Keep It Simple – Systems, People, and Planning

By Dr. Jennifer Thayer, Superintendent, Dr. Laura Eicher and Dr. Jeff Eichelkraut, New Glarus School District

The New Glarus School District prioritizes incremental, collaborative improvement, with a focus on supporting all students. Instead of adding new initiatives, the district has centered its efforts on strengthening essential systems, implementing change incrementally and thoughtfully. This approach has led to positive outcomes, with all schools scoring above 80 on the state report cards and the district earning the 12th highest ranking for 4K-12 districts in Wisconsin.

Building Strong Systems

A core element of the district’s strategy has been the continuous development of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). These frameworks provide the necessary structure to support both instructional practices and student well-being.

• PLCs foster collaboration among educators, enabling them to share effective strategies, analyze student data, and adapt their teaching to meet diverse needs.
• MTSS ensures that students receive tailored academic and behavioral interventions, offering targeted support to those who need it most.
• PBIS helps establish a positive school culture, promoting respectful behavior and focused engagement in learning.

These systems have been refined over time, with an ongoing focus on continuous improvement, creating a consistent and effective approach that supports student success while minimizing disruption caused by frequent changes.

Supporting Educators

The district acknowledges that strong systems are only effective when they are supported by dedicated educators. To help teachers thrive, New Glarus has focused on:

• Providing a high-quality, grade-level curriculum that ensures all students have access to rigorous learning experiences.
• Recruiting and retaining talented staff by fostering a collaborative, supportive environment that emphasizes professional development.
• Reducing unnecessary burdens on educators by streamlining initiatives and removing obstacles that interfere with teaching and student support.

Recent staff surveys reflect the district’s commitment to supporting its educators, with 100% of staff members reporting pride in working for the district, and 99% indicating positive working relationships with colleagues.

Ongoing Improvement

Thanks to these efforts, the district has seen measurable success in both student achievement and staff satisfaction. In addition to the district’s strong performance on state report cards, New Glarus remains focused on continuous improvement, adapting its systems, strategies, and goals to meet the evolving needs of students and staff.

By staying committed to systems, people, and thoughtful planning, the New Glarus School District strives to sustain a supportive, effective learning environment for all students, while maintaining a positive, collaborative atmosphere for staff.

The New Glarus School District is one of sixteen urban, rural, and suburban districts and schools that will present how their continuous improvement efforts are translating into impressive student outcomes at the inaugural Creating a Culture of Excellence for All Conference June 26-27, 2025, in Green Bay.