The Tosa Ledger

LEAD — SECONDARY FACILITIES: THE PLAYBOOK, THE SWITCH, AND THE OUTRAGE

1) The Playbook

In early 2024, the Wauwatosa School District publicly cited a ~$150 million+ deferred-maintenance backlog (per district planning/media). At that time, budget overspending had not yet been disclosed; by mid-year, an error was acknowledged, and the district advanced its first-ever operating referendum (per prior board communications). On Jan. 4, 2024, at a PTA Presidents’ Council meeting, leadership was recorded discussing “build the coalition,” noting “one referendum will pass; two will be hard,” and possibly going “larger than 2018.” Within ten months, voters were asked to approve two questions totaling $124.4 million. Less than 18 months later, residents say similar patterns are re-emerging, and the District is evaluating facilities concepts with cost ranges reported up to ~$351 million. This follows a citywide reassessment in the summer; many homeowners report much higher tax impacts with school referendum costs among the top contributors.

See Ledger Vol. XIII (with audio).

The pro-referendum “playbook” (2030 TF analysis):

• Seed urgency (maintenance crisis/enrollment shift) to frame a binary choice.

• Control the menu with pre-baked “options” (no true Maintenance-First alternative).

• Coordinate early with PTA leadership to line up a “coalition” narrative.

• Spin up a Committee/Advocacy brand—e.g., an Ad Hoc Committee (new name, same network) to push “Yes/Yes” messaging; if it doesn’t fit (e.g., 2075 Task Force), route around it.

• Emphasize process but keep working papers out of view (no side-by-sides on costs, capacity, tax math, traffic).

• Move quickly toward a decision; claim: it’s for the kids; and you, Mr. and Ms. Voter, aren’t against kids, are you?

2) The Switch

A community member reports that unofficial accounts from the Secondary Schools Ad Hoc Committee suggest that referendum-funded deferred-maintenance work has been paused pending consolidation decisions. That raises stewardship questions from readers: voters approved dollars for defined work—what is the status of that work if plans shift? Critics argue this reflects funding before long-term facilities planning; we’ll update upon any official statement on scope, status, and timeline.

TEACHER / STAFF CONTRACT STATUS — UPDATE: AT A STANDSTILL?

Where things stand. Multiple teachers and staff report entering Oct. 1 with new benefit rates in effect but no finalized 2025–26 contract posted, raising questions about retroactivity and net-pay timing. (See Ledger Vol. XII, Aug. 28; Vol. XVI, Sept. 25.)

Negotiations signal. Sources describe talks between the WEA and district leadership (Means/Zelasoski) as stalled. Staff note the lack of public updates is atypical compared with years when leadership communicated progress; the current quiet is being interpreted as a sign of difficulty. We will update upon posted statements or documents from either party.

Context staff cite. District leadership previously shifted teacher compensation to a step system. Several staff contend this round should be straightforward: apply operational-referendum dollars (commonly referenced by staff at ~$2 million for compensation) in addition to funding needed to maintain steps/lanes. From that perspective, they ask why a settlement has not been reached given voter approval and expectations tied to compensation.

Key clarity requests (both sides):

• Timeline for a tentative agreement, and whether pay will be retroactive to Sept. 1.

• How operational-referendum funds will flow through the step/lanes system (base, lanes, stipends, or one-time adjustments).

• Publication of the 2025–26 salary schedules with a plain-language explainer and sample pay scenarios.

• How benefit-rate changes will be reconciled with delayed salary finalization to avoid net-pay whiplash.

What we’ll publish if/when available:

• The tentative agreement (or last/best offers) with a side-by-side vs. prior year.

• Final 2025–26 salary schedules plus a calculator for representative certifications/steps.

• A summary of how referendum operating funds are allocated within total compensation.

(Related: xCore Reports—governance/oversight mechanics.)

EMAIL INBOX (CONDENSED)

School Safety — Accountability.
What we need: A one-page timeline of safety decisions this year (recommendation → approver → implementation), and which roles (titles) own student transportation safety.
Refs: Vol. XVI (plan gaps, mitigations).
Public-records to file (titles only): goals/reviews for safety leadership; emails on crossings/buses/rail since Aug. 1, 2024.

WVA Placements & Equity.
Concern: High-needs students steered to virtual without equivalent support.
Ask: Publish eligibility/choice criteria, services that follow, and simple outcomes WVA vs. sending schools (attendance, credit progress, on-track/graduation).

Executive Function (6–12).
Problem: Canvas (assignments) ≠ Infinite Campus (grades); no uniform organization habit.
Quick fixes: Standard planner; rule = Canvas→assignments / IC→grades; posting timelines on syllabi; short study-skills mini-lessons; 9–12-week pilot, measure late/missing work.

Longfellow Traffic.
Now: 0.4-mile trip = 15+ minutes at 7:45 a.m.; unsafe crossings.
Near-term steps (2–4 weeks): cones/turn controls; officer/CSO 7:30–8:00; temp crossing guard; refreshed paint/signage; one-page safe-routes map; quick-drop bay; post before/after queue lengths & tardy bands.

From Educators — Curriculum Compare.
Ask: Side-by-side of WSD 2023–25 adoptions vs. Elmbrook, Mequon-Thiensville, Arrowhead HS, Hartland-Lakeside: research ratings, standards alignment, training needs, ongoing costs, and a couple of outcome indicators.
Deliverable: public spreadsheet + links to board packets.

Call to Action (ready to copy)

Email the Board/Superintendent:
“Please publish the complete secondary-facilities record within 14 days of each meeting (slides, memos, datasets, consultant deliverables, and revision history). Post a side-by-side Maintenance-First model (by school) with 10-year costs, capacity/utilization, traffic/walkability, and household tax impacts. Clarify grade-6 impacts across staffing, class size, and boundaries.”

Community Note

Want the source docs and a plain-English summary each week? Subscribe at tosa2030.com or click Get Involved to join the 2030 Task Force.
Send tips/documents (anonymous welcome) with dates and specifics.

Disclaimer

All views reflect testimony, public records, and clearly labeled editorial opinion. Allegations are supported with source documentation where noted. Freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment.

Right of Reply (standing notice)

District/Board/City/TFN/WEA and other stakeholders: Comments, clarifications, or corrections are welcome at www.tosa2030.com (comment box).
We will update or append future editions with verified statements and posted documents.