verona press

7/29/2019 Verona Press

1/9


2/9

2 February 28, 2013 The Verona Press ConnectVerona.com

Call us for a FREE consultation!

March 16th

!!!

35YearAnniversary35YearAnniversary35YEARS

March 14

th & 15th

UN271889

CRESS CENTER

ForLifesSpecialMoments

Youre Invited

Open HouseSunday, March 3, 2013

1pm to 4pmTour our brand new, just completed CRESS CENTER.

The perfect venue for memorials, funerals,special occasions and off-site meeting needs.

Join us for our coffee bar and snacks.

Cress Center

J. Stuart Todd

Action Fence

Air Temperature Services

AMC of Wisconsin, Inc.

Ascentives

Benjamin Plumbing

Best Specialties

Builders Millwork

Capitol Ceilings

Carpenter Glass

CGC

Chris Foss Contractor, Inc.

City of Madison

City Wide Insulation

Commercial Casework

Crowley Masonry

Electri-Tec

First Business Bank

Guttersmiths Roofing & Sheet Metal

Hallmark Drywall

Ivan Rice & Sons

Livesey Painting

Madigan Refrigeration

McFarlane Manufacturing

Niesen & Son Landscaping

Parisi Construction Co.

Peak Systems Group, Inc.

Protective Coating Specialists

Ryan Signs

Sergenians

South Central Contracting

Zander Insulation, Inc.

UN274295

Discover the Difference

Quality Education in a Rural Setting

(608) 845-3245 | www.KidsExpress.com

3276 S. High Point Road, Madison, WI 53719

LER b R ESbLShE 4K PRRm

Give your child every opportunity to explore with our advanced curriculum andwell rounded enrichment programs. With a full-day schedule and exceptional

child-to-teacher ratios, our nationally accredited program will prepare your child

for future success. Schedule a tour today!

UN266577

Photos by Jim Ferolie

Getting some cultureThis years Multicultural Leadership Club was the biggest ever, with 31 members from at least 13 dif-ferent ethnic backgrounds, and adviser Carri Hale couldnt have been happier. Johnnie Yang (left, per-forming Taylor Mails What Teachers Make in spoken word) wrote the script for the show while shegot to watch the process. She also called the audience the most mature yet.

Above, teachers and performers all dance to V.I.C.s Wobble Baby.

Below, Jarrell Homsely pirouettes along with others on the Wildcat Dance Team.

Julio Cesar Fuentes-Cruz works some electrifying hip-hop moves.

Catch some videoThe Verona Press spliced somescenes from the show together toillustrate the variety of culture ondisplay. To see it, visit:

Right, Deanna Sagapolu (left)and Nghi Tuong sing a pop songin both Korean and English.


3/9

February 28, 2013 The Verona PressConnectVerona.com 3

Verona Area High School

AP scores hit all-time highSETH JOVAAGUnified Newspaper Group

For the second straight year, more Vero-na Area High School students who tackled

college-level courses last spring earnedpassing scores on year-end exams thanever before, according to data released lastweek by the state Department of PublicInstruction.

Nearly 21 percent of VAHS studentsin 2011-12 tackled Advanced Placementcourses that can earn them college credits,slightly lower than the 22 percent of stu-dents who took AP tests in 2010-11.

At the end of AP courses, students takehigh-stakes exams to see if theyve mas-tered the content. On a scale of 1 to 5, a3 is generally a passing score. VAHS stu-dents who took AP classes scored 3 or bet-ter on 82.6 percent of the exams. Thatsa 4-point increase from last year and thehighest percentage in 16 years of data.

Among 16 school districts in DaneCounty, VAHS ranked third trailing onlyMount Horeb (84 percent) and Oregon(83.9) high schools in terms of the per cent-age of students earning passing marks.

At VAHS, 313 students took a total of535 exams last year. In the 16 Dane Coun-ty school districts, VAHS ranked thirdbehind Middleton-Cross Plains and SunPrairie high schools in terms of how manykids took AP classes.

VAHS continues to struggle with lownumbers of minority students in AP cours-es, however.

Only five of 149 black students (4 per-cent) and five of 166 Hispanic students (3percent) enrolled in the courses, accordingto DPI data. Asian students provided thelone exception, as 12 of 52 eligible stu-dents (nearly 23 percent) took AP tests.

Female students bettered their malecounterparts, with 83.6 percent of girlsearning passing scores, compared with81.4 percent for the boys. Both were all-time highs.

VAHS offers 13 AP courses in subjectsranging from biology, calculus, English,history, psychology, music theory and sta-tistics, according to the high schools web-site.

Wisconsin ranks first in the 13-state

Midwest region in terms of how manyseniors scored 3 or better on an AP examlast year, with 20.6 percent, according toa DPI news release. Nationally, the figurewas 19.5 percent, and the state ranks 14thin that category, and 24th in terms of thepercentage of 2012 graduates who tookAP courses, according to an annual reportfrom the College Board.

The data from DPI can be viewed bygender and race and can be compared toother districts at its website, dpi.wi.gov.On the homepage, scroll to the tabnamed data and media and click on theWINNS link, then follow the prompts tosee VAHS results.

UN273011

Press launching revamped websiteOur news websites are get-

ting an overhaul this week.All four websites in Uni-

fied Newspaper Group willhave new websites, includingConnectVerona.com. Eachwill still have all your newsand photos plus new features.

Our websites will be goingin the direction many newssources are, which will beto have a pay wall for somecontent. This means read-ers who do not have print oronline subscriptions will paya small fee to look at morethan a few features.

Not everything will bebehind the wall, and thosewho choose not to pay willhave access to some content,as well as an allotted numberof articles to read.

But for those who do signup, you will receive fullaccess to an unlimited num-ber of articles, videos, accessto special sections and an

electronic edition.There will also be an addi-

tional website added for ourquarterly magazine, YourFamily.

New designThe websites will be

designed to please the eye withthe top stories on a slideshowwith the main photo. Our newlook will be more modern,clean and user-friendly.

The content will be thesame, but there will be moreand it will be easier to navi-gate.

Paywall, but not yetAlthough we are changing

to a paywall, we will transi-tion slowly to give everyonea chance to sign up.

At first, more content willbe available, but that willchange as time passes.

