Advocates for Education
of Whitefish Bay, Inc.
PO Box 170123
Milwaukee, WI 53217-8011
info
Whitefish Bay will hold elections this Spring for two school board seats. Cheryl Maranto will be seeking re-election after serving two previous three-year terms. Maranto is an associate professor and chair at Marquette University’s Department of Management.
Michael Mosner, a sales executive with a Watertown-based manufacturing firm and father of three small children, is seeking the seat of outgoing board member Pam Woodard. Mosner and his wife, Tricia, were co-chairs of the 4th of July Parade in Whitefish Bay in 2006 and 2007.
Important: Election is during Spring Break.
If you will be out of town, you can vote by absentee ballot beginning 3 weeks before the election date (starting March 15). Absentee ballots are available at WFB Village Hall.

Recent Newsletters

District Investment Lawsuit News
The CDO investment was in the news again recently. An article in the Journal Sentinel reported that the five school districts involved are being pressured to repay the loans that were taken out to finance the investments. While there have been no big changes in the status of the lawsuit to date, it does appear that the investments themselves have lost a great deal of value.
According to School Board Member Cheryl Maranto, and Shawn Yde, Director of Business Services, the School District’s lawyers have had communication with Depfa Bank but have not received a formal request to enforce the moral obligation of the loan. The District is waiting to see the outcome of the court case before making any final decisions, unless that changes. Regardless of the outcome, the school district’s financial health was recently rated as very strong even if the entire loan amount has to be repaid. The link to the article is: http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/80518467.html

Whitefish Bay School Superintendent Dr. Jim Rickabaugh is retiring in July, 2010 after serving our school district for 10 years. Dr. Rickabaugh came to the district in July 2000 after many years leading the school district in Burnsville Minnesota. In 2008, he was named Superintendent of the year in Wisconsin. Be sure to visit Whitefish Bay Now for additional information on Dr. Rickabaugh's retirement.

Facilities Referendum
On November 3rd, Whitefish Bay voters passed a two-part facilities update referendum. Both questions on the ballot received a YES vote.
Question 1
$9 million for essential infrastructure updates. This work will include electrical, plumbing, roofing, building exterior and security updates.
Question 2
$13.6 million for projects including additions to Richards and Cumberland, a new, safer gym floor for the Middle School and new music space at the High School. All of the additions will open up existing spaces for new uses such as science labs in the High School and increased space for special education.
More Information about the Referendum:
10 March, Wednesday
Architectural Design Review
6:00 PM, Rm. 47, WFB High School
School Board Meeting
7:00 PM, Rm. 47, WFB High School
2 - 9 April
Spring Break
6 April, Tuesday
Vote for School Board
14 April, Wednesday
School Board Meeting
7:00 PM, Rm. 47, WFB High School
12 May
School Board Meeting
7:00 PM, Rm. 47, WFB High School
4 June
Bay Ball - Details [PDF]
9 June
School Board Meeting
7:00 PM, Rm. 47, WFB High School
10 June
Last Day of School
14 July
School Board Meeting
7:00 PM, Rm. 47, WFB High School

September 1
First Day of School
October 29-30Teachers Convention
November 26-27
Thanksgiving Break
December 23 - January 1
Winter Break
April 2-9
Spring Break
June 10
Last Day of School
Our newly-expanded list of links to Whitefish Bay curricula, teachers' recommended web sites and other sites of interest to parents.
Of Note...
President Obama's Back to School Speech
Read the text
Moody's Reconfirms a Strong Credit Rating for the School District
Press release [PDF]
New Director of Instruction for Whitefish Bay
Press release [PDF]
Advocates for Education
of Whitefish Bay, Inc.
PO Box 170123
Milwaukee, WI 53217-8011
info