Board take action to start balancing the district’s budget
District plans to sell property, reduce programming to address impending deficit
By Steve Van Kooten
The Prairie du Chien Board of Education made several actions at their April 14 meeting, which took place at the school’s Field House, to start working on the district’s budget.
Earlier this month, the school district did not get their operating referendum, falling short by less than 100 votes. The school asked the community for a $7 million four-year non-recurring operating referendum on April 1.
“Tonight we start the process of balancing our budget for 2025–26,” said District Administrator Andy Banasik. “We closed the gap, but we didn’t close it enough… We need to move to cut $1.4 million to balance our budget for next year.”
During the meeting, the board approved several programming cuts and other adjustments to address the district’s budget concerns. According to Banasik, the cuts presented at the meeting amount to approximately $1.5 million in savings for the next school year.
The district used $1.2 million from their fund balance to stabilize their budget for the 2024–25 year. A school typically uses its fund balance to make purchases and cover unplanned costs, such as equipment failure.
The school currently has $1.8 million in its fund balance but Banasik said that the district “cannot function” with only approximately $600,000 in its fund balance.
“We cannot continue to take [money] out of the fund balance—we’ll be broke,” he said.
Next year, the district will receive $325 per student, which will add up to approximately $300,000.
The school also has to compensate for a 9.5-percent increase ($135,000) in health insurance costs next year. That number could increase if more staff members opt into single or family insurance plans.
At this time, the school is planning on a zero percent raise for all staff, faculty and administration personnel next year.
“Staff may leave. Do I want them to leave? No way. But I understand that in this realm, if staff need a raise, that’s the only way they can get one,” said Banasik.
The board approved two preliminary final notices for a music teacher and a math teacher for grades 7-12. These notices were for “budgetary reasons only.”
The board also approved “two voluntary reduction” notices for two math teachers. The voluntary reductions were initiated by staff interested in going from full-time to part-time positions, according to Banasik.
The board approved several other budget-related actions during the meeting:
• Reductions in academic programming, including the criminal justice class, the Chinese program and student enrollment-driven courses in the high school.
• Discontinuing paying for advanced placement testing (students can still take AP courses, and tests can be paid for by their families) and the Edmentum online credit recovery program.
• Co-curricular programs cuts, including gymnastics, yearbook class, dance, cheerleading, Political Science Club, Key Club, Ink Club, orchestra (head and assistant advisor), Asian Society for the middle school and high school and a reduction in student council advisors at the high school (estimated to save approximately $28,000).
• 15-percent reduction in athletic program budgets. The cuts could be in equipment costs, purchases and other areas (save approximately $40,000).
• 55-cent increase in all breakfast and lunch meal prices. Free- and reduced-lunch prices will not change.
Banasik said that teachers for some of these programs can make appeals to the school board in closed session at a special board meeting on April 28. The board have the option to reverse these budget decisions at their May 12 meeting.
Banasik said that the district will lose 7 1/2 teaching positions and 12 support staff positions next year due to retirements, resignations and staff relocating to other school districts.
Class sizes are expected to increase by an estimated five to eight students in the elementary and middle schools due to the reduced staffing. The number of students in high school classes will be dependent on how many students sign up, but there is a possibility that some classes could have as many as 28 to 30 students.
Transportation
The board approved the reduction of bus transportation starting next year.
The Consumer Price Index calls for an 8.01 percent increase in transportation costs; however, the district’s contract with Southwest Bus only allows for a maximum 4.25 percent increase.
Banasik said Southwest is considering a 3.5 percent increase for the 2025–26 school year.
Banasik recommended cutting the district’s bus routes from seven to six and discontinuing three in-town stops.
“If we go from seven to six routes, kids will be on the buses longer — potentially up to about 10 minutes,” said Banasik.
He estimated that eliminating one bus route will save approximately $33,000.
The school district will receive some money through a safety grant, which will pay the district $15 per student that uses bus transportation.
“We won’t know how much until we know how many are traveling on those bus routes on average,” he said.
Selling property
The board also approved a plan to sell two houses owned by the school district.
The houses, which are coded by the colors gray, white and red, have been or currently are used for alternative education, life skills and GED programs.
Banasik recommended selling the white and gray houses, which would be an estimated one-time $350,000 increase in funds.
The district plan to move students utilizing those programs on to the school campuses and continue to support them in the education system.
The red house will be retained as a back up for the GED and Mighty River programs and to maintain flexibility for the district’s programs.
According to Banasik, selling the properties became a viable option because of staff turnover in the alternative and GED programs.
The next meeting will be a special board meeting on April 28. The meeting will be conducted in closed session.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled on May 12.
In attendance were board members Michael Higgins, Jr., Nick Gilberts, Lonnie Achenbach, Lacie Anthony, Dustin Brewer and Noah White. Banasik, Waller and the district’s administration were also present during the meeting. Jim Hackett was absent.
Hires
Hali Fischer, middle school track coach; Taylor Langmeier, middle school track coach; Alyssa Davis, middle school track coach; Eric Mumm, middle school track coach; and Ron Sedgwick, JV baseball coach.
Resignations
Jordan Reuter, physical education teacher and varsity boys basketball coach; Lacey Nelson, teacher’s aide; Hally Rittmer, teacher’s aide; Cory Willhite, English teacher; Rosa Dolven, Spanish teacher; Mike Rogge, head wrestling coach; John Duke, teacher; and Kelly Gagliardi, second grade teacher.
Other business
• The board approved the 2025–26 district calendar. Banasik said the calendar will have the first three school cancellation days forgiven for students, with any makeup days accrued placed at the end of the school calendar. The calendar also moves graduation to Friday, May 27. Graduation has traditionally been on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
[Editor's note: updated for clarity on Wednesday, April 16. Sentence updated: "Banasik said that teachers for some of these programs can make appeals to the school board in closed session at a special board meeting on April 28. The board have the option to reverse these budget decisions at their May 12 meeting."]