Easier to buy photos

All of our photos will beeasier to purchase. You canpurchase them right from thewebsites, and they will bemailed to you if you choosethat option.

SharingThe websites will also

allow for sharing of storiesand photos on your Face-book and Twitter feeds rightfrom the websites.Unified Newspaper Group

Verona Area School District

Officials criticize lack offunding in Walkers budgetSETH JOVAAGUnified Newspaper Group

Gov. Scott Walkers pro-posal last week to freezespending limits for publicschools over the next twoyears didnt sit well withthe head of the VeronaArea School District.

Joining a chorus ofpublic school advocatescritical of Gov. Walkersproposed biennial bud-get, superintendent DeanGorrell said he was sur-prised and frustrated bythe Republican governorsplan. He called it a worst-case scenario for schoolsas the district heads intoits annual budget-planningprocess.

Its hard to imaginemany kinds of businessesthat are looking at long-term sustainability withthis kind of business mod-

el, he said.Walkers proposal callsfor raising state fundingfor public K-12 schoolsby $129.2 million overthe next two years, or 1percent annually. Thatboost in state aid couldlower property taxes. Butat the same time, districtscouldnt exceed currentspending limits withoutgoing to voters first, some-thing officials here haventdiscussed.

That could spell troublefor many districts, includ-ing Verona. Health insur-ance and ut i l i ty coststypically increase year toyear. Even modest salaryincreases for staff coulddrive costs up hundreds ofthousands of dollars more,since salaries are the vast

majority of the budget.Walkers proposed bud-get still requires passageby state lawmakers, whichcould take weeks or evenmonths. Many critics arecalling for a compromisethat will allow districtsto raise revenue caps byat least $100 per student,which would mean nearlya half-million dollars morein spending authority forVASDs 2013-14 budget.

Gorrell and businessmanager Chris Murphysaid in a conference calllast week that they need

more information fromstate education leadersabout the impact of Walk-

ers proposals before deter-mining how much fund-ing each of the districts10 schools will receive in2013-14. Its too early tosay if class sizes, staffinglevels or programs will beaffected, Gorrell said.

But typically, staffingdecisions are made by mid-April so the district canissue contracts to teachers.

We can t wai t t oolong, Gorrell said. Wecant wait until June to doour budget.

Continuing trendUntil several years ago,

districts typically couldincrease annual spendingby roughly $270 per stu-dent. That fell to $200 perstudent in 2010 under for-mer Gov. Jim Doyle, who

was facing a massive bud-get deficit.Then Walkers 2011-13

biennium budget furthercut spending limits. Veronaschools had to cut spend-ing by $550 per student,or roughly $2 million, in2011. That cut was mostlyoffset by greater pensioncontributions required ofpublic employees underAct 10, the controversiallaw that sparked wide-spread protests in spring2011.

Las t year , spend ingwas allowed to increaseby about $100 per studentto $10,539, bringing theVASD budget to roughly$57 million.

Before last week, Gor-rell said he had anticipatedspending limits next year

would increase by at least$100 per student, and stateSuperintendent Tony Evershad called for a $225-per-student increase.

School boards have thepower to choose whetherto spend up to the revenuecaps. With Walkers pro-posal to freeze spendinglimits, that local controlis eroded, Gorrell said.

I understand that its away to provide propertytax relief, but it does takeaway yet another decisionthat the board has to make,in my opinion, he said.

Critics aboundSince Walkers budget

address last week, manypublic school advocateshave joined leading Demo-crats in chastising the pro-posal, which includes a $73million boost in taxpayer-funded aid to expand vouch-er schools to several newcities, including Madison.Evers, the Wisconsin Asso-ciation of School Boards andthe School AdministratorsAlliance all released blister-ing statements. The SAAcalled it the worst statebudget for public school stu-dents in Wisconsin history.

Local Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts of District 80,the ranking Democrat onthe Assemblys educationcommittee, blasted the planon her Facebook page:

A 24% increase in over-all private voucher school

spending and a 0% increasefor public schools? That isnot acceptable, she wrote.

Fellow Democrat Sen.Jon Erpenbach of Middle-ton, said Walkers proposalfor K-12 funding has deep-ened a political divide.

Its getting to the pointwhere youre either forpublic education or yourefor private education,Erpenbach told BarabooSchool Board membersMonday, according to thePortage Daily Register.Those are the lines thatare being drawn.

Walkers proposal alsocalls for a new perfor-mance incentive grantprogram that, beginningin 2014-15, sets aside $64million to reward schoolsthat score well or showimprovement on the statesnew school report cards.

Five local schools Country View and StonerPrairie elementary schools,Core Knowledge and NewCentury charter schools andVerona Area High School scored in the top two tiers ofthat new system this spring,which could qualify themfor rewards. But Gorrell saidthat how, exactly, that pro-gram could affect Veronaare still unknown.

We dont have any insideinformation, he said. Wereplaying that waiting game.

See website for

information on other

classes and more

www.springdaleyoga.com

437-4082

New Monthly Class2-Hour Joint Movement Flow

Sat., March 9, 10:30 a.m.

Free Newcomers ClassSat., March 2, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Beginning Yoga ClassesTues. 6:30 p.m. & Fri. 8:30 a.m.

8435 Cty. Rd. PDBetween Verona & Mt. Horeb

UN269829

Of 16 school districts in Dane County,Verona ranked:

3rd 3rd

AP scoresFor VAHS


4/9


Verona PressThursday, February 28, 2013 Vol. 48, No. 40

USPS No. 658-320Periodical Postage Paid, Verona, WI and additional offices.

Published weekly on Thursday by the Unified Newspaper Group,A Division of Woodward Communications, Inc.POSTMASTER: Send Address Corrections to

The Verona Press, 133 Enterprise Drive, Verona, WI 53593.

Phone: 608-845-9559

FAX: 608-845-9550

e-mail: [email protected]

ConnectVerona.comThis newspaper is printed on recycled paper.

NATIONAL NEWSPAPERASSOCIATION

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

One Year in Dane Co. & Rock Co.. . . . . . .$37One Year Elsewhere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$45

Verona PressOregon Observer Stoughton Courier Hub

General managerLee Borkowski

[email protected]

AdvertisingDonna Larson

[email protected]

News

Jim [email protected]

SportsJeremy Jones

[email protected]

Classifieds

Kathy [email protected]

WebsiteVictoria Vlisides

[email protected]

Circulation

Carolyn [email protected]

ReportersSeth Jovaag, Anthony Iozzo,

Mark Ignatowski, Derek Spellman

Unified Newspaper Group, a division ofWOODWARD COMMUNICATIONS,INC.

