[{"_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",6454087,"mediaKeyId","5870058-932baf9d46c43ba923c3fc21f69400d6","parentId",5870058,"title","Hudson board opens broad discussion on possible elementary closures as enrollment falls and budget gap widens","audioSeconds",2993,"startMs",2777000,"endMs",5770000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5870058-932baf9d46c43ba923c3fc21f69400d6&start=2777&end=5770","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5870058-932baf9d46c43ba923c3fc21f69400d6/thumbnail_2777000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454087/Wisconsin/Hudson-board-opens-broad-discussion-on-possible-elementary-closures-as-enrollment-falls-and-budget-gap-widens","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454087-4072d1ad1b30e49e9c5d363272f5bc05/orig.mp4?Expires=1775512806&Signature=k5RVZF5d~Ne~KqCL8jCbcn1YmfL8yRHXkuplJAu18MGWIENW2CwH7MtfRwTFgAv100it2yd95Sd7kfAHTyIc8lh9Lz2u0uqd0NS1Ut8I-KZoJY-S2zgzU6awcw9uePNRMoz5Fv63AtTgWL2bNNgPzGtK5YGLYMcXLa2T4aif~l6pTDzoHR0xk-dAKe~gXIjYqRI6GpfPRJIZIBMjYcUcmCh6cEaP-7utu2ZA1kuGfKfYceMJ5OnwpaHwBlO5wwH~CMdpQ8MavBQG7avO~7b~YjbtYFsjK66ksgeoWbsL7tqGatQ236Qn~qfafpvVQgCX6NrmzY3iQ6~H4Eed7mJZ8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Connections Hudson Schools","date","2025-09-30T00:00:00Z","article","The Hudson School District Board spent the bulk of a special work session on Tuesday reviewing long-term school planning, including the prospect of closing one or more elementary schools to address a projected budget shortfall linked to declining enrollment.

Administrators and trustees framed the discussion as part information-sharing, part listening session: they described demographic studies, reviewed the district’s official “third Friday” enrollment count and spelled out a public process for boundary setting and community input if closures move forward.

Key enrollment and budget figures

District staff reported the district’s official third-Friday enrollment count — the snapshot the state uses for aid calculations — showed a net decline of 147 students compared with last year. That shortfall was substantially larger than the 50-student decline the district had built into budget projections earlier in the year. “We were anticipating being down about 50 students across the district when we were building our budget projections,” Nick (administration) said; “based on this third Friday count, it looks like we are going to be down 147 students this year.”

Administrators stressed that state funding formulas and special-education costs factor heavily into the district’s projections. They said state aid has not kept pace with rising costs and that special-education reimbursement remains a major pressure point: the district relies on a mix of federal, state and local funding and has absorbed significant special-education costs in recent years.

Demography, projections and the district’s options

Trustees described ongoing work with demographers (MGT Consulting) and noted that past projection models have repeatedly overestimated future enrollment. Nick said the district will commission updated 10-year projections to support boundary decisions. “Even with those data points, we’ve underperformed their most conservative models,” Nick said, adding outside demographers and decennial census trends show declining birth rates and an aging local population in the district’s attendance area. Board members and administrators repeatedly emphasized that the district has lost ground in forward-looking enrollment projections and that housing growth in the area has not produced the elementary enrollment the district needs.

Timeline and process

Administrators outlined a multi-step public process if the board decides to close one or more schools: a demographic update, consultant work to produce boundary scenarios, community engagement nights and surveys, consultant refinements and a board decision. The district targets elementary boundaries that last roughly eight to ten years, and staff said they will convene multiple community sessions and gather public input before bringing any boundary plan to the board.

Transportation and special-education impacts

Administrators told the board they do not expect dramatic long-term increases in transportation costs because the percentage of students eligible for transportation varies by school and the district will design efficient routes once boundaries are known. They provided building-by-building eligibility percentages (for example Holton ~98% eligible; North Hudson ~56%; EP Rock ~66%). Staff said bus-route software (Traversa) will be used to model routes once boundaries are set.

Special-education leaders and trustees emphasized continuity of services for students with IEPs. The district said services would continue at the same levels required by students’ IEPs regardless of building assignments, and administrators committed to hiring and staffing adjustments, IEP-team meetings, and individualized transition planning for affected students.

Community reaction and board members’ statements

More than a dozen community members and several trustees expressed strong emotions during the discussion. Board members described a split in public comments between emotional appeals to keep neighborhood schools and fiscal arguments to reconfigure the district to match enrollment and funding realities.

