Dear WAWM Families and Community,
I hope you're enjoying a restful and joy-filled summer, whether you're traveling, enjoying local events, or simply relaxing at home. May this season bring you peace and renewal. While school is out, our work in the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District continues at full speed as we prepare for a strong start to the 2025-26 school year.
This month marks the start of my third year as Superintendent, and I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together. The successful passage of two historic referendum questions last fall represents a bold investment in our staff and schools. As a result, all employees received a 9% salary increase to help us retain and attract top talent. In addition, critical facility upgrades are well underway—including renovations at the E.H. Stech Fieldhouse, roof replacements, and HVAC improvements—ensuring our schools remain safe, efficient, and welcoming.
We’re also finalizing our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, shaped by six months of collaboration, surveys, and focus groups. This plan will define our shared vision, develop a Profile of a Graduate, and sharpen our focus on student outcomes. It will include clear Key Performance Indicators to guide and measure our progress. We look forward to sharing it in August.
To support this work, we've made important organizational changes. The Department of Teaching and Learning (formerly Leadership and Learning) is launching a revised, standards-aligned curriculum with embedded professional development, ensuring all students receive high-quality, responsive instruction.
We're also excited to welcome new leaders to our district team:
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Deidre Garcia, Director of Talent Acquisition and Employee Engagement, will help strengthen and grow our workforce.
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Connie Bergmann, now Director of Student Enrollment and School Services, continues to oversee key areas such as attendance, enrollment, and transportation.
- Robert Joyce, Manager of College and Career Readiness, will focus on preparing students for life beyond graduation.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Please stay connected through our district communications for more updates as we gear up for another great year.