A dynamic, employee- owned media compan y

Good People.Real Solutions. Shared Results.Printed by Woodward Printing Services Platteville

Opinion

If you saw the WisconsinBadgers Ben Brust makehis miracle shot against

Michigan on television earlierthis month, chances are youwere still talking about it withyour co-workers or classmateson Monday morning.

I was, too, and it got methinking.

When Iwas a middleschooler inthe 1970s, thebest morningto go to schoolwas Wednes-day. This had

nothing to dowith what wasplanned for usat school thatmorning.

It was all about the previousevening.

Several readers will remem-ber that in the mid-1970s, mostfamilies had only three or fourtelevision channels to choosefrom. Tuesday night was whenthe ABC television networkscheduled its blockbuster lineupof situation comedies, beginningwith Happy Days, followedon the half hour by Laverneand Shirley, Threes Com-pany, and -- if your parentsdidnt know you were watching Soap.

Unless your parents wereogres, if you were below the ageof 14 you watched those showsreligiously. The next morning,the bus ride to school and muchof the school day would be con-sumed by the repetition of JackTrippers double entendre fromthe night before, intense dis-cussions about whether Fonziereally would marry Pinky Tus-cadero on next weeks episode(assuming she survived thedemolition derby), or specula-tion about what the women onSoap were really referring towhile they gobbled that cake.

To a large swath of Ameri-cans, Tuesday evening televi-sion (and the discussion of itthe next morning) was a sharedexperience.

Television once provided thenation with a number of shared

experiences. Perhaps the great-est example was the miniseriesRoots. Ive watched thisshow on cable within the last10 years, and unfortunately, the1970s production values makeit less impactful than was whenit first aired, but back then, theentire nation was talking aboutthat show. It ran every nightover nine days, and every morn-ing you could count on a vigor-ous debate.

I was reminded of this phe-nomenon a few weeks ago asI sat through rehearsals withVerona Area Community The-ater.

Dont worry, VACT isntdoing one of those word-for-word recreations of a 1970s sit-com. We were just recounting ashared experience of our own but in an entirely different wayfrom when I was growing up.

Typically, for actors who arenot in lead roles, a rehearsalcan be a great deal of hurry upand wait. You come on stage,do your little bit, exit, and thenwait for your next entrance.It may be 15 or 20 minutes ofdowntime.

To fill this void, many of theactors bring books. A popu-lar choice of reading materialamong the actors in the lastshow I was in was the Gameof Thrones series by GeorgeR.R. Martin, which is also apopular television series aboutto start its third season on HBO.I, in fact, was turned on to thebooks after watching the televi-sion series, as were many of myVACT colleagues.

Over the course of therehearsal schedule, I heardcountless comments on eitherthe book or the show.

Im surprised at how closelythe television show resemblesthe novels, or Im trying tofinish the third book before thethird season of the series beginsin March.

Despite the large number ofcomments by the Game ofThrones fans in the cast, how-ever, I did not hear much dis-cussion about the show.

This may be because the mostfrequent comments among my

castmates tended to be along theline of I got the second seasonon BluRay last Christmas andwatched it all in one weekend,or I have the entire series onmy DVR.

Thanks to the wonders ofmodern technology, almost noneof my castmates had watchedthe television show the way Ihad watched Happy Days orRoots all those years ago, bysitting on the couch the day itwas actually broadcast. Theydont need to. They can watchalmost anything when it is con-venient.

In our busy world, I am sure

this counts as a blessing, but Icannot help but wonder if thistechnological wizardry alsocomes with an unintended con-sequence, the decline of theshared television experience.

Roots, and the discussionthat followed each episode,brought us closer together inour own communities and as anation. It was what people weretalking about.

Game of Thrones, despitewhat seems to be a large audi-ence, does not have the sameeffect. None of my castmatesgathered in a corner to debatewhether King Joffrey wouldget his or if Robb Stark wouldsomeday rule.

Several years ago, a booktitled Bowling Alone, lament-ed how people were eschewingbowling leagues, service groupsand other community activi-ties in favor of more solitarypursuits. The DVR and entireseasons of television shows onDVD, I fear, provides us withone more thing we can do byourselves.

Of course there is Ben Brustand his miracle shot, but it isjust a m atter of time befo re theBadgers season, like the Pack-ers season before it, comes toan end.

Then what will we talk about?

Karl Curtis is a devoted fan ofpop culture and a forme r editorof the Verona Press.

Have we jumped the sharkon shared experiences?

Curtis

Community Voices

Letter to the editor

County preservation efforts laudedThe Dane County proposal to

preserve nearly three miles offrontage along the Sugar Riversouth of Verona, land currentlyowned by the Bruce Co. is certain-ly to be applauded.

A footnote to this is that TroutUnlimited recently decided tobring their national convention ofofficers and key chapter leaders toMadison Marriott West later thisyear.

Primarily a conservation orga-nization, TU chose to convene

here upon invitation from localTU members and, when they vis-ited last year, they loved the greattrout fisheries and conservationefforts here.

Hats off to Dane County, localTU members and to all who haveworked to preserve and maintainour precious local trout ecosys-tem.

Jeff Holcomb

Verona

From ConnectVerona.com

Poll results

Do you think schools should spend more money to beef up security inand around schools?

The Verona Press encourages citizens to engage in discussionthrough letters to the editor. We take submissions online, on email andby hard copy. All letters should be signed and include addresses andphone numbers for verification. Anonymous letters will not be printed.

Special rules apply during election season or other times of high let-ter volume, and the editorial staff reserves the right not to print anyletter, including those with libelous or obscene content. We can acceptmultiple submissions from local authors, but other letters will take pri-ority over submissions from recently printed authors. Please keep sub-missions under 400 words.

Deadline is noon Monday the week of publication. For questionson our editorial policy, call editor Jim Ferolie at 845-9559 or [email protected].

