Hortonville Fall2009

Fall 2009 / Edition: 3 Economy impacts ‘Digging’ for a cure school district budget By Bill Prijic In fact, we are one of only two school District Administrator districts that are not taxing to the allow- able revenue limit in the Fox Cities and Every resident, whether they have a our conference. This demonstrates the child attending our schools or not, is Board of Education’s understanding of impacted by our school district and our our current economic climate. district budget. This year’s budget is Your board of education cut especially unique in that it is the first $1,000,000 from last year’s budget, but year that the district’s state aid the loss of over $1.15 million in has decreased from the previ- state aid was too significant to ous year. overcome. This resulted in the The nation’s economic crisis mil rate increase. over the past year has greatly To the board of education’s impacted everyone in our credit, they managed to make nation, our state and unfortu- the required cuts without caus- nately in our school district. ing horrendous harm to our Your board of education has students’ education. They were struggled mightily as they’ve PRIJIC also able to keep sufficient wrestled with balancing the resources in the budget need to provide adequate required by our strategic plan. resources to educate our students with This was not an easy task and our board the local taxpayer’s ability to pay. members suffered many sleepless Mil rate increases are rampant nights as they sought solutions. The Hortonville Volleyball program recently hosted a match entitled ‘Dig for a Cure.’ The across the state and nation, and the The good news is that our students goal was to raise awareness of Breast Cancer and to raise money to donate to the Wis- Hortonville Area School District is not will still receive a very high quality edu- consin Breast Cancer Coalition. Through the donations of several individuals and compa- immune. Our seven percent mil rate nies, the volleyball program was able to purchase pink jerseys and a pink ball to be used cation this year. To each of the district’s at the match. There were also informational brochures at the match to help people bet- increase, though higher than anyone taxpayers, I would like to offer our ter understand the causes, frequency, and prevention of breast cancer. There was a $1 wants, is still one of the lowest thanks to you on behalf of our students. donation asked of the spectators at the door and collection cans placed out as well. increases in the Fox Cities and our con- Thank you for supporting our future, Through the generous donations, the volleyball program was able to raise $305. The pro- ference. the students attending our schools. gram could become an annual event. Colantonio excited about technology advancements By Nathan Falk nology and 21st Century skills to help Newsletter coordinator students,” he said. “In a smaller school district (I’m used to those with Scott Colantonio, the school dis- 7,000 to 14,000 students) you have a trict’s new technology director, is chance to get to know people and help excited for what’s ahead. them with projects and activities, Colantonio has spent the past 19 something that’s harder to do in a years serving the needs of public larger district.” school students and staff. Colantonio said he’s After four and a half years as a excited about the possibilities middle school teacher, he that have opened up with the First Lady Jessica Doyle, and former State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster present moved into the role of technol- use of Skyward, the district’s Sandy Schultz and Marcia Schmidt the Governor’s Health Award. ogy administrator for the new online system. Burbank Unified School “It has great capabilities to District in California. After meet needs, whether it’s fam- HHS earns Governor’s Health Award lengthy stints as IT director in ily access, gradebook, and Stevens Point and Oshkosh, those types of services,” he Hortonville High School has been honored new/additional creative programs that pro- he’s proud to help Hortonville said. “At this point there’s as a Gold Award Winner in the Governor’s mote healthful living in all aspects of a students and staff with their COLANTONIO been a lot of positive feedback School Health Award competition for the third person’s life. technology needs. from teachers, staff and par- year in a row. A team comprised of Susie Steingraber, “This is a great chance to help stu- ents — they’re pleased with what they At a ceremony at the Governor’s High School Health Instructor; Marcia dents and staff really take advantage can do.” Residence, First Lady Jessica Doyle and State Schmidt, Physical Education Instructor; of the 21st Century learning opportu- Colantonio also credits his staff — Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster Heather Kloehn, Food Service Director; nities at our fingertips,” Colantonio Network