Sixteen Fort teachers receive preliminary notices of nonrenewal

By Chris Spangler

The School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education on Thursday gave the go-ahead for staffing reductions in the wake of the failed April 4 operational referendum.

Expressing regret, board members unanimously approved issuing preliminary notices of nonrenewal to 16 teachers; Heather Balsamo, Stacci Barganz, Penny Bright, Holly Dow, Peter Finnegan, Meghann Green, Sarah Horwath, Ronald Hribar, Tracey Koeppen, Dana Linde, Therese Okray, Lisa Perkins, Jennifer Rank, Nicholas Thom, Samantha Tres and Kim Westby. 

The referendum had sought to exceed the state-allowed tax levy by $3 million annually beginning the next school year into perpetuity and by an additional $5 million on a non-recurring basis for four years ending in the 2026-27 school year. 

However, the measure failed by 950 votes, with 3,463 “no” votes and 2,513 “yes” ballots. That left the district with a $6.8 million spending gap that district officials said must be closed over the next five years. 

During a budget adjustment presentation at Thursday’s monthly meeting, School District of Fort Atkinson Superintendent Rob Abbott reviewed the strategies the district has used to meet priorities. They included providing a competitive compensation and benefit package for 2023-24 and in the financial forecasting, “right-sizing” staff to align to current and forecast enrollment and program needs, evaluating all vacancies for possible attrition or restructuring, and analyzing “current programming to prioritize return on investment and recognize opportunities for strategic abandonment.”

The first strategy, he said, “has been a challenge for the past two years as inflation has been rising. Our overarching strategy in our work since April 6 has been to preserve compensation and benefit packages for our employees to ensure that we are competitive in attracting and retaining high-quality team members to serve the families of Fort Atkinson.”

As the board learned at a special meeting April 6, the additional cuts will result in layoffs. 

“It is the intention of this strategy not to freeze or reduce salaries or benefits to avoid layoffs,” Abbott said. “As you will see, we will be asking team members that will be continuing their employment with us to take on more responsibilities as we move forward in our strategic plan with fewer staff.”

He said compensating those employees will be necessary in retaining staff members next year and beyond.

District Director of Business Services Jason Demerath outlined budget cuts to date, stating that the work to “right-size” staffing starting a year ago when preparing the 2022-23 budget. 

“Coming into this current fiscal year, we attritioned seven full-time positions across the district, totaling nearly $540,000 in savings,” he said. 

Those $539,652 in cuts included cutting a full-time elementary classroom teacher, elementary math interventionist, high school math teacher, high school technology education teacher, middle school technology eduction teacher, middle school library media specialist and a library support position.

Demerath said that in light of the failed operational referendum, the district required additional reductions through attrition and restructuring for 2023-24.

“We are able to cut 16.5 positions across our district totaling an annual recurring savings of $1.2 million,” he said. “These positions are the ones that we brought forward to cut to fulfill our promise to the community to cut a cumulative $5 million over the next four years as it related to the operational referendum.”

Those cuts included eliminating: a full-time special education teacher, two full-time elementary teachers, a full-time high school Spanish teacher, a full-time middle school physical education/health teacher, a full-time middle school English/language arts teacher, a full-time elementary art teacher, a full-time district director of communications, a full-time elementary media specialist, a full-time high school technology education teacher, a full-time high school math teacher, a full-time high school counselor, a full-time middle school math teacher, a full-time middle school math interventionist/coach, a full-time middle school dean of students and 1.5 FTE paraprofessionals.

“Through the $1.2 million in cuts, as well as the negotiated health insurance renewal that was lower than what was projected, we decreased the projected deficit for next year by over $1.4 million,” Demerath said. “As a result, that new $5.4 million deficit was our starting point for our conversation about additional cuts going into next school year.”

He recalled, as reported April 6, the importance of maintaining a fund balance — a cash reserve of sorts — to avoid short-term borrowing for cash-flow needs at the low point in the year such as before taxes are received. The state Department of Public Instruction recommends a fund balance of around $10 million for a district the size of Fort Atkinson. 

Demerath said that at the end of next year, the fund balance would be about $8.3 million, or $1.7 less than recommended.