Submit a letter


5/9


Verona resident performs in percussion extravaganzaA Verona resident will

perform in the WisconsinYouth Symphony Orchestras(WYSO) annual PercussionExtravaganza at 1:30 p.m.Saturday, March 2.

Eric Peterson and the per-cussion ensemble will per-form a diverse repertoire byAntonin Dvok, AndrewStout, Bela Fleck, the BeeGees and jazz legend DaveBrubeck.

This years Extrava-ganza, Heart Beats, willcelebrate the life-savingskills taught by the Ameri-can Red Cross and the beatsthat energize all percus-sion music. Peterson andthe percussion ensemblereceived training in handsonly CPR during theirrehearsals and will helpthe events audience learnthe correct compressiontempo for this important

skill when they perform anarrangement of the Bee-Gees Stayin Alive.

The 12th Annual Per-cussion Extravaganza willbe held in Mills ConcertHall at the UW Humani-ties Building, 455 N. Park

St., Madison. Tickets are$10 for adults and $5 foryouth and will be avail-able at the door or online

at brownpapertickets.com/event/307902.

For further directions andinformation, please contactthe WYSO office at 263-3320, ext. 11 or visit wyso.music.wisc.edu

Evansville FFA22nd Annual

South Central Wisconsin

Farm Toy ShowSunday, March 3, 2013

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Evansville Field House

401 S. Third St., Evansville, WI 53536(Please use the Fair St. entrance)

Admission: $3.00 (children under 10 are FREE)

Kiddie Pedal Pull at 12:00pm

Lunch provided by the Evansville FFA(Sandwiches, chips, desserts and beverages)

Exhibits include: Farm machinery, trains, cars& trucks, train & farm displays, real farm tractors,

a kiddie pedal pull, & much more.

For more information contact:Ron Buttchen, 32 Cemetery Rd.,

Evansville, WI 53536(608) 882-4125.

Supported by the Evansville FFA & AlumniUN271729

Tobin and Jackie Ruhde of New Glarus are pleased to an-

nounce the engagement of their daughter, Therese Ruhde, to

Michael Yarroch, son of Joan Pavlowich and William Yarroch

of Hancock, Michigan. The couple plans to wed on May 30,

2013 in Riviera Maya, Mexico with close friends and family

in attendance.

The bride-to-be is a 2004 graduate of Verona Area High

School. She earned a bachelors degree in Spanish from Val-

paraiso University in 2008 and is currently in her final year of

medical school at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine

and Public Health in Madison. The future groom is a 2003

graduate of Hancock High School in Michigan and received a

bachelors degree in Business Administration from Michigan

Technical University, Houghton Michigan. Michael is employed

as a Manager at Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Madison, WI.

&obin and Jackie Ruhde of New Glarus are pleased to an-&obin and Jackie Ruhde of New Glarus are pleased to an-&ThereseRuhde &MichaelYarroch&herese&herese&uhde &&uhde &&uhde &&ichael&ichael&arroch&arroch&ThereseRuhde &MichaelYarrochUN274612

30-DAY CHURCH

CHALLENGEAre you just getting by in life?

Feel lost, overwhelmed, inadequate?

Believe you were meant for something better?

Want a challenge that could change your life?

Join us for the30-day Church Challenge!

Sundays, February 24-March 24 at 9:15 a.m.

West Madison Bible Church2920 Hwy. M (near University Ridge Golf Course)

6ERONA7)s

www.westmadisonbiblechurch.com

Take the challenge...Youll be glad you did!

UN272926

Photos submitted

Service dog missionKehl School of Dance students take part in acharity performance Sunday at Verona AreaHigh School. They performed their new dancesfor the year at the as a fundraiser for two localfamilies in need of service dogs.

The fundraiser raised more than $3,000 for thefamilies, both of whom have young boys, onewith epilepsy and one with autism. Becauseof the high costs, one family will have to raisearound $12,000, so they look to the fundraiserto offset costs.

Those that cannot attend the performance canstill donate at the studio, 5117 Verona Road,through March 5. For more information, [email protected].

Left, Hannah Anderson shows off her skills.

If you goWhat: Youth Symphony

Orchestras PercussionExtravaganzaWhen: 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 2

Where: Mills ConcertHall at the UW HumanitiesBuilding, 455 N. Park St.,MadisonTickets: $10 adults, $5

kids

Photo by Jon Harlow and Krystal Stankowsi

Percussion ensemble member Eric Peterson plays the xylophone.

POLICE REPORTInfo from Verona police logs:

Feb. 63:43 p.m. A burglar report-

edly stole a kitchen stove/ovenand a lockbox from a fore-closed home in Kettle Court.Police believed the burglaryhappened sometime over the

previous three days.

Feb. 83:38 a.m. The Depart-

ment of Public Works letpolice know that a plow truckknocked over a light pole onthe corner of Maple Road andSpruce Circle. There were noinjuries, and the light pole fellinto a neighbors yard.

Feb. 1110:09 a.m. Staff at Verona

Area High School extinguisheda fire in a boys bathroom.Police cited the 19-year-old stu-dent, who allegedly had ignited

paper towels and put them inthe trash, with negligent han-dling of burning material.

Feb. 132:31 a.m. Police arrested

a 42-year-old woman on the300 block of East VeronaAvenue based on probable

cause that she was operatinga motor vehicle without theowners consent. Tipped offby Stoughton Police, Veronaofficers stopped her andfound drug paraphernaliaand the stolen vehicle keys.

11:05 p.m. A vehiclecrashed into a backyard on the200 block of Todd Street withthe female driver and two orthree males fleeing in a secondvehicle. Police attempted con-tacting the vehicles registeredowner, a 26-year-old woman,and suspected 24-year-oldmale getaway driver.

Rob Kitson

Tim Andrews Horticulturist - LLC

PV270203

Less than 6 weeks left to safely

prune oak trees!Call me for a free evaluation.

JODIE BURRESON/FlCEs#ELL

Fax: (608) 424-3847

[email protected]

2IVER3T3UITEs0/"OXs"ELLEVILLE7)UN268604

Call or visit us online for more information

waltersbuildings.com

Quality Buildings Since 1958

Suburban . Commercial. Agricultural . Horse Barns & Arenas


6/9


Bible discussionsResurrection Lutheran Church, 6705

Wesner Road, Verona will be hostingdiscussions on the Bible miniseries at6:30 p.m. March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April1. This miniseries is running on theHistory Channel on Sunday evenings inMarch, culminating on Easter Sunday,March 31.

