Local News

At its November 18 meeting, the School District of Mauston Board of Education
approved resolutions to consider the dissolution of the district and implement significant budget cuts for the 2025-26 school year.
These actions come as the district continues to face financial challenges after two referendums in 2024
did not pass.
The November 5, 2024 referendum, which received 49.3% voter support but did not pass, would have
allowed the district to exceed its state-imposed revenue limit by $1.75 million annually for the next four
years. An earlier referendum on April 2, 2024, received 38.2% voter support. Both measures aimed to
provide the necessary funding to maintain district operations.
With these referendums not passing, the board anticipates that the district will be unable to continue
operations beyond the 2026-2027 school year without additional revenue. The resolution to dissolve the
school district, approved on November 18, states:
“Whereas, the District sought, by referendum held on November 5, 2024, authorizing the District
to exceed the statutory revenue limit by $1.75 million on a four-year recurring basis; this
referendum failed to pass; the District had previously sought, by referendum held on April 2,
2024, to exceed the statutory revenue limit by $2 million on a four-year recurring basis; this prior
referendum also failed to pass,
Whereas, due to the failure of the above-referenced referenda, the District anticipates that it will
be unable to continue to operate after the 2026-2027 school year concludes,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Education of the School District of Mauston will
consider the dissolution of the District, in accordance with Wis. Stat. 117.10.”
Additionally, the board approved a resolution to implement previously proposed budget cuts for the
2025-26 school year. The approved cuts include:
? Closing Lyndon Station Elementary
? Cutting athletics, clubs, and field trips
? Eliminating afternoon summer school
? Eliminating one bus route
? Discontinuing the JEDI (virtual school) program
? Closing the Olson Middle School swimming pool during winter
? Eliminating elementary Family Fun Nights
? Eliminating the school musical

The board has opted not to move forward with cutting an additional 15-18 staff positions as originally
proposed. Instead, the district will pause hiring to balance the budget while minimizing the impact on
current staff and students.
“The board did not make this decision lightly,” said Mike Zilisch, Board Vice President. “Our community
has demonstrated a deep commitment to its schools, and we have explored multiple solutions to keep
our district operating. We are incredibly grateful to our families, students, staff, and community
members who have supported our schools through both challenges and successes. Unfortunately,
without additional funding, these measures are necessary to address our financial challenges
responsibly.”
The board will begin working with state and local officials to determine the next steps under Wisconsin
Statute 117.10, which outlines procedures for the dissolution of school districts. Community members
will be kept informed as the district proceeds with this process

Get your Christmas shopping list ready!  Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation’s Holiday Auction is almost here!  This online auction will give you the opportunity to bid on and, hopefully, win, one-of-a-kind items and experiences you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

The Holiday Auction will run online from Friday, November 29 through Saturday, December 7.  It will feature an exclusive list of items that have been donated by generous businesses and individuals from the community.  So far, the auction has a collection of home decor items, gift certificates to local restaurants, photography sessions, 3-month fitness passes, sets of Green Bay Packer tickets, 5-day African Safari Hunt, a Traeger grill, and so much more. New items are being added every day!

To checkout auction items as they are added and to register to bid, you can find links to the online auction page from Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation’s Facebook page or by visiting the ‘Calendar of Events’ at www.milebluff.com.  When you register for the auction, you will receive notifications when the auction is live and ready for your bids!

Proceeds from this auction will support the health of the community through the work of Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation.  It is through the generosity of donors that the foundation can support the medical center in providing new healthcare treatments, the expansion of services, healthcare career scholarships, and programs that benefit our community.

Whether it’s a gift for yourself or for the hard to buy for person on your list, Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation’s Holiday Auction is the perfect opportunity to find the gifts you are looking for.  For more information, call 608-847-2735.

Join us in celebrating our local farmers at the upcoming Farmers’ Appreciation Dinner! Let’s come together to honor our farmers and show our support for the hard work they do every day!

The sponsorship will be $40 per meal/family. The meal includes a 16-20lb frozen turkey, a 5lb bag of potatoes, a bag of stuffing mix, 4 large cans of vegetables, jellied cranberries, gravy, a loaf of bake-and-serve bread, and a large frozen pie all in a reusable grocery bag. This was met with an overwhelming amount of gratitude and surprise by the farmers. Last year we were able to lighten the load of 90 farming families of not only the New Lisbon area but other surrounding towns as well during their busy harvest season.

Please contact Tania Clark via text: at (608) 633-4301 or email: farmerapprecitation@gmail.com. You may also drop any donations off at the New Lisbon Chamber office during hours or use our QR code for a quick and easy donation.