News

Monday, September 22, 2025
Whitewater School Board – Regular Meeting 
Whitewater High School Library 
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin 
6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online 
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89329605814?pwd=TVqnVI4kSrdqJ1z1H10hPlLZ7qodrz.1 – Passcode: 363074 
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799 
– Webinar ID: 893 2960 5814 
– Passcode: 363074 
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PUBLIC NOTICE: The meeting will be live streamed via Zoom for those Board members and individuals unable to attend in-person. If you require special accommodations to fully participate, please notify the School Board Secretary by phone (262) 472-8713 or in writing at least 24 hours prior to the meeting time. 
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If participants wish to speak on Agenda Items they may speak regarding specific issues on the agenda at the time the Board discusses that item. A Citizen Comment Request should be filled out prior to speaking. In accordance to Board Policy 187, personal criticism and/or derogatory remarks directed at School Board members or employees of the district will not be tolerated. Should there be a number of citizens planning to speak, the President will announce the total time for citizen comments and divide the time between speakers equally with no more than three minutes allotted to each participant. The Board will not be able to respond to individual questions at the meeting. Complaints against an employee should be sent to the Superintendent or Board in writing with your signature. Please keep in mind that students often attend or view board meetings. Speakers remarks should therefore be suitable for an audience that includes Kindergarten through 12th grade students. An officer of the Board may interrupt, warn or terminate speakers’ statements that are unrelated to the business of the School District or inappropriate for K-12 students or is disruptive to an orderly, productive meeting. – 

The time estimates noted for agenda items are for informational purposes only and may not be reflective of actual discussion during the meeting. 

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (Action Item) 

4. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS – NONE 

5. STUDENT REPORTS – 5 MINUTES 

A. Whitewater Student Council Report – Whitewater Middle School 

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS 

A. Citizens may speak under Public Comments, but no School Board action will be taken. Issues raised may become a part of a future agenda. Participants are allotted a three-minute speaking period. A Citizen Comment Request should be filled out prior to speaking. In accordance to Board Policy 187, personal criticism and/or derogatory remarks directed at School Board members or employees of the district will not be tolerated. Should there be a number of citizens planning to speak, the President will announce the total time for citizen comments and divide the time between speakers equally with no more than three minutes allotted to each participant. The Board will not be able to respond to individual questions at the meeting. Complaints against an employee should be sent to the Superintendent or Board in writing with your signature. Please keep in mind that students often attend or view board meetings. Speakers’ remarks should therefore be suitable for an audience that includes Kindergarten through 12th grade students. The Board President or officers of the Board may interrupt, warn or terminate speakers’ statements that are unrelated to the business of the School District or inappropriate for K-12 students or disruptive to an orderly, productive meeting. The time estimates noted for agenda items are for informational purposes only and may not be reflective of actual discussion during the meeting. 

7. SPECIAL REPORTS AND/OR ACTION 

A. Report on Washington DC Trip 

B. 2027 Trip to Washington DC/New York City 

C. 2027 Trip to England and France 

D. District Goals Presentation (Pillars) 

E. WHS Booster club to present on recent improvements to the JV Baseball fields and present donation of $13,000 to the district for the HUDL Subscription 

8. PERSONNEL REPORT (Action Items) – NONE 

9. SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS – 5 MINUTES 

A. Superintendent Update – Celebrations; look, listen, and learn update 

10. BUSINESS OFFICE REPORTS – 10 MINUTES 

A. Preliminary 2025-26 Budget Report 

11. CONSENT AGENDA (Action Item) – 5 MINUTES 

A. Voucher Approval – August 2025 

B. Donations for $1,020.00 from several donors. 

C. Minutes Approval of Regular Meeting – August 25, 2025 

D. Minutes Approval of Policy Review Committee Meeting – September 8, 2025 

12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

A. Bray’s Architecture Milestone Updates 

B. Building Solutions Referendum Update 

C. Referendum Update for cameras and doors 

D. Superintendent goals 

13. NEW BUSINESS (Action Items) – 10 MINUTES 

A. Donation for $5,183.61 from several donors as part of the DonorsChoose Project for Ferradermis. B. Donation for $5,000.00 from Kiwanis to the Family Emergency Fund for shoes and coats. C. 225, Superintendent Evaluation, For Immediate Implementation. 

D. 225-Ex, Superintendent Evaluation Tool, For Immediate Implementation. 

E. 671.1 Payday Schedules, For Immediate Implementation 

14. BOARD MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

A. Future Agenda Items 

15. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS 

A. Board Engagement Opportunities 

16. ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION 

A. Adjourn into closed session, (Action Item) pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(f), considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations, specifically, to discuss a busing issue and revisit ACC stipulations or criteria for to appoint members. When closed session ends, the meeting ends. 

