IOWA-GRANT'S PANTHER PRESS

State leaders reach a deal to fund schools – Unknowns remain

In breaking news, the Governor and the Legislature reached a tentative deal on the state budget promising nearly a $1.4 billion boost in spendable revenue for K-12 schools, which includes raising the special education reimbursement rate for schools to 42 percent. There are still some steps left before the state budget becomes law, so I am adopting a “wait and see” attitude. This reason is a distinction between “sum certain” and a “sum sufficient” and in the wording so far the allocation is sum certain.

In sum certain, the money is allocated to be divided up among all the school districts, which then make claims for reimbursement. If there are more claims than funds, the distributions are prorated. For example, a commitment of 33% state reimbursement became closer to 29% last year. In sum sufficient, districts would report their costs to the state and be reimbursed fully. As worded now in the budget bill, the promised allocation is sum certain. So commitments of 42% may not actually pan out.

Further, numbers released on July 1, 2025 from the Department of Public Instruction foretell a reduction in state aid for 66% of Wisconsin school districts including the Iowa-Grant School District. Current law allows school districts to increase revenue by $325 per student. In the past, these increases were aided by the state. In the new budget bill, this amount will not be aided and will shifted to local property taxes. It’s unclear whether or not the promised allocation for special education reimbursement will offset the loss of general state aid.

The dynamics above create a new challenge for our school district. Considering the new revenue authority from the November 2024 referendum, it's not that the district will not have adequate taxing authority, instead it will be trying to balance increases in property taxes in light of reduced state aid. The state's tax reductions may come at a cost to local property tax payers - a tax shift.

In these uncertain times, we are again encouraging community conversations. We will be hosting another Family and Community Town Supper on October 28th to revisit the high school locker room renovation project. By that time the unknowns about state funding should be resolved. I expect the Board of Education may take up the matter again in November. We will be looking for community feedback on funding the project through non-referendum debt.

As we work over the summer to get things ready for the new school year, I again want to express appreciation for the community support we received in passing the referendum for operations. Long-deferred maintenance items are being addressed bit by bit. Thirty-five year old carpet is being replace, doors are being painted, and higher cost items are on the docket. I am pleased to report that our kitchen upgrades are nearly complete. Below is a photo of Food Service Director Barb Hugill beside newly installed ranges at IGEMS. The old ovens have also been replaced. The walk-in cooler at the high school is a day away from complete installation. Exterior masonry is on schedule for cleaning and sealing this summer along with other projects that, although not glamorous, are necessary for the long-term longevity of our buildings.

Again, there is still a lot at stake with the state budget as we plan for fiscal year 2025-2026, which starts July 1. One way or another, we’ll keep moving forward. Stay tuned.

Michael Shimshak

The Summer Electronic Benefit (EBT) program helps families buy food while school is out during the summer and nutritious school meals may not be available. Through Summer EBT, families can get one payment per summer for each eligible child in their household. For the 2024-25 school year, Summer EBT benefits will be sent to families with eligible children starting in May 2025.

Your child will automatically qualify for Summer EBT if your household gets FoodShare, W-2 Cash Benefits, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits, or participates in certain income-based Medicaid programs If your household does not participate in one of these programs, there are actions you can take to see if your child can qualify before Summer EBT benefits are sent out for Summer 2025.

• You can apply to participate in one of the qualifying state benefit programs.

If you apply and are approved for FoodShare, W-2 Cash Benefits, FDPIR, or certain income-based Medicaid Programs before the end of Summer 2025, then your child who attends IOWA-GRANT SCHOOL DISTRICT will be eligible for Summer EBT for 2025. To learn more about applying for any of these state benefits you can call 211, visit access.wi.gov, or contact your local or tribal agency. Visit dhs.wi.gov/forwardhealth/imagency/index.htm to find the agency based on where you live who will help you apply or enroll for programs.

• You can apply directly for Summer EBT. You can apply on https://wisconsin.summerebtapp.com for Summer EBT. When applying for Summer EBT for your child(ren) who attend IOWA-GRANT SCHOOL DISTRICT, you will need to show that your household meets the income requirements for the program. The Summer EBT webpage at dhs.wi.gov/sebt has more information on what these income requirements are.

Note: This information is for children that attend IOWA-GRANT SCHOOL DISTRICT. If you have another child that goes to a different school, the steps here might not be the right ones for them to qualify for Summer EBT and they may get a different letter explaining how they would qualify. You can visit dhs.wi.gov/sebt to learn more.

