News & Events

Editor’s note: the following information has been supplied by Walworth County Public Works.

Congratulations to Zeb Davis for being Whitewater Unified School District’s Reading All Star this week!! Zeb, we are honored to have you as our Reading All Star! Keep up your love of reading!  

Update 7/13/21 – Although the scooters had been scheduled to deploy on July 6, Bird rep Michael Covato, told the Banner on July 12, “Our shipping provider experienced some delays due to the additional demand following relaxed Covid restrictions.  We are currently in the process of expediting the shipment to ensure the scooters arrive as quickly as possible.  While I do not have an exact date at this point in time, I believe it will be sometime next week.”

Update: Michael Cavato of Bird told the Banner that the cost for using the scooters will be $1 to unlock and 39 cents per minute. He stated, “Given the geographic size and layout of Whitewater, this means that scooters can be an extremely affordable, quick, environmentally friendly, and fun way to navigate the area.  In addition, we frequently put out various promotions that we hope our riders keep an eye out for in the app to receive discounts.” Also note that shown below is reduced pricing for riders with certain qualifications.

The City of Whitewater is partnering with shared electric scooter company, Bird Rides to bring e-scooters to the city on a one-year pilot program contract. The scooters are available beginning July 6th through a mobile phone application and riders pay to use the scooter per minute, at no cost to the city.

“We are happy to welcome Bird to the City of Whitewater. We look forward to having the scooters available for all residents and visitors to get around town and think it will be a nice addition to the community,” said Cameron Clapper, Whitewater City Manager.

The company plans on offering scooters to help reduce carbon emissions, as well as traffic congestion on
roadways. The scooters also offer residents without automobiles another transportation option.
The electric scooters can be used on roads and in bike lanes with a maximum speed of 15 mph. Scooters must
be parked out of the way of pedestrians and never blocking driveways. Riders are required to be 18 years or
older to access the scooters. They are also encouraged to wear a helmet on every ride and required to obey all
standard rules of the road.

To use the scooters, a renter will download the Bird app to their phone and create an account they will use for
each ride. Using the map in the Bird app, riders will find the closest Bird. It can be reserved up to 30 minutes in
advance. To start the ride, the renter will scan the Bird’s QR code with the app, hit the throttle on the right to go
and pull the brakes to slow. After the ride, renters will use the kickstand to keep the Bird upright and park it
away from public pathways in an approved parking spot found in the app. The rider will submit a picture of the
scooter to ensure the ride is complete and the scooter is parked.

Riders will be able to use the Community Mode allowing anyone with a Bird account to report or provide feedback on vehicle-related issues such as poorly parked or damaged vehicles in their area. Riders will be asked to provide the Bird ID number and the specific issue they are experiencing, then a Bird team member will be assigned to correct the issue. Community Mode can be accessed by tapping the yield sign on the bottom left of the Bird map.

Bird advises riders to check the app for the most up-to-date vehicle charge information, service area locations, and pricing.

For more details on how to use a Bird scooter, visit https://www.bird.co/blog/how-to-bird- beginners-guide-shared-scooter-riding/.

“Having an additional option for transportation will be very helpful for many residents,” said Clapper. “This will
also be a nice option for those who are visiting the city and want a new way of getting around and enjoying
what our city has to offer.”

Bird offers the following programs that are available for all who qualify:

● Community Pricing- Bird’s Community Pricing Program offers a 50% discount to low-income riders, Pell grant recipients, select local nonprofit and community organizations, veterans, and senior citizens. It’s designed to be the most inclusive micro mobility discount program available anywhere. To sign up for the Community Pricing Program, download the Bird app, create an account, and email your proof of eligibility to access@bird.co. Visit https://www.bird.co/blog/need-know-bird-expanded-community- pricing-program/ for more details.
● Free Rides for Healthcare Workers and Emergency Personnel- Bird is proud to offer free rides to healthcare workers and emergency personnel. To sign up, simply email a copy of your medical identification card along with your name and phone number to together@bird.co. Eligible riders will receive two free 30-minute rides per day for as long as it takes to help our communities to recover from this global health crisis. Visit https://www.bird.co/blog/bird-providing-free-mobility-healthcare-workers- crisis/ for details.
https://www.bird.co/es/contact-us/.

