[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6117303,"mediaKeyId","2730567-4057bf249df8e8a5b91b6d960adc893c","parentId",2730567,"title","Candidate Shavon Bowen addresses board, highlights transparency and educator support","audioSeconds",338,"startMs",897660,"endMs",1236450,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730567-4057bf249df8e8a5b91b6d960adc893c&start=897&end=1236","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730567-4057bf249df8e8a5b91b6d960adc893c/thumbnail_897660.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117303/Wisconsin/Candidate-Shavon-Bowen-addresses-board-highlights-transparency-and-educator-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117303-ed73f1d18eb8b75b2892df987b1c1a84/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511386&Signature=f3rf1X59oaJRTloI4LLMJcDXoDcefABcun6KpHfQHtJKCnn~ApbFlCe6fEe7HaQRH5E3iOXnNCx1C-6cRYOfcjGvAFir0nadTwl5is0zRDLTU796jt0eZ8dNb~LI5dRhCY0Rykh1f-QQY-uqieceMJIjTsJuevFSduwwrPFH5s-Te2-3dimYu0uk-yVuB~4-mv9B4FKHgnhVI8pNW27AsVOXfjZXGWgIRxBX4tD9gXJkTuFP4uDLAJ0gvzeIwmPQh4RmoeTPklTn9Mqlyu5cgN0PLW7KW6PJ1VplyDsaKYruKj9IYO9nudsPD6BTpqu2xysCJrj7oiszlq9Oi41rKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fort Atkinson School District","date","2025-03-21T11:41:54Z","article","Shavon Bowen spoke to the board and audience March 20 as a declared candidate for the Fort Atkinson School Board, outlining her background and priorities.

Bowen said she has lived in the community for 12 years, her children have attended district schools for eight years, and she works at Madison College as a professional learning strategist. \"I care deeply about the success of our students, the well-being of our educators and staff, and the future of our district,\" Bowen told the board. She said her campaign emphasizes transparency, trust and collaboration in school governance.

Bowen described governance and leadership experience, including roles as vice president and president of a parents cooperative preschool and service on an advisory board at UW‑Whitewater for occupational safety and health programs. She also noted an endorsement from the Fort Atkinson Education Association, which she said reflects shared commitments to support teachers and students.

Bowen said she hopes to work with Superintendent Corey Abbott to implement a shared vision that represents families, teachers and staff. She concluded by inviting one‑on‑one conversations about her candidacy and asking for community members to consider her for the upcoming election.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board of Education Meeting - 3/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Shavon Bowen, a Fort Atkinson resident and Madison College professional, presented her candidacy for the Fort Atkinson School Board, citing governance experience, educator support and an endorsement from the Fort Atkinson Education Association.","taxTitle","Fort Atkinson School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",49807,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6117307,"Board receives unmodified audit; accepts 2023–24 financial statements",723,1369950,2092970,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730567-4057bf249df8e8a5b91b6d960adc893c&start=1369&end=2092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730567-4057bf249df8e8a5b91b6d960adc893c/thumbnail_1369950.jpg","/articles/6117307/Wisconsin/Board-receives-unmodified-audit-accepts-202324-financial-statements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117307-4053e2138f92aa0c84ff200b755d2382/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511386&Signature=Vh5julHJ-eVRiffyyIOpaVoHAH8FSpzi38lJwF25jnoUgkk9KWTcgo3V0bieY~hUoTEUMLlEKj6l-VIq4516fvzouxf5nWtMXDSzsvApUgdy4W1aBbrCXb1sUbbxHNYmZf7KDJfoqPUx9IrqlCqPVq6Znib4U3wfqKARz5J5PHupTjsX6K3iNF-ScUQh4mKXs4v7n4E45K69JJJfSrV6t60nsfSqGQ3Meg-YF1s403EsatqgZ7bfm~csOC~P3z7v4T8~ydLoAA1WIZYhlMOfLjDc0KTr1MJe3QKnlfVICWVaABPM1UNROpGaMAcSvK4tNZPN1yTYi9pAfjWqVv4GuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Atkinson School Board received the district’s 2023–24 financial statement audit on March 20 and voted to accept the audit report after a presentation by the district’s external auditors.

