Gardners Row #147
Appleton, WI 54915

Horrible experience. My child attended MJSD for most of her childhood. Maplewood by far, is the worst. My child has diagnosed PTSD and the counselors dismissed her and said that she was taking advantage of needing help. Absolutely no empathy. Now that we have changed school districts, my daughter is actually healing from her trauma. We have also heard from therapy consultants that they know this school is horrible with empathy and caring for students. There are also daily fights in the hallways.

I have 2 children that go here and I have always had wonderful feedback from my children about their teachers and other staff. They truly care about the students, in and out of school, even those who aren't their daily teachers. And the teachers work hard to help the students to strive in school, as a student, friend, role model to other kids, and as our children. I couldn't ask for better teachers for my kids.

Menasha School District has a serious problem with administration. The turn-over of superintendents is very high: We ve had four different ones in the last ten years, and the current one is already on his way out. It seems like they stay in Menasha just long enough to reach retirement or to get a little job experience before moving on to a better school district. The results of excessive administration turn-over are ruining the district: Important decisions are not being made, new programs are started but not finished, there is no follow-through on existing programs, there is a lack of commitment, they have little familiarity with the teachers and staff, and they have absolutely no engagement with the community. I don t recall of any of our current or past superintendents who actually bothered to move and live in Menasha. The current superintendent is frequently nowhere to be found: He lives north of Milwaukee, about a 1 hour and 45 minute drive south of Menasha, and he apparently likes to work from home. He s not a committed Hands-On type of administrator that is sorely needed in Menasha. We are in serious need of new administrators with strong hands-on leadership skills.