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Acknowledge the Hurdles
SECOND & THRID ORDER EFFECTS
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Nearly 1:2 Economically Disadvantaged Students
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Lowest regional MIL Rate & in bottom 25% Statewide
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-35% revenue since 2016 created a -$1,000 per student State funding gap or -$3 million per year
UNDER STAFFED
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25% Students require Special Education Programs against a 15% State & Federal average
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1:4 Middle & High School Students participate in Band or Choir, +400 Students for 2x Teachers
Resotre Faith in Board of Education
The School Board must earn the trust of the public, teachers, staff, & community.
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Acknowledge & Take Responsibility of Past Actions
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Encourage Innovation Initiatives
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Teacher & Staff Professional Development
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Open Door Policy for Anyone & Everyone, Anytime
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Quarterly Public Reports; "Are we still going in the right direction?"
Clear Actions, Direct Answers
You deserve a School Board that is transparent in its actions and responsive to the public.
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Listen First, Talk Second
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Foster a culture of open communication
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Answer your questions clearly
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Make decisions with full visibility & maximum public awareness
BUDGET
Families First, Community Always
State funding has failed Wisconsin Students for the past 15 years in meeting local needs, shifting the cost burden onto local taxpayers. Each student receives $1,000 less today if kept up with inflation and teachers needs. Universal programs can save families roughly $1,200 per child annually, providing vital relief to the nearly 50% of TASD households currently struggling to meet basic needs.
Recruit, Resource, & Retain Talent
TASD is a connected system where losing one teacher triggers a "domino effect" from preschool through graduation. Vacancies disrupt early literacy and emotional growth, creating learning gaps that become harder to fix as students get older. Reallocating resources to the front lines is needed. If the status quo cannot recruit and retain talent with competitive compensation then it's culture, not money.
Strengthen TASD Band & Special Education Programs
1:4 TASD Middle & High Schoolers participate in Band Programs. With only two teachers performing the work of four, our music department successfully leads seven ensembles across four grades, their dedication is truly herculean! Our music program must not fail.
Feeding Success,
One Meal at a Time
Nearly 50% TASD students face financial hardships, leaving +1,400 children at risk. When hunger is removed as a factor, teachers can focus on instruction rather than managing behavioral issues and the lack of focus caused by low blood sugar, empty stomachs or social stigma.
POLICY
Invest Personal Development
Fill gaps internally through prioritizing personal development. Teachers & Staff must be given the time & means to pursue higher degrees, credentials, or other passions. Our students grow & so will our team!
Anti-Bullying & Student Safety
TASD Bullying “Why it's a problem.”
1. "One-Size-Fits-All" Models or doing the minimum through ignoring the "Why," and misguided focus on surface level behaviors rather than root cause.
2. Institutional &procedural failures with lack of training, ineffective, inconsistent, or NO discipline enforcement.
3. Social factors through fear of retaliation, peer pressure, and normalization.
4. Systemic issues with school environment, due process, and victim support
Transparency
to Community
TASD has faced criticism regarding "closed door decisions making," particularly concerning large-scale building referendums and school closures.
The Board & District need to move beyond 'compliance-based' transparency (like posting board minutes) to 'proactive' transparency that involves the community before all major decisions.
Emergency Prepardness
District wide App (example Remind) for TASD to comminucate with parents, students & public stakeholders. Emergencies are about time, coordination, & synchronization between TASD & emergencies services
CURRICULUM
FACILITIES
Protect Your Taxes
Maintaining twelve schools, a district office, and a transportation facility is unsustainable for TASD without a significant increase in state funding. Future referendums must strive for 'tax neutrality,' where savings from reduced facility overhead are redirected towards the highest-priority and urgent needs
New Facilities?
At some point TASD will need new buildings, but not today. New buildings are useless if no teachers are in them. BOE must restore trust & address recuritment & retention to receive approval from voters & tax payers.
Real-World Finance
Tomah wants well rounded students prepared for the real world. High School students can solve for 'X', but struggle to navigate their first paycheck or a lease agreement. TASD needs a modern robust 'Real-World Financial Literacy' curriculum that moves beyond basic checkbook balancing to ensure students understand the impact of local vs. federal taxes, the long-term retirement planning, the 'fine print' of insurance or warranties, and the long-term cost of debt.
Digital Media Safety & Literacy
TASD has already faced challenges with social media, ranging from investigated threats to concerns about cyberbullying, against new state DPI standards that now require 'AI-literate’ students. TASD must adapt beyond basic 'internet safety' to a model of 'digital media literacy' that teaches students to critically evaluate AI-generated content (like deepfakes) while also protecting their mental health and privacy on social media, Elementary through High School.