School board does not reverse cutting programs
The Prairie du Chien Board of Education did not reverse cutting the orchestra and gymnastics programs during their May 12 meeting.
The board convened on April 28 for a special meeting to hear appeals from both programs, which were both announced as part of the school's budget cuts.
Banasik called the second meeting an "information gathering session."
At the May 12 meeting, Carrie Perkins, a parent in the school district, voiced her support for the orchestra. Members of the gymnastics program were also present for the meeting.
"I was extremely disappointed to hear that the board has apparently decided to take no action to reinstate the club and instead chose to [leave stand] the decision to cut the club entirely," she said.
Perkins said that the club managed to raise enough money for the next year in less than a week. She added that grant opportunities were available for the program in future years.
Orchestra advisor Adam Stout said that the program raised nearly $10,000 from donations in that time.
"There is absolutely no reason that the club cannot exist in the district as a zero-dollar line item," she told the board. "If there's a legitimate reason for the board doing this, I suggest the board make that reason public."
Elected Officials
The board voted to establish their officials for the next year.
Two positions went to vote. Nick Gilberts will serve as board president after defeating Lonnie Achenbach four votes to three.
Gilberts served as the board's vice president for 2023 and 2024.
Achenbach previously served as the board president during the 2023–24 school year. Michael Higgins, Jr. succeeded him.
Noah White will act as vice president for the upcoming year. Noah joined the board in April 2024. He succeeds Gilberts after defeating Higgins, Jr., four votes to three.
The board unanimously elected Lacie Anthony as the board's clerk, and Dustin Brewer remained the treasurer. Jackie Rodenberg will continue as the board's secretary.
Brewer will also remain the district's CESA delegate, while Kyle Maahs takes over Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) duties.
Maahs is the newest member of the board, succeeding Jim Hackett, who did not seek reelection this past April.
In attendance were Achenbach, Higgins Jr., Maahs, White, Gilberts, Anthony and Brewer. Also in attendance were District Administrator Andy Banasik, Business Official Vicki Waller and the district's principals.
Hires
Jacob Marshall, physical education/health teacher and varsity boys basketball coach, and Jake Carpenter, head high school wrestling coach.
Resignations
Pat Bender, high school food service; Cory Willhite, 5th and 6th grade flag football coach; Amy Pellock, high school food service; Jacob Shaw, high school custodian; Dawn Stevenson, high school food service; Paul Carroll, JV girls basketball coach; Don Lester, high school custodian; Kristine Rogge, 4th grade teacher; Cory Koenig, head high school football coach; and Randy Schneider, JV boys basketball coach.
Other business
• 5th grade teachers Angie Voelzke and Leslie Yager gave a presentation from their educator flight experience. Another teacher, Jackie Tolle, also participated in the activity.
• The high school graduation ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 25, at 2 p.m. at the High School Fieldhouse. Class Night will take place on May 21 at 6 p.m. at the High School Competition Gym, with the award ceremony taking place an hour later in the Prairie du Chien Area Arts Center.