Getting Summer EBT does not affect whether your child can get other benefits, such as meals offered through the Summer Food Service Program (SFS) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO). To learn more about SFSP or SSO meal sites near you, visit https://dpi.wi.gov/community-nutrition/sfsp/find-summer-meals-site or call 211. You can also text ‘food’ to 304-304. Getting Summer EBT also does not affect your child’s or family’s immigration status.

If you have other questions about the Summer EBT program, please visit the Summer EBT webpage at dhs.wi.gov/sebt. You can also email your questions to dhssebtsupport@wi.gov.

Questions about your child’s immunization for the start of school?

Before the start of the school year please review your student's immunization record and ensure that they have the requirements for their age/grade level or an exemption on file at school. Please see the links below for more information.

To review your student’s immunization record

• Go here! Wisconsin Immunization Registry

To review age/grade requirements for WI Schools

• Go here! STUDENT IMMUNIZATION LAW AGE/GRADE REQUIREMENTS

The form that schools use for immunizations and exemptions

• Go here! Student Immunization Record

There have been no changes to the exemption options for medical, religious, or personal conviction reasons. The school district needs a completed Student Immunization record form for these exemption options.

If you have any questions please contact District Nurse Amanda Linscheid at alinscheid@igs.k12.wi.us.

Eight students from IGSD spent an entire week at the UW-Platteville Band Camp. The students learned several different songs and attended different classes. They performed on Saturday, June 28th at Brodbeck Concert Hall.

Pictured from (l-r, top row) Jaxson R., Trenton Pelton, and Max H.

(l-r, bottom row) Evie K., Lyla Moen-Hines, Alex Sporle, Gabby Munson, Breanna Dowell

7/14 6:30 PM Board Meeting

DISTINGUISHED HONORS:

Seniors:

Lucas Christiansen, Bret Connolly, Linnea Elg, Emma Pink, Katie Rickard, Myles Rowe, Addison Schafer

Juniors:

Pajessa Baker, Trinity Baker, Jaxon Busse, Adeline Foley, William Fulton , Quinn Hoeper, Rilya Hrubes, Brooklyn Jennings, Addison Kramer, Noah Lange, Treaton Loeffelholz, Sam Lundell, Ellison Moen, Gabriella Munson, Delaney Reid, Lucinda Spurley, Addyson Winkers, Everett Zimmer

Sophomores:

Cash Anderson, Kristina Crow, Abigail Droessler, Addeline Elg, Landon Friesen, Jacob Grindey, Madelyn Klein, Calvin McHone, Brayden Shemak, June Spurley

Freshman:

Taylor Aide, Kylie Breuer, Breanna Dowell, Alayna Enloe, Joslyn Iverson, Cadence Kelley, Ava Klaas, Olivia Koss, Evelena Linscheid, Trinity Loeffelholz, Trinity Lowe, Stevie Pelton, Rena Pettit, Makenna Riemenapp, Braelyn Rothamer, Ezmae Sandberg, Georgia Trecek, Hadleigh Vivian

HIGH HONORS:

Seniors:

Beatrice Bacchiocchi, Blake Droessler, Georgia Haase, Lakyn Holman, Faith Kite, BreAnn Kohlenberg, Baylee Leix, Ava Orth, Gretta Schmitz, Addysen Spink, Charles Straka

Juniors:

Nina Buroker, Maddox Fisher, Anayeli Garcia-Cuahuizo, Abigail Hake, Quentin Koss, Laila Ritchie, Alexandria Sporle

Sophomores:

Ubaldo Bartolo Marin, Jason Bartolo-Garcia, Blayden Bonson, Griffen Cartwright, Ella Dosch, Brock Hinderman, Presley Lehman, Lillian Linscheid, Valeria Ramos Ramirez, Serenity Rose, Deacon Wetzel, Jack Whitaker, Owen Wyatt

Freshman:

Hayden Aultman, Jason Biddick, Ryan Bonson, Ty Cutts, Reese DiVall, Chelsey Mueller, Lilly Peterson, Brynne Pettit, Michelle Quiahua, Cole Schauff

HONORS:

Seniors:

Gavin Hinderman, Sadie Hoge, Hayden Hynes, Kayden Klein, Kaycee Lindner, Jocelyn Ramos Ramirez, Dawson Reid, Skyler Reiter, Zoe Revak, Sadie Stanton, William Whitaker

Juniors:

Eric Bartolo-Garcia, Daniel Dosch, Emma Govier, Lexie Kuhls, Emery Riemenapp, Taylor Zoha

Sophomores:

Noah Gochenaur, Mason Hove, Riley McLaughlin, Kyleigh Miles, Kendra Wallace

Freshman:

Luis Escalante Rodriquez, Kenneth Halverson, Liam Hildreth, Maria Schafer, Hope Sporle, Scarlett Welsh

Good Luck and Safe Travels to Lucy Spurley and Will Fulton as they will spend the next 2 weeks performing in England, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. They left on June 27th from the University of Green Bay.

