Parents, advocates urge Fond du Lac School Board to restore phonology program cut from 2025–26 budget

Parents and caregivers packed the Fond du Lac School District public-comment period on May 28 to press the board to restore a preschool phonology program that was cut from the proposed 202526ndash;26 budget.

"This is not a program that our district can afford to lose," Tiffany Brault said, describing her daughter Coraand the gains the child made after attending the program. "It needs to be restored in the 2025, 2026 budget if we want district students with severe speech impairments to get the best start possible." Brault said the program helped her child graduate from the class by December after rapid improvement.

The speakers described the program as a targeted group intervention run by district staff (identified in remarks as "Mrs. Bebo" and an aide, "Mrs. Stafford") that serves children with severe speech delays in a preschool setting. Amanda Pat said three of her children attended the phonology program and called the decision to cut it "devastating," adding the class "gave kids the ability to participate in school, to make friends, to succeed academically." Brooke Freismuth said her child was about 75% unintelligible before starting the program and "in less than three months" staff reported the child became understood most of the time.

Speakers said they had learned of the cut through informal channels rather than formal public notice. One parent told the board she had heard differing explanations for the decision: that it was driven by budget concerns and, alternatively, by a move "steering away from specialized programs." The presiding officer reminded the public that action cannot be taken on an item raised during public comment unless it is placed on a future agenda and legally noticed. Board policy 0167.3 (public comment at board meetings) governs the public-comment process.

Board members did not vote on the phonology program during the meeting. Several board members later said they wanted more detailed information on cost and the rationale for the cut; one asked administration to bring numbers and background for follow-up discussion. Superintendent Matt Steinbarth and business staff were present later in the meeting and said the budget workshop that followed would outline the district27s financial assumptions and that further discussions would be scheduled.

The public speakers requested the board restore the phonology program in the 202526ndash;26 budget so children with severe speech delays would continue to receive specialized group services in preschool rather than only one-on-one therapy.

Ending

The board took no formal action at the May 28 meeting on the phonology program; parents were told the issue could be raised again at a noticed agenda item or during upcoming budget workshops. Several board members asked staff for follow-up information on costs and the district27s rationale before any decision is made.