Many updates and decisions were made at the nearly three hour marathon meeting of Fennimore Community School Board on Wednesday, March 19.
District Bookkeeper Chad Freymiller started the meeting off with the districts financial report, which in his words looks to “break even” with a forecasted balanced budget.
During his report to the board, Freymiller stated that there could be a possible surplus, with general repairs coming in below estimates, but there could be less open enrollment money with student’s “coming and going,” but into nearly 75% of the fiscal school year which refreshes July 1, a balanced budget is still forecasted.
District Administrator Jane Wonderling then gave a update of the district’s construction/remodeling project.
As pictured in the Times two weeks, the light poles on the baseball field are up and should be “hooked up” by the end of the month.
The fencing and steel poles for the field will also be installed this week and concrete is being poured for the new fitness center.
The planning for the new gym roof is complete and the south gym will close April 14.
Lastly, during the spring break week the elementary school elevator will begin being replaced.
“It’s all been exciting and a great experience and we’re making good progress as the expensive items start to happen” Wonderling stated to the board.
Hirings
A number of hiring were approved by the board. Alisha Richard, current school counselor at Cassville, and a former assistant den of students at UW-Platteville was approved as the 4K-12 dean of students.
Jordan Reuter was hired as the new elementary and middle school physical education and health teacher, replacing the retiring Jim Prochaska. Reuter currently teaches at Prairie du Chien, but was a student teacher for district as well as a long term substitute during the 2022-23 school year.
A current student teacher, Morgan Lindquist, hiring as a 2nd grade teacher was also approved, as well current staff members Kelly Ahnen and Samantha Goss being approved as the new public relations coordinators for the district.
Federal cuts and Department of Education dismantling
Wonderling stated that many staff members have contacted her with concerns over the recent 50% cuts of the workforce staff at the U.S.Department of Education (USDE) , which how now turned into a proposed full dismantling of the agency by President Donald Trump’s executive signed on March 20.
Closing the USDE still would requires Congress to pass a law repealing its creation.
Wonderling stated she meet with school staff and informed them that there will be no cuts to the staff in the district and the district currently has a “healthy fund balance.”
Wonderling stated how state funds are received will shift and things will change, but the district will adapt to whatever changes occur.
Board President Peter James stated the district is “thankful that we have the fund balance to weather us through this,” and has seen how many surrounding districts were struggling before the possible federal cuts.
Wonderling also stated that many of the employment applications for position the district has received as of late have stated their reason for leaving their former positions were staff cuts and/or failed operating referendums.
Going along with the possible USDE dismantling, Fennimore Elementary School Principal Carmen Burkum presented to the board the school’s plan to shift to provide school wide Title I services, giving the school more flexibility to help all students.
Burkum stated the school would have to be approved at the state level, then at the federal level after.
Board member Margaret Sprague asked what would happen should the DOE dismantling take place.
Burkum stated if that would happen, they “pivot and keep going forward.”
Trump has said since last Wedneday’s board meeting that his administration will close the department beyond its “core necessities,” preserving its responsibilities for Title I funding for low-income schools, Pell grants, money for children with disabilities, and also continue to manage federal student loans.
Washington D.C. trip
There was quite a bit of discussion on the future of annual 7th grade trip to Washington D.C., namely the funding the trip.
The costs are increasing every year, and going along with the possible federal funds cuts the district can only cover so much of the cost of the yearly trip.
The 2025 trip based on district responsibility, and forecasted fundraising is all be set, but the 2026 trip and beyond was more of a concern.
After a half hour brainstorming session with lots of ideas discussed, the board approved that the district responsibility financially would have a set amount each year, and the reminding would come from new and expanded fund raisers and volunteer donations.
Nearly every board member emphasized how important the yearly trip is to the students and not wanting to see it have to dissolve.
Other business
JoAnn Wiederholt of the Fennimore Community Scholarship Foundation gave a brief update to the board.
Last year the foundation helped award 81 scholarships to 44 graduating senior, and hoped to have at least two new scholarships for this year’s class.
She also stated there would be an alumni golf outing on July 19, at Hickory Grove Golf Course, with the proceeds going to both the scholarship foundation and the Maroon and Gold Club.
Lastly, the board approved two coaching resignations, Nicole Kauffman as middle school cross country coach, and Coby Zwiefelhofer as JV boys basketball coach.
The next meeting of the Fennimore School Board will be on Wednesday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Fennimore Elementary School.
