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Wilmot UHS board approves UW Parkside sports‑officiating class and graphics communications pathway
Summary
The Wilmot UHS School District board approved a UW Parkside–affiliated sports‑officiating PAC course and the start of a graphics communications industrial‑arts pathway for the 2026–27 school year; the district described up‑front costs as potentially $10,000–$20,000 to launch the first two classes and a $55,000 worst‑case buildout for the full four‑course pathway.
The Wilmot UHS School District board approved two new curriculum offerings for the 2026–27 school year: a HACC/WI Parkside sports‑officiating PAC course that will offer students WIA certification and college credit, and the beginning stages of an industrial‑arts graphics communications pathway (graphics communications 1 and 2).
Presenter Norweg told the board the sports‑officiating class will be run in partnership with UW Parkside and carries no direct cost to the district because the course will be offered through the college’s PAC arrangement. "This will give students certification to become WIA certified officials and college credit," Norweg said. He described the course as season‑based, covering traditional high‑school sports such as basketball and volleyball, and noted students could work as officials and intern through the program.
Norweg also outlined a proposed graphics communications pathway that would include screen printing, graphic design and student‑run enterprises. He said the full four‑course pathway carries a retail worst‑case equipment estimate of about $55,000 but that startup for the first two courses could be substantially lower — "we're looking at at most 10 to maybe 20,000 to get these first two courses started," he said, emphasizing the district is pursuing donations and used equipment to reduce initial costs.
Board members asked whether qualified staff exist to teach the offerings and whether background checks had been completed. Norweg confirmed the instructor (Matt Connor) is currently a teacher in the building and has the necessary licenses; he also said the district has been building the program incrementally and plans presentations by the instructor on course outcomes.
Supporters described the pathway as a revenue and workforce development opportunity: students would create a physical portfolio, run student‑based enterprises (selling signs, shirts, banners) and potentially reduce outsourcing of school printing and signage. Norweg said the pathway also opens connections with local businesses and youth‑apprenticeship funding.
The board moved and seconded a motion to approve Graphics Communications 1 and 2 as the initial courses in the industrial‑arts pathway and to approve the HACC sports‑officiating course for 2026–27; the motion carried by voice vote.
Norweg and staff said the next steps include presenting a more detailed course schedule and a one‑, three‑ and five‑year plan for equipment and budgeting. The board requested a future presentation by the instructor to show expected student outcomes and program milestones.
