The Mineral Point Unified School District will join school districts throughout the state to salute their local education leaders during Wisconsin School Board Appreciation Week Oct. 4-10.

The commemorative week is designed to recognize the contributions made by Wisconsin’s school board members, including the Mineral Point School Board, who are charged with governing public education under state law.

Wisconsin school board members are chosen by their communities to manage local schools. They oversee multi-million dollar budgets which fund education programs for more than 874,000 students in 424 public school districts. Their personnel decisions affect thousands of teachers, administrators and support workers. These volunteer leaders are responsible for formulating school district policy, approving curricula, maintaining school facilities, and adhering to state and federal education law. Legal concerns and the complexities of school finance, including budgeting and taxation, require them to spend many hours in board training programs and personal study to enhance their understanding of these issues.

The key work of school boards is to raise student achievement by:

  • Creating a vision for what the community wants the school district to be and for making student achievement the top priority;
  • Establishing standards for what students will be expected to learn and be able to do;
  • Ensuring progress is measured to be sure the district’s goals are achieved and students are learning at expected levels;
  • Being accountable for their decisions and actions by continually tracking and reporting results;
  • Creating a safe, orderly climate where students can learn and teachers can teach;
  • Forming partnerships with others in the community to solve common problems; and
  • Focusing attention on the need for continuous improvement by questioning, refining and revising issues related to student achievement.

Our deepest appreciation is extended to the dedicated men and women who make it possible for local citizens to participate in education in our community. We salute the public servants of the Mineral Point School Board whose commitment and civic responsibility make local control of public schools in our community possible: Larry Steffes (President), Julie Stephenson (Vice President), Larry Dolphin (Clerk), Glenn Kinch (Treasurer), Lisa Hay, Jeff Basting, and Matt Lindsey.

Please join us by saying thanks to our school board members during Wisconsin School Board Appreciation Week.