Brad Porter, the principal auditor from Lauterbach & Amen LLP, told the board the audit resulted in an unmodified opinion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. \"For the fiscal year ended 06/30/2024, we have issued what is known as an unmodified opinion,\" Porter said, describing it as the cleanest form of opinion in the government space.

Porter reviewed key figures: the general fund experienced a net decrease in fund balance of about $707,000 for fiscal 2024, leaving an accumulated fund balance of roughly $13,700,000 and about 3.8 months of reserves in unassigned general fund balance. He also said the management letter included one prior recommendation relating to funds that exceeded budget; \"there were only three funds that had exceeded budget in fiscal year 20 24,\" Porter told the board.

Nathan Knitt, director of business services, introduced the auditors and was present to respond to questions. Porter described the audit process and timing, said the district had no current internal control recommendations for fiscal 2024 and answered board questions about fund‑balance policy and the auditors’ role.

After the presentation the board passed a resolution to accept the audit report as presented by Lauterbach & Amen LLP. The roll call vote as recorded: Ms. Sully — yes; Ms. Reynolds — yes; Mr. Loupe — yes; Mr. Rogers — yes; Mr. Nickram — yes. The board also was told the district’s unassigned fund balance provides several months of reserves, and that future budget monitoring will continue to be important.","External auditors presented an unmodified opinion on the district’s 2023–24 financial statements; board accepted the audit after auditors noted a $707,000 decrease in general fund balance and three funds over budget.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6117312,"City presents Ridgeview Estates plan near Fort Atkinson High School; construction to begin this spring",1364,2165170,3529290,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730567-4057bf249df8e8a5b91b6d960adc893c&start=2165&end=3529","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730567-4057bf249df8e8a5b91b6d960adc893c/thumbnail_2165170.jpg","/articles/6117312/Wisconsin/City-presents-Ridgeview-Estates-plan-near-Fort-Atkinson-High-School-construction-to-begin-this-spring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117312-6246731f50227c2d33957f5dea0c7957/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511386&Signature=Nz1qcEafHLZJCkyDqWnhi~~rgRY4~pzCL96WasgG~6MUwWFsl7WqldMT3kXmAn~6KzNzQG47G3AonXad3z~dbrUnnsmeeKM4ga-t3AKvGARprJWuuL6R82FLS82Zhjjfibdn8t4pyk6yscGcS-hagMttOczGy9YOx93ES~iDu2iM5QXfLdfM08zGGeu-qUXJLrDC9v2bQ~Tcg-R7qv3neKXKf24eh6MvZkVcE1pQqjad1qTAeehQfFZF-66G5KAUKVWvwWXsIjQEyZIrA6N8UjcJG49BBxANJEXQz0Cr1XvyKdc1UWATxy2WVSImh7ucm-ws47NymuZHqvjZV0CkRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials gave the Fort Atkinson School Board a progress update March 20 on Ridgeview Estates, the 75‑acre residential development adjacent to the high school and campus that will add single-family lots, townhomes and multifamily units.

Rebecca Houseman, Fort Atkinson city manager, told the board the city purchased the land in 2019, annexed it in 2021 and created a tax-increment district in 2022 to support infrastructure. Houseman said the city approved a development agreement with Intrepid Investments (a partnership of Discovery Properties and American Construction Company) in December 2024.

Jedidiah Drager, building inspector and zoning administrator, described the preliminary plat and the first multifamily structure planned for the site. He said the lot for the first building would accommodate an 87‑unit apartment with amenities and largely underground parking. \"There are 6 studio apartments, 51 1 bedroom units, and 32 bedroom units, and those are all at market rate,\" Drager said. He added that surface features would be refined and the developer has worked to improve designs to meet city ordinance goals.

Houseman and Drager reviewed the expected schedule and infrastructure funding. Private construction for the multifamily piece will begin the week of April 1; curb, gutter and final grading are expected in mid‑April once frost conditions permit. The first townhome project may begin in May and Hawthorne Drive substantial completion is expected in August. Houseman said the city received a $1,400,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) to reconstruct and relocate Banker Road and a separate $1,700,000 DOT transportation alternative grant to infill sidewalks, prioritizing school routes.

