“I believe the future of Fennimore Schools is bright,” is how Fennimore Elementary School Principal Carmen Burkum announced her retirement from the position to the Fennimore School Board effective June 30, 2025., during their December meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Burkum, who has been the principal at Fennimore Elementary School for the last 13 years, a teacher for 25 years before then, as well as a student, held back tears as she said that the school was her “second home,” and she enjoyed “greeting her students every day, while talking, laughing and hearing their stories.”
“Each day has been fulfilling,” Burkum went on to say. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with my grandchildren and relaxing with my husband.”
She also thanked the elementary school staff and school board members (some of who also became emotional during her announcement) for their support over the years.
Board member Herman Maier called for the board to approve Burkum’s retirement “with mixed emotion,” which was seconded and unanimously approved, with Fennimore School Board President saying, ”regretfully yes” when giving his yes vote.
Fennimore School District Administrator Jane Wonderling also stated “I’ve worked with many school administrators in my 40 years, and Carmen stands out as the best.”
Part of the bright future Burkum referred to is the remodeling project for the buildings in the district, which broke ground back at the middle/high school on Nov. 13.
Keith Ralph of PSI, and project manager for the referendum project spoke to the board via Zoom and provided updates on the construction.
Ralph stated the project is “going fantastic and the weather has been cooperating,” with only one day of work missed due to weather.
“It’s been a busy couple of weeks,” Ralph said. “There’s a big hole in the ground, but we expect walls to be going up soon.”
He went on to say that the field lights and fencing are also being worked on and they will be ready for baseball season.
The next major part, the gym roof replacement will be starting soon, he added, and he will continue to update the board as progress continues.
He then showed a week by week video of the work done at the middle/high school.
Ralph also noted some of the local businesses assisting in the remodeling project such as H&N Plumbing, Heating and Electrical, Pagel Services, Bard Materials, New Horizons and the Fenway House.
Wonderling added that the project was “with Mother Nature cooperating, the project is on budget and ahead of schedule.”
She also added the school’s website will have updates and videos week by week.
The sixth and seventh grade student council members gave presentations to the board of their Wyalusing and Washington D.C. trips.
The sixth graders attended Wyalusing Oct. 21-23, while the seventh graders traveled to Washington D.C. Oct. 21-25.
Each grade showed student interviews stating their favorite parts of their respective trip, and each trip had a video montage with accompanying AI generated original, trip specific music.
The board also went over their 2024 audit report which Wonderling stated was “perfect and clean” regarding the district’s expenses, fund balance, revenue, etc.
The board approved donations from Cardinal Glass for light vacs for the district’s vans and buses, and a $775 donation from the Maroon and Gold Club towards a new photo backdrop.
Lastly, the board also approved two grants awarded to the district. One from Amcor for $5,200 towards the purchase of a new basketball shooting machine, and $3.500 from the Green Bay Packers Foundation for $3,500 towards new fitness equipment.
The next meeting of the School Board of the Fennimore Community School District will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at 6 p.m., in the cafeteria of Fennimore Elementary School.
