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Resident urges board to improve communication after notice Hogan Elementary might close
Summary
At the June 8 Rice Lake Area School District board meeting, parent and resident Hunter Hogan urged clearer communication about a possible Hogan Elementary closure, saying the abrupt notice sowed fear among families and asking the district to seek solutions that minimize disruption to students.
Hunter Hogan, a Rice Lake resident and parent, told the Rice Lake Area School District board on June 8 that an abrupt announcement that Hogan Elementary might close has left families feeling “fear, frustration, confusion” and eroded trust. "These children have spent years building friendships and relationships with their classmates, teachers, and community," he said, adding that his 7-year-old son responded, "I'm not leaving Hogan. I love my school."
Hogan asked the board and district staff to open “lines of communication and transparency” so families can participate in crafting an "agreeable solution" and minimize disruption if a closure moves forward. He asked whether parents and students have been consulted and whether the board has considered the emotional impact on pupils who would be transferred through no fault of their own.
Board members did not debate the substance of Hogan's concerns during the public-comment period; the meeting proceeded to routine business. The district has not recorded a formal vote or taken public action on Hogan Elementary's status during this meeting. The board will address staffing and budget items later in the meeting and then entered closed session on an unrelated employee contract.
