities (27%)
Access to Health Services (22%)
Safe, Healthy Built Environment (20%)
2026–2027 focus: Healthy Living
Measles cases reported locally.
Sports Task Force (Feb. 17, 2026)
Primary goal: increase student participation and activity levels.
Mid-Year Academic Update (Elementary Administration)
Data review across grade levels (26th–100th percentile range).
Staff adjusting SLOs to focus on smaller, targeted goals.
4th grade at Kosciuszko moved all students out of “at risk” status.
Lincoln showing significant math gains.
Jones refocused on data wall:
Every student tracked.
Regular collaboration with reading and math specialists.
Safe & Secure Entrances
The design team presented updated plans for secure entrances across the district. Bidding will take place in February–March, with board approval of a contractor at an upcoming meeting. Construction is expected to take place this summer.
At Cudahy Middle School, Lincoln, and GM, plans include:
A secure entrance at every entry point
Transaction windows
Digital information boards
Shatterproof glass on doors and windows
At CMS: the cafeteria currently seats 180; future flexibility may include converting the pool space into a multipurpose room if needed.
Superintendent’s Report
Summer camp will not be housed at the middle school due to construction. The district is exploring renting space (possibly the YMCA) for swimming.
Summer school will be hosted at Kosciuszko.
Transportation between summer school and camp is still being determined.
Strategic Priorities
The district is refining strategic priorities, including:
Staffing assignments (expected mid-March)
Transportation updates (busing over 2 miles, with opt-out considerations if schools are within the same city)
Exploring WIN (What I Need) time at the middle school
Administrative restructuring at CMS
The branding team has been touring schools with principals
District office renovations remain on schedule
Communication Updates
April 28: Elementary Open Houses (5–6 PM) for families to visit their new schools
May 11: CMS Open House (date may change)
New Business- Action Items
Summer School:
K–7 at Kosciuszko
8–12 at the High School (Mike Moore serving in an administrative role)
Approve Policy Updates
Old Business
The board voted to amend the sale date for Park View to 3/24/26. The closing is scheduled to take place by 3/24/26.
Monday, January 26, 2026
Legislative & Funding Update
District shared a legislative update noting many South Shore districts are underfunded.
Discussion of a possible lawsuit against the state; some districts may join.
Equity and school funding resources/websites were referenced.
State funding formula has shifted: our state once ranked around 11th are now closer to 26th for funding.
State test scores are declining, which may be tied to funding challenges.
WASB (Wisconsin Association of School Boards) resolutions were discussed, as well as WASB conference from previous week.
Advocacy & Communication
Board discussed how to better advocate ahead of next year’s budget.
Goal is to move from reactive to proactive communication, especially before tax bills.
Ideas included:
Aligning tax-related communication with the school calendar
Sharing information proactively such as information about district report cards and regular updates
Discussion of reaching out to the city regarding potential future tax bills and sharing how to read them.
Committee & Program Updates
Recreation Department / Athletics
Athletic booster updates provided.
Focus on health and mental health supports for student athletes.
Emphasis on feeder system alignment and cohesive programming
Superintendent Report
Student updates shared:
Sports & band
Musical
Student council
Surveys sent to staff and high school students regarding course selection and school culture.
Winter newsletter expected out this week or next; ad sales (with St. Francis) will help offset costs.
Staffing & School Operations
CMS updates (grades 5–8):
Mr. Biever will move into a student/family facing administration position next year.
Instructional staffing admin position was posted: 28 applicants so far.
February/March board meetings: Administration will present a mid-year update with assessment data.
South Shore collaboration mentioned.
Finance & Audit
Revised budget planned for February meeting.
Special education costs up to 37.5%, roughly $150K more than projected in budget.
Noted high turnover in part-time staff.
Audit still in progress:
2024–25 single audit has begun
Expected completion by late February or March
Audit firm contracts go out to RFP every three years; next year is the renewal cycle.
Facilities & Planning
Redefine implementation plan underway:
Staff assignments expected to be finalized by March
Classroom furniture audit in progress
Schedule updates for grades 5–8
Branding meeting has been rescheduled February 5 and will then meet every 2 weeks
A community communication listening session is scheduled for this Wednesday.
District leadership reported that most projects are on schedule or ahead of schedule.
South Shore Community Center / Rec Center Study
Building condition assessment rated facilities on a 1–5 scale:
1 = Critical
2 = Poor
3 = Fair (what would typically be expected)
4= Ok
5 = Good
The South Shore Center building is in poor condition, with an average score of 2.11 overall.
Areas reviewed included:
Site conditions
Interior & exterior
Roof
Code compliance
Plumbing & electrical
Key findings:
Roof needs repairs and there is water damage from leaking
Many mechanical systems are at or past their expected lifespan
Estimated costs:
Pool mechanical repairs: ~$500,000
$8.3 million needed in the first year
$13 million total projected for overall repairs
The School Board voted unanimously to pull out of the agreement with South Milwaukee.
Public Comment Themes
Simmi
Requested more consistent and transparent communication
Noted the Jones 5:30 meeting was not well communicated
Asked for clearer information about time and money spent on the Rec Center
Thomas
Expressed frustration with the lack of communication around the Jones meeting
Skip
Appreciated the district’s due diligence on the Rec Center
Wants more frequent updates on how money is being spent in schools
Noted that the tax bill increase was higher than expected
Tom
Thanked the School Board for stopping the Rec Center project
Expressed concern about a future referendum and higher taxes