THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT!
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Dear HSSD Community,
Serving my first year as your superintendent this has been a true honor. I've enjoyed visiting our schools, walking our halls, and engaging with our students, staff, and community members.
Throughout this publication, you will see that I spent the last year listening and learning. As a result of these conversations, our team has developed a strategic framework called A Framework for Our Future 2025-28. We collected input from a variety of stakeholders, including staff, families, community members, alumni, business owners, etc.
Discover more on pages 6-9, where we discuss our three-day Stronger Together event, the work that is ahead of us in A Framework for Our Future, and updates about a pre-referendum exploration process.
Esteemed poet Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Each of us has been shaped by people who make us feel seen, capable, and cared for. This is an idea that is very important to me. It’s an idea that I hope you see engrained in our strategic framework. Please stay connected with us as we forge ahead.
Stronger Together,
Mark Smith, Ed.D. Superintendent, Howard-Suamico School District
Mark Smith, Ed.D.
POINTS OF PRIDE POINTS OF PRIDE
4K
Our 4K students, the Bay Port Class of 2038, had a great first year as HSSD students!
BAY HARBOR
Bay Harbor student entrepreneurs were featured on WFRV before the NFL Draft in April. Fourth graders designed food truck meals inspired by the NFL Draft, and they pitched their ideas in a Shark Tank style competition. Judges provided feedback, asked questions, and decided which food truck had the best concept and creativity. The winning proposal was sold at the NFL Draft in partnership with Captain Quesadilla Co.!
HOWARD
Howard Elementary students and staff celebrated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) by welcoming students from the Bay Port Chemistry Club to share some amazing science experiments. The high school students modeled leadership and academic excellence, while making learning fun.
FOREST GLEN
Forest Glen third graders took a trip to Ellis Island! During this annual immigration simulation, students dressed up in period clothing and visited stations mimicking the Ellis Island experience from the 1890s.
SUAMICO
The VFW Duck Creek Post 7534 donated 40 new flags for the classrooms at Suamico Elementary. VFW members delivered the flags and taught students about flag etiquette. Suamico students were respectful of our veterans and had very thoughtful questions about the proper way to treat the American flag. We are grateful for this partnership!
BAY PORT
Congratulations to our Bay Port Pirates for an excellent showing at the state forensics competition! Gold Medalists: Alexis Bivins, Jessica Gagan, Morgan Loewenhagen, and Maia Virlee. Silver Medalists: Cassidy Gallagher, Hannah Jensky, Aarna Vaishnav, and Phoenix McElroy (not pictured). Bronze Medalists: Paige Gillette, Lily Kuhnlein, Ava Vandenlangenberg (as a group), and A'abigael Shabazz.
LINEVILLE
HSSD fourth graders had the opportunity to visit Lineville for a music demo day to learn about orchestra, band, and choir. Lineville students also answered questions about what a typical school day is like for them. Pictured is Adam Korber, orchestra teacher, demonstrating what an orchestra instrument sounds like.
MEADOWBROOK
For the second year, Meadowbrook first grade teacher Majriela Macedo surprised her students with handmade custom hats based on their own creative drawings. "My students mean so much to me, they bring so much magic to my day and they remind me how lucky and thankful I am to do such an amazing job that I love with all my heart." Thank you Ms. Macedo for creating magical moments and creating a caring learning community for our children!
BAY VIEW
We were fortunate to recognize Liam Hansen, 8th grade student, with a state Wisconsin Council of Administrators for Special Services (WCASS) Award! He was recognized for his significant personal achievement during his time at Bay View. In addition, Renee Gantz-Nett, HSSD Program Support Coordinator, was recognized for her exemplary service to HSSD and its students.
2025-2028
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
A FRAMEWORK FOR OUR FUTURE
OUR FOCUS
Titled A Framework for Our Future, the HSSD strategic framework guides the district’s direction from 2025-28. It is designed to be a living document.
VISION
Creating authentic, innovative, connected, and inspired experiences.
MISSION
We will work together with families and community to ensure that our students have the knowledge and skills to succeed in a changing world.
COLLECTIVE
We will always put students’ needs first in our decisions. We will support each other’s well-being and growth through ongoing learning and positive interactions.
We will maintain consistent and high expectations, ensuring fairness for all students.
We will work together and communicate openly to build trust.
We will adopt new and effective teaching methods to continually improve our work.
PRIORITY AREAS
Educational Excellence: Delivering high-quality instruction and innovative programming that challenges, engages, and grows all students.