Officials discussed traffic mitigation and campus impacts. Drager described a construction traffic plan intended to minimize disruption to school drop‑off and pick‑up, scheduling large deliveries outside peak times and staging construction west to east to limit traffic near the high school. Houseman said sidewalks will be installed along new streets, and the city plans pedestrian and bicycle connections along the preserved tree corridor by Banker Road.

Board members welcomed the update and said closer coordination on schedules has been beneficial to the district. Houseman said the development agreement requires the developer to buy or build at least 10 units annually for 10 years starting in 2027, though she said the city expects buildout sooner than 10 years depending on market demand.","City officials updated the school board on Ridgeview Estates, a 75-acre development that will include single-family lots, townhomes and an initial 87‑unit multifamily building; phases include road work starting April and a DOT grant for Banker Road.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6117317,"Luther Elementary honored as National ESEA Distinguished School",640,87440,727980,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730567-4057bf249df8e8a5b91b6d960adc893c&start=87&end=727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730567-4057bf249df8e8a5b91b6d960adc893c/thumbnail_87440.jpg","/articles/6117317/Wisconsin/Luther-Elementary-honored-as-National-ESEA-Distinguished-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117317-fa62d1753ecb1b8fad367e69ab81df9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511386&Signature=W854dba9aGIXlRH0eV2YS3wjuCi16QWy0ErwHhx59plqppOwSG1GIMxFTH0ikJ-ltWFUsEWHhvBmaHSxpqmR8jLa3t8PeZP~wmCuogt8-d9MEaBG-IoQpXyI5sKCMAilqppSl4K8YZeqkXZoVqSeWyZWHsQlFmegXxqs1KBr1M2HJDJQv5cJnd0AhbT0AjL8MQd1r~1IDZ-bg7pXOpN3RJLGNDHcPJn-eH9fA0q72mknLwMfQbbU3DCzu0uPk9YZXjCrxgUXU1ev5UPRgK3LPxKaxYrPYP2DZxevEgXzk2JNRp4D2tB~kCMFXOrwRNmwb2yteKqS5XFRNQWysODSKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Luther Elementary School was recognized by the board on March 20 after being named a National ESEA Distinguished School based on the prior year’s state report-card data.

The award recognizes a small set of schools nationally and two schools per state selected through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA) recognition process. Principal Dave Geiger told the board the school was selected in Category 3, for “showing excellence in serving special populations of students.”

Geiger described the recognition as “quite an honor” and credited district systems and school practices for student growth. \"Literally every single student that took the exam in grade 3, 4, and 5 over the last few years is growing and making growth,\" he said. He pointed to in‑district professional development, strengthened school improvement plans, data-driven team meetings and intervention supports as contributors to the results.

Superintendent Corey Abbott and board members praised Luther staff for the work that produced the results. Abbott told the audience he was “super proud of all the work that’s went in.” The district displayed slides from the national conference and shared that two staff members, Beth Hesselbacher and Emily Bouvier, attended the national conference in Austin that highlighted the selected schools.

Geiger noted the award came from last year’s data and described the school’s profile: high growth in assessments with achievement comprising a smaller portion of the report-card pie chart. He also emphasized the role of social-emotional learning and family engagement in sustaining progress. The board’s recognition concluded with thanks to the Luther staff and a brief question period for board members.

Board members and district leaders said the recognition is testimony to districtwide efforts in coaching, interventions and school improvement planning. The board did not take any formal action tied to the award beyond the public recognition.","Luther Elementary School was named a National ESEA Distinguished School based on state report-card data; principal and district leaders credited growth, targeted professional development and social-emotional supports.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Candidate Shavon Bowen addresses board, highlights transparency and educator support

Board receives unmodified audit; accepts 2023–24 financial statements

City presents Ridgeview Estates plan near Fort Atkinson High School; construction to begin this spring

Luther Elementary honored as National ESEA Distinguished School