
The Civics Academy
Beloit Public Library’s Know Your Local Government and the City of Beloit’s Community Academy have merged to form a new program, The Civics Academy. Beloit Public Library (BPL) will host The Civics Academy as a lunch-and-learn at the library and will include presentations on public finance, city services, and other topics that are important to our community. The goal is to inform residents about their local government and community and, in turn, support positive change in the City of Beloit. The inaugural series will run October 2024 through June 2025.
Lunch is on us! The Civics Academy is sponsored by Stateline Community Foundation and Beloit Public Library Foundation. Each session includes a free lunch when you are one of the first 25 to register in advance. To register, click the corresponding “register” link below, visit the event on the library’s online calendar, or call (608)364-2905.
2024-25 Lineup
Fall 2024
Welcome/Launch: City of Beloit, strategic plan, and opportunities and challenges
Jerry Gabrielatos, City of Beloit City Manager
View Jerry Gabrielatos’ Slides
View Jerry Gabrielatos’ Presentation
Public Finance Part 1: Public finance, the property tax bill, and understanding reevaluation
Eric Miller, City of Beloit Finance & Administrative Services Director, and Lauri Maldonis, City of Beloit Property Appraiser
View Eric Miller and Lauri Maldonis’ Slides
View Eric Miller and Lauri Maldonis’ Presentation
Understanding School District Report Cards Panel Discussion: Changes in How the State Evaluates the Effectiveness of Wisconsin’s Schools
Colleston Morgan, Jr., City Forward Collective Executive Director, and Alan Borsuk, Marquette University Senior Fellow in Law and Public Policy
View the Slides
View the Panel Discussion
Public Finance Part 2: City of Beloit, expenditures, and revenues
Eric Miller, City of Beloit Finance & Administrative Services Director
View Eric Miller’s Slides
View Eric Miller’s Presentation
Unveiling of the School District of Beloit DataTool
Jason Stein, Wisconsin Policy Forum President, and Sara Shaw, Wisconsin Policy Forum Deputy Research Director
View Jason and Sara’s Presentation Slides
View Jason and Sara’s Presentation
Check out the SDB DataTool
Winter 2025
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Topic: K-12 Public Education Funding in the State of Wisconsin
Presenter: Brad Boll, School District of Beloit Turner Director of Business Services
Location: Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Boulevard
Time: 12:00-1:15 p.m.
View Brad Boll’s Slides
View Brad Boll’s Presentation
Wednesday, February 19, 2024
Topic: School District of Beloit Finance
Presenter: Bob Chady, School District of Beloit Executive Director of Business Services
Location: Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Boulevard
Time: 12:00-1:15 p.m.
Register for a free lunch
Wednesday, March 19, 2024
Topic: How Changing Demographics Impact Wisconsin’s Economy
Presenter: Dale Knapp, Forward Analytics Director, and Drew Pennington, City of Beloit Economic Development Director
Location: Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Boulevard
Time: 12:00-1:15 p.m.
Register for a free lunch
Spring 2025
Spring dates and presenters to be announced at a later date.