Staff Experience: Fostering a workplace culture that promotes growth, engagement, and well-being.
Student Engagement: Creating a culture where students are consistently engaged, involved, and supported in their personal and academic growth.
Operational Excellence: The efficient, sustainable, and transparent use of district resources
THE PURPOSE OF A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
Provides a long-term, unified direction for HSSD.
Shaped by input from multiple stakeholder groups.
Ensures clarity, coherence, and alignment between the Board, administration, staff, and the community.
Aligns people and resources around Priority Areas and measurable progress.
Informs specific plans, such as Department Action Plans and School Action Plans.
GRADUATE PROFILE: OUR NORTH STAR
Our Graduate Profile remains our north star and serves as a unifying vision of what we want all students to know and be able to do upon graduation. It continues to inform our strategic decisions and inspires the actions outlined in this framework.
LEARN MORE
Visit our website to learn more about the community engagement journey that led us to A Framework for Our Future www.hssdschools.org/district/framework.
Educational Excellence
Student Engagement
Staff Experience
Operational Excellence
Educational Excellence
Student Engagement
Staff Experience
Operational Excellence
STRONGER TOGETHER
From December 12-14, 132 stakeholders (students, staff, parents and guardians, business owners, alumni, community members, etc.) gathered to discuss the future of HSSD. They discussed the qualities they want the Class of 2037 (our current Kindergarten students) to possess when they graduate.
Participants signed up to take part in Stronger Together after the opportunity was widely promoted. All district residents received a direct mailing, the invitation appeared in district newsletters and on social media, and each school shared the opportunity with its families and staff.
This event was more than a meeting - it was a collective effort to envision a bright future for our students. During the threeday event, we discussed priorities, identified challenges, and explored opportunities.
The top five themes from the event that helped to inform A Framework for Our Future were:
1. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS - strong partnerships leading to community engagement
2. PERSONALIZED LEARNING - learning that suits each student’s and staff member’s needs
3. CAREER READINESS - exposure to a variety of careers, including trades
4. LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY - funding, referendum, and connections between schools and community
5. HIGH QUALITY STAFF - attract and retain the best staff via great benefits, wellness, flexibility, and childcare
The input gathered from our conversations played a crucial role in shaping our strategic framework. As we continue this journey, we encourage stakeholders to stay engaged. Your voice matters, and your involvement will ensure that our strategic framework is as impactful as possible!
We welcomed 132 stakeholders to take part in Stronger Together, a three-day event to shape the future of HSSD.
Part of the process was sharing where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.
During the event, small groups prioritized themes and shared suggestions for HSSD’s success.
Students are the reason we do what we do. We were excited to have Lineville, Bay View, and Bay Port students participate in Stronger Together.
PRE-REFERENDUM
PRE-REFERENDUM
Exploration PRE-REFERENDUM
Board Endorses Pre-Referendum Exploration Process
HSSD is exploring possibilities to go to referendum in 2026, including a facilities referendum and the reinvestment of the operational referendum. The facilities referendum would cover phase two of our long-range capital maintenance plan. On April 7, 2025, the Board endorsed HSSD to proceed with a pre-referendum exploration process.
Facilities Assessment Results
After the April 7 Board meeting, HSSD completed a facilities assessment. Below are key findings from the Facilities Assessment. Scan the QR code to visit our website to view the entire report.
Bay Port and Meadowbrook exceed functional capacity.
Several schools are approaching capacity limits.
Utilization at Bay Port is near 80% optimal target (80% is the threshold).
Undersized career and technical education (CTE) spaces and science labs at Bay Port.
Undersized classrooms in multiple schools.
Lack of breakout or collaboration spaces in multiple schools.
Safety and/or circulation challenges in older buildings.
Next Steps:
During the summer, we identified, explored, and/or developed:
Potential phase two facilities options
Enrollment and enrollment projection reports and data
Our operational budget
State budget impact
A comprehensive plan for community engagement
In the fall, community engagement and option prioritization will take place. No decisions have been made at this time about potential referendum questions or when they might be presented to the community in 2026. We have two major election opportunities - the Spring General Election in April or the Fall General Election in November.
