Community Input Sessions for MMSD Phase 2 Facilities Referendum Set for This Week

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) will host a series of upcoming public input sessions focused on Phase 2 projects included in the district’s facilities referendum work.

Session dates, times and locations are as follow:

• Orchard Ridge Elementary School/Akira R. Toki Middle School
  5602 Russett Rd., Madison, WI 53711
  Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Cafeteria
  
• Cherokee Heights Middle School
  4301 Cherokee Dr., Madison, WI 53711
  Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Library
  
• Ray F. Sennett Middle School
  502 Pflaum Rd., Madison, WI 53716
  Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Cafeteria

The sessions will provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about planned upgrades at these schools and to share feedback directly with the teams responsible for designing and building them.

“Community voice has been central to every step of this work,” said Scott Chehak, MMSD senior executive director of building services. “These sessions give families, neighbors and community members a meaningful opportunity to help shape learning environments that will serve students and the broader public for decades to come.”

Phase 2 projects were made possible by strong community support for the district’s facilities referendum. In addition to improving learning spaces for students, the upgraded schools are designed to function as community assets, supporting neighborhood use and strengthening connections between schools and the communities they serve.

Community members are encouraged to attend the session associated with their school or neighborhood, though all are welcome to participate in any meeting. 

Additional information about MMSD’s facilities referendum projects is available on 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.

Pack the Pantry on State Street! (Jan. 16–Feb. 14)

The River Food Pantry is currently moving to its new home at 3301 Packers Ave on Madison’s Northside. This larger facility will allow The River—Dane County’s busiest food pantry—to expand their services and reach even more people as the need for food assistance continues to rise.

Before opening their doors in late January, The River needs our help to fill their new warehouse with food and essentials for our community.

You and your business are invited to support this effort by participating in Pack the Pantry on Packers Ave. There are several ways to get involved:

1.     Donate Food Directly: Drop off nonperishable donations at either of the following locations:

• 127 State Street: Volunteers will collect donations starting Friday, Jan. 16–Saturday, Feb. 14, at the following times:
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 am–1:30 pm
  • Fridays from 4–7 pm
  • Saturdays from 12–7 pm
• The River, 3301 Packers Ave: Look for the black donation drop-off bin near the loading docks, available Monday–Friday from 10 am–2 pm starting Jan. 9. A drive-thru donation drop-off will also be held on Monday, Jan. 26 from 10 am–4 pm.

2.     Host a Food Drive: Use your business to collect food and supplies in one of The River’s donation barrels or your own containers. You can focus on collecting 1 type of item or a variety of nonperishables.

3.     Host a Round-Up Campaign: Offer customers the opportunity to round up their purchase at checkout to support The River.

4.     Sponsor Cases of Food and Supplies: Make a financial contribution to help The River purchase cases at wholesale pricing to fill pallets in the new warehouse.

Businesses that donate $1,500 or more will receive sponsorship benefits, including recognition on our website, at 127 State Street, and more!

Learn more and give today at www.riverfoodpantry.org/pack-the-pantry.

Stories of Campus and Culture Celebrates Black History, Storytelling, and UW–Madison Alumni Community

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Black Affinity Group will host Legacy & Libations: Stories of Campus and Culture on Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at the Urban League Black Business Hub in Madison. The free event invites alumni and community members to gather for an afternoon celebrating Black legacy, cultural storytelling, and connection within the UW–Madison community.

The program will feature a cultural presentation by the SoulFolk Collective, highlighting narratives rooted in Black history and campus experience, along with wine education led by the Milwaukee Wine Academy, spotlighting Black-owned producers and the cultural significance of wine. Guests will also enjoy curated snacks and opportunities for alumni networking and community engagement.

The event is free and open to alumni and the public, with advance registration encouraged.

Event Details:
What: Legacy & Libations: Stories of Campus and Culture
When: Sunday, February 1, 2026 | 3:00–5:00 PM
Where: Urban League Hub, TruStage Entrepreneurship Event Center, 2222 S. Park Street, Madison, WI
Cost: Free with RSVP
Register: https://www.uwalumni.com/events/black-ag-legacy-libation-campus-stories/

MMSD Human Resources Team Strengthens Staffing Stability, Recruitment and Talent Development

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) continues to strengthen its workforce through strategic recruitment, improved staffing stability and targeted talent development, according to a recent update from the district’s Human Resources team. Together, these efforts support consistent learning environments for students and help schools operate more effectively day to day.