Trustees made several points for public consideration: closing decisions are districtwide (a reboundering effort can affect multiple schools), repurposing or selling buildings would generate one-time revenue but not recurring operating funds, and foundations or private fundraising are unlikely to solve structural, recurring budget gaps. Several board members urged residents to understand the difference between one-time capital revenue and recurring operational dollars.

Alternatives and next steps discussed

Board members and staff discussed alternatives that would reduce district expenditures without closure, including further operational cuts and staffing adjustments. Several trustees stressed that the community needs a clear timeline: if the board decides to close a school for the 2026–27 school year, substantial redistricting and staffing work must occur during the coming months.

Administrators said they will publish additional demographic information, run boundary scenarios with consultants, schedule community engagement sessions and return with refined proposals. They also pledged to prioritize careful transition planning for special-education students, to map transportation impacts after boundaries are drafted, and to provide regular updates to the public.

Ending

Board president and trustees thanked the community for contributions to the discussion and urged continued participation as the district proceeds through the planned engagement and analysis steps before any final board decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hudson Schools - September 29, 2025 - Board Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","The Hudson School District Board opened an extended public discussion on long-term school planning on Tuesday as administrators reported a larger-than-expected enrollment decline and outlined steps for boundary work and community engagement if school closures are considered.","taxTitle","Hudson School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",38635,"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},6454096,"Board authorizes $3.73 million in construction payments as project nears closeout; debates decorative letters and a 16-acre parcel",867,3051000,2184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5870058-932baf9d46c43ba923c3fc21f69400d6&start=3051&end=2184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5870058-932baf9d46c43ba923c3fc21f69400d6/thumbnail_3051000.jpg","/articles/6454096/Wisconsin/Board-authorizes-373-million-in-construction-payments-as-project-nears-closeout-debates-decorative-letters-and-a-16-acre-parcel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454096-f1c76ddf586a21a2bcdd71b8e3262ecf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775512806&Signature=fMJaMYkGagPmcVmm074CCUBl4hVTTLK32BBf1DbJDiF-K9EvbrXvgcMdQMfKgjsL-yUZEHjtTCRG7PtMY1P42FlJEEQPMaqLcheO4DgIFtk~H6D7iNdHfszUhS9kWUNY-iOyyaXt5Zpi7W7O0evPlOoYyEAPd1sE6QfGOGl7DYXni6P8j1~ki3el0Fx59R1tocph6BzRp3N6E335LvWbD~1EHkHVoZ-5BViP1vvYloG8fCbTUYhV8jKJkFZsQkdU2~BB0pTnZSWbHv2T3axt7ghWXRIHlzs4PKUFesWiEtWSVzGHMsvl0M0NE0aNs~MIfZmiht3Ubd-UEnxGrqq8-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hudson School District Board on Tuesday authorized its chief financial officer to pay $3,732,768.27 in contractor invoices related to the district's construction program, the board approved by motion and voice vote after a brief presentation on contractor billing and contingency levels.

District financial staff and administrators told the board the construction program — which they said totals roughly $44,000,000 — is winding down and in punch-list and commissioning work. “The total total work being done is $44,000,000, of which 29 is paid for with bonds, 15,000,000 is paid for, designated fund balance,” said a staff member identified in the meeting as Nick (administration). He said the program began with about $1,200,000 in contingency; the district now shows roughly $300,000 remaining in contingency plus several allowances. Bonnie (chief financial and operations officer) introduced the consent agenda that included the payment authorization.

Why it matters: the payments clear invoices for a multi-year capital program voters approved in a 2023 referendum and move the district closer to final closeout. Administrators said they expect some remaining work — balancing building automation, HVAC commissioning and exterior finishes — but still expect the overall program to come in close to or under budget.

Details and debate

Nick described progress on the remaining work, saying contractors are completing punch lists and that some rooms are still experiencing temperature swings as the automation and commissioning are finalized. He also noted the district negotiated a two-year warranty on the construction contracts (with 11-month and 22-month walk-throughs), an extension beyond the more typical one-year warranty.

At the meeting several board members and members of the public pressed administrators about decorative features at EP Rock, in particular large letters installed inside that building. “The letters were always part of the designs that we had put out from the very beginning,” Nick said, adding the letters were part of the architectural bid packages and therefore not broken out as a specific line item the administration could isolate. He said the letters are included in larger finishing carpentry and building-work bid packages and no separate cost for the letters is available from the contracts as awarded.

