Hudson board votes to close Holton and Willow elementary schools after extended public comment

HUDSON, Wis. — The Hudson School District Board of Education voted Tuesday to close two neighborhood elementary schools — Holton and Willow — approving “option 2” after extended public comment and a lengthy board discussion about falling enrollment and future budget risks.

The motion to adopt option 2 — to close Holton and Willow elementary schools — was made by Maria (board member) and seconded by Brian (board member). On a roll call vote the board recorded: Dahl, aye; Garza, aye; Gerlach, no; Powers, aye; Rozowski, aye; Rudy, aye; Bauman, aye. The motion carried, 6–1.

The board and administration said the decision responds to continuing enrollment decline and projected budget shortfalls. Board member Megan presented updated district financial projections showing growing deficits under current assumptions; those projections, she said, indicate the district would face a multi‑million dollar shortfall by the 2029–30 school year if no structural changes are made. The district’s financial materials presented to the board cite roughly $3.7 million in estimated annual savings from closing two schools, a figure commented on repeatedly by public speakers.

Why it matters: Board members and parents said the choice was painful because neighborhood elementary schools provide local connections and smaller class sizes. Supporters of closure said the district must act to preserve programs and staffing at the secondary level; critics said the board should pause and work with the community to find alternatives.

Public comment before the vote featured dozens of speakers over more than four hours. Parents, students and community members urged the board to keep neighborhood schools open, pressed for independent review of enrollment and budget numbers, and proposed forming a community committee to pursue alternative revenue and partnership options. "If you close Holton, it will be a huge loss," said Ashley Kurtz, a parent of five children, addressing the board. "We are one of 40 families I am personally aware of considering leaving the district to go private or to homeschool." Several commenters said they had identified errors or inconsistencies in the staffing and capacity figures the district used to model the closure options. Colin Player told the board, "These figures make up 93% of Willow and 97% of Holton's projected cost savings. These aren't small mistakes."

Board members described a difficult choice between preserving neighborhood schools and preventing budget cuts that could reduce programming at the middle and high schools. Board member Brian Bauman said he had weighed the numbers and the long‑term risks: "We have to find a way to run efficiently to maintain excellence in this district," he said. Several board members explicitly stated that closing two schools was intended to prevent deeper cuts later to staffing, electives and student services.

Next steps: Board members said administration will begin transition planning and that the board will discuss disposition or repurposing of any closed buildings at an upcoming work session. Administration and board members also said they will prepare detailed plans for student transitions, staffing changes and transportation. Timing for when the closures become effective was not finalized at the meeting.

What the board recorded formally at the meeting: the motion to implement option 2 (close Holton and Willow) and the roll‑call vote (Dahl — aye; Garza — aye; Gerlach — no; Powers — aye; Rozowski — aye; Rudy — aye; Bauman — aye). The board chair said transition planning and reboundering would follow; the board asked administration to provide specific transition timelines and boundary/redistricting steps for future public discussion and meetings.

Community reaction and context: Many speakers urged delay, proposed alternatives such as a district/community revenue & partnership committee to pursue naming rights or sponsorships, and asked for independent review of projections. Several commenters pointed to local new construction and argued that future housing could change enrollment projections; others highlighted the long‑term community value of neighborhood schools and warned of enrollment losses if closures push families to private schools or to move away.

The meeting closed after the vote and a brief adjournment motion.