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PdC school district working to tackle void of 32 leaving

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By Correne Martin

 

Thirty-two teachers, aides, administration and custodians are leaving the Prairie du Chien Area School District following the 2021-2022 school year. Included in that number are 12 retirements, according to district records. 

Superintendent Andy Banasik said there is not just one reason that can be pinpointed for the high number of resignations and retirements, and that this is “not just in education; the whole workforce is different.”

“I think the Act 10 fallout is hitting home, and coming out of the Covid pandemic, some teachers feel a lack of support,” Banasik suggested. “For kids in general, there’s a slower maturing process after Covid.”

He also noted that a few resignations were due to a change in the family structure, where spouses took different jobs. Still, others took early retirement or found other opportunities outside of education. 

Furthermore, life’s short, he recognized. “Also, there’s the fallacy that teachers can just shut things off after hours. They can’t, so there’s that mental exhaustion,” he said.

Prairie du Chien has begun the staff shuffling and rehiring process for all of its vacancies. 

That’s for the short term. 

So, what can be done in the long term to rebuild Prairie du Chien’s shortage of teachers? 

Banasik said the district is working with the region’s workforce development experts and thinking of out-of-the-box ways they might be able to utilize to boost its employee pool. He noted there are some really good ideas he can’t share just yet.

The district has been in contact with universities and having discussions about what teachers are graduating and what they’re seeking. 

Additionally, the district increased its wage for support staff. It has received a 4.7 percent increase in Esser III funding toward teachers and administration as well.

Among those retiring this year from the school district were: Kayla Mezera, who served 42 years and passed away this year; Jim Stoehr, 37 years; Jeff Riter, 33 years; Scott Gordon, 28 years; Mark Stoehr, 28 years; Dale Hanson, 26 years; Bob Plomedahl, 24 years; Kerry Peterson and Dennis O’Brien, 21 years each; Marla Morovits, 20 years; Pat Bender, eight years; and Paul Weisse, two years. Weisse was the high school principal.

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