Board members and community speakers questioned reports circulating that the letters cost $75,000. “I have no idea where that number is,” Nick said. Board member Megan cautioned that the letters are an aesthetic element the architects included in the plans and urged focus on broader program results. Other trustees said they were sympathetic to community concerns about perceived excess while emphasizing that many referendum-funded improvements — for example upgraded studio and special education spaces — were intended to benefit students and staff.

UU property annexation and district landholdings

Administrators also updated the board on a separate real-estate matter: a long-delayed annexation petition for the so-called UU property has reached the City of Hudson. Nick said the district had retained about 16 acres that some community members speculated were being held for a future elementary site; he said the district’s stated plan instead is to retain that parcel temporarily and, once utilities are available through annexation, consider selling the acreage at a higher market price to generate one-time revenue for the district. “We’re not holding on to the 16 acres for another elementary school down the road,” Nick said. The named developer working the site, he said, expects a plan of roughly 175 to 200 homes in a mix of multifamily and single-family housing, though he cautioned the developer’s final plan and city approvals will determine density.

Formal action

The board handled a motion from board member Megan to “approve the consent items and that the chief financial and operations officer be authorized to pay bills in the amount of $3,732,768.27.” Board member Molly seconded the motion. The board approved the payment by voice vote; the minutes reflected the motion passed.

What’s next

Administrators said they expect closeout conversations and final warranty walkthroughs within 30 to 60 days and that exterior landscaping work will continue through fall seeding and into next spring as needed. They also said they will continue to post project updates and answer community questions, adding that because many finishes were part of bundled bid packages staff cannot always provide line-item cost breakdowns for individual features.

Ending note

Board members repeatedly asked administrators to provide clearer footnoting in future budget and construction summary documents to avoid community confusion about one-time capital spending versus ongoing operating costs.","The Hudson School District Board on Tuesday authorized payment of $3,732,768.27 to clear contractor invoices as a multi-year construction program moves toward final closeout.",{"_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},6454092,"Board hears proposals for Unified Physical Education and advanced news-production course",382,186000,568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5870058-932baf9d46c43ba923c3fc21f69400d6&start=186&end=568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5870058-932baf9d46c43ba923c3fc21f69400d6/thumbnail_186000.jpg","/articles/6454092/Wisconsin/Board-hears-proposals-for-Unified-Physical-Education-and-advanced-news-production-course","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454092-60fd64dec37c1a22741b37e4761469c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775512806&Signature=Gzgx229gJE-NCuUWJVBxQ0ECPkG3K130-Jfu2wFJBONfwN5nKTfBc7F7-QVPDe66zFj4O307y47bYP6oBvk1oDiZOqtTBuVy8ra4wh1~4H99QAXj-FyEuJVz0RM2DrhbpC0kCIwBSod031XwxEVPRoeaolQORVdVLsRzvjkiI2y-fZsyrIhD5TRDEtom9ABqRzJIC0nmg7PLqAkASJt5P4pkrnBzuYIhREyaecE1LamM6PJ3dUtwk0zkA~JL007SXJMLP54EQX~xet9bQcA1QP4kqN6f16AI~doIgtu4gePX4EkT2~URWKmtXNvdPmjn8QXLa4MvTp-M-LVOYI-Rww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hudson School District Board heard proposals for two new high-school courses on Tuesday: a Unified Physical Education option designed to combine adapted physical education students with general PE students in the same classroom, and HRPN News 2, an advanced video-production course that would expand students’ technical and leadership roles in school media.

Why it matters: both proposals are part of the district’s regular curriculum-improvement cycle and, if approved by the board, would allow students to register by November and enable teachers to develop full curriculum and assessments over the coming months.

Unified Physical Education

Tom Johnston, identified as an instructional coach and curriculum specialist at the high school, described a model where about half the class would be students with individualized education programs (IEPs) who currently receive adapted PE minutes and the other half would be general-education students. “We’re kind of bringing that together in a more inclusive model to bring all the students into one setting,” Johnston said, describing the proposal as aligned with district values of collaboration and inclusion. Carly Langer, identified in the meeting as an adapted PE teacher, toured a neighboring district implementing the model and helped write the proposal.

Board members voiced support during the discussion. Board member Megan said, “I love it. I think this sounds awesome.” The presenters said no additional equipment or funding is needed; funding for adaptive supports is already in place.