Referendum History 2021
In 2021, the community voted yes in support of two separate referendum questions:
1. Operational: $5M for five years
2. Facilities: $98M to renovate and improve all eight schools, with significant updates at Bay View and Forest Glen
$5M operational renewed the 2018 referendum, addressing:
Continuing the reduction of class sizes. ($1.5M)
Continuing to support employee compensation. ($1.2M)
Addressing ongoing facilities maintenance needs district-wide. ($1.5M)
The reduction from $5.85M in 2018 to $5M in 2021 was connected to capital improvement needs in facilities referendum projects. The 2021 operational referendum included fewer resources for annual facilities maintenance since many larger projects were addressed in the facilities referendum question.
Referendum History 2018
In 2018, the $5.85M operational referendum addressed:
Hiring teachers to reduce class sizes. Because of this, class size standards are:
– Kindergarten: 15-18
– Grades 1-2: 18-20
– Grades 3-4: 19-21
– Grades 5-6: 23-25
– Grades 7-8: 24-27
– Grades 9-12 core classes: 24-27
Improving HSSD’s ability to compete in the teacher salary market.
– A total of 35 additional positions were added to help reduce class sizes.
Addressing ongoing facilities maintenance needs district-wide.
Undersized
HSSD UPDATES HSSD UPDATES
NFL Commissioner Connects with Bay View Students
During the NFL Draft in April, the NFL and Special Olympics hosted an event for draftees to participate in drills with our students. During the event, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (pictured) took time out of his day to share a moment with a few Bay View students.
Girls Hockey Wins State Championship!
The Bay Area Ice Bears Co-op Girls Hockey Team won its third WIAA Girls Hockey State Championship title! This is the second state title in three years. Congrats to the entire team, especially our Bay Port Pirates. The team defeated Central Wisconsin in the championship game.
HSSD CARE Award Winners 2025
Congratulations to our 2025 HSSD CARE Award winners! One employee at each building was recognized by a surprise staff vote for demonstrating positive characteristics that contribute to our caring learning community.
Veteran Visits Student Writer
A Howard Elementary student wrote a letter to a veteran in the community as part of a letter-writing project. As a result, the veteran came to school in person to say thank you to the student. He told her that the letter made his day.
Amy Heusterberg-Richards Wins Golden Apple
Amy Heusterberg-Richards, Bay Port English Language Arts Teacher, was recognized as a 2025 Golden Apple Award recipient! The Golden Apple Awards banquet was celebrated on April 2, 2025. She is pictured (center) with members of the Bay Port English Language Arts team.
Football Wins State!
For the first time in program history, Bay Port brought home a WIAA Division 1 state football title! Congrats to the coaches, players, parents, fans, staff, and community members for all their hard work, support, and #PiratePride! The team defeated Muskego in the championship game.
Wiebel
Hired as Bay Port Principal
Upon Mike Frieder’s retirement after 30 years of leadership at Bay Port, Jo Wiebel was hired as Bay Port Principal. “Bay Port has a history of excellence. I am excited to continue working with the dedicated staff to provide the best possible educational opportunities for our students and families,” said Wiebel. “I’m also excited to build upon our long-standing traditions while exploring opportunities for our school community to grow.”
84%
Seniors who strongly agree or agree that Bay Port provided adequate opportunities to learn about different careers
Class of 2025 Senior Exit Survey
HSSD Board of Education
Greg Klimek, President
Scott Jandrin, Vice-President
Christina Amtmann, Clerk
Allen McGuire, Treasurer
Vanessa Moran, Director
Rachelle Paulsen, Director
Amy M. Rubright, Director
Heidi Wustrack, Student Rep
Dhruv Bidari, Student Rep
HSSD Strategic Leadership Team
Mark Smith, Ed.D., Superintendent
Chad Buboltz, Ph.D., Asst.
Superintendent of Leadership & Learning
Jennie Garceau, Asst. Superintendent of Student Services
Elisia Lewis, Executive Director of Human Resources
Josh Patchak, Executive Director of Operations
Nicole Smith, Executive Director of HSEF
Josh Swanson, Executive Director of Finance
Kimberly Uelmen, Executive Director of Communications
Scan the QR code to view the HSSD Staff Directory!
August 27
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
September 2
September 3
Open House
First Day of School (Grades K-6, 7, 9)
First Day of School (Grades 8, 10-12)
October 3 No School
October 27
October 28
October 30
Parent/Teacher Conferences (Grades 7-12)
Parent/Teacher Conferences (Grades K-6)
Parent/Teacher Conferences (K-12)
October 31 No School
November 14 No School
November 26-28 No School
December 24-January 2 No School
January 5
School Resumes