School District of Cudahy School Board Meeting Updates and Highlight

Next Meeting of the whole: Monday, April 27, 2026

Monday, March 23, 2026

 
Attendance
6 of 7 board members present
Jim Papala absent
Channel 4 and 58 present
 
Public Comment – Main Topic: Middle School Pool
General Overview
Discussion centered on proposal to close the pool
Community members expressed concerns about:
Transparency
Financial decisions
Lack of clear long-term plan
Noted that there was no detailed discussion of financials during the meeting
 
Key Community Feedback
Jim B
Rejects proposal to close pool
Responsible to students and tax payers
In a year of board minutes there was no discussion of this prior
Not a part of referendum approval 

David K
73 years old wife and 2 year old grandson use pool
Referendum was not voted on or passed to eliminate the pool
Wants funds used to improve and secure the pool
Supports creating a secure entrance

Greg D (Swim Instructor)
Pool used 6 days a week
Hosts water aerobics with long-standing participation
Wants continued use of the pool
Robert 
Opposes closing the pool
States the pool generates revenue
Concerned about safety if students are sent to the YMCA

Jenny H
Referendum increased taxes by about $900
Concerned about lack of transparency in how funds are being used
Feels communication has been insufficient

Jason K
Referendum did not include pool closure
YMCA option may not be safe or adequate
Families already paid for programs advertised at middle school
Recommends stopping spending until a clear plan is developed

Randy H
Lunches can be staggered
Encourages the board to listen to the community
Need to be more forward thinking

Chip
Pool is cherished resource
Board owes transparency 
What is the financial plan

Gary S
Believes funds should stay focused on students
Concerned about CMS space limitations
Feels there has not been enough transparency or trust

Ally
Upset about 5th going to the middle school to start
If there is not enough space at CMS was this
Not thought through and now back tracking?
Not transparent
Just don’t care?

Jim C
Opposes closing the pool
Wants to pause and reassess before making decisions

Diane M
Pool supports community events and programs
Still affordable for families
Advocates to keep the pool

Diane Z
Concerned about lack of involvement and transparency
Feels trust in the board is low

Rebecca S
Works with students at MPS
Opposes pool closure
States more time and planning are needed
Suspicious to explore the YMCA and now vote to close pool

Carnia
Against closing the pool
Notes $4,000 already spent for summer camp advertised at the middle school for pool
Requests more clarification before decisions
Believes money should be invested in staffing to support student services

Lindsay K
Concerned about recurring lack of transparency
Summer camp registrations already include swim lessons and advertised at the middle school
Referendum money was not intended for this

Jackie K
Regular attendee of board meetings
Decision feels rushed
Suggests slowing down and allowing more time

JJ M
Thanks community members for speaking
Raises concerns about lack of clear plan
Questions leadership and decision-making transparency
Also raised concern about transportation for elementary students next year

Simmi
Heard about issue through social media and school board candidate
Lack of communication from district on topic
Encourages community involvement
Urges voting no 

Matilda
Long-time resident
Believes more listening is needed
Questions space concerns and decision rationale
Supports keeping the pool as a safe option

Steve S
Notes pool provides jobs and serves seniors
Emphasizes importance as a community space

Sandy M
Pool generates revenue
Serves many groups:
Seniors
Swim teams
Water aerobics
Community programs
Pool is consistently in use
Creates jobs for our teens

Daniel T (instructor)
Has taught at Cudahy, YMCA, and South Milwaukee
Doesn’t know the plan because there is no plan
We are proud of this resource, program, and Julie Bock
Key Takeaways
Strong community opposition to closing the pool
Repeated concerns about:
Lack of transparency
Financial clarity
Rushed decision-making
Many requests to pause and gather more information
Pool viewed as both a financial and community asset
 
Overall Tone
Community highly engaged
Frustration over communication and process
Clear desire for more transparency and involvement before decisions are finalized
 
Legislative Updates
Enrollment down 23% statewide (approx. 14,000 students)
Many districts moving to operational and capital referendums (62 in state right now)
WAS:  7 education-related bills passed on 3/18/26 bringing total to 24 that will go to Gov. Evers
Governor Evers involved in budget discussions
Ongoing debate about how surplus funds should be spent
 
