News & Events

A Walworth County resident has died due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, per a press release on April 12. The patient is an adult in their 80’s. UPDATED: In response to a question from the Banner, Carlo Nevicosi, Deputy Director of Walworth County HHS, indicated that “The case was laboratory-confirmed for COVID-19.”

“It is with great sadness that I confirm that a Walworth County resident has passed away due to COVID-19”, said Elizabeth Aldred, Health and Human Services (HHS) Director. “This is a sad day for Walworth County. Our entire community feels the weight of this loss.”

The release did not indicate where the individual had lived. Walworth County HHS recently indicated that COVID-19 has been confirmed or suspected in every major community in the county. In a telephone conversation with a Banner staff member on April 7, Carlo Nevicosi, Deputy Director of the Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services, confirmed that there are “confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19” in Whitewater. Mr. Nevicosi stated that he was not at that time authorized to release any further information regarding the nature of those cases.

The Walworth County Division of Public Health continues to monitor the spread of the disease and implement practices to reduce transmission.

“We know that many Walworth County residents are concerned about what impact this virus may have on themselves and their loved ones. This is a rapidly evolving public health event that we are taking very seriously” added Aldred. “This is a time to remind everyone of the importance of taking precautions to protect those at higher risk, especially the elderly and people with serious underlying health conditions.”

To reduce risk of getting sick, Public Health advises everyone to follow these simple steps:

• Following the Safer at Home Order
• Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Stay home when sick.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest information, visit the CDC’s website or the DHS website.

For the latest information about COVID-19 in Walworth County, visit:

https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/856/COVID-19.

In a 4 minute, 35 second slideshow, many of the WHS teachers and other staff sent encouraging (but occasionally odd) messages to their students during the “Safer at Home” order, otherwise known as “Study at Home” order. You may watch by clicking here.

(3/23/20) Taking another step in the effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Governor Tony Evers said on Monday that he plans to issue an order on Tuesday ordering all nonessential businesses to close. Details on which businesses will be allowed to stay open have not yet been announced, but are expected to be similar to the restrictions in other states such as California, Illinois, and Ohio. Best guess is that essential services are likely to include health care providers, grocery stores, restaurant carry-out services, farms, critical manufacturing, utility companies, law enforcement, and government operations. The governor promised to give “nonessential” businesses a grace period to close down, although hair and tanning salons were already shuttered last week.

“Folks, this is important. Time is of the essence,” Evers said. “This isn’t something I thought we’d have to do, it’s not something I wanted to do and it’s not something that I take lightly.”

(Banner comment) You may find it to be worth four minutes to read the article, “The Severity of the Next Several Weeks Depends Upon Our Actions Now,” by Andy Slavitt, former head of the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services. Click here for the post on medium.com.

Finally, here are some good tips for your essential shopping trips.

The District’s tentative timeline for selection of a new Administrator:

HYA Job Posting: January 25-March 13 (HYA = Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates)

Online Survey: February 10-24

Leadership Profile Report presented to Board: Monday, March 2

HYA Screening Interviews: Until Friday, March 20

Slate presented to Board: Monday, March 23 (NOTE: The Board does have a closed session on 3/23 for this purpose.)

Board initial interviews: April 6, 7, 9

Board meets to identify finalists: After the last interview

Finalist Interviews: April 13-?

Board meets to identify preferred candidate: Within a few days of the finalists’ interviews

Target for public announcement: May 1

District Administrator assumes responsibilities: July 1, 2020

District Characteristics:

• Approximately 2000 students
• 43% economically disadvantaged students
• 14% ELL (English Language Learner) students
• 17% students with disabilities
• 37% students of color, predominately Hispanic/Latino
• 82% of High School students are engaged in music, arts, and/or athletic programs.
• In 1960 Whitewater put into effect the first unified school district in WI, separating all school business and budget matters from the city council control.

Interview & Online Survey Participants

The consultants (HYA) spoke with 25 individuals and analyzed 517 online survey responses. Participants in the online survey: 181 students, 158 parents, 140 employees, 38 community members.

(Added on 3/21 at 10 p.m.) It may be of interest to note that the percentage ratings on some portions of the survey reflected much ratings on the part of community members and employees than those of parents and high school students. (It must be noted that there were only 38 community members participating in Whitewater.) The consultants indicated that it is not unusual to have a decline in ratings when a respondent is closer to the “consumer” experience in the district. The Banner was only able to find one other HYA survey in the state, but the difference in rankings between constituencies was much greater in Whitewater than in Green Bay. Shown below is the response to the question: “Please rate the overall quality of education in the District.”

