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The economy has Holmen School Board members jittery as they approved three layoffs of teachers in the district.
“I have never, in my 13 years on the board, never really been as concerned about our financial stability or the potential for us to have to make cuts in the form of layoffs,” Board President Cheryl Hancock said. “It’s not just in Holmen, but across the state. The train wreck is coming together at one time. We will have to really look at ways to tighten our belt and keep the positive attitude that the staff, students and community have had in the past.”
The board approved the layoff of three teachers for the next school year: Allison Miller, a fourth-grade teacher at Evergreen Elementary and two at Sand Lake Elementary, Kristen Johnson, a fifth-grade teacher, and Carolyn Dickson, a fourth-grade teacher.
The board also accepted two retirements effective June 30. After 35 years of teaching in the district, Paul Berge, the high school track coach, will retire from his position as physical education teacher at the high school.
Ron Sauer also announced his retirement as business education teacher at the high school. Sauer retires after 34 years of teaching in Holmen.
Personnel changes on the board prompted a re-election of officers. Members opted for the status quo as they re-elected Cheryl Hancock as school board president and Dardy Berge as vice president.
Tim Medinger was elected as the board’s treasurer, replacing Chuck Olson who stepped down.
The board welcomed newly elected member Elizabeth Kamprud and student representative Jacob Rohde, who replaces Mark Trautmann.
As they reviewed more adjustments to the 2009-10 budget, skepticism that the district will have a balanced budget was evident.
“Do you believe we will be in the black by the end of the year?” Hancock asked.
“It’s too early to tell,” replied Jason Austin, administrator of business services. “But we’re working diligently in that direction.”
As part of the ongoing effort to streamline costs and increase revenue sources, the board approved raising ticket prices for MVC regular season games to $3 per student and to $4 per adult. In addition, the board voted to eliminate fall or winter passes and offer only one-year passes, which will increase. The cost for a 2009-10 one-year-pass is $25 for students, $45 for adults and $120 for families (which does not include students who have graduated from high school). Senior citizens will be admitted free.
The 2009-10 school year will begin Tuesday, Sept. 1, and the last day is scheduled for June 4, barring snow days. In the past, the district recognized two days for inclement weather before adding on to the end of the school year. The board approved changing that to three inclement weather days. Any days beyond three will be added to the end of the year as the state requires 180 days of attendance.
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concerned community member wrote on May 4, 2009 11:43 AM: