Lomira School Board Notes from April 8

The School District of Lomira Board of Education met on April 8.
Board Matters
There was a good number of Lomira teachers and staff in attendance at the meeting due to the board looking to go into closed session to discuss financial solutions for staff compensation and preliminary notice of non-renewals of current staff for the 2026-27 school year.
“As a representative of the 4K-5 staff, I would like to advocate for the Board to consider prioritizing funding for our 4K–5 buildings in light of the current budget and restructuring decisions for the 2026–2027 school year,” said TLC Second Grade Teacher Stephanie Smith, who spoke during public comment. “Our youngest learners are in a critical stage of development, often just beginning to build self-regulation and other foundational skills essential for long-term success.”

“Allocating resources to our elementary schools will help maintain small class sizes and ensure that teachers have the necessary support and tools to meet the diverse needs of our students. By investing in early education, we can strengthen the foundation upon which all future learning is built, ultimately supporting student success throughout their educational journey in the School District of Lomira,” said Smith.
“Regarding the teacher and staff presence at last night’s board meeting, I understand and appreciate the interest and engagement in the decisions the Board faces amidst the statewide challenges in funding public schools and declining enrollment,” said School District of Lomira Administrator Ty Breitlow. “As with any personnel-related matters, the district must balance transparency with the responsibility to respect employee privacy and follow appropriate employment procedures. The district, like many school systems, is carefully reviewing staffing and programming decisions in light of current and projected financial realities.”
“Our district is facing increasing financial pressure driven by rising operational costs, limited revenue growth, and the ongoing need to responsibly plan for future educational and facility needs,” said Breitlow. “As part of that work, we are evaluating how to align staffing, programming, and resources in a way that remains fiscally responsible while continuing to prioritize student learning and support.”
“These are never easy decisions, and we recognize the impact they have on staff, students, and the broader community,” said Breitlow. “The Board and administration remain committed to making thoughtful decisions that position the district for long-term stability.”
After last night’s closed session, the Board did approve compensation packages for the employee groups listed on the agenda, as well as approving the Library Media Specialist.
The school board was given an update on the April 7 election referendums around the state, where 46 of 75 school districts’ referendums were approved during the spring election.
Local school districts of Dodgeland and Oakfield approved their referendums, while the school districts of Hustisford and Fond du Lac referendums were voted down.
“Refrenda questions reflect the ongoing challenges districts face in maintaining programs, staffing, and facilities within Wisconsin’s current school finance structure,” said Breitlow. “School districts are increasingly turning to local voters to fund essential operations. Whether to maintain educational programming, address rising costs, or invest in infrastructure, these referenda highlight the growing reliance on local solutions in the absence of sufficient and predictable state funding.”
Each referendum reflects the unique needs of a community, but collectively, they tell a broader story about the pressures facing Wisconsin schools.
The referendums will not only shape local district budgets but also contribute to the ongoing statewide conversation about the needs of students and schools.
Lomira Summer School will run for 4 weeks (19 days) from June 8 to July 2.
Registration information will be sent out and will be available on the School District’s Facebook page (#LomiraPride) on Monday, April 20. Registration will then officially open on April 27 and remain open until May 8.
“The amazing staff has really stepped up to the challenge to add some new and exciting classes for students to choose from,” said Elementary Assistant Principal Eric Schalk.
The new classes include: Backyard Wildlife, Board Games, Girls in Leadership, Graphic Novel Creation, Learn with Legos, Nature Explorers, Picture Book Creation, Puzzles and Logic, Soul Power Snacks, Youth Volleyball, and Youth Wrestling.
“These, of course, go along with our academic support classes and other fun favorites from prior years,” said Schalk
One other exciting opportunity the school will have this summer is offering an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification class,
The EMR class is available to students 17 and up. It would be highly valuable to those students who are looking to enter a healthcare field or to join one of our fantastic local fire stations.
The class would be a few evenings a week. Interested students should reach out to the high school office.
Scholarships are available before April 30, and funding reimbursement is also available to students in order to help communities fill this need with our young, aspiring students.
April 7 Spring Election Results for School Board: Ed Feucht was re-elected in Zone 2, Jim Todl, a new school board member, was elected in Zone 4, and Ashley Billings, a new school board member, was elected in Zone 6.
Tornado Awareness Week will be April 13-17 for the School District.
The School Board approved the following agenda items: Resignation of Stephen Murphy at the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year. 2026 Summer School Course Description and Summer School Contracts for 2026. (Audit Contract not to exceed $24,825 with Vesta CPAs.)