“That $1.7 million is the option the board gravitated toward in advisement to the administrative team regarding how much more to cut from next year’s budget,” Demerath added.

Looking toward that end, Abbott said that the failure of the operational referendum “expedited our need for fiscal constraint. This evening’s budget cuts were crafted with the consensus of the full administrative team as our best effort to achieve the desired fiscal results while best positioning our district to move to the future.”

He said that in addition to the aforementioned strategies to meet priorities, the district also must remain a comprehensive school district and continue to grow; focus on recurring expenses, not one-time expenses, and balance student/school/staff impacts with community requirement for efficiencies.

“Although some programs and service models will operate differently in the future, we prioritized not cutting entire programs or entire service models,” Abbott said. “In our efforts, we focused on recurring expenses, those that will have the most significant impact on the need for the stability of our finances and future operational referendums, (those) that will offset insufficient funding from the state Legislature.”

He noted that supply budgets and other related non-recurring items have not been increased in years, including the past two years in which they alone had a combined inflation rate of 13%. 

“Managing the inflationary increases in prices of goods and services we purchase without a budget increase has effectively been a cut through the need to continue to determine the best value and use of our limited funds,” Abbott stated.

He said the proposed staffing cuts are “an attempt to keep all opportunities, programs and services in place for students.

“Fort Atkinson’s kids are the sole reason for our schools’ existence,” the district administrator said. “In service to our kids, all the cuts and restructuring efforts … were developed with the strategic plan in mind. We need to continue seeing improvement in our students’ performance and growth. We also need to continue in our pursuit to be the preferred educational option in our area.”

With all that in mind, Abbott listed the proposed reduction of 21.16-plus full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions adding up to a $2.1 million budget reduction. They included cutting:

• A full-time elementary classroom teacher.

• A full-time elementary music teacher.

• A full-time elementary physical education teacher.

• Two full-time elementary library media specialists.

• A full-time elementary literacy interventionist.

• A full-time elementary math interventionist.

• A full-time middle school business education teacher.

• A full-time middle school social studies teacher.

• A full-time high school at-risk teacher.

• A full-time high school English teacher.

• A full-time high school science teacher.

• A full-time orchestra teacher.

• A full-time multilingual teacher.

• A half-time speech and language pathologist.

• A half-time 4-year-old kindergarten coordinator.

• A full-time gifted and talented coordinator.

• A half-time custodian.

• 2.66 FTE administrative assistants.

• Multiple elementary paraprofessionals.

• Stipends for the middle school athletic director and high school assistant athletic director.

• Reduction of some extra teacher contract days.

• Taking advantage of some athletic/activity program efficiencies.

“When totaled, past reductions, along with tonight’s package of cuts, will yield a recurring savings of over $3.8 million for the taxpayers of Fort Atkinson,” Abbott said. 

He cited two reasons the cuts exceed the $1.7 million: “The potential for a smaller and successful operational referendum next year and to better engage in some restructuring within our district to better align with declining enrollment, better utilization of our staff and to build upon our programatic strengths as we work toward our strategic plan.”

Abbott said the restructuring approach expands the use of staff for instruction, maximizes transfers through licensing flexibility and changes program structures and delivery through the reassignment of duties.

“… All certified staff will be teaching more during the school day, resulting in a portion of preparation time and professional collaboration time moving outside of the school day,” he said, adding, “To say it simply, everyone across the school district will be doing more.” 

He continued: “We have prioritized our learners in this package of cuts. No programs have been eliminated, and in doing so, these changes will have direct implications on our staff’s workloads and responsibilities moving forward. Learners were and will continue to be our focus. This restructuring is a strategic reset, given our fiscal constraints, for our district to serve learner needs well into the future.”

Abbott outlined a variety of ways the schools will look different. At the elementary level, maintaining the four schools with reduced sections will require some movement of students across schools and higher, yet reasonable class sizes. There will be an increased sharing of staff across the schools, and reduced frequency of music, art, library and physical education instruction. The fifth-grade band and orchestra will be maintained through sharing district music staff and one library media specialist will oversee the four schools’ libraries, Abbott said.