17. ADJOURN

Whitewater, Wis. (Sept. 18, 2025) – Roberta’s Art Gallery is proud to present the watercolor works of Merwood “Woody” Olsen, a local artist and alum of UW-Whitewater, on display from September 18 to October 17. A free public reception will be held on October 7, 2025, from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by an open house from 7 to 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. In addition, a free watercolor workshop for students will take place on Tuesday, October 14, from 7 to 9 p.m., in the University Center Lower Level, hosted in collaboration with UC Live.

“Expressing Imagination” showcases bright splashes of watercolor in various shapes and sizes, layered to create dynamic compositions in both positive and negative space. Figures, often faceless or with distorted features, emerge from these vibrant backgrounds, encouraging personal interpretation. Olsen’s unique process combines watercolor with drawing, collage, and mixed media, incorporating crayons, charcoal, and wash. The result is artwork filled with depth, texture, and motion, influenced by years of experimentation and a love of color theory. Olsen says, “When first studying watercolor, I was instructed to drag the brush across the paper overlapping other washes to create color, depth and texture. The results fascinated me. I knew I had found my media.” 

Born in Beloit, raised in Sharon, and graduated from Big Foot High School, Walworth, Wisconsin “Woody” attended UW-Whitewater, studying art history, studio arts, etching, and printmaking. He was a student of the late Leanne Stevenson, Whitewater professor and artist. Olsen continued his studies at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. His abstract paintings have been featured in juried shows throughout the Midwest, including “Watercolor Wisconsin”. His work is included in several private collections. He currently resides in Janesville, Wisconsin, where he is the curator chair of the Janesville Art League’s permanent collection.

Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center at 190 Hamilton Green Way, Whitewater, Wisconsin. The gallery collaborates with campus departments, student organizations, and community artists to coordinate and sponsor exhibits. Gallery hours are Monday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

At Roberta’s Art Gallery, we pride ourselves on providing free and open exhibits to the public, and attending certain events can earn students class credit. If you are interested in being featured in the gallery, please contact us for a proposal request. Reach us at ucart@uww.edu or 262-472-3193. Visit www.uww.edu/rag for any questions or inquiries, and follow our Instagram @uww_rag. For more information about Woody Olsen’s work, please visit woodyolsen.com.###

Whitewater High’s Homecoming 2025 has arrived! The theme for this year is “Whippets Got Game.” The week’s activities along with the dress up days and schedule change for Friday are posted below. 

Keep in mind that other schools in the district may have different activities and dress up days. 

Also, please note that Homecoming Court will no longer be taking place on Lip Sync night. Instead, the court students will be announced at their assembly on Friday and at the football game Friday evening. 

Whitewater High School would like to give a special shout out to Home Lumber for donating the materials for construction of the W to be burned on Wednesday evening after Lip Sync.

Information Submitted by Chelsea Luebke
Whitewater High School Student Council Advisor
cluebke@wwusd.org

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

This week’s photo is of “Tucker the Trucker.” Harry Tucker was Whitewater’s long-time local moving and hauling business owner. Tucker moved to Whitewater from a farm in 1933 and started his trucking business. He specialized in moving households and transporting general cartage loads. He had a side business hauling sand and gravel. In 1958, after 25 years, Tucker sold his business interests, probably retiring.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(2631P, Whitewater Historical Society)

Our Exploratory Tech students completed their 10-hour OSHA training during summer school and just received their OSHA 10 Safety Cards! We are so proud of their efforts—this certification is an important step in workplace safety and will help them with Youth Apprenticeships (YAs) and building strong resumes.

Article and Photo Submitted by Nolan Otremba
Whitewater High School Technology and Engineering Teacher
otrno01@wwusd.org

NEW CLASS!

Beginning October 20^th

The Healing Project: understanding life with cognitive change

 A class for people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia diagnoses

Limited Space Available

The Dementia Program of The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Rock County is pleased to announce a new psychoeducational class for people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia diagnoses.  The Healing Project: understanding life with cognitive change will be offered virtually on 8 consecutive Mondays beginning October 20^th from 10:30am-Noon. The class will offer education, support and resources on a variety of topics focusing on issues related to a dementia diagnosis including acceptance, understanding, coping skills, grief and loss and effective communication with loved ones.  Each week participants will also learn and practice a new relaxation skill to assist with coping.  Class time includes opportunities for sharing with other participants.

