School District of Sheboygan Falls

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A message from Superintendent Jean Born

How to Apply For Open Enrollment

For the 2013-2014 School Year

The Department of Public Instruction recommends that parents apply for Open Enrollment through the on-line application process.

During the application period, the on-line applications can be found at the following DPI web site location: http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/sms_psctoc

What is Public School Open Enrollment?

Wisconsin’s inter-district public school open enrollment program allows parents to apply for their children to attend school districts other than the one in which they live.

Who may participate in open enrollment?

Students in 5-year-old kindergarten to grade 12 may apply to participate in open enrollment.

Open enrollment for pre-kindergarten, 4-year-old kindergarten and early childhood education is limited. Parents should call their resident school districts to find out if their preschool-aged children qualify for open enrollment.

How and when may parents apply?

The open enrollment application period for the 2013-2014 school year is from February 4-April 30, 2013. Late applications will not be accepted for any reason.

Parents may apply in one of two ways:

• On-line application at http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/sms_psctoc
  (NOTE: this site will close on April 30^th at 4:00 p.m.) The Sheboygan Falls District Office, located at 220 Amherst Ave., will have a computer available between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for parents who are applying to open enroll their students to Sheboygan Falls. Help will also be available for completion of the on-line application.
• Although completion of the on-line application is recommended by DPI, paper applications may be printed from the Department of Public Instruction web site or can be picked up at your school district office. Paper copies must be returned to the nonresident school district (the district that your student is applying to attend) before February 24^th at 4:00 P.M. It is recommended that paper applications be hand delivered to the nonresident district office.

Can applications be submitted to more than one school district?

Applications may be submitted to up to three nonresident school districts.

Can I apply to a virtual charter school under open enrollment?

Yes. It is strongly recommended that applications to attend virtual charter schools be submitted on-line. Other important things to know about applying to virtual charter schools:

• A virtual charter school is not home-schooling. Students attending virtual charter schools are public school students.
• You must know the nonresident school district in which the virtual charter school is located. If you have any questions about this, call the virtual charter school.
• You must know your resident school district in order to apply.
• State law limits the number of students that may attend virtual charter schools under open enrollment. You may be placed on a waiting list.

Can an application be rejected?

Yes. Nonresident school districts may deny an application if regular or special education space is not available for the student, if the student has been referred for a special education evaluation but has not yet been evaluated, or if the student has been expelled during the current or preceding two years for certain violent conduct.

If there are more applications than spaces, students must be selected randomly, after giving preference to students already attending school in the nonresident school district and siblings of currently-attending students.

Some school districts establish waiting lists to fill unused spaces, but others do not.

Can a resident district prevent a student from leaving?

A resident school district may prevent a student from leaving the district if the tuition charge for the student’s special education in the nonresident school district is an undue financial burden for the resident school district.

If you have further questions about open enrollment for children with disabilities, contact the resident or nonresident school district or the DPI.

Can parents appeal if an application is denied?

Parents whose applications are denied may appeal to the DPI within 30 days of the denial. State law requires the DPI to uphold the school district’s decision unless DPI finds that the decision was arbitrary or unreasonable. The DPI’s decision may be appealed to circuit court.

Must students reapply every year?

Once a student is accepted into a nonresident school district, the student may continue to attend that district without reapplication except that:

• The nonresident district may require a student to reapply one time—at the beginning of middle school, junior high or high school. Sheboygan Falls does not require anyone to reapply once they have been approved. If your student is currently attending school in Sheboygan Falls under open enrollment, DO NOT SUBMIT ANOTHER APPLICATION.
• Under certain circumstances, a student who needs special education may be required to return to the student’s resident school district.

Is there a cost to parents for open enrollment?

There is no tuition cost to parents for participation in open enrollment. Parents of open enrolled students may be charged the same fees as resident students.

Who is responsible for transportation?

Parents are responsible for transporting their children to and from school.

If transportation is required in the individualized education program (IEP) for a child with a disability, it must be provided by the nonresident district.

School districts may provide transportation to open enrollment students if they wish. Usually, if transportation is provided, parents must transport the student to a location in the nonresident district.