Source: City of Whitewater press release

DROUGHT INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MILWAUKEE/SULLIVAN WI
200 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2021

...No changes in the drought status across southern WI...

.Synopsis: The latest Drought Monitor did not change from last week
and shows Abnormal Dryness (D0) across northern Marquette, Green
Lake and Fond du lac Counties. Extreme Drought (D3) continues across
Kenosha, southeastern Walworth and extreme southwestern Racine
Counties. Severe Drought (D2) continues across the remainder of
Racine and Walworth Counties as well as southeastern Rock County.
Moderate Drought (D1) continues across the remainder of southern
Wisconsin.

.Precipitation: Precipitation the past week through the early
morning of July 7th was well below normal across much of southern
WI, but rainfall of 1 to 2 inches fell over portions of northern
Marquette, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan Counties. Large
portions of Ozaukee and Milwaukee County had a little over one half
inch of rain on average. Far southeastern Wisconsin in the D2 and D3
areas saw little to no rainfall.

90-Day precipitation deficits across southern Wisconsin south of I-
94 averaged 4-8 inches with the highest departures across Lafayette,
Green, Rock, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha Counties. The highest
departures of 6 to 8 inches represent around 50% of normal. This
includes the Severe Drought (D2) and Extreme Drought (D3) areas.
Much of Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, and the southern
portions of Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and Marquette
Counties have a 2 to 4 inch deficit, which is 50% to 80% of normal.


Hydrologic Conditions: Streamflows are below normal across much of
Racine, Kenosha, and portions of Walworth County. Otherwise, normal
streamflows are reported across much of southern WI.


.Summary of Impacts: 35% to 50% of topsoil and subsoil moisture
across the drought area of southern Wisconsin is considered short or
very short of moisture. Crops over far southern WI are exhibiting
areas of stress.


.Drought Mitigation Actions: None reported.


.Local Drought Outlook: There are better chances for rain the
remainder of this week into early next week over far southern WI.
One half inch or greater of rainfall is possible south of I-94.

The Climate Prediction Center indicates greater chances for above
normal temperatures and above normal rainfall for the 6 to 14 day
periods. The 3 to 4 week outlook favors equal chances for above or
below normal temperatures and rainfall. This means there is not a
good signal one way or the other. The 3 month outlook through
September indicates better than normal chances for above normal
temperatures, and equal chances for above, below, or normal
precipitation, which means there isn`t a good signal that indicates
one solution over another.

Banner note:  The Weather Service uses the following five levels to categorize a drought.  We are currently in D2 (Severe Drought). Red text color added by the Banner.

Intensity and Impacts
 None
 D0 (Abnormally Dry)
 D1 (Moderate Drought)
 D2 (Severe Drought)
 D3 (Extreme Drought)
 D4 (Exceptional Drought)

In spite of the Independence Day holiday, John’s Disposal indicates that they are following their regular pickup schedule. Consequently Whitewater’s garbage will be picked up on Thursday this week, and those on the south side are also due for their recycling pickup.

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) will be hosting an event to welcome UW-Whitewater Interim Chancellor Dr. Jim Henderson to the Whitewater Community. 

This event will take place on Wednesday, July 7 at 7 a.m. at 841 Brewhouse in Whitewater. 

The meeting is open to the public and acts as a formal meet and greet of the new UW-Whitewater Interim Chancellor. Anyone who would like to attend is requested to RSVP by noon on Tuesday, July 6 to research@knightpublicaffairs.com. 