Resurrections pastor, Nathan Strutz,and assistant pastor Timothy Rosenowwill be leading the discussions.

For more information contactResurrection at 848-4965 or email:[email protected]

CKCS Trivia NightEnjoy an evening of trivia fun and

prizes to support Core KnowledgeCharter School from 5:45-8 p.m. Friday,March 1, at the Fitchburg CommunityCenter, 5510 Lacy Road.

Registration fee is $30 per person withup to eight people on a team.

To reserve a spot or table for a team,please email Jack Grotsky, Ravi Tallurior Brett Stousland of the Verona AreaSchool District. You can also call 318-3574.

Mixed media and fiber artThe art group, 3150 Studio Artists,

will be showing a collection of theirMixed Media and Textile Art, at theMadison Senior Center starting Friday,

March 1.The artists - Barbara Lulack, Bea

Neal, Chris Thomas, Linda Olson, MaryYoung, Pam Bell and Patricia Towne- come from Verona and surroundingareas and are dedicated to exploration,experimentation of Mixed Media and

Fiber Art.For info, call 848-9519

The Young and the RestlessRun, jump, slide, balance and dance at

the Verona Public Library.Enjoy a session for children up to age 5

from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 1.The Young and the Restless open

indoor play time is an opportunity for

kids be active, develop motor skills, andmake new friends.

Rain garden workshopLearn how to conserve water with a

rain garden workshop from 9 a.m. - noonSaturday, March 2, at the Verona PublicLibrary.

The cost for the workshop is $5.For more information, to register or

to order plants, visit myfairlakes.com/plantdane.aspx.

Introduction to ExcelSolve the mystery of the spreadsheet

with Introduction to Excel, a how-tocomputer class at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday,March, 5, at the library.

This program is free. Register onlineat veronapubliclibrary.org.

Green Eggs and HamJoin the library for a free breakfast in

honor of Dr. Seuss birthday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 6.

Staff will be serving green eggs, ham,muffins, and juice.Please register each person in

your party who will be eating atveronapubliclibrary.org.

RSVPLearn about volunteering with RSVP

of Dane County at 9:15 a.m., Tuesday,March 5, at the Verona Senior Center.

Volunteers will be on hand to shareinformation about what it meansto volunteer as a driver, what timecommitment is required and more.

Family wellness fairA family wellness fair will be held

from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at

Savanna Oaks Middle School, 5890Lacy Road.The fa i r wi l l i nc lude loca l

organizations providing educationalbooths, family fun activities, food, and aspeaker at 8 p.m. Chandra Dobson formthe Madison Police Department will bespeaking on Cyber Safety for Teens.The public is invited to attend. For moreinfo, email [email protected].

Mens groupJoin the mens group for a con-

versation with Gary Kuzynski, whoprovides chair massage three times amonth at the Verona Senior Center andalso does foot reflexology, a fascinat-ing, and sometimes very beneficialservice for overall health.

The conversation takes place at 9:30a.m. Friday, March 8, at the senior cen-ter.

Green and Gold BingoStart celebrating the Luck o the Irish

at the Green and Gold Bingo event at12:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, at the seniorcenter.

All prizes are either green or gold.Play costs $1 per two cards. Come

wearing green and gold to be eligible foradded prizes.

Coming up

Community calendar

ChurchesALL SAINTS LUTHERANCHURCH2951 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg(608) 276-7729allsaints-madison.orgPastor Rich Johnson

THE CHURCH IN FITCHBURG2833 Raritan Road, Fitchburg, WI53711(608) 271-2811livelifetogether.comSunday Worship: 8 and10:45 a.m.

THE CHURCH IN VERONAVerona Business Centre535 Half Mile Rd. #7, Verona.(608) 271-2811livelifetogether.comSunday Worship: 9 a.m.

FITCHBURG MEMORIAL UCC5705 Lacy Road, Fitchburg(608) 273-1008 memorialucc.orgPhil Haslanger

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERANCHURCH ELCA(608) 271-6633Central: Raymond Road & WhitneyWaySUNDAY8:15, 9:30 & 10:45 a.m. WorshipWest: Corner of Hwy. PD & NineMound Road, VeronaSUNDAY9 & 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Worship

LIVING HOPE CHURCHAt the Verona Senior Center108 Paoli St. (608) 347-3827livinghopeverona.com, [email protected] a.m. Worship

MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH

201 S. Main, Verona(608) 845-7125MBCverona.orgLead pastor: Jeremy ScottSUNDAY10:15 a.m. Worship

REDEEMER BIBLE FELLOWSHIP102 N. Franklin Ave., VeronaPastor Dwight R. Wise(608) 848-1836 www.redeemerbiblefellowship.orgSUNDAY10 a.m. Family Worship Service

RESURRECTION LUTHERANCHURCHWisconsin Synod, 6705 WesnerRoad, Verona(608) 848-4965 rlcverona.orgPastor Nathan Strutz and AssistantPastor: Timothy RosenowTHURSDAY6:30 p.m. WorshipSUNDAY9 a.m. Worship Service

ST. CHRISTOPHER CATHOLICPARISH301 N. Main St., Verona(608) 845-6613Stchristopherverona.com

Fr. William Vernon, pastorSATURDAY 5 p.m. Sunday Vigil,St. Andrew, VeronaSUNDAY 7:30 a.m., St. William,Paoli9 and 11 a.m., St. Andrew, VeronaDaily Mass: Tuesday-Saturday at 8a.m., St. Andrew, Verona

ST. JAMES EVANGELICALLUTHERAN CHURCH427 S. Main Street, Verona(608) 845-6922www.stjamesverona.org

Pastors Kurt M. Billings and PeterNarumService5 p.m., Saturday8:30 and 10:45 a.m., Sunday

SALEM UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST502 Mark Dr., Verona, WIPhone: (608) 845-7315Rev. Dr. Mark E. Yurs, PastorLaura Kolden, Associate in Ministrywww.salemchurchverona.org9:00AM Sunday School (for all ages)10:15AM Worship ServiceStaffed nursery: 8:45am-11:30am11:30AM Fellowship Hour

SPRINGDALE LUTHERANCHURCH-ELCA2752 Town Hall Road (off CountyID)(608) 437-3493springdalelutheran.orgPastor: Jeff JacobsSUNDAY8:45 a.m. Communion Worship

SUGAR RIVERUNITED METHODIST CHURCH130 N. Franklin St., Verona(608) [email protected],

sugarriverumc.orgPastor: Gary HolmesSUNDAY9:00 & 10:30Contemporary worship withchildrens Sunday school.Refreshments and fellowship arebetween services.

