A Formula for Thriving Amid Wisconsin’s Teacher Shortage Crisis
In a State Grappling with Record Teacher Shortages, Slinger School District Has More Qualified Candidates than Positions, Thanks to an Unprecedented Level of Community Investment.
In an era when Wisconsin school districts face historic teacher shortages, Slinger School District presents a striking contradiction. While the state issued 3,197 emergency teaching licenses in 2022, and districts report receiving a fraction of their previous applicant pools, this small community northwest of Milwaukee turns away qualified candidates. The difference lies not in salary, schedules, or facilities, but in something far more elusive: genuine community investment.
“Seventy percent of our teachers and staff are either Slinger graduates, current residents, or parents and/or grandparents of students in the district,” explains Superintendent Kristi Brooks. “When the individuals working with our youth every day have such deep roots in the community, there’s a powerful investment in student success and a shared expectation for high-quality learning.”
The numbers tell a deeper story about community values and economics. Washington County, home to Slinger, has a median household income of $95,851—well above the state average—with manufacturing, healthcare, and retail driving local employment. Only 11% of district students qualify for free or reduced lunch, compared to state averages over 40%.
Teaching Excellence and Academic Approach
While Wisconsin faces a 15.8% teacher turnover rate—the highest in 14 years—Slinger’s educators remain focused on continuous improvement rather than basic staffing concerns. The district uses a data-driven model centered on student outcomes, yielding strong results: 75% of students meet or exceed the state benchmark in reading and 84% in math, according to the most recently published Forward Exam data from the Department of Public Instruction (WiseDash Public Portal).
Slinger has embraced structured literacy since 2019, positioning itself ahead of statewide initiatives now gaining momentum. The approach emphasizes phonics, phonemic awareness, and what educators call the science of reading. “We’re seeing great results, and while our Spring 2025 data is still embargoed, I’ll say it’s the highest on record,” Brooks states.>
Technology Integration and Innovation
Educational technology debates often polarize between digital-first advocates and traditional instruction defenders, but Slinger has found a practical middle ground that serves pedagogical goals and industry preparation. Rather than pursuing one-to-one device initiatives popular in many districts, the school strategically deploys technology where it adds genuine value to learning outcomes.
“While our students have access to chromebooks, we are not a one-to-one district,” explains Russ Hermann, Technology and Engineering instructor. ” However, the district has made a financial commitment to build and maintain computer labs in all Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms that require professional-grade software aligned with industry standards.”
Artificial intelligence is another area where Slinger takes a measured approach rather than blanket adoption or prohibition “Our policy prioritizes academic honesty, and we embrace the use of AI as long as it aligns with that principle,” Brooks states. “We believe it is important for students to engage with AI responsibly.”
Marketing educator Kim Smessaert has integrated AI tools like Adobe Express into her curriculum, teaching students to craft detailed prompts for image generation in advertising projects. “I’m all for AI. I think we just have to educate kids on how to do it properly,” Smessaert explains. “It doesn’t take them out of being the creator of it. They are still ultimately at the helm of exactly what they want to create.” The approach treats AI as another professional tool requiring skill and judgment rather than a replacement for creative thinking.
Career Readiness and Real-World Learning
American businesses increasingly struggle to find skilled workers as baby boomers retire faster than younger employees can replace them, creating opportunities for districts that prepare students for immediate workforce entry. Slinger’s career and technical education programs have built relationships with employers within a 30-minute radius, creating pipelines that benefit students and local industry.
The district operates a school-based enterprise that functions as a fully operational retail store under strict DECA guidelines. “We have a school-based enterprise, which is our store,” explains Smessaert. “Students can apply for a management role in their junior or senior year. Not only do they gain experience in entry-level marketing, but the position also functions as a credited internship—they’re on the payroll and responsible for opening, closing, training, and inventory.”
The program’s success has earned recognition on a global stage through DECA, which serves over 297,000 members worldwide. “We compete at our district level, we go to our state level, and then we’ve been fortunate for the last 20 years or so to qualify for the international level,” Smessaert notes. “We’ve placed first at internationals twice in the last few years. We’ve had a 3rd place run and top 10 just this last year.”
