Clinton Community School District

Greetings from your District Administrator, Jim Brewer

Jim Brewer, District Administrator

Strong Schools, Strong Community

Clinton Community School District continues to flourish as we emphasize rigor and relevancy in every course while building upon our collaborative school culture of academic optimism that places the needs of students first. During the 2017-18 school year, CCSD earned the highest state accountability report card score in its history, started a breakfast program, implemented a 1:1 initiative, expanded its Work-Based Learning opportunities for students, passed a graduation requirement mandating 30 hours of community service, established a pay for performance compensation model for teachers and for the first time since the 2013-14 school year, achieved a balanced budget.

The upcoming 2018-19 school year will build upon past success as we continue to identify ways to provide enriching educational experiences for our students. The implementation of the Laude system and further exploration of Standards Based Grading will only enhance our curricular understanding and further position Clinton as a leader in the educational arena. Instituting the Modified Block schedule at both the middle school and high school will unify the two buildings like never before and allow the District to streamline operations while providing extended educational opportunities for students.

Achieving educational excellence, and exercising responsible financial stewardship, is a priority. I am extremely proud to have overseen a budget operating in the black this past school year, however future budget projections do not look so bright as CCSD will continue to face significant budgetary challenges as our resident enrollment continues to decline. To further compound the fiscal concern is the need to address the aging infrastructure throughout the district. 

To address the aging infrastructure of the elementary and middle school, the school district has been engaged in a campus-wide facilities study where for the past 18 months a tremendous amount of research, communication, and planning has taken place. I personally want to thank the members of the CCSD Board of Education, staff, parents, and community who have engaged in the arduous work of trying to find a viable long-range solution to the educational infrastructural needs of our students and community. Detailed information related to the facilities planning can be located on the district website (www.clinton.k12.wi.us).

 As a CCSD resident, parent of a 2018 Clinton graduate with another who will graduate in 2020, I am extremely proud and honored to be a servant leader in this community. As your District Administrator, I will continue to work diligently in making Clinton Community School District a destination district for all families. The impact quality public education has on a community is undeniable. Evidence supports that strong schools result in higher property values, greater productivity in local business, and enhanced economic, workforce and community development.  It is apparent that strong schools equal strong community. I thank you for your continued support and encourage you to get further involved with the great things happening at Clinton Community School District. 

MISSION and VISION FOR LEARNING

The Clinton Community School District, proud to be in partnership with family and community, is committed to ensure that all students receive a solid educational foundation in a safe environment that fosters and sustains lifelong learning and empowers students to be contributing members of our global society.

Clinton students will excel. Excellence is defined by students consistently demonstrating the following characteristics:

• Continuous academic growth
• Problem-solving skills: analysis, synthesis and evaluation (critical thinking)
• Proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening in a variety of settings (communications)
• Math skills
• Skill in uses and consumption of media and information
• Collaboration with others toward common ends
• Creativity and “outside-the-box” thinking in problem-solving
• Resiliency and adaptability
• Assuming responsibility for their own learning
• Assuming responsibility for their own wellness and well-being
• Readiness for college, military service and/or career by graduation
• Pillars of good character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship

In order for students to internalize and exhibit these characteristics, the staff must create and maintain a culture in an environment that promotes and supports a continuous learning community. Such a culture is characterized by the following:

• Modeling the traits of excellence
• Maintaining a continuous focus on rigor, relevance, respect and civility
• Establishing appropriate, caring relationships with students
• Collaborating with one another, students and parents, making data-driven decisions
• Embracing change
• Helping families, community and each other adapt to changes
• Teaching community
• Using and modeling appropriate uses of technologies (media)
• Treating time as a variable and as an abundant resource
• Encouraging students’ dreams and aspirations
• Treating failure as a step in a process, not an end