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Voices of People. Purpose. Pride.
Join us for an exciting new initiative designed to bring together our staff, families, students, MMSD leaders, Madison community and local advocates to engage in meaningful conversations about the issues that matter most to K-12 education.
Episode 1
In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard sits down with Assistant Superintendent of Financial Services Bob Soldner for a conversation about the MMSD budget — what goes into it and what challenges the district is facing.
Bob shares a bit about his background in school finance, including his experience at the state level, and how that shapes his approach today. He also talks about being an Eastside parent, giving him a personal connection to the work and the decisions being made.
From there, the two dig into how MMSD builds its budget each year. They talk through the balancing act of planning ahead, meeting student needs, and working within funding limits. A big part of the conversation focuses on state funding, where it helps, where it falls short, and the real impact those gaps have on schools.
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Episode 2
In this episode, MMSD Legislative Liaison, Victoria Stewart and Assistant Superintendent of Financial Services, Bob Soldner explore the importance of collaboration, communication, and community engagement in shaping positive outcomes for students. From building trust with families to creating meaningful partnerships throughout the community, they discuss how listening, learning and working together can help schools better serve every student.
The conversation highlights the value of transparency, shared responsibility and the collective effort required to create learning environments where students can thrive.
Whether you're a parent, educator, community member, or district stakeholder, this episode offers insight into the role each of us plays in supporting student success.
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Episode 3
In this episode, MMSD Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Becky Kundert and Teacher Leader of Literacy Implementation Karine Sloan discuss all things literacy in the Madison Metropolitan School District. They break down topics ranging from the science of reading, to the informed and collaborative process behind policy and curriculum development, to MMSD literacy resources, covering the history of MMSD's ever-relevant journey to positively serve student literacy needs.
This conversation emphasizes the value of understanding the fundamental "whys" behind student needs in school policy, as well as the necessity for continual transparency and collective effort by both educators and families in addressing student needs in an ever-changing landscape.
Whether you're a parent, educator, community member, or you simply value the development of literacy within schools, this episode provides a valuable look at the part we can all play in ensuring student literacy education thrives.