WRJC WebMaster

At its Monday meeting, the School District of Mauston Board of Education unanimously approved a referendum resolution, which is the official action taken to place a referendum question on the November 5, 2024, General Election ballot.

The question asks voters for approval to exceed the state-imposed revenue limits by $1.75 million for four years. This is a projected tax impact of $59 on each $100,000 of equalized property value.

Due to insufficient state funding and increasing operational costs, the School District of Mauston anticipates a budget deficit of $1.46 million for the 2024-25 school year and an additional $2 million shortfall for the 2025-26 school year. Without a referendum, the district faces the possibility of critical positions remaining unfilled throughout the district in the 2024-25 school year, followed by potential staff reductions and the cancellation of various programs and essential learning opportunities for students in 2025-26.

“In April, our operational referendum was not supported by the community. As a result, we have had to implement a hiring freeze, which has led to larger class sizes, the elimination of certain classes, and an increased burden on our already overstretched staff,” said Superintendent Joel Heesch. “Our staff has been incredible, helping cover big need areas, but it’s not sustainable. I am concerned about the impact on our students.”

This past May, the District conducted a community-wide survey to gather public feedback that focused on the District’s financial needs. The option that received the highest level of support—with 61.9% indicating they would definitely or probably support it—would increase the district’s revenue limit by $1.75 million per year for four years.

Learn more

An informational flyer outlining the question and proposed solution will be mailed to all district residents this fall. In addition, informational meetings are planned for interested families and community members throughout September and October. Specific dates, times and locations for these meetings will be announced in the coming weeks. 

More information will be shared on the District’s website at www.maustonschools.org. Questions can be emailed to referendum2024@maustonschools.org or directed to the District Office at 608-847-5451.

Donating blood is a generous act that can save lives, especially during the summer months when donations often decline. The need for blood is critical across our state. Please consider donating at a two-day blood drive being held at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston on Wednesday, August 28 and Thursday, August 29 from 9 am to 2 pm.

Appointments are strongly encouraged for anyone who would like to donate, but walk-ins will be welcomed.

Donate at this upcoming blood drive this August and receive a Wilderness Resort $50 off coupon.

To reserve your spot, call the Blood Center of Wisconsin at 1-877-232-4376 or visit donate.wisconsin.versiti.org and search for Mile Bluff Medical Center in the mobile drives.

Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics is excited to announce the addition of primary care provider Kate Edsall, MD to its Wonewoc Clinic team.

Dr. Edsall recently graduated from the Rural Family Medicine Residency Program at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse during which time she did a rotation in Hillsboro, shadowing Zach Meyer, MD who graduated from the same program just three years prior.          

Dr. Edsall earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR, where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, recognizing her dedication to compassionate patient care.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Edsall to our community,” said Kristie McCoic, administrator at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics. “Her caring demeanor and warm personality are a great fit for our team in Wonewoc. We are confident that she will make a significant impact on the health and well-being of our patients.”

Dr. Edsall will begin seeing patients at St. Joe’s clinic in Wonewoc. Patients who wish to establish care with Dr. Edsall can call (608) 489-8280.

The School Distrtict of New Lisbon announced its policy for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program or milk for split-session students served under the Special Milk Program. Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free and reduced price meals or free milk if a split-session student does not have access to the school lunch or breakfast service.

FAMILY SIZE INCOME SCALE
For Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals or Milk

Application forms are being sent to all homes with a notice to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced price meals or free milk, households must fill out the application and return it to the school (unless notified at the start of the school year that children are eligible through direct certification). Additional copies are available at the office in each school. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by agency or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

To obtain free or reduced price meals or free milk for children in a household where one or more household members receive FoodShare, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Wisconsin Works (W-2) cash benefits, list the FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 case number, program name, list the names of all school children, sign the application, and return it to the school office.

For the school officials to determine eligibility for free or reduced price meals or free milk of households not receiving FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 cash benefits, the household must provide the following information requested on the application: names of all household members, total number of household members, and the adult signing the application form must also list the last four digits of his or her Social Security Number or mark the box to the right of “Check if no SSN”. Also, the income received by each household member must be provided by amount and source (wages, welfare, child support, etc.).

Under the provisions of the free and reduced price meal and free milk policy Danielle Klinker, JHHS Administrative Assistant,

will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If the parent/guardian wishes to make a formal appeal, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to: School District of New Lisbon, Scott Hickey, Superintendent, 500 S. Forest Street, New Lisbon, WI 53950, (608)562-3700 ext. 1522..

If a hearing is needed to appeal the decision, the policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the family should contact the school. Such changes may make the household eligible for reduced price meals or free meals or free milk if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above, and they may reapply at that time.

Children formally placed in foster care are also eligible for free meal benefits. Foster children may be certified as eligible without a household application. Households with foster children and non-foster children may choose to include the foster child as a household member, as well as any personal income available to the foster child, on the same application that includes their non-foster children.

The information provided by the household on the application is confidential. Public Law 103-448 limits the release of student free and reduced price school meal eligibility status to persons directly connected with the administration and enforcement of federal or state educational programs. Consent of the parent/guardian is needed for other purposes such as waiver of textbook fees. 

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.