	All	Community Member	Employee	Parent	Student
Whitewater	56%	74%	82%	47%	39%
Green Bay	51%	47%	53% *	52%	46%

• Green Bay’s survey had three categories of employees: Administrator (95 responses) = 68%, Certified/Licensed Staff (666 responses) = 53%, and Support Staff (219 responses) = 47%. Whitewater’s employees were all in one pool.

Strengths of the District (as identified by the interviews and surveys)

• Every group noted that Whitewater is a small, safe, friendly community in which to live and that the community shows tremendous support for the school district.
• Tremendous support for WUSD referendums.
• Quality staff: caring and dedicated.
• Growing diversity in the student population.
• Area Quality of Life: friendly community, environmental opportunities, University presence, proximity to Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago. “All groups highlighted the Whitewater area as a great place to live, work and recreate.”
• Stable dedicated school board
• District facilities are well maintained.

Top 5 District Strengths

• Technology is integrated into the classroom.
• Facilities are well maintained.
• District schools are safe.
• The district employs effective teachers, administrators, and support staff in its schools.
• District technology infrastructure is sufficient to support 21st century learning.

Challenges, Concerns, Issues Facing the District

• The district needs to create a central communication port where parents (especially) can look for information.
• Increasing mental health needs of students
• Increase in special education needs
• Changing demographic needs including poverty and homelessness
• Local housing shortage
• Enrollment challenges, particularly the net loss with open enrollment students

Desired Characteristics of New District Administrator

• Relationship builder
• Strong communicator
• Celebrates diversity
• Trustworthy and open minded
• Fosters community engagement
• Visible and accessible
• Sets high expectations

Top Five Desired Strengths for New Administrator

• Foster a positive, professional climate of mutual trust and respect among faculty, staff, and administrators
• Be visible throughout the District and actively engaged in community life
• Recruit, employ, and retain effective personnel throughout the District and its schools
• Understand and be sensitive to the needs of a diverse student population
• Establish a culture of high expectations for all students and personnel

(Added on 3/21 at 10 p.m.) The complete survey report may be found here.

The leadership profile may be found here.

(Well, unfortunately due to the social distancing requirement, there may not be much fellowship or fun, but at least there is still food!)

The Senior Nutrition Program – Senior Dining is currently serving meals. The Senior Dining locations are temporarily providing meals on a take out basis only. The following locations are currently serving Monday through Friday: Elkhorn – Sedgemeadow Apartments, Delavan – Lake Comus Apartments, Lake Geneva – The Terraces and Whitewater – Brookdale Apartments. Reservations are still required 1 business day in advance by Noon. Call (262) 741-3333 for reservations or see the dining site manager. 

3/18/20 – Walworth County Division of Public Health announced today that there is now one confirmed case in Walworth County.  This individual recently traveled domestically and at the recommendation of Walworth County Division of Public Health, voluntarily self-isolated upon returning to the community.  Out of respect for the patient’s privacy, no additional information will be provided.

“We are in daily contact with this individual to monitor their symptoms and ensure they are receiving support to be able to isolate at home,” said Erica Bergstom, Public Heatlh Officer.  

At this time Walworth County is not included in the list of identified locations with community transmission. 

Walworth County Division of Public Health is keeping track of this outbreak. We are working with our local, state, and federal partners to deal quickly and effectively when people have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been around people that have been infected with the coronavirus.  Walworth County Division of Public Health will directly notify close contacts of any identified cases.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest information, visit the CDC’s website or the DHS website. For current updates for Walworth County click here.

NOTE FROM THE BANNER: Please be diligent in handwashing and social distancing. We’re all encouraged to remain at home as much as possible, and when it’s essential to go out, maintain at least 6 feet from other people. There is particular concern about younger people, who may develop such a mild infection that they’re not even aware that they’re ill, but can still spread the virus to others — particularly to seniors and others with compromised immunity, for whom this virus can be fatal.

Protecting Yourself

While there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, Mercyhealth urges everyone to remain vigilant but not panic. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19. This helps prevent spreading the disease to others. Facemasks are crucial for health workers and people who care for someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Most patients with COVID-19 symptoms are at low risk for having the disease. If you have concerns, Mercyhealth Virtual Visit Now is a safe, convenient way to get expert medical advice from the comfort of your home. With Virtual Visit Now, you help reduce the risk of spreading germs to patients and staff at the urgent care clinic. Mercyhealth cannot diagnose COVID-19 through Virtual Visit Now, but your remote care provider can screen you, answer your questions, and recommend what you should do next.

• Coronavirus Symptoms (CDC)
• Coronavirus Testing (CDC)
• Higher Risk Individuals (CDC)
• Important Travel Information (CDC)
• Videos About Coronavirus (CDC)
• FAQ (CDC)
• Latest News Updates