WEST MADISON BIBLE CHURCH2920 Hwy. M, Verona, WI 53593Sunday (nursery provided in a.m.)9:15 a.m. - Praise and worship10:45 - Sunday School (all ages)6 p.m. - Small group Bible study

ZWINGLI UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST Located at Hwy. 92 & Ct.Road G, Mount Vernon(608) 832-6677 for informationPastor: Brad BrookinsSUNDAY10:15 a.m. Worship

ZWINGLI UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST At Hwy. 69 and PB, Paoli(608) 845-5641Rev. Sara ThiessenSUNDAY9:30 a.m. Family Worship

430 E. Verona Ave.845-2010

Park PrintingHouse, Ltd.

550 E. Verona Ave.

Verona 845-6505

Call 845-9559

to advertise on the

Verona Press

church page

Thursday, Feb. 287 a.m. Home Instead at Senior Center9 a.m. - Daily Exercise10 a.m. - Gildas Club at Senior Center3 p.m. - Daily Exercise4 p.m. Marcy & the Highlights at Senior

Center6 p.m. - Salem Church Service7 p.m. - Words of Peace8 p.m. - Daily Exercise9 p.m. Chatting with the Chamber10 p.m. Memorial Baptist at Historical

Society

Friday, Mar. 17 a.m. Marcy & the Highlights at Senior

Center1:30 p.m. - Chatting with the Chamber3 p.m. - Renters Assistance at Senior

Center5 p.m. - 2011 Wildcats Football8:30 p.m. - Renters Assistance at Senior

Center10 p.m. - Home Instead at Senior Center11 p.m. Gildas Club at Senior Center

Saturday, Mar. 28 a.m. Common Council from 2-25-1311 a.m. - Renters Assistance at Senior

Center1 p.m. - 2011 Wildcats Football4:30 p.m. Memorial Baptist at Historical

Society6 p.m. Common Council from 2-25-139 p.m. - Renters Assistance at Senior

Center10 p.m. - Memorial Baptist at Historical

Society11 p.m. - Gildas Club at Senior Center

Sunday, Mar. 37 a.m. - Hindu Cultural Hour9 a.m. Resurrection Church10 a.m. - Salem Church ServiceNoon - Common Council from 2-25-133 p.m. - Renters Assistance at Senior

Center4:30 p.m. - Memorial Baptist at Historical

Society

6 p.m. Common Council from 2-25-139 p.m. - Renters Assistance at Senior

Center10 p.m. Memorial Baptist at Historical

Society11 p.m. - Gildas Club at Senior Center

Monday, Mar. 47 a.m. Marcy & the Highlights at Senior

Center1:30 p.m. - Chatting with the Chamber3 p.m. - Renters Assistance at Senior

Center5 p.m. - 2011 Wildcats Football9 p.m. - Hindu Cultural Hour10 p.m. Home Instead at Senior Center11 p.m. Gildas Club at Senior Center

Tuesday, Mar. 57 a.m. Home Instead at Senior Center9 a.m. - Daily Exercise

10 a.m. - Gildas Club at Senior Center3 p.m. - Daily Exercise4 p.m. Marcy & the Highlights at Senior

Center6 p.m. - Resurrection Church8 p.m. - Words of Peace9 p.m. - Chatting with the Chamber10 p.m. - Memorial Baptist at Historical

Society

Wednesday, Mar. 67 a.m. Marcy & the Highlights at Senior

Center1:30 p.m. - Chatting with the Chamber

3 p.m. Renters Assistance at SeniorCenter

5 p.m. Common Council from 2-25-137 p.m. - Capital City Band8 p.m. Renters Assistance at Senior

Center10 p.m. - Home Instead at Senior Center11 p.m. Gildas Club at Senior Center

Thursday, Mar. 77 a.m. Home Instead at Senior Center9 a.m. - Daily Exercise10 a.m. Gildas Club at Senior Center3 p.m. - Daily Exercise4 p.m. Marcy & the Highlights at Senior

Center6 p.m. - Salem Church Service8 p.m. - Daily Exercise9 p.m. Chatting with the Chamber10 p.m. Memorial Baptist at Historical

Society

Whats on VHAT-98

Calling all churchesIs your service time changing? See a change that has yet

to be made? Please let us know so we can have the correctlisting in our church directories. Call Victoria at 845-9559ext. 249 or email [email protected].

Thursday, Feb. 28 10 a.m., Womens group discussion, Verona SeniorCenter, 845-7471 6-8 p.m., Business idea class, Verona Public Library,258-5450

Friday, March 1 9:30 a.m., The young and the restless session,Verona Public Library, 845-7180 5:45-8 p.m. Trivia Night to support Core KnowledgeCharter School, Fitchburg Community Center

Saturday, March 2 9 a.m., Rain garden workshop, Verona Public

Library, 845-7180Monday, March 4

6:30 p.m., City Plan Commission, City Hall 6:30 p.m., Bible discussion, Resurrection LutheranChurch, 6705 Wesner Road, 848-4965

Tuesday, March 5 9:15 a.m., RSVP info session, Verona Senior

Center, 845-7471 9:30 a.m., Hometown helpers, Verona SeniorCenter, 845-7471 6:30 p.m. Excel workshop, Verona Public Library,845-7180

Wednesday, March 6 9:30 10:30 a.m. Green eggs and ham breakfast,Verona Public Library, 845-7180

Thursday, March 7 5-8 p.m., Family Wellness Fair, Savanna OaksMiddle School, 5890 Lacy Road

Friday, March 8

9:30 a.m., Mens group Gary Kuzynski, VeronaSenior Center, 845-7471 12:30 p.m., Green and gold bingo, Verona SeniorCenter, 845-7471

