Fort Atkinson board approves consent agenda, accepts retirements and donations; adopts open-enrollment resolution for 2026–27

The Fort Atkinson School District Board of Education approved its consent agenda on Jan. 15, which included minutes from the Dec. 18, 2025 meeting; personnel items; authorization to dispose of equipment; mid-year compensation adjustments; gifts; and the treasurer’s report.

Administrators announced retirements effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year for Deborah Lempke and Mark Peterson and thanked them for long service. "We thank Deb for her 25 years and Mark for his 26 years of service and dedication to the students and community of Fort Atkinson," an administrator said when noting the personnel items.

Donations accepted under the consent agenda included $500 from Ned Healy to support the high-school wrestling program, audio equipment valued at approximately $800 from Brian Hoffer for the auditorium, and $777 from the Fort Atkinson Youth Wrestling Program, totaling $2,077 in gifts specified at the meeting.

Mister Lup moved approval of the consent agenda and Missus Amato seconded; a roll call vote was recorded as unanimous yes.

On the district’s open-enrollment determination, administration explained the DPI-provided process for assessing available space for students from other districts. The board adopted a resolution stating that the district will not deny new regular-education open-enrollment applications for 2026–27 on the basis of space but that there are no available special-education open-enrollment spaces for the 2026–27 school year. The resolution was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.

The board also reviewed items scheduled for future meetings, including the district audit report, a technology report, 4K provider contract approvals, nutrition services report and remarks from school-board candidates. The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.