Capitol Bank Announces Ken Thompson’s Retirement

Madison, WI (August 15, 2025): After 29 years of distinguished service, Ken Thompson
will be retiring from Capitol Bank on October 9th. Ken will remain on the Capitol Bank
Board of Directors as Chairman.

“My journey with Capitol Bank has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Ken. “Reflecting on
nearly three decades of growth, I am filled with pride. From humble beginnings, our Bank has
become a strong, stable, and respected community institution. This is all thanks to the trust of
our customers, the support of our shareholders, and the unwavering commitment of our
employees.”

Ken joined the Bank in 1996, helping lead the growth of the organization to $600 million
in assets and three Madison-area locations. After shepherding a thoughtful leadership
transition these past few years, Ken has positioned Capitol Bank for continued success
and growth. Ken’s commitment to the community is evident in the countless hours he
spent supporting numerous non-profit organizations and holding leadership roles within
the banking industry.

“Ken’s long-term commitment to Capitol Bank and his dedication to giving back are textbook
examples of what it means to be a community banker. While he won’t be going far, I’m excited for
Ken to take this well-earned retirement as we celebrate a banking career spanning four decades
of success,” said Justin Hart, CEO.

About Capitol Bank: Capitol Bank, a locally owned and operated community bank, is
committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. We are
proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses, and
individuals in the Greater Madison area. Our philosophy of community support is
demonstrated at the corporate level, as well as in the time and energy our employees
devote to our community each year. Capitol Bank is Member FDIC and an Equal Housing
Lender

MMSD Expands Full-Day 4K and Launches Pilot of Five-Day Programming for 2025–26 School Year

MADISON, Wis.—In time for the start of the 2025–26 school year, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is expanding its tuition-free four-year-old kindergarten (4K) offerings to include new full-day options at Ray W. Huegel, Lapham, Midvale and John Muir elementary schools. The district is also introducing a pilot of five-day programming at Paul J. Olson Elementary School.

“We are committed to offering highly desired opportunities for families with school-aged children in MMSD,” said Dr. Joe Gothard, superintendent. “We’re seeing annual increases in our 4K enrollment, which speaks to the reputation we’ve built for high-quality, accessible early learning options. Expanding options for families and reducing transitions for our youngest learners helps strengthen our school communities from the very beginning.”

The pilot at Olson will be the district’s first full-day, five-days-a-week 4K section. It will operate alongside three existing half-day sections, giving families more flexibility while allowing MMSD to evaluate the feasibility of extending five-day programming to more sites in the future.

Enrollment in the Olson pilot will be determined by lottery. To be eligible, families must live in the Olson attendance area and be enrolled in MMSD by Tuesday, August 19. All eligible families will be automatically entered, and those selected will receive a phone call from the district’s Enrollment Department.

Prior to the announced expansion, Muir, Midvale and Olson did not offer a full-day option; both Muir and Midvale will continue to offer morning, half-day programming, in addition to the full-day option. For Huegel and Lapham, the move adds another full-day section, as well as morning programming, to both schools.

The district is also introducing full-day options at the following early care and education sites: Big Oak Child Care Center, Bernie’s Place, Goodman Community Center, Red Caboose Childcare and The Playing Field. For each of these locations, the MMSD 4K portion of the day is provided at no cost; families are responsible for any additional wraparound care that extends beyond the school day. Additional full-day spaces will also be provided at local Head Start sites.

In recent years, and across the 2020 and 2024 operations referendums, MMSD has prioritized the continued growth of its 4K program, which provides free, high-quality early learning experiences to prepare students for success in kindergarten and beyond. This increased capacity reflects the district’s commitment to meeting the needs of working families, strengthening connections between young learners and their neighborhood schools, and increasing equitable access to early education.

This expansion also deepens the district’s commitment to ensuring children with the greatest needs have access to a well-rounded, developmentally appropriate early learning experience. By increasing the number of full-day and extended-week seats — both in neighborhood schools and through community partners — MMSD is working to remove barriers and open more pathways for all families to participate.

The changes are part of a broader, long-term strategy to embed 4K in every MMSD elementary school, while also expanding partnerships with early childhood education providers in areas where access to child care is limited. By offering more full-day and extended-week options, the district aims to give families greater choice and stability during a pivotal stage of child development.

“We’re doing more than adding classrooms,” said Culleen Witthuhn, director of early learning. “We’re reimagining how we serve our youngest learners. When children have more time to explore, create and build relationships in a consistent setting, it deepens their learning and sets the stage for long-term success.”

Spots in the new sections are open. Families can learn more about MMSD’s 4K program and enrollment process by visiting the district’s website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District: The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

MMSD Advances Phase 1 Facilities Referendum Projects

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has entered the next phase of planning and design for its first major capital projects funded by the 2024 facilities referendum, Samuel Gompers Elementary School/Black Hawk Middle School and Sherman Middle School/Malcolm Shabazz City High School.

The schematic design phase for both campuses wrapped this summer, defining building layout and programmatic elements based on deep engagement with school staff and district leadership. The projects have since moved into design development, which is expected to run through the fall and is where details related to materials, systems and finishes will be further refined.