Low-income parents may apply to the DPI for partial reimbursement of their transportation costs.

Can a parent select a specific school in the student’s resident school district?

The state’s open enrollment program applies only to transfers from one school district to another school district. It is up to each individual school board to decide whether or not to allow transfers from one attendance area to another attendance area in the same school district.

Can an open enrolled student participate in sports and other extra –curricular activities in the nonresident school district?

Open enrolled students have the same rights and responsibilities as resident students.

Inter-scholastic athletics are governed by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA), which has recently adopted new rules concerning transfer students. Parents should check with the WIAA or the school district’s athletic director about eligibility.

The Entire Open Enrollment Brochure for the 2013-2014 School Year Can Be Found At

The Department of Public Instruction Website: http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/sms_psctoc

A message from Superintendent Jean Born

How to Apply For Open Enrollment

For the 2012-2013 School Year

The Department of Public Instruction recommends that parents apply for Open Enrollment through the on-line application process.

During the application period, the on-line applications can be found at the following DPI web site location: https://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/OpenEnrollApp

What is Public School Open Enrollment?

Wisconsin’s inter-district public school open enrollment program allows parents to apply for their children to attend school districts other than the one in which they live.

Who may participate in open enrollment?

Students in 5-year-old kindergarten to grade 12 may apply to participate in open enrollment.

Open enrollment for pre-kindergarten, 4-year-old kindergarten and early childhood education is limited.  Parents should call their resident school districts to find out if their preschool-aged children qualify for open enrollment.

How and when may parents apply?

The open enrollment application period for the 2012-2013 school year is from February 6-April 30, 2012.  Late applications will not be accepted for any reason.

Parents may apply in one of two ways:

• On-line application at https://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/OpenEnrollApp
  (NOTE: this site will close on April 30^th at 4:00 p.m.) The Sheboygan Falls District Office, located at 220 Amherst Ave., will have a computer available between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for parents who are applying to open enroll their students to Sheboygan Falls.  Help will also be available for completion of the on-line application.
• Although completion of the on-line application is recommended by DPI, paper applications may be printed from the Department of Public Instruction web site or can be picked up at your school district office.  Paper copies must be returned to the nonresident school district (the district that your student is applying to attend) before February 24^th at 4:00 P.M.  It is recommended that paper applications be hand delivered to the nonresident district office.

Can applications be submitted to more than one school district?

Applications may be submitted to up to three nonresident school districts.

Can I apply to a virtual charter school under open enrollment?

Yes.  It is strongly recommended that applications to attend virtual charter schools be submitted on-line.  Other important things to know about applying to virtual charter schools:

• A virtual charter school is not home-schooling.  Students attending virtual charter schools are public school students.
• You must know the nonresident school district in which the virtual charter school is located.  If you have any questions about this, call the virtual charter school.
• You must know your resident school district in order to apply.
• State law limits the number of students that may attend virtual charter schools under open enrollment.  You may be placed on a waiting list.

Can an application be rejected?

Yes.   Nonresident school districts may deny an application if regular or special education space is not available for the student, if the student has been referred for a special education evaluation but has not yet been evaluated, or if the student has been expelled during the current or preceding two years for certain violent conduct.

If there are more applications than spaces, students must be selected randomly, after giving preference to students already attending school in the nonresident school district and siblings of currently-attending students.

Some school districts establish waiting lists to fill unused spaces, but others do not.

Can a resident district prevent a student from leaving?

A resident school district may prevent a student from leaving the district if the tuition charge for the student’s special education in the nonresident school district is an undue financial burden for the resident school district.

If you have further questions about open enrollment for children with disabilities, contact the resident or nonresident school district or the DPI.

Can parents appeal if an application is denied?

Parents whose applications are denied may appeal to the DPI within 30 days of the denial.  State law requires the DPI to uphold the school district’s decision unless DPI finds that the decision was arbitrary or unreasonable.  The DPI’s decision may be appealed to circuit court.

Must students reapply every year?