The middle school also will experience higher, yet reasonable class sizes, with English and math teachers providing some reading and math intervention. Abbott said the middle school athletic director’s duties will move to the high school athletic director and the dean of students’ duties will move to middle school administrators.

The most noticeable change at the high school, he said, is moving away from the block schedule.

“We know the high school’s current block schedule is significantly more expensive than other schedules and it is something that we can no longer afford,” Abbott said, adding that schedule changes for next year will be shared with staff, students and families in the near future.

Also anticipated at the high school are higher, yet reasonable, class sizes; a potential for fewer elective offerings for some students; a shared custodian between the high school and elementary schools; and the high school library media specialist overseeing the middle school library.

Districtwide, Abbott reported that the director of communication and community engagement’s responsibilities will be reallocated to district administrators, there will be reduction in administrative assistant positions at the district level, coordination of the 4K and gifted and talented programs will move to district administration and additional duties will be assigned to the special education/pupil services coordinator and academic advancement coordinator.

Demerath told the board that with additional $2.1 million in cuts, the district is projecting a deficit for 2023-24 of $3.1 million. Looking at that five years from now, the annual deficit will be reduced by more than $5 million.

“The bottom line is this: Even by cutting over 45 positions totaling more than $3.8 million over the past 12 months, we’re still looking at a $3.1 million deficit for next year and over $5 million the following year,” Demerath said. “We might be hard pressed to find a better illustration of how the public school funding system in Wisconsin at the state level is broken and how it is up to the people in this room and this community to decide through a local referendum whether or not their local public schools are funded.”

He said the state Legislature has provided no revenue increase more than two years, resulting in a record number of operating referendums statewide. 

“And even with cuts of over $3.8 million, a referendum next year will be necessary, as that may very well be the permanent revenue model of Wisconsin public schools moving forward,” Demerath said.

As for the fund balance, it it estimated to be $10,584,388 in June 2024, a level that should allow the district to operate without short-term borrowing, he said.

Final notices of nonrenewal for certified staff and issuance of 2023-24 teaching contracts will be on the agenda at a special meeting Monday, May 8. 

“We remain committed to our students, our families and our communities, as these changes preserve all student programming and will continue us on our path to achieve our strategic plan goals in the future. We continue to believe that the best is yet to come in our 1Fort schools,” Abbott concluded.

Board discussion

After the presentation, board member Chris Rogers asked about the criteria the board used in making the specific teacher cuts. 

“We first reviewed and identified which positions needed to be reduced and from there, of course, we looked at those in the positions and looked at a variety of factors that included licensure, flexibility, flexibility in others areas to reassigned, performance evaluations and so on,” Director of Human Resources Mandy Turnbull explained. “There wasn’t one specific criteria we looked at for every single situation. In some cases, there was only one person tied to a specific position and then in that case, a decision was made. “

Responding to a related question by board President Kory Knickrehm, Abbott said the district first looked at criteria provided by the board.

“As we got into the process, knowing that the $1.7 million was the goal, it became evident that bigger things needed to happen to reset for us to be able to move forward in the future,” he said. “So there is nothing arbitrary about the positions that are before you tonight. They are inclusive of the full administrative team and it’s been a nonstop 13-day journey for us to be prepared to share initial findings with you at Tuesday’s special meeting and then again for you tonight.

“We really are trying to approach this as ‘how do we regroup and repackage knowing that our community needs this from us in order to potentially support us in the future?’” Abbott continued. “We certainly, as I’m sure you can imagine nor would I think anyone would disagree, don’t take any of these lightly. These are significant changes, but I do believe that if change is upon us, given the fiscal constraints, we need to take this opportunity in order to position ourselves to be the most successful as possible next spring.”

Board Clerk Robynn Selle asked Abbott to talk about block scheduling at the high school.

“In the existing block schedule, one-quarter of a teacher’s day was preparation time, and that made it difficult to use staff differently during the day as well. And given the way that schedule operates in filling it with students, it’s known nationally to necessitate additional teaching staff in order to work that schedule,” he explained.

Abbott said that prior to the failure of the operational referendum, there had been investigation into how to best schedule the high school for best results.

Knickrehm asked Abbott to expand on the potential for fewer electives at the high school level.

