The Prairie du Chien Board of Education went through their annual reorganization and approved HSR Associates as the architect of the Bluff View remodel, among other matters, between two meetings on April 29 and May 11.

After reorganization, Noah White became the board president and Michael Higgins, Jr. assumed the role of vice president via unanimous decisions.

Other board assignments include Lacie Anthony as the board clerk, Dustin Brewer as the treasurer and Jackie Rodenberg as the secretary.

Kyle Maahs remained the WASB delegate, and Brewer will continue as the delegate for CESA 3.

Salary increases

The board approved pay raises for the teachers and support staff during the April 29 special meeting.

Teachers were given a $1,666 raise, while support staff were given three percent for the 2026–27 school year.

The raises for the faculty bring the starting pay up to $43,766. This puts the district in the middle of CESA 3 starting salaries (15th out of 31, according to Banasik) and makes the schools more viable for recruiting new staff.

District Administrator Andy Banasik claimed Iowa teachers’ starting pay is $50,000, making it more difficult for border schools like Prairie du Chien to recruit new staff.

He added that between the increases in salaries and health insurance, the district is taking on $400,000 that needs to fit into its budget even though the district’s revenue is dropping each year due to declining enrollment.

Money from the operational referendum can be used to pay employee salaries and costs because they qualify as daily operating expenses. The district will receive $975,000 for three years as part of the passed referendum.

“We need a server, we need raises, and we need insurance; those are operating costs,” said Banasik.

Bluff View construction

The board chose to work with HSR Associates, out of La Crosse, for architectural services on the Bluff View remodel slated for this summer.

The project includes work on bathrooms, fixtures and room access to accommodate the younger students moving over from B.A. Kennedy. According to Banasik, construction work may begin as early as mid-June. The goal is to get the bathrooms and other necessities done in Bluff View before the start of the next school year.

Banasik said the district will have to pay a flat $20,000 for HSR’s services, regardless of the overall cost of the project, which includes getting state-approved plans.

“They’ve reduced that for us... It’s a real minimal cost to get the plans and get our construction team put together,” he said.

He estimated those services could’ve cost between $40,000 and $70,000 because they’re typically based on a percentage of the project’s total price.

Banasik said the district is looking at local contractors to do the remodel work. HSR hired Weiser Brothers, out of La Crescent, Minn., for construction management. 

“Weiser Brothers will put out the bids for the plumbing, painting, flooring, etc. to see what that’s going to be,” said Banasik.

Funding for the project will likely include money gained through the sale of the housing properties earlier this year (which is more than $300,000) and the district’s fund balance. Banasik said the district didn’t have a total cost for the project at the time of the May 11 meeting.

The district has money squirreled away in their Fund 46 initially earmarked for roofing improvements to B.A. Kennedy, but that money cannot be used until the fall of 2028.

“We’re looking at what we can get done construction-wise,” said Banasik. “We can get our bathrooms done and then plan a second part of construction that might not be until 2028.”

He suggested a second part of the construction process, should it happen, might include storage space, counters and other fixtures.

In attendance at the May 11 meeting were Nick Gilberts, Higgins, Jr., Brewer, White, Anthony, Maahs and Justin Campbell. Banasik and the district principals were also present.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for June 8.

Hires

Alex Montana, sixth grade teacher; Melissa Wojick, sixth grade teacher; Emma Arneson, intern; Cadence Calkins, intern; Bryce Acherman, sixth grade teacher; and Matt Mezera, special education teacher.

Resignations

Bailey Sternitske, 7th/8th grade volleyball coach; Katherine Mannel, high school art teacher; Kathleen Hein, middle and high school math teacher; Heather DeBruin, high school English teacher and student council advisor; Todd McDonald, middle school math; Diana Cody, B.A. Kennedy food service; Abby White, third grade teacher; Heather Roesch, Bluff View teacher’s aide; Chelsea White, kindergarten teacher; Katie Tonne, Bluff View teacher’s aide; Torey Bartels, physical education teacher; Jill Ahrens, district music teacher; Stewart Slaman, middle school band and elementary music teacher; and Leslie Yager, Bluff View teacher.

Other business

• the district’s health insurance coverage with UMR increased in cost by 14 percent. The employees pay 14 percent, and the employer pays 86 percent.
• the 2026 Class Night will be held on Wednesday, May 20, at 6 p.m. in the PAAC; graduation is scheduled for Friday, May 22, at 7 p.m. in the Fieldhouse; and the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony is set for Wednesday, June 3, at 6 p.m. in the PAAC.
• approved the purchase of a new server for $100,000 and extended the IT contract with Dependable Solutions to 2031. The servers can be purchased with money from the referendum. According to Banasik, the current equipment is seven years old.
• The board tabled the acceptance of bids for a new van. The board will reexamine it at a future meeting.
  

From the Letters to the Editor section...

Editor,

I spoke during the May 11 Prairie du Chien School Board meeting regarding instructional time and school scheduling asking the board to conduct data collection regarding the following:

After reviewing regional school calendars, bell schedules, and DPI report card data, I found that Prairie du Chien schedules significantly more instructional time than many surrounding districts, yet those same districts are producing comparable or, in some cases, stronger academic outcomes.

That should prompt a serious question: If we are requiring more time, are we seeing a return on that investment?

This is not a criticism, it is an opportunity.

Research and experience both show that student engagement, regulation, and instructional quality drive learning outcomes. More time in a seat does not automatically translate to more learning, especially when students are fatigued, disengaged, or frequently pulled from instruction for activities, appointments, or scheduling conflicts.

In reality, we are operating one of the longest schedules in the area while still losing instructional continuity in inconsistent ways.

In most industries, when a system becomes stretched, inefficient, or produces inconsistent results, leaders don’t just continue adding time, they step back and evaluate the structure. Education deserves that same level of thoughtful analysis.

Neighboring districts are already approaching this differently. Some have built in early release structures or more flexible schedules that allow for staff collaboration, planning, and more intentional use of instructional time, while maintaining strong outcomes.

This conversation also ties directly to issues our community cares deeply about: staff retention, recruitment, student behavior, and long-term enrollment. School structure is not separate from those challenges, it is part of them.

If we want Prairie du Chien to remain competitive and sustainable, we should be willing to evaluate whether our current model is working as effectively as it could.

I am not suggesting immediate change, but I am strongly encouraging a formal, data-informed review of instructional time and scheduling structure. Even small, thoughtful adjustments could have meaningful impact.

This is not about doing less. It is about doing better, with intention.

Cassie Hubanks

Prairie du Chien