College Pathways and Academic Achievement
Rising college costs and student debt concerns have prompted many districts to explore dual enrollment programs that allow students to earn credits while completing high school. Slinger has developed comprehensive partnerships that save families substantial money while providing genuine college-level instruction on campus.
“We primarily partner with Moraine Park Technical College and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh,” Brooks explains. “Last year, 242 students earned 666 credits through Moraine Park, saving families over $100,000 in tuition.” These savings provide meaningful financial relief in a district where college attendance rates surpass state averages.
The partnership with UW–Oshkosh operates seamlessly through a unique and effective arrangement. “Several of our high school teachers are certified as adjunct professors through the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh,” Brooks explains. “This allows them to offer UW–Oshkosh courses right on our campus, providing students with the opportunity to earn transcripted college credit at a reduced tuition rate.”
Post-graduation outcomes mirror the district’s dual focus on college and career preparation. “About 65% of our high school students go on to a four-year college, 15% to a two-year college, and then the remaining are going into military or workforce apprenticeship,” Brooks states. The distribution aligns with national trends of diversified post-secondary pathways rather than universal four-year college expectations.
Infrastructure and Financial Stewardship
School construction projects nationwide often strain community budgets and test taxpayer patience, yet successful districts demonstrate that strategic facility investments can enhance educational outcomes while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Slinger’s approach to capital improvements follows careful planning and community priorities that go beyond basic classroom needs.
“The majority of our funds support the people who make student learning possible—our teachers, staff, and support teams—through salaries, benefits, and other operating costs,” Brooks explains. “We also invest in maintaining and improving our facilities to create safe, modern learning environments. Beyond that, we direct resources into curriculum, technology, and classroom experiences that impact student success.”
The district continues to service referendum debt from 2017, which funded major improvements to key educational spaces. “We added a performing arts center, completely renovated our STEM and STEAM areas at the high school, and updated components of every other school,” Brooks notes. “The performing arts center has become a community hub, used by student and local groups for a variety of performances.”
Recognition for educational excellence continues to grow. The district earned designation as the 2025 Best Community for Music Education, a reflection of its strong commitment to the arts. “We’re also very strong in the arts,” Brooks emphasizes, noting that recent facility upgrades have allowed the district to expand programming and provide more opportunities for student involvement across music, theater, and visual arts.
Future Vision and Sustained Excellence
Educational leaders often face mounting pressures to innovate while maintaining proven practices, particularly as demographic shifts and economic uncertainties reshape community expectations. Slinger’s leadership approach prioritizes incremental improvement over dramatic transformation, recognizing that sustainable excellence requires steady evolution rather than radical change.
“Ensuring that we continue to provide a high-quality education for our students while maintaining a low tax burden is a priority,” Brooks states. “Our community values this approach and takes pride in the fact that we operate efficient, well-managed schools with high-performing students and well-compensated teachers—all within a balanced budget,” Brooks explains.
The district remains focused on refining its existing strengths rather than implementing wholesale reform. “There’s no area in need of drastic change—it’s about taking the next best step by making thoughtful adjustments and evolving to meet the needs we’re seeing around us,” Brooks explains.
Personal fulfillment drives educator retention in ways that transcend compensation discussions. “The continued relationships that you can maintain with the students” motivates Smessaert. Hermann echoes this sentiment: “I like the smile on the faces. I like the light bulb that goes on. I like the confusion that gets wiped out of the eyes of a student because they figured something out.”
Slinger’s success story offers a counter narrative to crisis-driven education headlines. Through community investment, strategic partnerships, and a focus on student outcomes, the district demonstrates that excellence emerges from sustained efforts rather than revolutionary approaches. In an era of educational uncertainty, such stability becomes its own form of innovation.
AT A GLANCE
Who: Slinger School District
What: Public school district serving 3,271 students across five schools with nationally recognized DECA program, dual enrollment partnerships, and 2025 Best Community for Music Education designation
Where: Slinger, Washington County, Wisconsin
Website: www.slinger.k12.wi.us
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