“That will factor depending on the schedule model they have moving forward,” the superintendent said. “We’re trying to be as clear with people as to what some of the ramifications may be. There may be some students who don’t have as many courses in their schedule as they would have in other options. 

“I know one of the priorities there is to get as many kids in classes and not in study halls and other places where classes could be used. That’s more of a default that, yet, there might be some changes in electives. I don’t know that we see that being a prevalent situation necessarily, but that would be one of the next steps moving forward as the high school finalizes what they will be doing.”

Responding to a question regarding enrollment, Abbott said the cuts correct the expected drop in enrollment at the middle school. At the elementary school level, enrollment will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on 4K and kindergarten numbers.

Selle asked about how administration has been affected. Abbott said the communications coordinator position has been cut, and administrative staff are sharing duties.

He noted that the administrators are under contract through January.

The board clerk also addressed the fact that even with the $3.8 million in savings, there still will be a need for an operational referendum next year.

“There’s no joy in this work. … This is incredible,” Abbott said, calling the fact that even $3.8 million in cuts are not enough “disheartening.”

Selle pointed blame at the state, which is sitting on a $7 billion surplus, yet the local level is feeling it. 

“Coming here tonight, it felt like I was coming to a funeral … We are truly making life-changing decisions,” she said. 

I really believe that for the long-term fiscal health of the district and to have competitive programming to bring in staff with a good pay and benefits package, we can’t just go slash 16% of everyone’s pay across the board, because that is what it essentially would be,” she said. “And I think that would make the district really, really suffer.”

She said the Legislature must start to fund public schools as they’re supposed to do.

Abbott pointed out that the state Legislature is working on its biennial budget and now is the time for electors to provide input to legislators. 

“Voices truly do matter, and while we may not always agree, I think those that are elected to represent us in Madison need to hear the concerns and hear some of what’s being shared this evening, because that truly could have a profound impact on the next biennial budget,” he said.

Knickrehm asked Abbott where funding will be 12 months from now.

“There certainly will be a need for a referendum. A simple way to explain it would be, over the past decade, the state has given us more-than-$200 per student increase from one year to the next,” Abbott said. “A once $3 million deficit is $1,200 per kid. So, to expect the state will give us a $1,200-,per-kid increase next year and even then, with declining enrollment and not keeping up with inflation, that won’t even keep up with the future.”

Knickrehm said that personally, he has grappled with this funding tragedy since election night.

“The numbers we have to cut are never comfortable from where we’re sitting today. Our job up here is to be financially prudent to the taxpayers and Fort Atkinson while giving the highest level of education for the children in our district. It was shocking, like a funeral coming in here today, and I want to make clear that the staff is a certain and definite priority in this district and, like all of you, I can’t express the gratitude I have for you all.,” he said. “In a time and a week that has been very stressful for all, … I hope that you know that the board that we appreciate it you all. 

“We have to make these difficult decisions of where and who and why of all these things, and at the end of the day, the funding simply has not kept up with it. This is not a Fort Atkinson issue. This is an issue that public education has been grappling with for a long time …,” Knickrehm said.  

Rogers agreed, and pointed out that one thing not mentioned during the budget discussion was that fact that the district has very little long-term debt.

“Boards in the past have made sure that the long-term debt we did have has been paid off before it really is due, so when we’re looking at our financial problems, long-term debt is not one of those problems,” he said.

Selle added that in November, the capital referendum passed, so any projects people see underway are not related to the staff cuts.

Abbott pointed out that legally, the district can not use any of the capital funds for the operational costs.

Selle thanked the students for turning out and speaking during the public comment section, and Treasurer Rhona Buchta echoed that sentiment.

“To appreciate there is distinction between this understanding of fiscally being prudent in a business sense and then there’s this component of humanity that can not have any value to it because it is invaluable. … To see all of these students come up, doing what they’re supposed to do as citizens, doing their civic duty, I feel like that gives us hope in a very dark and heavy time,” she said. 

“That goes to show that our teachers should be commended because they have instilled a value of their teaching here. It is commendable to see students come, speak very eloquently, very impressively, in such a way that says, ‘hey, this is what we want. We’re going to voice it.’ As nervous as some have been, they did it. No voice doesn’t make a mark. A voice does. None of this is easy.” 

