District reports smooth start to 2025 school year; traffic pattern changes and third‑Friday count highlighted

A staff member reporting to the Fort Atkinson Board of Education on Sept. 18 said the 2025–26 school year began smoothly across the district and highlighted transportation changes, meal‑service constraints tied to federal rules, and the importance of the state’s third‑Friday student count.

Speaking to the board, the staff member said building preparations, district professional learning and extra calendar time for staff contributed to “an incredibly smooth start.” The staff member praised buildings and grounds, busing, nutrition services and school staff for the quick transition.

On traffic, staff described a city road project that changed access around the high school. The road Marigold will eventually connect to Hoard Road; staff said the city project finished roughly 38 hours ahead of schedule and the district implemented a two‑way traffic flow behind the high school while keeping a one‑way flow in front. Staff said the change was necessary to accommodate the traffic circle and added that further district work on the road behind the high school may be proposed next summer.

On summer meal service, staff explained why free breakfasts and lunches were provided from Luther rather than the high school: federal child‑nutrition program rules allow free meal service only from qualifying buildings, and Luther met the necessary criteria this summer while the high school likely would not. Because of that qualification the district added bus runs to transport students from the high school to Luther and set up drive‑through pickups to increase access.

The staff member also reminded the board that the state collects enrollment data twice each year; tomorrow’s third‑Friday count will feed state aid calculations and is the reason some district reporting schedules shift in October.

Discussion (not a formal action): board members praised the quick start to the year and asked staff to provide an upcoming facilities report on Fort Atkinson Middle School and a population study in November. The staff member said both reports are scheduled for upcoming meetings.