Sunday, March 10Daylight Savings Time starts

Puttering and Other Ways to Savor LifeDuring my childhood, my father would often preface his trips to

the garage with the announcement that he was going downstairs toputter, often saying that he was just going to putter around in

the garage. What he usually ended up doing for the next few hourswas fixing broken toys, lamps or other appliances, or working onthe cars. I distinctly remember looking up the word putter afterhearing my father use the term, trust me, he puttered a lot, andchuckling when I read the definition: to occupy oneself with minor

or unimportant tasks. But even then I knew that what my fatherwas doing wasnt minor or unimportant. Seeing him fix brokenstuff around the house was an important lesson on the value ofresourcefulness, frugality, and helping others. Some of my most

productive days now are those lazy Saturdays when I putter aroundthe house, doing some housework perhaps between writing these

short pieces, and then maybe going for a walk. We never knowwhat we might find or how we might get inspired when we putter.You dont always need a prioritized list in order to get stuff done

or to savor life in all its glory. Sometimes you just need to take thetime to putter.

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holyname.

Psalm 103:1


7/9


8/9


Call us for a FREE consultation!

March 16th

!!!

35YearAnniversary35YearAnniversary35YEARS

March 14

th & 15th

UN271889

CRESS CENTER

ForLifesSpecialMoments

Youre Invited

Open HouseSunday, March 3, 2013

1pm to 4pmTour our brand new, just completed CRESS CENTER.

The perfect venue for memorials, funerals,special occasions and off-site meeting needs.

Join us for our coffee bar and snacks.

Cress Center

J. Stuart Todd

Action Fence

Air Temperature Services

AMC of Wisconsin, Inc.

Ascentives

Benjamin Plumbing

Best Specialties

Builders Millwork

Capitol Ceilings

Carpenter Glass

CGC

Chris Foss Contractor, Inc.

City of Madison

City Wide Insulation

Commercial Casework

Crowley Masonry

Electri-Tec

First Business Bank

Guttersmiths Roofing & Sheet Metal

Hallmark Drywall

Ivan Rice & Sons

Livesey Painting

Madigan Refrigeration

McFarlane Manufacturing

Niesen & Son Landscaping

Parisi Construction Co.

Peak Systems Group, Inc.

Protective Coating Specialists

Ryan Signs

Sergenians

South Central Contracting

Zander Insulation, Inc.

UN274295

Discover the Difference

Quality Education in a Rural Setting

(608) 845-3245 | www.KidsExpress.com

3276 S. High Point Road, Madison, WI 53719

LER b R ESbLShE 4K PRRm

Give your child every opportunity to explore with our advanced curriculum andwell rounded enrichment programs. With a full-day schedule and exceptional

child-to-teacher ratios, our nationally accredited program will prepare your child

for future success. Schedule a tour today!

UN266577

Photos by Jim Ferolie

Getting some cultureThis years Multicultural Leadership Club was the biggest ever, with 31 members from at least 13 dif-ferent ethnic backgrounds, and adviser Carri Hale couldnt have been happier. Johnnie Yang (left, per-forming Taylor Mails What Teachers Make in spoken word) wrote the script for the show while shegot to watch the process. She also called the audience the most mature yet.

Above, teachers and performers all dance to V.I.C.s Wobble Baby.

Below, Jarrell Homsely pirouettes along with others on the Wildcat Dance Team.

Julio Cesar Fuentes-Cruz works some electrifying hip-hop moves.

Catch some video

The Verona Press spliced somescenes from the show together toillustrate the variety of culture ondisplay. To see it, visit:

Right, Deanna Sagapolu (left)and Nghi Tuong sing a pop songin both Korean and English.


9/9


Verona Area High School

AP scores hit all-time highSETH JOVAAG

Unified Newspaper Group

For the second straight year, more Vero-na Area High School students who tackled

college-level courses last spring earnedpassing scores on year-end exams thanever before, according to data released lastweek by the state Department of PublicInstruction.

Nearly 21 percent of VAHS studentsin 2011-12 tackled Advanced Placementcourses that can earn them college credits,slightly lower than the 22 percent of stu-dents who took AP tests in 2010-11.

At the end of AP courses, students takehigh-stakes exams to see if theyve mas-tered the content. On a scale of 1 to 5, a3 is generally a passing score. VAHS stu-dents who took AP classes scored 3 or bet-ter on 82.6 percent of the exams. Thatsa 4-point increase from last year and thehighest percentage in 16 years of data.

Among 16 school districts in DaneCounty, VAHS ranked third trailing onlyMount Horeb (84 percent) and Oregon(83.9) high schools in terms of the per cent-age of students earning passing marks.

At VAHS, 313 students took a total of535 exams last year. In the 16 Dane Coun-ty school districts, VAHS ranked thirdbehind Middleton-Cross Plains and SunPrairie high schools in terms of how manykids took AP classes.

VAHS continues to struggle with lownumbers of minority students in AP cours-es, however.

Only five of 149 black students (4 per-cent) and five of 166 Hispanic students (3percent) enrolled in the courses, accordingto DPI data. Asian students provided thelone exception, as 12 of 52 eligible stu-dents (nearly 23 percent) took AP tests.

Female students bettered their malecounterparts, with 83.6 percent of girlsearning passing scores, compared with81.4 percent for the boys. Both were all-time highs.

VAHS offers 13 AP courses in subjectsranging from biology, calculus, English,history, psychology, music theory and sta-tistics, according to the high schools web-site.

Wisconsin ranks first in the 13-state

Midwest region in terms of how manyseniors scored 3 or better on an AP examlast year, with 20.6 percent, according toa DPI news release. Nationally, the figurewas 19.5 percent, and the state ranks 14thin that category, and 24th in terms of thepercentage of 2012 graduates who tookAP courses, according to an annual reportfrom the College Board.

The data from DPI can be viewed bygender and race and can be compared toother districts at its website, dpi.wi.gov.On the homepage, scroll to the tabnamed data and media and click on theWINNS link, then follow the prompts tosee VAHS results.

UN273011

Press launching revamped websiteOur news websites are get-

ting an overhaul this week.All four websites in Uni-

fied Newspaper Group willhave new websites, includingConnectVerona.com. Eachwill still have all your newsand photos plus new features.