Once a student is accepted into a nonresident school district, the student may continue to attend that district without reapplication except that:

• The nonresident district may require a student to reapply one time—at the beginning of middle school, junior high or high school.  Sheboygan Falls does not require anyone to reapply once they have been approved.  If your student is currently attending school in Sheboygan Falls under open enrollment, DO NOT SUBMIT ANOTHER APPLICATION.
• Under certain circumstances, a student who needs special education may be required to return to the student’s resident school district.

Is there a cost to parents for open enrollment?

There is no tuition cost to parents for participation in open enrollment.  Parents of open enrolled students may be charged the same fees as resident students.

Who is responsible for transportation?

Parents are responsible for transporting their children to and from school.

If transportation is required in the individualized education program (IEP) for a child with a disability, it must be provided by the nonresident district.

School districts may provide transportation to open enrollment students if they wish.  Usually, if transportation is provided, parents must transport the student to a location in the nonresident district.

Low-income parents may apply to the DPI for partial reimbursement of their transportation costs.

Can a parent select a specific school in the student’s resident school district?

The state’s open enrollment program applies only to transfers from one school district to another school district.  It is up to each individual school board to decide whether or not to allow transfers from one attendance area to another attendance area in the same school district.

Can an open enrolled student participate in sports and other extra –curricular activities in the nonresident school district?

Open enrolled students have the same rights and responsibilities as resident students.

Inter-scholastic athletics are governed by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA), which has recently adopted new rules concerning transfer students.  Parents should check with the WIAA or the school district’s athletic director about eligibility.

The Entire Open Enrollment Brochure for the 2012-2013 School Year Can Be Found At

The Department of Public Instruction Website:   http://dpi.wi.gov/sms/psctoc.html

News Release

For Immediate Release

December 1, 2011

Contact: Jean Born, District Administrator

jborn@sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us

920-467-7893

School Board Decides on Construction Manager to Assist Planning Efforts

Sheboygan Falls, WI – The Sheboygan Falls School Board unanimously voted to hire CG Schmidt Inc. of Milwaukee, WI on Tuesday evening, November 28 to support their ongoing facilities planning efforts. CG Schmidt responded to a formal Request-For-Proposal (RFP) for Construction Management Services issued by the district in October as part of a competitive process open to qualified construction firms with relevant public school experience. The district received seven proposals and decided to interview three firms. The other two companies interviewed were Miron Construction of Neenah and Jos. Schmitt and Sons Construction of Sheboygan.

District Administrator Jean Born emphasized, “While we have now hired CG Schmidt to work with us as our construction manager, the School Board remains committed to providing qualified local contractors, distributers, and suppliers the opportunity to openly bid on any future work, provided any project is ultimately supported by the community.”

Sheboygan Falls Schools, already working closely with Eppstein Uhen Architects, is in the process of exploring a series of preliminary facilities improvement options based on recommendations from a citizen-based committee known as the Facilities Public Taskforce (or FPT). In an effort to effectively evaluate and compare potential options, the school district decided to establish a relationship with a construction partner to provide accurate and realistic cost estimates. School districts often hire construction managers and other planning firms early in the conceptual projects phases to evaluate, budget and schedule various potential solutions– often years in advance of hiring trade contractors for the work.

“Establishing our construction partner early– even before we have a specific project developed – allows us to more fully investigate the concepts suggested by the FPT,” noted Board President, John Mauer. “Bringing CG Schmidt on board now will help us better identify costs associated with these ideas before we can determine if they are viable long-term solutions to our facilities needs.”

The district anticipates sharing more detailed information about the preliminary solutions with the entire community in early 2012. For more information, please contact District Administrator Jean Born.

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NOTICE TO PARENTS WHO ARE MOVING OUT OF THE DISTRICT

If you are anticipating a move out of the Sheboygan Falls District during the current school year, your student(s) can continue attending school in Sheboygan Falls.  Please contact your building office or the district office to receive a “Tuition Waiver Form”.  Completion of this form will enable your child to continue attending school in the Sheboygan Falls District even though you no longer live within the District boundaries.  Please call Mary Blaha, Director of Business Services or Julie Hahn, Administrative Assistant at 467-7893 if you have any questions regarding tuition waivers.