She concluded: “I can’t imagine what is going to happen in the next few days, but I agree we have to trust our administration, which I do; trust our teachers; trust our students; trust our community in understanding in that it’s not just one part. It’s all of us and we need to understand that the contribution of the whole can’t become a whole until we all do it together.” 

Rogers made the motion for the teacher nonrewals. This was seconded by Selle and unanimously approved.

Public comment

At the start of the board meeting, several members of the public spoke regarding the staff cuts, including five students who specifically made a plea to retain high school science teacher Samantha Tres.

Students Rebecca Christ and Sylbie Beers together addressed the board.

“Tonight I am not here to blame anyone what this school district is going through. Instead, I and many other students are here to tell you the impact these decisions have already made on us,” they said.

They shared what the Wednesday was like as they saw teachers’ reactions to being told they would be losing their jobs.

“Coming into school today, the change in culture was readily apparent. Students are on edge not knowing what their education is going to look like in the near future, just as much as staff is on edge not knowing if they’ll have a job next year.

“In our community, you advertise being 1Fort, 1Team, 1District and 1Community, (but) the behaviors coming from the board and superintendent, only blaming the community for what has happened, and the (behaviors) coming from the community, only blaming the board and superintendent what has happened, is not demonstrating all that we preach when we say 1Fort.”

They asked that the board think about the people on the nonrenewable list, especially science teacher Samantha Tres.

“Miss Tres is more than just a teacher. She is someone any of her students can come to seeking help with her classes, other classes and anything else going on in their lives,” they said, calling her a mentor to all students, and someone who goes the extra mile to help them. 

“Miss Tres is someone who teaches and comes to school because she gets to, not because she has to. Miss Tres is someone who loves her job and her students more than I thought anyone could love their job.

“We’ve seen the cuts you’ve made and how they’ve directly affected the students of Fort Atkinson and our education. I would like know what cuts were made at the top of this district that don’t have the same monumental impact on students daily. We’ve needed to do better, and clearly, we still need to do better,” they concluded.

Kenzie Paske, a junior, quoted the late newsman Tom Brokow, who once said that “it is easy to make a buck; it’s a lot tougher to make a difference.”

“And that’s exactly what Miss Tres does: make a difference,” she said.

“Once I started getting to know her throughout the three classes I’ve had with her this year, I began to love her not only as a teacher, but as a person. She continually inspired me and pushed me to do my best and achieve my goals. And unlike most teachers, she helps me to achieve those goals.

Paske said that Tres helped her get a job shadow and career path, and she generally cares about each student’s education.

“Miss Tres is hardworking, selfless, funny and humble. She has been teaching for five years and has continuously put in 110% effort to ensure that her students get the best learning experience possible,” Paske said.

The junior said that Tres puts her students before herself due to her passion for teaching.

“I think that not renewing Miss Tres’ contract would really be a disservice to all students that would miss the opportunity to work and learn from such a pure and amazing teacher. I know I cannot not simply make these budget cuts disappear, but I ask you to take the time again to think about the impact that continuing Miss Tres’ nonrenewal would put on the students of Fort Atkinson High School and their education.”

Also speaking was Maren Haagensen, who presented the board with a petition in support of Tres retaining her job.

She said she has Medical Occupations with Tres and learned that the teacher might lose her job this morning. At 8:15 a.m., she created the petition.

“As one of the few teachers who connects with her students and builds bonds with them, the students cannot see how she is not valuable to Fort Atkinson High School,” it reads. “We, the students of Fort Atkinson High School, urge our school board to change their decision about who they are letting go.”

Haagensen noted that at 8:30 a.m., she started getting signatures, which numbered 150 by noon. At 3:10 p.m., 353 students had signed the petition.

“I would say, give or take, that’s about 950 students who go to Fort Atkinson High School, so that’s about 37% of the students who signed,” she said. 

She said that Tres is a teacher students will remember their entire life. She is the only teacher who teaches Medical Occupations and Bio-Technology, “so anyone who wants to go into the medical field will no longer have a sort of gateway.