Board Comments
Justin 
Saw a documentary with some leadership team through CECSA called “Count it Out”
Really showed how math challenges can impact long term life goals

Lissa
Spring updates expected
Will continue sharing board updates

Kari
Board retreat planned after April election

Chris
Jones is going to be leased
 
Continuous Improvement Mid Year Updates
Middle School Academic Updates
Reading
Focus on FASTBridge data
Grade-level trends:
7th & 8th grade saw slight declines (~1%)
Continued concern about literacy progress
Large lexile gains 
Math
Using iReady
Big gains overall in math 

High School Academic Updates
Reading
Dozen students in intervention “Third Quest”
All students met or exceeded fluency goal
Will look to extend parts of intervention to more students next year
Math
Similar goals as middle school
About 70% of students at benchmark
9th–10th grade math growth around 3%
Intervention & Support
Lissa asked both principals about needs or supports. Both spoke to time for collaboration. Justin at the middle school spoke to more professional development for literacy. 

Goal: ensure all students meet or exceed benchmarks
Emphasis on staff collaboration time
Discussion on increasing student engagement
Considering expanding intervention programs
 
Superintendent Report
Acknowledged board members’ work
Stated there is a plan, with implementation ongoing
Monthly discussions taking place
All decisions made at full board level (not committees)
Talked about Jennifer Mielke’s entry plan to the middle school as new admin
Safety & Facilities
Entry plan adjustments due to school safety concerns
Limited access to pool during school day
YMCA partnership discussed for summer programming
Finance Update
Brian Dacher resigned
7 candidates applied for replacement
 
Implementation Plan: Shaping our Future
Focus on district-wide alignment
Instructional Planning Committee

adjustments underway
Digital and literacy curriculum updates:
Literacy focus in grades 5–8
Curriculum adjustments for each grade level
Building Disposition Committee
Projects on track at high school
Students able to move through areas safely
 walkthrough completed
Communications Committee
Open houses planned for elementary and middle schools
 
Old Business
YMCA Lease Discussion
YMCA pulled permits and completed water testing
Lease agreement under review prior to approval
Completed / Ongoing Work
New flooring (first floor)
Wall repairs and painting
Plumbing fixes
Roof repairs
Parking lot repairs
 
New Business
Jones Lease contract approved (5 years)

Agreement between City of Cudahy and School District approved

Transportation 2026-27 tabled 1 month
2026–2027 plan discussed
Will remain similar to 2025–2026
No major changes for middle/high school students
Confusion with some board memers about current bussing
Mike Johnson requested bus estimates for 1 miles and 1.5 miles for elementary students

Chromebook purchases approved
New for staff and 1st grade
Staff old ones will go to second grade
In budget

Referendum Priority one: secure entry approved

Referendum Priority two: middle school pool tabled for 1 year- March 2027
Mike Hacker noted secure entry way bids came in far under budget leaving 500,000 to turn the pool into the cafeteria and cafeteria into a flexible learning space.
Mike Billmeyer shared a slide showing an estimate of Wisconsin pool cost is 150,000 to 180,000 a year. Did not have actual costs for our pool.
Justin asked if the pool has been paid for out of fund 10 or fund 80.How much has the pool cost over the past 5 years? How much revenue has the pool generated over the past 5 years? Note- none of these numbers were provided.
Kari asked if the aquatic program can support the cost of the pool. Could not be answered.
Lissa was concerned this was the first time having this conversation. Needs the data and time to review information that is not currently available. The pool is a valuable resource. Concern for the lack of plan moving forward. 
Rhonda said this was not handled with transparency to the community and understands the community would like input. She needs more information that is not available. 
Dr. Garven brought this to the building and grounds committee meeting with Matt Billmeyer, Brian Dasher, and 5 board members so is now bringing it to the board meeting for action.

German Program: 2 No, 4 Yes
Lissa, Mike – No
Jim– Absent
Justin, Rhonda, Chris, Kari – Yes

Nonrenewals: 5 Yes, 1 No
All approved except Johnson (No)
 
Donations
High School::
Waukesha County Community Foundation (scholarships)
Lions Club (cheer + health items)
Donna & Eric Liermann Scholarship
Lincoln:
PTO donates to field trips (3rd, 5th, 6th grades)
 

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