For more information about The Healing Project, to register for the class or to discuss any concerns related to dementia, please contact the Rock County Dementia Care Specialist, Karen Tennyson at 608/921-7165 or karen.tennyson@co.rock.wi.us

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Enactus team will celebrate its 2025 national championship and hold a send-off for the team this Thursday, Sept. 18, as it prepares to travel as the representative of the United States at the Enactus World Cup in Thailand.

The team will depart from Perkins Stadium (Lot 24) on a firetruck parade through Whitewater at 5 p.m. The parade route begins south on Warhawk Drive and continues west on Starin Road and south on Prince St., and concludes at the Center of the Arts. A reception will take place starting at 5:45 p.m. in the University Center Hamilton Room on campus.

Thursday’s event is free and open to the public. Donations to support the team’s travel are welcome here.

The Warhawks, winners of the Enactus USA national title after a year of work to support small businesses, will compete against more than 30 countries from around the world starting September 25 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Two initiatives helped UW-Whitewater’s Enactus chapter — a social entrepreneurship organization that works to revitalize local economies — claim its position as Team USA at the World Cup.

During the 2024-25 year, UW-Whitewater students and faculty helped lead RenewTowns, a project to drive sustainable economic growth and revitalization in communities. They worked with organizations and business leaders in Fort Atkinson, Cambridge, and Wauwatosa to build business pitch competitions that offer incentives to small businesses who set up in the downtown areas of those communities.

Members of the Enactus team also worked with women in Guatemala on ProChapina, a nonprofit organization that supports women through professional training programs and other services. Four students and a faculty advisor traveled to Antigua, Guatemala, in the summer of 2024 to meet with ProChapina leadership to discuss ongoing efforts in marketing and business operations.

As part of the reception, the Enactus team will preview its World Cup presentation. Click here for more details on Thursday’s event.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at Rock County is partnering with Mercyhealth to expand access to healthcare education and serve a key need in Wisconsin and stateline communities for nurses, technicians, and other healthcare professionals.

The newly named Mercyhealth Medical Sciences Hub includes the Rock County campus’s state-of-the-art nursing simulation center and skills labs supporting learning in maternity education, pediatrics, and geriatrics. The space, which opened in 2024, is a result of a collaboration between the Rock County campus and Edgewood University, which provided the technology — including the mannequins used in the simulation labs. Mercyhealth’s half a million dollar gift ensures the upkeep and regular enhancement of the spaces.

“UW-Whitewater is committed to addressing the needs of the region,” said Chancellor Corey King. “Together, with Mercyhealth, we’re making an investment in today and the future — ensuring our healthcare workforce is well-educated, robust and adaptable. The Mercyhealth Medical Sciences Hub on the Rock County campus offers hands-on engagement and learning opportunities. It provides our students with valuable real-world experiences desired by employers.”

“Mercyhealth is proud to grow our partnership with UW-Whitewater at Rock County and Edgewood University. Creating opportunities for nursing students within our community is about more than education — it’s about building the future of healthcare. We’re excited to train and empower the nurses who will care for generations to come,” said Kara Sankey, vice president of operations at Mercyhealth.

The latest agreement expands the healthcare education partnership between UW-Whitewater at Rock County and Mercyhealth, which includes facilities investments and academic collaborations.

The university recently announced a Bachelor of Science in medical sciences degree with emphases in radiology and sonography. Students in the program will spend their final two years working with Mercyhealth for hands-on learning in their field.

URock is also part of a collaborative nursing program with Edgewood University. Students take two years of classes on the Rock County campus and are able to finish out their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree on site without having to leave the area.

“The opportunities afforded to students through the Mercyhealth Medical Sciences Hub help keep our workforce talent local, which is so important to the health of our community,” said Tricia Clasen, assistant vice chancellor of the UW-Whitewater at Rock County and dean of the College of Integrated Studies. “Our students already have such a positive impact in Janesville and throughout Rock County, and this partnership with Mercyhealth ensures the long-term investment into this program and into the education of future healthcare professionals.”

Per the agreement, Mercyhealth will continue to be embedded into URock’s medical sciences programs, including in workforce development, microcredential opportunities, and other future collaborations.

Mercyhealth’s gift will also be recognized as a lead gift of UW-Whitewater’s Our Stories. Our Future. campaign, which formally launched over the summer. The university is more than halfway to its goal of raising $50 million for the current and future welfare of the university.

A recipient of the Universities of Wisconsin Regents Business Partnership Award in 2023, Mercyhealth has been a collaborative partner of UW-Whitewater for more than 20 years. It is the exclusive healthcare provider for Warhawk Athletics, a perennial national contender that consistently ranks among the top 20 NCAA Division III athletic programs. 

Mercyhealth will be celebrated as a university partner October 17 as part of the UW-Whitewater football game against UW-Stout at Perkins Stadium.