Dear East Troy Families,

As we enter Thanksgiving week, we are reminded of the many reasons we have to be grateful as a school community. While the dedication of our teachers and the achievements of our learners are often visible and celebrated, there are several departments whose outstanding work happens largely behind the scenes. Their efforts ensure that our schools operate safely, efficiently, and with care every single day. This week, we want to extend heartfelt gratitude to four of these essential teams: Transportation, Food Service, Buildings & Grounds, and Information Technology.

Transportation Department
Our Transportation Department plays a vital role in the daily lives of our learners. Last year alone, the team logged an impressive 250,864 miles across buses and vans, safely transporting students to and from school, athletic events, field trips, and specialized learning environments. Their commitment to safety is further demonstrated through strong partnerships with Village, Township, and County Sheriff departments, resulting in 112 red-runner violations submitted last year to protect students from motorists who fail to stop for school bus red lights. Their work was recognized statewide when our Transportation Director earned 2nd place in the Safety Presentation competition at the Wisconsin School Bus Association Convention. Additionally, their revised morning bus discharge procedures have enhanced safety while reducing fuel consumption—a thoughtful improvement benefiting both student well-being and district resources.

Food Service Department
Our Food Service staff continues to make remarkable progress and provide meaningful experiences for students. The department has significantly reduced its negative balance—from $29,221.64 in March 2024 to $6,968.15 in October 2025, a testament to responsible stewardship and hard work. For two consecutive years, East Troy has proudly participated in DPI’s “Around the World in 80 Trays” initiative, offering students and staff the opportunity to taste foods from 12 different countries, with planning already underway for 2026. The department also achieved a major milestone by successfully passing its DPI Administrative Review in November 2024, and we are proud to recognize our Director of Food Service, who was named DPI’s School Nutrition Superhero of the Month in January 2025.

Buildings & Grounds
Our Facilities team ensures that our learning environments remain safe, clean, and welcoming. They maintain over 400,000 square feet of indoor space—the equivalent of nearly seven football fields—each and every day. Outdoors, our grounds crew manages just under 100 acres, including lawns, athletic fields, and playgrounds, all of which require continuous mowing, lining, and safety upkeep. Their focus on efficiency has also led to impactful cost-saving measures; since June 2025, energy initiatives in the high school boiler room and gym have resulted in more than $8,000 in savings, all within the first six months of implementation.

Information Technology Department
Our IT Department works tirelessly to keep the district connected and running smoothly. So far this school year, the team has successfully completed 427 technology support tickets, on top of countless email and in-person requests. Our streamed Board meetings have been viewed over 1,200 times, helping families stay informed and engaged. Across the district, an average of 1,100 devices are connected to our Wi-Fi system each school day, ensuring reliable access for teaching, learning, and testing. Additionally, through ParentSquare, the IT team has supported 570 posts and 7,559 direct messages, allowing us to maintain clear and consistent communication with families.

During this season of gratitude, we extend our sincere appreciation to these dedicated teams. Their work may not always be in the spotlight, but their impact is felt in every classroom, every activity, and every safe, successful school day in East Troy.

Thank you for your continued support of our district, and we wish your family a warm, restful, and joyful Thanksgiving.

With gratitude,

East Troy Community School District