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Board authorizes DPI waiver after Woodworth fire and relocation to Marian University
Summary
The board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing staff to request a waiver from the Wisconsin DPI so Woodworth Middle School need not make up one missed instructional day after a May fire; the district relocated operations to Marian University and will submit documentation to DPI.
The Fond du Lac School District Board of Education voted unanimously to authorize a waiver request to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) asking that the district not be required to make up a single missed instructional day caused by a May fire at Woodworth Middle School.
Superintendent Steinbart explained the timeline: the fire occurred on May 13, displacement required relocation of Woodworth operations to Marian University, and after accounting for weather days and other scheduling, the district is short by one day of required instructional minutes. "In order to get that waived, we had to go through what we had earlier where we had public the opportunity for the public to speak on that," the superintendent said. The board moved and seconded the waiver resolution and approved it unanimously.
Administrators publicly thanked Marian University (identified in the meeting as President Erin Sedoff and university staff) for rapidly providing space and operational support. "Within hours after learning we wouldn't be able to be in the school...the staff jumped in," the superintendent said, noting food service, technology and other district supports were coordinated to keep students learning.
The board authorized staff to submit a formal request and documentation to DPI; DPI retains final authority to grant or deny the waiver. If DPI declines the waiver request, the district will schedule make‑up time for Woodworth students only.
What happens next: staff will compile and file the waiver request with DPI; the district will proceed with the relocated schedule while awaiting DPI’s determination.
