OBOE incumbents to run again

Onalaska Board of Education President Mark Cassellius and board member Ann Garrity said they will run for re-election in April when their terms are up.

“It’s been a privilege to serve, and I appreciate the opportunity to run again,” Garrity said.

Cassellius echoed her sentiments. “I would like to keep serving this great community and great school district,” he said.

Cassellius, 51, is a chiropractor. He has been on the board nearly 12 years. Garrity, 42, has been on the board almost three years. She is a social worker who is at home with her four children.

The Courier-Life will carry a legal notice Friday, Nov. 20, announcing the election.

Residents interested in running for the board need to circulate nomination papers starting Dec. 1 and having them filed with the board clerk Jan. 5.

Show choir trip

Onalaska voices will ring through “one of the nation’s most historic cities” when the high school’s Hilltopper Show Choir goes to Washington, D.C. April 5-11. The group’s trip was detailed for the Onalaska Board of Education Monday by Onalaska High School choral director Chad Lindblom.

The show choir travels alternate years from the marching band.

Show choir members will pay $850 for the privilege. There is no cost to the school district.

There is an educational component to the trip. Students will perform for other high schools and colleges during the tour as well as compete in a national show choir competition. While in Washington the students will also be able to tour museums, art galleries, and other cultural attractions.

Early kindergarten admission

Board members gave permission for a 4-year-old to attend kindergarten in Onalaska. The child is now just a few days short of being 5 years old and missed the age cut-off by 70 days.

However, school rules allow children who move to the district to apply for early admission.

The student was interviewed and tested by school psychologist Gloria Grode and found to be advanced, exceeding standards for admission. “We made a preliminary placement in kindergarten and ... she is adjusting very well,” Grode said.

“We don’t have very many requests like this,” Cassellius said.

Budget (again)

The budget that covers the present school year was just approved by the school board Oct. 26. Now, work is under way on the next budget.

“It’s time to begin thinking about next year,” Superintendent John Burnett said.

Board members approved a calendar for budget deliberations that starts immediately with administrators developing long-range forecasts of revenue, salary and benefits budget and site budget targets.

District Finance Director Larry Dalton warned there would be a number of complications in the coming budget, mostly from outside funding sources.

Dalton said planning would be assisted by special software offered by Robert W. Baird, the district’s financial consulting firm.

People

Those hired include Ann Berg for a three-hour per day school nutrition position at the high school and Daniel Foster as second shift custodian at the middle school.

Contracts for speech and language therapy services were awarded to Molly McKelley and Judy Anderson. They will bill $50 per hour.

Co-curricular appointments were given to: Emily Strutt, seventh grade boy’s basketball head coach; Melinda Langeberg, Environmental Club adviser; Nick Larson, varsity girl’s track head coach; Kurt Gutknecht, varsity girl’s tennis head coach; Jeff Reed, seventh-grade girl’s basketball head coach.

Derek Oppelt, girl’s seventh-grade basketball head coach resigned.