Options Recommended by Public Task Force to be Explored

Sheboygan Falls, WI – The Sheboygan Falls School Board recently took steps to advance a facilities planning process that started more than a year ago with a comprehensive facilities assessment of all district buildings. This study, conducted by Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) in the summer of 2010, identified needs at every school in the district with the most significant issues noted at the Middle School. After reviewing the report, the School Board decided to convene a citizen-based committee, known as the Facilities Public Taskforce (or FPT), early this year to thoroughly review the facilities study findings and determine if the district should investigate potential solutions to the identified needs. The FPT presented the School Board with its findings in late March and recommended the district deeply research numerous potential scenarios. Copies of both reports are available for review on the district website at www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us .

Using the Facilities Public Taskforce recommendations as a guide, the School Board has now retained Eppstein Uhen to further explore a series of preliminary facilities improvement options. EUA anticipates sharing the outcome of this research with the School Board, FPT, and the community before Thanksgiving. “Moving forward to better understand the potential options suggested by our citizens’ taskforce is a critical step in a very methodical planning process,” commented District Administrator Jean Born. “Prior to making any decisions on our facilities issues we must understand all aspects of these ideas before we can determine if they are viable long-term solutions to our facilities needs. Once this information is gathered, we will then need extensive input from staff and the broader community before moving forward.”

Prior to establishing the FPT, the School Board took the time to specifically define their vision for the district’s facilities. This vision is as follows:

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SHEBOYGAN FALLS IS COMMITTED TO HAVING WELL-MAINTAINED BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS. THEY WILL BE SAFE, COST-EFFECTIVE, ENERGY EFFICIENT, AND WILL ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. BUILDINGS WILL BE DESIGNED AND MAINTAINED THAT THEY CAN BE ADAPTED TO QUICKLY MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF TEACHERS AND LEARNERS IN THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY.

For more information, please contact District Administrator Jean Born.

Jean Born District Administrator District

Work 220 Amherst Ave Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 work

Work Phone: 920-467-7893work Work Email: jborn@sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.usINTERNET

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SHEBOYGAN FALLS SCHOOLS FACILITIES UPDATE

At the special board meeting held on May 2^nd, the Board of Education reviewed the findings of the Facilities Public Task Force. The Board expressed its deep appreciation for the time and effort invested by the Task Force members. All three long term facility solutions suggested by the Task Force will be evaluated further. The seven page summary of the project report is available on the district’s website (www.sheboygan falls.k12.wi.us)

MIDDLE SCHOOL: the Task Force recommended, and the Board concurred, that replacement or major renovation of the Middle School is a top priority for the school district. Also discussed was a recommendation by the Administration to move the Early Childhood program and 4 Year Old Kindergarten classes from its current Middle School location to a site that would be connected or in close proximity of the Elementary School. The Administration made key points in the discussion that that it would be in the best academic interests of the young children in the Early Childhood and 4K programs to locate them close to the current elementary School to enhance remediation, provide enrichment opportunities and better utilize staff.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: suggested by the Administration and discussed was the possibility of relocating 5^th grade to the Elementary School in the event a new Middle School was to remain on its current site. Such a scenario would create the need for a 6^th through 8^th grade Middle School and would reduce the required size of the Middle School building. If this were to happen, it would allow interaction between 4^th and 5^th grades and would continue to meet the curriculum needs of the 5^th graders. In its report the Facilities Public Task Force expressed concern over the limitations at the current Elementary School in the cafeteria and kitchen areas as well as a lack of storage space and limitations in the size and number of special education classrooms.

HIGH SCHOOL: there was general agreement with the assessment of the Task Force that facility needs at the High School could be met by renovations or upgrades and that the High School was well maintained and serves the students well.

The Board of Education was united in moving forward in a thoughtful, thorough and timely manner that will be transparent and open to the community. The Board intends to continue to gather and evaluate, along with an architectural firm, input from an expanded Community Task Force. From those inputs, the Board will generate and evaluate a number of facility options, assessing the positive impact on education balanced with cost for each scenario. Additionally, the Board plans to meet with Robert W. Baird and Company to discuss the financial implications and timing of any projects that may come forward.