“These schools represent not just bricks and mortar, but a deeper investment in the future of Madison’s students, families and communities,” said Scott Chehak, MMSD’s senior executive director of building services. “We are proud to be moving forward in close partnership with our educators, community members and design teams to deliver learning environments in line with our values and our vision.”

The developing designs include secure, flexible learning spaces equipped with mobile technology, outdoor learning areas, and layout improvements that promote collaboration, accessibility and community use. Both projects are on track to break ground in March 2026.

Following are updated renderings for each of the schools: 

• Samuel Gompers Elementary School
• Black Hawk Middle School
• Sherman Middle School
• Malcolm Shabazz City High School

Extensive staff, student and community engagement was critically important in helping to shape the designs. Over the past six months, the project team has held 149 meetings totaling more than 300 hours with students, families and school staff. This comprised 38 core team meetings, 46 design team sessions, 42 programming discussions, and 23 targeted user input gatherings.

“We would not be at this point in the process without the thoughtful and consistent feedback we’ve received from those who know these schools best: the people who learn and work in them every day,” Chehak said. “Their voices have been instrumental in helping us to define the form that these projects will ultimately take.”

Further community engagement opportunities are scheduled to take place in September at both Phase 1 sites. Phase 2 work is set to start in September, with staff input sessions for Cherokee Heights marking the official kickoff of this next step in the process.

For more information and project updates, please visit the 2024 Facilities Referendum page of the MMSD website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District: The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The District’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the District’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge campus marks 25 years of meeting needs in Madison

State, county and local leaders gathered at Oakwood Village’s Prairie Ridge campus on Wednesday, July 30 to mark a quarter century for this community that serves older adults.

In 2000, longtime local nonprofit Oakwood Village responded to growing demand with the launch of a new continuing care community, on an 18-acre site 10 miles east of downtown Madison. Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge has expanded in the years since, and now offers nearly 300 apartments, multiple stages of assisted living support, memory care, and skilled nursing. Residents also enjoy a gym, salon, outdoor spaces, a volunteer-run store, and multiple restaurants.

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, Congressman Mark Pocan, and Madison Deputy Mayor Katie Crawley joined Oakwood leadership and residents for a joyful celebration in the campus’ Tree of Life Chapel. A highlight was the multiple residents in attendance who have lived at Prairie Ridge since its founding.

“Over the past quarter century, this campus has served as a cornerstone for countless families across Dane County,” Agard said. “… As County Executive, I’m especially grateful for partners like Oakwood Village, who share in our mission of building a Dane County where everyone can thrive.”

President and CEO Jan Hamilton-Crawford emphasized that Prairie Ridge is more than just buildings: It’s a living community of laughter, friendships, dedicated caregivers, and peaceful surroundings, a place where dignity and independence take center stage. The ceremony was a chance not just to reflect on the past, she said, but to renew a commitment to a future that prioritizes well-being and happiness.

“I am grateful today that our community, this greater Madison area, gets to have such a beautiful facility that continues to understand the needs of our community and the needs of the residents who come here,” Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America South Central Synod, said in a recorded message for those in attendance.

About Oakwood Village

Oakwood Village is a nonprofit, continuing care community with two campuses in Madison, Wisconsin. For over 75 years, this community has helped older adults lead lives of personal growth, happiness, health, and security.

Oak Bank Welcomes Starr Camacho as Deposit Operations Specialist

Fitchburg, WI – Oak Bank welcomes Starr Camacho as our newest Deposit Operations
Specialist. In this important role, Starr will support a wide range of banking operations that
ensure the efficiency and accuracy of Oak Bank’s internal systems and client services. From
managing account reconciliation and balancing activities within the bank’s core system to
assisting clients with electronic banking services, Starr’s attention to detail and drive for
excellence will make a meaningful impact on our operations.

Starr, a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, earned her degree in
Finance and brings with her a passion for both numbers and problem-solving. Originally from
Arena, Wisconsin, she is excited to begin her professional career with an organization known
for its strong community values and client-focused mission.

“I was immediately drawn to Oak Bank’s vision of being the best place to work and the
company that matters most to the community,” Starr shared. “It’s inspiring to be part of a team
that supports one another while also making a real difference for our clients.”

Cristie Hansen, VP Deposit Operations, expressed, “Starr brings a fresh perspective and a great
enthusiasm for learning. Her strong academic foundation in finance and eagerness to
contribute make her a great fit for our team. We’re excited to see the growth and innovation
she’ll bring to our operations.”

Outside of the office, Starr enjoys staying active and is an avid soccer fan. Whether she’s
playing a pickup game or cheering from the sidelines, she brings the same energy and focus to
the field as she does to her work.

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Starr Camacho as she begins her journey with Oak
Bank!

About Oak Bank
Oak Bank has been deeply rooted in the Fitchburg community and Madison area for 25 years,
meeting the financial needs of homeowners and businesses by offering top-notch service, quick
answers, and creative solutions, all while supporting over 135 local nonprofits each year. Visit
oak.bank to learn more.

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