Former Middle School Building Update
 The former Oconomowoc Middle School is no longer in active use, thanks to the $49 million referendum in 2006 which helped build two intermediate schools to replace the dated facility.
This fall, the old Middle School served as the perfect location for Haunted High. A small section of the building is used for storage.
So what’s next for the big brick building? The Board is concerned about allowing the building to sit vacant for an extended time, but also wants to make the best decision about the future of the building and its surrounding property.
The choices under consideration are:
- Sell the building
- Use all or part of the building for District or a combination District/community use
- Demolish it and save the property or demolish it and sell the property
All of the options have advantages and disadvantages. The Board will consider all options in the best interest of the District, its students, the taxpayers and the community. To make the most informed decision possible, the Board has commissioned an evaluative study to determine the risk and reward of the options listed above. Oliver Construction Company of Oconomowoc is conducting this study.
Recently, the District has been approached by a development company about a possible sale. The Board will be reviewing all information in hopes of making a decision about the future of the site sometime this spring.
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The School Budget in Plain English
You may be wondering why changes in your individual tax bill don't seem to match the school levy rate. Here's why:
1. Decreasing state aid has led to property tax increases
2. Individual tax bills are determined by the Wis. Dept. of Revenue and vary based on the municipality
3. OASD's tax rate remains below county and state averages
OASD is committed to fiscal responsibility and careful long-term management of resources. School finance and local budgets are complex issues. For answers to your Frequently Asked Questions, including "Where does school funding come from?" and "Why are my tax bills so different?" please click here to open a PDF.
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Young Directors Take a Chance with "Almost, Maine"
 Oconomowoc High School seniors, Cria Ama and Hannah Gaffney, seem to have done it all in the theatre in the Oconomowoc School District.
They’ve been on stage in some amazing productions (including this fall’s Into The Woods.) They were part of the student group who wrote their own play, Life Out Loud, which was performed at the Fringe Festival in Scotland this past summer. They’ve even worked on the technical part of stage productions, including make-up, lights and costumes. Now, for the first time, they will work in front of the stage, as directors of "Almost, Maine," a romantic comedy by John Cariani.
The process has made them appreciate the techniques, tips and tricks that OHS drama teacher, Tom Klubertanz, uses with his students. “I ended up using some of them, and I said I never would,” said Hannah. Even while rehearsals for the March production ramp up, both students are preparing their own auditions as they plan for a performing arts degree in their post-secondary education.
Click here to see all spring arts events around the district
(link opens to a PDF).
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IB Programme Moves to Intermediate Schools as MYP
The International Baccalaureatte (IB) Programme at Oconomowoc High School is a pre-university course of study designed for highly motivated students seeking a challenging and rigorous educational experience, with a unique international cross-curricular focus. This prestigious program is now an option for intermediate school students as well, called the Middle Years Programme (MYP).
The MYP experience is world-renown for helping students think, create and work as a team. That perspective was highlighted recently when a Wisconsin-born mother of four, living in Holland, e-mailed the District. She knew of the IB Programme in OHS from research on the Web, but wanted to know if MYP was also offered. She was considering a move to the area and preferred to re-locate to a District that offered MYP. To read more about her story and about the Middle Years Programme, click here to view a PDF.
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The Celebration Continues at Greenland Elementary
 Greenland Elementary School is marking its 50th birthday this year by "Celebrating 50 Years of Learning." Each month students and staff have a special "50" activity.
This fall, the staff and students dressed up for "1950's Day." (Click here to see the photos.) In December, every classroom created 50 special and kind things they could do for others over the holidays - a great way to celebrate kindness.
What's next? This month Greenland will turn into a "tropical paradise" for a day (complete with popsicles). In February, Greenland will have a special “50’s Rock ‘n Roll" Talent Show and an Olympics fitness activity. Look for photos in the next issue.
Please contact Greenland School Principal Dianna Kresovic at (262) 560-8100 if you are a former staff member, have stories to share about the school or have saved old newsletters and photographs. Greenland has a rich Oconomowoc history that should be celebrated!
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OHS Hosts Regional FBLA Competition on February 6
 On February 6, Oconomowoc High School will be buzzing with business; OHS will host more than 1,000 students from southeast Wisconsin at a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) regional competition. OHS junior Laura Schoenike (pictured at left) currently holds the FBLA state office for Region VI Vice President; one of her current responsibilities includes hosting this event.
FBLA members have been working hard over the past few months to prepare for, host and take part at this event. In April, top competitors at the regional event will advance to a state level contest in Wisconsin Dells, where they will test their skills against FBLA members from across the entire state. At the state competition, Laura will also be running for FBLA state president for the 2010-11 school year.
The FBLA competition will include these areas of speciality:
Business Communication
Web Site Development
Business Ethics
Electronic Career Portfolio
Economics
Business Procedures
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Sports Management
Business Presentation
Personal Finance
Management Decision Making
Client Service
Accounting I |
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Field House a Regional Draw
 Not only do the Oconomowoc sports teams and OHS physical education students enjoy our top quality Field House, opened in 2008, it has also become a venue of choice for community events, regional sports competitions and fundraisers. All these events bring visitors and dollars to our community and our schools. Here are a few of the events hosted this year:
- Ten-team Wrestling Invite
- Eight-team Gymnastics Invite
- Individual Sectionals for Wrestling
- First-ever sponsored Wisconsin Little Ten Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship
- OHS Dodge Ball Tournament Fund Raiser
- Oconomowoc Youth Basketball Boys and Girls Basketball Tournaments (64 teams involved and more than 800 spectators at each event)
- National Wheelchair Rugby Tournament
- UW-Madison Track and Field Hurdle Camp
- Future Business Leaders of America Regional Leadership Conference
- Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce Community Harvest Fest
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Photos from Around the District - "Feed the Dream"
On January 18, fourth grade student council members at Meadow View Elementary helped collect food for the Oconomowoc Food Pantry. Food Pantry volunteer Bill Jackson noted that the drive exceeded his expectations. See more photos of Oconomowoc students in action during the Feed The Dream community service project here.
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