Sheboygan Falls School District will hold a follow up date to our Child Development Days at the Sheboygan Falls Middle School on Wednesday, April 13^th.  If you missed our earlier CDD event, this is a chance to learn more about the level of your child’s growth and development, to promote awareness of community resources available for families of young children, and to identify any children in need of additional assessment in any of the developmental areas.

Child Development Days follow up is open to all Sheboygan Falls residents who have children between ages of 2 years, 9 months and 5 years of age who have not participated in some form of preschool screening, who have not entered either four or five year old kindergarten, or have recently moved to the community. Parents can contact the Pupil Services office at 467-7894 for additional information about participation in this event.

Information Release                                                                                                                                      2/27/11

Sheboygan Falls School District

Public Task Force – Facilities

Part 2 of a Series: School District Facilities Task Force

The next several Task Force articles will focus on the district’s three facilities. We will start with some general information and move on to reviews of the High, Elementary and Middle Schools.

The committee reviewed local population and school enrollment information. Overall, it appears that population shifts and the effects of a projected slow economic recovery could moderate enrollment over the next 8-15 years. It appears projected enrollment could remain below 2000 to 2006 levels.

Regarding the potential impact of future capital projects on the district’s debt load; the district currently has approximately $90.3 million in equalized value and $11 million debt. It pays $1.1 to $1.6 million annually in principle and the bulk is scheduled to be paid by the end of 2014.

In developing their conclusions, the Task Force toured the facilities, reviewed the facilities study and community survey, which were completed last year, considered the district officials’ opinions as well as the building principals’ thoughts.

Generally speaking, the High School and Elementary buildings are in good shape with long estimated useful lives in front of them. Both should play central roles well into the district’s future education programs. However, the Middle School building is sitting in a completely opposite situation, despite a good long-term maintenance program and recent aggressive repair program.

High School Review: The High School was built in 1968 with the pool added in 2000. The Task Force noted the following during their tour:

• Door hardware is old and not efficient for keying/entry purposes. Security and access challenges.

• HVAC System is neither zoned, nor sufficient for everyday use in warmer weather.
• Water pipes need shutoff valves, especially considering their advancing age. A current pipe burst would require shutdown of water, building wide.
• Delivery/receiving areas are grossly inadequate.
• Current special needs rooms are insufficient for the types of needs mandated to be covered.
• Counselors’ offices and meeting space is insufficient to handle the number and types of meetings with students and families.
• The music and band programs’ space is insufficient for storage and lacks soundproofing.
• The Tech Ed area is in need of additional space and technology upgrades considering the changing nature of education and our job markets.
• The athletic facilities are becoming more challenging in light of Title IX and the adequacy of the female athletic facilities, poor ventilation, and limited handicapped accessibility.

After further review of all the materials and information, the Task Force identified the following long-term needs for the High School facility:

• Technology – upgrades for future computer applications.
• Sports/Phy. Ed. facilities need upgrades for Title IX, ADA and practical use considerations.
• Special needs facilities need expansion and upgrade.
• Counselors’ office/meeting space need expansion and upgrade.
• A district wide centralized receiving and general materials storage solution needs to be found.
• Building security upgrades (public entrance control, hall control, and door hardware).

For more detailed notes, please see the School District website: www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us.

Future articles: the current challenges of the Elementary and Middle Schools and options to consider.

Information Release                                                                                                                                      2/27/11

Sheboygan Falls School District

Public Task Force – Facilities

Part 3 of a Series: School District Facilities Task Force

This is part 3 in a series. Previous articles focused on the general project and reviews of the high school facility. Please refer to the School District’s website for those articles.