So far in the 2025–26 school year, MMSD has filled more than 700 positions across elementary, middle and high schools, including teachers, educational assistants, custodial staff, food service workers and coaches. Having key roles filled allows for uninterrupted instruction, ensures students have access to essential services and reduces disruptions that can affect teaching and learning. These efforts reflect sustained progress in attracting and retaining staff to support students across the district.

“Our Human Resources team is focused on both meeting immediate staffing needs and building a strong, diverse pipeline for the future,” said Jennifer Trendel, MMSD senior executive director of human resources. “Every hire represents an investment in students, schools and long-term operational health across our system.”

In addition to filling vacancies, the district has made steady gains in workforce retention. Over the past several years, MMSD has seen gradual improvement in employee longevity, reversing trends that intensified during and immediately following the pandemic. When staff remain in their roles, schools are better able to maintain strong instructional teams throughout the year.

An area of significant progress has been the expansion of building-based substitute teachers at 10 MMSD schools. Principals report that consistent, on-site substitute coverage has improved both student routines and staff morale by limiting the need to reassign educators from their primary roles.

The district has also seen strong engagement across multiple recruitment channels, with employee referrals emerging as the leading source of successful hires this year. MMSD continues to recruit through colleges and universities, community job fairs and partnerships with local organizations, while also preparing for additional districtwide recruitment events in 2026.

“Recruitment and retention are strongest when people feel supported, valued and connected to the work,” Trendel said. “We are seeing the impact of intentional outreach, internal referrals and grow-your-own strategies that center our current staff and community.”

Long-term workforce development remains a central priority. MMSD’s Grow Your Own to Associate Degree program and Accelerated Licensure in Special Education initiative continue to create pathways for current employees to become licensed educators, while also helping diversify the district’s workforce. Together, these programs support academic achievement, equity and access, and college and career readiness for students.

For a complete listing of the district’s open positions, please visit MMSD’s careers portal.

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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.

Supporting workforce well-being: Dupaco leads the way in financial education

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Employers have traditionally offered their workforce benefits like healthcare insurance, retirement saving plans and paid time off.  With consumers continuing to feel budget pinch points, a recent study by PNC (What Today’s Workers Value Most, Across Generations) found 68% of workers are financially stressed and spending four hours per week at work worrying about money. Partnering with a local credit union, employers are supporting their teams and adding a new, no-cost benefit their teams are requesting: financial wellness programs. 

Dupaco Credit Union’s Community Outreach and Education team now partners with over 1,000 employers in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois to provide financial wellness programs with 1-on-1 coaching, on-site financial education classes and on-demand webinars—all at no cost to businesses or employees. 

These programs are designed to help employees manage their personal finances more effectively— reducing financial stress and distractions while improving overall well-being and productivity. 

“When money worries follow people to work, it impacts everything—from focus and safety to retention,” says Erin Engler, VP Community Outreach and Education at Dupaco Credit Union. “That’s why we bring financial education and coaching directly to the job site and back it up with Dupaco’s digital tools they can use anytime. We meet workers where they are and help them build habits that reduce stress and improve outcomes—for the employee and the employer.” 

Engler leads Dupaco’s Community Outreach and Education department—a team of employees who travel to businesses across Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois providing no-cost on-site, online and on-demand support for companies and their employees.  

In 2025, this team served select employer groups by providing 1,124 on-site visits and delivered 253 presentations on financial topics like budgeting, debt reduction strategies and credit improvement.  

“We’re essentially a mobile version of Dupaco’s branches and Learning Labs. We’re bringing Dupaco to members and non-members at a place where it’s convenient to them: their employer,” said Engler. 

According to PNC, only 29% of employers surveyed said they offer financial education; this is down from 36% in 2024 and 30% in 2023. The same study also found 81% of U.S. workers are more likely to stay with an employer that offers more financial wellness benefits and 61% of workers without access to financial education say they would use these benefits if offered.  

Dupaco has been supporting area businesses and their employees with no-cost financial wellness programs for decades.  

“Providing financial wellness programs is part of our DNA. Dupaco was formed in 1948 by employees of the Dubuque Packing Company to serve the financial needs of their co-workers and families. Dupaco employees would travel to the various meat packing plants to provide financial education and resources. We continue that same service today, traveling to employers and supporting their employees,” said Engler. 

Regardless of company size or hours of operation, Dupaco’s Community Outreach and Education team offers no-cost financial wellness programs for employers. For more information, please visit https://www.dupaco.com/business/employee-benefit-program/.  

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About Dupaco Community Credit Union 

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 178,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com.