News

In a message to the UW-W campus on January 23, Chancellor Dwight C. Watson announced that due to declines in enrollment, it is expected to be necessary to reduce operational expenses by $6 million in the current fiscal year that ends June 30, and by an additional $6 million in the 2021 fiscal year. It was indicated that these would be “base budget cuts, not one-time reductions.”

“As you likely know, UW-Whitewater has experienced enrollment declines since the 2016-17 academic year. This fall, we faced a drastic decline in enrollment – 4.1 percent. That means we had 498 fewer students than the prior fall. The decline in enrollment has caused a decrease in tuition revenue of approximately $11 million from our peak enrollment in 2016,” the message stated. Undergraduate enrollment declined on both the Whitewater and Rock County campuses. Declining high school graduation classes at some districts in the region have contributed to the losses.

Among the reduction in expenses will be a combination of contract non-renewals, reduction in appointment times and layoffs. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to increase recruitment of new students. A new Strategic Enrollment Plan was approved last summer, with specific emphasis on recruitment of Latinx students and students with disabilities.

The announcement concluded, “I understand this news may be difficult to digest. Let’s remember that UW-Whitewater has discerning and dedicated employees. I believe by focusing on our values, and through collaboration and creative problem solving we can develop long-term solutions that will help stabilize the budget, create new sources of revenue and strengthen our enrollment. I know this is a campus that cares deeply about our students and our mission to serve, and as we tap into that dedication to UW-Whitewater we will overcome these challenges.”

To read the full text of the announcement, click here.

Whitewater Parks and Recreation offers recreational youth baseball and softball through the Quad County League. This league is comprised of teams from surrounding communities. This program is offered at the 8U**, 10U, 12U and 14U age level. Each team will be assigned a volunteer head coach. Teams will be split up evenly by talent; per league rules. There will be no teammate requests. A mandatory player evaluation will occur during the first week of practices should there be more than one team at an age level. Practices will be held twice a week before games start, and at least once a week during the season. Practices will be anywhere from 4:30 p.m.-7:30.pm. depending on the coach’s availability.

Games for baseball in the Quad County League are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings. Games for softball in the Quad County League are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings. There is an end of the season league tournament that is mandatory. The tournament will take place July 17th-19th. Each player will receive a game jersey. Baseball players will receive a hat. For anyone interested in coaching, there will be a mandatory coaches’ meeting on Wednesday, March 18th at 6:00 p.m. at the Starin Park Community Building.

**The Quad County League is going to try and incorporate an 8U Baseball and 8U softball division for the 2020 Season. Should there be enough interest throughout the other communities, this division will be added. If there is not enough interest, 8U Baseball will run through the same league as the 2019 season. If you have any questions regarding 8U, please email Brian at bdelatorriente@whitewater-wi.gov.

Click the blue links to register online! 

Softball
Location: Starin Park Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays (April 7th-July 19th) Age Cutoff: Player may not turn the next age older than division age group prior to August 31, 2020. Mandatory Parent Meeting: During the first day of practice Fee: 10U-14U $70.00 Resident, $87.50 Non Resident; 8U $50.00 Resident, $62.50 Resident DEADLINE: April 1, 2020 Class#: 1504.21 (8 & Under Softball) 1505.21 (10 & Under Softball) 1506.21 (12 & Under Softball) 1507.21 (14 & Under Softball) 

Baseball
Location: Starin Park Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays (April 6th-July 19th) Age Cutoff: Player may not turn the next age older than division age group prior to August 31, 2020. Mandatory Parent Meeting: During the first day of practice Fee: 10U-14U $80.00 Resident, $100.00 Non Resident; 8U $50.00 Resident, $62.50 Non Resident DEADLINE: April 1, 2020 Class#: 1107.21 (8 & Under Baseball) 1104.21 (10 & Under Baseball) 1105.21 (12 & Under Baseball) 1106.21 (14 & Under Baseball)

Geoff, Chris, and Jacki Hale generously donated lumber and hardware to “Friends of Lakeland School (FOLS)” during the 17th “Waffles with Santa” yearly fundraiser to support the local nonprofit charity. The wood and hardware will be used in the shop class at Walworth County’s Lakeland School to build Aldo Leopold benches to develop students’ woodworking skills for employment opportunities after graduation.