Elementary School Review: The Elementary School was built in 2000 with a bank of second floor classrooms added in 2007. The Task Force tour noted the following:

• Building size was decreased during its design and construction.
• Space is a premium. Much of the common area is serving more students than it was designed to:
  • Lunch runs from 10:30 to 1:30, due to small cafeteria area.
  • Stage is usable only for the last hour of the day, due to the long lunch period.
• Kindergarten is using a team teaching approach due to space limitations.
• Special needs space is not adequate:
  • OTPT area is small.
  • Teachers and students with sensory teaching needs share rooms.
• POD based structure no longer working as intended – classrooms outside the desired POD areas.
• Meeting space is inadequate:
  • Conference rooms are small and few.
  • Larger rooms are available only Wednesday thru Friday, on first come sign up basis.
  • Senior Center is now an overflow art room.
• A district wide centralized receiving and storage solution needs to be found.
• Building entrance is not secure.
• Automobile traffic flow around building is hazardous during peak times.
• The school does not house the desired grade groupings:
  • 4k, Early Childhood, and Head Start are at the Middle School.
  • 5^th Grade is at the Middle School.

Further Task Force review of the situation indicated the following Elementary School long-term needs:

• Cafeteria and kitchen are inadequate for the current level of student population.
• Building security needs to be upgraded (public entrance control).
• Special needs facilities require upgrade and expansion.
• A district wide centralized receiving and general materials storage solution needs to be found.
• A solution needs to be found to bring the desired grades together…add 4k, EC, HS and 5^th grade to the elementary school setting.
• Traffic patterns need to be altered/upgraded to alleviate congestion during peak traffic times.

For more detailed notes, please see the School District website: www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us.

Future articles: the current challenges of the Middle School and options to consider.

Information Release                                                                                                                                      2/27/11

Sheboygan Falls School District

Public Task Force – Facilities

Part 4 of a Series: School District Facilities Task Force

This is part 4 in a series. Previous articles focused on the general project and reviews of the high and elementary school facilities. Please refer to the School District’s website for those articles.

Middle School Review: The Middle School has been cobbled together through five building projects dating back to 1928. The bulk of the school was completed by 1960, long before the building of the High School. The most recent addition was the relatively small kitchen area, which was added in 1990, twenty-one years ago.   The Task Force toured the facility and noted the following:

• Building entrance is not secure.
• Small and odd shaped rooms:
  • Difficult for instruction in certain settings.
  • Music/Band rooms are too small to handle full class practice performances.
• Bathrooms are insufficient in number and locations create control/security challenges.
• No air conditioning or air filtration; heating units are becoming antiquated and difficult to repair.
• Many doors/windows are not weather efficient – drafts add to the heating/cooling challenges.
• Challenges with teacher support rooms:
  • Too few and inconveniently located.
  • Common/meeting rooms are inconveniently located (not usable to many teachers).
• No discipline facilities.
• Cockroach infestation.
• A district wide centralized receiving and storage solution needs to be found.
• Outdated phone and phone line infrastructure.
• Basement athletic/physical education facilities are aesthetically and functionally challenged;
  • Moisture, odor, and ventilation issues.
• Roof issues: continued leaks and major work needed by 2015.
• Cafeteria is too small to handle the student body effectively:
  • Challenge to handle food lines, seating and storage effectively.
  • Time constraints similar to elementary school – lunch starts early and runs late.
• Traffic around school at peak times creates safety challenges.

After further review of the information, the Task Force identified the following middle school facility long-term needs:

• Upgraded physical education/athletic facilities.
• Building security upgrades (public entrance control).
• Increased number of and better locations for restrooms.
• Improved HVAC and heating systems, building wide.
• Replace old cast plumbing system.

• Cafeteria is inadequate for current level of student population.
• Special needs facilities require upgrade and expansion.
• A district wide centralized receiving and general materials storage solution needs to be found.
• A solution needs to be found to bring the desired grades together…add 4k, EC, HS and 5^th grade to the elementary school setting.

• Traffic patterns need to be altered/upgraded to alleviate congestion during peak traffic times.
• Remedy the bug infestation situation.
• Add space for special needs, conference and other meeting needs.
• New interior (building shell might be salvageable with major roof work; however interior needs to be replaced).

For more detailed notes, please see the School District website: www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us.

Future articles: options to consider.