Spring Tour: Muskego-Norway School Board

Darlene Birdeau has been the school board secretary for 17 years (come June 20), and she says the biggest misunderstanding about the school board and the district is that they are not governed by the city.

Guilty as charged, as I've often wondered why the school district is housed in a separate building from city hall.  The short answer is that the city does not govern the schools.  The school board governs the superintendent and in turn the district is governed by the State Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Governmental  matters aside, the board meeting is generally held in the Educational Services Center on  Woods Road, however the board does go out to the various Muskego Schools for their meeting, arriving early for a more casual get together over dinner. "It's a way for parents to sit down with the board and talk about their concerns.  Students are also invited to come as well," said Birdeau.

Brett Hyde, who has been on the board for about five years, said he has enjoyed the decision process most of all.

"I love being part of the decision-making that comes with the job.  We have a great administration, and I think we've really moved the district forward, which is exciting."

The board's largest challenge is the budget deficit, which has meant a $2.3 million shortfall for the district in the coming years.  Many on the board have hailed Superintendent Joe Schroeder as a solid leader in addressing the challenges, with a minimum of staff cuts being made in his initial budgetproposal.

"We're looking at very few cuts, and of course parents are concerned, especially with the possibility of cuts to the library staff," Hyde said. "However, we're going through this process carefully, and we're hoping that we will be able to find additional dollars somewhere to minimize even those cuts."

Tonight's meeting was no exception, with discussion settling on health care costs and specific staff cuts and what they will mean for students.

The School Board consists of three at-large members; a clerk, treasurer, vice-president and president; as well as the directors from administration, including student learning, school performance, business services and the assistant superintendent.  In addition a secretary (Birdeau) and a student council rep from the high school serve on the board.