“She makes a difference and she makes an impact and she makes a change. I think that she’s just too valuable to let go …,” the student concluded.

Also addressing the board was Rachel Snethen, a former school board member and parent of a fifth-grader at Luther Elementary School.

She started by encouraging everyone to contact their state representatives — Sen. Steve Nass and Rep. Scott Johnson — to voice concerns about state funding for public education.

“The Fort Atkinson school district will be the first among the many school districts in the coming years to make cuts just like you’re having to do tonight,” Snethen said. “We’re seeing this all over the state. At some point, communities across the state will be confronted with the same effects of rising interest rates, unstable wage gaps, construction costs, insurance premium hikes and continuing disinvesting in our public school education. 

“At some point in time, other communities will say no too to paying extra taxes to supplement school funding the state took away over several decades. This has been a long time coming and it’s very unfortunate for the people that are in the school district,” she added.

Snethen noted that state lawmakers work for the people. Wisconsin state government is broken and has been so for a very long time.

“These children are the ones who will pay the price for our inaction now, which means we need to step up. We’re the adults. We need to act,” she advised.

Legislators must reach across the aisle to solve these issues, Snethen said. 

“Our Fort Atkinson school district administration, our board, our staff, our teachers, they deserve better. But most of all, our children deserve better,” she concluded.

Ethan Toeller thanked all the students who signed the petition.

“Miss Tres was a teacher in our science department. She’s a teacher first and a friend second. Unlike a lot of teachers, she has a way of teaching that can make anybody interested in her class,” he said.

Toeller said that Tres doesn’t talk at students; she talks with them. 

“She created a space for us to actually effectively learn. Her teaching style was engaging and thought-provoking. It made me look forward to her class every day,” he said, adding that losing a teacher such as Tres will negatively impact the quality of education.

“Teachers like Miss Tres are the ones who make a difference in students’ lives. They go above and beyond to create a learning environment that is engaging and challenging and supportive. They inspire their students to learn and grow and help them develop the skills they need to be successful in life.

“It’s a shame this district is being forced to fire any teacher, in this community, education should be a top priority. But as we’ve seen this week, it isn’t. We should be investing in our teachers and students. Miss Tres is the kind of teacher all teachers should aspire to be like.”

No teacher deserves this, he said, noting that when he turns 18, he will vote to support public education. 

Matt Mascal, a middle school science teacher for 17 years, told that board that he has no doubt the people making the budget decisions have acted with integrity, compassion and the best interests of students and the community in mind. However, he said very little has been shared regarding the criteria used in staff reductions.

“This includes information on how areas were identified for reduction, as well as how individuals from these areas were selected for nonrenewal,” he said. “… I urge all of you to provide full transparency regarding the criteria and the decisionmaking process used in determining which positions to terminate and which individuals to issue nonrenewals. True teamwork requires honesty and trust.”

Ben Pfaff also addressed the board, asking members to stop raising his school taxes.

“I know you’re going to try to do another referendum; don’t do it. The bank’s broke. I’m making the same amount of money, even though I’m $10 higher, than I was making 10 years ago. My money goes the same distance. It’s tough. It sucks. It sucks losing jobs. I’ve always had to look for a job,” he said.

He said that, like teachers, he is lucky because he is a state employee who receives good benefits.

“The best thing you students can do is go for the major you believe in and get a teaching minor. That’s where I screwed up,” he said.

An earlier story, outlining the three options presented to the board on April 6, board discussion, and its decision to chose “Option 2,” is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/fort-school-board-advises-staffing-reductions-in-response-to-failed-referendum/. 

Other business

In other business, the board:

• Approved the retirement of Anthony Swantz, a full-time social studies teacher at Fort Atkinson High School. He has worked for the district 26 years.

• Approved two new courses for next school year: AP Seminar (replacing Accelerated English 10) and AP English Language and Composition (replacing Accelerated English 11).

• Approved disposal of the middle school grandstand bleachers.

• Approved the driver education service agreement addendum with Tri-City Driving School.

• Accepted a donation from the Whitewater Movie Theatre of 40 movie passes and six extra-large bags of popcorn with an approximate value of $300 to Luther Elementary School.