Our websites will be goingin the direction many newssources are, which will beto have a pay wall for somecontent. This means read-ers who do not have print oronline subscriptions will paya small fee to look at morethan a few features.

Not everything will bebehind the wall, and thosewho choose not to pay willhave access to some content,as well as an allotted numberof articles to read.

But for those who do signup, you will receive fullaccess to an unlimited num-ber of articles, videos, accessto special sections and an

electronic edition.There will also be an addi-

tional website added for ourquarterly magazine, YourFamily.

New designThe websites will be

designed to please the eye withthe top stories on a slideshowwith the main photo. Our newlook will be more modern,clean and user-friendly.

The content will be thesame, but there will be moreand it will be easier to navi-gate.

Paywall, but not yetAlthough we are changing

to a paywall, we will transi-tion slowly to give everyonea chance to sign up.

At first, more content willbe available, but that willchange as time passes.

Easier to buy photos

All of our photos will beeasier to purchase. You canpurchase them right from thewebsites, and they will bemailed to you if you choosethat option.

SharingThe websites will also

allow for sharing of storiesand photos on your Face-book and Twitter feeds rightfrom the websites.Unified Newspaper Group

Verona Area School District

Officials criticize lack offunding in Walkers budgetSETH JOVAAG

Unified Newspaper Group

Gov. Scott Walkers pro-posal last week to freezespending limits for publicschools over the next twoyears didnt sit well withthe head of the VeronaArea School District.

Joining a chorus ofpublic school advocatescritical of Gov. Walkersproposed biennial bud-get, superintendent DeanGorrell said he was sur-prised and frustrated bythe Republican governorsplan. He called it a worst-case scenario for schoolsas the district heads intoits annual budget-planningprocess.

Its hard to imaginemany kinds of businessesthat are looking at long-term sustainability withthis kind of business mod-

el, he said.Walkers proposal callsfor raising state fundingfor public K-12 schoolsby $129.2 million overthe next two years, or 1percent annually. Thatboost in state aid couldlower property taxes. Butat the same time, districtscouldnt exceed currentspending limits withoutgoing to voters first, some-thing officials here haventdiscussed.

That could spell troublefor many districts, includ-ing Verona. Health insur-ance and ut i l i ty coststypically increase year toyear. Even modest salaryincreases for staff coulddrive costs up hundreds ofthousands of dollars more,since salaries are the vast

majority of the budget.Walkers proposed bud-get still requires passageby state lawmakers, whichcould take weeks or evenmonths. Many critics arecalling for a compromisethat will allow districtsto raise revenue caps byat least $100 per student,which would mean nearlya half-million dollars morein spending authority forVASDs 2013-14 budget.

Gorrell and businessmanager Chris Murphysaid in a conference calllast week that they need

more information fromstate education leadersabout the impact of Walk-

ers proposals before deter-mining how much fund-ing each of the districts10 schools will receive in2013-14. Its too early tosay if class sizes, staffinglevels or programs will beaffected, Gorrell said.

But typically, staffingdecisions are made by mid-April so the district canissue contracts to teachers.

We can t wai t t oolong, Gorrell said. Wecant wait until June to doour budget.

Continuing trendUntil several years ago,

districts typically couldincrease annual spendingby roughly $270 per stu-dent. That fell to $200 perstudent in 2010 under for-mer Gov. Jim Doyle, who

was facing a massive bud-get deficit.Then Walkers 2011-13

biennium budget furthercut spending limits. Veronaschools had to cut spend-ing by $550 per student,or roughly $2 million, in2011. That cut was mostlyoffset by greater pensioncontributions required ofpublic employees underAct 10, the controversiallaw that sparked wide-spread protests in spring2011.

Las t year , spend ingwas allowed to increaseby about $100 per studentto $10,539, bringing theVASD budget to roughly$57 million.

Before last week, Gor-rell said he had anticipatedspending limits next year

would increase by at least$100 per student, and stateSuperintendent Tony Evershad called for a $225-per-student increase.

School boards have thepower to choose whetherto spend up to the revenuecaps. With Walkers pro-posal to freeze spendinglimits, that local controlis eroded, Gorrell said.

I understand that its away to provide propertytax relief, but it does takeaway yet another decisionthat the board has to make,in my opinion, he said.

Critics aboundSince Walkers budget

address last week, manypublic school advocateshave joined leading Demo-crats in chastising the pro-posal, which includes a $73million boost in taxpayer-funded aid to expand vouch-er schools to several newcities, including Madison.Evers, the Wisconsin Asso-ciation of School Boards andthe School AdministratorsAlliance all released blister-ing statements. The SAAcalled it the worst statebudget for public school stu-dents in Wisconsin history.

Local Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts of District 80,the ranking Democrat onthe Assemblys educationcommittee, blasted the planon her Facebook page:

A 24% increase in over-all private voucher school

spending and a 0% increasefor public schools? That isnot acceptable, she wrote.

Fellow Democrat Sen.Jon Erpenbach of Middle-ton, said Walkers proposalfor K-12 funding has deep-ened a political divide.

Its getting to the pointwhere youre either forpublic education or yourefor private education,Erpenbach told BarabooSchool Board membersMonday, according to thePortage Daily Register.Those are the lines thatare being drawn.

Walkers proposal alsocalls for a new perfor-mance incentive grantprogram that, beginningin 2014-15, sets aside $64million to reward schoolsthat score well or showimprovement on the statesnew school report cards.

Five local schools Country View and StonerPrairie elementary schools,Core Knowledge and NewCentury charter schools andVerona Area High School scored in the top two tiers ofthat new system this spring,which could qualify themfor rewards. But Gorrell saidthat how, exactly, that pro-gram could affect Veronaare still unknown.

We dont have any insideinformation, he said. Wereplaying that waiting game.

See website for

information on other

classes and more

www.springdaleyoga.com

437-4082

New Monthly Class2-Hour Joint Movement Flow

Sat., March 9, 10:30 a.m.

Free Newcomers ClassSat., March 2, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Beginning Yoga ClassesTues. 6:30 p.m. & Fri. 8:30 a.m.

8435 Cty. Rd. PDBetween Verona & Mt. Horeb

UN269829

Of 16 school districts in Dane County,Verona ranked:

3rd 3rd

AP scoresFor VAHS

verona press

Documents