engineer Ben Dumke, and said. announced the 2009 winners of the Governor’s MaryLynn Hermus, Counselor; Wendy technicians Pat Armstrong and Cory Scott and his wife, Linda, live in School Health Awards. The awards are given Neyhard, Assistant Principal; Pamela Kaisler — for their work. Oshkosh. They have three children, to schools in recognition of their effort to Peterson, Health Office Aide; Sandra Schulz “The amount of time Cory spent RN, District Nurse worked to review the Anthony, 14, Danny, 12, and Julia, 10. training everyone paid big dividends, develop programs, policies, and resources that school’s health, nutrition, and physical activity Linda is a teacher in the Oshkosh and Ben and the staff made sure our support students’ academic achievement and programs and policies. They completed an School District. network connections are stable, so long-term physical health. application that delved into the school’s com- “As a parent of three kids, and people can be successful without a lot “We know that healthier students support mitment to promote healthful living; and being married to a teacher, I’m in a of outages or problems,” Colantonio healthier communities, which in turn support developed a portfolio of actual examples of unique spot to hear first-hand some of said. “Pat is always on the run fixing a healthier Wisconsin,” said Doyle. “The what they accomplished, their plan for contin- the things they want to do to help computers, phones, and all the equip- schools that are being recognized with a ued growth, and their goals for the year. make those advancements available ment people depend on.” Governor’s School Health Award are doing a Their application, reviewed by a panel from in our schools,” he said. With technology advancing so great job of creating opportunities for every- the departments of Health Services and Public Colantonio said one of is main goals quickly, Colantonio said they’re always one in the school to become healthier and Instruction, the Wisconsin Partnership for is helping shape opportunities for staff looking to meet people’s needs. more physically fit.” Activity and Nutrition, and the Governor’s — balancing between the technical “Ultimately, we’re looking forward For Hortonville High School to continue to Council on Physical Fitness and Health, was side and educational side. to moving as quickly as we can to receive this award at the highest level, they one of only twelve schools in Wisconsin to “I feel the staff in Hortonville are make more opportunities available for had to show continued improvement and achieve this status. genuinely excited about utilizing tech- students and staff,” he said. Page 2 Help HMS support our troops! LeMahieu enjoys bettering the Hortonville Middle School is once again partnering with the American Items that are being collected are: community through involvement Legion Auxiliary Hammond-Schmit — 15,000 New Christmas cards Unit 55 in Hortonville in their annual — 100 Hanukkah Cards By Nathan Falk it takes forever to make Christmas troop support campaign. — Fist-sized or smaller Christmas decorations Newsletter coordinator a decision,” he said. Their goal is to send 400 boxes of — Christmas music CDs “I’m impressed with supplies for 3,500 troops between — Beef jerky or foil pouches of tuna Recently appointed school board this group of volunteers October and February. Boxes con- — Small packages of dried fruit, nuts, or trail mix member David LeMahieu said he’s — they are highly moti- taining Christmas items will be — Granola, breakfast, or protein bars excited to serve, because it’s a part of his vated and focused mailed in mid-November. Boxes of — Microwave popcorn or small packages community. individuals. It’s very food and socks will be mailed in caramel corn “The challenges are different than I results oriented — I like January and February. Cash dona- — 13 oz. or smaller containers any my work and I’m feeling tions can be mailed to: American thought they would be, but I’m regular (no decaf) coffee product LEMAHIEU good about it.” Legion Auxiliary Unit 55, — Apple cider mix impressed with how efficient and well run the school board is,” he said. The schools in the Americanism Committee, W9096 — Cappuccino mix district are what led the LeMahieu fam- LeMahieu represents the towns of Spring Road, Hortonville, Wisconsin — Tea (no decaf) ily to settle in Hortonia. 54944. Items are being collected at — ‘Cup-of-Soup,’ ramen noodles, or Hortonia and Dale. He lives in the town “We purchased our property in the HMS. Donna Nickel, HASD commu- Styrofoam cup instant soup of Hortonia with his wife Lynn, and sons Hortonville School District nearly 20 nity member and mother of son Joe — Microwave instant dinners Matthew and Nathan — who are both years ago after researching the perform- serving in Iraq, is organizing the — Instant oatmeal students at Hortonville High School.

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