Per an article in the Banner, Chancellor Dwight C. Watson announced that he was resigning effective June 30 due to health concerns. The GWC indicated that they wish to join the community in wishing Dr. Watson all the best and hoping that his health improves with every day. They encourage all to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

 About the GWC 

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to working with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies required to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

At its regular meeting on June 28 the Whitewater Unified School Board approved the hiring of Adam Bretl as Principal of Lakeview Elementary School, effective July 1. The position was open due to the resignation at the end of the school year of David Brokopp, who took the position of Superintendent of the Bangor School District.

Bretl was appointed Assistant Principal of the Elkhorn Area Middle School in 2013; currently his title has been Associate Principal. According to his Facebook page he grew up in Sturgeon Bay and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from UW-Oshkosh in 2008, after which he taught 7th and 8th grade science, social studies, and reading in a Janesville middle school. Bretl briefly addressed the board, indicating that he is married and has two children, age 6 and 2. He indicated that he had hoped to work in more of a country setting, so he saw Lakeview as a great fit, and is excited to meet the students and parents.

UPDATE: According to a press release from WUSD, Bretl earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2011. It is indicated that the District Leadership Team selected a slate of eight potential candidates from a field of 47 applicants. Bretl was the administration’s recommendation after two panel interviews, a student tour, and staff presentation. Superintendent Pate-Hefty stated, “Adam brings us a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in school administration. He will be an excellent instructional leader for our Lakeview students, their families and staff.”

Bretl was quoted as saying, “It is a great honor to be selected as the Principal of Lakeview Elementary. My priority has always been and will continue to be providing the best educational experience for all students. The Lakeview community is a unique piece of paradise that offers so much to its students. I’m excited for many years of learning and growing together to ensure Lakeview students continue to grow and achieve at exceptional levels.”

Lakeview families will be able to meet Mr. Bretl on August 10 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Lakeview Elementary, during Back-to-School Day.

In other business:

• Superintendent Caroline Pate-Hefty reported that after considerable research with other districts that directly provide virtual education, the district decided not to move forward with instituting such a program at this time. The agreement with JEDI will continue. The organization was paid $430,000 for this past year, much more than usual.
• Mary Kilar, Lincoln Elementary principal and Tom Grosinske, Washington Elementary principal, reported on the achievement of reading and math goals for the past school year. At both schools there was a goal that 85% of the students would make a year’s worth of growth in instructional reading level. At Lincoln, 86% of the students made one or more years’ growth in reading. Many made 1.5 to 3 years of progress. At Washington the percentage making at least a year’s growth was 30% in kindergarten, 72% in first grade, 79% in second and fifth grade, and 88% in 3rd and 4th grade. For math there was a goal of 60% against a national average; 47.2% of students at Lincoln met the goal. Washington reported that the average student levels were very close to the national grade level scores.
• There were 144 graduates from the high school, and the weather was beautiful. Moving next year’s graduation to Friday evening may be considered.
• Pate-Hefty stated that summer school “is fun in Wisconsin,” not as in Illinois. 609 students are enrolled this year, versus 239 last year and 629 in 2019.
• Matthew Sylvester-Knudtson, Director of Business Services, reported that he expects approximately a $150,000 general fund balance as of the end of the school year. The fund balance is currently at 18.1% of budget, and should rise slightly after a small contribution.
• Nelson Bus was granted a 2.5% increase for ’20-21 and 2.0% for ’21-22.
• The district’s annual contribution to the Aquatic & Fitness Center’s budget has been $128,000 since 2016. A new five year agreement was approved, with a $153,000 expense in the upcoming year and $178,000 per year for the following four years.
• The purchase of 35 classroom projectors was approved, as was the purchase of new wrestling mats for both the middle and high school.
• Heard of the plans for donor level recognitions for synthetic turf and other improvements to the football field at the high school.
• Discussed hard-to-fill positions, including EL (English learner) and special education teachers. Currently there are four open EL positions. It was agreed to offer to pay the cost of the CESA 2 EL licensure course for existing employees with an emergency license, and to offer a $3,000 “signing bonus” for a new employee who is already licensed, with a two year employment commitment.

The meeting ended at 10:30 p.m.