Following the spring elections that took place earlier this month, the Prairie du Chien Board of Education has begun looking at the future while also acknowledging the past.

Justin Campbell will succeed former Board President Lonnie Achenbach, who chose not to run for reelection. The April 13 meeting was his last as a member of the board. Achenbach served on the board for nearly two decades and received a certificate recognizing his time with the district.

While there was some reverence for the past, the district is now poised to move forward after successfully obtaining an operational referendum.

Banasik and other administrators commented on the referendum's approval, which passed 1,371-925. The district previously failed to obtain an operating referendum in fall 2024 and spring 2025.

The non-recurring referendum will give the school approximately $2.9 million over three years.

"We understand it's difficult for our taxpayers because of the county jail, the safety building and the improvements that are needed for the city water department," said Banasik. "It's a tough decision — I know that — but it's great to see the support to help our students and staff in education."

He went on to credit the collaboration with CESA 3 and the community to pass the referendum, including the district's Strategic Planning Committee.

Banasik said the district's next steps are to complete the reorganization this summer. The students at the B.A. Kennedy building will be moving into Bluff View Intermediate School, taking the space opened by grades 7 and 8 moving to the high school building for the 2026-27 school year.

The district will also finalize plans for the Bluff View building, which requires remodeling to accommodate the younger students (particularly to the bathroom facilities).

Banasik said the district has representatives going to job fairs to attract new staff. He specifically mentioned Tomi Gebhard, the Bluff View Elementary principal, going to a fair in La Crosse. "She brought back some great candidates for us to look at filling those positions of people who are retiring or leaving the district."

The next scheduled board meeting is on May 11.

Hires

Ron Sedgwick, head junior varsity baseball coach; Tannah Radloff, assistant middle school track and field coach; Bailey Sternitzke, junior varsity one volleyball coach; and Emma Spitz, second-grade teacher.

Resignations

Paige Jelinek, Second-grade teacher.

Other business

• Dates of note: new school board members take their oath on April 27, and the parent applicant deadline for full-time open enrollment is April 30.
• Vicki Waller noted that the district closed one of the house sales on March 19. The other sale is expected to close by April 24.