TalonTimes
Newsletter of Southern Door School District
Volume 40 Issue 2
Students Organize Fundraiser for Mental Health Awareness by Ben Grota (SDHS Senior)
Residents of the Southern Door school district and the wider northeast Wisconsin area recently came together in a powerful show of community strength and compassion, rallying to support a neighboring school in a time of tragedy. In early February, a student at Kewaunee High School, Owen Vaughn, tragically passed away after struggling with mental health challenges.
Owen’s passing deeply affected the Kewaunee community, moving Southern Door students to take action. Students organized a fundraiser, finding inspiration in Sturgeon Bay High School’s intramural basketball team. Students created a team and planned a game between Sturgeon Bay and Southern Door for February 13th. On the day of the game, students sold bracelets provided
by the Vaughn family, raising over $400 alone from Southern Door students and staff. Later, the wider community came together to donate while watching the intramural basketball game. The event raised more than $1,600, with additional donations still coming in. All the proceeds will go to Owen’s family who aim to use it to spread awareness in the community about mental health and suicide prevention.
Spring Update: Community Survey & Operational Referendum Community Survey Results Earlier this school year, we conducted a Community Survey to gather input from residents regarding the overall state of our district and the possibility of an operational referendum in April, 2025. We appreciate everyone who took the time to share their perspectives. Here are some key takeaways: 77% of respondents rated the district as “good” or “great” in delivering high-quality education—our highest-rated category. 28% of general community members and 12% of parents supported the option to cut staff and increase class sizes. 22% of general community members and 19% of parents supported delaying updates to classroom materials. Approximately 37.5% of residents would vote in favor of the operational referendum as proposed. Based on this feedback, the School Board
decided not to pursue an operational referendum at this time. The district’s current threeyear operational referendum, which has been helpful in supporting our schools, is set to expire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Planning for the Future Transparency and community engagement remain top priorities. To keep residents informed, district staff are attending all nine town board meetings and local organization meetings, and are available for individual or small-group discussions. These conversations help us share financial insights, answer questions, and gather feedback from our community. We are also committed to providing data -driven updates in upcoming newsletters. Based on recent community requests, the following information is included in this issue: Teacher Salary Comparison – How does Southern Door compare to neighboring districts? (See Figure 1)
Staff Reductions – What positions have been reduced in recent years to manage costs? (See Figure 2) Turf Facility Usage – How is our turf facility utilized? (See Figure 3) Looking ahead, the June 2025 newsletter will address additional topics, including: A cost analysis of the 2022 operational referendum ($14.9 million). An overview of the district’s existing debt obligations. A comparison of the costs associated with privatized vs. district-owned transportation services.
of our district. District leaders, educators, parents, students, and community members will come together to review funding, budgeting priorities, and financial challenges. Your input is invaluable as we work toward increased transparency, stronger community engagement, and informed fiscal decisions. Please consider attending and sharing your perspective by reserving your spot at the event. I welcome ongoing discussions about these important topics. If you have any questions or want to RSVP for the Community Roundtable, please contact me at kkrutzik@sdsd.k12.wi.us or 920-8257311.
Join the Conversation: Community Roundtable on April 29 (RSVP Event)
Thank you for your continued support in shaping the future of the Southern Door County School District.
We invite you to a Community Roundtable on April 29, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00pm. This event is an opportunity to engage in open discussion about the financial health
Dr. Kevin Krutzik Superintendent
Figure 1: District Financial Information - Comparison to Door County Schools The following chart highlights key financial comparisons between Southern Door and neighboring districts, including enrollment, operational referendums, spending per student, and teacher salaries. It provides transparency on district funding and helps inform stakeholders about the financial landscape affecting our schools.
A Note from the Superintendent
Category
Southern Door
Gibraltar
Sevastopol
Sturgeon Bay
Washington Island
Student Enrollment
1,001
533
591
1,065
56
Current Operational Referendum
$975,000
$7,075,000
$4,250,000
$3,300,000
$995,000
Current Spending Per Student
$17,709
$29,724
$24,000
$17,899
$32,467xxx
Teacher Salary Range
Entry: $43,665
Entry: $50,000
Entry: $47,200
Entry: $40,000
Entry: $42,500
Mid: $55,365
Mid: $72,754
Mid: $63,224
Mid: $61,609
Mid: $55,125
Top: $66,365
Top: $99,355
Top: $80,091
Top: $75,121
Top: $66,150
I hope this message finds you well as we continue making great strides in the 2024-25 school year. It has been inspiring to see the dedication and hard work of our students and staff in classrooms, hallways, and beyond. Across all grade levels, students are engaging in meaningful learning experiences, tackling new challenges, and achieving academic success. Our teachers and staff remain committed to fostering a positive and enriching environment where every student can thrive.
(without benefits)
Based on licensure & years of experience
Figure 2: District Employee Information - Staffing Levels Last 5 Years The following chart highlights staffing levels at Southern Door over the past five school years, including teachers, administrators, support staff (and student enrollment), showing a reduction of over 15 employees during this period. It provides transparency on staffing trends and helps stakeholders understand the district’s efforts to balance resources while continuing to support students. Position
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
District Office Administration
3
3
3
3
3
Instruction/Assessment
2
2
2
2
2
Principals
3
3
3
3
2
Teachers (Regular & SPED)
93
99
94
89
86
Counselor/Psychologist/Behavior Support
5
5
5
5
5
Physical/Occupational Therapy/Nurse/Speech & Language Pathologist
4
5
5
7
6
Information Technology/Library Media Specialist
2
2
1.5
1
1
Associates (Regular & SPED)
21
19
17
19
17
Bus Driver/Clerical/Maintenance/Custodial
21
21
19
17
15
Number of Employees per year
153
157
154
144
137
Student Enrollment
1012
998
995
998
1001
Outside the classroom, our winter sports teams and extracurricular programs have demonstrated remarkable effort, teamwork, and perseverance, and are beginning to wrap up their seasons with strong finishes. At the same time, our spring activities are eagerly preparing to begin, ready to build on the momentum of their peers. The energy and enthusiasm within our school community continues to shine, and I look forward to seeing all that we will accomplish together in the months ahead. Thank you for your ongoing support in making our schools a place of excellence and opportunity for all. Dr. Kevin Krutzik Superintendent kkrutzik@sdsd.k12.wi.us and 920-825-7311
Continued page 2
INSIDE:
Honoring the 2025 Retirees page 2
School Board Election page 3
Winter Sports Update page 4