Lakeland School was the first rural public special needs school created in America. It was founded by the Superintendent of Schools Sheridan Ellsworth (father of Shirley Scharine – Scharine Group) and the Walworth County Board in 1950.

Lakeland continues to educate students from all 15 school districts across Walworth County. The school remains one of only two stand-alone public special needs schools in Wisconsin. Visit Friends of Lakeland School/FOLS on Facebook to see how the nonprofit’s support continues to enhance the students’ educational and job training experiences with specialized purchases above the public school’s budget since 2002.

Jacki Hale serves on the WW Food Pantry’s Board where Kian Sonn works.

For the second year in a row, Whitewater Parks and Recreation will be offering a competitive, yet educational volleyball opportunity for girls that are currently in grades 5th-8th. Teams are broken up by 5th/6th grade, and 7th/8th grade. Each team will practice once a week, starting the beginning of April. Games will be set for Fridays beginning in May, against teams from Elkhorn, Lake Geneva and Delavan-Darien. All teams will be coached by a volunteer coach. Whitewater High School Volleyball Coach, Kathy Bullis will lead a coaching clinic on the first practice date. The participation fee is $45, which includes a team jersey. The deadline to sign up is March 30th, 2020.

Register online here:
5th & 6th Grade
7th & 8th Grade

Students named to Dean’s List for fall 2019

MENOMONIE, Wis. (January 21, 2020) – The following students from the area have been named to the University of Wisconsin-Stout Dean’s List for the fall 2019 semester.

The award, formerly known as the Chancellor’s Award, is presented to students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or above.

UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, has 50 undergraduate majors and 22 graduate programs, including one doctoral degree. UW-Stout, established in 1891, prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with an employment rate above 98% for recent graduates. The university was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001.

Enrollment was 8,393 in the fall.

UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.

Whitewater, WI

Zach Gross, Junior, BS Computer Science
Michael Hilliger, Junior, BFA entertainment design, BFA Game Design & Dvlpmnt-Art
Cassi Hoxie, Freshman, BS Computer and Electrical Eng
Bennett Miles, Freshman, BS technology education
Luke Rule, Freshman, BS Digital Mktg Technology

Big Brick Park Ice Rink is now open depending upon weather conditions. Please check the city website for the most current information on Big Brick Park Ice Rink. The hours listed below indicate times the warming shelter is open and supervised.

Open Skating:
Monday – Friday 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Open Hockey all ages:
Monday – Friday 5:30-9:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 3:00-8:00 p.m.

The Whitewater Historical Society invites the community to participate in their 9th Annual Whitewater Collects event on Saturday, March 21, 2020. 

“Whether you have displayed a collection previously, or this would be your first time, we are inviting you to share your collectibles with your neighbors at this public event.  The collection can be antique, vintage or contemporary. We will provide 1-2 tables for your display at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center.  There is no charge to display and the event is free to the public,” said Janis Goder, organizer of the show.

Whitewater Collects takes place from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2020. The doors to the Lakefront Community Center will be open at 10:30 AM  for collectors to set up their displays.  From 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, the Center is open to the public to view the displays.  In addition, the society is pleased to again offer free professional verbal evaluations of two antique or vintage items for the public between 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  These evaluations will be performed by noted auctioneer, Carol Miller, owner of Bailey’s Honor Auction and Estate Services, LLC.  Ms Miller also conducts the biennial fundraising auction for the Friends of the Wisconsin State Historical Society, being held in April this year at Old World Wisconsin.  Carol has been a very popular addition to Whitewater Collects event for the past two years, and people are encouraged to  bring in up to two items for her evaluation. A bake sale will also take place to benefit the Whitewater Historical Society during the event.

Please reply to Jan Goder at email address jgoder1976@gmail.com or phone 262-949-0644 to reserve a table, ask questions or send regrets.  If registering, please include the number of tables preferred, and the size and type of the collection.