Quentin Koss was choosen out of 750 tenor auditions to participate in the WSMA State Honor's Choir. He spent a few days at UW-Eau Claire where he practiced with other choir members from across the state. The final performance will be held at the Overture Center on October 30th.

Happy Summer! I hope everyone is getting time with family and friends!

We completed an amazing week of summer school in June and still have a few opportunities if you would like to enroll in our July sessions. Missoula Children’s Theater will begin August 4th with performances Friday night and Saturday morning.

Summer recreation is wrapping up this month, and T-ball and Coach pitch will be starting July 7th. The summer school dates are listed below:

• July 7th - 10th, 2nd session: (2 sections, 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)

• July 21st - 25th, 3rd session: (2 sections, 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m)

To sign up for JULY 7th-10th classes, go to:

To sign up for JULY 21st -24th classes, go to:

There will be a snack/recess in between sections. Please reach out to Jennifer Gallagher if you have any questions.

There will also be a summer school bus that will follow the pool bus routes. The stops are as follows for pick-up: (estimates on time)

7:07 a.m. Livingston Park

7:17 a.m. Rewey Church

7:35 a.m. Linden Park

7:42 a.m. Edmund Church

7:49 a.m. Old Cobb School and Kids Kingdom

7:58 a.m. Monfort Post Office

8:07 a.m. at IGEMS

These are the estimated times for drop-off:

11:52 in Montfort

12:02 in Cobb Stops

12:09 in Edmond

12:16 in Linden

12:32 in Rewey

12:46 in Livingston

These times depend on what time the bus leaves the IG school

We also offer T-ball, coach pitch softball, and baseball. This runs in the evenings on Mondays and Thursdays from July 7th - July 31st with:

T-Ball 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

Coach Pitch 6:30 - 7:30 p.m

Summer is flying by fast!

Have you read to your child recently? Summer is certainly time for play and outdoor fun, but it’s also a great time to establish a daily routine of reading aloud to your child for 10-15 minutes. Research consistently highlights the critical role reading to children has in their cognitive and emotional development. A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in the 2024 December issue of the journal, Pediatrics, found that children who are read to regularly demonstrate improved language skills, a larger vocabulary, and better overall academic performance compared to their peers who are not read to daily. Additionally, reading fosters a strong parent-child bond, enhancing social-emotional skills and instilling a lifelong love for reading. By making reading a daily habit, parents can significantly impact their child's educational journey and encourage their curiosity and imagination. It’s never too late to start reading with your child!

High Honors:

8th Grade - Madalynn Allen, Myah Batton, Oliver Christiansen, Deven Engrav, DaCota Freymiller, Kadyn Gasner, Trygve Herlitz-Collins, Isaiah Hines, Ryker Hrubes, Lainey James, Mackenzie Liddicoat, Leah Nelson, Ainsley Pickel, Alex Potter, Jaeden Roelli, Blake Schauff, Ever Schilling, Ruby Volenec, Brayden Walker, and Kipton Wetzel

7th Grade - Lucille Anderson, Charlie Bollant, Kierah Dahl, Olivia Enloe, Aubrey Gochenaur, Isabell Johnson, Isla Klaas, Evie Koss, Lillian Masters, Ayden Olson, Callie Pickel, Jaxson Reiter, Jordence Rothamer, Grant Schauff, Sadie Spurley, Elway Walter, Quinn Williams, and Landon Wyatt

Honors:

8th Grade - Rohwen Aultman, Avah Clark, Maxwell Hake, Shaylee Husom, Tucker Leix, Brynn Milestone, Owen Munson, Payton Orth, Kayden Peterson, and Elsie Van Overmeer

7th Grade - Allison Bartolo-Garcia, Katie Bartolo-Rivera, Corbin Batton, Patrick Brennan, Ivan Chipahua-Acatzihua, Joshua Connolly, Elijah Fulton, Blade Hahn, Klyde Halverson, Bentley Kasparek, Natalie Mayne, Jonathan Quiahua, Caitlyn Runde, and Kaydee Shemak

Flag Football: Registration is open for students in Kindergarten-6th grade interested in IG Flag Football. Please use this link to register. Registration closes July 14th at 3 pm. https://forms.gle/JwFiZV71cUs7wiK9A

Panther Dancers: Registration is open for students in grades 1st-8th grade interested in Panther Dancers for the Fall Season. Our first practice will be held on August 10th. Registration closes August 1st. Use this link to register. https://forms.gle/himWwz8SLDGdGSc77