HRPN News 2 — advanced production

Leslie Klaskachik, the district’s school-to-career coordinator, walked trustees through a proposed advanced video-production class (HRPN News 2). The course would build on a level-1 offering and emphasize advanced audio and video techniques (directional mics, parabolic microphones, three-point lighting), advanced editing software purchased with a STAR grant, and student leadership roles (director, technical director, audio director, chief editor).

Instructor Dan Wyland, who teaches the level-1 course and secured the STAR grant, plans for students to produce more sophisticated broadcast packages – A and B roll, graphics, music, and integrated sound – and to train students to direct peers in a production setting. The proposal also envisions stacking level-1 and level-2 offerings concurrently.

Context and next steps

Shannon (curriculum staff) explained that teachers submit course proposals during “phase 2” of the curriculum-improvement process in May, the district and building leaders review them, and the board’s approval allows teachers to write full curriculum so students can register in November. No formal vote on these proposals was recorded at the meeting; presenters said approved proposals will move into curriculum writing and scheduling.

Board members asked practical questions about equipment and acknowledged community support for teacher-led innovation. “The STAR grant gave us that additional video editing software,” Leslie said, and Klaskachik added that some Perkins and CTE funds also support the studio. Board members expressed enthusiasm for student leadership and career-oriented learning in both proposals.

Ending

Administrators said the proposals will move forward through the district’s curriculum process and that staff will return with finalized materials and scheduling recommendations for board consideration later this fall.","Hudson School District teachers proposed a Unified Physical Education course to integrate students with individualized education programs into inclusive PE classes and an advanced news-production course (HRPN News 2) to expand student leadership and technical skills; both proposals move to curriculum development pending board review.",{"_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},6454082,"District proposes revamped staff-recognition program to highlight quarterly staff accomplishments",215,5333000,5548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5870058-932baf9d46c43ba923c3fc21f69400d6&start=5333&end=5548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5870058-932baf9d46c43ba923c3fc21f69400d6/thumbnail_5333000.jpg","/articles/6454082/Wisconsin/District-proposes-revamped-staff-recognition-program-to-highlight-quarterly-staff-accomplishments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454082-d384060a375b99f38a1e758aa17895a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775512806&Signature=kzC-RftlLNxuvQP0hEsO1blV2dywyS4myctu9e8wwva~A3cH85deTGcRhImUrwVTvCe536~5aFZS29cWzb3gcixOJ3oqlquP2W-rZaKv-oSRKubjEHHqBrkvVYrnMRP8x0eoHAwEBEkHsFAvXoQY~OREYvj3yhPBElxWEhGSA8wJtcshxPD8syCGmcNG~k6exGak1SPsWRrJx9StGIg47QGjYw7hMnWR4FYxLg0gc3P2Cfah0pzyj7RhPcNQboU5LirTjuZ1JqL6AIWprno0ldrqOZ8tXbgWbMl-j9uojSjZ8tmV7Lwzjb87JnyA2H-fUR71it3F-wJbX83S60npVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hudson School District administrators proposed Tuesday to replace the existing “Cheers for Peers” peer-recognition program with a quarterly recognition initiative titled “Moments That Matter.” The new program would accept nominations from staff, students, parents and volunteers and would highlight five employees each quarter in a longer-format profile.

Why it matters: district leaders said the change is intended to raise visibility on notable staff contributions, surface stories from across the district, and produce shareable features for district communications rather than short snippets.

Program details

Tracy (communications/engagement staff) said Human Resources would work with a selection team to choose roughly five recipients each quarter. The district will create more in-depth profiles of each recipient so the community can read about the specific actions that led to the recognition.

Trustees welcomed the proposal as a way to surface staff successes. Board member Molly suggested exploring modest incentives often used at staff recognition events, such as a drawing for a personal day at a staff banquet, and the administration said they would defer to HR and finance for any program-related stipend decisions.

Next steps

Administrators said they would pilot the program and report back to the board with implementation details, selection criteria and any required budget for incentives.","Hudson administrators proposed replacing the existing Cheers for Peers program with a quarterly ‘Moments That Matter’ recognition to highlight five staff members each quarter chosen by HR from nominations by staff, students, parents and volunteers; trustees expressed support and asked about incentives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hudson board opens broad discussion on possible elementary closures as enrollment falls and budget gap widens

Board authorizes $3.73 million in construction payments as project nears closeout; debates decorative letters and a 16-acre parcel

Board hears proposals for Unified Physical Education and advanced news-production course

District proposes revamped staff-recognition program to highlight quarterly staff accomplishments